This was held at The Yellow Piano at Wyoming and all appeared to have an
enjoyable time. Thanks go to Ingrid Rode and Elaine Fry for their
organisational work and also to Kelvin Fry for his contribution of the attractive
table decorations. We had some nice food and the entertainment was great
so thanks go to Proprietor Trevor and his staff.
President Shirley Rider welcomed everyone and acknowledged the original
custodians of the area, the Darkinjung people.
Senior Vice President, Elaine Fry, was then invited to speak about the long
history of our Society. She is the longest serving member of BWHS, having
joined the Society in February 1972, with sons Kelvin and Darryl not far behind,joining in March 1972. Their long service was acknowledged on behalf of the Society by Margaret Pearce, Vice President.
Certificates of Appreciation were presented on behalf of the Society by
Margaret Pearce to retiring Duty Members Fred and Joan Koch, Marion Browne and Barbara Elmes for their dedication and outstanding contribution to BWHS and Henry Kendall Cottage.
The Birthday Cake was cut by Shirley Rider, Elaine and Kelvin Fry.
Chris Holstein from Gosford City Council then gave an entertaining presentation and proposed a toast to BWHS on this memorable occasion.
We thank Jay Sider for his work in designing our place mats and Bob Rider
and Tyrell Dixon for the laminating of the place mats. Thanks to Elaine and
Shirley in compiling the Photoboards and to Edith for her delivering them to
and from The Yellow Piano.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Maitland
We are lucky enough to hold various artefacts from the wrecking of the Maitland steamer. The following information comes from: http://www.abc.net.au/backyard/shipwrecks/nsw/maitland.htm
Such was the impact when the steamer Maitland wrecked in 1898 that it led to the naming of a bay, a bombora and the storm that sank it!
Photographs of the iron paddle steamer portray its beautiful sleek lines. Of 231 feet (70.00 m) in length, the vessel was built at Glasgow, United Kingdom, in 1870. Famed as a regular trader along the New South Wales coast, excited passengers queued at Sydney to board before the 11.00 p.m. departure. By the time the steamer reached the Sydney Heads, they began to fear for their lives.
Labouring into a frightening gale, the Maitland immediately began shipping water. Seas carried away the deckhouse as all aboard assisted in bailing water from the flooding hull. Struggling in the pitch-black night, frantic efforts were made to dump cargo in a last ditch effort to stay upright. However, by the time they passed Barrenjoey Headland, huge seas flooded the engine fires, they were now adrift at the mercy of the driving seas. As one survivor was later to remark, "it seemed as if all the winds of heaven from every point of the compass had been let loose from their caverns". Captain Skinner got everybody together and instructed them "to prepare themselves for what was to come".
Just before 6.00 a.m. on 6 May 1898, the Maitland was driven onto the foot of East Reef with a mighty crash and driven high up into the air. The hull immediately wrenched apart amidships, carrying most of the crew and steerage passengers in the forward section to their deaths. Those swept ashore alive were severely injured by the jagged rocks and pounding surf. The remainder survived on the shattered stern, eventually making it ashore by the afternoon, after several nerve-racking attempts to secure a line to the beach. At one stage four of the crew including the Stewardess were crossing by the line when it broke. Only the Third Engineer made it to safety.
The tragic death of 24 from 63 aboard appalled the population. One young women found drowned had been buried under sand and wreckage, near naked, and with her teeth smashed away.
There were many tales of gallantry however, one involved the remarkable survival of baby Daisy Hammond. Trapped on the wreck after her mother had carried ashore, Daisy was nursed by crew through the night. Next morning, she was carried through the surf on the Boatswain's back. Many years later, Daisy Stevens visited the wreck, and when she died in 1988 at the age of 90, had her ashes flown from Canada and scattered over the wreck site.
The "Maitland Gale" also claimed the schooners Amelia White, Philip Palfrey, Adelaide, Isabel, J.G. Kondio; the ketch Coral; the barquentine Fido; the ship Hereward and the steamers Ethel, Merksworth and Saxonia. In 1909, the timber steamer Narooma ran ashore on the beach at Boat Harbour and became a total wreck. The Maitland's exposed boilers were still clearly visible in photographs taken at the time. Today little is left of the Maitland wreck, other than fragments of the hull and remains of a boiler on the exposed East Reef at low tide.
