Red Gold and Rough Seas
How Cedar Made Ballina the Third Busiest Port in New South Wales Published by the Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum | May 2026 Before the tourists came, before the airport, before the Pacific Highway bypass — before any of it — there was cedar. And it was cedar that turned a remote river settlement into the third busiest port in New South Wales. That fact surprises most people. Ballina, busier than most ports in the colony? But in the second half of the nineteenth century, the Richmond River was not a scenic backdrop for holidays. It was a commercial artery, and the timber
The Remarkable Life of the MV Florrie
Ninety-Five Years on the Richmond Published by the Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum | April 2026 If ships could talk, the Florrie would have more stories than most people accumulate in a lifetime. Built in the early 1880s, wrecked on the Ballina bar, salvaged by one of the river's most formidable characters, and then put back to work for another nine decades — the Florrie is not just a museum exhibit. She is the Richmond River's autobiography, written in timber and iron. Today, her hull rests under cover at the western end of the Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum, her slender lines still
When Ballina Built for Battle
The Richmond River's Forgotten Role in WWII Published by the Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum | April 2026 Today, the Richmond River at Ballina is a place of leisure — kayakers paddle past pelicans, fishing boats idle at their moorings, and visitors stroll along the waterfront with gelato in hand. But eighty years ago, this same stretch of river was part of something far more urgent. The Ballina Slipway & Engineering Company, situated on the banks just metres from where our museum now stands, was repairing warships. Not just Australian vessels. Ships from all three services — the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian
Journey of a Lifetime
A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything Fernard Robichaud's involvement in the La Balsas Expedition was almost serendipitous. While enjoying a weekend off in Montreal, he stumbled upon an article about Marc Modena, who had previously made a similar expedition across the Atlantic. Intrigued, Robichaud sought out Modena and was eventually invited to join the Pacific expedition. The allure of "challenge" and "adventure" was too compelling to resist, and so began a journey that would change his life forever. The Reality Sets In Robichaud admits that he was not "totally prepared" for the expedition. The gravity of what he had committed to hit him
A Living Link to the La Balsas Expedition
As we gear up for the 50th Anniversary of the La Balsas Expedition, we are honoured to announce that Fernard Robichaud, an original crew member, will be gracing the event with his presence. This is a rare opportunity to connect with a living part of this incredible history. The Man Behind the Legend Fernard Robichaud wasn't just a crew member; he was a vital part of the expedition's success. His skills, courage, and camaraderie were instrumental in overcoming the numerous challenges the crew faced during their journey across the Pacific. A Personal Perspective Having Fernard Robichaud at the event offers attendees a unique, firsthand
