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Great Lakes Museum

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Tuncurry, NSW
Great Lakes Museum

The Great Lakes Historical & Maritime Museum is located in Tuncurry on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Soon to expand with future renovations.

A local community social history museum engaged in collecting, researching, preserving, exhibiting artifacts and documentary material relating to the area. When Tuncurry celebrated its centenary in 1975 the organizers saw the need for a local museum. A steering committee was setup and the first meeting of the “Wallamba District Historical Society”, now the “Great Lakes Historical Co-Operative Soc

iety Ltd”, was held on March 1st 1976. Land was acquired in Capel Street Tuncurry and the old National Bank building in Forster was transported across the bridge in two pieces to become the museum proper, housing a growing collection of artifacts. Over the years the Great Lakes Museum has expanded to include the original Tuncurry school building, Cheers Cottage, Police lockup, a working windmill as well as other outdoor displays. Inside, the Museum’s collection is now housed in new display cabinets, new carpet laid, ceiling has been replaced and the whole room repainted. Meanwhile this makeover has enabled the area’s maritime history to be expanded and highlighted.

05/09/2026

HISTORY OF NABIAC.
WILD FIG TREE

The area was originally included in the Australian Agricultural Company grant, but returned to Crown Land after a report by Sir Edward Parry as not being suitable for sheep. The first land grant in the Nabiac area was 115 acres on the northern side of the river, purchased by Henry Carmichael at a sale at Dungog July 1855. In 1857 William McClymont bought two blocks of land totaling 139 acres. After the Sir John Robertson Act of 1861, other settlers followed along Wollomba (Wallamba by local use) River and became known as the Cape Hawke Settlement. It was described as a small agricultural and timber cutting settlement and in 1890 the village of Wollomba was proclaimed.
POST OFFICE. In March 1869 the settlers along the Wallamba River sent a petition to the authorities asking for a post office. The request was that the Post Office be established near the crossing-place of the government road on the Wallamba River at Clarkson's crossing. A postal inspector made a comprehensive survey of the location, travelling the proposed route ensuring that it was suitable for heavily laden pack horses carrying mail bags. The result was the first Post Office opened in May 1870 and was called Cape Hawke Post Office. Charles Smith, teacher appointed to the two half time schools, the Upper Wallamba and the Lower Wallamba became the first Post Master. In 1880 the name was changed to Clarkson's Crossing and on June 1st 1894 was changed again to become Nabiac Post Office.
FIRST HOTEL. Henry and Annie Beisler came from Germany, living at Wang Wauk and Henry was working for John Booth the timber man. Henry, whilst riding noticed an outcrop of red soil around the area and thought it would be suitable for vineyards. In 1879 he took up the land, planted over 200 grapevines and named the selection "Fern Hill." Around 1882 the Beislers took out a wine licence and opened a shop and later obtained a hotel licence. This being Nabiac's first hotel named the "Fern Hill Hotel."
FIRST SHOPS. In the earliest times on the river, the nearest shops were at Tinonee and settlers made the long journey there. The position improved somewhat when Albert Ehlefeldt began running his dealer's boat up the river, heralding his arrival by means of a bullock horn. Hugh Breckinridge also had a store boat on the river. The first store in Nabiac was commenced by James Bowers in connection with the Post Office. John Breckinridge's Burnside Store was run by James Miles between about 1882-1888 and in 1887 Charles Wooster's store was in operation running a cart in conjunction with the store.
HEALTH SERVICES. In the district the sick and injured were first nursed by the members of the community with some knowledge of healing. In 1903 William Parramore came to Nabiac as the first resident doctor and in 1910 the "Doctor's House" was erected in Showground Lane. The first hospital was opened in 1909 by Mrs Jane Bidner (Nurse Nixon) and in 1915 she also opened the new hospital which become the Wallamba District War Memorial Hospital. The certified nurse on the Wallamba was Louisa Jane Newell. During the pneumonic influenza epidemic in 1919, the school, School of Arts, Agricultural Hall and Maybury's place were all converted into emergency hospitals as Mrs Bidners hospital was overcrowded.

