Eden Timeline

A Glance At Eden's Rich History TimeLine

From the early habitation of the Tharwa people of the Yuin Nation, through European settlement up to today, Eden’s affinity with the ocean is deep. Whales, whaling and fishing have played a large part in the development of the town. The Greenseas fish cannery was a major industry for 40 years in Eden.

Killer whales have been key players in the history of whaling starting with the Tharwa, 6,000 years ago, and ending with the Davidson whaling family. The Orcas are now returning to Eden and are part of the whale watching attractions. Eden, in Twofold Bay, was designated a town in 1843 by Sir George Gipps, Governor of the colony of New South Wales, Australia. George Gipps was Private Secretary to George Eden, Earl of Auckland, Governor-General of India from 1836 to 1842 and he had been First Lord of the Admiralty.

Timeline

1972
1972
1972

Eden was the largest supplier of fish to the Sydney Fish Markets and a major supplier to the Melbourne Fish Market.

1973
1973
1973

Ben Boyd National Park opened.

1974
1974
1974

Kraft sells the Eden Cannery to the Heinz Company. Re-development and expansion followed.

 

Eden High School opened.

1976
1976
1976

Boyd’s Tower added to Ben Boyd National Park.

 

Eden Aquatic Club changed its name to the Twofold Bay Yacht Club.

1978
1978
1978

Fishermen notice a drop off in tuna – once they could fish 4 miles offshore, by 1978 they had to travel 100 miles offshore.

 

The Shiralee capsized on August 10 while transporting building material to Gabo Island, as well as fishing. Onboard were Michael Patrick Pease, Stephen Lawrence Pease, and Terence James Rowe. Their bodies were never recovered.

After the loss of the Eden trawler Shirra-Lee the town decides to raise funds for a Fishermen’s Memorial Wall.

 

Twofold Bay Yacht Club purchases a local school building for $50.00.  The building was dismantled and later used to erect a new clubhouse.

1979
1979
1979

Imlay Shire Council acquired the Eden Log Cabin to house the Eden Town Library.

1980
1980
1980

The Fishermen’s Memorial Wall completed.

1981
1981
1981

Bega Valley Council, Imlay (Eden) Shire Council, and Mumbulla Shire Council amalgamated to form Bega Valley Shire Council.

1982
1982
1982

Due to over-fishing Eden fisheries were placed under management with restrictions on many fish species and abalone. Consequently, the number of commercial fishermen declined.

1983
1983
1983

100 years after its construction Green Cape Lighthouse was automated.