Port of Yamba Historical Society
newsletter
summer
page 2
Walking Group
The Walking Group photo above could have a tag like…The Historical Walking group has enjoyed the coastal scenery of the Pippi Beach board walk during May – when weather has permitted. Weekly walks are 8.30am Thursdays. Contact coordinator Anne Dinham to find out the current meeting point
Welcome to our New Members
Deidre Lawrie, Ray Moran and Sandra Teece
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We are so happy to have you join our community of history enthusiasts. As new members, you play a vital role in preserving and celebrating our shared heritage. Come into the museum and explore the exhibits, attend events, and meet other museum members. Thank you for becoming a member of the museum !
Volunteer Profile - Meredith Bates
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Growing up on a farm west of Melbourne meant lots of freedom. Yes, there was work to do, but I could occasionally escape and head down to the creek with my dog or take off on my pony to visit local friends. Parents had no time to drive their kids around for play dates! They were too busy working.
Our primary school was a rural school. There were 19 of us from prep to grade six. We moved from one side of the school room to the other during our years at primary school. It wasn't very far to shift desks during our years there, but I'm sure we kept our teacher busy. High school was a huge shock for me. There were 1,000 students! I'd never seen so many people in one place before. So many classrooms and teachers. Bit of a contrast to primary school with 19 students. Somehow I survived and did my tertiary education in Melbourne. I never planned on being a teacher, but I'm glad it worked out that way. I loved it and had lots of fun at several secondary schools and TAFE colleges over the 35 years I was teaching.
Before I married I took a year off from teaching and travelled extensively overseas to Africa, Europe, Canada and America. Such a fantastic experience. I've also been to parts of Asia and NZ a couple of times. Experiencing different cultures and ways of life is such a privilege. Best education a person can get, in my opinion.
Teaching full time and keeping my family on track meant a busy life for many years. My husband was a teacher too. After our retirement we built a new home on the Mornington Peninsula and spent 10 years exploring Australia in our caravan. We had many adventures and escaped the cold winters in Melbourne. It was wonderful. Australia really is the lucky country.
My children went to university in Melbourne but now live in the Northern Rivers region. Hence my move to Yamba. We all love it here. In the last couple of years I've found the Yamba community extremely welcoming. Volunteering at the Museum is a terrific experience. I am impressed by the dedication, time and effort that goes on behind the scenes as well as the enthusiastic and helpful volunteers who welcome our museum visitors at the front desk. The museum houses much of our Yamba history, but it is so much more: the weekly historical walking group, visiting coach tour groups, school students and other organisations on a regular basis, morning teas for groups of visitors, meetings and social interactions, art installations, special displays such as the surfing exhibition, researching local history and collecting photos, keeping track of the Society’s collection, ensuring the computers are up and running and keeping the museum garden looking good. Our visitors, both local and from everywhere else, enjoy the history and displays inside the museum. But there's so much more to Yamba Museum!
Membership Renewal
Your PYHS membership needs to be renewed by June 30th. An email has been sent with a reminder of the ways to pay the $20 per person renewal fee:
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In person by cash or EFTPOS at the museum during regular opening hours
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By direct deposit to PYHS account BSB: 062-688 Account Number: 10153663 (Using your name as the reference)
Please note there is no need to complete a paper membership Renewal form … unless your contact details have changed. Even better please email such changes to yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com.
If paying in person please ensure that the volunteer on duty issues you a receipt – showing your name clearly, for us to process your renewal payment.
Thankyou for your continued support.
Celebrating Surfing - exhibition, talks and enthusiasm!
EXHIBITION - SURFING: ANGOURIE & YAMBA
Report from Curator Gai Pritchett
The original team of Fay Brown, Susan Masters, Jude McBean, Warrwick Hoad, Mark Maunsell and myself first established our criteria and delegated jobs in July 2023. We had to incorporate all of Yamba and Angourie and cover early history, manufacturers of surfboards and fashion, local champions, clubs and events, so as to offer something for everyone and every age group.
We had our list of people to interview and research, boxes of surfing magazines and videos to sort through, previous surf exhibit photos and documentation, and ideas from visits to Surf Museums. It was a huge relief when Denis McPherson offered to make us stands to suit the size and shape of our display surfboards, especially Brian Allford’s. Simon Allard made the Surf Ski stand and the floor stand for Ray Moran’s custom-made George Greenough Malibu. In preparation for the display, Jude’s scale model of the Kirk was invaluable!