Great Lakes Museum
1 Capel Street,
Tuncurry.
Open Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday,
10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm

20/08/2026

Cape Hawke Census 1885.
In 1885 the Legislative Assembly listed the farmers of the Cape Hawke District on the first census of the area. The following farmers in this article are by no means the total mentioned in the Census, but those will give an insight to the size of the holdings and the names of the pioneers.
James Hadley, mill worker for J W Breckenridge had taken up 100 acres named Bennett's Head running 6 horses, 40 head of cattle and 1 pig.
On the other side of the valley local School teacher George Underwood, had 100 acres called Sea View. He grazed 3 horses, 16 head of cattle and 2 pigs. Later his eldest son set up a dairy on the eastern slopes of Reservoir Hill, down from where Pioneer Estate is today. A killing depot (abattoir) was set up east of the present day golf clubhouse and there they retailed meat to the public and milk from the dairy. The family butcher shop later operated in Little Street.
Out on the Hawke between the "the two hillocks" as Captain Cook described, ran Dunn's Creek. Thomas Dunn occupied 100 acres but being a sick man not actively farming, merely occupying the place until Thomas McBride took it over in 1888.
Thomas McBride was in charge of the transport for the Hudson Brothers Mill at Neranie and lived at Tarbuck Brush. He had 10 acres and was carrying some 20 head of horses and 17 head of cattle. The horses, no doubt being used to transport the timber from up around Booti Booti to Smiths Lake. After 23 years of service he terminated his commitments to the company and moved to his property at Cape Hawke, known as Fair View, raising horses and cattle and specialising in different varieties of fruit.
Beside Dunn on the Hawke William Mulconey held 40 acres, William Frazer held 20 acres and Lachlan Frazer further down held 90 acres, dairy farming on the property known as Green Hills.
Pioneer pastoralists Robert and Thomas Dunn had holdings of 549 acres at Coomba Coomba running 70 horses, 420 head of cattle as well as sheep and pigs and 1220 acres at Burrah Beak holding 120 head of cattle, horses, sheep and pigs.
Mrs Jessie Steinmetz, Forster pub keeper and wife of Leonard, of Fresh Water Creek in Coomba Bay held a total of 200 acres carrying 4 horses and 30 head of cattle.
Herds of cattle may have varied from beef stock to dairy cattle on these properties supplying meat and milk for home consumption as well as being sold to supplement the family income. Pig herds were commercial propositions and eventually brought the formation of the Co-operative Bacon Factory in Wingham.
Horses were, of course the means of transport, riding, light sulky or buggy travel etc but farmers holding larger stock numbers would be used for heavy transport, haulage for ploughs and other farming implements.

Great Lakes Museum
1 Capel Street,
Tuncurry.
Open hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm.

06/08/2026

EARLY MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.

From the earliest days of settlement in the Cape Hawke district those needing urgent medical attention had an arduous journey to Taree. The early roads to Taree before the highway was built wound through the hills, down gullies, across creeks and steep climbs following the tracks of the bullock drays. The Manning River District Hospital was constructed in 1888 on the site in York Street. The building, of noble dimensions and striking architecture for an infant town was designed by architects Bolster and Hotson and built by John Rye.
The official opening was January 23 1889.
It opened with 16 beds, but from the outset was inadequate for the needs of the fast-developing valley and surrounding districts. During the 1930's extensions and renovations were made but it wasn't until 1947 that major reconstruction on the site got under way. While a major redevelopment phase for a new five storey building began in 1949, the original main hospital footprint and adjacent kitchen block remained in active use until they were torn down in 1955 to clear space for the completion of the new facilities. The new modern Manning River District Hospital opened to the public in 1957.
In 1957 renowned Australian illustrator and author, Pixie Harris, painted a series of 25 murals for the children's ward depicting scenes from stories including Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Robin Hood. Pixie and her brother Olaf a talented painter, attended the opening of the hospital in September 1957.
THE VICTORIA FEVER WARD was located in a quadrangle, surrounded by the new building of the Manning River District Hospital. Built in 1897 was named in honour of then, Australia's longest serving monarch on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. Typically fever or isolation wards of the 1800's were built as separate structures from the main hospital so patients with contagious diseases could be isolated. During WWII the ward accommodated patients with various outbreaks of disease, from the army camps located in the Manning Valley. Tuberculosis was documented as being a prominent cause of death.
Last year 2025 with the major redevelopment of the now Manning Base Hospital the rusty old building of the Fever Ward was demolished.

