Port of Yamba Historical Society
Meet a New Member - Luke Brady
I live in Yamba with my partner Rachel and our adopted greyhound Rae, having moved here a year ago from Beechworth in north-east Victoria, a place that has a lot of preserved history from the gold rush era. I work at Clarence Valley Council as Coordinator Open Spaces Strategy, but please don't hold that against me (!). This is actually my first job in local government, having worked mostly in engineering and manufacturing industries. We're still finding our feet in Yamba and the region, touring around, visiting places and trying different things. We love a good cup of coffee or glass of wine, so you'll often find the 3 of us sitting outside one of Yamba's cafes or bars / restaurants.
I grew up in Mornington, about an hour south of Melbourne, and spent most of my adult life in and around Melbourne before doing the 'tree change' and moving to Beechworth about 6 years ago. Rach and I enjoyed living in the Victorian high country but both decided we're probably more 'salties' then 'freshies', and were also keen to be somewhere a bit warmer. So we did a bit of reconnaissance up and down the NSW coast, and like most people, fell in love with Yamba and the Northern Rivers. So after a bit of job and rental hunting, here we are!
Before moving here I was engineering manager at Brown Family Wine Group, working at a winery that started operation in 1889 (so was a great blend of my interests in wine and history!), and in Melbourne I worked at a couple of large companies, Toll and Dulux group, after doing about 10 years in engineering and project management consulting. Travel-wise, I did the usual gap year, half in Canada, half in the UK with some travel amongst that. Most of my overseas travel has focused on the UK, France and Germany (more wine and history!), and closer to home, the east coast of Australia, plus South Australia and a couple of trips out west, often with a focus on wine regions (yes, there's a theme here!).
I am interested in history generally and thought it would be a good way to connect with and learn about the local history of the area and its people, as well as being involved in something and meeting people, especially being relatively new to Yamba.
Welcome to our New Members
Ann Pickering
Christopher Joy
Kim Veal
Luke Brady
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!
MEMBERSHIP FEES DUE
It’s that time of year again!
Your $20 per person PYHS membership renewal is now due and can be paid anytime up until June 30.
There’s no need to complete a renewal form unless your contact details have changed.
Two easy ways to pay:
1. Direct debit
BSB: 062688 (Commonwealth Bank)
Account Number: 10153663
Please use your name as the payment reference.
2. In person at the front desk
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 2pm
Payments can be made by cash or card. Please make sure you receive a receipt with your name on it so we can record your payment.
Life Members continue to enjoy their membership with no renewal fee required.
If you know someone who’d enjoy being part of PYHS, feel free to share this with them and invite them to join!
"Through Different Eyes" Art Exhibition
Yamba Collective's "Through Different Eyes" Art Exhibition is coming to the Old Kirk from 12th June to 5th July. Eight local artists, each with a unique style and medium, have come together to showcase their works.
Jude McBean was Director of the Grafton Regional Gallery for 25 years before retiring to Yamba. After graduating from the College of Fine Arts, UNSW, Sydney, Jude returned to regional New South Wales to work as an artist and art educator. Her first series of work were pastel or charcoal drawings of landscapes in the Clarence Valley which she exhibited regularly at Craft at Seelands during the Jacaranda Festival and at the Grafton Regional Gallery. Now located on the coast at Yamba she creates oil paintings for exhibitions and regional prizes, and enjoys carrying out commissions. Her works are held in the Stanthorpe, Tweed, Grafton and Inverell regional gallery collections in addition to many private collections.
Based in the landscape Jude’s paintings explore life in regional areas, reflecting her life of journeying from the coast to the western plains. She is currently working on a series from the Upper Clarence, revisiting an area from which she created a series of drawings early in her artistic career.
Bruce Zeitsch is also renowned in the area for his creativeness and produces large intricate and colourful works.
Glen Innes local Skye McKenny moved to Yamba in 2018. Skye's unique and colourful work comes purely from inspiration and years of experience working with acrylics and pen and watercolor. “After spending a couple of inspiring days at Coombadjha Art Camp, with friends from my hometown of Yamba, learning and creating under Graham Mackie’s watchful eye, I experimented with oil pastels for the first time. This piece is the result. It captures the beautiful rolling hills and changing light of the Mann River region, a landscape which I love.”
