Eden Timeline
A Glance At Eden's Rich History TimeLine
From the early habitation of the Tharwa people of the Yuin Nation, through European settlement up to today, Eden’s affinity with the ocean is deep. Whales, whaling and fishing have played a large part in the development of the town. The Greenseas fish cannery was a major industry for 40 years in Eden.
Killer whales have been key players in the history of whaling starting with the Tharwa, 6,000 years ago, and ending with the Davidson whaling family. The Orcas are now returning to Eden and are part of the whale watching attractions. Eden, in Twofold Bay, was designated a town in 1843 by Sir George Gipps, Governor of the colony of New South Wales, Australia. George Gipps was Private Secretary to George Eden, Earl of Auckland, Governor-General of India from 1836 to 1842 and he had been First Lord of the Admiralty.
Timeline
1923
March: At the invitation of the South Coast Development League a Parliamentary tour of the Eden Monaro district was undertaken the main objective was to see the possibilities of the development of the district especially the Leagues proposal for a hydroelectricity scheme for the Snowy River.
1926
Jan: BIG FIRE AT EDEN
A fire that occurred at Eden on Sunday morning destroyed a block of wooden buildings in the main street, including Howitt’s billiard saloon, Taylor’s agency office, W. Robertson’s office, and the town band room.
Howitt escaped by jumping unclad through a bedroom window. Re-entering the building to save his money, he secured a roll of notes but found his exit blocked by flames. He chopped his way out through another room.
Northern Star (Lismore, NSW: 1876 – 1954) 13 Jan 1926
24 Oct: George Davidson’s son, Jack along with two of his children drowned while crossing the bar at Kiah Inlet.
10 Dec: South Coast towns & district suffer terrible loss in bushfires: Many women and children were taken to the beach where they remained until the fire danger abated. The business section of Eden narrowly escaped being burned down. The balcony of the Bank of NSW and a massive chimney stack of the Great Southern Hotel destroyed, but although it became ignited several times the wharf was not seriously damaged.
At Kiah Dorron’s Store and contents, the Roman Catholic Church and Kiah House the Davidson’s homestead were all destroyed.
Near Eden the homes of Messrs. Nicolson and Boller destroyed.
Saltwater Creek (3miles from Eden): Piesley’s homestead & Legge’s sawmill destroyed.
Nullica: Mr. Harvey’s house destroyed.
1930
On the 17th September 1930 the body of Old Tom the last of the Killer Whales that worked in association with the Davidson family, floated into Twofold Bay.
Old Tom’s death bought and end to whaling in Twofold Bay.
Two Eden stores will be equipped with electric light.
The Magnet November 1, 1930
Traveling picture show comes to Eden showing the first talkie movie to be seen in Eden.
1932
“Eden, on Twofold Bay, has had a narrow escape. Fires have swept across the heavily timbered country. They are particularly bad at Towamba, a small settlement 20 miles from Eden.
The fires advanced dangerously close to Eden. The town was enveloped in dense smoke. Business was suspended, and headed by the police the townspeople went out in a body to burn breaks. They cut numerous breaks, and burnt counter fires. Their efforts saved the town.”
Report from the “Barrier Miner” 23 Jan 1932
1933
Widespread flooding on the South Coast with Eden recording the highest rainfall, 18 inches between Jan 23-26. Telephone & telegraph lines went down, wash aways and landslides completely blocked the Prince’s Highway between Eden and the Victorian border, bridges over Saltwater and Palestine Creeks washed away.
Fish Industries Ltd. a company formed in Sydney with the object of establishing at Twofold Bay a base for fishing, fish products, and whaling, commenced preliminary operations under the direction of Mr. G. T. Russel.
An area of about seven acres with harbor frontage, at Quarantine Bay, secured for the building of a factory, wharf, and boats and Imlay Shire Council approval of plans obtained…
The Sydney Morning Herald, 2 Oct
Dec 13: Fish Industries Ltd. Incorporated.
1934
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the 25th January that bush fires were raging on the far South Coast near Eden and had destroyed a portion of the State pine forest at Broadwater.
1935
Fish Industries Ltd., is bankrupted and WG Hancock sentenced to two years in prison.
WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED – Shire Relief Conditions
(excerpt) On and from Monday, March 4th, it was stated, all men employed on emergency relief work throughout the state would be paid at the rate of 1/8½ an hour, an increase of approximately 2 pence an hour, while margins for skill will continue to be paid as heretofore. (Approximately, 15 shillings per day for a common unskilled laborer – about £4 per week. Author) All male applications must have the following qualifications to establish eligibility for employment; (a) Aged 21 years or over, (b) Unemployed: unemployed for at least two weeks prior to application and registered at the State Labour Exchange seven days or over, (c) Domicile: enrolled on a state electoral roll, N.S.W. division for 12 months, and be a resident of the locality of work for three months or over.
TRACK TRAVELLERS
Unless track travelers can comply with the above qualifications, it was stated, they will not be eligible for employment under the scheme, as it is not desirable that this state should provide relief works to attract workers from other states. It is to be definitely understood that the employment of men on relief works must be subservient to the needs of local industries and national works undertaken by the government as relief works are only being undertaken until the unemployed can be re-engaged in their rightful industries and that when other employment becomes available, relief works must be released for such employment by the council.
The Magnet March 16, 1935
1936
Mr. R.B. Whiter and his two sons bought and began to restore Boyd’s ‘Seahorse Inn’.
Eden’s ‘Log Cabin’ constructed by John Logan and donated to the Girl Guides. The opening ceremony took place on 29th Feb.
1942
28th March: 4 US Army pilots of the 8th Squadron, 49th Fighter Group were lost in this area in bad weather. Lt AE “Doc” Fielder made a landing on Aslings Beach. Lt Chester Namola landed near Berridale. Lt Neal T Takala crashed near Mt Imlay and Lt John J Musial near Narrabarba. Both were killed.
22 July: “William Dawes” torpedoed by Japanese submarine 1-11 east of Tathra. 5 seamen were killed and 58 rescued by “The Lass”.
1945
Eden Fishermen’s Co-operative registered.