Who would have thought the quiet Humphrey’s Road, Kincumber South, had an interesting history? Yet, beneath its tranquil facade lies tales of bygone eras. Now, as the modern world rushes by, the road remains a silent sentinel, guarding its enigmatic past from those who pass by unknowingly.

In the early days, Empire Bay was the place to come for a summer holiday. The Gosford Times in the 1920’s regularly reported the busy summer intake of holiday makers. The school enrolment lifted and the holiday cottages filled. It is not surprising that one of the first items on the agenda of the recently formed Progress Assn (1923), was the building of public baths.

16 Shelly Beach Road is one of the early homes built in Empire Bay.

The property was part of the 152 acre subdivision created by the property developer Arthur Richard in 1905. Arthur Richard advertised in the local and Sydney newspapers, promoting the area as “Sorrento Estate” being “pristine waterfront blocks, nice sandy beaches, farm blocks with rich virgin soil for fishing, weekend pleasure parties, boat and boarding house proprietors, fruit growers, bee and poultry farmers.”

Ken Bergin has a lifetime association with Bensville and Empire Bay. “It was an interesting way of life in the early days of the area,” recalls Ken.

Ken’s ancestors are from three of the early settler families including the Beattie’s, the Davis’s and the Settree’s. He is a descendent of Ben Davis (Bensville named after) and still lives on the ‘Alawa’ property near Palmers Lane which has been in the family for over a 120 years.

Bensville was named after pioneer settler Benjamin Davis, who owned 1000 acres of this area, using its rich source of timber for his ship building yard near the current Bensville Wharf. Parts of the area were used for orchards and dairy farming. Timber was also milled and freighted to Sydney by ship until the Newcastle to Gosford Railway line was completed in 1889.

Early morning walkers along the Empire Bay waterfront would have seen David Forsdyke as he completes his walking routine with a sit and chat at the boat ramp. But who would have known of David’s 50 years’ service in the Merchant Navy, until recently when the quietly spoken David shared some of his experiences.

Allan Ferguson celebrates 50 years service with the RFS. Back in the early 1970’s a young oyster farmer, then living in Killcare, walked into the local Bush Fire Brigade station (Killcare) to sign up. 15 years later, Fergs moves to Empire Bay, and transfers his membership to the Empire Bay RFS. Fergs has been, and continues to be, a valuable member of the RFS often passing his 50 years experiences on to the young guns.

With the growing Empire Bay community in the 1920’s, there was an increasing need for the residents to improve the village life, and to have a united representation to Erina Council to improve the wharfs, roads, drainage and recreational facilities in the village.

Our early pioneers blazed the way for the new settlers, who arrived on the Central Coast in the early 1900s, when land was sub-divided into small farm holdings. These settlers brought with them new names, skills and experiences. The Adams family name, one of the new settlers, live on through their descendants and adds to the rich history of Empire Bay.

The longtime locals will tell you of the days in the 1990’s and the early 2000’s when the corner shop would close and school kids would gather along Empire Bay waterfront to see the latest super yacht, from Warren Yacht’s Kincumber shipyard, cruise down the channel to it’s new home beyond Broken Bay.

The SS Maitland set off from Sydney 125 years ago bound for Newcastle with at least 70 passengers and crew on board. The weather was worsening but the captain, RJ Skinner, anticipated no problems. He knew the vessel well and was a veteran of many hundreds of similar voyages. The paddle steamer never made it. As it past Sydney Heads it was hit by the worst gale in 20 years and the crew and passengers began to fear for their lives.

A paradise of “nice sandy beaches, virgin rich soils ….. ideal for fishing, weekend pleasure parties, holiday making, fruit growers and poultry farmers… An ideal health and pleasure resort.” That was the advertising in the Sydney papers in 1905 for the Sorrento Estate (later to be renamed Empire Bay), a subdivision on the edges of Cockle Creek, created by that flamboyant developer, Arthur Rickard.

Fifty years ago, one the most significant changes of Empire Bay and Bensville residents was about to enter their life. The Rip Bridge.

Today, as you walk along the waterfront, near the marina, it is hard to identify which house was the Empire Bay General Store. Yet, the shape of the building has remained, and you will be surprised when you discover that part of our local history.

In 1946, Empire Bay Honour Roll Committee received approval by the Erina Shire Council to erect a Memorial and Honour Roll on the reserve near
the Empire Bay wharf.

In the waters near Empire Bay, over 20 years ago, four oyster farmers changed the face of the Australian pearl industry, by successfully cultivating Akoya pearls. The Australian cultured pearl industry is predominantly located in WA and NT, but the local oyster farmers put the Central Coast on the industry map.

In 1879 there were 50 children of school-age living within Cockle Creek, as the Empire Bay area was then known, but very few of these children had ever been to school.

There are few of the long-time Empire Bay residents who could tell you the story of the cyclone that hit the Bay in August, 36 years ago.

Empire Bay Public School Centenary 1881-1981