Thanks to Jeanette Goss for writing this post for the A-Z challenge.
Many people would flock to the Sorell Sale yards. Many of them were local farmers there to sell their wares.
Then: site of the Sale yards
Now: the site of the current library, spare block and Mc Donald’s
NS1553-1-106 Sale yards
Other places that I remember over time from 1962 – current
Then: Braithwaite supermarket
Now: Gordon Street now the site of Banjos and Terry White Chemist
Thanks to Amanda Mackinnon for writing this post for the A-Z challenge.
Thanks to the Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club archives for the use of the image.
The day the roof blew off
Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club draws its local community close. The clubhouse and its adjoining storage and rescue facilities are nestled in the dunes at glorious Carlton Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the Sorell municipality. The 2.7km stretch of white sand faces the entrance of Frederick Henry Bay, being bound by the Carlton River mouth to the east and Spectacle Head to the west. It’s an idyllic location to say the least, and one that’s been home to the iconic red and yellow flags for over 60 years.
Carlton Park was officially established in 1975 following the merger of Hobart Carlton (affiliated in 1957) and Park Beach (affiliated in 1959) Surf Life Saving Clubs. Both Hobart Carlton and Park Beach made significant and colourful contributions to surf lifesaving in Tasmania and original members of both clubs can still be found at Carlton Park today. The fact that an interstate carnival attracted more than 20,000 competitors to the beach in the 1960s provides an indication of just how popular the sport has proven over the years.
Carlton Park’s facilities are currently undergoing an exciting redevelopment to cater for the growing population of the Southern Beaches region. However, it’s not the first time club members have banded together to reinvigorate this valued community resource.
In March 1989, a freak gust of wind in the form of a spiral travelled across the bay towards the Carlton Park clubhouse. It wreaked havoc. The roof was torn off and much of the block work was torn down by the effect of the roof twisting about the rear wall. The result was the complete destruction of the entire first floor.
Residents at the time recall a still afternoon and an almost eerie silence up until the time when the gust approached. The wind continued inland for some distance, reportedly breaking limbs from trees but causing only minor damage to a few other buildings in the area.
Even more heartbreaking for members was the fact that the facility has only just been renovated and the interior repainted – courtesy of countless hours of volunteer work. In the weeks that followed, members spent hours clearing away debris and salvaging materials.
Fingers crossed history doesn’t repeat itself once the new clubhouse is completed in 2022!
Thanks to Judy Pearson in consultation with Bev Richardson (Descendants) for writing this post for the A-Z challenge.
Clicking on blue links will take you to original records from Libraries Tasmania.
Early settler Bartholomew Reardon was born on Norfolk Island June 1791, the first child of Bartholomew Reardon (a First Fleet arrival on ‘Scarborough’ and then to the first settlement on Norfolk Island per ‘Sirius’), and Hannah Rowney (Ronay, Rooney), who arrived in the Colony per ‘Lady Juliana’ and to Norfolk Island in August, 1790. They had 5 children.
Bartholomew (2nd) grew up living in a thatched weatherboard hut on a small grant helping to farm the land. His two younger brothers, Steve and Daniel, who were born 1798 and 1799, both died on Norfolk Island in 1801. Their headstone on Norfolk Island is still legible. Their father Bartholomew Snr. died on Norfolk Island in 1807 and daughter Ann died in the same year. When the settlement there was to be disbanded, Hannah and eldest daughter Francis were re-located to Van Diemens Land per ‘Lady Nelson’ in November 1807. The young Bartholomew who left N.I. several years later was recorded in 1807 as the owner of 7 acres of land on Norfolk Island and supplying produce to His Majesty’s Store. He had also worked for Captain Piper who recommended him to receive a grant of land on arrival in Van Diemen’s Land. This was at Iron Creek, Sorell, the property still known as ‘Thorn Hill’, and on January 1st, 1812 he married Elizabeth Nash. Elizabeth was born on Norfolk Island in 1793, the eldest child of Robert and Ann Nash. They left Norfolk Island in 1808 and also settled at Pitt Water.
Bartholomew and Elizabeth enjoyed prosperous years at ‘Thorn Hill’, and their home became the venue for many important visitors, including Governor Macquarie in 1821 when he named the town of Sorell. The ‘Thorn Hill’ property included a huge barn, the venue for Musters, and gatherings including dances, weddings and church services. Bartholomew was appointed a District Police Constable. In 1815, a fire which destroyed his barn, and all the property’s stored crops, was deliberately lit and from this time debts were incurred when Bartholomew tried to diversify, buying more land and stock. He suffered losses but retained his Forcett property of ‘Green Hills’ where he had built a small brick home. This was added to in 1820 and sadly, ‘Thorn Hill’ was relinquished, being signed over to Lawyer, Mr. Bethune in 1825 to settle his debts.
‘Thorn Hill’ photo prior to demolition in 1989
By this time, the Reardons had already moved to their Forcett property ‘Green Hills’. Five generations of the family farmed this property and is still owned by a sixth generation descendant.