John Marcus and Susan Ong painted and sanded panels of cardboard, while Tim Pritchett worked out a way to attach and frame the 10 panels, and also made prop stands. Rick Angelo was extremely helpful and generous in printing photos. Denise Patten built the exterior surfboard signs, as well as designing the bollard covers placed around town. As the momentum grew, locals offered many items on loan – more paperwork!
The opening was enjoyed by a crowd of 127 with Ray Moran and his scrapbook a huge hit. MC Doug Brown invited stories of the early years of surfing from Ray Moran and encouraged retired champion surfer Kate Skarrett- Wilcomes to the microphone. The camaraderie amongst the crowd was a delight to experience and reconnected many.
Many visitors were surprised by some aspect: “I didn’t know X had done so much” etc. The fashion brought back memories and reading those stories brought awareness and respect for the makers. The Surf Ski story surprised many as they were not aware such a high-profile event had been carried out in Yamba, or about the Palmers Island invention that went worldwide.
I am most grateful for those who volunteered to man the Old Kirk every day during our April opening. We stopped unruly toddlers from demolishing the large shells and men from wanting to lift and feel the surfboards! One lady asked me where she could buy one of Vance’s shirts! Apart from protecting the valuable items on display we were able to add to answer questions, explain how they get out to ride those massive waves, etc. Many commented on the variety of information and how well the display was put together. The large screen certainly had impact as did the bollard signs around town.
I believe we have had record numbers through the museum in April. Everywhere I go people stop to say how much they enjoyed the exhibit. I’m told it was the talk of The Point - favourably!
SURFERS TALK
Nat Young loves to speak to an audience so he was in his element with 25 in the room and spoke of the early days, using his original 1961 California trophy. Simon Ruse spoke about warming up, the need to work on thoracic rotation, general fitness and demonstrated a few exercises. The crowd of hard core surfers at this event were very impressed with the exhibition.
As an internationally recognised surfing destination, the growth of the area is largely due to people’s love of our beaches and surfing.
Attending the Surfing Exhibition days before closing were champion Wave Ski surfers. L-R :
Rob Wilson of Yamba, Billy Dalton of Evans Head, Reece Duncan of Palm Bch Gold Coast ex Grafton and Dave Andrews Grafton
The boys thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition and were both proud and grateful to be included in the exhibit.
Yamba Hotels
The Woolli Hotel was built in 1862 by Walter Black. When he died on 09 June 1904 his wife Maria continued to manage the establishment. At Macksville on 10 November 1908 the Special Licensing Court ruled that the hotel licence would expire in three years from the date of the Government Gazette Notice of 10 September 1911. Maria died on 22 July 1910.
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In 1912 the two allotments were transmissioned to her sons, Edwin Alexander Black and Walter Gilbert Black, both accountants of Cottesloe, WA. The title for Allotment 1 had been transferred to their brother William Samuel Black in 1908 where he constructed his residence. In 1920/21 he obtained title to the other two allotments.
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A Letter to the Editor from a returning visitor in the 1918 DEX stated that “the Woolli Hotel was in ruins”.
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In 1925 Allotments 1, 2 and Part 3 were subdivided by DP13243 into 6 Lots:
·William retained Lot 1, which was all of Allotment 1 and contained his residence
·Lot 2 was purchased by Grafton widow Frances Harriet Zietsch (4 Harbour Street)
·In 1927 Charles Cavanagh, a farmer of Woodford Leigh, purchased Lots 3 to 5, containing the old hotel buildings which were converted into two separate houses and holiday rented as “Cavanagh’s Flats” (6 – 7 Harbour Street). He also purchased Lot 6 in 1928.
·In 1937 Lots 3 to 6 were transmissioned to Alice Winifred Cavanagh, Margaret Imelda Lock and John Henry Ford. After Lock and Ford died, Cavanagh became the sole proprietor.
Cavanagh's Flats
DP 13243 of 1925 showing the Woolli Hotel
Yamba Hotel was built in 1884 (15-19 Wooli Street).
William John Hancox leased the premises to Glassford Pressick in October 1914. In August 1916 extensive alterations were made by contractor Mr Strauss. A team of carpenters under W. Crispin made an extensive overhaul inside and out. A large plunge pool was installed.
