Ship’s wheel:

From the wrecked steamer SS Empire Gladstone.

Built in Sunderland, England, in 1946, the 7,090-ton steal freighter SS Empire Gladstone had only been operating in Australian waters for six months when she came to grief on Toalla Point (also known locally as Haystack Rock) between Eden and Pambula on 5 September, 1950. Owned by the British Government, she was under charter by the Adelaide Steamship Company at the time.

After several days, with rough seas battering the stricken vessel, the Captain ordered the crew to abandon ship and head for the nearby port of Merimbula.

A syndicate, headed by Merimbula publican Ben Buckland, purchased the salvage rights and retrieved most of the cargo of car bodies, but were unable to save the iron ore on board.

There was no loss of life as a result of the incident. The wreck is a popular recreational dive spot today.

For more information about the loss of the vessel, go to http://southcoasttimetraveller.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/the-wreck-of-empire-gladstone.html

The SS Empire Gladstone’s ship’s wheel is part of a private collection. Both the Eden Killer Whale Museum and Merimbula Old School Museum also have artefacts in their collection associated with this vessel.

1903 Pambula Agricultural, Horticultural & Pastoral Association medallion:

Presented to John Henry Martin for his Champion Ayrshire Bull.

The Pambula Agricultural, Horticultural & Pastoral Association was established in 1902 & held their first annual show on 18 & 19 February 1903. This medallion was awarded to John Henry Martin of Woodlands farm, Pambula, for his champion Ayrshire Bull at the society's first show.

Donated to the society by Bega dentist Mr. F. G. Heady, the local Pambula Voice newspaper reported in January 1903 that his gift "…of a gold medal valued at £5/5/- was accepted with thanks..." by the Pambula A. H. & P. Society.

The pictorial face of the 1903 Pambula A. H. & P.
Society medallion, awarded to John Henry Martin
for his Ayrshire bull.

The engraved reverse of the 1903 Pambula
A. H. & P. Society medallion, donated by
Bega dentist Mr. F. G. Heady.

The Sydney Morning Herald commented on his success at that inaugural show, noting that he took out prizes for his Jersey & Ayrshire cows, a Jersey bull &, of course, his Ayrshire bull; while the Pambula Voice observed that "The five guinea medal presented by Mr. F. G. Heady for the champion bull at Pambula Show & won by Mr. J. H. Martin is a very handsome design, a little larger than a half-crown, & bearing the picture of a bull on one side, with inscription on the other." 

It is inscribed "P.A.H.P.C. / CHAMPION DAIRY BULL / WON BY / J. H. MARTIN'S / AYRSHIRE BULL" on one side; & features a raised pictorial bull motif on the reverse. 

The medallion is associated with the tradition of agricultural shows; the Pambula Agricultural, Horticultural & Pastoral (A. H. & P.) Society; & the Martin  family of the Woodlands property, Pambula. 

It is significant as a representative example of the medals awarded by agricultural societies across Australia. It illustrates the style and design of early agricultural medals and is typical of its era, which tended towards depictions of rural produce, livestock & machinery, depending on what it was being awarded for. Presented at the first Pambula Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Show, it is an important testament to the lengthy history of the society, which continues through to the present day. It is closely associated with the Martin family, prominent local farmers, agriculturalists and pastoralists in the Pambula district from the 1850s and is linked to the historic homes at 6 and 8 Bullara Street, Pambula, that still remain in their family ownership.The medallion has been passed down through subsequent generations of the family and is still in their possession today.

Chinese gardener’s timber yoke:

Formerly used by Chinese market gardeners to carry baskets of produce around Pambula in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Chinese immigration to Australia grew significantly with the Victorian and New South Wales gold rushes of the 1850s and 1860s, many lured from the impoverished areas of southern China by the potential wealth of the Australian goldfields.