Sydney Morning Herald 9, 10, 11 & 12 May 1898
Central Coast Express, 8 April 1988
Gosford Heritage Association
Such was the impact when the steamer Maitland wrecked in 1898 that it led to the naming of a bay, a bombora and the storm that sank it!
Photographs of the iron paddle steamer portray its beautiful sleek lines. Of 231 feet (70.00 m) in length, the vessel was built at Glasgow, United Kingdom, in 1870. Famed as a regular trader along the New South Wales coast, excited passengers queued at Sydney to board before the 11.00 p.m. departure. By the time the steamer reached the Sydney Heads, they began to fear for their lives.
Labouring into a frightening gale, the Maitland immediately began shipping water. Seas carried away the deckhouse as all aboard assisted in bailing water from the flooding hull. Struggling in the pitch-black night, frantic efforts were made to dump cargo in a last ditch effort to stay upright. However, by the time they passed Barrenjoey Headland, huge seas flooded the engine fires, they were now adrift at the mercy of the driving seas. As one survivor was later to remark, "it seemed as if all the winds of heaven from every point of the compass had been let loose from their caverns". Captain Skinner got everybody together and instructed them "to prepare themselves for what was to come".
Just before 6.00 a.m. on 6 May 1898, the Maitland was driven onto the foot of East Reef with a mighty crash and driven high up into the air. The hull immediately wrenched apart amidships, carrying most of the crew and steerage passengers in the forward section to their deaths. Those swept ashore alive were severely injured by the jagged rocks and pounding surf. The remainder survived on the shattered stern, eventually making it ashore by the afternoon, after several nerve-racking attempts to secure a line to the beach. At one stage four of the crew including the Stewardess were crossing by the line when it broke. Only the Third Engineer made it to safety.
The tragic death of 24 from 63 aboard appalled the population. One young women found drowned had been buried under sand and wreckage, near naked, and with her teeth smashed away.
There were many tales of gallantry however, one involved the remarkable survival of baby Daisy Hammond. Trapped on the wreck after her mother had carried ashore, Daisy was nursed by crew through the night. Next morning, she was carried through the surf on the Boatswain's back. Many years later, Daisy Stevens visited the wreck, and when she died in 1988 at the age of 90, had her ashes flown from Canada and scattered over the wreck site.
The "Maitland Gale" also claimed the schooners Amelia White, Philip Palfrey, Adelaide, Isabel, J.G. Kondio; the ketch Coral; the barquentine Fido; the ship Hereward and the steamers Ethel, Merksworth and Saxonia. In 1909, the timber steamer Narooma ran ashore on the beach at Boat Harbour and became a total wreck. The Maitland's exposed boilers were still clearly visible in photographs taken at the time. Today little is left of the Maitland wreck, other than fragments of the hull and remains of a boiler on the exposed East Reef at low tide.
Sydney Morning Herald 9, 10, 11 & 12 May 1898
Central Coast Express, 8 April 1988
Gosford Heritage Association
Around the grounds
Our front entrance has had a bit of a facelift. The “Maitland” Bell has
been erected, along with two of the “Maitland” portholes, on a strong
stand made by Clark Equipment at Hornsby. This stand enables the Bell
to be presented hanging, as a Bell should be - and it has a lovely sound
when struck.
The picket fence between the Cottage and Museum has been
removed and this gives a clearer view of the Cottage. When the
Heritage Architect inspected our complex recently this was one of his
recommendations.
The lattice work behind the bullock wagon has gone and this also gives
a clearer view of the Cottage and Museum. The unfinished bullock yoke
which belonged to Horace Frost was donated to BWHS by Geoff Potter
of Gosford City library and this has been erected behind the bullock
wagon, which also belonged to Horace Frost.
been erected, along with two of the “Maitland” portholes, on a strong
stand made by Clark Equipment at Hornsby. This stand enables the Bell
to be presented hanging, as a Bell should be - and it has a lovely sound
when struck.
The picket fence between the Cottage and Museum has been
removed and this gives a clearer view of the Cottage. When the
Heritage Architect inspected our complex recently this was one of his
recommendations.
