Port of Yamba Historical Society
40 Years !
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newsletter
We acknowledge the Yaegl people as the traditional custodians of the land on which Yamba Museum is located and recognise their continuing connection to Country. We pay respect to Yaegl Elders past, present and emerging.
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AVID 2025
Glitching Out Exhibition
Can You Help?
Greetings and welcome to autumn, as well as to the latest edition of the Yamba Historical Society newsletter. As the cooler months settle in, we invite you to unwind while we bring you the latest updates, events and historical insights from our society. Expect fascinating stories, important dates and upcoming activities. We appreciate your involvement in our community and hope you find this newsletter enjoyable and informative.
40 Years
40 YEARS....... OUR RUBY ANNIVERSARY!​
This year the museum celebrates its 40th Birthday!
A small group has been meeting to plan an appropriate celebration. This will be observed on Saturday June 28th! We know this was NOT the actual date.....but working within our busy bookings schedule, allows for an associated exhibition to stand in The Old Kirk for the following 4 weeks.
Display Susan Ong, and the Ruby 40th team are putting together information to reflect 40 Years in Pictures. If you think you have something that could be included, please contact the museum by email in the first instance.
- Anne Dinham, Ruby 40th Planning Team Facilitator
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Back Then ... Photograph of Yamba
This photograph, taken at the intersection of Church and Clarence Streets in about 1930, shows the impact that drifting sand was taking on buildings in East Yamba at the time. Church Street is running up the hill to the left along the fence line while Clarence Street is dropping away to the right.
A number of houses in the area were gradually overcome by the sand and had to be relocated. A newspaper article reported that, with regard to a nearby house, “the sand piled up to it to the extent that at one time you could step on to the roof of the verandah”. The house in the foreground was owned by Josephine Roche, a spinster from Grafton. In 1932, she removed the house to a vacant block that she had purchased in Queen Street. The house survived for many subsequent years, known as “The Green Dolphin”, distinguished by its large green roof.
Behind Miss Roche’s house, to its left in the photograph, can be seen the old stumps of the house of Alfred Ensbey, which was totally destroyed by fire in 1926. This was a fairly common occurrence in those days.
The house to the immediate right of Miss Roche’s house was owned by Lucy Munns, a married woman of South Grafton. The sand problem caused her to call tenders in March 1934 for the purchase of the four roomed house and contents for removal purposes. It is not known when the house was removed but the land was vacant by 1942.
The house behind Miss Roche’s (you can only see the roof) was that of David John Lobban of Grafton, Solicitor. Lobban also experienced problems with the sand and, in 1934, shifted his house back up the hill to the rear of his block fronting Church Street (behind the stumps of Ensbey’s house). He continued to experience problems, particularly with gaining vehicular access.
In the 1940s, at least by 1946, Lobban’s house was the only building in Church Street. By this stage, however, the sand drift had been stabilised through the work of William Ager and new houses started to fill the East Yamba area as we know it today.
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ROB KNIGHT
President's Report
Since January this year the pace of our work at the Society has been at a consistently high level; with a range of activities and meetings for the committee and interested volunteer members: two art exhibition openings; planning to relocate our Blue files in the Flinders Room; buying more shelving and tidying up the Collection Room; hosting a coach tour group; holding an information session for active volunteers; planning for our 40th Ruby Birthday Anniversary; and considerable time and thought given to revitalising the museum's permanent exhibition. This newsletter has more details on all of these activities, in particular the celebration event planned for the Ruby Anniversay in the middle of the year and accompanying Old Kirk exhibition.
Revamp of Permanent Museum Exhibition
Since the previous newsletter, a small group has continued working with our Museum Advisor Dr Kate Gahan to revitilise our displays. It's a very exciting time given that Yamba Museum was officially opened 40 years ago on 12th March 1985. Our main focus recently has been Billy Black's skiff, currently stored outside near the shed. We've just accepted a quote from Michael Qua of Northern Rivers Boat Builders at Yamba Marina to construct a plinth with caster wheels and legs and make alterations to the existing cradle, so the skiff can be relocated in the Breakwater Room (hopefully mid-March), as a feature of our stories about individual people and their lives on the Clarence River mouth. You will notice a few changes to this display room in the next few months as we review all objects, photos and maps in our collection to select the most suitable for the new design and Focus on this part of the museum.
