On this day - Boat Launch at Marmong Point

1944 'Veteran's Launching', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 9 November, p. 3. , viewed 16 Sept 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156596205

 

Trove Tuesday - Sounds of the Past

By searching in the Music, Audio & Video category on Trove once can access recordings of interviews and news broadcasts featuring Lake Macquarie people from earlier times. Among the many treasures indexed and linked on Trove are numerous items from the ABC and other sources.

Click on the following links, found via a Trove search today in Music, Audio & Video category, to hear some recordings relating to local people.

Beatrice Carr interviewed by Peter Hempenstall in the Australia 1938 oral history project
Summary

Carr speaks of her family background; background in England; family coming to Australia; her marriage; school memories; family relations; lifestyle with husband; employment; home and living conditions during 1930s; recreation; Cardiff, N.S.W. during 1930s; religion; relations with Aborigines; childbirth; childcare; health care.

https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-199640634/listen

Golden sailors buoyed by Wangi wanderers

Summary

Australia's fifth gold medal at the London Olympics has come came from sailing duo Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen. It's not only another success story from the sailing team, but also a testament to the great sailing breeding ground that is Lake Macquarie, on the New South Wales central coast. The gold medallists were buoyed by a large contingent of Lake Macquarie residents who travelled to Weymouth, the site of the Olympic sailing course.

2012-08-09. Golden sailors buoyed by Wangi wanderers, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/golden-sailors-buoyed-by-wangi-wanderers/4188328

Ray Blissett interviewed by Stephen Rapley in the NSW Bicentennial oral history collection
Summary
Born at Bollaroo (sic) on Lake Macquarie, NSW, Blissett speaks of his childhood memories; father's employment as a bullocky; family moving to Walagam in 1912, family life; family moving around Newcastle district; family homes; memories of grandmother's home at Speers Point; parents' background; grandparents; recreation; family experiences during World War 1; living conditions; discipline ; employment; death of father in accident; memories of forests around Berry and Cambewarra Mountain; school relatives; employment in father's greengrocers in Eastwood, Sydney; scouting experiences; local community around Eastwood; parents selling business and returning to Newcastle celebrations; visit by Prince of Wales; transport; two-up games; employment in timber industry in Annangrove district, work, conditions, horse transport; joining the police force; religion; marriage; discrimination in force because wife was Catholic; courting his wife; work and experience in the police force, women in the force, conditions; experiences in riot control; timber workers strike; CIB; crime and criminals in Sydney including Tilly Devine and Kate Lee, brothels, politics; boxing and keeping fit; his career in the police force; police training; opinions of force today; drugs, crime today.

https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-216363690/listen

Mary MacKillop miracle woman speaks out
Summary

A New South Wales woman whose recovery from cancer was deemed Mary MacKillop's second miracle has spoken publicly for the first time Kathleen Evans from Lake Macquarie is a grandmother of 20.

https://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2789958.htm

Trove Tuesday - Australia Day

As Australia Day falls on a Tuesday this year we will share a few posts that report on local celebrations.

Australia Day hasn't always been celebrated in January. The first Australia Day was celebrated in 1915 on July 30. The following article describes the activities planned for Boolaroo. 

1915 'BOOLAROO.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 28 July, p. 6. , viewed 26 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137206939

A comprehensive report of the 1915 activities at Toronto can be accessed from this link http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137205886.

By 1935 January 26th was recognised as Australia Day in all States.

1940 'PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAY', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 26 January, p. 12. , viewed 26 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140528766

 

Continue reading this very long article that mentions many local people from the following link to the article on Trove 
1932 'WALLSEND', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 8 February, p. 6. , viewed 26 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136865877

1950 'Australia Day Fete At Warner's Bay', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 27 January, p. 5. , viewed 26 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140640523

1940 'SWANSEA TO HELP AUSTRALIA DAY APPEAL', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 4 October, p. 11. , viewed 26 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132809302

1947 'Toronto Bowling Club', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 31 January, p. 12. , viewed 26 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132854223

School on the lake

It's School Holidays - there's a sailing school in session on the lake.

New Year in Lake Macquarie

In years gone by a variety of activities have taken place on New Year's Day. Read about several of them in the articles below.

1875 'LAKE MACQUARIE', The Singleton Argus and Upper Hunter General Advocate (NSW : 1874 - 1880), 6 January, p. 3. , viewed 01 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77249080

1885 'BELMONT.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 9 January, p. 3. , viewed 01 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139067346

1920 'TERALBA.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 6 January, p. 4. , viewed 01 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139432653

1920 'NEW YEAR'S DAY REGATTA.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 8 December, p. 8. , viewed 01 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140087135

1923 'SHELLSHEA ESTATE.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 29 December, p. 8. , viewed 01 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139611863

1931 'IT'S A FAIR CATCH HE TOLD POLICE', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 13 January, p. 6. , viewed 01 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164316446 
Read the remainder of this long article at the link above

1946 'Lake Parties to See in New Year', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 31 December, p. 5. , viewed 01 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133160122

Trove Tuesday - Chocka Orman

 Charles Howard "Chocka" Orman (1900-1970), who was Secretary of the Belmont 16 ft Skiffs Club, features in many articles on Trove. The following article tells of his interest in sailing.

1949 'AS WELL KNOWN AS THE BEACON', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 4 November, p. 4. (SPORT SUPPLEMENT), viewed 29 Sep 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134165876

The Parker Brothers

The Parker Brothers in the USA did not have a monopoly on the Parker Brothers name.

An article in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate that is rather difficult to read includes a photo of Lake Macquarie's own Parker Brothers. Following is a transcription of that story.

1940 'MR. GEORGE PARKER DEAD', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 19 October, p. 8. , viewed 18 Jun 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132806603

MR GEORGE PARKER.

DEAD

Brothers Ages Totalled 335

Mr George Parker, the eldest of four brothers whose ages total total 335 years died at the home of his daughter, Mrs M. Kells of Brighton avenue, Toronto, last Thursday He was 87. The three surviving brother are Charles 85, Henry 83 and Joshua, 80, all of Dora Creek. Charles and Henry were not present at the funeral yesterday owing to illness. The Parker brothers are well-known lake fishermen.

Mr George Parker, who was born at Botany, came to Toronto 68 years ago. Fishing has always been his hobby, and occupation. He took a keen interest in boat and skiff sailing. On 9 November 1880, at Belmont Regatta, he won the fishing boats silver cup in the Alpha.He sailed for and with Mr W Arnott , in the 16 foot skiff Mayfield until she was barred from racing owing to her speed. On Sydney Harbour he sailed with the late Frank Aldridge. The last race he took part in was in the famous skiff, Renown at the age of 70.

The funeral left for the Church of England Toronto-Awaba Cemetery. Rev. C.E Tanner of Toronto conducted the services.The pallbearers were Messrs. H and P Parker (sons) J. Robarts and C. Parker (nephews). He is survived by sons, George (Coal Point), Bert (Toronto), A.Parker (Teralba), P. Parker (Kogarah) and Harold (Toronto); daughters, Mrs J Cram (Hamilton) and Mrs M. Kells (Toronto), 13 grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren, Mrs E. Moloy of  Botany, is a sister.

We would love to hear from anyone with stories of the Parker Brothers.