Once the 1860s Snowy Mountains rush at Kiandra waned, many luckless Chinese miners returned to the coast, taking up residence in local towns including Pambula, as well as Merimbula, Wolumla and Bega. Described as industrious and hard-working, they soon turned their attention towards establishing market gardens. 

Those who are known to have lived in Pambula at various times included Willy, Wey Lee, Ah Kee, Ching Pong, Ah Tin Gut, Joe Ah Yup and Lamby. In 1906, Pambula had four resident Chinese males, but no written or other accounts indicate that there were females amongst their number.

Their gardens at Pambula were initially located on the corner of the Princes Highway and Sandy Lane on the Flats. However, although that ground was rich and fertile, it was also in the midst of a flood plain, and not surprisingly their crops and huts were often affected by the almost annual inundations. When waters rose to serious levels, the men were forced to seek refuge at the local courthouse, and during the particularly severe 1919 floods, Joe Ah Yup’s garden was completely destroyed.

Eventually the group relocated to the site where the Colonial Motor Inn now stands. There they grew an assortment of fruits and vegetables that they peddled from house to house using small handcarts or baskets suspended from wooden yokes such as the one pictured here. A small timber house and a number of sheds stood within the gardens, and it was there that most of the local Chinamen lived.

In 1927 when Joe Ah Yup decided to return to China, the Pambula Voice reported that "After over 30 years a citizen of Pambula, Joe Ah Yup leaves for China on Saturday. During his residence here, he has proved himself to be most law abiding, honest and straightforward. His purse was always open to every charitable and sports object and he never had to be asked for his annual subscription to the hospital. Joe will be greatly missed by the children when he fails to do his rounds on Saturday afternoons with his fruit baskets. A collection was initiated prior to his departure, when he was presented with a set of pipes by the townspeople as a small token of esteem and appreciation of his past citizenship."

It was after Joe's departure that Lamby moved from Bega to Pambula, taking up residence in a cottage at the rear of Baddeley’s tannery and opposite the Chinese market gardens. According to former local resident Terry Dowling, he had a large egg shaped growth on his neck and was an old man by the time he arrived in the town.

He also had a taste for echidnas, which he and his fellow gardeners reportedly ate. Terry recalled "One and six they'd give you for them. Puddin' Burgess and Jackie Newlyn and I walked those bushes and bagged every poor old echidna up...Wouldn't matter if you took them fifty, they had the money to buy them. They must have loved them...We took them live, they didn't want them any way else, any other way bar alive, not damaged or anything..."

Lamby was apparently the last of Pambula’s Chinamen. In 1934, he was sent to the Lidcombe State Hospital and Home for Men in Sydney where he is likely to have died.

Little remains today as evidence of Pambula’s Chinese except this wooden yoke, a few stray plants growing wild on what was once their garden plot and a dwindling number of residents with memories of their presence.

This yoke is in private ownership.

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

Pambula Voice collection:

Collection of artefacts associated with the Pambula Voice newspaper.

The first issue of the Pambula Voice was published by founder William Daniel Pfeiffer on 27 August, 1892. Pfeiffer had previously operated the Moruya Advance, but after this closed down, he moved to Pambula, bringing the printing press with him.

W.  D. Pfeiffer. 

Four years before the Voice’s establishment, gold was discovered at nearby Mt. Gahan and consequently mining news held a prominent place within the paper’s pages for twenty years. Correspondents also reported from all the outlying areas, with weekly columns from Greigs Flat, Nethercote, Lochiel, Millingandi, Towamba and Merimbula to name just a few.

An early photo of staff on front of the Pambula Voice office.

Pfeiffer continued as editor until November 1904 when he sold the business to George W. Hall of Bega. Six years later, Hall sold out to Charles Arthur Baddeley. A tanner by trade, Baddeley employed J. B. Wilkins as manager and editor until, at a later date, Wilkins appears to have purchased the business from his employer.

Sales agreement between G. W. Hall and C. A
Baddeley, for the Pambula Voice business,
dated 22 June 1910.

