The importance of shipping to the South Coast until the early 1950s will be highlighted in an exhibition by Narooma Historical Society in Narooma Library 12-27 May during library hours.
Society President Laurelle Pacey said in the early days roads were rough tracks or non-existent so the sea provided a vital transport link.
“It was the means of taking cargoes mainly to Sydney returning with supplies for settlers, miners and businesses, mail and often also carried passengers,” she said.
“Cargoes could include timber, wattle bark, oysters, oats, cheese, maize, wheat, hides, kegs of butter, even granite from Moruya River. In the early days of steamers, it was a 13 hour trip from Narooma to Sydney compared with several days by road.” On Friday 19 May at 10.30am, Ms Pacey will talk about shipping to the south coast, particularly Narooma. Everyone is welcome.
The exhibition coincides with the National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival and International Museums Day on 18 May.
She also urges everyone to visit Narooma’s Lighthouse Museum in the Visitors Centre which highlights Narooma’s rich maritime past and its close association with Barunguba (Montague Island).
Above: The SS Bodalla leaves Wagonga Inlet in 1922, Narooma Historical Society Archives
