YEAR BY YEi\RHerewith a list of "happenings" in my time,1832-1982:

1932: Public subscription providedunderground tank, first water supply tocamping ground. Town Band first playedHorton Street. Swimming pool, land side ofsouth breakwalL Cycle club, men's hockey clubformed. Surf Ladies Auxiliary first season, 1931­1932. Sydney Harbour Bridge.

1933: Lake Innes drain cut. RSL sub-branchre-formed (folded in 1925). Preparatory \-vorkNorth Shore breakwall. Concrete bridge overKooloonbung, Gordon Street. Censuspopulation Port Macquarie 1726. Steam trawler"Nerani" wrecked on South Breakwall. OxleyHighvvay opened.

1934: Butter Factory West Port closed - movedto Telegraph Point. Paget Hall (Ritz Theatresite) auctioned, passed in at $2540. HibbardSchool opened. Limestone Cave found at BigHill. John Coombes, 90, died - drove woolwagons to Port Macquarie. First local Australianrepresentative, Bert McLaren (sculling). FarWest Children's Health Scheme branch formed.

1935: Football, cricket moved to West Port Park;golf links occupied all of East Port MacquanePark. Spooner Pavilion erected. Buller Streetnarrowed. Chamber of Commerce formed. SurfClub amalgamated with Wauchope (one yearonly) Eighty-one ships entered Port Macquarieduring year. First Surf Club team competedin Sydney.

1936: Long Bridge re-built. First piped waterto inner town from Butter Factory wells, WestPort "Baths" re-dug inside corner of breakwallRay Ryde, bravery award, breakwall rescue.Dredge "Letona" arrived. King Edward VIIIabdicated.

1937: Move to change half day holiday,Wednesday to Saturday, failed. Palatial RitzTheatre built. Pilot Captain Liley drowned onbar. Roadway up Transit (Astronomer) Hill.

1938: Hotel Macquarie opened. Britain's LordPrivy Seal visited Port Macquarie. PortMacquarie Bowling Club opened. Baby HealthCentre opened. Australian title won by surfclub chariot team. Dredge "Hermes" arrived.Municipal Council Clcquired electricity supply,

411 consumers. High school promised (warintervened).

1939: War declared, September 9, 10th birthdayCWA, State Title Surf Club march past team.

1940: VAD (Wartime Voluntary AidDetachment) formed. "Herald", 'Telegraph",twopence; "News" fourpence (3 cents).Agricultural Bureaux formed, prelude to RuralCo-Op. Presbyterian Church Centenary,Municipal Council's Electricity Power Houseopened. Contracts for war vegetables. Women'sComforts Fund formed. State title Surf Clubmarch past team. Jack GauL council's first paidlifesaver, Town Beach.

1941: St Agnes Catholic Church built, 521,000.Florence Taylor, daughter of Methodist Ministerhere, won AustrCllian Amateur Hour, Nation'stop contralto. Six Cedar logs (13,000 super feet)railed from Wauchope. Star Hotel (Wauchope)burnt. State surf title, Surf Club march pastteam.

1942: My wife's brother one of 8000 Australiantroops in Fall of Singapore. Hastings River WarPlane Fund bought warplane. Former Surf Clubcaptain, Alec Betteridge, killed in action,Singapore. Locals, Bill Peirce died Singapore,Roscoe Turner died, Air Force, Holland. NorthBreakwall work ceased, rail line taken up soJaps wouldn't get it.

1943: Reeds purchased Halletts store. WASPS(Womens Agricultural Security ProductionService) formed Oxley County Council formedLord and Lady Wakehurst here. Sea Scout troopsformed. Locals, Charles Annand died (POW,Singapore), Cecil Cumming died (Lae Landing),Syd Branch died (Corsica). S.s. Wollonbartorpedoed by Japs off Point Plomer and Radleyfishing trawler in rescue of survivors. Peapicking contest here drew entries Australiawide.

1944: Rural Co-Op formed. Fire Horton Street,Brownlows Cash and Carry gutted. Firstmeeting Oxley Country Council. Women'shockey team won five of seven games at statecarnival Wauchope Hospital opened.

1945: End of World War II. Tuppeny Roadformed. C. T. Uptin purchased "News". BillvMartin bravery award (well rescue). Local Keith

237

Wrigley died (POW Burma) Governmentappointed Flynns Beach Trust.

1946: Aero Club formed. Norfolk Islill1d Pinefell, Pacific Drive, ,\loman killed CardinalGilroy at St Agnes. Referendum favouredSatur'dav half holidav, changed fromWednesday First Building, Health Surveyor (deLa Rue). Herons Creek Timber Mills Co came(purchased Browns Mill).

