Forster’s first police constable: Edward William Mitchell
Early policing in NSW began in 1789 when civilians called the “Night Watch” were tasked to guard Sydney Town. On 1 March 1862 the NSW Police Force was established…
Thomas Buckle
On the corner of Little Street and Memorial Drive, Forster, is a bench which was unveiled in 1949 outside the former residence of Thomas Buckle…
Bessie Taylor of Kitty Kitty
Mabel and Harold Carter owned a dairy farm at Kitty Kitty, Cundle Flat. Mabel’s half-sister, 18 year old Elizabeth “Bessie” Taylor, lived with them as a dairymaid. She was engaged to a labourer called Francis Dennes…
The Tragedy of Margaret Gill Croker
Margaret Dunn was married to Alfred Croker for just one year when tragedy occurred in 1932. On the evening of Friday 7 May, Clarence Bonney was riding his Norton motorcycle to a dance at Failford Hall…
The Dunn Family from ‘Dunnville’, Failford
In 1902 Thomas, Eliza and their children moved into a mill workers’ cottage at Failford before acquiring a property on the bank of the Wallamba River opposite the mill which became popularly known as ‘Dunns of Dunnville’…
Miss Vera Abbott’s Cricket Team
In 1933, Miss Vera Abbott was Wingham’s candidate for the Upper Manning Agricultural and Horticultural Association’s Popular Girl Competition…
Alexander Croll
Alexander Croll learned the trade of shipwright. During his apprenticeship he shared quarters with another youth named John Wright, the pair ultimately shared life and business together…
Matthew Hopwood – Convict and Sydney Duck
One of the convicts assigned to the Port Stephens estate of the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) was Matthew Hopwood. Matthew, a 21 year old, illiterate…
Temple Chambers – 138 Victoria Street, Taree
Manning born David Cowan had established a legal practice in Taree in 1899. In 1921 a fire threatened his offices which were then located in the Belmore Hall, a timber building in Pulteney Street, Taree…
Pipers Bay, Forster
William Brisbane Piper born in 1844 at Brisbane Waters trained as a shipwright with his father. The last ship constructed by William’s father called ‘Jonathan’…