Port of Yamba Historical Society
newsletter
Welcome to the winter newsletter for Yamba Historical Society. Enjoy coffee, cake and your feet up ... we are excited to share with you the latest updates, events, and historical insights from our society. Stay tuned for fascinating stories, upcoming events, and valuable information about the rich history of Yamba. Thank you for being a part of our community, and we hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter.
President's Report
You’ll recall my report from the previous newsletter on the successful upgrade by NBN to
Fibre to the Premises – at no cost to the Society, and our Telstra account is held at the same
amount per month. A true win for us in this very protracted complaint to the NSW
Ombudsman was that Telstra offered and we gratefully accepted a compensation payment
of $1,100 for the intermittent and often non-existent service over more than 2 years.
June Stocktakes: Library and Assets
During June we’re plunging into stocktakes – first will be the Library with Officer Honey
Clarke, assisted by Margaret Lawrence and Karen Toms on Saturday 1st June. The second will be an
asset stocktake of more than 440 separately listed items, coordinated by Phil Cousemacker
with several committee members taking responsibility for physically sighting items in one
location, as recorded in the PYHS Asset Register. This is time-consuming but a job that is an
essential part of our asset management process.
New equipment and appliances
Although our new server was less than 12 months old, a fault meant that it needed to be
replaced with a totally brand new one by IT River Technology – at no cost to us as the
former device was under warranty. We’ve also had to replace the drinks fridge in the
Function Room servery at a cost of $2,217 – a Bromic 1 door upright from Wotherspoon
Foodservice Design at Lismore was delivered on Friday 31 May, and the same supplier
took away the old drinks fridge. Many thanks to Rob Knight for finding, negotiating a very
reasonable price of $100 and then collecting from Wooli in his own vehicle a vertical map
drawer – second-hand in good condition. This will store our collection of maps in a much more conservation appropriate way.
Surfing exhibition during April
I’m sure you’ll all agree that the Surfing exhibition in the Old Kirk during April was an outstanding success – a total of 888 visitors passed through our doors, with dozens of young children keen to learn about our local surfing champions and the significant role that the Angourie/Yamba area plays in world surfing. The Surfers Talks were also well attended. Many many thanks to curator Gai Pritchett, her assistants Fay Brown and Sue Masters, and several local surfers – past and current - who contributed their carpentry skills,memorabilia, stories and trophies. I’d also like to thank local business owners and managers for being so supportive of our advertising on bollard sleeves at various CBD locations. This new form of marketing in which we invested had a very positive impact on attracting visitors, no doubt due to the design by member Denise Patten. You can purchase a surf exhibition bollard sleeve for just $10 from the museum. Gai’s report can be found later in the newsletter.
Committee Resignation
I regret to inform you that Gai Pritchett has resigned from the Committee and her position as Vice President. This is effective immediately and the VP role will remain vacant until the AGM elections. However, Gai will continue to volunteer in many areas of our operation - as our publicity and marketing officer; preparing regular media releases and postings for Facebook/Instagram; assisting as a guide for coach and community group tours and of course as a regular Front Desk volunteer. On behalf of the Committee, we wish to acknowledge Gai’s outstanding commitment to the Society.
Saving Precious Memories
Equipment, knowledge, patience and determination is required when the job requires digitising hundreds of Society cassette tapes of interviews that were recorded many years ago. They only have a maximum lifespan of 30 years if stored properly and kept away from heat, humidity or tape recorder malfunctions. This is one such job a member has undertaken. There are over 300 cassette tapes to be digitised, and if not done soon we could loose priceless insights into our local community from years ago.
We’re lucky enough that Committee member Philip Cousemacker has the skills for all things related to audio and is willing to take on the job. He has started digitising the old cassette tapes, consisting of interviews, radio programs of local stories, music, and Tim the Bream commentary. A highlight is an interview with one of Yamba's greatest lifesavers and Australia's leading surf belt swimmers, Rex 'Tiger' Teece.
