Corindi Beach, pronounced Cor-in-"dye" although Cor-in-"dee" is sometimes used, historically also known as Pipeclay Beach until a name change in 1954,[2][3] Corinda until a forced change to be provided postal service to avoid confusion[4] or by Red Bank[5] as Corindi River was formerly known, is a beach and small seaside farming town located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The village is situated 33 kilometres (21 mi) north of Coffs Harbour and 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of Grafton. The original village of Corindi is slightly north along the Pacific Highway at Post Office Lane and Casson Close. Corindi means "grey" in local indigenous language referring to the pipeclay on the beach.[6]
At the 2021 census, Corindi Beach had a population of 1,802.[1] It is the site of the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre which provides information on the Gumbayngirr Aboriginal people's history and customs.[7][8] Corindi and surrounds has become a major blueberry producer, with many locals and tourists working during the peak seasons picking fruit.
Notoriety
The 30° south latitude crosses the Australian east coast at Corindi Beach. The line runs just north of the town centre along Red Rock Beach. The 30th parallel is also the northern extent of the Tasman Sea and the Southern extent of the Coral Sea. The town has streets named after each of the adjacent seas as well as the Pacific Ocean.
Corindi has the largest blueberry farm in Australia. Corindi has a long farming history since being settled by Europeans mainly for cattle and dairy but more recently blueberries.
Corindi has a strong Aboriginal culture, celebrated through the Aboriginal local community and the Aboriginal cultural centre.
The headland is the site of a massacre of the Gumbaynggirr indigenous people in the mid 19th century. A memorial has been erected at the base of the headland to commemorate this. The massacre began at Blackadders Creek when mounted police entered the camp. They started shooting and then pursued the survivors to the Corindi River where they continued shooting. Some people were then driven off the headland.
The headland is named Red Rock because the rocks contain the rock jasper, an opaque silica.[9]
The place is known to local Gumbaynggirr people as Blood Rock and many members of the tribe's descendants now avoid the area as a consequence.[10]
Timeline
Gumbaynggir land for at least 30,000 years, possibly 120,000 years, based on recent research.[11]
1840 An out-station of Captain John Pike's[12][a] Glenugie Station.[13] The headland is named Red Rock because the rocks contain the rock jasper, an opaque silica.[14][15]
1863 Corindi Station came to James Devlin after Pike's death.
1879 Corindi Station sold to Samuel Cohen (the first Mayor of Ulmarra).
1880 Land selections by settlers (including first by Casson on 22 July 1880[16][17]).[18]
The Yarrawarra Corporation was established in the 1980s. The corporation created the Aboriginal art gallery and museum on Red Rock Road to share the local traditional history and culture.
Locally significant areas include Red Rock Headland, No Man's Land,[28] The Old Farm,[29] Arrawarra Fish Traps,[30] Old Camp (Pipeclay Lake).[31]
Street Names
McDougall St - Named after Rev. Allan McDougall, of Grafton Presbyterian Church, and daughters who were teachers of the area.
Asparagus Fern is very invasive after escaping from gardens.
Senna (excluding senna acclinis is native) is invasive dominating native vegetation.
Industry
Farming
Dairying was the main farming practice early on in the Corindi area. Oats and lucerne grew well as a crop for feeding the dairy cattle.[33] Sugar cane planted in the 1880s.[34][35] Fruit and corn also had been successfully grown in the 1890s in the "formation of soils superior to Woolgoolga".[36] Bananas grown since the 1930s during the depression when timber slowed down and many moved to dairying.[37]
Timber
Timber was a major industry in the past and some continues now.[38]
Mining
Mining for gold was attempted starting in the late 1800s.[39][40]
Horse racing
The Corindi Reserve was gazetted with a I racecourse in 1909 but was used in the 1880s. Zulu, the race horse, was ridden by Billy Morto,[41] a stockman on the Corindi Station, in a maiden stakes in Grafton in July 1880. Zulu went on to win the 1881 Melbourne Cup at 100-1 odds. John Casson also picked Zulu not being a thoroughbred horse.[42] Zulu Place is named for the local horse racing and stockman history of the area. Brumbies still roam in the wild throughout Barcoongere State Forest just north of Corindi. Jack Thompson,[43] Australian Horse Racing Hall of Famer, would visit his parents in Corindi.[44]
Transport
Corindi Creek Bridge
Location decided for bridge over Redbank River 1886.[4] Bridge location discussion.[45] Bridge underconstruction May 1888.[46] The bridge is completed by Mr Taylor in Sep 1888.[47]
Crossing of Corindi Creek location selection 1899.[48] A preferred location at Cohen's 1899.[49]
1948 Repairs expected on road to Pipeclay in particular the deviation from the old road.[53]
1985 Arrawarra Creek to Tasman St Pacific Highway upgrade
Amenities
Corindi School
There have been 3 locations for the school. One near the old Corindi cemetery, location two near Upper Corindi Road, and the current location near Red Rock Road.
July 1883 arrangements were made for the school
October 1883 tender accepted to build the school
December 1883 building is complete
February 1884 school is being completed
April 1884 School duties commenced with Mr McKay as teacher with 26 pupils enrolled
January 1885 Alex D. McPhee is new teacher
July 1885 George McIver is new teacher
July 1888 Mr Thomas J. Connor is the new teacher at Woolgoolga and Corindi halftime schools
July 1889 Miss Flora McLean starts as teacher at Corindi to allow full-time school
April 1912 Surveyor is to design a cemetery at Corindi[79]
August 1912 Notified on 1910 Parish map.
April 1913 Trustees gazetted for Corindi Cemetery[80]
Corindi Post Office
The original post office was located in Post Office Lane, Corindi. The current location is on Pacific Street, Corindi Beach. Petitioned for mail service in 1881 ignored.[81]
The postmaster-General consents to a post office at Corindi based on a name change from Corinda in 1886.
Tender for mail service request starting Jan 1888.[82][83]
Mr Casson currently delivering mail by horse and contemplating a mail coach.[4]
Tender accepted for carrying mail 1897.[84] Request for a Post Office in Sep 1888[47] and hence tenders called for Corindi Post Office in Oct 1888.[85]
^"COFF'S HARBOUR". Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser (Grafton, NSW : 1859 - 1889). 14 August 1880. p. 2. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
^"FREE SELECTIONS". Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser (Grafton, NSW : 1859 - 1889). 24 July 1880. p. 2. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
^"CORINDI". Nla.gov.au. 30 September 1916. Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via Trove.
^"CORINDA". Nla.gov.au. 8 December 1883. Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via Trove.
