Useful Links
MUSEUMS
Australia Museums and Galleries Association
Australia Museums and Galleries Association is the national organisation for the museums sector.
Click for AMGA
The National Maritime Museum of Australia
The National Maritime Museum of Australia collects, preserves, and exhibits objects and documents relating to Australia’s maritime history.
Click for NMMA
Newcastle Museum
Newcastle Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve and interpret objects and stories for and about Newcastle in an innovative way to inspire, entertain and engage.
Click for Newcastle Museum
Maitland Regional Museum’s mission is to form an alliance of local heritage groups working together with the community, to provide a suitable place to collect, research, preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of Maitland.
Click for Maitland Regional Museum
Fighter World Williamtown
Fighter World is dedicated to preserving the proud history of fighter aircraft operations in the Royal Australian Air Force.
University of Newcastle Cultural Collections
The Cultural Collection the home of the historical and cultural memory of the University and its regional context and is located on level 2 of the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle, Australia.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS
Port Stephens Council
Port Stephens is known for its natural beauty and highly valued environment, making it an ideal recreational, tourist and lifestyle destination – a great place to live and work. For these reasons, Port Stephens has very diverse social, environmental and economic characteristics making it a unique and special place.
Tomaree Headland Heritage Group
The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group is a community led organisation based in Port Stephens and includes these participating groups; Tomaree Museum Association, Tomaree Business Chamber, Nelson Bay RSL Sub-Branch, Destination Port Stephens, Shoal Bay Community Association, EcoNetwork, Marine Parks Authority and the Tomaree Ratepayers & Residents Association.
Shoal Bay Community Association
The Shoal Bay Community Association Inc serves to unite our community in pursuit of enhanced amenity and environmental sustainability in Shoal Bay.
Tomaree Ratepayers & Residents Association
TRRA Inc. actively represents the Tomaree community on issues such as planning and development, protecting the built and natural environment. TRRA also takes an active stance on economic development, tourism, culture and other grass roots issues.
LOCAL INDIGENOUS ORGANISATIONS
Worimi Conservation Lands
The Worimi People are custodians of the country around Port Stephens, their traditional lands. The Worimi Conservation Lands are managed by the local Worimi Traditional Owners, in partnership with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure the protection of the natural and cultural values of the country.
Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council
The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council is committed to improving, protecting and fostering the best interests of its members and all Aboriginal persons within the Council’s area.
LOCAL CULTURAL GROUPS
Port Stephens Community Arts Centre
The Community Arts Centre occupies the site of the old Nelson Bay Hospital and is a cultural centre for various local artists.
Artisan Collective Port Stephens
The Artisan Collective Port Stephens space is a co-operative gallery showcasing works, creations and products from local makers and artists.
Tilligerry Arts Group
Tilligerry Arts Group, formed in 2003 by a small group of Tilligerry artists, provides encouragement and support to artists and artisans from the wider Port Stephens and Newcastle area.
Raymond Terrace Art Space
Raymond Terrace Art Space, situated within Raymond Terrace Library, provides a free exhibition space for local artists showcasing varied mediums.
LOCAL HISTORICAL ORGANISATIONS
Port Stephens Historical Society
Formed in 1967, the Port Stephens Historical Society aimed to encourage the study of and research in the history of the Port Stephens district and adjacent areas and to promote the compilation of authentic records relating to the history of the district. Itis now part of the Tomaree Museum Association.
Port Stephens Family History Society
The Port Stephens Family History Society aims to offer research facilities to members and help others research and compile their family history. The society is a non-profit association and most of their equipment and material at hand has been due to the generosity of past and present members.
Tomaree Family History Group
The Tomaree Family History Group Nelson Bay Incorporated was formed in 2000 and is enthusiastically gathering resources and is prepared to share knowledge and assist others with research into genealogy and family history.
Raymond Terrace & District Historical Society
The Society, founded in November 1974, provides assistance with local and family history research through their research rooms at the local library, which are open three days per week. The Society aims to collect local history in any form; to preserve artefacts; and to educate and provide an understanding of local pioneers.
Karuah Local History Group
Karuah Local History Group was formed to gather the stories, family histories and history of our community of Carrington, Swan Bay, Bucket’s Way, Limeburners Creek, Allworth, Booral, Girvan, The Branch, Nerong and, of course, Karuah.
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. The Service manages over 7 million hectares of land across NSW, including more than 870 national parks and reserves, 4 World Heritage-listed sites, a number of Australian National Heritage sites and 17 Ramsar wetlands. These protected areas play a critical role in conserving biodiversity, as well as natural and cultural heritage.
Australian Marine Parks
Australian Marine Parks help conserve marine habitats and the marine species that live within and rely on these habitats. These marine parks also provide places for people to watch wildlife, dive, and go boating, snorkelling and fishing. Importantly, they create jobs in industries like fishing and tourism, and provide us with food and energy.
NSW Department of Primary Industries
The NSW Department of Primary Industries, a division of the NSW Government, is responsible for the administration and development for agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, forestry, and biosecurity in New South Wales.
Port Stephens EcoNetwork
EcoNetwork is a Port Stephens based conservation, sustainability and natural heritage network with a vision for an eco-oriented culture for sustainable communities and the transfer of intact eco-systems to future generations. EcoNetwork is committed to the conservation of terrestrial and marine environments and to opposing growth and development that is excessive: that threatens our vital life supporting natural systems and the integrity of our local environmental assets.
LOCAL HISTORICAL SITES
Nelson Head Lighthouse
Also known as Nelson Head Inner Light, the light is no longer active but in the past guided ships into Port Stephens. The Lighthouse Cottage is a historic lighthouse keeper’s cottage that now serves as a cafe and a museum of local history. The reserve is also the base for Marine Rescue NSW Port Stephens.
Tanilba House
Established in the 1840s, this country residence with its fine verandahs and cool cellars was the heart of a vast agricultural estate. The grounds feature a pretty stone chapel that is still used for weddings today.
Tomago House
Established in the 1840s, this country residence with its fine verandahs and cool cellars was the heart of a vast agricultural estate. The grounds feature a pretty stone chapel that is still used for weddings today. It is currently closed.
Tahlee Homestead
Tahlee House was originally built of sandstock brick in 1826 but was destroyed by fire in 1860. A new residence on the remains of old, utilising the remaining walls was built in 1880 and featured a beautiful garden, ball room and tennis courts.
Sketchley Pioneer Cottage
Sketchley Cottage is a rare timber slab colonial farm house, built about the 1840s on the Doribank Estate east of the Williams River in Raymond Terrace.