Name/TitlePhotograph, "Jan Era"

About this object‘’Jan Era’’ was built by Trevor Holbert with the help of his brother, Rod. Rod was 16 at the time and together they went into the bush with a chain saw and started cutting “knees” (a natural or cut curved piece of wood) to build a boat. They commenced building in Yacaaba Street, Nelson Bay and when it was about a quarter built they pulled it onto the back of a truck and transported it to Soldiers Point. At that stage the keel was about 30 foot long. Interrupted by National Service for three months, Trevor completed the 34-foot trawler with a 60 hp Perkins engine in 1954. She was named after Jan Asquith, another well known fishing family in Port Stephens.

“Jan Era” was a general-purpose fishing boat for use in the harbour and the lakes, mashing and prawning. Four years later she was sold and Trevor Holbert purchased a fish shop.

The Holberts eventually moved from fishing to oyster farming – Holberts Oyster is still in operation.

Place MadeOceania, Australia, New South Wales, Port Stephens

MakerHolbert, Trevor

Maker RoleBoat Builder

Date Made1954

PeriodMid 20th century

Formatjpeg

Object TypeFishing Vessel

Subject and Association KeywordsBoat building

Subject and Association KeywordsBoats

Subject and Association KeywordsFishing - commercial

Subject and Association KeywordsPrawning

Subject and Association KeywordsDiesel Engine

Subject and Association KeywordsOyster Industry

Object numberTMA2021.00172.5

Copyright Licence