Ferguson's Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ferguson's Cottage |
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| Location | 1 Breakwater Road, Coffs Harbour, City of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia |
| Architect | Department of Public Works |
| Owner | Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA) |
| Official name: Ferguson's Cottage; Fergusons | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 27 November 2009 |
| Reference no. | 1802 |
| Type | Place of significance |
| Category | Aboriginal |
| Builders | Department of Public Works |
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Ferguson's Cottage is a special old house in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It is listed as a heritage site because of its important history. The house was designed and built by the New South Wales Department of Public Works. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 27 November 2009.
Contents
The Story of Ferguson's Cottage
Building the Breakwater
This cottage was first used by the Public Works Department. It was probably a temporary office for building or maintaining the South Coffs breakwater. A breakwater is a wall built into the sea to protect a harbour from waves.
Work on the Coffs Harbour breakwater started in 1912. They built a path from the mainland to South Coffs Island. A quarry was opened there to get rocks, and a railway was built to move them.
Building the eastern breakwater was tough. It faced strong waves, and parts often washed away. It was finally finished in 1939, with concrete work done by 1943.
Most construction buildings like this were temporary. They were often taken down or moved once the work was done. This makes Ferguson's Cottage a rare example of a building that survived. It still sits on its original timber supports, which shows it wasn't meant to be there forever.
The Ferguson Family Home
The Ferguson family's connection to the cottage began in the early 1950s. Mr. Andrew Ferguson worked for the Public Works Department. He was a foreman (a person in charge of a work crew) during the breakwater construction.
The local engineer, Hugh Bailey, allowed the Ferguson family to live in the "office." Before this, they lived on a nearby hill. This was a very unusual decision for a government official at that time.
In the 1950s, Aboriginal people faced many challenges. Their status in society was very different from today. The decision to let the Fergusons live in the cottage had two main reasons.
One reason was official: Andrew Ferguson would watch over the harbour area when no construction was happening. This helped the department keep the site safe. Later engineers continued this arrangement.
The other reason was more personal. The Public Works engineer had high respect for Andrew's wife, Evelyn Ferguson. She was known as "old Mrs Ferguson" or "Nanny Ferguson."
Nanny Ferguson's Amazing Work
Mrs. Evelyn Ferguson was an extraordinary woman. Her life had a lasting impact on both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in Coffs Harbour. She also helped people across the wider region.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Aboriginal people often faced difficult living conditions. Housing was poor, education was limited, and health was a concern. Evelyn Ferguson was a strong Aboriginal woman who tackled these problems head-on. She helped build understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. She was a pioneer in many ways.
Nanny Ferguson was respected by everyone. She could connect with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. This was thanks to her wisdom and great communication skills. She was an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She encouraged her family to attend services, which helped different cultures mix. This was rare at the time.
The police even called her "Granny Ferg." They often brought community problems to her for help. They trusted her wisdom and authority to find solutions.
She was also a key contact between "the Welfare" (government services for families and children) and local Aboriginal communities. In those days, "the Welfare" often separated children from their families. Nanny Ferguson offered advice and protection. She fought for children's rights and made sure promises were kept. As an Elder, she protected the community's children. Her strong character meant her words were accepted by everyone.
Nanny Ferguson was also respected by local businesses. She was friends with the Symmonds family, who owned a large department store. She even went fishing with them. Her relationships with people like Hugh Bailey (the engineer who gave her family the cottage) were very special. They showed how different cultures could accept and respect each other.
The connections Nanny Ferguson built were vital for the history of community relations. They helped local Aboriginal people and those from further away.
Education and Community Support
In the 1950s and 1960s, many Aboriginal children went to school mainly to avoid "the Welfare." Nanny Ferguson worked hard to change this. She insisted that all her children, grandchildren, and extended family get the best education. She knew that education was key to getting jobs and improving the community. She tried to convince others of this too.
Even with a large family, Nanny Ferguson worked as a laundress at the District Hospital. Later, she worked at the Sunny Side Maternity Hospital. She was a great role model for her community. Her influence continues today, and education is still very important to the community.
Nanny Ferguson is remembered for her love and care. Besides her own children, she took in nephews, nieces, grandchildren, and anyone from the Aboriginal community who needed help. No one was ever turned away. Sometimes, the small cottage housed up to 15 children and several adults. This is why the house was extended in the early 1970s. Later, small sheds were built for more space. If there wasn't enough food, she would go fishing herself. The cottage was a true "home" and a safe place for many generations.
The cottage is a symbol of Nanny Ferguson and her lasting legacy. Her generosity is still highly respected in Coffs Harbour and by Aboriginal people from other areas. The good relationships she built continue in the community today.
The cottage is also linked to the important work of building Coffs Harbour. This project was started by a famous engineer, Ernest de Burgh. He was in charge of the harbour improvements from 1909 to 1927.
In 2005, the Ferguson family faced the possibility of being asked to leave the property. There were worries the government wanted to demolish the cottage. Because of this, the Coffs Harbour and District Aboriginal Land Council asked for the property to be protected. It was then added to the State Heritage Register in November 2009. It was reported to be the "first building of Aboriginal importance" on the register.