Wooloweyahan, Gillian Lowbridge, has both studied and taught art. She has become passionate about native plants and pollinators since moving to the Clarence Valley and produces light and colourful still life work adding her personal quirky touches.
Sally Cousens travels the world doing workshops with her embroidery and applique. It was a dose of chemotherapy that began Sally’s passion for stitching. “It is almost meditative to lose oneself in the world of textiles and stitching.” These works are a tribute to her love of Yamba beaches and flowers. All things fabric and thread is the best way to describe Sally's view of life through stitchery and looks amazing on a wall!
Lyn Bottomley has spent years experimenting and studying organic dying. Lyn produces unique fabric pieces featuring flowers and leaves in natural dyes giving rich earthy tones. These fabrics are then hand sewn into magnificent vases. Helan Tindal is known locally for her hand painted pottery but she also produces beautiful pen and paint works, a selection of both will be on display.
Gai Pritchett has renewed her love of drawing and painting during retirement and features a selection of watercolour sailing scenes and acrylic still life works.
This is the type of exhibition that allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the many and varied artworks, encouraging conversation and discussion.
The general public are invited to attend the official opening 5:30pm Friday 12th June at The Old Kirk, Yamba Museum. Exhibition closes 5thJuly.
Upshot Exhibition Raffle Winners
Excitement buzzed through the Plunge Festival celebrations as the Lucky Door Prize winners for the Yamba Upshot Exhibition were officially drawn on Saturday 2 May at the Yamba Maritime Museum’s Old Kirk Gallery.
The draw was conducted by Graeme East in front of fellow museum volunteers and a lively crowd of gallery visitors, adding to the festive atmosphere of the 2026 festival event.
Visitor Robin Marshall was delighted to win Bumble Bee – Save the Bees, a whimsical soft 3D sculpture created by artist Jan Armstrong.Meanwhile, respected local arts supporter Virginia Dierman took home Cheerful Bouquet, a beautifully framed miniature floral watercolour by Penny Levett.
DO YOU KNOW ? It is a Mystery
This unusual dress appears to be constructed from stiffened calico or a similar cotton fabric, printed with text and imagery relating to the Federation of Australia. The garment features a fitted bodice, full skirt and decorative shoulder detailing, suggesting it may have been created as a commemorative, theatrical or exhibition piece rather than for everyday wear. The exact age, maker and purpose of the dress are currently unknown, although it has been part of the Yamba Museum collection for many years.
The dress is presently held in the Museum Collection Storeroom; however, no provenance or supporting documentation has been located. The Yamba Museum Collection Team is seeking further information about the garment, including its origin, maker, date, or possible use. Anyone with knowledge of this unusual item is encouraged to contact the museum to assist us in documenting and interpreting this piece within the collection.
The Old Kirk - A Great Place for an event!
Looking for a unique and welcoming venue for your next event? The Old Kirk Function Room and Yarning Circle, nestled within the beautiful Yaegl Cultural Garden, provide a charming setting for a wide range of occasions. Whether you are planning a wedding, special celebration, community gathering, workshop, meeting or art exhibition, our spaces offer a relaxed and memorable atmosphere.
We would love to help make your event something special. For bookings and enquiries please contact
marg.lawrence@outlook.com
What's happening in Winter 2026
JUNE
Tue 9 closing River of Learning
Exhibition
Fri 12 Opening - 5:30am
Through Different Eyes
Sat 13 -
Through Different Eyes - Art Exhibition
JULY
Tue 2 - Closing of the Art Exhibition
Sun 5 - 12 Naidoc Week
Mon 8 - Committee Meeting 9:30am
AUGUST
Mon 10 - Committee Meeting 9:30am
Thank you for taking the time to read your museum newsletter! Hopefully you visit, maybe bring friends, or family to the museum to learn more about where we live.
Staying informed about our latest exhibitions, events, and historical insights, is helping us spread awareness and appreciation for our local heritage. We look forward to sharing more fascinating stories and updates with you. Thank you for being a part of our museum community!