Broadwater, situated on the eastern bank of the Richmond approximately twenty miles from Ballina, derived its name from the wide, shallow delta where the low lying Tuckean Swamp drains into the main river. It served as a staging camp for cedar cutters, and those persons using the river as a means of access to the hinterland.
Work commenced on the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. (CSR) mill in 1879 and the first crop was processed in 1881. It became the largest sugar mill in the southern hemisphere. Broadwater had the unique problems of being a Company town but derived some civic benefits from that Company’s strength. A post office and a Union church, a climate for local business, were all fostered by early Company policy.
Broadwater was a thriving little village in those days, we had four hotels, a Cordial Factory – Balzer, Watch Repairer – Louie Anderson, Brickworks owned by Larsen Bros at Pine Tree Lane. A shoe repairer, Jimmy Elder – a Masonic Hall, Lodge William Halkett 146. Also we had a photographer – Jack Bridgett, two Bakers – Mr Batt and Mr. West, Butcher’s shop, petrol station, slaughter yards, Matthes – the Blacksmith.
At dances we had a small band – Henry Esgate played drums, Dick Tyler – violin and Jack Dixon – piano – he also sang. Bolton’s pictures; we went when Charlie Chaplin was on. Boltons had a red lorry with seats in the back, it would pick up people, take them to the pictures and home again. Each year there would be a Digger’s Ball, Catholic Ball, Anglican Ball. One year we had a Deb Ball and Alice Stibbard (now Mason) was a Deb.
On 8 hour day we had a procession, and a big sports day on the football ground. Empire Day was very important too. Children had “romps” in the Hall – Daphne Brown played the piano, Mrs. Doak taught the girls dancing.
Nearly all the school boys made billy carts, they would play all Saturday and Sunday coming down the hill. They also swam in the river, up at the rocks, the river was clean in those days.
Those beautiful ocean boats came up the river from Sydney, we would hear the pigs squealing going past at night on their way to Ballina. The river boats called at Broadwater at 7.30 a.m. went to Ballina and home again at 4 p.m. Irene Gittoes