1947: RSL Club formed. Rotary Club formed.Glebe (Church of England) Subdivision off LakeRoad. Commonwealth Bank premises.Fishermen out on strike here. Shark attack MariaRiver, beyond The Hatch, boy died .. Censuspopulation figure 2905 Roy Calvert DryCleaners opened. Nurses Quarters built atHospital, Women's Surf Team tied StateCountry Title, Sydney, Ces Johnson instructor

1948: Work started on water supply fromsand flats. Defunct Progress f\ssociiltionreformed John Hibbard, 89, died. Bill ThomasTalent Quest started. Housing Commission firsthomes, Lord Street.

1949: Kempsey tlood, 36 homes washed awayFlying Boat pilssenger service to Port Milcquariefrom Svdnev. Passionfruit processing plant,Telegraph P~int. Yacht Club formed. Decisionmade to move aolf links. Star Hotel, Wauchope,ore-built.

19.30: Major subdivision, Macquilrie Heights.Alcoholics Anonymous formed. Years rilinial!126.66 inches. Cecil McWhirter, bronze medilland certificate of merit for harbour rescue.Municipal council cut drilin onto Town BeilchWoolworths Variety opened Horton Street

1951: Methodist Church Hall built MunicipalLibrary opened Jack Lang spoke here. HomeScience Block, William Street. new 68-bedHastings District Hospital, Port MacquariePresbyterian Church Hal! built. Municipalboundary extended to Lake Cathie, Hibbard.Local born Bill Dick died, 95 Far West SchemeOpportunity Shop.

1952: First (of three) "News" appeals purchasedsurf bOilt William Cuttriss, draper, 100 yearsold. Public school centenary. Mothers Clubformed. Wauchope Rotary chMtered. NewMethodist Parson,'ge. SPilStiC Centre Councilbranch formed.

YEAR BY YEAR

1953: Silndbeds w,lter supply scheme proved"impracticable", SO,OOO pounds sterling wasted.Golf course opened at Tilcking Point. Slogiln(C T Uptin): "Port Macquilfie, Austr"iia's FirstResort". Ambul<1rKe Stiltirm built, Gordon StreetFirst Art exhibition Port rvlacquarie Infants'School opened, Grant Street. Oxley CountyCouncil headquarters built. WauchopeChamber of Progress formed. Croquet Clubformed Ri ,'er Cruise started

1954: Port Macquc1rie Women's Bowling Club.Three holidaymilkers caught 2()00 bre<1111 in 3weeks. Marshal Crosby, radio star, died in PortMacquarie. ABC opened at KempseyLighthouse Beilch sandmined Settlement Pointferry operating. Census popul<1tion -*-*08.

1955: RSL Cottage Club, Short Street Airportopened. Visitor Bowling Club formed Catholicri·csb·y·te~·y· built. First C~rni\:~l of the Pi;12S.

Apex' ch;rtered Governor Sir John Northcotthere. Sports committee, open "ir Boxing ring,Town Green. Port Macquarie born Les Ken.ny,MLC Flats building burnt, Church Street SeaScouts Hill!, Buller Street opened CWA Roomnext to Post Office.

1956: Park land taken for high school. SurfClub pavilion opened Local born BernardKennv ordilined Priest in Port MacquarieCatn~lic church. Born and died here, Mrs Nunn,102 vears. Historicill Society formed. CroquetClub's first tournament Postmaster Alex Lewis'painting hung, Archibilld Prize. Baby HealthCentre, CWA building.

1957: Oxley County Council built in HortonStreet Last ship, "Berglia' , ou t of harbour. CT Uptin published first History Booklet.Historical Society members cleared L8ke Irulesruins. Lake Irules proclaimed a Sanctuary. Men'shockey revived Port Milcquarie piped waterfrom 'Koree Island, cost $373,000. MilcquarieMotel, Grant Street. Rural Co-op store opened,Munster Street. Yacht and Power Boat Clubiormed New Presbvterian Manse. Work startedCathie bridge. Rur;1 Co-op store Horton Street.Nic>ht tennis at West Port. In"ugural Air Sere/iceFir~ Brigade formed. Electricity to Lake Cathie;,1150 Yarras Quota Club chartered. North Haven!3owlina Club opened. Women bowlers firsto .tournilment. Parry School of Dancing. FirstSatellite (Russian)~ Council turned drain ontoOxley Beach.

YEAR BY YEAR ----=-=238

1-'-

1938: Voluntary worker Sid Hinton first overCathie Bridge. Trawler "Trade Winds" launched.Wauchope War Memorial Baths. Reeds rebuiltCorner Store. Aero Club acquired first plane.l'v"luseum (old School of Arts) officially openedby Newcastle's Lord Mai'or. Kooloonbungreclamation appro\'ed. Governor Sir EricWoodward here. Fire Brigade stabon openedHibbard Sawmill closed down. Chamber ofProgress call for sewerage. Motor TradesConference here P. & C Jubilee Year (1908­1958). Sud march past team saluted queen atManly Third green, Port i\"Iacquarie BowlingClub. First officers West Port Bowling Club.CuatteL Flynn Streter Additions, St Josteph'sCathoiic School, Hay Street, Camden HavenWater Supply State GO\'ernor Woodvvardopened Wauchope RSL Club. Trawler "TradeWinds" 1,lunched. State title, Alan Muter(athletics)