Employment agreement between Charles Arthur
Baddeley & John Bellamy Wilkins, dated 12
December, 1911.

             







 

Sealing the road in Quondola Street, Pambula, outside the
Voice office.

The disused Pambula Voice office building, C. 1960s.

Eustace Phillipps Olga Smith & Allan George
Snr outside Pambula Voice office late 1930s 

Wilkins continued to run it until his death in 1933 when his son Edgar Claude Wilkins took over. Three years later, the business again changed hands when it was purchased by Eustace Phillipps of Eden. He was to be the last owner of the Voice as it then was.

In 1939, WWII broke out and with it came rationing and increasing shortages, including both labour and the paper supplies needed for the weekly publication. As a result, the Pambula Voice was finally forced to amalgamate with the Eden Magnet in 1941, becoming the Magnet-Voice.

The Pambula Voice collection consists of printing blocks, letters, invoices, photographs and the most compete hard copy collection of the publication in existence (loaned to the State Library of NSW for microfilm copying in about the early 1990s). It is privately owned.

A small selection  of Pambula Voice invoices
ranging in date from 1898 and 1904.

Collection of newspaper printing blocks used to publish the Pambula Voice.

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

Exit lamp made from recycled oil tin for use at Nethercote Hall:

An exit lamp made from a repurposed oil tin with the word “EXIT” cut out of the metal. Red glass highlights the wording and it was probably backlit with a candle. This piece was made for use in the Nethercote Hall.

From the earliest of days after European settlement, "making do" was a familiar aspect of Australian life. People had to learn to adapt and improvise for even the simplest of things with whatever was available. This resulted in a culture of inventiveness and ingenuity where nothing was wasted and imagination turned out that which was needed or wanted with what was at hand. The Nethercote Hall exit light is a fabulous example of how our forebears recycled long before the term was fashionable.

Nethercote exit lamp.
Courtesy of a private collection.

Moves towards establishing a School of Arts hall at Nethercote began when a public meeting was called in 1899 to consider the idea. With the local community clearly supporting the proposal, fundraising commenced and by August that year the Nethercote Progress Association had secured a site. Although a slow, drawn out process, the community did not give up and in 1910 the construction tender was finally awarded to Mr. A. Wright.

Completed in October, a grand ball was staged to mark the occasion when it was reported that “The very welcome rain commenced to fall at about midnight, and this only added to the enjoyment as the copious downpour gladdened the hearts of all present, and dancing was continued until daylight.”

Within a year, tenders for additions were called, the contract being awarded to Mr. Dunn. Furthers extensions were made in 1914 and 1926.

Nethercote Hall remained the heart of the community for many years, but by the 1960s dairying was in decline. With the population dwindling the local school also closed its doors. Finally, in 1969, the Nethercote Progress Association ceased to function, and the hall gradually fell into disrepair. By the 1980s, it was virtually derelict.

During the 1990s however the population began to grow again and the idea of revamping the old hall gathered pace. Over a twelve year period from 1996, fundraising was undertaken until in October 2009 a grand re-opening was held. 

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

Hand-made Union Jack flag, used locally during WWI recruiting rallies.

A hand-sewn Union Jack flag, made by Alice Maud Baddeley of Pambula and used by her husband Charles Arthur Baddeley during recruitment rallies and meetings in and around the Pambula district during WWI.

Courtesy of a private collection.

Alice Maude Baddeley.
Courtesy of a private collection

Involved in many facets of the local community, Charles was appointed to the local Bench of Magistrates in 1882; the licensing bench in 1890; and the Eden Local Land Board in 1900. He served as coroner for the Eden Police District from 1895; and deputy licensing magistrate from 1898. After establishment of local government he was elected to the Imlay Shire Council and became the Shire President in 1907.

