Coramba Village Heritage Walk

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oraravalleytouristtrail.com.au hills are advised not to attempt the walk. the toattempt not advised are hills Meaning of ‘Coramba’: of Meaning sea the Sight of 1 approximately takes and long 4km is Walk Heritage Village Coramba NOTE: the HERITAGE WALK VILLAGE AMBA COR (and fertile farming districts) to settlers. to settlers. districts) farming (and fertile forests dense the up opening and land clearing roads, building in instrumental been had However, decline. in timber-getters the already industry an of demise the and proclaimed being reserves forest timber, to first remaining the leading the to preserve imposed were cedar of 1870s the In harvesting the on regulations to sea. out floated and Creek to Coffs overland carted were they Later to Grafton. Sydney from shipped then to Crossing be to Coutts Nymboida and Orara the down rafted were logs cut supply. The aplentiful had area the which of ‘red or gold’ cedar for 1850s the in arrived looking Timber-getters Harbour. Coffs Valley, and Orara the covered Moonee territory whose people Bagawa the were inhabitants Aboriginal original The Coast. Coffs the on settlements earliest the of one and Harbour is 15Coramba Coffs from km 1 / 2 hours to complete. The walk involves some hilly terrain. Those not able to negotiate tonegotiate able not Those terrain. hilly some involves walk The tocomplete. hours

sunny sawtell sunny sawtell small farms and has retained much retained has and farms small by surrounded village residential Today aquiet, remains Coramba town. the of growth the with along declined industries however, dairying and timber the 1922. in railway the WWII, Following of arrival the with came economy local to the boost major next The 1914. in built chambers council with atime, for headquarters its became centre, Coramba geographical the As Shire. Dorrigo the called formed was area government 1906In local anew hardwoods. native of reserves large its for known became area the cedar-gathering, of end the Following warden’s office. amining and constable apolice for location permanent as the Coramba of creation the prompting discovered, was 1881 in addition, in and, gold farming dairy for ideal were soils rich The his name). bears street (the township main Coramba site of the early whose included settler selection Valley.Hunter another was Gale William the in from settlers of a group wasselector Eugene Rudder followed by (20–25 acres ha). first The 50–60 of made available in for selection parcels 1886 in and was area the Orara the in arrived 1883In surveyors government of its historic charm and character. and charm historic its of

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Start at the car park of the Hampden Hotel, 17–21 Gale Street. 1 1

1 Hampden Hotel, curved corners, a stepped asymmetrical 17–21 Gale Street (1940) facade with Art Deco styling, and a This is the third hotel building on this suspended awning over the footpath. site. The first, single-storey hotel was The facade is intact and one of the most built by Joseph Murphy in 1895. In 1900 prominent buildings in the town. he sold to Thomas Martin who added to it several times to create a sprawling Cross at the pedestrian crossing and two-storey hotel. After selling to E C proceed along Gale Street. Brooks in 1909, Martin re-acquired the 2 Cattle brand bollards hotel in 1912 after Brooks’ sudden death. In 1923 it was sold to W T Johnson who Along Gale Street you will see several also owned the Fitzroy Hotel in Coffs. sets of timber bollards. Installed by During 1938–1940 the hotel was leased City Council, they display to a brewery. In 1940 the weatherboard the cattle brands of Coramba’s early hotel was destroyed by fire and the pioneering families. current brick-rendered hotel was built. The current building is a striking 2 example of Moderne architecture in a township notable for its timber buildings. It features rendered walls, 1