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In April 1917 Peter Wood Smith of Ramornie purchased the licence from Pressick, who was reportedly missed by the residents as he had been a generous and hard worker at all patriotic functions. In February 1918 Smith was appointed wharfinger (owner) of Yamba wharf. He advertised that the "Famous Yamba Watering Place and Health Resort has been newly furnished and renovated throughout: Fish and oysters daily with rowing boats always available”.
P1913-1916 photo Yamba Hotel beyond Tulloch’s house at corner of Wooli and Yamba Streets,with Monday’s washing on the line 1913-16.
In July 1920 an advertisement appeared in the DEX for private sale of the substantially built Yamba Hotel, facing Yamba Bay, with over twenty rooms and offices in good order. Tenders were invited, closing 02 August, by a Sydney firm of solicitors to purchase the Freehold of the hotel subject to a lease with six years to run. This proved unsuccessful as another advertisement appeared for an auction on 11 December on A/c WJ Hancox for Allotment 3 of Section 4, ½ acre of land, on which was erected Yamba Hotel, with all outbuildings. It claimed that this hotel was favourably known all over the Tablelands and North Coast as a summer resort. It was a substantially built two storey building and contained every convenience such as commodious commercial and public dining rooms, convenient bar and parlours, bedrooms upstairs, balcony and verandahs overlooking the ocean. The advertisement asserted that Yamba, besides being a popular summer resort, had a large permanent population.
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Still no buyers, so the Smiths purchased the Freehold from Hancox in May 1921. They then leased the hotel to Maclean hotelkeeper Simon Hemmy in February 1922, with Smith taking over the lease and goodwill of the Commercial Hotel at Ulmarra in March.
In April 1924 a Court Order was issued for demolition of an old building adjoining the Yamba Hotel within one month. In June an application made by Hemmy to erect a new building in the yard of the hotel was approved and he was given one month to complete.
From reports in 08 August 1925 DEX the license of Yamba Hotel was transferred from Simon Hemmy to John Henry "Jack" Cusack.
In July 1926 at a special sitting of Maclean Licensing Court, Henry Edward Foster, formerly of Prince of Wales Hotel, Tamworth took over the license of the hotel from Cusack on the 09th.
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Reported in 09 July 1926 DEX that at Maclean Licensing Court on 02nd application was made for alterations to the hotel by owners Peter Wood and Theresa Ann Smith. An inspection by District Licensing Inspector, Police Sergeant McAlpin of Grafton and Police Constable Buxton of Yamba, on 02 February 1927 found a number of defects in the building and vermin infestation. As it was the only hotel in Yamba, they felt it should be brought up to modern standards. Public Works Department Architect Dominic Victor Chiggeno of Lismore found the same defects and commented that the whole building was in a poor state of repair. Police Constable Buxton stated that the travelling population of persons resident in Yamba was about 6,500 for a period of five months and 4,000 for travelling tourists for the year. From 23 December to Boxing Day seventy people stayed overnight. Average daily occupation was eight to nine persons per night, with the hotel fully booked at Easter.
The bench ordered remodelling of the kitchen and staff dining room; a new kitchen to cater for up to two hundred persons etc. and replacement of galvanised iron roof with “Armco” Iron painted with bituminous paint. Twelve additional first-class bedrooms were to be erected, and six second-class bedrooms to replace those demolished which were then over the kitchen. At least four bathrooms, in suitable positions, were to be erected with necessary fittings to connect hot and cold water services. Lavatories were to be provided for both sexes upstairs, also on the ground floor, to be connected with a septic tank. The main roof was to be completed by 02 October 1927 and all other works by 02 April 1928. Plans for the remodelling were to be submitted to Maclean Licensing Court by 02 August 1927.
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A fresh application was made in Maclean Licensing Court on 05 January 1928 as the previously approved design would have cost £9,000 and was much too elaborate for Yamba. The owners were happy to carry out improvements only as per new plans. The Chairman agreed as he was keen to preserve a hotel in Yamba. He suggested an application under Section 40 be made for repairing and rebuilding and left it up to the Licensing Magistrates Board to deal with. This was agreed to and approved. Architect of Lismore and Grafton F.J. Board estimated seven months for the rebuild at an estimated cost of £4,000, including electric light installation.
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South Grafton hotelkeeper William John Zietsch purchased the Yamba Hotel from the Smiths in May 1928. It was the intention of the new owners to put up a better class of building than that ordered by the Board. The Licensing Reduction Board also approved extension of time for affecting the required improvements to January 1929. The Architect Board advised that the contract for construction work on the hotel was awarded to Maclean builder Francis J Robertson.
