THE OPENING of a railway station at Nambucca Heads in 1923 was a great boost to the local economy.
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It meant fresh produce like bananas, vegetables, flowers and seafood could be sent to Sydney markets overnight. Passengers found travel by train was far more reliable and comfortable than that of sea or road services.
Early plans show the precinct included the station building, a toilet block, a crane, water columns, an ash pit, pump house and a water tank. By 1933 plans show the addition of a fettler's cottage, a stationmaster's residence and a tool shed.
Running through the station area was the Pacific Highway. It led from the town across the railway line through manned gates and then turned north towards Urunga.
The road on the town side of the station is now aptly named Railway Rd and the western side is called Fox's Rd.
The original wooden railway station building was destroyed by fire in 1942.
In 1945 the station was provided with a new brick station building. It included a ladies room and general waiting room, booking office, parcels office and signal box.
Nambucca resident Bev Irvine has first-hand experience of living in the precinct. Her father, Jack Stanford, worked on the 'Border Loop' from Murwillumbah to Brisbane before transferring to Nambucca Heads.
She spoke of her memories of living by the railway:
"My father was transferred to Nambucca Heads as a fettler in August 1946. Land by the station was leased to the railway employees for them to build homes on the site. Whilst he was building the house we lived in tents on the eastern side of the line. Dad was building the house on his own so we lived in the tents for quite a while."
Bev has a wonderful memory and a steady hand evidenced by a map she has drawn of the area. This map is a clear testament to the hub of activity that surrounded the station.
"The station was a very busy place. There were many trains and lots of people travelling," Bev recalled.
"The mail train ran morning and night as well as passenger trains called express trains. There was also a school train which took children to Urunga and Coffs Harbour schools.
"A bus used to meet the trains to transport all the holidaymakers. We lived very close to the railway line but got used to the noise of trains shunting at all times of the day or night."
Bev tells of an accident that left her with headaches for years:
"There was an ash pit between the rails. When the train going north stopped, one of the workers would empty the ashes from under the coal fire into it. When I was 11 I fractured my skull when I fell in to the ash pit."
She also recalled happy memories of living in the railway hub with waterways nearby and about 30 other resident children to share activities with.
"All of the children played cricket behind the station and swam in the creek. My father built a boat for me and we would row to Hyland Park for picnics," Bev said.
"My two brothers worked as gate-boys, opening and closing the gates at night. It was a very pretty station with azalea shrubs and pink and white oleanders alternating right along the fence on the platform."
Bev's residency at the station ended when she married Max Irvine in 1955. She continued to visit her father there often until he sold the house, which still stands today.
Nambucca Heads railway station will celebrate its centenary in 2023. A keen committee has been formed to prepare for this historic event. Recently the committee members and consultant Joan Kelly, museum advisor from Clarence Valley Council, met at the station to reacquaint themselves with the building and the surrounding area's landmarks.
"The centenary will be a wonderful celebration of old Nambucca Heads. The station was a busy hub with access tracks that led to farms and a sawmill," committee member Beverly Gibbs said.
"We hope to open up walking trails and exhibit photos and memorabilia of its glory days."
If any reader would like to participate in the centenary or has memorabilia to share please email the writer at info@nambuccaheadlandmuseum.com.au or you can contact the museum through its Facebook page.