1959: Roods Tra\'el Agency Timber TradesConference Floods, January, November. LakeCathie Bridge official opentng, Squ,lsh courtsin Port Macquarie. Sea Acres Sanctuary openedLions Club chartered. West Port Bowling Clubopened. Electricity to North Shore. Sailing Clubformed. Wauchope High School opened. FlyingClub formed. Civilian Widows formed. Museummoved to Kilmurrav home 'News" appeal forMuseum, Bellevue Hill subdivision StateGo\ernor Sir John Northcott opened enlargedRSL Club. Crown Land auction Lake Cathienorth. Valuer General, first valuation in PortMacquarie. Cot Fund Dav (golf) started. WestWomen's Bowls Club formed. PrimMy SchoolLadies Auxiliarv (later Primary P & C) RuralB"nk at Wauchope. Chamber of Progress setup Tourist Office Senior Citizens formed,:'vlottels Associa tion rornwd,

1960: :Vlotels numbered 1--1 "I<i\'iera"subdi\-ision (Lighthouse Beach) -WO lots Firsthelicopter in Port Macquarie, Kennedy Dri\ese"led to Orr Street. vVater piped to Cathitenorth H,lwld Dent subdilision nearLighthouse, "Mld-P,'Clfic', first ]-storied flMs.Nev" golf clubhouse Port tvldcquarie beatW"ucllllpe in League gr,1l1d final. Church ofEngland rMish h"ll butlt Herons Creek Timbe!'t\:lill built VJo()lwol·ths Food store Tid,,1 W,l\'ein Port M,lCljuMie. Bilnk NSW at WiHlchope,N,~\\' Stingr,,, Creek bridge, North Ha\'en 75­year "nni\'ersM\' Blackm,lns Point school.

Rotary Homes for the Aged in Port Macquarie.Larry Pullen silver medal Australian single skisurf title. First \-vin, Rugby League Shield

1961: Penguin Club chartered. Locill born ClemDick ordained Catholic priest in St Agnes'Church. Trawler "Harold-ArU1e" launchedVegetable Growers Conference hereM,U.I.OOF. flats, O\-"en St Transit Hillsubdivision. First building Lighthouse Beachestate. Stilte Road Safety COlwention here, StilteBuilding Societies Conference here. DennisBridge replaced Blackm,ll1's Point ferry. Shopscomplex Flynns Beach Council resumedMuseum building Rawdon Island bridgeopened Port Macquarie Town Plan gazettedTorch Bearers for Legacv. "News" advocatedLaurietnn-Port Macqui'lrie mad Byrnes familysold hotels, Wauchope and Port Macquarie. SeaScouts won Sirius Cup in Sydney. POW reunionhere. First mO\'e tor i\ Town Plan. Campingground (breakwater) leased. First supplementpublished by "PM. News". AstronomlcalAssociation, observatory built Sti'ltte EmergencySen' ices rormed, State title junior surf boatcrew; Jack O'Hare (bowls). Sea Scouts rescuedofr bar in sailing gig, Certificate Commendationfor surf club members in rescue Censuspopulation 5952

1962: Laurieton Tourist Centre Port MilcquarieNews a bi-weekly Thrumster Village Pottervo~')encd Jilycees formed. High School, OwenStreet, opened First home units, cornerLord/William streets State Go\ernmentTourist Industry Host School here. Fishing cluDformed. ?vlethodists 150 years Youth campestablished at Bonnv Hills. First Baptist ministerhere, Munici~)"l Council's 75th .year. Touristroild pwci<limed, Kew to Port \ilxquMieCilmera club formed. HibbMd Ski Gi\rdensopened, Tornado struck Port Macquarie, threedead. Girl Guicles hall opened Nippers surfclub formed, Piped welter to Lake Cathie, Bonn\Hills. Ritz Theiltre shops added, Clarence StreetGarden Club rormed Flood in April. LtrnPullen, SL.SA. 1,1Llrel wreath for surfing,

1963: Trd\-\'lers "Shiralee", "Drickaldyn'li'lunched. I<,l in fc1 II lllO.SI inches FreePresbyteridn church h,,11 0f)ened Airportterminal opened. Comict-built homes in ShortStreet demolished. PMC tower built in WilliamStreet. Sewerase scheme work st<1l'ted, Wt)metl'~

23.:...9 _ YEAR BY YEAR

Local GO\'ernment conference held here. "Worste\'er" flood. up river April, second. tlood in May.i'lieldrum Motors built Gordon Street Rutilemining plilnt closed. State title, Jim Steele(bowls). Telegraph Point hotel burnt First LC1calGovernment Conference here 1vlichilel Sawtellin Port Macquarie. Foundation stone newMethodist church.