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In September 1929 Alexander W McPherson, formerly of the Post Office Hotel at Grafton, purchased the licence of the hotel, replacing Foster. The residents gave a warm welcome to Alex “Sandy” McPherson and his wife, Wilhelmina Ann. He took over at the beginning of the high season in the fine new building. He undertook extensive furnishing of the hotel ready for the official opening on 26 October 1929.
Photos of Yamba Bay and flat showing the completed Yamba Hotel 1931.
At the Maclean Licensing Court on 08 July 1932 the license of the Yamba Hotel was transferred from Alexander McKay McPherson to George Parnell, a successful farmer and vet of Southgate.
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However, the two storey hotel was destroyed by a spectacular fire in the early hours of 26 May 1933. The fire was said to have originated from the upper rooms above the kitchen and spread quickly through the old oregon building. A bucket brigade was formed and the adjoining premises owned by Emily Duggan were saved. The fire commenced in the original wooden building and spread to the modern wood-fibro portion. Only the outbuildings escaped destruction. The building was reportedly insured for £5,000 as well as furniture and effects.
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Maclean Licensing Board at a meeting on 06 October 1933 approved an application for removal of the licence of Yamba Hotel from the existing site to a proposed new hotel in Pilot Street.
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Memories surround this mystery item.
Many of us would have seen this item in different sizes and shapes. You may still own one !
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This mystery item is perfect to show a grandchild or great grandchild.
Ask them a question ... consider the
What purpose is this tool that was commonly used in households before modern appliances took over?
This tool was manually operated to process a particular ingredient, what is the ingredient?
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Click on the image to magnify the
mystery object
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Mystery Item
Mystery Item - money boxes
Money boxes, also known as piggy banks or coin banks, have a long history dating back to ancient times. The concept of saving money in a container for future use has been practiced by various cultures around the world. The earliest known money boxes were made of clay and were used by ancient Greeks and Romans to store their coins.
In the Middle Ages, money boxes became more common in Europe, often made of wood or metal and shaped like animals or household objects. These containers were used by individuals to save their spare change and teach children the value of saving money.
During the Industrial Revolution, mass-produced ceramic piggy banks became popular, making it easier for people of all ages to save money. In the 20th century, plastic piggy banks became widespread, further increasing accessibility to saving tools.
Today, money boxes come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, catering to different preferences and needs. While the traditional piggy bank remains a classic choice, modern digital money boxes and savings apps have also emerged to help individuals track and manage their finances more effectively.
Vintage cast iron money boxes were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a way to store and protect coins. They were often designed with intricate details and decorative elements. There are many versions and a variety of names for our money box - which is missing an arm. Most of the names of the money box would be highly offensive to many people.
The Commonwealth Bank money box was designed to look like the bank's head office building in Sydney, which was seen as a symbol of national prosperity. It was first introduced in 1922 to encourage children to save money.
You could buy one for sixpence at bank branches or post offices. When you filled it up with coins, you had to take it to the bank to get your money out. Bank tellers had a special tool to open the money box and count the coins inside. Sometimes, people would put things like rusty nails or buttons in the money box by mistake. In the 1950s, the bank added a plug at the bottom so children could get their money out themselves.
The sale of these money boxes ended in 1968 when the bank started using plastic elephant ones instead. Many people who saved in these money boxes as children still have a connection to the Commonwealth Bank today.
What's happening in Winter 2024
JUNE
Mon 3 - Committee meeting - 9.30 am
Wed 5 - Coach tour
Fri 21 - Members meeting - 9.30 am
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JULY
Mon 1 - Committee Meeting 9.30 am
Thurs 25 - Coach Tour
AUGUST
Mon 5- Committee meeting - 9.30 am
Fri 9 - AGM
Sun 11- Pottery Exhibition opens
Sun 25 - Pottery Exhibition closes
Mon 26 - Coach Tour
SEPTEMBER
Mon 2- Committee meeting - 9.30am
Fri 5- Chapter Meeting - Evans Head
Fri 13 - LCAC Art and Crafts Exhibition
Sat 14 - Exhibition Opening 2.30 - 4.30pm
Thank you for taking the time to read your museum newsletter! Your interest and support mean a great deal to us. By staying informed about our latest exhibitions, events, and historical insights, you are helping us spread awareness and appreciation for our local heritage. We look forward to sharing more fascinating stories and updates with you in the future. Thank you for being a part of our museum community!