Shipwrecked Newcastle Documentary Screening and Filmmaker Q&A

About the film

Newcastle Harbour has always been a “working harbour” but after Europeans “discovered” coal in 1791 things escalated quickly. With increased shipping traffic came the shipwrecks. Poor souls that came to their end trying to unsuccessfully navigate the narrow and shallow harbour entrance. Newcastle’s coastline and inner harbour is littered with hundreds of wrecks, sometimes stacked four high and every one has a fabulous. It’s time to tell those stories.

The images of Newcastle’s shipwrecks are iconic and names like the Cawarra (1866), Susan Gilmour (1884), Berbice (1888) Adolphe (1904), Sygna (1974) and Pasha Bulker (2007) are deeply ingrained in our folklore and identity. This is a perfect opportunity to collaborate with Newcastle Library who are in possession of thousands of images from The Maritime Museum which will bring to life the stories of tragedy and heroism. We are also collaborating with local divers who can provide footage of some of the wreckage still visible on the sea bottom along our shoreline.

Glenn Dormand and the filmmakers from Stories of our Town will join to discuss and answer questions about their research and the making of the film.

Presented by History Illuminated

Gold coin donation upon entry

There are few people in Australia better qualified to produce a documentary about Our Town ‘Newcastle’ than journalist, presenter and filmmaker Glenn Dormand, aka ‘Chit Chat von Loopin Stab’ from legendary Australian rock group MGF, and ex-Foxtel producer Tony Whittaker.

Stories of Our Town – the history of Newcastle told by those who lived it

This event may be photographed and filmed and your image could be used in advertising and promotion by Lake Macquarie City Council. Should you wish to not be photographed or filmed please advise event organisers on entry at the event.