Monthly Archives: December 2014

Robinson Bros and the Seaplane

Posted on by under Robinson Bros

 

Robinson Bros on the Seaplane at Lady Barron wharf.

 

Cousins swimming off the Seaplane at Badger Corner.

The Seaplane

 

The Seaplane

 

 

 

Robinson Bros replaced the old and weary Coogee around the 1930’s with the smaller Seaplane.

The Seaplane was built by Tom Davey around 1910-20 (? son of Richard ‘Dick’ Davey) at the Bluff, she was 23 feet long and 9 feet wide and originally built with a centre board which had been removed prior to Robinson Bros purchasing her. 
Robinson Bros used the Seaplane for about 40 years carting all and sundry, including bales of wool and sheep back and forth to BDog, LDog and Woody. There are many stories of lucky escapes in both the Coogee and Seaplane. I remember climbing aboard the Seaplane from the rock landing  (built by the Robinson’s just off the road in front of the homestead) where we loaded/unloaded at high tide. Eventually the Seaplane was pensioned off and replaced with the faster speed boats. The Seaplane moved to a permanent mooring at the Bluff after Robinson Bros sold her and was the only casualty of the last big fire on FI in 2002 – burnt beyond repair. Those in the family who remembered her, saddened to hear of her fate. These photos are from Wally’s and daughter Dorothy’s family album

Who are we??

Posted on by under James & Emily Robinson

This photo was first seen in Walter and Doris’ album early October. What a surprise to see in the first album at the Bowman history room several weeks later – again no names.

The background suggests possibly one of the outer islands. A home on the edge of a rookery perhaps? Beautifully dressed. A hard life in a hard era, these women – to be admired.

Another stunning old photo without names. Possibly the taller guy on the (L) is Alf Briant with wife Clara in the middle (white dress) similar to the few photo's I have seen of Clara. I wonder if Great Grandmother Adeline next to Alf her brother in law.

 

Walter and Doris Robinson’s photo album!

Posted on by under James & Emily Robinson

Early October I was lucky enough to look through Walter and Doris Robinson’s family album to share in the hope of being able to identify. Always an opportunity to reminisce for the older Robinson/Holt’s. Discovering the older photos adds a few more pieces to our photographic history, however most were without names. Most of photo’s were easy for Dorothy’s children to work out, leaving a handful  without names.

The following photos: no idea of who the child is.

These last few photo’s remain a complete mystery –  so we wait and see if they too may be solved in a way similar to Dulcie Parkinson.