FOLLOWING the outstanding success of its Valerie Taylor exhibition, which attracted more than 4500 visitors to the Tomaree Heritage Precinct, and the recent ANZAC exhibition at the Nelson Bay Visitor Information Centre, the Tomaree Museum Association (TMA) is preparing to launch its third major public exhibition for 2026.
Opening in September, the exhibition will explore the rich maritime history of Port Stephens and Newcastle through the stories of local shipwrecks and the artefacts they left behind.
More than 100 shipwrecks have been recorded along the Port Stephens coastline between Broughton Island and Anna Bay, with many dating back to the 19th century.
Hundreds more vessels were lost further south along the notorious Stockton Beach and Newcastle coast.
Among the best-known local wrecks is the cargo steamer Pappinbarra, which ran aground beneath Point Stephens Lighthouse in 1929.
Less well-known are three coal ships wrecked below Yacaaba Head between 1885 and 1886, leaving tonnes of coal scattered across the seabed.
Shipwrecks have also occurred within Port Stephens itself, including the former Australian World War I warship Psyche, which was wrecked opposite Salamander Bay in 1924.
The TMA already cares for a growing collection of shipwreck artefacts, including a water jug salvaged from the Sea Foam after it was wrecked at Shoal Bay in 1894.
The jug is currently on display in the museum room at the Nelson Bay Inner Light.
To help tell more of these fascinating stories, the association is inviting members of the community to loan or donate shipwreck-related artefacts for the September exhibition.
Items of all kinds will be carefully documented, managed and returned if loaned.
Anyone able to assist is encouraged to contact the Tomaree Museum Association by email at tomareemuseum@gmail.com.
Even those without family artefacts may still stumble across pieces of local maritime history.
After heavy storms, weathered lumps of coal from 19th-century steamships are occasionally washed ashore along Port Stephens beaches.
If you spot a black rock that seems out of place, it could be shipwreck coal, like the piece recently discovered near Morna Point.
The Tomaree Museum Association hopes the community will help uncover more reminders of the region’s remarkable maritime past before the exhibition opens in September.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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