Lighthouses of Australia Inc

 Over the past 18 months I've had the pleasure of seeing my son take an interest in lighthouse heritage. This has also raised a dilemma. As we travel around on our lighthouse trips, how do I answer the question "Dad why did they knock those building down?"... "Dad, why didn't they keep that beautiful lens in that lighthouse?" How do I explain to him that we care so little for our heritage. Our generation will be held to account for what we lose. Will my son have to say to his son ... "Well in your grandad's time, they didn't feel it was worth the money to save them"

This is the reality we all face, as lighthouse enthusiasts; the future care and ongoing maintenance of our precious few and ageing towers

Great news just in is the decision by Peter Garrett MP to stop the development at Nobbys Head in Newcastle. "On balance, I believe this particular development proposal would significantly damage the heritage values of this Newcastle icon and the oldest surviving lighthouse in New South Wales." He has not ruled out any future development but has stated that the heritage value of the lighthouse must be maintained

In other news, several towers have had recent renovations, and the first tower to be opened to the public in Tasmania is not far off. In the USA the community is leading the way in preservation matters. The Morris Island tower work, as detailed in the last Bulletin, is continuing, and in the past few weeks the Cape St George lighthouse, which fell into the sea, has been rebuilt, brick by brick. In France things don't seem to be as good. The additional obstacles and cost in maintaining wave-washed lighthouses is a threat to many, with one authority conceding that unless more is done now, many will simply fall into the sea. Be sure to watch the video at the bottom of that page.

Those of you that are members would have received their first Prism with a full-colour cover. This is a great step forward. We invite you all to become members and not only help in the preservation and promotion of lighthouses, but receive the Colour Prism every 3 months.  Join Now 

Garry Searle

Just In
	Nobbys Development Stopped - Media Release 19 May 2008 Peter Garrett has informed the applicants for a proposed development next to the historic Nobbys Lighthouse in Newcastle of his decision not to allow the particular project because of the impacts it would have on the heritage values of the lighthouse.

News
	Special Macquarie Lighthouse Opening for LoA Members The Macquarie Lighthouse on Sydney's South Head has undergone restoration works over the past year. Before it's official re-opening to the public, Lyndon O'Grady from AMSA kindly invited LoA members to a pre-opening inspection and report on the works done. AMSA have done a tremendous job with this lighthouse 'icon'.
	International Lighthouse Weekend - August 16/17 2008 The seventh International Lighthouse Weekend intends to raise the profile of lighthouses, lightvessels and other navigational aids, promoting our maritime heritage. Many lighthouses and places of associated interest will be open to the public, and there will be special events at lighthouses and lightvessels throughout the world. Many hundred radio operators throughout the world will be set up at lighthouse bases, communicating with each other. Other Lighthouses will open specially for this weekend.
	Table Cape Lighthouse Tasmania Receives Budget Funding Just prior to the last federal ejection ALP candidate and former MHR Sid Sidebottom announced that if a Labor Government was elected a grant of $185,000 would be made to the Waratah-Wynyard Council. Given Sid's election and that of the Rudd Government we can look forward to guided public access to this historic lighthouse opened in 1888. Great news as this will be the first tower opened to the general public in Tasmania.
	Maatsuyker Island To Feature In A Major Feature Film It's 1927. Meredith, 33 and unmarried, arrives at a remote lighthouse island with her uncle, the new head keeper. Bad weather and misadventure leave her marooned with only the sullen and withdrawn assistant keeper Fleet for companionship. A tender, faltering courtship ensues...
	Good News for Lighthouse Renovations In addition to Macquarie Lighthouse, several other towers are receiving some much needed work. Hopefully this shows promise for the future. AMSA, local councils and federal government are all involved.

Prism Features

All the stories below appear inside the latest issue of the Prism      Some are also available here and if so, you can click the links to the stories.  Macquarie Lighthouse - Australia's First - Denise Shultz Norah Head Lighthouse Restoration - David Prior South Solitary Documentary Released on DVD  Lighthouse Families - Part 3  The Carters of Queensland - Bill Carter Erosion Undermines Bribie Lighthouse - Alan Lander - Sunshine Coast Daily Sea Hill Lighthouse on the Move - Graham Reynolds The Keeper - New Play by Chrissie Shaw       The Prism is published and distributed to LoA members,         in printed format, 4 times a year.

Announcements
	Deal Island 2009 Calendar  Support the great ongoing work of Friends of Tasman Island and Friends of Deal Island.
	CLS 93rd Anniversary - 2008 Reunion  You and your family are invited to the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service's 93rd Anniversary Dinner. Queensland Maritime Museum - 28 June 2008
	Job Vacancy For An Enthusiast - Trinity House Lighthouse Service UK Senior Civil Design Engineer ... generous benefits, we are seeking a highly motivated Civil Design engineer to deliver capital projects for our historic estate of 69 lighthouses. ...

Books
	Light of Their Lives - Stuart Buchanan  Well known author Stuart Buchanan has written another book, detailing his fight to restore the Bustard Head Lightstation. Read an excerpt of the book including photos.

International News
	Cape St George - Another Restoration Achievement  The Gulf of Mexico is a harsh environment for lighthouses. Cape St George Lighthouse has withstood many hurricanes over the years. In 2005 it lost the battle, but now it is once again to rise over the gulf.
	Frances Crumbling Lighthouses  The lighthouses of France are without doubt some of the most beautiful, grand, even opulent, yet some of the most difficult to build. With so many of the towers on wave-washed rocks, and non essential maintenance no longer considered necessary, the future holds doubt for their continued existance.

Lighthousing
	QLD lighthouse offers holiday with a difference - The West Australian Newspaper If you’re looking for seclusion for your holiday party or corporate group, how about a lighthouse?  Cape Capricorn Lighthouse on Curtis Island near Gladstone, in Central Queensland, has two cottages available for up to 12 people.

Around the Net

150th Commemoration of the Wreck of the Admella  On August 6 1859 the SS Admella hit a reef off Carpenter Rocks in South Australia. 89 people died over the next week as heavy seas and storms thwarted rescue attempts. Ben Germein, Lighthouse keeper at nearby Cape Northumberland assisted in the rescue. It was not until 1882 that Carpenter Rocks was marked by Cape Banks Lighthouse. This site has been established to communicate events in 2009 and to assist trace descendants on those involved.

Letters

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