1964: Cathie Lodge opened Ne\,' Methodistchurch. Airport runwa\' se<11ed. First night flight,East West Airlines. State CO\ernment's Sir EricWoodl,'C1fd here. Firemen's state demonstrationhere first time. State Fishing Championshipshere ABC broadcast "Port, a town with adIfference". Express,·vav Spares (Cassegrainslestal'lished. "News" published fishins bookletFrench rugbv le"gue tei1111 at \N"uchope Surfclub members recli1imcd Fknns Bei1chforeshore. First Business\"ornen's LuncheonBi1ptist church oFeneci Sh:re We,:,;::: P:'cp()SC~l

bridge to i\orth Shore Tourist InlormationCentre on Town Green. Mrs York's gMdenopened. Ritter Estilte built, Lord St. Bob Bolock,Charlie Stokes, certificate 01 merit lor rescueattempt. First drowning (girl) at flynns Beach.Kel'ln Porch won Bendigo Gift

1965: 2300 lobsters in one c"tch. Kooioonbungrecli1mation stMted.. Ambulance station openedClarence Street. TO',,\'!1 Plan appro\ed. Ex­Servicemen's Association formed Centenul'ri1ce meeting. Pipi mined by tri1ctor atLighthouse Beach. Surf Club pilvilion pilid for.Plwt Milcquc1rie Bowling Club new club he)use.R5L ~'urchased Kenm' property next doorAnnilbclli1 Boswell's diMy (L2ke Inne,;)~lul'lished Clifton subdi\·ision. Fil'st stilte 2w2rdto "News". WOOlens bowls formed <ot f\:orthHaven. lizzie t"lcLaren died (l00 descendants)Mrs Kenzig died (02). Ron Stiles injured,Vietni1m N2tional Banked opened. Worldcon\'ention for Astronomers held here LMr\'Pullen, West Australii1n StClte Chilmpion, singleClnd double sud ski State title: Rich Brest(ilthleticst Fred Denning (fishing) AustrCl!i,wtitle: Val Smith (fishing).

1966: Gilson's cattle y<lfds opened at PortMc1cquMie. Rural co-o~' bOMd "sacked". Warmemori,,1 sV"imming pool opened. Coloni,llChelpel of Christ the He,1ler l)~lened. Christme1sG(;'II Plc1in n:ined StL)rm dam,lge on last dayof \'eM Shin? section ((1i1St road (no\\' Ocean

Ori\'e) opened Laurieton bridge o~'ened

Llurieton Rot,1l'1 chilrtered First home unitsfor aged (Baker Court), LL1['d Street, o~'ened.

Electricit\· to J\orth Slwre. TV tran,;mittert'rected l'diddle Brother i'vlountilin Dep,utmentMClin Roads di\isiollal office opened here.Hastings Oair:' Co. golden Jubilee. Harbourworks, North Hi1\·en. Port Macqucuie SeniorCitizens formed. ChClmber of Commercehnmed. TAB opened in PL1r! M,Kql.larie.Decimal currencv introduced. CensuspOpUI,l tion 7063.

1967: "News" feature, "Sale the Xmas Bells""i\:ews" made first move, "S<1\'e KOcllilS'5ewerClge, first section, inner tl1wn. TAB ilndshops replaced Club Hotel. Junior LegaC\'formed, Alan Uptin president. Trawler XLCRsold Golf course' 13 lwles Veterans golf clubformed Restor,1tion for St. Tlwmas' Church.Automatlc teiephon25. Vi2\\" (]Lib tOinlcd. LOCcl!

Go\ernment Conference hue. Sta teGO\'ernment pilot sun'el' tourism here. SouthAfrican surfers competed here. Last 1',Kemeeting old track. Surf Mermaids Club formed.Dredge 'HE. Street" ch,lnllel for tr,lwlers. RossKeen" injured in Vietn,lm. St,il" title: .,,"-nn['/!arshall (tenllis), Eileen de la Rue (croquet)

1968: To\\n Plan gazetted Sesqui-centt'nancelebrations Buller Street bridge upened. Townem.blem G G. Lord and Lld:' Clsey; StateCOl'. Sir Roden Z1l1d Ladv Cutler here ~C\\'

counClI ch,lmbers Hal' Street. Fantilsv Gladesopened. Kooloonbung Plaza opened LittlePeo~,les cOll\'ention here. Extensions to museumFirst Gold Med"l Pairs (vVest Port bcm!s) Schoolcentet1i1ril's, vV,Hlchope, HuntingdLlll J,lnUar\'tlood vl/orld .,,"-stl·onomers CC)Il\'ened here FirstvV"uchl1pe clwese Ieho\ah's built KingdL1I1lHall, Bridge Street Matron Jobson ,,\\ilrdedMBE. Rur,ll (no\\' St<1te) Bank opened.vVa uchope Lions formed Wa uchope SeniorCitizens home. Walrus surf club formed. RusselPilcher Australian Junior Surf Ch"mpiot1

