Fishermen’s Huts 1870s

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History

The far left hut in photo above was built by Jack Tennant and joint owned by Walter Gors who worked for Warringah Council 1926 to 1968 and was Shire Clerk during the 1950s. It was later sold to a Fred Hynes.

In the centre hut lived a lady who grew typical colonial plants – carpet roses, geraniums and cactus (Agave americana) which can be still found growing in the area. This may – be “The Cat Lady” referred to in history books.

Phil O’Martin owned another hut which is not shown in photo.

“The Big Hut” as it was known (on the right) still exists today. It is know known as the Fishermen’s Hut and the Fishing club is one of the oldest in Sydney. It was built in the early 1870s. The first known tenants from the 1920’s onwards were:
Jack Broadhurst
A German sailor called Paul, his mates Clarrie Hill and later Ben.
A man named Harry looked after the hut while Paul was interned in the 1940s

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Left: 1930s photo: Jack Tennant and Walter Gors outside their hut. Right: 1997 cactus plants, Fishermans Beach

All the fishermen’s huts except “The Big Hut” were removed in the 1950’s. The Cactus plants Agave americana planted by the Cat Lady in the 1920’s inspired eight locals in 1997 to form Reefcare. They joined Warringah Council’s Friends of the Bush to remove these noxious Cactus, carpet rose, Japanese honey suckle plants, geraniums, garden pea and other remnant non-native plants.

NOTE: Photo and information provided by the President Long Reef Fishermen Frank Dawe & John McDougall, Reefcare member and grandson of Mr Gors.

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