The process of digitising cassette tapes to audio involves several steps to transfer the analog audio content from the cassette tape into a digital format. It involves a cassette player or deck to play the cassette tapes, as well as a computer with audio recording software and an audio interface to capture the audio signal. Listening to, monitoring and adjusting levels to ensure a quality recording is a process done in real time – there are no short cuts.
Given this is a very long, drawn-out job, Phil will work towards a future sound and sight exhibit - a wonderful focus for the future considering many of these recordings will have not been heard for several years.
Dramatic Sea rescue in Yamba 1954
Listen to one of the recordings that have recently been digitised by Phil.
Forthcoming Publication
We are currently finalising a new Society publication on the native plants in our Yaegl Cultural Garden. It will be a small A5 size booklet that features about 30 plants/shrubs/trees that were part of the initial planting by the Bush Regeneration team in 2021. It will also include a description of the mural at the entrance by Frances Belle Parker. Member Graeme East has spent much time and research compiling the list of plants, writing the text and searching for names of many plants in the Yaygirr language, the first language of Yaegl people in our community. Local graphic designer Adam Woodleigh (who was responsible for this year’s CVC Plunge booklet) has already completed the second draft so we’re anticipating a launch during NAIDOC in the first week of July. This has all been possible through a grant from FRRR (Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal).
The River of Learning Art Exhibition produced by Maclean HIgh School and curated by teacher Liza Hamilton opened on May 29 in the Old Kirk. This exhibition of student artworks has been running for several years. One of the important aims is to connect positively with Year 6 primary school students as they transition to secondary education in 2025.
The theme that the students were asked to base their artwork on was "Now, More Than Ever”. Forty eight entries from participating schools are being displayed from the following primary schools - Baryugil PS , Chatsworth Island PS, Cowper PS, Gulmarrad PS, Iluka PS, Maclean PS and Palmers Island PS. The winner will receive an amazon gift voucher and one voucher will go to every school that was involved.
The exhibition is being held during Reconciliation Week, a week based on two very important dates: the successful 1967 Referendum that meant First Australians could be counted as part of the population in the national census, and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision (recognising the existence of Native Title in Australia).
Inviting the community to view artworks created by young artists at the very location where many
Yaegl Elders and their families lived as children is a wonderful way to connect to reconciliation through the eyes of the young.
Searching for Answers
John McNamara was conducting research at Schaffer House in Grafton in November 2023. During his visit, he took a photograph of a surfing
reel and suggested to Steve Tranter, the President of the Clarence River Historical Society, that the reel would be better suited in Yamba. Steve agreed to present the suggestion to his committee, and after a few months, the same surf reel was en route to Yamba. This marks the beginning of an investigation to verify the authenticity of the reel.
Place your cursor on image to see the arrows, then click the arrow to go from one image to next.
The research process involves examining historic images of surf reels used during the early years of beach carnivals organised by Yamba Surf
Lifesaving Club. This involves closely analysing these images and comparing them with the newly acquired surf reel. Further investigation requires reviewing newspapers and the "100 Years of Yamba Surf Lifesaving History" book. By reading the article below and studying the images, more information about the surf reel may be uncovered.
Yamba Surf Club.
The Yamba Surf Club held a committee meeting on Friday. It was decided that the club affiliate with the Royal Life Saving Society. A sub-committee was formed to prepare plans of bathing sheds and give estimates of cost. lt is expected sheds will be erected before November. The reels for the life lines will be completed during the week, and the life lines are now ready. Tho buoys are being re-covered, and will be put in first-class condition. It was decided to approach Maclean and Grafton sympathisers regarding their wishes for a display of life-saving methods by the visiting Coogee Brigade in November. The Secretary was instructed to write the Government printer for printed calico signs showing methods of resuscitation. Mr. G H. Briner, M.L.A, wrote accepting the office of patron, expressing his sympathy with the movement, and contributing the life membership fee for himself and Mrs. Briner. Pilot Lucas and several other gentlemen have contributed life membership subscriptions.
