Port of Yamba Historical Society
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.
Welcome to the Spring edition of the Port of Yamba Historical Society newsletter! We invite you to sit back and take a moment to relax as we share the latest updates and happenings within our society. Dive into captivating tales from Yamba's past that highlight our community's unique heritage. Mark your calendars! We have a series of exciting events planned, including tours and community gatherings that celebrate our local history. Thank you for being an integral part of our community. We hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
President's Report
2024/2025 Committee
At the August 2024 AGM members of the Committee for the next financial year were confirmed by Returning Officer Gai Pritchett – there are eight familiar names and faces who have volunteered to manage the Society’s programs, activities, finances and the operation of Yamba Museum for the next 12 months. We’re keen to fill three vacant positions if you feel you could contribute and become part of an active team: Vice President and 2 committee members. There’s a range of roles and small scale jobs that can be undertaken. Please contact the Society by email (yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com) or by dropping by when we’re open, or encourage someone you know (perhaps recently moved to Yamba) to come and chat about how the Society functions.
Left to right: Jude McBean, Margaret Lawrence,
Brenda Salisbury,
Lesley Pickering (President), Kerry Hulm (Treasurer),
Phil Cousemacker,
Jan Angelo,
Anne Dinham (Secretary).
Our AGM guest speaker Roz Jones, Vice President of Lawrence Museum, gave an address accompanied by visual screen shots depicting the various stages in rebuilding their museum. This left us in awe of the many years of dedication and hard work culminating in the outstanding community organisation that the Lawrence Museum is today. Roz and three visiting Lawrence volunteers befriended our members , swapping ideas and suggestions about our own current plans to revamp our permanent museum displays.
If you were unable to attend the AGM, you can download: my Annual Report and the Coach Tour Report from Anne Dinham.
Congratulations once again to the three members who were awarded Life Membership: Kerry Hulm (Treasurer); Bev Mansfield (Roster Officer); Colette Mann (Public Officer).
Revamp of Permanent Museum Exhibition
Our plan to review the design and content of our permanent museum displays has started. In early July the new Museum Advisor Dr Kate Gahan lead a 2 hour workshop for Committee and members on her approach, focussing on the first part (Ideas) of her 5 step process: Ideas; Object Selection; Stories; Design; Doing.
The overarching theme or message of connecting with the lower Clarence River became apparent, as well as considering the following questions: what’s specific to Yamba and adjacent districts? what’s special? characteristic? what are the main stories? what to champion? Kate also guided us to consider visitor expectations - what do they want to find out about? what appeals to them?
The repositioning of Black Billy’s skiff inside the museum building is part of this review, using a $5,000 grant from the Australian National Maritime Museum and $4,000 grant from the Yulgilbar Foundation/FRRR.
We’ll continue with regular workshops for the next few months as we work through the process, hoping to achieve a small visible change by the time of our 40th birthday celebration in March 2025 - Yamba Museum was first opened on 10 March 1985. If you’d like to be part of this revamp, please contact me via the Society’s email: yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com.
New Sign on Eastern wall
Our museum can now be clearly identified when driving, cycling or walking along River Street from Pippi Beach towards the town. The eastern wall of the museum building had been left blank since the total repainting of the building and Old Kirk in 2018. At the start of August a new sign was crafted, delivered and attached to the eastern wall by Cam Woodrow of Signcraft, costing $605. It matches the main entrance sign facing River Street and clearly indicates the entrance for those visitors who use our parking area.
Family History Group
This new activity will commence on Monday 9th September with sessions over 3 hours (9am-12noon) in the Flinders room using Society computers. It will run for an initial period of 6 weeks with a small group of members who responded quickly to the email announcement. This initiative expands our range of activities for members and complements the service that is provided by our researchers Rob Knight and John McNamara regarding local family history records and images.
Member Trish Bowes will act as facilitator, volunteering her time and knowledge developed over a number of years, to help others bring their own past to life. She will provide an individually guided exploration of the sources, resources, traps and tips of evidence based family history research, using both internet based sites, including Ancestry.com as well as other sources.
Iluka Museum Members Day Trip
Friday September 20th: we are taking a ferry ride to Iluka, visiting the Iluka Museum for a tour and morning tea and then having lunch at Chez Basho (Japanese cafe) at the Ferry Wharf.
Numbers needed for morning tea and lunch bookings, by Thursday September 13th.
Ferry and lunch at own cost; PYHS is covering museum visit and morning tea, as a thank you to our wonderful volunteers.
Email yambamuseumnsw@gmail.com or Phone Anne 0408738116 if you haven't yet put your name on the list beside the sign on book.
