Creating Memories

This well detailed hand crafted wooden model of a Barquentine sailing ship was built by Thomas Thornley the lighthouse keeper at Crowdy Head from 1892 until 1920 when the lighthouse was automated. It is believed Thomas built the model as a gift for his daughter Nell and survives today in its original sealed glass case.

Many lighthouse keepers built models to help pass the time and as a relief from the daily repetitive tasks of tending to the lighthouse maintenance. Thomas Thornley was the lighthouse’s third keeper and his wife Alice was employed as assistant lighthouse keeper and his daughter Nell as housekeeper.

Each element of the model is detailed and well crafted including its masts and rigging. Perhaps Thomas built the model to capture a large timber ship going out of fashion.  This model is a reminder of the beauty of sailing ships of a bygone era and reflects Thomas Thornley’s love of the ocean, and the ships he helped protect and guide in his role as a lighthouse keeper.

This simple bound autograph book records Laurieton’s very unusual association with World War II. It was used to obtain the autographs of Bob Hope’s American entertaining troop and their aircraft crew in 1944 after an emergency landing in the Camden Haven River.  Bob Hope and his entertainment group were part of the United Service Organization, providing entertainment to US troops.

During a flight to Sydney on August 14th 1944 Bob Hope’s Catalina Flying Boat, “Spare Gear”, developed trouble in its starboard engine causing Pilot James Ferguson to make an emergency landing in the Camden Haven River. Locals flocked down to the river bank to see this rare event, including young resident Betty Bonser. The Catalina eventually ran aground on the sand bank between Bunny’s corner and the Dunbogan boat shed from where its occupants were rescued by local fishing boats.

An impromptu show in the Laurieton School of Arts that same evening, became Bob Hope’s first performance in Australia, albeit unscheduled. It was a big event for Laurieton with over two thirds of the local population of around 600 people jammed into the local hall. It was during the dancing after the show that Beryl Bonser, Molly Twomey, Rita Eggins and others taught Bob Hope the Hokey Pokey dance which he would later introduce to America and this is also when Beryl Bonser produced her autograph book to the group for signing. The first two pages of the Autograph Book contain the autographs of the entertainers, including Bob Hope.. The last two pages of the Autograph Book contain the autographs of the Catalina Flying Boat Crew. It is the only known autograph book containing all the signatures of Bob Hope’s Entertainment Troop.

These Japanese made ‘opaline glazed’ souvenir china dish and jug feature transfer pictures of the first motorized Laurieton Punt to Dunbogan with the Dunbogan side in the background. Souvenirs of this type were likely mass produced and then smaller quantities were picture transferred for sale to tourists and holiday makers visiting the Camden Haven area. They are reminders of our desire to take a holiday souvenir home and china with transfer pictures was particularly popular amongst holiday makers without cameras.

Souvenirs of this type usually feature picturesque and notable or cultural landmarks of the town. The punt would have been a major point of visual interest in Laurieton at the time and the river scene depicted on the souvenir ware an attractive reminder of a visit to Laurieton. Before the area was bridged, boats, ferries and punts were used to transport people and vehicles across the Camden Haven River. The first ferry was installed in June 1896. According to reports it was hand pulled and had capacity to transport a few people and a car or two on each trip.

From the 1930s there was much agitation for an improved service but nothing happened until 1949, when the original ferry was motorised. By the late 1950s a new ferry was in operation, carrying up to six vehicles and the first ferry was retained for use in emergencies or when the regular ferry was up for repairs or out of commission. In 1966 the Laurieton-Dunbogan Bridge was built and the ferry made its last journey at the bridge opening celebrations on 10 December 1966.

Collecting natural history specimens was a prestigious hobby for gentlemen during the 17th and 18th centuries, and this filtered down to the middle classes at the beginning of the 19th century.

Seaweed collecting became very popular during the Victorian era  and creating pressed seaweed albums and scrapbooks was seen as a domesticated way to explore the natural world. Such albums were considered quite an accomplishment for both men and women as they involved painstakingly obtaining, preserving, and mounting seaweed specimens demonstrating patience, artistic talent, and an appreciation of the subtle beauties of nature.

This 22 page album of unidentified local seaweed specimens was created by Ernest Charles Davies  at Port Macquarie in December 1869. Davies, an English immigrant was one of the first parties to explore Queensland. He resided at Port Macquarie in the late 1860s to early 1870s and was engaged in sugar cultivation and experimentation. His later pursuits involved mining.  Davies business interests appear to have centred on the natural environment in one form or another.

Whilst there are many seaweed sample albums and scrapbooks in existence this one of specimens collected at Port Macquarie appears to be quite rare. It has significant research potential in identifying the types of seaweed found locally at that time and also in providing DNA for further scientific research.

This collection of seventeen postcards  of waterfalls and cascades of the Comboyne area taken during the 1910s. The postcards reflect a time before common camera ownership and were a means to capture the view to take home as a keepsake or to show family and friends.  Many people kept albums of their holiday postcards.

The Comboyne area in the hinterlands west of Port Macquarie  was once covered in dense virgin rain forest. Remnants remain today in the Boorganna Nature Reserve, the second oldest nature reserve in New South Wales, declared in 1904.Whilst not then easily accessible it is highly likely that many visitors took day trips to the hinterland to take in the splendour of the many waterfalls, unique flora and abundant fauna. It is possible that these postcards were purchased as souvenirs either from one of the many Comboyne stores operating at the time or from a gift store in one of the main towns.

The postcard images are simple illustrating the quality of photographic images of the era, yet give a clear impression of the magnitude and expanse of the Comboyne plateau, its dense bushland and splendid waterfalls. Many of which such as the Rawson Falls are still viewed today.