Tomago/Tomakin/Sunpatch
The village of Tomago grew up at the mouth of the Tomakin River to serve Jennings and Pickering's Mill and its two small ships. Curtis and Kelsie opened a second mill, and small ships were built nearby. In 1879 a larger vessel, a schooner, was launched. One of the mills was called The Pioneer Mill.
Because of confusion with a town of the same name near Newcastle, Tomago became Tomakin in 1880. There were stores, a school which moved to Mogo in the early 1900s, and a Sunday school. There was a small cemetery at Gravehead, now known as Melville Point lookout.
The port suffered a blow in 1883 when the schooner Bell fully loaded with sawn timber was lost just off Tomakin.
The first timber boom was brief and collapsed between 1885 and 1887 allegedly because of American imports allowed under the government's free trade policy. Things improved in the late 1890s with a growing demand for railway sleepers, but they were usually fashioned with axes and adzes rather than being milled.
In the early 1900s wattlebark (see wattlebark in the A to Z page) was harvested, sometimes it was chopped and bagged for export and at other times the extracted tannin alone was sent away. Some cheese factories were set up.
In the 1930s The area was a known fishing, surfing and swimming spot, with a camping area on a reserve. Water and firewood were available, but stores were sourced from Mogo. There was another camping area at Burrewarra Point, 3 kilometres away.
Because of confusion with a town of the same name near Newcastle, Tomago became Tomakin in 1880. There were stores, a school which moved to Mogo in the early 1900s, and a Sunday school. There was a small cemetery at Gravehead, now known as Melville Point lookout.
The port suffered a blow in 1883 when the schooner Bell fully loaded with sawn timber was lost just off Tomakin.
The first timber boom was brief and collapsed between 1885 and 1887 allegedly because of American imports allowed under the government's free trade policy. Things improved in the late 1890s with a growing demand for railway sleepers, but they were usually fashioned with axes and adzes rather than being milled.
In the early 1900s wattlebark (see wattlebark in the A to Z page) was harvested, sometimes it was chopped and bagged for export and at other times the extracted tannin alone was sent away. Some cheese factories were set up.
In the 1930s The area was a known fishing, surfing and swimming spot, with a camping area on a reserve. Water and firewood were available, but stores were sourced from Mogo. There was another camping area at Burrewarra Point, 3 kilometres away.
On Thursday 25 January 1962 an
advertisement in The Canberra Times advised people "For the
week-end get the Colour Brochure with plan of 'SUNPATCH'. It's easy
to find your way around, and perhaps choose some land at your leisure
from, this distinctly marked Plan of 'Sunpatch'. Finance arranged, City Estate &
Business Brokers, Phone 44785, Room 9, Bunda Building. City. After hours J2943."
Then five weeks later people were told: "SUN-PATCH, South Coast! £225, 70ft. beach side lot; direct access wonderful beaches. Only £10 dep. Bowden & Schadel. J6670, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon" claimed The Canberra Times on Friday 2 March 1962
Then five weeks later people were told: "SUN-PATCH, South Coast! £225, 70ft. beach side lot; direct access wonderful beaches. Only £10 dep. Bowden & Schadel. J6670, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon" claimed The Canberra Times on Friday 2 March 1962
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Then on Monday 23 April 1962 "EASTER - MAKE EASTER '62 MEMORABLE SEE SUNPATCH BEACH ESTATE SEE SUNPATCH BEACH ESTATE SEE SUMPATCH BEACH ESTATE This is the difference - 3 better beaches (one safety designed for children), a real river! Direct beach access. Cleared grassy lots (440 Monterey pines to be planted by June). Fly at your leisure there and back!! Fully capture the magnificent beauty of our Coast beauty spot from the air!! See why Sun Patch consistently out sells all others!! U2242 TILL NOON U2242 TILL NOON U2242 TILL NOON U2242 TILL NOON Make your free flight to-day!! Returning at 2.00 PM. See for yourself why Sun Patch appeals. Investment prices. Relaxation — Holiday Happiness - Sensible Prices From £10 DEPOSIT £10 DEPOSIT £1O DEPOSIT INTEREST FREE TERMS INTEREST FREE TERMS BOWDEN & SCHADEL It was at this time that there was a short landing strip, on "The Rabbit Flat" (which is now Reflections) for the plane loads of potential buyers. |
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On Saturday 23 May 1964 we learned: "PROGRESS REPORT. 38 Holiday Homes (an increase of 12 since Easter) are under construction at Sun Patch Beach and Heights Estate. See for yourself this Holiday Land this weekend. Turn left off Princes Highway at Mogo between Bateman's Bay and Moruya. BOWDEN AND SCHADEL 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon J6670 Plans J6670.