Great Lakes Museum
1 Capel Street, Tuncurry.
Open hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm

23/07/2026

MUSEUM HISTORY
The Great Lakes Museum has a vast display of history, one such item is the flagpole being connected to the early Tuncurry fishing industry.
S.S JOHN GOLLAN.
Was built at Mill Creek at Tinonee on the Manning River from 1888-1889 by Captain Hector Gollan. She was launched at Tinonee on the 23rd March 1889 and by the 15th October 1889 the tug was completed with engines and boiler and was christened by Mrs G Clarke of Tinonee. The well known tug and pilot vessel safely guided many coastal ships across the difficult bar at Harrington into the Manning River for their journey up to Taree and Wingham to offload the produce. She was moored at the coal loader wharf at Harrington, close to the pilot station. In February 1902 Hector Gollan sold the vessel to Thomas Miles (T&H Miles partnership) who continued to operate her as a subsidised tug servicing the Manning River. On the death of Thomas Miles the new firm 'Henry Miles' and Sons bought out all interests of the tugs Forster, the John Gollan and Undaunted from Port Macquarie. On 28th December 1939, the Henry Miles was launched to take the place of the John Gollan and after over 48 years the tug was broken up at the Miles Shipyard at Forster. Originally when built the John Gollan had two masts, and earlier in her life the rear mast was removed by Haden's slipways at Taree. The mast was donated by the late Hector Haden and erected in Horace Dean Park in Tinonee, as the flagpole.
THE EL DORADO 11
In the 1940's Jimmy Nicholson purchased the forward mast of the John Gollan from Henry Miles and built it into his trawler the EL Dorado 1 Years later the mast was installed, along with the motor which was a 44hp. German B.U.B. diesel in the new boat EL Dorado 11. This was still the era before the ship to shore radios were introduced so sail was still carried in case of emergency.
This boat was built on the foreshore at Tuncurry by Jimmy Nicholson and his two sons Laurie and John in 1946. This was mainly a trap and line vessel, fishing for snapper and lobsters, but with the capability of towing a single pocket net for prawns. The trawler operated until 1977 when ill health forced the family to sell the boat. The new owner cut the mast off at the deck line (shortened by around 4 feet) and it was rescued by the Sutherland Family, and built into the Mildred Joyce Sutherland, the trawler operating out of Tuncurry. After a major refit of the trawler, the mast was donated by the Nicholson Family to the Wallamba District Historical Society where it now stands proudly in the grounds of the museum today, as the flagpole.
Reference: L Nicholson letters 1977.

Great Lakes Museum.
1 Capel Street,
Tuncurry.
Open hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm.