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3 Mr Martin’s five houses (c1900) furnishing of the church. The church was Thomas Martin, the publican, owned designed by Lismore architect, Mr Board the land east of the hotel, on which he and built by D J Ross of Bonville. Messrs built five houses and rented out. The Mulhearn donated the timber valued sole survivor at 7 Gale Street retains at 70 pounds and free transport was its original appearance visible in early provided by the O’Hanlon Bros. photos. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop 4 St Therese of the Little Flower church, 6–10 Gale Street (1927) Carroll on 28 November 1926 and the finished church was opened by Bishop This picturesque ‘Carpenter’s Gothic’ Carroll on 13 March 1927. At this time, Roman Catholic church was built in 1927 many Roman Catholic churches were on land where the first Coramba Butter dedicated to St Therese of Lisieux, who Factory stood until 1925. The distinctive had been sainted in 1925. braced posts underneath the church rest on the concrete slab floor of the The church cost 1152 pounds and former butter factory. while this exceeded the estimate for furnishings, the excess expenditure Work on a new church began well was justified by the committee on the before the sale of the site to the Catholic grounds they ‘thought it would be best Church in 1925. In May 1921 an energetic to have furniture in keeping with the local church building committee was building’. formed to oversee the construction and A local newspaper provided the 4 following description on its opening: ‘The new church is undoubtedly a fine little edifice with a beautiful situation. It is lofty and well ventilated, with a well-pitched roof. Its construction is of hardwood, with windows of stained glass. The furnishings and fittings are in keeping with the building, which is lined with Dorrigo plum. The interior is roomy 5 intersection of Duncans Bridge Road. Bridge Duncans of intersection tothe proceed and Street Gale Cross Coast. Coffs the of settlement permanent following time of period ashort within built churches, timber of small, picturesque, number large a has area Coffs The tradesmen. local by hardwood local of out made walk, this on houses and buildings public many churches, the of first is the This churches. prettiest Harbour’s Coffs of one Valley, and landmark is alocal Orara the across views with Street Gale of start at the situated dramatically church, the and glass stained and pews walls, timber-lined varnished dark its with survives interior original The other.’ the on room priest’s and side one on sacristy the back at the and porch, entrance is an front the In it. in and comfortable and sound carries well Coramba. Both Coramba and the Upper Upper the and Coramba Both Coramba. and Orara Upper the in churches parishioners sought approval to build 1907 3July AEPryor. of On home the in held originally were Services 5

Former Methodist Church, Methodist Former (1907–1908) Road Bridge 2 Duncans 7 2003. in built was 1920s. bridge current The the in built bridges truss 100 timber over of aseries with synonymous now is name whose Allan engineer, Percy by PWD designed was it timbers, local Line was under construction. Made from Railway Coast North as the time same at the Orara the across bridge a built Works Public of Dept NSW the 1920s the In bridge. truss Allan a timber Alongside the current bridge once stood 6 pausing mid-way. Bridge, Coramba across Proceed residence. aprivate of part forms now 1988. church 9June on The closed later 1977In Church and a Uniting became it other. to each similar 1908 very are and mid- in completed were churches Orara stream winds its way shaded through its winds stream inviting and cool as ‘this it described 1910 Town the Journal Country and In locals. place for swimming popular is a which River Orara the of section apretty see can you From bridge the

Site of the timber Allan truss Allan Site timber the of Coramba ‘beach’ bridge (1922,bridge 2010) demolished

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sunny sawtell the North Coast train line in 1922 in line train Coast and North the of arrival the with coincided factory butter new The cream. supplied farms river, the across site, this 1925. in on 140 built was grew, factory anew dairying As week. per butter of 6tons averaging was 1908 By factory the stands. now Church Catholic Roman St Therese where built was 1901 factory abutter 1897 in formed was in and Society Cooperative Farmers Dairy Orara The Coramba’s industry. was major dairying century, twentieth the of turn the By 9 taking the right-hand road. factory, butter former tothe Proceed 3May 2003. on Bridge Coramba new the of opening the Commemorates 8 bridge. the of side other tothe Continue scene’. to the beauty aplacid lending designs, in strange riot shadows heavy the which in pools, dark its places, sunny Former butter factory butter Former (2003) tree pine and Plaque and house (1925) house and 8 sawtell successful fundraising and community and successful fundraising 1962. in of 29 years added was After 1957. 6July on opened shed shelter The 1955 officially was park new the and 168 October in site for corner pounds this of purchase to the led playground achildren’s to provide idea An women. 1953 February in 17 comprising local (CWA) Women’s formed was Association Country the of branch Coramba The 10 other side of Gale Street. Gale of side other tothe cross and bridge the over Return Valley. Orara the in operating still dairies afew only are There Timbers. Coramba by occupied many years for and factory acandle was it time At one store. cream ice bulk and depot receiving milk Cream as aSt Ice 1960s Peters the used was it In pickles. to make ‘Aristocrat’ used 1950 in sold Fawcett to the and Bros 1950. in at Raleigh one with and was It Harbour Coffs in factory butter the with amalgamated 1938In factory the markets. Sydneythe Brisbane and to butter their transport quickly could 1924 in line branch farmers meant which Dorrigo– the of opening the

CWA Park, corner of Gale of corner CWA Park, and Martin Street (1957) Street Martin and 9

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achievements, this branch of the CWA 11 reluctantly closed in 1982 owing to lack of interest. The park was handed over to the Coffs Harbour Shire Council in 1986.