Back Then ... Photograph of Breakwater and Pilot Hill
This photograph was taken from the Breakwater looking back towards Pilot Hill, Turner’s Beach and the township. The original print held by the Historical Society is severely discoloured (see inset) and the image has been digitally enhanced. The number that appears on the photograph and the writing strongly suggests that the photographer was Frederick Peden Hobbs although his initials do not appear – possibly cropped from the original. The number is in the same series as the photograph appearing in the last article, giving a date of photography about September 1907.
Three cottages can be seen at the foot of Pilot Hill. These cottages were on Crown Land, held under Permissive Occupancy by the owners. The Permissive Occupancies had been terminated and the owners instructed by the government to remove the buildings. Advertisements appeared for sale and removal of the buildings in November 1907, after this photograph was taken, and the buildings were removed soon thereafter.
A number of buildings can be seen on the skyline although some are quite indistinct. The Pilot’s residence is on the extreme left. Towards the middle of the photograph is the lighthouse, the lighthouse keeper’s residence and one of the boatman’s cottages. In amongst the trees is the second boatman’s cottage and further down the hill, a cottage owned by Joanna Kastrup, all on Crown Land.
In the distance, along the railway line can be seen Yamba Hotel.
Frederick Peden Hobbs was born in Sydney in 1868 and in his early career he was the Northern Rivers travelling agent for Messrs Edwards Dunlop & Co who were wholesale stationers and paper merchants. During the 1900s, he had turned his hand to photography and marketing postcards. Working from his father’s home in Burwood, he was advertising for young ladies to do postcard colouring in late 1907. It appears that he may have moved his business to York Street, Sydney where, in 1908, he advertised for a “traveller – good line in postcards, local views and imported, commission, for Northern Line and Rivers” and further “Postcard colouring – Wanted young girls, colour and tinsel; also Retoucher”.
Probably in 1909, Hobbs moved to Murwillumbah where he established a business as stationer and photographer. He was advertising his Newsagency by 1910. However, his interests lay in farming and fruit growing. In the middle of this decade, he sold his businesses in Murwillumbah to concentrate on his farming interests at Terranora.
He died in 1946. A selection of his photographs of Murwillumbah appeared in the Australian Town & Country Journal of 5th October 1910. There are several of his photographs held within the PYHS collection.
Rob Knight
29/3/2024
The Yamba Historical Society is excited to present a wonderful opportunity for enthusiasts of family history! With the invaluable
experience and commitment of Trish Bowes, who has graciously volunteered her time and expertise over the years, we are launching a Family History Group exclusively for our members.
This program invites you to delve into your ancestral roots through a guided exploration of various resources, tips, and methodologies related to evidence-based family history research. Trish is eager to share the thrill of discovery, and the program is tailored to accommodate everyone, from beginners to experienced researchers. Participants will utilize online platforms like Ancestry.com and a variety of additional resources.
When: Mondays from 9 AM to 12 PM (tentatively) for an initial duration of 6 weeks Starts: Monday, September 9th
Venue: Flinders Room at Yamba Museum.
Thank you all for your interest in the workshop! Unfortunately, all spots for this session have been filled. However, if you would like to participate in future workshops, please keep an eye on your email for updates and details. We appreciate your enthusiasm and look forward to having you join us next time!
Discover more about your Family !
Audit Discoveries Collection Team
Over the past few months the Collection Team has been busily auditing the objects held by the Museum, and we have discovered some unusual items that haven’t seen the light of day for quite some time. Two unique items relating to World War I piqued our interest:
an inkwell and a small New Testament.
The brass inkwell is fashioned in the shape of an Australian army slouch hat, and was likely made from the charge case of a bullet. It has a rising sun emblem on one side and a detachable screw top lid allowing the ink to be poured in, and in which to place the nib of a pen.
This inkwell was handmade by R.E. Gibson, uncle of Anne and Christina Seale, while serving in Egypt and France in World War 1. This is an example of ‘trench art’ when soldiers used spare time to create practical items from shell casings.
Another fascinating item is a New Testament which is said to have prevented a bullet from entering the soldier’s body! There is a bullet hole in the leather cover and the leather has shrunk, perhaps due to the heat of the bullet. There is a poignant inscription on the first page: ‘To Pte. H. Redman, with paster J. Hunter’s compliments June 16, 1916, God be with you till we meet again, be strong in the Lord and in the powers of his might.’ Sadly Clarence Redman was killed in action on 26 September 1917 at Ypres in Belgium.
Nicole Don
World War One did not affect the building trade in Yamba. During May and June 1916, another general store and residence was being built by Edward Commerford for Patrick Murphy of Palmers Island in Clarence Street.