09/07/2026

WATER

The early settlers in Forster Tuncurry dug wells tapping the plentiful supply of underground water. The water was brackish and varied in quality from one well to another. Along the northern side of Tuncurry House a well was dug, carefully timbered down to prevent the loose sand falling and filling it up, reaching water about 14 feet. The top was timbered over and a "donkey tail" pump was installed, this being the Tuncurry water supply however like all swamp water it was cloudy in appearance, smelled and tasted "swampy". If the season was dry and the house tanks low what else did they have? There were several wells in Forster, the better known being Bennett's Head well at the Tanks which James Hadley and his boys dug. George Underwood had a well up near the golf course and Ehlefeldt's well down Little Street, from which pipes carried water out to the end of his two-tiered wharf and supplied ships with fresh water. These wells gave good service to supplying water to the settlement together with the settlers rain water tanks.
The house tanks at the beginning before corrugated galvanised iron were known as "ship tanks". Cubicle in shape and built of sheet steel and riveted down the corners, were able to hold 2.7 cubic metres or around 600 gallons of water. Set up on a wooden stand beside the dwelling with necessary guttering they caught rain water that ran from the tin roof, drained into the tank and although always a little salty the water was reasonably pure. John Wright often looked out to the west at the hills among which the Wallamba rose and talked about damming the stream up there and running water down to the village, but nothing came of it. But this scheme was seriously considered at one time, when it could be seen that the growth of the community was making some sort of water supply an urgent need. Samples were taken from the Wallamba above salt level and it was found to have a very high chloride level and a hardness of degree higher than desired for domestic supply. In 1927 when the Cape Hawke Rural Co-operative Dairy Society began to supply electricity, the establishment of spearpoints, tapping the fresh water under the sand became the best source of supply.

Great Lakes Museum
1 Capel Street,
Tuncurry.
Open Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday,
10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm.

01/07/2026

BUNGWAHL.
The village of Bungwahl, at first known as Bungwahl Flats, owes its existence to Alexander Croll, who went there to set up a mill in 1870. With his good friends John Wright and John Rodgers they built a mill and a general store. Crolls business and influence dominated the area. In 1875 John Wright decided to set out on his own and came to Forster, saw the potential of the North Shore (Tuncurry.) John Rodgers commenced milling in Laurieton. The first school was built on Croll land near the church in 1870 and John Green was the first teacher. Another school operated close by Hudson's Sawmill at Neranie but a recession in timber milling around 1893 caused a fall in attendance and the school operated part time with Seal Rocks until its closure in 1908. At one time Bungwahl had two hotels. The Caledonia Hotel owned by George and Sarah Bramble, situated on the hill near the church, eventually burnt down. The Court House Hotel operated under various licensees over the years became a boarding house before being demolished by the then owner Richard Payne. The timber was then used to construct a shop directly opposite which was owned and run by the family of his brother, William Payne. The Police Station, lock up and stables was situated on Seal Rocks Road and closed during the 1920's. The Church of England church, built on Croll land, still stands on the hill overlooking the Myall Lake. The School of Arts was the cultural centre of the district, holding many dances, balls and concerts.
The general store, bakehouse and butchers was near the Post Office and all supplied by goods which came back to the town on "back loads" after timber had been delivered. The slaughter house supplying the butcher was at Huntley some miles away.
The town had three cemeteries. Neranie now a NSW Heritage Site, early Bungwahl Flat cemetery on the steep hill behind the Anglican Church and the present day cemetery on the Lakes Way west of the village.
The Blacksmith's shop was a very important business of the town. All the ironwork for the bullock teams had to be made or mended as well as making horseshoes and repairing farm equipment. Bungwahl had a racetrack and regular meetings were held, culminating in a dance at the School of Arts in the evening. Brumbies roamed the area and the Palmer brothers, Lincoln, Jim, Will and Tom caught many and these horses which were then broken in and trained for racing.
The Bungwahl football team, hard working men, timber getters, fishermen, bullock drivers and dairy hands played in the Wallamba League travelling to Forster Tuncurry, Purfleet, Krambach, Nabiac, Wootton and Bulahdelah. The team trained in a cow paddock and travelled to the games crowded on the back of Kelly Paynes truck.
Bungwahl was a hub of activity, the roads were very basic and the lake was the main avenue of transport. It was said by the locals that the district echoed with the sounds of bullock drivers shouting and cracking whips and the ring of the timber cutters axes.

Great Lakes Museum.
1 Capel Street, Tuncurry.
Open Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday,
10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm.

