CENTENARY WATER GATE

A wonderful example of Henry F Halloran’s legacy to Tanilba Bay

Henry’s legacy to Tanilba Bay

Henry F Halloran bestowed a lasting legacy upon the community of Port Stephens, particularly in Tanilba Bay. Two tangible elements of this legacy are the gates at either end of the Avenue of the Allies: the Centenary Water Gate and the Land Gate.

These gates were erected during the challenging years of the Great Depression when a significant downturn in land sales occurred. Faced with these economic challenges, Henry F Halloran shifted his focus towards creating distinctive features within the Tanilba Bay and Tanilba House Estates.

Why is the Tanilba Bay sign facing the water?

Henry F Halloran strategically positioned the sign between the columns on the water gate for Tanilba Bay, facing towards the water, anticipating that most people would arrive at Tanilba Bay via ferry.

Jetty at end of Avenue of the Allies

Despite plans for a ferry jetty at the end of Avenue of the Allies, which was never built, Henry recognised the importance of reasonable access to the area.

Roads were in a poor condition

Henry observed that the roads leading to the Tanilba Bay Estate were in poor condition but believed that improving them was essential for the area’s potential growth.

Addressing council members, Henry emphasised that “provided decent roads are made to these subdivisions, it is fully anticipated that a large influx of residents will take place. These places will become popular as weekend resorts for residents of Newcastle, Maitland, and the whole of the surrounding districts.”¹

Port Stephens Shire Council minute book, 9 June 1920

What are the gates made of?

Both the Centenary Watergate and the Land Gate were constructed using round and fractured quartz porphyry adorned with white felspar and bonded together with cement. The stones were sourced from the Tanilba foreshore and a quarry at Mallabula, with pointed joints forming the construction method.

Addition of plaques to the Water Gate

Driven by a profound interest in history, Henry Halloran enhanced the Centenary Water Gate by affixing four plaques. One pays homage to the discovery and naming of Port Stephens by Captain James Cook on 11 May 1770.

Another commemorates the first naval battle in Australia between HMAS Sydney and the German cruiser Emden at the Cocos Islands on 9 November 1914.

The third plaque honours Lieutenant William Caswell, granted land on 31 March 1831, marking him as the first white settler to receive land in the area. Lastly, there’s a plaque celebrating the completion of the gates in 1931.

Improvements and repairs to the Centenary Water Gate

Improvements and repairs have been undertaken on the gates over the years. One notable improvement in 1985 involved raising the sign over the roadway after a truck became wedged underneath it. Subsequently, the sign was lifted, and new attachments were installed on each gate to prevent such incidents from occurring again.