Palmers Island farmer Patrick Murphy, a farmer of Palmers Island was issued Title in March 1916 for Lot 2 in DP8634 located in Clarence (No. 15) Street between High and Coldstream Streets. John McKay leased the business until 31 July 1917.
A Business Notice in DEX by Albert John Harris, late of Harwood, advised that, from 01 August 1917, he was opening the premises recently occupied by Mr McKay at Yamba as a Restaurant and for the sale of groceries, fruit, confectionery, butter, bacon, small goods etc. to be known as Harris’ Refreshment Rooms.
In March 1922, Murphy sold the freehold to his son-in-law, James Creek farmer Jeremiah Landrigann, a farmer of James Creek near Maclean. In July, the freehold was again sold to storekeeper, Albert Harris who continued to run the business. In January 1924, he advised that he had obtained a licence to Retail Oysters.
In 1925 and 1926, a hawker’s licence was issued by Harwood Shire Council to Naurang Ramm who serviced Yamba and district from his van pictured above.
19 March 1926 DEX announced that Herbert and Jane Saxby, who had been resident at Chatsworth for past five years, were leaving for Yamba where they had purchased the storekeeping business of MAlbertr Harris. Herbert had the freehold of the land containing the store, fruit shop and refreshment rooms but worked in partnership with his brother, Charles who ran the grocery section. His son, Percy, was the fruiterer and his wife, Jane, helped out in the refreshment rooms at Saxby’s.
Clarence Street General Stores
In Maclean Small Debts Court on 18 June 1931, Goodwood Island farmer Robert J. Brown, farmer of Goodwood Island, proceeded against Herbert Saxby for recovery of £21 said to be three years’ rental on his land [Allotments 6 and 7, Section 1, Town of Yamba] in Pilot Street, Yamba from 22 March 1926.
Brown attested that the land near Saxby’s store was previously rented under a verbal arrangement to a man named Harris from whom Saxby purchased the storekeeping business. Saxby asked for the same deal i.e., £7 per annum, and he verbally agreed. Saxby was to use the land for his horses and was forbidden from allowing campers on it. Saxby paid him no money so on 22 March 1929, he went to the store to collect the rent. and Saxby was about to pay him when Jane objected saying they had merely looked after the land for him and only kept three horses on it. Brown already knew Saxby had allowed campers on the land.
Saxby attested that Harris had the land rented for one year up to 26 January 1926. Saxby took it over on Boxing Day 1926. Saxby denied any arrangements to lease the land for three years butyears but had only used it on Boxing Day in 1926 and in 1927 to erect a stall. He claimed he had only used the land for those two days and the campers had refused to pay any rent when asked. Saxby’s solicitor initially tendered £1 rent for the two Boxing Day uses, but the court ruled that Saxby was liable for the full £21 owing plus 25shillings (25s) witness expenses.
Government Gazette of 17 December 1926 announced the appointment of the following men from Yamba as Trustees for a Public Oyster Reserve in the Clarence River: Herbert Saxby; Henry Lewis Pritchard, Thomas Boyle and George Barclay.
A building application by Herbert Saxby for alterations to the store was approved by Harwood Shire Council in December.
From 1927, Herbert served terms as vice president of Yamba Public School Parents ’ and Citizens' Association and Yamba Golf Club reformation., and He was president of Yamba Town Improvement Association, Yamba Surf Life Saving Club, Yamba Sports Club and Yamba branch of the Country Party. He was granted permission to install a petrol bowser on the footpath in front of his premises in September 1927. He was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 1929 and was instrumental in the formation of Yamba Urban Area (inaugural chairman in 1930) and extension of the electricity supply to Yamba in 1931. Jane was active in the Yamba Red Cross branch, Yamba Public School and Yamba SLS Club’s fundraising efforts. They were both heavily involved in all significant improvements in the town.
On 07 November 1931, a Public Notice appeared in the DEX by the Bailiff of the District Court of the Northern District at Grafton in Writ 3 of 1931 between Plaintiff John Burns of Palmers Island, Plaintiff and Defendants Herbert and Charles Saxby ,“trading”g as "H Saxby" Storekeepers, Yamba a–, defendant - that on 122’th at "Saxby's " Yamba Store, Yamba, a quantity of Drapery and Millinery, Groceries, Fancy Goods, Ironmongery, Crockery, Glassware and Electroplate Ware, 1one Utility Motor Lorry, one1 Horse, one1 Sulky and one1 Set of Hharness were to be sold by public auction.