ANY FISH FOR DINNER? WHY NOT INDEED! Last weekend catches were salmon off the beaches, flat head on the river, morwong in the deep sea. Take the first steps to own your own hideaway. 67 ft. Hts. Lot. Only £335; I £35 Dep. 6% reducible. BOWDEN & SCHADEL."
Then on Saturday 30 September 1967 "Follow the Sun to Sunpatch this weekend (electricity now available) 50ft beachside lot, stroll, 3 beaches and river, $755 only $75 dep and 5 year terms. Plans, photos, details Bowden and Schadel, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Phone 46670. Shop open every day. This long weekend turn left at Mogo, 7 miles past Moruya [This might be a bit confusing].
Follow the Sun to Sunpatch this weekend (electricity now available 55ft lot heights. Same stroll, 3 beaches and river, $895 dep 5 year terms. Plans, photos, details, Bowden and Schadel, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Phone 46670. Shop open every day.
Follow the Sun to Sun patch this weekend (electricity now available) 50ft beachside lot, stroll 3 beaches and river $755 only $75 dep and 5 year terms. Plans, photos, details Bowden and Schadel, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Phone 46670. Shop open every day. This long weekend turn left at Mogo, 7 miles past Moruya.
SUN PATCH REPORT (READ CAREFULLY): Electricity now throughout subdivision. Also Stephens shop every day. Sun Patch success due to location between river and 3 beaches. This weekend see 50ft beachside lot $795 terms 5 years. Turn left off highway at Mogo, 7 miles south of Batemans Bay. Bowden & Schadel 8 Lonsdale Street Braddon. Ph 46670.
ANY FISH FOR DINNER? WHY NOT INDEED! Last weekend catches were salmon off the beaches, flat head on the river, morwong in the deep sea. Take the first steps to own your own hideaway. 67 ft. Hts. Lot. Only £335; I £35 Dep. 6% reducible. BOWDEN & SCHADEL."
Then on Saturday 30 September 1967 "Follow the Sun to Sunpatch this weekend (electricity now available) 50ft beachside lot, stroll, 3 beaches and river, $755 only $75 dep and 5 year terms. Plans, photos, details Bowden and Schadel, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Phone 46670. Shop open every day. This long weekend turn left at Mogo, 7 miles past Moruya [This might be a bit confusing].
Follow the Sun to Sunpatch this weekend (electricity now available 55ft lot heights. Same stroll, 3 beaches and river, $895 dep 5 year terms. Plans, photos, details, Bowden and Schadel, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Phone 46670. Shop open every day.
Follow the Sun to Sun patch this weekend (electricity now available) 50ft beachside lot, stroll 3 beaches and river $755 only $75 dep and 5 year terms. Plans, photos, details Bowden and Schadel, 8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Phone 46670. Shop open every day. This long weekend turn left at Mogo, 7 miles past Moruya.
SUN PATCH REPORT (READ CAREFULLY): Electricity now throughout subdivision. Also Stephens shop every day. Sun Patch success due to location between river and 3 beaches. This weekend see 50ft beachside lot $795 terms 5 years. Turn left off highway at Mogo, 7 miles south of Batemans Bay. Bowden & Schadel 8 Lonsdale Street Braddon. Ph 46670.
So there it was. Meant to be one of Canberra's eastern suburbs, with streets named after the actual Canberra suburbs. We think that it was in the late 1970s that the name reverted to Tomakin. It's a bit sad that the aggressive marketing campaign included removing all trace of the Gravehead Cemetery that was on Melville Point, where the lookout is now.