What Ferguson's Cottage Looks Like
The cottage is a small building made of weatherboard (wooden planks). It has additions at the back and an iron roof. There is a front veranda (a covered porch) about 5 meters by 2 meters.
The main part of the house sits on its original timber supports. The back section has some concrete flooring. The front part of the house has two original rooms and the first kitchen. The walls inside were lined with old horse hair.
Some changes have been made for safety, like new electrical wiring in the kitchen. The back section was changed slightly, with an extra room added for the toilet and wash area. Cold water was connected to the laundry area using old copper pipes. The original roof was replaced around 2002 with new corrugated iron. The verandah boards were replaced and painted in 2004.
In 2004, the building was in very poor condition. It is built from strong hardwood. The original timber supports need to be replaced. The front roof section used second-hand iron when it was replaced.
The area around the cottage is important for archaeological research. It is on a headland that was once a ceremonial site. Past studies have found many important sites close to the cottage.
The Ferguson family has asked to repaint the roof with the Aboriginal flag. This is because the original roof once had the flag on it.
The building itself is small and simple. But for the Aboriginal community, it is priceless. It represents the life of a very special person who lived there. It also stands for the lasting legacy she left for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.
Why Ferguson's Cottage is Important
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Ferguson's Cottage is very important for its history, social meaning, and cultural value. It was the home of Nanny Ferguson and the center of her community work. It symbolizes how Evelyn "Nanny" and Andrew Ferguson helped bring about understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. This happened during the 1950s and 1960s in Coffs Harbour and the wider North Coast region.
The Fergusons worked hard to deal with social problems and racism affecting the Aboriginal community. They were role models for employment. They also helped solve issues with local and state government groups. Their efforts were key to improving relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. This was at a time when Aboriginal people were not widely accepted. The Fergusons' success in cross-cultural relations was recognized throughout the region. It is a powerful example of how community relations slowly improved in New South Wales.
Ferguson's Cottage was a safe place for many Aboriginal people. This included those from the local community and travelers passing through Coffs Harbour. Nanny Ferguson fought for fairness among her people. She insisted that government services protect Aboriginal children and their rights.
Today, Ferguson's Cottage is highly respected by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. It represents where reconciliation (making peace and understanding) began for Coffs Harbour. Generations of the Ferguson family still live in the cottage. Nanny Ferguson's legacy continues through them.
The building was first a temporary office for building the South Coffs Harbour breakwater. This was a major project started by the famous engineer E.M. de Burgh. Most temporary construction buildings were taken down or moved. It is special that Ferguson's Cottage still stands on its original supports. This makes it a rare example of a temporary office built by the Department of Public Works.
Ferguson's Cottage was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 27 November 2009. It met the following important reasons:
It shows the pattern of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. Ferguson's Cottage is important because it was Nanny Ferguson's home. It was also the center of her community work. Nanny Ferguson and her husband Andrew left a lasting legacy of reconciliation. They helped deepen understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. This happened during the 1950s and 1960s in Coffs Harbour and beyond. The cottage itself is a symbol to Aboriginal people. It was a safe house and a place where many could find help or advice. The current generation of the Ferguson family still lives there and continues Nanny Ferguson's legacy.
It has a strong connection with important people or groups in New South Wales's history. Ferguson's Cottage is important because of its link to Evelyn "Nanny" Ferguson. She was an exceptional woman in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. In the 1950s and 1960s, Nanny Ferguson spoke up for Aboriginal people. She addressed problems like social pressures and racism. She tirelessly worked with government departments. She fought against the unnecessary removal of children from their families. She defended children's rights. Nanny Ferguson was a pioneer in encouraging Aboriginal people to get the best education. She also helped different cultures mix through her church and social networks. The Fergusons' achievements in cross-cultural relations were recognized throughout the region. They are a symbolic example of how communities improved in New South Wales. The cottage's importance is also increased by its link to the building of the South Coffs Harbour breakwater. This project was designed by the famous engineer E.M. de Burgh.
It has a strong connection with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural, or spiritual reasons. The cottage is socially important to the Coffs Harbour Aboriginal community. It is also important to many other people, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, who have good memories of the cottage. The house is important to the local and wider Aboriginal community's sense of place. Ferguson's Cottage was a place of safety. It was a home where Aboriginal people could find a bed, a meal, and help when dealing with government services during difficult times. What happened at Ferguson's Cottage, when Nanny Ferguson lived there, showed the cultural and social values held by Aboriginal people for many years. Today, Ferguson's Cottage is highly respected. It represents where reconciliation began for Coffs Harbour.
It is uncommon, rare, or endangered in the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The cottage is important because it is a rare example of a "temporary" construction office. It was built by the Department of Public Works and still survives.
It shows the main characteristics of a type of cultural or natural place in New South Wales. The cottage represents the typical way of life for Aboriginal people during that time. It was a small two-bedroom cottage. In the 1950s and 1960s, it had no electricity or lighting. Yet, it housed up to 15 children and several adults, including family and anyone needing shelter. Ferguson's Cottage is outstanding because it remains a strong symbol in the community as a safe house. It represents Nanny Ferguson's tireless efforts. She brought help to Aboriginal people and helped close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. The cottage is also a rare example of a temporary site office built by the Department of Public Works.
