PSToday has joined forces with legendary local John 'Stinker' Clarke of the Tomaree Museum Association, who's providing us with some classic Port Stephens snapshots. Thanks Stinker!
In the 1940s, Port Stephens was considered to be, “the biggest oyster farm in the world” with extensive areas under oyster racks in North Arm Cove, Swan Bay, Cromarty Bay Little Swan Bay, Oyster Cove, Karuah, Tilligerry and Pindimar. Vital to the booming industry was the labour of the local Worimi people. The Ridgeways, Russells, Mantons and Lilley families were but a few of those who contributed in a big way to the growing industry.
Many of the Aboriginal families grew up in the town of Karuah and moved to Oyster Cove to work for a leader in the oyster industry, Stan Phillips, who provided accommodation and education for the kids. In the words of well-known Worimi man John Ridgeway, “Everyone was happy working for Stan Phillips. I paid £7 a week when we moved in to Oyster Cove. 23 years later after raising eight kids I was still paying £7 a week”.
Worimi families remain in the oyster industry to this day. Their remarkable contribution over the years has been outstanding. |
