Henry Halloran’s subdivisions included huge amounts of public spaces and facilities. These included parks, squares, reserves, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Halloran’s Change Room for bathers (people who were changing to go swimming) is a good example of such a facility.

It was constructed near the water’s edge of the bay. This is one of the heritage sites in Tanilba Bay. It was constructed from local stone materials in the period 1929-1931 by H Powe. Halloran’s Change Room is a spiral shape leading into the centre where bathers (people who were getting changed into their “bathers” or swimming costumes) so they could go swimming in the bay.

Source: Port Stephens Family History Society Inc

Henry’s plan to build a swimming enclosure near the end of Pomona Place was rejected by the local council. A metal peg is still embedded in the wall at approximately head height which you could use to hang your clothes as you got changed.

Source: Port Stephens Family History Society Inc