Lakewood couple share their discoveries via drone photos of the Camden Haven

To distract themselves from their previous habit, Glyn said he and Wendy would reward themselves with a new toy every month they stayed off the smokes. They got into drones and metal detectors which now see them out and about discovering new perspectives and treasures in the Camden Haven and beyond.

Glyn started sending his photos to the Camden Haven Courier to share with the community. His bird’s-eye-view of the construction of Stingray Creek Bridge as well as natural wonders have been printed and drawn much attention. His discovery of a wreck in Googleys inlet, pictured in the photo left, was fascinating.

“I spoke to some local fishermen and they didn’t know what it was,” Glyn said after he discovered the ship-shape in October last year.

The photo was shared on the Courier’s Facebook page and visitors commented on what they knew of the wreck. Almost 15,000 people saw the post, 65 people shared the image on their own pages and around 40 comments were left.

The Camden Haven Historical Society confirmed what a few of the Facebook historians said – the wreck is a 100-year-old barge used in the construction of the stone wall along the river in Dunbogan.

Head to Glyn and Wendy’s YouTube channel – Pommy Down Under – to see more of their drone photos, videos and metal detecting adventures.

Wendy, who is in charge of keeping an eye on the drone when it’s airborne, said having a camera over an area they’re about to explore with their metal detectors is a bonus.

“The drone does like a ‘reccie’ of the site and you see the lay of the land and the most likely areas to discover things,” she said.

For the Jones, metal detecting isn’t about finding their fortune.

“French’s island [situated in Googleys lagoon where six cottages once were] is a great place. We’ve discovered many historical items,” Glyn said.

“We have found evidence of the buildings, World War 2 belt buckles, buttons, a musket ball which we donated to the Laurieton museum along with other odd things. We are history buffs and love finding these kind of things. I mean I could take the metal detector along the beach and find $20, but we are more interested in finding interesting artifacts.

“For us using the drone and metal detectors is about getting outside and getting fit.

“We set up the YouTube channel because the photos and videos are things you don’t normally see. It was fascinating to us so we thought it would be fascinating to others too and it was good to be able to share with our friends back home.”

“Back home” is, as the Pommy Down Under title suggests, is Devon, England.

Many of Glyn’s childhood holidays were spent in Australia. His grandparents lived in Penrith and Glyn’s parents were hoping to move to Australia, but it never happened mainly due to other family circumstances in England.

“I’ve always had the motivation to move here,” Glyn said.

He successfully ran two businesses in Devon, married his best friend Wendy and they had a son.

“We finally took the risk, sold up and came on April 2 2006,” Glyn said.

Wendy, despite never visiting Australia before, was by Glyn’s side in the decision to take the gamble and move to the other side of the world.

“Well, I wouldn’t be without him. We’ve been together for 27 years,” she said.

The family moved to Penrith. Glyn’s aunt and uncle had land in Dunbogan and holidayed regularly in the Camden Haven.

“Six years ago my parents followed us out here,” Glyn said.

“We came up [to the Camden Haven] on holiday and it reminded me of home in Devon, being on the coast and having that community feel. I was working in Penrith roofing at the time and hated it. We bought a milk run in the Camden Haven and moved. That was the best decision.

“It’s a decent lifestyle, working on the milk run. Maybe not as financially rewarding but it means we have a work/play balance. We get plenty of time to play with the drone and metal detectors.”