​
The Clarence and Richmond Examiner, Tuesday September 29, 1908
​
Gallery will automatically start or simply click on the image to see a full screen view
The latest donation to our collection is the Freeburn Writing Box and serving table belonging to James Freeburn (b 1851 - d 1946) one of the eight children of Francis Freeburn (b 1812 - d 1879) . The obituary of Francis Freeburn had been glued to the top side of the writing box, which is transcribed below.
FRANCIS FREEBURN Died May 10, 1879, at the Clarence Heads (Communicated by Z)
MANY there were, who read
this simple obituary notice, of our late pilot know little of his services or his long connection with this port.
A native, I believe, of British-
America, and brought up from his earliest youth to a seafaring life, he made his way to the then little known Australian colonies over 40 years ago.
Entering into the coastal trade, his steady habits and knowledge of seamanship soon secured for him the command of various traders along our coast. The timber trade was then, I may say, the only export from our Northern rivers, and the means of opening them up for future settlement; in this trade Captain Freeburn made his first acquaintance with our rivers before the majority of our now men and women were even born, and no pleasanter hour could be spent than upon the South Head Look-out (where he has, in his latter years served us as pilot for more than a quarter of a century) to listen to the old man recounting incidents of his early associations with our districts and men who, alas, like himself, have now gone to 'that bourne from whence no traveller e'er returns.' Old settlers will well remember 'Frank' and the 'Bessie and of later years the 'Old Susan,' in times when coasting was somewhat more hazardous than in our day. The latter left her bones upon our Northern beach, but her former skipper was not then in command; and it says much for his care that in his years of trading he never lost a single vessel. When, in the year 1851, the Government, at the urgent request of shippers connected with the river agreed to appoint a pilot, Captain Freeburn was chosen from numerous applicants.
The late Dr. Dobie, who then owned pastoral properties here, and who had himself served in his late Majesty's Navy, lent his aid to secure the appointment - a recommendation which had all the moreforce as having travelled with him he could testify to the especial fitness of the applicant. He was formally appointed by the Governor in January, 1854, and has held the appointment ever since. The doctor was a shrewd judge of character and of his correctness in this instance 25 years service of the departed is the best commentary.
​
Hardy, powerful, bronzed and weather beaten with exposure to many a gale, he was the true type of a sailor, and brave as a sailor ever should be. He had just the necessary amount of caution which distinguishes true bravery from recklessness; kind and obliging, he made friends of all who came in contact with him ; and, take him all in all, his place will not easily be filled, and to his old friends never. He had gone through many perils, and in fulfilling the duties of his office was many times in situations of extreme danger ; his boats have been repeatedly swamped and stove (they were frequently quite unfitted for such service), and I well remember his steer oar once struck by a heavy sea and pitching him out to quickly scramble back by means of the same oar. On another occasion with three oars broken by one sea and his boat nearly filled, a couple of spare oars, which were fortunately on board saved himself and crew from a watery grave. Rocky Mouth was the spot chosen for his last resting place, but none fitter would have been than that near where he lived so long and served so well, in sight of the immense Pacific Ocean, and within sound of its booming waters, upon whose bosom he had sailed in storm and sunshine for many a year.
The S.M. Herald (of the l 4th) says:- Our telegrams from the Clarence on Monday recorded the decease on Saturday last, of Captain Francis Freeburn, pilot at the Clarence River Heads of an old and respected colonist. He arrived in the colony about fifty years since, and for many years traded to the Clarence River. Upon the establishment of a pilot station at that place in 1854, he was appointed pilot, and continuously held that office until the date of his death. He will long be remembered in the Clarence River district for his frank and good-natured disposition, while his well-known zeal and fidelity in the discharge of his public duties, secured fur him the confidence of the Government. Captain Freeburn was a widower, and leaves five children.
