Living Heritage Inspiration

The cabins of the Royal National Park are a solace, a refuge and a source of inspiration. Nestled neatly in the bush, they form part of the natural landscape. You only need to sit a while to feel immersed in it, the birds' sounds, the ocean's smell and the history of this unique environment inspire many artists to create.

Max Dupain

Max was one of Australia's best photographers.
His topics were landscapes, still life, portraiture and architecture. Max visited Era in 1947 and took a series of photographs depicting the Living Heritage.

Hal Missinhgon

Hal was the Director of the Art Gallery of NSW from 1945 to 1971. Hal owned a shack at Era and included the place in several books, My Australia ( 1969), Close Focus ( 1970), and Design Focus ( 1978).
His descendants are still part of the Era community today.

Chris O’Doherty aka
Reg Mombassa

Chris O’Doherty is a painter and a musician. For 25 years, he was a member of the band Mental as Anything. Reg has a shack at Era and has created a number of unique artworks inspired by the cabin community. He still visits Era regularly.

Backlit hillside, Era beach, 22 x 16cm, charcoal and coloured pencil on paper, 2014.jpg

Gloaming, Era, 17 x 21cm, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper, 1991.jpg

Half hill in shade, Era, 17 x 21cm, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper, 1991.jpg

Headland at Era beach, early evening, 16x22cm, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper, 2014.jpg

Hillside with cabins - Era, acrylic on board, 1979 .jpg

Reg Mombassa, Era SLSC, 38.5 x 31.5cm, 2003, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper .jpg

Scrub, Era, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper, 19 x 24cm, 1988 .jpg

setting sun on clouds, Era beach, 16.5 x 22cm, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper, 2014.jpg

shack and hillside at Era, 16 x 22cm, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper, 2014.jpg

shack at Era, 1986, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper.jpg

surfclub at era beach, acrylic on masonite, 30 x 30cm, 1982.jpg

The ancestral home of the diagonal man, Era beach, coloured pencil and charcoal on paper, 1986.jpg

Lucy O’Doherty

Lucy is a Sydney artist specialising in oil painting and pastel drawings. In March of 2015, she organised a group exhibition “Living Heritage,” which aimed to support the cabin communities of the Royal National Park.

Pink shack and washing, pastel on paper, 33.5 x 46cm, 2015.jpg

Shack and surfboard, pastel on paper, 33.5 x 46cm, 2015.jpg

Shacks at Little Garie, pastel on paper, 33.5 x 46cm, 2015.jpg

Shacks near the saddle, pastel on paper, 33.5 x 46cm, 2015.jpg

Anna Ferris

Annalisa is a National Art School graduate and a 2015 Brett Whiteley Travelling Arts Scholarship finalist. Ferris spends much time at fellow artist Lucy O’Doherty’s shack at Era. In 2015, her artwork was featured in the Living Heritage exhibition at Hazelhurst Arts Centre and Gallery in Gymea, bringing awareness to the shack communities and the preservation of their existence in the Royal National Park.

Community Traditions

Within these communities lies traditions passed down from one generation to the next, cherished and celebrated annually.

These time-honoured customs, some dating back decades, play a significant role in preserving our rich cultural heritage. They serve as a vital link to our past, connecting us to the stories, customs, and values that have shaped who we are today.

The original Little Garie Dawn Service, which took place in 1999, was a modest gathering held by a Vietnam War veteran Tim, who owned a shack in the valley. Back then, our service consisted of gathering around a simple flagpole. However, over time, we recognised the need for a more meaningful symbol of remembrance. Inspired by this desire, we began collecting rocks to construct the current monument designed as a war memorial.
In 2019, as we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, we also honoured the memory of Cathy Warnes, a talented entertainer from our valley who tragically lost her life in Vietnam. Cathy was performing on stage for American troops when she was fatally shot. Her sacrifice highlighted the diverse ways in which individuals from our community contributed to the war effort. Our community also established an honour roll within our hall to further honour the brave men and women who served. This permanent record ensures that their names and contributions are never forgotten.

Later in 2019, our monument was recognised and registered with The Australian War Memorial under the "Places of Pride" program. This acknowledgment solidifies our monument's significance as a site of remembrance and respect for those who sacrificed their lives to serve our country.
Each year, on the appointed day, our community comes together at 5:30 AM for a deeply moving service. The service includes individuals sharing personal stories, delivering thought-provoking talks, and reciting heartfelt poems. It is a time of reflection and remembrance, offering an opportunity to honour and pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed. Following the service, we gather in the hall to relax and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast and a comforting cup of tea or coffee.

The Little Garie Dawn Service has come a long way since its humble beginnings. It has evolved into a cherished tradition that brings our community together, providing a space for healing, remembrance, and fellowship. We are proud of the monument and tradition we have built as a community.