FROM our nation’s first people to the movers and shakers of today, a new historical interactive display on the history of Fingal Bay has been launched at Fingal Cellar Cafe.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

The display is the brainchild of local community identity John ‘Stinker’ Clarke and Stephen Keating from Port Stephens Images who worked together to create a world-first interactive glass splashback featuring a series of videos on the history of Fingal Bay.

There are six splashback panels in total with five different stories covering the history of Fingal from the original owners, through to the lighthouse keepers, fishermen and modern-day Fingal Bay.

The panels feature a montage of images from historical records through to contemporary images that give a menagerie of Fingal Bay through the eyes of John ‘Stinker’ Clarke.

“We’ve constructed a timeline on the history of Fingal Bay which has been an exciting thing to be a part of,” said Mr Clarke.

“It follows the Aboriginal people all the way through to modern-day Fingal Bay.

“There’s a great collection of black and white photos and beautiful coloured photos with the ability to watch the videos on your smartphone from the panels and splashback!”

Stephen Keating, who designed and installed the panels, said each video contains narratives by Mr Clarke describing the stories on each panel.

“Each panel has a QR code which allows visitors to use their mobile phone to link to a short narrative video by Stinker covering the topic related to the splashback pictures,” said Mr Keating.

“There are five stories in total and punters can go back to different parts of the splashback to watch different videos on each visit!”

It’s believed that Mr Clarke will be on hand taking in a few refreshments most afternoons at the premises if Port locals want the full story of the historical panels.

By Mitch LEES