Re-cross the pedestrian crossing and proceed along Gale Street.

Coramba was given a big economic boost in the 1920s with the building of the North Coast Railway. Work began hardwoods and date from the early in July 1915, and Coramba housed the years of the twentieth century during many railway workers. Coramba Station Coramba’s heyday as a timber-getting opened in July 1922 with the Coramba outpost and a centre for local dairying. platform located near the former butter 11 Former CBA building, factory. At roughly the same time, the 23–25 Gale Street (1934) Dorrigo–Glenreagh branch line was begun. Work started in 1917 and the This was the second CBA bank building line opened on 23 December 1924. built in 1934, following the fire that Coramba station is no longer used, and destroyed the first. It became a private the Dorrigo–Glenreagh branch line residence, following the bank’s closure ceased services in 1972 and officially in 1956 and has been returned to closed in December 1993. Walking along business use with its current occupant Gale Street, you will notice several Nesting Needles, a fabric and patchwork houses and early shop buildings. Like retail store with classes and workshops . many of Coramba’s buildings, they are weatherboard cottages built out of local 12 Site of the original post office, 27 Gale Street

10 The original Coramba Post Office was established on 22 April 1880 as a telegraph receiving station with

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Mrs Annie Rudder of Rudder Grange, 13 Shops, 31 Gale Street Eastbank Road, in charge at 5 pounds currently Coramba Store and per annum. Providore (c1920s) Another of Coramba’s early shops, this Various requests which had been one continues its commercial life as by the Orara Farmers and Miners Coramba’s general store, bakery and Progress Association for the office to pie shop. Previously two shops that be upgraded were eventually granted have been joined together, the building when its status was raised to Post features original timber shopfronts, Office on 8 April 1913. It also served as posted verandah, and high pressed a branch of the Commonwealth Savings metal ceilings inside. Bank and the local telephone exchange, which opened in July 1912 with four 14 subscribers.

The current post office building replaced the earlier one in the 1980s.

The difficulty in communicating in Coramba’s early days is best captured by what was possibly an unique postal service: a private pigeon post set up in the Mulhearn Bros Mills. 14 View down Thrower Avenue Between 1915 and 1940, pigeons If you look down Thrower Avenue, were used to pass messages between to the green padddocks at the end of Mulhearn’s remotely located timber the street, you might catch a glimpse mills, due to the inaccessibility of timber of several herds of dairy cattle, the stands and irregular postal services. last of the numerous dairy farms Pigeons could pass messages between that contributed so much to the mills in less than an hour whereas the development of Coramba and the same journey overland could take three Orara Valley, and a reminder that this or more hours. small village is still an active farming community, despite its proximity to 13 Coffs Harbour. 15 Service Station, 33–35 Gale Street (c1950s)

According to recollections of early residents, this was the site of the first Commercial Banking Company (CBA) building. In 1906 William Gale set up a branch of the CBA. While a new bank 15 15 time in the 1950s. in the time Avenue Thrower some of creation the following built was station service The Hotel. Hampden to the door next 1934, built was bank anew October and in by fire destroyed was bank The week. 10 for Hotel a shillings Hampden the of Martin Thomas from rented a room of out operated bank site, this the on building and residence were being built subdivided into two house blocks. house into two subdivided site to be the to allow moved was but right to the further sat originally house The as ashop. used have been may well door own its with left the on room front The shop. abutcher’s to be used house this that it has lore Local 16

40 Gale Street – Laurel Bank – Bank –Laurel Street Gale 40 former butcher’s shop former detailed joinery. detailed and symmetry pleasing its for and Coramba’s in history phase earlier an from being in Street Gale along shops This from building the other differs early harvesting. timber of decline the following farmers by dairy up taken was being land surrounding newly-formed Dorrigo Shire and the centre the of administrative the century, become had Coramba twentieth the of years early the In as a private residence. used is currently It village. a small as developing was Coramba when century twentieth the of turn the from dates verandahs, posted distinctive their with shops, co-joined of pair former This 17

