 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 For 31 years, from 1968 until 1999, I leased Cottage 2 at Barranjoey lighthouse, Palm Beach, NSW, Australia. It was an assistant keeper's cottage and had no electricity nor running water. When I took over the lease it was a vandalised ruin, and over many years I restored it to a comfortable 1800s era home, full of warmth and character.My Montreal born wife Bridget and I were married there in 1974. We were the unofficial caretakers of the lightstation and the headland. In 1992 I published the first definitive history of that lighthouse, Tales From Barranjoey, written on a Macintosh powerbook 100 and powered via a solar panel. 3,000 copies were printed and the few remaining copies are collector's items, as the book is now out of print. Forced to vacate to Queensland when the management of all Australian lightstations (now all automatic and without any keepers or other protective human presence) was transferred from Commonwealth control (Australian Maritime Safety Authority or AMSA) to State control, which in our case meant the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of NSW. However, I am still an advisor to NPWS on all matters historical and environmental pertaining to Barranjoey headland. Before leaving, Bridget and I were awarded the first ever issued Pittwater Medal (modelled on the Australia Medal) by Pittwater Council for all our years of volunteer, historical and environmental work for the benefit of Barranjoey, Palm Beach and the Northern Beaches in general. With decades of accumulated research, I decided to complete a quartet of books about Barranjoey lighthouse, and now the second book, The Red Light of Palm Beach, is being published. It details the lives of many of the lighthouse keepers who manned Barranjoey from 1881 until 1932, when it became automated. Jervis Sparks |
||
All
information and images are © Copyright
Jervis Sparks 2005 |
