WHAT’S HAPPENING
NOTICE
2024 AGM
Date: 2 September 2024
Time: 3.00pm
Place: Tomaree Library, Salamander Bay
(Gymea Lily Room)
Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of the Tomaree Museum Association at 3p.m. on the 2nd September next at the Tomaree Library, Salamander Bay, Gymea Lily Room (this room is inside the library, next door to the multi media room).
Linked documents:
VALE
Jack Bartlett
It is with great sadness that TMA advises of the passing of HMAS Manoora veteran, Jack Bartlett, on Saturday 29 June 2024.
The TMA had the privilege of interviewing Jack last year and presenting his life and history at the Anzac Day commemorative exhibition this April at the Visitor Centre, Nelson Bay.
Jack was a character who was full of life until the very end.
Lest we forget.
VALE
Peter Phillipson
It is with great sadness that TMA advises of the passing of one of our founding members Peter Phillipson, after a long illness.
Although his failing health prevented him from taking a more active role in recent years, Peter remained an avid supporter of the TMA’s objectives and donated many precious items to the museum from his personal collection.
Following his term as Port Stephens Divisional Commander of the Australian Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol from 2001-2003, Peter spearheaded a Board-appointed team which developed the plans to create the organisation that became Marine Rescue NSW in 2009.
Watch
this space!
Watch this space!
We have an exciting prize to win in our fundraising raffle.
Details to be released very soon.
Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
Date: To be advised
Time: 9am to 4pm
Place: Bunnings Taylors Beach
Thank you for supporting our fund-raising efforts at the Bunnings BBQs.
We use only the tastiest & finest grade sausages skilfully barbecued by experienced sausage chefs and artfully placed onto the softest white bread with your choice of caramelised onions and/or barbecue, tomato and mustard sauce to make your perfect sausage sanga.
You can then wash it down with a Coke classic or Coke no sugar, Sunkist or Solo beverage and chat with TMA members about the Museum Project.
Permanent Exhibition
Date: Everyday
Time: 10am to 4pm
Place: Inner Light, 5 Lighthouse Road, Nelson Bay
Why not visit our display at the Inner Light?
Originally developed by the Port Stephens Historical Society, and recently updated, the display provides a snapshot into our local history at a beautiful location.
Be sure to set aside some time to savour some treats in the Inner Light Tea Rooms!
Newsletters
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Stinker’s History
Reproduced with kind permission from News Of The Area & John Clarke
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JOIN US!
We want to build a multi-faceted Museum for the many historical, cultural and ecological organisations in the area to exhibit alongside our own.
Exhibitions that will enlighten and surprise visitors and locals in an eventual permanent Museum as well as here on our website. Can we let you in on a little secret? We have a lot of fun!
If you’re curious about the unique history and ecology of Port Stephens and want to research, learn and share that information and fun with us – then we hope you’ll press the `Join Us’ button below and sign up for a Tomaree Museum membership.
OUR BLOG
1943 Catalina Crash Memorial
Tomaree Museum Association supported by Marine Rescue Port Stephens, the Port Stephens Historical Society and the Nelson Head Trust have commemorated the fatal crash of a Catalina Flying Boat at Jimmy's Beach on the north side of Port Stephens in 1943. Special guests,...
Navigating Port Stephens in 1878
Rediscovered!
Excerpts about Port Stephens from a 1878 issue of Wellbank’s Australian Almanac and Coasters Guide.
Tomaree goes to the Terrace!
The TMA will be manning a stall at this weekends King Street Heritage Festival. We hope to see you there.
DID YOU KNOW?
Port Stephens was going to be a Navy Base?
Around 1910 to 1913, a huge 1190 hectare Submarine Navy Base as part of the Commonwealth’s long term defence strategy was proposed for Port Stephens and work commenced in 1916.
The area included was Salamander Bay from Corlette Point (where the Anchorage Resort is now), the entire Soldiers Point Peninsula and down past Cromarty Bay almost to Taylors Beach. The Commonwealth had gazetted the entirety of the Mambo Wetlands and past where the Salamander Shopping Centre is now located.
Work began in 1916 with 250 unemployed miners from Newcastle used to blast rock from the base of Wanda Wanda Head (and anecdotally destroying Aboriginal Artwork in caves there). Surveyors were hard at work and drainage ditches and roads were constructed as well as a wharf to berth Australia’s then two RAN Submarines.
After the finish of the first World War and the loss of our only 2 submarines, work on the base slowed and stopped completely in 1922. The Naval Base land was sold by the Commonwealth to the Port Stephens Shire Council for a bargain £50,000 or about $1.6 million in todays money.
Source: Mike Scanlon, Port Stephens Examiner
VIDEO
Original Museum Artefacts Collection
Members of the Tomaree Museum Association catalogue and collect historical artefacts that have been held in storage by the Carroll Family for 45 years.
AUDIO
`Excavations' Ep 01 (upcoming)
Listen to our Podcast `Excavations’.
Keep an ear out for our Podcast about matters related to the history, geology, wildlife, culture and related issues of Port Stephens titled ` Tomaree Museum; Excavations’.
MUSEUM CATALOGUE
Explore our online catalogue of artefacts, writings and photos.
IN THE NEWS
$15 million plans for museum at Tomaree Lodge site
Charlie Elias,
Port Stephens Examiner,
1st January 2020.
Less than 12 months after the Friends of Tomaree Headland (FoTH) was formed to “provide a strong voice to uphold the historic, cultural, marine and tourism value of this natural paradise”, a breakaway group with its sole focus on establishing a museum has emerged.
Something Fishy
John `Stinker’ Clarke
Port Stephens Examiner,
24th July 2019
“We need a Museum” to honour early days…
DO YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT PORT STEPHENS?
We invite the community to contribute stories of about 200 words on any topic connected to the Port Stephens region including people, places, buildings, or events.
JOIN in the FUN!
Are you interested in joining the Tomaree Museum Association?
The TMA is a young community driven organisation with the goal of building a permanent Museum on the Port Stephens Peninsula for all of Port Stephens and everyone interested in the area.
We want to collect, learn and share the knowledge of the many facets of our area – it’s ecology and history, and the many paths our investigations lead us down. It’s a detective story we’d love you to join us in.
