BYRON BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORY OF WATEGOS February

BYRON BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORY OF WATEGOS February 2016

Wategos • Murray (Mick) Watego born 7 September 1895 son of Loyalty Island father and English mother • Brother George born 1891 • Both worked in sugar cane industry in Tweed area • Brothers enlisted in WWI together on 26 April 1916 but assigned to different battalions fighting on Western Front • Private Murray Watego (No 2173) of 41 st Australian Infantry Battalion suffered “shell shock” (now known as post traumatic stress disorder) in 1917. • Private George Watego (No 5934) of 26 th Australian Infantry Battalion suffered head wound in October 1917 • Unbeknown to one another (until aboard ship) both returned to Australia on the Balmoral Castle in February 1918.

Wategos • Murray married Mary Jane and together had 10 children, moved to Byron Bay area in 1930’s ? • Leased six acre block (No 131) in 1933 one of three up for lease at Little Beach (initially 10 year lease) and in 1936 was granted a “Permissive Occupancy” lease over much larger area adjacent to lighthouse block. • Built house and established market garden and banana plantation, sold vegetables and fruit locally and for export to Sydney. • Murray was a prominent member of Byron Bay RSL an accomplished singer, and respected member of community • Murray died July 1953, buried Byron Bay cemetery • Leases were renewed several times but expired in 1960, family departed leases in late 1959 • Little Beach became known as Watego’s Beach and ultimately “Wategos”

Wategos Map showing lease blocks 129, 130, 131 (Wategos’s) at Little Beach. 281 is lighthouse block - NSW Govt.

Wategos View showing bananas, vegetable garden and dwellings at Wategos. EJW photo - RTRL

Wategos Watego’s Beach 1958 showing Wategos dwelling and lease areas (cleared). Image NSW Govt

Wategos • Cape Byron to Belongil Creek and to Tallow Creek made a Reserve in 1861 prior to release of land for free selection and settlement. • Reserved for future township, infrastructure, environmental protection • Little Beach included in that reserve so unavailable for settlement • Lighthouse Reserve made in 18 xx • Three six acre blocks made available for 10 year leases in 1933 • Original leasees were Cyril Halpin (Block 129), Bernard Higgins (Block 130) and Murray Watego (131) • Blocks use for market gardening, banana growing and dwellings erected. • All leases expired in 1960, leasees moved off in 1959.

Wategos • In 1961 Council surveyed and gazetted 25 acre area at Wategos’ Beach • Included former leased blocks 129, 130, 131 • Approximately 86 allotments available for auction on 25 November 1961 • Average reserve price about $700 • Bids successful for only a few blocks. • Required a further six auctions before all sold last in May 1973 • Much higher prices reached in later auctions-January 1970, ave $2320 • Many non locals bought blocks in auctions from 1970. • It took more than 25 years from first auction before most of blocks built on • Now one of Australia’s iconic (and high-value) beach side locations.

Wategos Watego’s Beach 1961 subdivision plan with all original owners names. NSW Govt Image

Wategos Watego’s Beach 1966 showing subdivision and first few dwellings. NSW Govt Image

Wategos Watego’s Beach 1987 showing still significant number of blocks not yet built on. NSW Govt Image

Wategos 2016 showing current final layout and regeneration of bush. Google 2016 Image

Wategos END

Wategos Murray Watego EJW Photo - RTRL