It was a day of celebration and acknowledgement for the members of our community that made Australia a safer place to live along the coast, and others who are still hard at it volunteering their time and putting personal safety at risk for others who need rescue at sea.
Thirty of us met at Pilot Hill in Harrington for morning tea and to pay tribute to Joseph Bradley (1809-1875), the son of first fleeter James Bradley.
Joseph’s father, James Bradley was a convict who came in the first fleet on Scarborough the ship in 1788.
We gave thanks to Joseph at his grave, for succeeding through hardship to become a captain of several ships that were whalers and south sea traders. He met his wife to be Elizabeth Downes on one of his trips to San Francisco.
They lived in Two Fold Bay, Mudgee and later Joseph moved to the Manning to become second pilot in 1862 of the Manning River Pilot Station.
Joseph and Elizabeth had 11 children, but in 1872 he had a bad accident and was hit on the head by a flying object.
Three years later he died of ‘cancer to the brain’.
From Pilot Hill we ventured down to the Crowdy, Harrington Marine Rescue centre for an informative tour in both the complex and it’s working hub and training centre by deputy unit commander Kevin Nicholl.
Special thanks to Kevin for all his knowledge, it made us grateful that we have these facilities along the coast to keep us safe, and the people who volunteer to put their lives on the line in sea rescues.
We also shared the day with Alison Quint, who’s late husband, Ron Quint manned the marine rescue radio for 24/7 for 26 years.
Boy, what dedication. Ron was awarded OAM for services to the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol on Australia Day 1993.
We rounded of the day with a delicious lunch at the Harrington Hotel with a wonderful view over the Manning River, and a few celebration drinks for Australia Day and the people who make it safe and a great country to live in.
