Living in the tiny village of Fingal Bay for over 40 years I have witnessed great change. From a fisherman’s hideaway connected to the town of Nelson Bay by a sandy track, Fingal has grown into a community with all the issues that come with development.

 

My greatest interest since settling here has been the history that surrounds the area, in particular the lighthouse and the keepers residence which were established in the 1860s.

 

This book focuses on the light keepers, their families and their experiences from the 1860s up until 1973 when the light became automatic. The book concludes in 1991 when a tragedy occurred. Ship wrecks, pioneering fishermen and lobster trappers and the emergence of a township also feature in what will be my final book on local history.