The lattice work behind the bullock wagon has gone and this also gives
a clearer view of the Cottage and Museum. The unfinished bullock yoke
which belonged to Horace Frost was donated to BWHS by Geoff Potter
of Gosford City library and this has been erected behind the bullock
wagon, which also belonged to Horace Frost.
Grant Success
Since recently receiving a Grant from Gosford City Council for an
inspection by a Heritage Architect, we received a subsequent Grant for
the essential work to be carried out. This entailed treating the ‘spalling’
or rising damp on the front wall of the Cottage and this has now been
successfully completed. It also covered the installation of a drainage
trench across the front wall, tying in with the existing drains so that the
same problem would not occur again. This has also been carried out
successfully. A small Grant was also received for replacing cracked
window panes in the Cottage. So thanks to Gosford Council, including
their Heritage Committee, for these Grants and to BWHS member Ros Ellis for
requesting them.
inspection by a Heritage Architect, we received a subsequent Grant for
the essential work to be carried out. This entailed treating the ‘spalling’
or rising damp on the front wall of the Cottage and this has now been
successfully completed. It also covered the installation of a drainage
trench across the front wall, tying in with the existing drains so that the
same problem would not occur again. This has also been carried out
successfully. A small Grant was also received for replacing cracked
window panes in the Cottage. So thanks to Gosford Council, including
their Heritage Committee, for these Grants and to BWHS member Ros Ellis for
requesting them.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Dedication of the Lone Pine Memorial Garden at Allison Homestead, Wyong
Brian McCafferty’s report at the General Meeting:
On 12 October, Brian McCafferty and his wife
attended the dedication ceremony for the Lone Pine Tree in the grounds of
Allison Homestead.
Brian reported that it was rather moving and was well organised. About 120 to
150 were in attendance including the Mayor, Local Member of Parliament,
local business leaders, Wyong RSL Sub-Branch members, some school
principals and their respective school captains. A noted item was that an
identical ceremony was being held on the same day on the Beach at
Gallopoli. That ceremony was being conducted by the Wyong Parish Priest
with about 30 people from Wyong and surrounds who accompanied the
Parish Priest to Gallopoli.
Member, Ruth Logan also attended – her comments follow …
On 12 October I attended, on behalf of Brisbane Water Historical
Society, a Service of Dedication at the Lone Pine War Memorial Garden
at Alison Homestead, Wyong.
It was a very moving ceremony conducted by Mr. Phillip Moreley,
President of Wyong District Museum & Historical Society and attended
by the Mayor of Wyong, Mr. Doug Eaton, the State Member of Wyong,
Mr. David Harris and President of Wyong RSL Sub Branch, Mr. Lawrence
Shaw. Rev. Father Michael Kelly OAM, Blessed the Memorial Garden and led
the service.
On this day, Rev. Fr. Bill Stevens, Parish Priest of The Entrance, along with
over 30 people on pilgrimage, were at Gallipoli to place soil, rosemary, poppy,
and a small piece of pine from the garden in Wyong, at a suitable location.
He in turn will bring back a small memento from Gallipoli to be placed in the
Memorial Garden.
Several Pine Trees were originally grown from seeds taken from a Pine Tree
cone carried back by Sgt. Keith McDowell of the 24th Battalion at the end of
the 1914/1918 war and planted in Inverell, NSW in 1928.
From this source there were several Pines grown there and another in
Canberra. The Wyong Pine Tree is from this source.
At the conclusion of the Blessing of The Memorial Garden, the Last
Post was played by a member of the Brisbane Water Brass Band who
also played Revelle.
The gardens and grounds are a credit to the work of Roman Paul, who
designed the Memorial Garden, planted with poppies, rosemary and other
flowers.
On 12 October, Brian McCafferty and his wife
attended the dedication ceremony for the Lone Pine Tree in the grounds of
Allison Homestead.
Brian reported that it was rather moving and was well organised. About 120 to
150 were in attendance including the Mayor, Local Member of Parliament,
local business leaders, Wyong RSL Sub-Branch members, some school
principals and their respective school captains. A noted item was that an
identical ceremony was being held on the same day on the Beach at
Gallopoli. That ceremony was being conducted by the Wyong Parish Priest
with about 30 people from Wyong and surrounds who accompanied the
Parish Priest to Gallopoli.