1969: 2U lb. flathead caught Lake Cilthie StJoseph's I<egiondl secondarl' schol11 opened.Sold iers tvleml1rial mO\'ed, Clarence Street towaterfwnt. New r'resbyteri,,!1 chw·ch. Kendcll!bridge op",'ned. Shire Cl1uncil chambers,W,'llcho~le. M,lrbuk Pilrk opened, "Mumma"Crocodile ilrri\'ed. 1\,,1,111 on moun RSL sport,;comple>. at Hibb<lrd 2/·Hh Sold iers reunion

YEAR BY YEAR --=..::.;240

here. New Angliciln church, Wiluchope. LakeInnes il sanctuary. "Lavvie" levy for motels. NewMilsonic Temple, Burrilwiln St. Oxley electorateboundary change. Jim Boardman Centre (firsthigh rise). First jet rescue boat from Carni\'alof Pines. ANZ Bank opened. Russel Pilcher wonboth junior and senior Iron Man events atMaroubra surf carnival; was second inAustralian Iron l'vliln event.

1970: West Port Primary School opened. Queenvisited Coffs Harbour. Pope in Australia; atePort Mc1CL}uarie lobsters. North Brother lookoutrOild oren. Lions Lookout, Stewart Street. Colesopened. AFTA Tril\el Conference here "News"instcdled offset printing press North HilvenBowling Club opened. Blilckman's Point postoffice closed. State Firemen's demo here.HMbour works completed ilt North Haven.Ellenborough bridge collapsed. Les CrispaWilrded MBE. Mervyn Wheeldon (postman)Imperial Service Medal. Postal Institute sportshere, 500 competitors. Gale in September., larshilll's Cordial factory opened. State title,Jim Steele (bowls). Austrillian title, Jim Pullen,Peter Hennessey (surf); State and Australiantitles, surf boat - R. McManus, D. Peltier, R.and J. tvlc:Vlullen, I Duncombe. Censuspopulation 190. Cathie bowlers first meeting.

1971: Mainline purchased Macquarie, Royalhotels; ilppro':al for 10-storied building. Rurillco-op Horton St. sold to Fosseys. White WhalershMk, sao lbs, caught Bird Rock. West PortRotary chartered. ANT A travel conference here.COllntr~: Party state conference here. NSWfishing championships here. "News" Plll'chilsed"Va Ilev Ad \'ertiser" SesCJui-centenary PortMe1CL}uMie Foundation. Lighthouse Beachamenities block Centenarv for Telegraph Pointpost office. "News" 7 cents. Limebllrners Creeknatun! reserve Heruw Penny opened. Vickery'sLeather; Hi-Fi Furniture established in industrial,'!,C,\, Worldwide event, Southern Cross motorrally (then for next 10 years, to 1980) CliftonRest home opened (nOI.\, Lourdes). Ecumenicalsenice, St. Thomas'. Surf life saving a schoolsport. Po~~ul,ition 9700 Women's bowls, LakeCathie

1972: Octol'er flood. Fish sho~1 Clarence Streetclosed. A~~ex hydrotherapy pool ,1t hospital. St.Joseph's Regional High School. Australia Postfl,its (,,,,,is "Waten'iew") Clnrence Street. 66

Clarence Street opened. Whalebone Wharfopened. Dri\'e-in theatre opened. Shops atFlylUiS Beach. Women Veteran's Goli Club. Gunclub formed. Second runway for airport.Demolition of 1899 Council Chambers, ilndSchool of Arts, Clarence Street CWA jubileeyear. I 'ew Cath.ie bridge opened. Clarence Streetlibrary opened. Car park in Hay Street."Coralita" on Port Macquarie - Lord Howefirst run. Wauchope golf club 18 holes. Firstwedding at Lake Cathie. Comboyne Schooljubilee. Boney film made Miner's Beach.'vVauchope population 3351. "Tasman", firstaccommodation high rise in Port Macquarie.Mrs Corrigan died, 108 Legacy ViUage, HomeStreet, operced. MCltron Usher, MBS. SisterFarthing (Baby Health Centre) BEM.

1973: Premier Askin opened Innes Tavern. Twomen drowned on bar. Second ecumenicalservice. Henry Kendal! memorial opened,Kendall. Kooloonbung Apex chartered. PorpoisePool established. "News" prints Kempsey'snewspaper. Australian fishing championshipshere "News" wilrned and condemned BitouBush. Golf Proettes at Port Macquarie. End ofVietnam war. Koala Preservation Societyformed. Settlement Shores estate established.Regional Advisory Council formed. PortMacquarie-Hastings declared a growth area.High Street widened in Wauchope. Australianrepresentative: Fred Middleton (surfing).