11/06/2026

WHAT'S IN A NAME.
LINCOLN STREET - PALMER STREET.
Alfred Edwin Palmer 1889-1965 known as Lincoln, was a defining figure in the early development of Forster. Born in Bibby Harbour to Septimus and Lydia Palmer, daughter of William and Lydia Bramble, pioneers prominent in the Bungwahl area. One of 9 siblings Lincoln, along with his 3 brothers, James, William and Thomas (Uncle Tom) worked on the family cattle property at Kataway (Neranie) and caught and broke wild brumbies which they sold. The boys had bullock teams and pulled in timber to the mills, mainly Croll's at Bungwahl. After Alexander Croll died, Alexander Jr in early 1920's sold the mill site to Lincoln who also purchased 40 hectares of land behind the Bungwahl Church. The mill was later sold to William and Edward Thomas. Lincoln married Ida Lillias Gray daughter of Charles and Lillias Gray, on the 11th December 1916. Lincoln and Ida moved to Forster purchasing James and Christina Hadley's 100 acres and established a major dairy farm at Bennett's Head, a coastal landmark in Forster. Lincoln also purchased another large parcel of land known today as the Fairways incorporating Strand and Boundary Street. The family farm was a primary source of milk for the growing Forster Tuncurry settlement. During this era, the Palmer family also operated bullock teams, which were essential for transporting timber from the surrounding forests to the local mills. As Forster evolved from a rural outpost into a holiday destination the vast dairy tracts of the area were eventually sub-divided. These subdivisions facilitated the residential expansion of the town towards the coast. Alfred Edwin and Ida Lillias Palmer raised 9 children and are buried together at the Forster Cemetery.
As a matter of interest: In the 1950-60's the goat herd roaming Bennett's Head was a very popular tourist attraction, originally belonged to the Palmer's farm. The goats were eventually transferred to Regatta Island and then on to Tarbuck Bay.
THE "PALMER ROAD." The rugged track leading up to the headland from the main township of Forster was referred to by locals as Palmers Road before it was formally registered and modernised as Bennett's Head Road.

GREAT LAKES MUSEUM
1 Capel Street,
Tuncurry.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm.+

18/05/2026

MUSEUM CELEBRATIONS.
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FORMATION.
On 20th June, 1975, a meeting was held to discuss the formation of a historical society steering committee. Those present were: J Penson,
G Miller, Dr Joan Renshaw, N Avery, B Higgins B & C Kingcott, M Mayers, V Amata, G Johnston, N Roberts and L J Constable. On the 10th November, 1975 a motion by Mrs Godwin and seconded by Keith Dee that the steering committee attendee's be listed as Foundation Members. Keith Dee, Sister M Wright, Sister Patricia, Vivian Wright and Mrs Nicholas were added to the list.
President: Mr Mick Constable
Vice President: Mr G Godwin, Mr B Higgins and Mr Miller
Secretary: Mrs N Roberts
Treasurer: Mrs V Amata
Patrons: Mrs M Wright and Mrs A Piper
On the 1st March, 1976 the historical society was named The Wallamba and District Historical Society. A block of land became available in Capel Street Tuncurry from the Department of Lands and also acquired was the National Bank in Forster, which was to be replaced. The building was cut in half and transported across the bridge, put in place, given new foundations and rejoined to become the main museum to house their growing collection of artifacts and historical data, with the main themes of timber-getting, ship building and fishing, the 3 main industries of the pioneer families. On of the founding members, Mick Constable and his many volunteers were instrumental in setting up the museum and he also designed the logo for the society and started the first newsletter.
The Aims and Objectives of the Society were: To encourage the study of the history of the Great Lakes District To promote the safe keeping of authentic records relating to the Great Lakes District To publish journals, books and publications To acquire and preserve artifacts and other such objects and materials having a bearing on the Great Lakes history To establish and maintain a museum, library and picture gallery in honour of the pioneer families of the district.
During the 1980's considerable work was carried out by the members of the Historical Society to convert the bank building into a museum. On the 5th April, 1987 the museum was opened to the public during Heritage week.
Keith Dee donated the original Tuncurry School building, which was taken to Minimbah in 1924 and was moved in 1984, after all those years to the museum site. The next addition in 1986 was the Cheers' cottage, built in 1948 by Joe Cheers and moved from Peel Street Tuncurry to its new site adjacent to the renovated bank building. The two buildings were joined with a verandah and centre walkway. In 1990 the Sinclair family donated the lock-up which was attached to the Tuncurry Police Station (1949-1959) and used to hold offenders overnight who were waiting judgement. The Southern Cross Windmill was donated by the Mead Family and was transported from their farm at Darawank. The flagpole was first used as a mast on the tugboat " John Gollan" built in Tinonee in 1889. It also has history in the fishing industry in Tuncurry which is another story to be told. With the later addition of the machinery shed, saddlery and landscaped grounds, the museum became an interesting and pleasant place for visitors.
On the 21st November, 1997 stage 2 of the museum was opened to the public.
On the 29th November, 1997 the society name was changed to The Great Lakes Historical Co-Operative Society LTD.
Over the years the Museum continues to grow, thanks to the efforts of the Society's small band of members dedicated to preserving the history of our great area.