Member, Ruth Logan also attended – her comments follow …
On 12 October I attended, on behalf of Brisbane Water Historical
Society, a Service of Dedication at the Lone Pine War Memorial Garden
at Alison Homestead, Wyong.
It was a very moving ceremony conducted by Mr. Phillip Moreley,
President of Wyong District Museum & Historical Society and attended
by the Mayor of Wyong, Mr. Doug Eaton, the State Member of Wyong,
Mr. David Harris and President of Wyong RSL Sub Branch, Mr. Lawrence
Shaw. Rev. Father Michael Kelly OAM, Blessed the Memorial Garden and led
the service.
On this day, Rev. Fr. Bill Stevens, Parish Priest of The Entrance, along with
over 30 people on pilgrimage, were at Gallipoli to place soil, rosemary, poppy,
and a small piece of pine from the garden in Wyong, at a suitable location.
He in turn will bring back a small memento from Gallipoli to be placed in the
Memorial Garden.
Several Pine Trees were originally grown from seeds taken from a Pine Tree
cone carried back by Sgt. Keith McDowell of the 24th Battalion at the end of
the 1914/1918 war and planted in Inverell, NSW in 1928.
From this source there were several Pines grown there and another in
Canberra. The Wyong Pine Tree is from this source.
At the conclusion of the Blessing of The Memorial Garden, the Last
Post was played by a member of the Brisbane Water Brass Band who
also played Revelle.
The gardens and grounds are a credit to the work of Roman Paul, who
designed the Memorial Garden, planted with poppies, rosemary and other
flowers.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Ongoing Projects (1)
The Cottage Fence
The committee has resolved to remove the decaying picket fence, between
the Cottage and museum. The yellow rose bush may be re-located to one
corner of the Bullock Wagon cover – so it can ramble freely along the lattice
or other structure.
Newspaper clippings
Member, Brian McCafferty is currently sorting and assembling the newspaper clippings that have been gathered over the years. The clippings date back to 1946. They are being placed on A4 sheets and assigned a category then a sub-heading. Nearly 100 sheets have been assembled so far. The project has a number of steps including scanning all the documents, treating the documents or laminating them to protect them from aging.
The sheets will be scanned and entered onto an archive database.
Bell and Portholes of the SS Maitland
Brian McCafferty initiated the idea of improving the presentation and
repositioning the Maitland display. The idea was approved and he undertook
to have a vertical stand made so the Bell can be presented hanging, as a bell
should. Brian prepared a design and engaged professional engineers
/fabricators to do the final design and the fabrication of a purpose built metal
stand. The terrific stand has been completed.
Our thanks go out to the management and team at Clark Equipment Pty. Ltd.
of Hornsby who graciously donated the material and the time required by the
skilled craftsmen to complete the work.
Our very old books
As you may know, we have a collection of very old, fascinating and possibly
rare books.
These precious old books are being catalogued and re-shelved.
Tyrell, one of our newer members, is helping Jay with this project.
The committee has resolved to remove the decaying picket fence, between
the Cottage and museum. The yellow rose bush may be re-located to one
corner of the Bullock Wagon cover – so it can ramble freely along the lattice
or other structure.
Newspaper clippings
Member, Brian McCafferty is currently sorting and assembling the newspaper clippings that have been gathered over the years. The clippings date back to 1946. They are being placed on A4 sheets and assigned a category then a sub-heading. Nearly 100 sheets have been assembled so far. The project has a number of steps including scanning all the documents, treating the documents or laminating them to protect them from aging.
The sheets will be scanned and entered onto an archive database.
Bell and Portholes of the SS Maitland
Brian McCafferty initiated the idea of improving the presentation and
repositioning the Maitland display. The idea was approved and he undertook
to have a vertical stand made so the Bell can be presented hanging, as a bell
should. Brian prepared a design and engaged professional engineers
/fabricators to do the final design and the fabrication of a purpose built metal
stand. The terrific stand has been completed.
Our thanks go out to the management and team at Clark Equipment Pty. Ltd.
of Hornsby who graciously donated the material and the time required by the
skilled craftsmen to complete the work.
Our very old books
As you may know, we have a collection of very old, fascinating and possibly
rare books.
These precious old books are being catalogued and re-shelved.
Tyrell, one of our newer members, is helping Jay with this project.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Henry Kendall Cottage on Facebook and Twitter
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