OUR HISTORY
The Batemans Bay Heritage Museum is run by volunteers as well as one part time staff member, all of whom look forward to meeting you!
The Museum began as a group of local residents who came together to preserve the history of the region. On July 25, 1977 they formed The Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society.
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The Historical Society rented space in a series of locations around Batemans Bay, including in the former Perry's Sawmill on Beach Road.
In 1985 a permanent home was found, when the Society was given the former Batemans Bay Court House and Police Station, built in 1905 and heritage listed. Shortly thereafter the Society received a second donation in the form of the one-room school house from Nelligen. The two buildings were moved to the Museum's current location, and roofed as one.​​​​​
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Over the past four decades, the Museum has grown into a local cultural institution with a shop for pre-loved books, regular events, workshops and talks and new exhibitions every few months.
OUR REGION
Batemans Bay was known as Yangary to the traditional custodians, the Walbunja people of the Yuin nation. It is situated on the shores of an estuary formed where Bhundoo, or the Clyde River in English, meets the southern Pacific Ocean.
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The Walbunja cared for their Country for tens of thousands of years, living in close connection to the river and the many significant sites that surround it.
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Batemans Bay was given its English name by James Cook when he travelled the far South Coast in 1770. His choice of name for the location honoured one of his naval colleagues, Nathaniel Bateman.
The town’s heritage of timber products has passed, but oyster harvesting is a long standing tradition that remains strong (try our Clyde Oysters). Now Eco-tourism valuing our pristine waters and coastline is part of the town’s changing identity.
OUR FUNDING
We are a non-for-profit organisation which is funded through grants, fundraisers and donations.
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Charitable Status:
The Society is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC): ABN 24 004 213 040
Direct Bank Deposit:
Account Name: Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society Inc. - Friends of the Museum
Bank: NAB
BSB: 082 432 Account Number: 157861001
Please advise us when you donate so a receipt can be issued.
Paypal:
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Acknowledging with thanks our Government Agency & Community Partners
