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Cockle Creek Public School 1895-6
Family
Family
Empire Bay and surrounds has a rich history of settlement. Some local families can trace their family history back to these early days and from destinations such as the Pitcairn Islands and Norfolk Island. A number of these families had ancestors whose names can be found on the Empire Bay WW2 Cenotaph.
Empire Bay and surrounds has a rich history of settlement. Some local families can trace their family history back to these early days and from destinations such as the Pitcairn Islands and Norfolk Island. A number of these families had ancestors whose names can be found on the Empire Bay WW2 Cenotaph.
Celebrating Wattle Day 1936, Empire Bay Public School.
Yr 2 celebrating Wattle Day, September 4th 2020. Old weather shed, Empire Bay Public School.
School
School
Empire Bay's name has changed over the years from Cockle Creek to Davis Town to Empire Bay.
1881 - The first official school was called Cockle Creek Public School and it had an enrolment of 42 students.
During the nineteenth century the school suffered many hardships. White ants affected the timber and there were outbreaks of diptheria, whooping cough and scarlet fever.
1902 - The name of the school changed to Davis Town because it was the name of the local post office. Then again in
1910 - The school was renamed Empire Bay as the Empire Bay post office was only 3/4 of a mile from the school and on the western side of Cockle Creek. During this time the school was surrounded by bush on three sides and the creek that crossed part of the grounds was said to have snakes.
1940 - Mr Arthur (Leo) Jones was Teacher-in-Charge Leo was responsible for the school during the years of WW2. Many recollections have been noted from ex-students which attended the school during 1939-1945, such as raising money for the war effort and digging an air raid shelter in the gully. At this time the school was one room with approx 25-30 students and the same teacher for the 6 years. Leo lived on the school grounds and kept chooks, ducks and turkeys, as well as a couple of cows . It as noted that it was a special privilege to milk the cows or churn the butter.
1971 - Leo retires.
1977 - The enrolment was 105.
1980 - The enrolment reached 221.
1981 - School centenary and a purpose built library is constructed of brick with audio visual facilities.
1986 - Haley's comet time capsule to be opened in 2001(Library)
2006 - 125th school anniversary
2009 - 2010 - Upgrade of permanent classroom buildings, government program (BER)
2017 - Principal - Simone Champion.
2018-19 - Library refurbishment.
2020 - The school has an enrolment of 470 with 20 classes.
2025 - Time capsule to be opened (front garden near azaleas)
Old sketch of Empire Bay (screenshot of image)
Township
Township
The Land
1905 - Arthur Rickard, a Sydney land developer, purchased the 152 acres (now Empire Bay) from the Noble family. The land was subdivided into 55 waterfront residential sites and 15 larger orchard or poultry blocks and placed on the market.
The new development was called ‘Sorrento Estate’ after the town, Sorrento, in Italy, which for centuries has been a well-known health resort. It was promoted as one of the “healthiest spots in Australia and an ideal health and pleasure resort”.
His advertisements urged families to purchase blocks of land and promoted the wonderful, healthy lifestyle suitable for flower culture, fishing, bee farms, boating, orchards, shooting and poultry farms.
1912 - All the blocks were sold.
The naming of Empire Bay
1905 - Sorrento Estate
1908 - Sorrento Progress Association requested a Post Office. They said, “The population had increased greatly since the sale of the estate. There are 28 families within 1 mile of the jetty…the adult population is 75 and includes store keepers, boarding housekeepers, boat proprietors, fern gathers (20 persons employed) and boat builders…it is estimated that the 28 families post 85 letters weekly”.
1908-1909 - Empire Bay was chosen as the new name for the Post Office as there was already a "Sorrento" in Victoria.
1910 - C Swinburne became Postmaster and moved the office to his general store. "Sorrento House" has since been cut in halves to form two dwellings.
2019 - The Post Office at Empire Bay closed.
Adapted from information written by Robert Thompson for the Empire Bay Progress Association.
Cenotaph Post 1945 with Empire Bay General Store in background
Empire Bay WW2 Cenotaph, August 2020.
Cenotaph
Cenotaph
History of Empire Bay Cenotaph
1946: The Empire Bay Honour Roll Committee asked the Council to erect a Memorial and Honour Roll on the reserve near the wharf. Council gave approval. The cost was twenty pounds and the committee paid half.
