As part of History Week, the Mayor of Kiama, Sandra McCarthy, launched Capturing Kiama Memories, a book of personal anecdotes and histories of the Kiama Municipality edited by South Coast Writers’ Centre member Rae Luckie.
Michelle Hudson, the Manager of Library Services obtained a competitive grant from the State Library of NSW which allowed sixteen residents of the Kiama Municipality to attend free life writing classes facilitated by Rae Luckie and held at the Kiama Library over an eight week period in 2009. Rae subsequently edited and published the book.
As well as exercises to jog memories of childhood, participants were invited to explore, research and share some aspect of local history that they might find intriguing.
Anne Bennett contrasted her early childhood in Kiama, and memories of her grandmother who fell in love with her grandfather when they were children at Toolijooa school.
Anne Doorn‘s stories sparked a great deal of reminiscing during the classes, writing about traditions such the long gone bonfire night; the labour involved in laundering in ‘The Old Wash House’; and the perils of the outdoor lavatory. Her research project centred on Fredericks’ General Store at Jamberoo covering its history from 1973—illustrated with simply fabulous photographs provided by Alwyn Fredericks.
Lorraine Ettingshausen’s father was the Assistant Station master at Bombo railway Station for 26 years was known as ‘Frantic Frank’, by his work mates—the signal levers were cleaned with graphite paper every day until they shone like silver. Lorraine also recorded the history of the Kiama Voluntary Home Nursing Service and the Kiama Hospital Centenary and interviewed Maria and Tony Mosckos for memories of their father Constantinos (Con) Mosckos and how his Kiama café became the hub of social life in the town. Maria and Tony provided a wonderful photograph of a street parade to celebrate the visit of the Prince of Wales to Kiama in 1927.
Sandra Griffith’s special project was to interview Ollie Wilson who provided a wonderful story, including the impact of the depression on the Jerrara area. Bruce McIntyre’s story added to this history.
Kathy Jones’ research on festivals—and in particular the Kiama Harbour Fun Day sparked conversations about festivals and parades of the past—and the demise of so many activities because of public liability risk
Claire Lennon wrote about her first visit to the blowhole when she was twelve years old in a green Ford V8 . At the time she didn’t realise her paternal great grand parents lived here in the 1860s/70s. She shared photographs of her honeymoon in Kiama and her search for information about her great grandfather Thomas Barber Roberts which revealed some interesting early history of the Kiama Examiner, the first local newspaper.
Phyl Lobl took on Daisy the Kiama Cow—her research continued long after our workshops ended. It led her in many directions and culminated in a fantastic performance of Kiama history last year called ‘Singing the South’ to celebrate the local history of Kiama and the Illawarra.
Norma Stead told some wonderful stories during our classes, and she was also interviewed by Michelle Hudson—resulting in some tales about the tennis courts in Hindmarsh Park and the involvement of her and her husband Ray in the town and in particular the establishment of tennis in the area.
Pearl Wilson shared her love of Kiama history and wrote about playing hockey with sticks made from Lantana bushes; and her memories of Manning Street and the changes over the years. The class was in fits of laughter one morning laughing about Bob Wilson’s various attempts to block the spray from the little blowhole by cementing tree trunks into the crevice.
Frank Tynan began modest research into the history of the Omega schoolhouse. His research kept expanding—beyond the schoolhouse to the history of education and local government.
An important part of this project was the inclusion of a hundred personal and historical photographs, the latter made available by the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society.
Copies of Capturing Kiama Memories have been lodged in the National and State Libraries and with the companion volume Kiama Stories published last year ensures the availability of these stories and photographs for future generations.
Mayor of Kiama, Sandra McCarthy (left) with Rae Luckie
Rae Luckie and workshop participants
