Stinker’s History: Recreational shooting at Myall Lakes

THE main recreational activities at Port Stephens have traditionally been fishing and boating.

From the 1880s up until the Second World War, there was an additional outdoor sporting activity in the Myall Lakes district – recreational shooting.

Groups would travel to Port Stephens for the combined activities of fishing and shooting.

For many years from the late 1880s, fowls, ducks, swans and wallabies around the Myall Lakes area were under continued attack from recreational shooters.

Some of the material presented consists of descriptions of travel excursions by tourists or sporting parties to the Port Stephens area, in which recreational shooting formed a major component.

It is difficult to comprehend today, with the controls in place by NPWS, NSW Fisheries and environmental bodies, that the hunting and fishing methods of the pioneering families and visitors were not only acceptable but eagerly pursued.

I have included certain newspaper articles that appeared around the time that reflect the attitude towards recreational hunting and fishing.

The newspaper articles are the result of research conducted by Kevin and Mary McGinness.

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 12 June 1882, page 3, reported:

“No greater treat can be afforded a lover of beautiful scenery than a trip to Port Stephens, and thence up the Myall Lakes. “The fishing and shooting to be done is superb, the lakes being literally crowded with swan and duck, besides schnapper, mullet, bream, and other species too numerous to mention. This route will find all they desire at Witts Hotel.”

The Newcastle Sun of 24 March 1926, page 6:

“Three lovers of fishing have returned to their homes in the Newcastle district after an eight day excursion in the locality of Port Stephens and Myall Lakes.

“The party succeeded in catching over 600 fish of many kind.

“Shooting in the bush was also enjoyed, and many parrots and other birds were secured.

“The visit was full of interest, from a scenic point of view, and the party considers that the area over which it travelled is well worth seeing by others.”

Recreational shooting in the Port Stephens area had ceased by the start of the Second World War.

By 1939, parts of the Myall Lakes had been declared a sanctuary area.

The Dungog Chronicle of 24 February 1939, page 4, reported:

“Ducks and swans are plentiful on the Myall Lakes, and shooters are always after them.

“As this area has been declared a sanctuary, Mr. A. E. Dickinson, of ‘Parklands,’ intends to protect the birds, and with the assistance of two more rangers will patrol the area.”

Mr Arthur Dickinson had previously been an honorary ranger at Mount Tomaree, Port Stephens.

After leaving Mount Tomaree around 1939, Arthur Dickinson purchased a property named ‘Parklands’ near the Myall Lakes and resided there until his death in 1954.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE