Historical Australian Towns: Kempsey, NSW: On the Macleay River

Kempsey, NSW, is located in the Macleay Valley, between Nambucca Heads and Port Macquarie.

The Djangadi (various spellings) Aboriginal People

The traditional lands of the Djangadi people encompass the Macleay Valley and the surrounding high country of the Great Dividing Range.

Aboriginal people of the Macleay region would eat the heart of the cabbage palm, a tuber known as tow wack, and fern roots, a large sort of yam or sweet potato obtained from a small creeper.

Fish and shellfish from the estuaries and from the beaches were eaten, as was pigface and other edible plants, that grew on the sand dunes. And of course, animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, snakes and lizards, as well as, worms, grubs and birds were used for food.

Dunghutti people tell the story of how the Rainbow Serpent created the gorge at Apsley Falls in the Dreamtime. The rainbow serpent is the rainbow itself which can inhibit the sky and waterholes and springs, where light can refract.

Evidence of Aboriginal occupation can be found in rock art (painting and engravings), stone artefacts/tools, raised earth rings, grinding grooves and middens.

Aboriginal shield making NSW North Coast, Land (Sydney, NSW : 1911 - 1954),

1800s

John Oxley explored the Macleay River in 1818.

Between 1830 and 1850, there is said to be incidents of violence involving Aboriginal people and settlers.

1830s

Journal and proceedings Vol. 7 Part. 4 (1921)

The first land grants were on the east bank of the Macleay in 1835. Samuel Onions' original grant of 802 acres was sold to Enoch William Rudder, a merchant from Birmingham who became Kempsey’s first European settler. He surveyed the land for a private town which he named Kempsey.

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954),

In 1835, the Dunghutti people lived on 40 hectares of land on the Bellwood Reserve, near present day Kempsey.

1840s

Journal and proceedings Vol. 10 Part. 3 (1924)

In 1841, Clement Hodgkinson explored the upper reaches of the Macleay Valley. He said,
"On the immediate banks of the Macleay River alone six distinct tribes besides several others near the sources of the river among the mountains. Each of them contain on an average from eighty to a hundred men and women, exclusive of children, but the whole body of the tribe never united on the same spot, unless on some important occasion they were more generally divided into small parties, Man, women and children often detached companies roamed over any part of the country within the prescribed limits of the main tribe to which they belong"

Postal services were established in 1843 in East Kempsey, and in 1859 in West Kempsey.

1850s

The All Saints Anglican Church, Kempsey, began about 1857, with the appointment of a the Rev F R Kemp as rector.

1870s

Journal and proceedings Vol. 7 Part. 4 (1921)

Kempsey was at first a centre for logging and sawmilling.

1880s

The Board for the Protection of Aborigines gazetted the Kinchela Aboriginal Reserve on 23 April 1883. Kinchela (originally known as Arakoon) was gazetted as a village in 1885 or 1886. Kinchela Boys Home was 16 mi (26 km) from Kempsey on 32 acres (13 ha) of land alongside the Macleay River. The former Kinchela Aboriginal Boys' Training Home now belongs to the Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council. (The aim was conversion to Christianity, ‘civilisation’ and assimilation, ultimately operating under the authority of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines)

Certain areas such as Pelican Island and the two Fattorini Islands in the Macleay River near Kempsey were reserved specifically for Aboriginal people. Some Aboriginal people planted corn. (in 1924, these people had to mover to Kinchela Creek Station)

1890s

Anna Billy (King Billy) was 100 years old when this was taken. Charlie Warne took his name from Major Warne, the first settler at Warneton - Kempsey area, NSW, out of copyright, 1890

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Saturday 25 April 1896

Kempsey Band, 1897, Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952),

John Brysons Federal Store built in 1889. Corner of Smith and Forth Streets, Kempsey, NSW

KEMPSEY - A PROSPEROUS NORTHERN RIVER TOWN, Superior Public School, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 23 December 1899

View of Belgrave and Smith Streets, Central Kempsey, on New England-road, near Kempsey. Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 23 December 1899

Kempsey Business Directory, 1899, Here

1900s

Burnt Bridge Church and Mission House on the day of the official opening, 27th May, 1903.

Belgrave Street, Kempsey, N.S.W. - 1910s, Kaye

A view of West Kempsey, North Coast District, N.S.W. No date, Special Collections, no date

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Friday 15 August 1913

WWI

Girls with collecting boxes for World War I soldiers relief - Kempsey, NSW, by Angus McNeil, c. 1914-1918, SLNSW

Smith Street, Kempsey, N.S.W. - very early 1900s, Kaye

Frank Archibald enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Kempsey in May 1940, at the age of 25.
He was assigned to the 2/2nd Infantry Battalion reinforcements, 16th Brigade, 6th Division. His younger brother, Ronald, and his uncle, Richard, enlisted around the same time.
Archibald arrived in Palestine in September 1940. The 2/2nd Battalion advanced from Egypt into eastern Libya in January, and February 1941, took part in the Bardia and Tobruk battles. AWM

The World War 1 recruitment march of volunteers from the north coast of NSW, who became known as the “North Coasters”, at Kempsey, NSW. Land (Sydney, NSW : 1911 - 1954), Friday 25 February 1916

A Kempsey Mother and Her Three Soldier Sons.—MRS. C. DORMAN. P'TE. L. R. DORMAN. TB. R L. DORMAN .PTE. C. .A. DORMAN, Sydney Mail (NSW :
1912 - 1938), Wednesday 2 August 1916

Gathering outside McKune's Tattersall's Hotel in Kempsey, N.S.W. - circa 1916, Kaye

The first train to arrive at Kempsey, 1917, NSW, Dated: 27/11/1917, PD, Museums of History

The Kempsey Branch of the War Chest comprises a band of women who, take the greatest interest and pleasure , In working for the soldiers who have gone to the front. The funds of the War Ghest are -geting low; but it is expected / that a big sum of money will be contributed by the. people of -New. South; Wales to the appeal. on War Chest Day to be held on Friday. November 29. Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 27 November 1918

1920s

View of Kempsey, N.S.W. - circa 1920s, Kaye

Flood in Forth Street, Kempsey, N.S.W. - possibly 1920, Kaye

Chaddies General Store, built 1900, Kempsey, NSW, has connection with auto Tom Keneally, no date

Macleay River railway bridge (1920) was built in 1917. Kaye

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), Saturday 30 June 1923

James Linwood used the Dhanggati language, in 1925, at Kempsey Showgrounds to address a meeting of the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association, to protest the actions of the Aborigines Protection Board.

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Friday 9 October 1925

IN MINIATURE ABORIGINES' WEAPONS GIFT FOR PRINCE Early In the year one of the full-blooded aborigines at Kempsey made a full set in miniature of native weapons which wore forwarded to Princess Mary as a present to the eldest son, the "grandson of King George," as the Aboriginals call him
The gift was unique, and was sent through the firm of- Anthony Hordern and Sons with a fervent protestation of loyalty and goodwill to the Royal Family and the young Prince in particular. Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Monday 13 September 1926

MEMBERS OF THE RECENTLY-FORMED KEMPSEY BUSINESS GIRLS' HOCKEY CLUB. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 9 October 1929

1930s

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Friday 6 February 1931,

Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), Wednesday 26 February 1930

FIFTY years ago Kempsey held its first agricultural show, a few months after a public meeting of representatives of the town and district had formed an agricultural, horticultural, and industrial society. Mr. F. G. Panton was elected the first president, and the initial show proved so successful that it paved the way to the securing of a grant of 18 acres from the Government. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 29 April 1931

West Kempsey Football Team, NSW, Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), Wednesday 11 July 1934

Anzac Day, Kempsey, NSW, Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), Wednesday 29 April 1936

Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 23 December 1936

KEMPSEY CENTENARY, NSW, Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), Wednesday 11 November 1936,

Macleay Dairy Co.'s Float. 2. Miss D. Prior. 1 Miss T. Hollander. 4. Kempsey-Crescent Head Surf Club Float. 5. Mr. J. H. O'Brehoun and Mr. F. Betcr. 6. Miss Gwen Sheridan.. Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), Wednesday 11 November 1936,

MACLEAY CENTENARY PICTURES. Aboriginals. Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), Wednesday 11 November 1936

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Friday 4 June 1937

Kinchela Aboriginal school boys singing at the Kempsey Show, NSW, Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), Wednesday 4 May 1938

Smith Street, Kempsey (NSW) Dated: pre 1950, State Records, NSW, PD

1940s and WWII

SISTER LORNA GUTHRIE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Guthrie, of Kempsey, wearing her new uniform of grey tailored suit and grey felt hat. She is going abroad with the 2nd A.I.F., and yesterday her sisters, Misses Gladys and C. Guthrie, came from Kempsey to bid her farewell. Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Tuesday 9 January 1940

Kempsey Pilot Bombs Nazis FLYING-OFFICER RAY JOHNSON, R.A.A.F., of Kempsey, who took part in bombing raids on Nurem-burg, Munich, Stuttgart, Es-sen and St. Nazaire. Fellow members of the Kempsey-Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club and the staff of the Macleay River Co-op. Dairying Company Ltd., where he worked before his enlistment, are follow-ing his successes with enthusiasm. Daily Mirror (Sydney, NSW : 1941 - 1955), Saturday 8 May 1943

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Friday 19 March 1943

Boys of Aboriginal descent, Erich Davis, 11, and his nephew, Mervyn Wright, A, of Kempsey. Resuscitation lessons Erich had at school enabled him to save Mervyn s life when the boy fell into a quarry and became wedged under a ledge : below the water-line. Erich noticed his companion was missing after they had been playing by the quarry, then saw hubbies rising in the water. He rescued liim and Mervyn is now in hospital where he is recovering.Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Sunday 20 October 1946

Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Saturday 22 June 1946

Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), Friday 12 September 1947, Read here

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Tuesday 29 July 1947

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Tuesday 25 November 1947 (During World War II food and clothing were rationed in Australia from May 1942, to reduce spending so that people could put more money into war loans, to limit shortages and to ensure an equitable distribution of resources. Food rationing did not end until 1950)

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Tuesday 30 November 1948

Kempsey High School, NSW. GIRLS SHINE ON T HE SPORTS GROUNDMacleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Tuesday 30 November 1948

Floods rip through Kempsey, NSW, Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Tuesday 30 August 1949

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Tuesday 30 August 1949

Flooded Kempsey, NSW, Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Monday 29 August 1949,

1950s

The June 1950, caused damage to the town.

Kempsey had five theaters, including the Victoria Theatre and the Rendezvous.

DEPUTY-MATRON AND MATRON RELAX. Photograph of Matron Isabel McKey (right) and Deputy-Matron, Alice Hope, of the Macleay District Hospital, relaxing now after flood tension, in Matron's comfortable lounge. Both are glad of a little respite ; although flood casualties were not on such a large scale as in August last, there were enough of them, and the hospital staff maintained full emergency conditions. Matron McKey .and Deputy-Matron Hope are two of Kempsey's most popular ladies, and deservedly g0, ;Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Tuesday 25 July 1950

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Monday 16 August 1954

1960s

In February 1965, The Freedom Ride arrived at Kempsey Swimming Pool.

Freedom riders at Bowraville left to right, Gerry Mason, Hat Healy, Unkown woman, Charlie Perkins , unkown man, Bob Gallagher, Ann Curthoys, unkown man, Norm MacKay, Alan Outhred, unkown man, Colin Bradford, Louise Higham, 24 Feb 1965 / The Tribune. No known copy right

Nils Holmer, a Swedish linguist, recorded and analysed some of the Dhanggati or Djangadi language in 1969.

Extensive flood levee systems, including concrete, were built in the late 1960s to mid-1970s to protect the CBD.

The Band Box Theatre in West Kempsey was established in 1959-1960.

1970s

Akubra established its factory in 1974, becoming a major employer in the region.

Pacific Hwy Kempsey NSW, 1970s. Photo from Murray Views.

Postcard of Kempsey, NSW, 1970s

Kempsey NSW 1967 Showing Woolworths, CBA Bank, Fosseys, BP, Esso, Shell and Goodyear . Transport NSW

Hector Thompson, who was born in Kempsey (24 June 1949 – 20 May 2020) was an Australian professional boxer who competed in four different weight divisions—lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight—during the 1970s and 80s. He was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.

Around Kempsey

Chaddies General Store, built 1900, Kempsey, NSW, has connection with auto Tom Keneally

Kempsey Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at Belgrave Street, Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet, and was built by Gabriel and McMorrine, with additions in 1903-04 built by Hocking Brothers

All Saints Anglican Church, Kempsey, NSW. The foundation stone of the present church on 11/10/1883, it was not until 29/7/1913, with the erection of the spire, that the present building was completed and opened, by the Right Rev. H E Cooper, Bishop of Grafton.

The Catholic church at West Kempsey, on the Macleay River, north of Port Macquarie, was built by J.G. Taylor of Sydney in 1922

St Andrew's Presbyterian Church and Hall is a heritage-listed former Presbyterian Church and church hall, located at 67 Smith Street, Kempsey, NSW, was built from 1890.