Former shop and bakery, and shop Former 39–41 Gale Street (c1900) Street 39–41 Gale

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sunny sawtell 18 18 common in rural villages. as was a shopfront, and residence c1920sfrom a both includes which residence attached and shop early An 19 proclaimed. was Shire Harbour 1952 in done was Coffs new the when Harbour. This to Coffs headquarters shire the to relocate made being where moves and small too was building the 1930s, the By rainfall. high however,the and traffic timber to the due state, the in roads worst the having for reputation a gained Shire 1052 Dorrigo pounds. 1914, in built was chambers costing decorativewonderfully timber council site this a that on was It hinterland. arural servicing aport primarily still was Harbour Coffs and shire new the of centre geographical the was it because chambers council new the for township as the chosen was Coramba Coramba. at courthouse the in held was Shire Dorrigo new the of meeting first the and Shires, Dorrigo and Nymboida 1913, 6August On into the split was it unwieldy. and large very was it but Act, Government Local the 1906in following created was Shire Dorrigo original The sunny 45 Gale Street (early Street 45 Gale 1920s) 48–50 Gale Street –site the Street of Gale 48–50 Chambers (1914)Chambers Shire Council Dorrigo former sawtell including women and children, and children, and women including and quiet accommodation for travellers, safe liquors’. provided they Instead, intoxicating or spiritous or ale wine, ‘no served palaces coffee premises, licensed and to hotels Alternatives Movement. Temperance the of 1880sthe as part in America from in arrived palaces coffee of concept The century. latePalace in the nineteenth built Coffee Martin’s stood to this, Prior under the house. garage attached an and verandah the supporting poles roof, steel a low-line modern features of hopper windows, then-fashionable the incorporating house, apost-WWII of Coramba in example is arare cottage fibro This 20

Site Martin’s of Coffee Palace, 49–51 (1950s) Street Gale

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20 a prominent member of the community, building many of Coramba’s houses, and was one of the founders of the School of Arts Committee.

Continue along Gale Street until you reach the intersection with Dorrigo Street. Turn left into Dorrigo Street. 22 Coramba Community Hall (former School of Arts), (1914) served coffee, tea, chocolate and other non-alcoholic drinks. Run by the Martin The School of Arts was built in 1914 on family (no connection to the Martins land donated by William Gale and built who ran the hotel), the Coffee Palace by George Dahl of ‘Attunga’. It quickly was also one of the first four telephone became the social centre of the town, subscribers in Coramba – from July 1912 hosting balls, dances, plays, concerts, Directory. The need for a coffee palace benefit nights and Coramba’s own band. can be understood with this recollection It is claimed Dame Nellie Melba sang of the lawlessness of the railway workers here once, along with Dame Clara Butt after payday: ‘There would be fights and and Ada Crossly at other times. A more drunks everywhere. The sergeant used recent celebrity visitor was Slim Dusty. to bring several pairs of handcuffs … He would handcuff them to a wire fence Inside is a painted memorial arch to the along side of the school until he could local men who died in both world wars. transport them back to the Coramba It was also used as a cinema and still Police Station.’ retains its projection room. 21 62 Gale Street, ‘Attunga’ (1925) The building includes high-quality This spacious weatherboard house joinery, elegant fanlights above the was built by George Edward Dahl, a doors and windows where the lower carpenter who had came from Taree to sashes pivot rather than slide up and Coramba in 1907. He married local girl, down, allowing more air to circulate. Myra Martin in 1911, and became 21 22

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22 Glen settlement. It was originally two cells, and the first sergeant was Sgt Pritzler who commenced duties in December 1896 and stayed for over 20 years. Sergeant Pritzler’s wife, Matilda died in child birth in 1897 and is buried on private property on Eastbank Road where her headstone still stands.

