Shirley Morris – Biripi Activist
Biripi woman Shirley Mitchell was born in 1933 and grew up on Purfleet Aboriginal Reserve. When welfare authorities came to Purfleet to take Aboriginal children with fairer skin…
Charles Poole: a “gentleman” prisoner
Charles Poole, did not fit the usual profile of a transported convict…
Daralea Nursery and Florist
In 1931 Minnie Elizabeth Lee started a nursery, confectionary, florist and seed shop at 134 Victoria Street, Taree called “Lee’s Nursery”…
The Dun family of Hillside Dairy, Cape Hawke
In 1925 Thomas bought a dairy farm situated on Minor Road which is now called Cape Hawke Road, Forster…
Francis McNamara aka “Frank the Poet”
A poem entitled “A Convict’s Tour to Hell” was composed by Frank McNamara in 1839. It has been said that it draws inspiration from Dante’s “Purgatory”…
William Green’s disappearing act
Family stories say that the marriage between William and Laurell became unstable. One sad tale describes Laurell stripping naked…
William Johnson: a marked man
Many convicts transported to Australia in the nineteenth century bore tattoos. These marks were recorded along with other physical characteristics…
Kevin Gilbert: activist, artist, author, playwright and poet
Kevin Gilbert was born in Wiradjuri country near Condoblin in 1933. While in prison for murder he asked for books on…
Archaeological dig at Taree Police Station
In December 2018 an archaeological excavation began at the site of the Taree Police Station. The dig uncovered the remains of four cesspits…
“Coast Town” – A Prizewinning Film
In 1939 the Society invited entries to find the best 16mm film made in Australia and which referenced Australian life or history. This was the first national…