PORT GERMEIN HISTORY

'Golden Star', whose family came to the district in 1877, traces Port Germein's History (slightly adapted) below:

"I have a souvenir booklet of Port Germein and district, compiled by Mr. Roy Parkes, for Port Germein centenary in 1936, and it states that the road through the gorge was begun in 1880. It is certainly a beautiful drive through the gorge, and is claimed to be one of the beauty spots of Australia.

The Port Germein jetty is remarkable for its length, and much has been written about it. In the early days the goods used to be brought from Port Pirie in a 15-ton cutter and placed on a landing stage east of where the jetty now stands, and they were conveyed in at low water. Flat bottomed barges came in as far as the tide permitted, and when the tide receded the wheat could be carted to them to take to ships at the anchorage. Another landing was at Telowie, and the remains are still to be seen north of Mt. Ferguson, known as Bartlett's Jetty. The residents held a meeting to decide on the building of a proper jetty, and in 1880 the work was begun.

Mrs. Sargent drove the first pile. Mr. J. Wishart was the contractor, and on July 17, 1881, the jetty was opened for traffic. Dredging had to be employed at the sides of the jetty to make it possible for big ships to berth, and New Year's Day, 1924, saw the world's largest windjammer enter the bay. It was the Københaven, since lost at sea. Port Germein is frequented more since the improvements to the beach in 1926, and until petrol rationing came it was a common sight on a holiday to see cars three or four rows deep right along the foreshore. We who were born and reared here love our little town and the memories it brings back.

In 1881 the first school was opened, with Mr. M. O'Connell the first schoolmaster. The school was on the old site across the bridge on the gorge road but later a stone building was erected in the town and the wooden structure removed to Bangor, where it still stands. In the early days bricks were made in the district. Mr. Stephen Golding was the principal brick maker, and turned out an excellent sample, and for many years he carried out a serviceable trade. Farmers bringing wheat through the gorge would often take back a wagon load of bricks. Some of the bricks were used in the construction of Point Lowly lighthouse in 1883, while all the bricks for the outside of the first smelters' stack at Port Pirie were made at Baroota and transported to Port Pirie by bullock wagons.

Postal facilities were established at Port Germein about October, 1879, when Dowdy and Laffen, storekeepers, were placed in charge, but the next year the present post office was given official status, when Mr. J. Clarke was the first official postmaster The small town boasted two two storied hotels, these being built in 1878. What is now known as Pier Flats was the Pier Hotel, facing the beach, and owned by Mr. Sam Miller. Brown's Hotel was in the main street, and owned by Mr Burton.

In 1901 the new National Bank was built-an imposing looking stone building with dwelling attached, situated in Main street. The institute, which is at the northern end of the town, was so placed as to be central when the town was complete, but so far this is not fulfilled. The foundation stone was laid by Mr. Joseph Orchard in October, 1892.

Soon after the township was settled, the Church of England began services in a small iron storeroom, and the Rev. Cowan was credited to be the first minister. In April, 1885. the present church was opened by Dr Kenyon, Bishop of Adelaide. The Methodists gathered for worship in a small paling hut, or at times in private houses. In November 1881, the Methodist Church was built, and the Rev. G. J. Samson was the minister. The manse was built in 1894, and a large kindergarten hall in 1926.

After the Great War a fine monument was erected for those who responded to the Empire's call in its hour of need. A marble statue of a soldier on a marble pedestal, with a granite basement, was unveiled by Mr. G. F. Jenkins, MP. on July 8. 1922. This is some of the past history of our quiet little seaport, but 1937 saw the railway line completed and Port Germein linked up to the other States, also a graded road which passes through the town ship is the main track through for Western Australia from the eastern States."

Best wishes from 'GOLDEN STAR.'
Chronicle, Thursday 28 December 1944, page 32

DAMAGE THROUGH FLOODS. On Thursday morning Messrs. Ward and Copley, M.P.'s, presented a memorial to the Commissioner of Public Works from residents of Port Germein respecting heavy damage done to the crossing between the township and Post-Office by recent floods, and asked that the crossing might be repaired. The Commissioner promised to get a report on the matter.
Evening Journal, Thursday 9 October 1884, page 2

RECENT NEWS ABOUT PORT GERMEIN

PORT GERMEIN LINKS

PHOTOS: Above: Jetty repaired, August 2017; A ChatGPT generated image of me as a ship's captain at Pt Germein in 1895. The shape and hands and hair are mine but the face is quite different. It's a great background but not correct for Pt Germein. A bit of fun; Making the Red Post Shop Cafe from their Facebook page; Floods of 1884 probably taken by Photographer Mr. David Stacey; Book cover by me; figurehead of sailing ship Pommern taken in Mariehamn, Finland by me. Below: Our dog Tammy on the beach c. 1962; A. Paetke, builder in Port Germein; Repairs to jetty 2017 by Ruth Akizuki.