1974: Seventh D.A. church, West Port, opened150 years celebration for St. Thomas' C of ESMrie Abbott made first Port !v'lacqurarie-LordHowe Island flight Telegraph Point new bridgeopened. Q Robin established. Tacking Point surfclub formed. Pre-school opened !'vlunster StreetSand CClstle Motor Inn opened Council rejectedRSL Club 1J-storles Short Street. M<ifbuk Parkclosed Floods, j,lIluary, April. First police jetrescue boat. New ferry, Settlement Point.HMbour cruise ve;;sels "ClarClndra", "Am<1roo".RSL sub-blanch SO-yeMs celebrCltion. Air ForceAssociation formed Key Shopping Centre,Cl.orence St Mainline Co. coilap5ed. Like Cathi"Bowling Club opened. Rowing club forl1it'dPrl)-Clm gl)!f tournament here. Women jockeys,1t Port MacquMie. Fairway \viltering, gL)lf clubWaucl1l1pe cha~1ter for Historical Societ\CL1I11mLlIiwealth Bank additions. Heistings LaborCouncil formed. FemClle retreat on KennL'dy !vlt.

.::.:24~1 YEAR BY YEAR

Oxley Airlines started. Civic centre, ClarenceStreet, opened. New post office, Wauchope."Fountain Court"", "MacC]uarie Towers'· high-risebuilt. Catholic Church purchased Clifton (nowLourdes Nursing Home). Local-born Dr.McLaren 50 years in practice. ChLll"ch of Christopened. C. C. Adams MBE; Jim O'Reilly, BEMState title, Alan Witchard (surf belt) JohnDingle, Meritious Award, rescue attempt;Constable John Clarke, Brian Carr commended.

1975: RUrell co-op closed. Catholic Infants Schoolopened, illso pre-school. Town Centre complexopened. Race dub amenities block. SportsCouncil formed. Retired Bankers Associiltion.formed. Women on council outdoor sta.ff Carefor Aged seminilr here. "News" 10 cents "News"opposed Information Centre, Town GreenUnique 9-sided band rotunda demolished.Koala Hospital established. Commercial Belnkalteration,;. Nl)rth Coast Airline charter ';e(,ict:'Stamp, coin club formed First home builtSettlement Shores. Pappinbarra Bridge openedLaurieton Community Health Centre.Pappinpbarra Field Studies Centre. Councilstold amalgamation pending. Little Theatrebuilding started. "BrO\.-vn Bomber"' parking finesintroduced. Eugene Stuart donilted land, StuartPark. State title, Alan vVitchard (surf belt).

1976: Rehabilitation centre at hospital. InnerWheel formed, also RotaracL State GOI·. RodenCutler at Telegraph Point school centenary.Clifton Drive shopping centre. Coles, ShortStreet, opened First Service Uniting ChurchRilwdon Island school, post office, closed. WestPort school extensions. Third breakwall built.Man drOINned on bar. RSL certificate ofappreciation to C. T Uptin. Church of Christmanse. Wctterfront reserve West Port. JimBoardman Centre built. Wauchope FootballClub SO years. First surf carnival LighthollseBeach; surf club building stilrted. PortMacquorie rugby league premiers. 2/29threunion here Presbyterians 136 vears;Methodists 130 years Council depot LivingstoneRoad. Census population 13,950. "Domino"came, Stuart Park formed. State Firemen's demohere. "News" 12 cents. Downs Estate on market.Bankcilrd introduced Wauchope Motor Registryopened. i 'ew police station, Sunset Parade.Lourdes House opened. Bob Willictms, 1stdetective, Port MaclJuarie State title: AlanWitchard (surf belt); Warren Perry, Jon Radley

(surf nippers), Megan York (clthletics). KenCorbett, Asian tour, surfing. State title: Kel'inParsons (fishing)

1977: Third section for museum. Day Carecentre cit hospitill. Elford's "PClcific Star'·launched. Plane crash cit Pembr0oke. "News",1 tri-weekly. Oxley High\\ctY sealing com~'leted

Sewerage Lighthouse Be,Kh (Pass\'eer sl'stemon golf wurse). New fishing club. Second jetrescue boat. "Ri\'er Queen" launched. LocalGod conference here GROW establishedi\lctinline Co. sold MeKquarie-Roy,,1 l'wtelsCentrepoint, Palm Court opened. Shops, Shortemd Hell' Streets. First Big Gilme fishing c)ntestStelte funer'al here for ex-Senator Harrv Toll.Turf wicket, Oxlev Ol'al. CentellMv Lt1LlrietonSchool Lega.cy VillClgc, Laurieton "Vallel·Advertlscr" folded. "L,kl'l\ood Villctge" openedHastings Credit Union. C,)ach to Sydne,'iicensed. Lyne e!t:I_tC\fdte blhindc1r~' chitnge ([\11 i.

Macquarie in Cov'·per). Co-op f,Ktorv fire,Wauchope. Pink Ladies at Hospital. Timbertownopened Lions first t\·1acquarie Art award.Stewilrt Kennedy 31 years local god. MinnieDownes BEM. Marind, West Port. Laurieton pre­school. Braq~rl' awards Alan DicK, BrianDenver, 1976 rescue. Sue-Ellen Joyce sta tt' award(hurdles). Larrv Brook, Alan Witchard in Aust.surf teilm to I ew Zealand.

1978: CentenilrY for Lodge Hastings CoronaryCMe Unit at hospital. Computers replacedLinotypes at ·'News". Li'ingstone Road Dam.·'Trilh·'·, 1907 wreck on bar, discoq~red.