Freeburn Family Donation
Back Then ... Photograph of Yamba Bay
This is a photograph of the Bay, later known as Billy Black’s Bay, taken in the early part of the 20th Century. The Bay has since been filled in and is the site of Calypso Caravan Park. The photograph appears on an Empire Post Card, on the back of which is handwritten “Yamba, 15/6/09. Miss M Snow, Dunalban, Yamba”.
Clearly, the photograph was taken before this time, but can the date be better determined? There are a number of features of interest in the photo. The central feature at the rear is Yamba Hotel on Allotment 3 of Section 4, built in 1884. To its left are three buildings, all on Allotment 4 of Section 4 owned by the daughter of the late Maggie Buchanan, being a small store, the Post and Telegraph Office and Maggie Buchanan’s Boarding House. In front of these buildings on the left of the photograph are a number of boat sheds. At the right is the training wall, built with stone from the quarry below Pilot Hill. It was originally used to train the shipping channel and protect the Yamba foreshore from erosion.
The structure on the training wall in the foreground housed an automatic tide gauge and was constructed in 1899/1900. The white building at the rear is the School of Arts Hall and on the extreme right rear is the remains of the original Yamba Police Station. Although replaced by a new building, on the Wooli Street frontage in 1903, the old building was still in use for police purposes. In front of the School of Arts and slightly to the right is a house fronting the Bay and owned by George Edward Fry of Grafton. The causeway and bridge connecting the mainland near the Hotel to the public wharf on the training wall (out of view) was completed in March 1907.
​
The clue to the date of the photograph can be seen in the School of Arts Hall. The Hall was largely completed by July 1907 and it was officially opened on 29 th August. However, the reading room and library was still housed in the original structure at the rear and separated from the new building. The Inspector for the Department of Public Instruction reported that at the time of his visit on 26 th November, the reading room and library were not yet completed. It was not until early the next year that the old structure was finally connected to the new building with a verandah.
A close examination of the photograph shows the separation between the new hall and the old structure indicating that the photograph was taken in late 1907 before the connection was completed. The initials “F.P.H.” can be seen on the photo. Frederick Peden Hobbs was a photographer based in Sydney at the time. An examination of shipping passenger lists shows that passenger F.Hobbs was on board the steamer “Kyogle” which crossed the Clarence Heads Bar on 16 th September, 1907. The same steamer crossed out on 9 th October, 1907 with passenger Hobbs on board. It is quite possible that during these few weeks, F.P.Hobbs spent time at Yamba photographing various scenes including this example.
​
Further information relating to Frederick Hobbs will be provided in the next article.
Rob Knight
Can You Help ?
Volunteers: We Need you!
Bev Mansfield our Roster Officer is always looking for new volunteers to help
welcome visitors at the Front Desk. Flexibility is key and Bev is happy to
discuss options that may suit you. Call or email Bev, so our museum can be enjoyed
by everyone who wishes to visit.
Mobile: 049 958 8137 Email: bevmans67@gmail.com
Bev Mansfield served up the damper. Image: Lynne Mowbray.
School Visit and Thanks
SURFING: Angourie and Yamba EXHIBITION
Describe your image
On Monday 8th April fifty primary school children visited the surfing exhibition as part of their study on surfing. The students were excited and inspired as they were guided throughout the exhibition. Many children knew people in the photos and Chase Towner could be seen standing proudly in front of his dad's awards for a photo opportunity. They listened intently, were intrigued about the early influences of surfing in Yamba, Tommy Walker, the changing shapes of surfboards and all our local champions.
​
A crowd pleaser was the balancing disk as they all wanted a turn to test their balance. They all passed with flying colours!!
The Society’s volunteer guides - Anne Dinham, Kerry Hulm and Gai Pritchett - were surprised to find thankyou cards, designed, drawn and handwritten by the students to thank them, for taking them on a tour of the exhibition. All the cards can be seen in the photo gallery.