Latest content from Chris Murray

Blast From the Past Special – 50th Anniversary of the Lord Howe Airstrip (Part 2).

The plan to build a Lord Howe Island airstrip had at least a 20-year timeline. Whilst articles about the strip occasionally appeared in the mainland press, no one followed the story more closely than the owner/editor of the Island Signal, Jim Whistler. Jim loved the flying boats but he knew they would eventually be superseded by land-based aircraft.

The Loss of Qantas Catalina VH-EAX at Lord Howe Island – Sabotage or Misadventure?

Growing up on Lord Howe during the halcyon days of the flying boats, the Lord Howe waterfront seemed like a sea of tranquillity: cheerful crowds congregated at the jetty to greet and farewell passengers; flower leis were romantically cast into the lagoon by departing passengers; Hawaiian music was piped in the vicinity of the jetty; and it all happened against the backdrop of Lord Howe’s opalescent lagoon and towering southern mountains… surely the picture-perfect setting?

This special edition of “Sparks from the Past” – is written in appreciation of Jim Whistler, founder of The Signal.

Some of the earliest communal events in Island life were the ship days, where Islanders would gather at or near the landings to collect freight, mail, meet or farewell friends, family or guests – but let’s not forget, to also meet up with each other! Once flying boats started to operate (1947-74), their arrival and departure also created a vital economic and social hub.

As early as May 1788, only months after the Island’s discovery by Henry Lidgbird Ball, the very first written observations about Lord Howe’s marine life were penned by Arthur Bowes Smyth...

Sparks From the Past – Community Commons - Island Entertainment and Get Togethers Post World War II…