1947: On Saturday, 15th December the Memorial was unveiled in front of dignitaries and the community.
2003: The Progress Association established a committee because of concerns about the condition of the Memorial. The community was asked for ideas and design plans drawn up.
2003-2004: A $4,000 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs was approved.
2004: By Anzac Day 2004, the new engraved plinth (top section of the Honour Roll) was in place .The base was reinforced and the lettering at the base of the Honour Roll re-painted. Two sandstone blocks were placed at each side with plaques commemorating the fallen from the two World Wars, the Korean, Malaysian, and Vietnam conflicts and soldiers acting as peacekeepers in many parts of the world. The lawn was removed and a garden planted. The area was paved and brick edgings placed around both sides of the garden.
2005: Plaques were placed honouring Gosford City Council for their assistance and Empire Bay Public School for rosemary plantings. On Anzac Day rosemary sprigs were picked from the garden.
2010: Ettalong sub-branch of the RSL helped with the purchase and installation of a metal flagpole. A commemoration box was also installed at the base of the flagpole to display the names of deceased persons, and the flag lowered to half-mast.
2015: Rosemary plants were replaced, garden soil rejuvenated and stonework restored.
2016: Thanks to the Woy Woy – Ettalong RSL, Hardy’s Bay RSL and local stonemason, a sandstone block was placed on the western side with a plaque to honour the fallen in the Iraq, Timor and Afghanistan conflicts.
2020: Empire Bay Progress Association received a grant from Veteran's Affairs to upgrade the plinth and the names inscribed on the Cenotaph restored. The garden has been given some 'love' and new rosemary is being planted too
Adapted from information written by Robert Thompson for the Empire Bay Progress Association.
M V Erina II during launching celebration at Empire Bay, August 1934
Empire Bay Marina, is a heritage timber boatshed 2 years from its centenary. There is currently a campaign to save it. Photo taken September 2020.
Marina
Marina
Transport Heritage Australia
Transport Heritage Australia has two boats moored near the marina at Empire Bay. They are members of the class of vessel known as "AWB" for Australian Work Boat. The AWB422, is in original format and represents what the AWB's looked like when built.
1942 - The Hydra is WW2 vintage, she was built by General Motors Holden in Melbourne. The Hydra is a sister ship and was converted in the 1960's by Melbourne Ports, for use as a pilot boat/lines boat and general purpose tug/harbour launch.
1939- 1945 - Around 400 of these boats were built , with many being sold into private enterprise and converted for various tasks, after the war.
The boats were used for all sorts of different purposes. From pushing barges, to ferrying workers around, delivering stores to ships, carrying munitions, crew training, diving boat, a fleet of them even sailed up to Papa New Guinea and into the south Pacific! They were basically the light truck of the water ways.
Erina II
pre 1934 - Mr Arthur Davis and his three sons, built the Erina ll (80 tons) . It was constructed solely of timbers hewn from the bush near Empire Bay. The building took a year, and was done entirely by hand using axes, adzes and hammers. The shipyard being near 28 Sorrento Road. The Erina ll was fitted with diesel motors.
1934 - The Erina ll was launched. It slid 12 feet then rested firmly in the mud!! It was a few days later, with a rising tide and ropes attached to pines trees at Davistown, the Erina ll was finally pulled free and floated safely into Cockle Creek. The twin pines are still there today.
Ship building was an important industry in Brisbane Water, especially at Davistown, Kincumber, Daley’s Point and Bensville. However, of the 500 ships built in Brisbane Water, only 2 were built at Empire Bay. The Betsey (1831) and the Erina ll (1934).
1942 - Erina II was at war in PNG, covered in war paint, 50mm calibre machine guns mounted on the bow and stern, transporting commandoes, food and ammunition to the northern beaches of PNG.
post 1945 - Erina ll, with many bullets holes, returned to civilian service. Her final years were served transporting cargo and passengers between Brisbane and PNG.
1954 - She ran aground near Madang (northern PNG), and within a few days broke up and disappeared from sight.
Adapted from information written by Robert Thompson for the Empire Bay Progress Association.
2020 - The boat shed which is built on crown land is being resumed by the Department of Planning and Environment. The marina, slipway and wharfs represent the last remaining examples of what is a huge part of the Central Coast's past, with the waterside suburbs of Brisbane Waters relying heavily on the boat building and operational industries that were once integral to the area.
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