The present police station was purpose The hall continues to be a popular built in 1898 and designed by the NSW venue for classes, dances and wedding Government Architect, W L Vernon. It receptions, and is a well-loved local came with lock-up cells and stables. In landmark. June 1899 the Ralegh Sun announced that the new courthouse would ‘be Proceed to the vacant block of land next ready for opening in a week’. to the Police Station. Two mounted police served at a time 23 Police horse paddock with a police paddock where the horses Historic photos show that this vacant rested at the base of Ulong Road. The block was used for keeping the police station also served as a mining warden’s horses. Currently, it used for garaging office to process applications for gold a police car. mining leases following the earlier discovery of alluvial gold in 1881. Walk down through the horse paddock to Orara Street. Coramba’s mounted police went on patrols to the Orara Valley and 24 Police Station and Courthouse, Eastern Dorrigo. The patrol would go 71–73 Gale Street (1898 and to Moleton, Camp Creek to Brooklana, 1899) then along to Ulong and Lowanna. The first police station was established They would camp in the bush, resting in 1896, using an old relocated building the horses after riding over 30 miles from the-then almost deserted Nana 23 24 25 of Dorrigo and Short Streets. Short and Dorrigo of intersection tothe proceed and paddock police the through up back Walk 1920s. the in railway the of coming by the created time boom the during Federation and post-WW1 houses, built of Coramba’sAnother timber large 25 sergeant. the for wood chopping aday two was or drunkeness for fine as the careful were drunks low,got local station at the pile wood the when that River. recollect Locals Orara to the range mountain over the then at Brooklana, Mill Secombe’s Eve’s Creek, Timmsville, a day. 1930s, the In in took patrol the in use in the local government area. government local the in use in still church oldest is this the churches, timber pretty Harbour’s Coffs of labour. the supplied Another members by iron Dan Baker. community Other the and Morton by Andrew supplied were1899. timber and foundations The 14 by on him dedicated April and Moxon 1898 28 April on laid by Archbishop was stone foundation The church. the 1898In gave to build land Gale William 26

St Church, Pauls Anglican 77 Gale Street ‘Frogmouth Street 77 Gale Hollow’ (c1920s) (c1920s) Hollow’ 15 (1899) Street Dorrigo

towards the cost of a building. abuilding. of cost the towards 12 pounds 60 and 20 children and between for School aProvisional for granted was Permission families. Walters Forbes, Van, Nicholson, and Morton the of behalf on school apublic for Coramba’s case, Eugene Rudder applied In schools. for to apply communities small for easier it made Act Instruction Public to the changes but families ten 1887In than less of consisted Coramba 27 to school. to school. rode who children for paddock a horse as used eight-acre an reserve on sat It May 1888. early in finished was building the site and present the of north-east (1½ km 2.5 site was original The miles) Walk up Short Street. Short up Walk

Coramba Public School (1898)Coramba School Public Short Street Street Short (1910), Cottage Preschool and

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sunny sawtell 27 school grounds to the far fence line. fence far tothe grounds school across walk open, are gates school the If hardwoods. north-coast local, of out built and Coast, Coffs the on buildings surviving earliest the of some including of schools, public local other many with along shares distinction, the School Public Coramba and residence, teacher’s the as does survives building school second The 50 of pounds. a cost at to Gundar moved then was building 1912. April in completed school first The was which residence ateacher’s for up drawn plans and was built, building 1910 September In school asecond 1898. March in opened school new the and 92for pounds building new the erected McGuigan and Boultwood builders, Local pounds. 40 for Gale William from purchased site was central more current, the and required was school anew gold, of discovery the following Coramba of growth the With on 27on 1902, March 77 years. aged died who Carey Ann to Mary belongs and standing is still headstone One fence. by atimber graves surrounded pioneer two are land private the on fence, school the of side other the On 28 sunny Pioneer gravesPioneer (1902) sawtell

first bank, and gave land to the Anglican Anglican to the gave land and bank, first town’s the opened rooms, tea and shop atwo-storey later and abakery owned stands, now Arts of School the where store general first the built He groups. and business local in promoting tireless and land donating in generous was He town. the in future apromising saw clearly Coast’. Gale North the on not if Coramba, at businessman enterprising most ‘the His contemporaries described him as township. Coramba became that selection the up taking 1880s and the in arriving settlers, earliest Coramba’s of one was Gale Street, continues to honour his name. his to honour continues Street, Gale school. public the for land the provided and Arts, of School the and Church Note on William Gale - Gale William on Note it. enjoyed you We hope Walk. Heritage This concludes the Coramba Village communities. abandoned small of evidence physical surviving only the the early white and settlers sometimes of lives the of reminder apoignant are They cemeteries. small graves and lone many includes area Harbour Coffs The William Gale William 28 sunny sawtell

Coffs Harbour City Council, Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Tel: 02 6648 4990 Email: [email protected] www.coffscoast.com www.oraravalleytouristtrail.com.au