As well as serving as trustee for facilities such as the Pambula Recreation Reserve (now known as Panboola) and the Pambula General Cemetery, he was also an active member and sometimes committeeman of numerous local groups including the local Masonic Lodge, Lodge Baddeley, named in his father’s honour; the Pambula Local School Board; Pambula School of Arts; Eden-Pambula Cottage Hospital (now Pambula District Hospital), Pambula Football Club, Pambula Cricket Club, Pambula River Aquatic Club and Pambula Progress Association.

Although too old to enlist himself, Charles was actively involved in local recruitment activities from the outbreak of WWI, continuing until the armistice in 1918.

Charles Arthur Baddeley.
Courtesy of a private collection.

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

Collection of Emley embossed glass soft drink bottles:

A collection of four different embossed glass patent soft drink bottles from Emley's cordial factory, Bega and Pambula.

"W. R. Emley, Bega" embossed
7 ounce Chapman patent aerated
water bottle, C. 1880s.
Courtesy of a private collection.

"W. R. Emley & Co., Bega" embossed 13 ounce two-tear Niagra patent aerated waters bottle, C. 1892.
Courtesy of a private collection.

"W. R. Emley, Bega" embossed 13 ounce Lamont patent aerated water bottle, C. 1892.
Courtesy of a private collection.

"W. R. Emley, Bega & Pambula" embossed 13 ounce four-dimple Dobson patent aerated water bottle, C. 1895.
Courtesy of a private collection.

During the 18^th, 19^th & early 20^th centuries cordial & aerated water manufacturers were a common site even in the smallest of towns across Australia. The far south coast was no exception.

William Robert Emley established his Auckland Street, Bega, manufactory in 1879 after moving from the NSW town of Gundagai, where he had previously operated a similar enterprise in partnership with a Mr. Myers.

Popular with residents across the local region, his drinks were served to the then Premier of NSW Sir Henry Parks during his 1888 visit to the district & so pleased was he with their quality, he later wrote, requesting a supply be sent to him in Sydney, reportedly commenting “Your ginger beer is the best I have ever tasted…”

W. R. Emley and Co.'s Bega cordial works, C. 1893.

William Emley continued to run the business until November 1891 when he sold out to Mr. T. H. Notley, formerly of Nowra in the Shoalhaven district. With experience “…in the old country…” he opted to maintain the reputation associated with the name & traded as W. R. Emley & Company. In 1892 he added kola to the list of beverages available, promoting it as “The best tonic going, & a valuable aid to digestion…” The same year, he expanded operations by taking over the nearby Pambula factory previously conducted by Corry & Co. Three years later, the Bega works of W. A. Furniss was also added.

By 1893, the business was supplying thirteen hotels across the region & in September that year the Australian Town & Country reported on their “…large & commodious premises…” noting that “the most modern machinery necessary for the manufacture of waters & non-alcoholic beverages has just been purchased without regard to cost, & is in full swing…”

W. R. Emley & Co. continued to operate until 1896, when the business was taken over by J. E. Jackson.

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

Collection of original Greenpoint Winery labels.

A collection of paper labels used at the Greenpoint (Millingandi) winery run by the Woollard family.

All courtesy of a private collection.

Wines had been made in the local region as early as the 1860s, after James Manning had planted his vineyard at Warragaburra near Bega.

Courtesy of a private collection.

Taking a leaf out of Manning’s book, Wollongong wine maker (or vigneron) Matthew Henry Woollard purchased land at Greenpoint on the southern side of the Merimbula Lake in the area now known as Millingandi in the late 1870’s. There he planted grape vines & began production at his Green Point Winery. He was joined in the trade by his wife & later by one of their sons, Thomas Herbert Woollard.

In 1891, following the death of 64-year-old Matthew, Thomas took over the business. It is uncertain exactly when Woollard’s Green Point Winery ceased to produce, but “H. W. Woollard” was listed as a vigneron at Pambula in both the 1903 & 1905 Sand’s Country Directories. Thomas Herbert Woollard died in 1953. 

Wines produced by Woollard’s Green Point Winery included sherry, port & hermitage.

Courtesy of a private collection.