Vocation" I College opened. J\:ationel1 Trustc1ilssification for Tacking Point Lighthouse, 173ne1utic.,1 miles north of Sydney. Gordon Streetbridge widened "Old Bastards" Lodge formedBlue Water Club formed "Belilina" Wieck (1879)on bM uncDvered. Settlers Inn opened.Extensions, RSL Club Rural Co-Op Ivound up.Indoor Stadium opened Tourist Bay at KewSeaplane COlwention here. Flood in larch, m,lndied. Q Robin Centre (John Sal'ill House). RugbyUnion Clubhouse, Stuart Pilrk. First morningAir Sen' ice. Air FOI·ce Associiltion formed. AIF7th Di "ision reunion here. First Sunrise ECI~ter

D.,y Service, Shire and Municipal Councilswilnted bl·idge to North Shore. Second poolat B.,ths. "Debbie Maree" "Corame" I"unched.SOCi,ll Security office opened. Chonll Sociell'formed Permanellt Fire officer appointed.Breathalyser introduced. King Point Bunny Club

YEAR BY YEAR _

a "fizzer". Coastal Protection Bill. Surf Club's50 veilfS carnival. 2 to 1 "No" vote, HortonStre"et mal!. Matron Jobson, Mesd. Keena,Nelson, 50 years with Red Cross. "News"Heritage Art' Award. David Thompson wonBurnie Mile State titles: Richard Munro, KevinWharton (sailing); Frances Howard (swimming),Larrv Pullen (surf ski), Kevin Parsons (fishing),Dal~ Potts IPonv Club). Australian title: Frank, ,

O'Rourke (sailing). Larry Brook captained statesurf team New Zealand tour.

1979: RSL Club acqUired Palm Court, Holey'sFlats (Short Street). Women Surf Life-Savers.C 1. Uptin prepared Surt Club's 50th yeilfanniversarv Historv Booklet CWA branch 50'leafS cel~bration.' Mount Seaview HolidayCamp. Kingfisher Park opened. "Loorana" cargo\'esse! Port Macquarie-Lord Howe Island,discontinued same year. Present Town Bandformed. Lighthouse 100 years old. Lower NorthCoast Golf Association 50 years. FrenchRestaurant RSL Club. Koala Society in "Rota".Metrics for advertising. Weightwatchers formed.Women's Fire Brigade, Telegraph Point. CYSSestablished. Kennel Club. Rotary's Kew InfoCentre. Time Share Vacation, North Shore.Private Hospital opened; also medica! centre,Lake Road. Hastings House, Hibbard. ProgressAssociation Tacking Point. OCC merged withIvlanning-Macleay, headquarters at Wauchope.Housing Commission Town Houses, O\venStreet. Hastings Ri\er Drive. First residentsCarden Village, Morton Street. Court bond fornude bather. Journalism and advertising stateavvards to "News". West Indies Cricket teamhere Hastings Regional BrClnch Fellowship ofAustrillian writers. Garden Club competition.H,lstings Ri\er houseboats. Rugby Unioncompetltion Stilte title: Fublic School juniorLeague team; Frances How,ll'd (swimming),Wa\ne McLean' (surf bOilrd), Aliln \Nitchard(su;f belt, 5th s"uccessive year), Nola Hodgson(shooting), Wayne Curtis (ilthletics) Staterepresentation: Ingrid Cullen «lthletics) Rodeoriders, Morgan, Coombes to Cillgarv (Canada).St<lte representation: Wil\·ne Grant (rugbyle,lgue), Carolyn Minter (hockey)

1980: "Roto" restoration Enla"ged dam,Livingstone Road Peppermint PMk opened.Pc(:d Ie-wheel "Ri \'er Queen" lett. Purifica tionpJilnts for oysters Pioneer Homeste<ld Motel

242

44th built in Port Macquarie. Half-court tel'1Il.is.Glen Morgan top Australian cowboy (rodeo).Baseball, Polocrosse introduced. First MastersBowls Tournament, Port Macquarie Club. LakeCathie Fire Unit. Town Development planadopted. December amalgamiltions for shire andmunicipill councils; last meetings for bothcouncils. 31st December, 1980 first meeting forHastings Municipal Council. Catholic Men'sClub formed. Long Flat centenary. Buildingboom topped. Kentucky Fried Chicken opened.Wauchope population 4000 NeighbourhoodCentre opened. St Joseph's Primary, Laurieton.ANZ Bank at Laurieton. Department AborigineAffairs office here National Pilrks and WildlifeOffice opened. Library extensions opened.Woman jockey, Julie York; Sharon Plews,woman competitor in Surf Club, Anne Coombesfirst woman competitor at surf carnival. TABchief and AJC president here; 5400,000 race clubimprovements. Port Macquarie name eliminatedfrom Local Government registry. "Bunclaleer ".Wauchope, opened. Red Oxide Mining ceased.Government resumed North Shore land(Dulhuntys). Rosemary Whitaker BEM. RoversHockey Club 50 years. Melanie Compton wonShowcase Talent Quest. Astronomer AlbertYork, 90. Centenary for Keena family, cameto Mariil River 1880. Glen Dick paintingcontestecl Archibald Prize. Australian Rulesfootball. World title: Frank Griffiths, veteranswimmer. State title: Bill and John Del'1Il.ing(fishing) Surfers Larry Brook, Glen Robson inAustrilliiln team to Europe. Steve Myhill, KimJames, Humilne Society medcils. Point Plomerrescue.

