Summary: |
"Originally, the Farquar Inlet, later referred to as the Old Bar, was the entrace utilised by ships bringing settlers and supplies to the Manning River. ... The importance of the Old Bar to shipping was paramount to the development of the Manning Valley, but it was also the safety valve for the Manning River during floods ... and, as it was recognised as one of the prettiest locations in the valley, the perfect place to spend time in recreational pursuits ... The development of the 342 acre Old Bar Recreation Reserve ... included the formation of such facilities as picnic grounds, cricket, horse racing, football, tennis, and golf. Local settlers built accommodation houses, dance halls and tennis courts. .. One of the many caretakers, G. Bunyan, established an air strip ... and this attracted regular visits of pilots. Air pageants were held ... . The Old Bar surf club and the successful ruby league football club attracted visitors year round."--Foreword. |