DURING the early years of the Second World War, when there was a large Army presence in the Nelson Bay area, US army engineers constructed a sealed road, which was to form part of the Nelson Bay Road.
In the 1940s wartime era there was an army camp for Australian troops (Far North Coast 2/2nd Battalion) in the sandhills, close to where the olive farm is today.
The focus of training was taking the beach in landing craft from offshore ships.
Bobs Farm played a surprisingly significant part for a community so small.
The hall was used as a battalion store for the 41st Army Battalion whose camp was located in the vicinity.
The use of the hall was necessary as the Army had issued a recall of store tents.
The hall was vacated by the Army on 4 March 1942.
Because of its proximity to the Williamtown Air Base, Port Stephens was considered a prime target for an invading army. The larger boats in the Port like the “Coweambah” and the trawler “Dawn” were commandeered for the war effort.
The small boats and launches in Tilligerry Creek were thought to be an asset to the invaders to transport Japanese troops and supplies across to the northern side of the creek. Arrangements were put in place to prevent this happening and directives were given to oyster growers and fishermen – every launch, punt and rowboat was to be kept in one designated place when not in use, especially at night.
Every craft was given an individual number painted in big white letters.
In the event of an invasion, one person was nominated to go down the creek and smash a hole in the bottom of every boat.
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
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