Tomaree Museum Association exhibition Shipwrecks proves very successful

CONGRATULATIONS to the Tomaree Museum Association (TMA) for yet another highly successful presentation –  this time, on Shipwrecks.

Based at Tomaree Lodge, the display, which concluded last week, was visited by over 4,000 members of the public, locals and visitors alike.The presentation featured artifacts from the past including old portholes, photographs and other ship related memorabilia.

The TMA attracted over 8,000 visitors to its displays at Tomaree Lodge this year and has made a very strong case for permanency at the iconic Tomaree site.

At this stage no defining decisions have been made as to the future use of the buildings on Tomaree Headland, which were erected during WWII.

It is hoped that the museum will have a permanent home on the headland where members of Port Stephens will be invited to contribute any items from the past which have been part of the unique history of this unique area.

Going back to our very origins, when the Worimi folk wandered the shorelines and beaches followed by the first settlers, the Cromarty family in 1824, Port Stephens has prospered from the oyster, lobster, timber and fishing industries, followed by commerce and tourism.

Our history is amazing and we deserve a museum to display what has been achieved over the past.

What has become increasingly obvious to me is the growing interest in local history. This is reflected in the numbers attending local history presentations, whether they be at venues such as Tomaree or onboard history cruises around the port and the outer islands from Fingal to Broughton.

Having a real involvement in local history, I think it is great that the community is keen to be educated on our past.

I’ve always maintained that, to really appreciate where we live and to look forward to the future, it is essential to know what came before us.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE