The last event organised by the Camden Haven Historical Society was in April. As the tour proved to be popular, another event was organised to be on Saturday, June 16. 

Two local members, Harold Hunt and Mike Dodkin, took the group via the Laurieton Public School, established in 1877. 

One of the tour attendees had been to the school in the late 1940s.  

“Part of sharing her memories was remembering when author Kylie Tennant was living in the Headmaster’s Cottage, located in the school grounds,” Mr Dodkin said. 

“Kylie was married to the then headmaster, Charles Rod.

“They spent 11 years at the school, where Kylie helped with the sewing and singing lessons.”

Mr Dodkin said the group also learnt about Captain Cook’s naming of the Three Brother Mountains in 1770 when he sailed past the area.

“Explorer John Oxley journeyed on foot through the Camden Haven in 1818 (bi-centennial this year in October) on route from Port Macquarie to Sydney.

“It was then that he named the inlet to our town the Camden Haven after Lord Camden.”

The tour ended in the hall of the now third School of Arts building (1911).

Founding member of the Historical Society Joyce Ormsby detailed the the events around the history of the buildings.

This included the unplanned visit to Laurieton by American actor/comedian Bob Hope in 1944 and stories of the ghost that still lingers in the shadows.