Lost Tyalgum

Lost Tyalgum Created and curated by the Tyalgum District & Community Association - let's tell our Tyalgum stories

Sounds like a good old-fashioned slideshow. 100 years ago, Bray's Creek. 1925 'INTERESTING LECTURE.', Tweed Daily (Murw...
23/12/2025

Sounds like a good old-fashioned slideshow. 100 years ago, Bray's Creek.

1925 'INTERESTING LECTURE.', Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 - 1949), 5 December 1925, p. 3. , viewed 23 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191413241

INTERESTING LECTURE.
In response to a request by the P.
and C. Association, Mr. W. J. Stewart,
of Tyalgum, late of Malaya, gave a very
interesting and instructive lantern lec-
ture in Bray 's Creek School on Tuesday
night. The first half of the pro-
gramme consisted of pictures taken by
Mr Stewart, whilst on active service.
They included many beauty spots of
Egypt, France and England. After a
short interval, Mr. Stewart described a
trip to Malaya, illustrated by pictures.
He spoke of Thursday Island, Java and
Singapore, finally showing many views
of tin mines, rubber estates, cocoanut
plantations and numerous other interest
ing subjects taken in the heart of Malaya
Peninsula. At the conclusion of the
lecture, Mr. W. Kirby congratulated
Mr. Stewart on the success of the func-
tion , and expressed to him the thanks of
the association.

12/12/2025

The 100 year-old ship’s bell displayed at the Tyalgum Post Office is an original artefact from the SS Tyalgum, a vessel with deep ties to the village and the maritime history of northern New South Wales. Built in 1925 by Lithgows Ltd at Port Glasgow, Scotland, the SS Tyalgum was a steel twin-screw steamship, one of four “bar jumpers” designed for the North Coast river trade. Owned by the North Coast Steam Navigation Company (NCSNCo), she transported cargo and passengers between Sydney and northern NSW ports including Murwillumbah. The ship’s name honoured the village of Tyalgum, cementing a lasting connection with our community.
On 25 August 1939, just days before WWII began, the SS Tyalgum ran aground at Duranbah near the Tweed River bar. Despite salvage efforts, she was abandoned and her keel still lies buried beneath Duranbah Beach. The timing of her loss was poignant, as other ships from NCSNCo were soon requisitioned for war service by the Royal Australian Navy, including HMAS Uki and HMAS Uralba.
The ship’s bell was salvaged by the Bosun after the wreck and remained in private hands in Sydney for decades. In 2024, the Bosun’s grandson offered it for sale. Recognising its historical value, the Tyalgum Recreation Reserve managers purchased the bell for our community, ensuring its preservation locally.
A ship’s bell is considered by mariners to be the “voice" and "spirit” of a vessel, used for signalling, marking the passing of time “eight bells and all is well”, and even for baptisms at sea. For Tyalgum, this bell is a tangible link to its namesake ship and to the merchant mariners who served our community before, during, and after WWII.
The bell is on display at the Tyalgum Post Office with support from the Tyalgum Recreation Reserve Managers and the Tweed Regional Museum.
The SS Tyalgum’s bell stands as a tribute to our local history and the enduring spirit of Tyalgum’s residents in preserving their heritage for future generations.

To stay at the Tyalgum Campground, book online here: https://hipcamp.onelink.me/ZwFp?af_r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hipcamp.com%2Fland%2Fdw9hm7jq&deep_link_value=land%2Fdw9hm7jq&share_id=erywnahuy0&utm_medium=share&utm_source=share_content

Don't growl! Good advice from 100 years ago, especially regarding cabbage, pork, beans and 'taters.1925 'FARMERS THANKF...
08/11/2025

Don't growl! Good advice from 100 years ago, especially regarding cabbage, pork, beans and 'taters.

1925 'FARMERS THANKFUL', Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 - 1949), 11 November, p. 2. , viewed 08 Nov 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191403710

Found a remarkable full page story from ‘The Brisbane Courier’ in 1927 profiling Tyalgum for the Man on the Land column....
21/07/2025

Found a remarkable full page story from ‘The Brisbane Courier’ in 1927 profiling Tyalgum for the Man on the Land column. Its all there: the general store, the hotel, Cedric Popkin as RSL sub-branch president and postmaster, prosperity from the ES&A Bank, and of course farming, where ‘sleek herds graze in perfect contentment’. Little did our Tyalgum Community know that the Great Depression was just around the corner, and times were about to get tougher.

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Coolman Street
Tyalgum, NSW
2484

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