Port of Yamba Historical Society
We respectfully acknowledge the Yaegl people as the traditional custodians of the
land on which the museum is located.
Guest Speaker
Robert Lee - 5 pm, 30 April
If you missed Robert Lee’s fascinating first talk don’t miss his next! Yamba Museum Function Room 5pm Thursday 30th April, $5 entry, or free if you are a Society member
Yamba was in the thick of the transport action during the early years of settlement and through the war years. There are lots of myths about transport and Robert will set you straight on many of them. An experienced orator Robert has researched this history for many years as his main interest.
"The second talk will be rather different. The first talk was on the wider context of railway development in eastern Australia. The second talk has a more regional and local emphasis and looks at what happened in the North Coast region and specifically the Clarence. It will be on shipping, harbour works and railways and the driving forces behind them. It will also touch on the origins of the Country Party and the New State Movement for political context."
As you can see something for everyone!
What's On
Yamba Upshot Exhibition 4 April - 3 May 2026
‘Yamba Upshot’ art exhibition invites you to enjoy, absorb and connect with the detailed 2D and 3D pieces created through the eyes
of 3 local Yamba Artists Jan Armstrong, Allan Armstrong and Penny Levett. Their individual art practices are unique, the results of their sense
of fun and quirkiness and the need to tell a story. Whether it be real or imaginary, do not expect the normal or everyday.
The final upshot of their creative processes asks you to embrace the amazing figurative soft sculptures and print making of Jan Armstrong, the fascinating metal fabrications of Allan Armstrong and the detailed story telling, through pattern and colour, of Penny Levett’s miniature and larger artworks.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Penny Levett, a practising artist of over 30 years, moved to Yamba from Sydney in 2020. Currently exhibiting at Ferry Park Gallery, Maclean and Creative Artisans Gallery, Ballina, Penny predominantly focuses on creating miniature and small artworks (up to A2).
Her preferred mediums are watercolour, gouache and mixed media, utilizing colour and pattern to weave stories into her personal eclectic style of artwork. Penny is working on a new body of acrylic canvas artworks especially for this exhibition, her interpretation of the new Clarence Valley (Yamba) environment she views every day.
As a Member of NSW Miniature Society Inc. and a founding member of the Annual “All Things Great are Small - miniature/small artworks exhibition" in Bowral’s Community Art Gallery, there will most definitely be a few miniatures displayed, along with larger artworks on paper. Collectively, Penny's works showcase a vast range of creative techniques, the upshot being a great counter balance to the unique 3D sculptures and printmaking that will share the space.
Allan Armstrong hails from a metal trade background and started his artistic hobby by designing and making items out of his scrap metal. He is only restricted by the materials available! Allan uses mostly marine metal for his sculptures, but also copper or stainless steel. He has exhibited in the Coraki Art Show. ‘ The Shark’ is 2.2m long which took a few weeks to complete working constantly on it. ‘The Albatross’ has a 2.4m wingspan, with a stainless frame inside to stabilise the sculpture.
Allan creates a modern twist on metalwork contemporary individual pieces and he does commissions. Anyone for a garden sculpture? He is your man!
Jan Armstrong has a knack of creating 3D eclectic fabric/textile sculptures. All ‘one off’ unique pieces with their own character, 15cm – 50cm. Some with repurposed fabric. All Pieces have multiple components carefully chosen and sourced to create their unique subject. Truly lovely pieces.
Jan also creates collograph prints, these are collage style artworks. Ten years ago Jan began with lino cuts and progressed from there. Exhibiting in Ballina and Ferry Park and local art fairs and markets. Jan’s interest in soft sculptures developed 2 years ago and rapidly became her preferred artwork. Each piece with intricate stitchwork, combining different elements to create characters with attitude. Jan enjoys the search for materials, especially antique pieces.
The Port of Yamba Historical Society has been adding donated postcards to the collection for many years, recognising their value as historical and cultural documents. In this gallery, you can see examples that capture the character of Yamba and the surrounding region across different eras. These postcards offer glimpses of familiar streets, landscapes, and landmarks as they once were.
Today, postcards are treasured not only as collectibles, but as small, graphic records of social history. In museum collections, they provide unique insights into communication, travel, and local life—preserving moments in time that might otherwise be forgotten.
Postcards from the Collection
Admission Fees
Adults - $5
Children - Free
Members - Free
Visitor Pass holder - Free
A visitor pass can be issued to a visitor who has had insufficient time to complete their visit. It allows for a return visit with no additional entry fee. It is only valid for one week and is handed in on re-admission to the museum.
Pick up a self guided
Walking Tour
Brochure
from the
Museum
Accessibility: All gallery spaces are wheelchair accessible, along with an accessible toilet.
A visitor pass can be issued to a visitor with insufficient time to complete their visit.
It allows for a return visit with no additional entry fee. It is valid for one week.