Griffiths Island Lighthouse, Port Fairy Victoria - August 2013

Since 1859, the Griffiths Island Lighthouse has faithfully guided ships into the security of historic Port Fairy located on the Moyne River.  Originally the lighthouse location was Rabbit Island but the lighthouse has never been moved but Islands joined.

What a statement to be made about a building made of blue-stone 11 metres high.  Has 'faithfully guided' would be something you might like on your tombstone not something you expect to be said of a lighthouse.  In saying that you do need to consider the life of a lighthouse keeper and their families.  The last lighthouse keeper manned this lighthouse for 25 years until 1959.  Quarter of a century ensuring the wick was lit and the prisms were in order.  Today the lighthouse is automated with solar energy, wind power and battery bank.  During that time Port Fairy was known to have one of the largest fishing fleets in Australia.  This sleepy little town was once the hub of the fishing industry and was primarily a whaling community, these days the fleets focus on crayfish, shark and abalone.

What are the characteristics of a lighthouse keeper? A 25 year dedication to the role and so much more...
Hugh Haldane was the last lighthouse keeper and although this dedication is something admiral, Hugh is known for something much greater.  Hugh and his two brothers decided to build a boat.  Not just any boat but a boat that changed the tuna industry in Australia for ever.  

The best way to learn about these three amazing brothers is through a a link at the bottom of this page. The Haldane brothers made a boat in Port Fairy over a period of 7 years from Australian hardwoods such as blue gum from the nearby

Otways.  They named this boat the Tacoma and in 1951 this boat made Australian history.  The boat was based on the plans from a ship building company owned by Harvey Pettridge in USA.  These 3 country lads had seen a photo of a deep sea boat made by Western Building company and had saved up $500 pound and sent it to Harvey Pettridge asking if they could buy a copy of the boats plans.  Western Building company replied that they didn't sell their plans to anyone but would send a copy to the brothers for luck.  Seven years later the Haldane brothers introduced the Tacoma to the Australian boating world and this boat is still a functioning fishing boat in Port Lincoln today.

The Haldane brother's had a son each and these boys manage the Tacoma and maintain the history that their fathers built.  It is the thing I love about my quest to photograph every Australian lighthouse.  Each lighthouse is unique and they generally have a bit of folk lore attached.

This lighthouse really appealed to me. At times when we make the trek to photograph a lighthouse I must admit, we can be a little disappointed.  Man has the capacity to make somethings just ugly and lacking character.  But there was no disappointment today when we took the 4 klm hike around the perimeter of Griffiths Island, saw the surfers out on the reef being pulled up onto the waves by jet skis, the island full of wildlife and steeped in history and this small but beautiful light.

The photograph to the right shows the Lighthouse keepers cottage which was demolished in the 1956 due to vandalism.

Ref: Three Men and a Boat - Landline - ABC