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As well, Deb McCredie of Yamba Cinema has formally donated several items from decades ago - projector, reel platter, seating, pop-corn machine, posters, signage - to help us create a former cinema experience display within the museum - to be viewed only by visitors. This means significant decisions about positioning these very large and heavy items before the actual exhibit can proceed. We have one more Museum Revamp workshop diaried for Wednesday 12th April, 10:30-12:30pm. If you'd like to be part of this workshop, please contact me via the Society's email: yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com
Billy Black's Skiff
Projector and reel platter set up as in earlier cinema years
Signs for Plants in Yaegl Cultural Garden
To complement the recent publication of our small booklet on the plants/shrubs in the Yaegl Cultural Garden ($10 from the bookshop), we have organised information signs for the plants. This addition to the front garden will take place during March. It has been funded at a total cost of $2,700 by our grant from FRRR (Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal), the same charity organisation that provided funding for the garden booklet and solar lights in the garden, as well as the external mural by Frances Belle Parker. Local designer Cam Woodrow of Signcraft has worked with us to create easily readable signs (150cm x 100cm) affixed to aluminium composite, then attached to stainless steel stakes that are moveable. Each plant sign will feature an image of the plant, its common and scientific names, and where applicable, uses by our local Indigenous community.
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Thankyou for Upgrading Our Work Areas
The Front Desk has just been repainted by John Marcus - same colour of light grey, with a darker edging at the top. The previous paint peeled off far too easily through the use of BluTack for posters so we're not going to attach anything to the newly refreshed welcoming counter. To accommodate the relocation of Blue files we've been re-organising the Flinders Room, at the back of the permanent exhibition where the Collection team and researchers work every week. This has meant Rob Knight has spent considerable time designing a large, double-sided bookcase to cater for our original photographs, Blue files and archive folders. This bookcase will also assist the Collection Team in storing files they need to access readily. John Marcus has also helped here by moving the general noticeboard to above the Sign-on book and by the end of February will also plug holes and repaint the interior wall.
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Vacant Secretary Position
We still need a Secretary if you feel this job might suit you, or you know of someone who could manage. If you feel you could fill this position an support the Society at the Committee level, please contact me by email (yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com), or encourage someone you know (perhaps recently moved to Yamba) or come and chat about how the Society functions.
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AVID 2025
The Annual Volunteer Information Day was held Friday 21st February for the active museum volunteers was well attended and lively, with each participant given the updated 2025 Handbook. Presenters Bev Mansfield (Roster, Opening/Closing), Kerry Hulm (Money/Daily Takings sheet) and Jan Angelo (Donations) reminded us all of procedures we should follow, related to their respective topics, while Anne Dinham treated us to a chocolate if we could answer where to find several documents. This is an informative day for all of us including Committee members as it's not just a matter of talking about minor changes in the museum's operation - we get to know and can address on-the-spot volunteer concerns and/or requests for clarification. If you usually have a personal copy of the Handbook, you can take the latest version from the Reference Box under the Front Desk when you're next at the museum.
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Committee Members 2024 - 2025
Lesley Pickering (President), Jan Angelo (Vice President), Kerry Hulm (Treasurer), Anne Dinham
Phil Cousemacker, Margaret Lawrence, Jude McBean and Brenda Salisbury
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Two of Yamba's talented artists, Jilliam Bowles and Belinda Laurie, joined forces to bring a vibrant and colourful exhibition to The Old Kirk Gallery at Yamba Museum. The 7th February opening was well attended, and excitement was in the air as guests appreciated the colourful works. The exhibition is open until Sunday 9 March, entry is $5 per adult (children under 15 free) this also gives access to the museum for viewing. The convivial opening was well attended by more than 100 local art enthusiasts who enjoyed the ambience of the warm and balmy evening around the shaded Yarning Circle, listening to lovely music by Keefe and Alicia.
East to West was opened by Grafton Regional Gallery Director, Sarah Gurich, who spoke at length about the artists' connection to nature, the style and methods of the artists' works and her recently discovered cousin, Belinda Laurie.
A number of paintings and lithographs was purchased on the evening. Affordable artworks are still available for sale.
Many commented on the Museum's efforts in offering The Old Kirk venue "being a great concept to showcase local artists".
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East to West Exhibition Opening- Jillian Bowles and Belinda Laurie
Gallery will automatically start or simply click on the image to see a full screen view
Glitching Out Exhibition Opening - Monty Webber
GLITCHING OUT Exhibition 10-28 January, by Angourie artist Monty Webber, had the added value of a book launch. Monty's latest Sci-Fi
book also titled 'Glitching Out' is a collection of short stories. "I'm in love with the crazy, incredible worlds he creates" was the critique by Adam Courtenay.
Over 45 framed works plus a large selection of unframed originals were on display. Blended black and white esoteric pieces influenced by Picasso and Escher. Monty was supported by Graham Mackie who opened the exhibition.
Also on exhibition was a retrospective of short surfing films which Monty produced.
Can You Help ?
Volunteers: We Need You!
Come and be a volunteer at your museum. Meet like-minded pepole, build new skills, have fun and create connections within a vibrant and dynamic cultural environment. Embrace the chance to be a part of something meaningful and make a difference by becoming a dedicated volunteer at your museum .
Call Bev today for a chat or send an email.
Mobile: 049 958 8137 Email: bevmans67@gmail.com
Margaret and Anne, enjoying an art opening, welcoming guests and friends