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

Pambula Cricket Club cricket ball trophy, 1895:

Courtesy of a private collection.

Donated by local general store keepers Goldberg Brothers and Co. for the best bowling average in the 1895 season, this cricket ball trophy was won by Charles ArthurBaddeley.

Charles Arthur Baddeley

Charles Arthur Baddeley had arrived in Pambula in 1866 after his parents moved to the town to establish a leather tannery business.

Involved in many facets of the local community, he was appointed to the local Bench of Magistrates in 1882; the licensing bench in 1890; and the Eden Local Land Board in 1900. He served as coroner for the Eden Police District from 1895; and deputy licensing magistrate from 1898. He was named as trustee for facilities such as the Pambula Recreation Reserve and the Pambula General Cemetery and when local government was introduced he stood for and was elected as the first President of the Imlay Shire Council in 1907.

An active member of the local Masonic Lodge, Lodge Baddeley, so named in his father’s honour, Charles Arthur Baddeley also served on the committee of a range of other local community organisations including the Pambula Local School Board, Pambula School of Arts, Eden-Pambula Cottage Hospital (now Pambula District Hospital), Pambula Football Club, Pambula River Aquatic Club and Pambula Progress Association,

A keen cricketer, he played for many years with the Pambula Cricket Club. He also served on the committee and from 1925 was club patron. In 1885 he was part of the local team that played Alfred Shaw’s English XI at Kameruka and for sixty years reputedly never missed a local match or a test in Sydney.

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

Collection of V. J. Cornell, chemist, Pambula, embossed bottles:

Chemists have played an important role in Pambula’s medical community since well before the dawn of the 20^th century. Among their number was locally born and raised Vincent John (“Vin”) Cornell, who, like others of the time, had his own glass chemist bottles manufactured. These were available in four sizes, and were embossed with his business details.

Above and below:
Detail of the embossing on V. J. Cornell's chemist bottles.
(From a private collection)

Above: The four sizes of V. J. Cornell's chemist bottles.
(From a private collection)

Cornell's pharmacy, in Quondola Street, Pambula.
(From a private collection)

The son of Pambula Post and Telegraph Master E. J. Cornell, Vin was educated at Pambula Public School before going on to St. Joseph’s College secondary school at Hunter’s Hill on the Lower North Shore of Sydney. From there he took up a position to study chemistry at Washington H. Soul’s establishment in 1904 and graduated from the Sydney University’s Faculty of Pharmacy in 1909.

December of the same year saw the young graduate return to Pambula, having purchased the town’s chemist business, and it was reported that he “…intends running it on up-to-date lines.” The following year he opened a branch store in Eden and in 1911 further expanded the business when, in partnership with Mr. Self, he purchased the Bega chemist of George Whyte.

P. 87 of the Illawarra & South Coast Steam Navigation

Company handbook, 1912.

(From a private collection)

The 2^nd edition of the Illawarra and South Coast Steam Navigation Company’s 1912 handbook noted that “…sauntering further along Quondola Street, the visitor will be attracted by the inviting appearance of Mr. V. J. Cornell’s pharmacy. Mr. Cornell M. P. S. is one of the leading men in Pambula, who has the progress of the town and district at heart. His drug store is a model of up-to-date, scientific management, where medicines may be carefully made up and patented proprietary articles, toilet requisites, scents, soaps and all kinds of sundries obtained…”


Mr. Cornell remained in Pambula until 1915, when he disposed of his chemist business to Mr. E. Marsden. Of his departure, the Pambula Voice reported “Before Mr. Cornell came to Pambula, this district did not have the advantage of a modern chemist’s shop, with all the conveniences and requirements demanded by an intelligent public. It is also a great convenience to people in the country to be able to get first class services and goods handy at a very slight advance in city prices. This is what Mr. Cornell has provided…”

Above: Accounts issued by V. J. Cornell.
(From a private collection)

© Angela George. All rights reserved.