Bankruptcy proceedings were taken out against Herbert and Charles. However, iIn 25 November 1931 DEX, a public notice advised of the new THREE S’s syndicate consisting of:
-
Saxby – Business as usual
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Skinner [Herbert’s son-in-law] of the White Shop, built by White, Painted White [Skead’s branch at No. 10 Clarence Street]
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Skead of Skead’s Electric Bakery, Grafton.
The 10 December 1931 DEX had a Public Notice by Jane Saxby (wife of Herbert) that the business called Saxby’s General Store and Refreshment Rooms in Clarence Street, Yamba was again in full swing. An advertisement appeared in the 19 Decemm“ber DEX for "Thee” Yamba Store" in Clarence Street by proprietors, Jane Saxby and Clarrie Skinner advising campers that they could supply cooked meals from their New Steel Pastrycook’s Oven as well as groceries, confectionery, drapery, tobacco, hardware, fruit, Grafton Dairy Co smallgoods. and lLocal and Sydney papers were also on hand.
Despite his obvious problems, mainly due to the Great Depression in Australia from 1930 to 1939 causing a collapse of the Australian economy, the town still offered support for Herbert who remained entrenched in community affairs.
The freehold of Lot 2 DP8634 containing the store was sold to John Henry Ford of Yamba for £1,350 in March 1932. In December, he ended up leasing the store to Jane Saxby who had been running the business from late 1931 with the assistance of her daughter, Lilian, and son-in-law Clarrie Skinner. In November 1932, the Saxbys renovated their premises and installed one ’of Goldstein's latest soda fountains and Frigidaire attachment.
The Saxbys sold out in April 1936. The residents of Yamba and district gave them a rousing send-off in recognition of their contribution to the town over the previousast ten years. The family moved to Sydney where Herbert became a Master Baker. Herbert died at Kenthurst, in the Dural District of NSW, on 23 April 1961.
Ford then leased the business to Wilhelmina Annie McPherson of Yamba (her husband was Alexander McKay McPherson, licensee of the Yamba Hotel) from April 1936, but she also went bankrupt in mid-1938.
Saxby’s Store after extensive alterations carried out in early 1931
Clarence Street streetscape 1936 to 1938
Ivy Bailey in front
of the Monterey Cafe January 1939
Ford then leased the business to Storekeeper William John Bailey of Yamba , Storekeeper, in September 1938 who ran it as "Bailey's ” Monterey Cafe".
Clarence Street streetscape 1938 to 1943
Consider Volunteering?
If you or someone you know is interested in helping out, please reach out to Bev Mansfield, the
Roster Officer, at the provided mobile number or email address. Your support can make a significant difference in enhancing the visitor experience. Flexibility in scheduling is appreciated, so don’t
hesitate to discuss options that work for you.
Mobile: 049 958 8137 Email: bevmans67@gmail.com
Vicki Jermyn one of the
volunteers who enjoys
her work at the museum
CERAMIC EXHIBITION - Express Yourself !
'EXPRESS YOURSELF' Ceramics Exhibition by Kubek - more than just an exhibition of ceramics - a celebration of personal expression!
Celebrating the awesomeness of Katarzyna Sztymelska's students who poured their hearts into creating pieces that truly embody who they are.
"This year we have focused on the journey of self-discovery, letting intuition guide our hands as we shape the clay into works of art. Each piece tells a story, offering a glimpse into the diverse and vibrant world of my students' imaginations. Creating over 70 individual pieces, each one is a testament to unique artistic expression." Visitors were invited to immerse themselves in this journey of exploration. From ceramic animals to introspective self-portraits, abstracts and functional items like vases, cups and bowls, there was something for everyone to admire.
Katarzyna has an arrangement with a pottery studio in Poland called Glinianakula. "One of the ladies that works there is also working at a school for people with different abilities and she is organising they clay sessions. Funds raised from the 'buy and paint a mug' activity will support this organisation with their costs."
The exhibition opened on the 11th August, and the popular group 'Down River Ukes' serenaded visitors. At the opening the public were invited to buy and paint a mug for $45 as an activity which were delivered back to the museum, after they were fired, for collection at the exhibition closure 25th August.
More about Kasia (Katarzyna) and her mission/vision at www.kubek.com.au
PORT OF YAMBA HISTORICAL SOCIETY River Street Yamba NSW PO Box 1000 Yamba NSW 2464
Email: yambamuseumnsw@ gmail.com Web: pyhsmuseum.org.au
President: Lesley Pickering Secretary: Anne Dinham Treasurer: Kerry Hulm
Committee Members: Jan Angelo, Margaret Lawrence, Jude McBean, Brenda Salisbury, Phil Cousemacker
Public Officer: Colette Mann Research Officers: Rob Knight and John McNamara Newsletter: Sally Huxtable and Denise Patten