1981: Evening View Club formed. First BetterHomes show. Port City Lions charteredMuseum of YeM AWMd to Port Milcquarie.West Port High School opened RSL Clubpurchased Port Shores land. Archerv Clubformed. Board Sailors Club formedConserviltion Order lilke Inne~; homesteild ruinsTown Green Informc1tion Centre enlarged. FirstOyster Purification plant operating. iV[ilrin,lp~lrcll"sed Wctr Widows Guild formed. Na\illAssociation reunion here. Hastings counciloffice opened <1t Laurieton. Census population19,572. "Port H,1s" Frog hopped off \vith 514,000.L()(al GOI'ernment Conference here.'Billilbong'opened Peter King elected Oxley State Member,resigned S,1l1le yeM. Ken Reed, MLC Lourdes

=-24=-3 YEAR BY YEAR

I~

extensions. Salvation Army's "Bethany".Lighthouse Beach Caravan Park "RoseGardens", Buller Street, won state alVaI'd. SeniorCitizens, Lake Road, Woodchips Herons Creekmill. Army Sergeant Alwyn Feeman, BEM. EdithTa.ylor BEM. Palm Court Squash Club. Firstoff-shore catamaran regatta. State title: surfclub's junior boat crew; Frank O'Rourke(sailmg), Ben Cullen (athletics), Matthew vVade,surf club nipper. State representation: Rel·d.Harry Olsen (croquet).

1982: Hastings Primary School; CatholicPrimary, Boronia Street opened Plans out fornew RSL Club Governor Sir James Rowlilndhere. Population 20,177. "Billabong" opened"News" 2::; cents "News" published 132-pageCentenary supplement; implilnted Tin,e Cap­sule Town Green. Shop owners opposed mallfor Horton Street. State Firemen's Demo here."News" sold to Rural Press Bamboo at golfClub 100 years old. Agreement to selveragescheme for Lake Cathie. Sah'ation Army, LordStreet. Lawn Cemetery in use. Triplet calvesat Gum Scrub. Sand worm catchers lic.:nsedDulhuntys celebrated 50 years. "Port Pacific",Clarence Street built. Automatic telephone,Wauchope NevI' police district established.Government ordered demolition of foreshorehouses, Windmill Hill. Ambulance stationLaurieton Timber industry collapse, Wauchope.6000 phone subscribers Port Macquilfie. "Roto"National Parks heildquilfters. Bilnk NSW,Westpac. Christian Outreach Centre Established.

Building dOlynturn In Port Macquarie.Archdeilcon Worr, OA; Ion King, OA; Mrs NellHolmes OA Ocean sililing. BMX bikes Richat"dToombs, Brian Roohan tnUl' England (cricket)Stiltl' title: Frank O'Rourke (sailing), Under 10rugbv league team. Australian title: Salh'Kennedy (Ivindsurfer). Gold medal Hong Kong:Meredith Evans (swimming)

All of these "characters" were close contactsof mine:

Hastings Shire Council presidents, 1932-1%0(Shire Council abolished 1980): W H Blvthe,1932 R B. GClmack, 1935, 19-4-4 John Downes,1933,1936 J J Wilrrall, 193-t 19-40 A. ERose,1937 R. B Walsh, 1938. H A Rose, '1939, 19-45­19-47 H S Brilnsdon, 19-1-1, 19-Hl-1955, 1957­1960. H Holiis, 19-42, '1956 C Perrott, j 9-BH. Wilrlters, 1961-196·1 I R. Andrel-vs, 1965­1969 J Abl-S"ilb, 1970-1977, 1'178. J Steinmetz,1977 W Poole, 1978-1980

Port Macquarie Municipal Council Milyors(council abolished 1980) A. C Elliott, 1925­1936 E A ['/lowle,1936-19-41 C G Orr, 19-12­19-4-4 C A. Ryan, 19-15-19-47, 19-49 N. W.Joscelyne, 19-48 A L Crisp, 1950, 19::;1, 1957­1960, 1962-1966 E F. Brownlow, 1952-195-4. DS Kennedy, 19::;5, 1956, 1961, 1971 C C Adilms,1967-1970,1972-197-4 N. F Matesich,197-4-1976,1980-1982. K Stelenson 1976-1978 J BOilfdman,1978-1980

Hilstings Municipal Council, 1980-1982; Aieli\iorm,llI Miltesich.