12/05/2026

ANZAC DAY
KEMBLE THOMPSON
WW11 POW

Kemble Alexander McNeil Thompson was born 1920 in Nabiac to Joseph and Miriam (McKay) Thompson. Kemble grew up in Tuncurry and spent the early years of his life there. Aged 17 he went to work at the local picture theatre that was owned by the proprietor of the Bellevue Hotel, Mr Beale. Kemble enlisted in the army on 13th September 1941 Service No. 44767, Dubbo being his first stop for prep training. November 1941 before sailing to Singapore, Kemble married Enid Worth at St John's Church in Glebe Point. Enid was the daughter of John and Isabella Worth. His unit was the 2/3 Motor Ambulance Convoy driving to transport the injured and deceased back to base. In February 1942 Kemble was captured and sent to Changi Prison where all POW's were forced to work on the Thai-Burma Railway, working day and night with picks and shovels in Hell Fire Pass. During that time many suffered malnutrition, cruelties and disease, which had a profound effect both spiritually and physically. A foot injury coupled with a malaria attack laid the foundation for his early evacuation from the then completed railway. After three an a half years being held a prisoner in Changi he was transported by sea, back home with stops at Perth, Melbourne and then Sydney to spend time in hospital recuperating from his injuries. On his discharge from the army, Kemble went back to work for PMG (now Telecom) and became a head technician involved with technical research in Melbourne and later retired back to the Great Lakes area.
Kemble Thompson died in 2017 aged 97yrs

Great Lakes Museum.
1 Capel Street,
Tuncurry.
Open Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm.

30/04/2026

THE GREAT LAKES SEASIDE RESORT.
In 1953 Forster Tuncurry was the destination for holidaymakers to come and enjoy the entertainment and attractions the area had to offer. The beautiful camping reserve with grassy flats, shaded by palms and gum trees is situated at the foot of Pilot Hill, adjoining the ocean beach and along side the shores of Wallis Lake. From this reserve were outstanding views of the Lake, ocean and distant hills and the glorious sunset views being a lifetime memory. This reserve was controlled by the Forster Urban Area Committee and a caretaker was in attendance. The business houses in the town centre included the Colony, picture theatre, dance casino and cafes. Housie was conducted by the Manning District Ambulance with the Forster RSL also offering good prizes with dawn dances being held at the School of Arts attracting a large attendance. The attractions operated late into the night with swift trade due to the camping area having 2,500 people under canvas and caravans. The caretaker Mr Myers stated that the crowd was orderly and at night by 10pm silence had fallen over the area. Two ferries were bought into use to handle the vehicular traffic, operating as a shuttle alleviating queues on both sides of the crossing. The Alma G 11, also ferried passengers across the lake for a small fee and a lot of fun. Forster Tuncurry with its fishing, swimming and boating was the complete holiday package for the tourists.

Great Lakes Museum
1 Capel St,
Tuncurry.
Opening hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-1pm
Sunday 1pm-3pm

Address

1 Capel Street
Tuncurry, NSW
2428

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 1pm
Wednesday	10am - 1pm
Friday	10am - 1pm
Sunday	1pm - 3pm

Telephone

026554 6275

Website

http://www.greatlakesmuseum.com.au/

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