“Fairhurst” – Part of Empire Bay’s Heritage
16 Shelly Beach Road is one of the early homes built in Empire Bay.
The property was part of the 152 acre subdivision created by the property developer Arthur Richard in 1905. Arthur Richard advertised in the local and Sydney newspapers, promoting the area as “Sorrento Estate” being “pristine waterfront blocks, nice sandy beaches, farm blocks with rich virgin soil for fishing, weekend pleasure parties, boat and boarding house proprietors, fruit growers, bee and poultry farmers.”
A few months later, in 1906, Charles Fairhurst Baybut, a Master Mariner from Lancashire, England, purchased 5 blocks from Arthur Richard. One of the blocks being what we now know as 16 Shelly Beach Road. There is no record of Charles’s arrival in Australia, but he was still on the Lancashire electoral rolls in 1905, and so his purchase of the blocks of land in “Sorrento Estate” must have been soon after his arrival in Australia.
The 1913 electoral rolls show Charles Baybut, Master Mariner, residing in Empire Bay. The next available electoral roll (1930) records Charles as retired.
Whilst there are no records when the house was built, the 1906 newspaper found behind the mantle piece, and the 1913 electoral rolls would suggest the house was built around these dates.
Charles’s middle name, Fairhurst, was the Christian name of his grandfather, and appears to be a family tradition, as Charles’s uncle was also named Fairhurst Baybut. So, it is not surprising that the house Charles and Daisy built in Empire Bay was named “Fairhurst”. The original “Fairhurst” name plaque remains proudly mounted on the house today.
A search of the NSW BDM records suggest Charles Baybut was not married and had no children.
January 1937 Charles Fairhurst Baybut passed away and his estate was described as a “weatherboard furnished cottage containing three bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, laundry, veranda on three sides with fruit trees and gardens. The property is in good order and condition and would make a fine private home or a letting proposition.”
Between 1937 and 1954 the property was sold several times. Then, in 1954 Ray Thomas purchased the property and established it as his family home. Raising one son, David “Tomo”, and three daughters.
In 1986 Ray Thomas passed away and the property was transferred to his son, David “Tomo” and wife Margaret Thomas, where they still live today. David “Tomo” grew up in the “Fairhurst” house and clearly remembers the early days of Empire Bay, the local school and the isolated community until the 1974 Rip Bridge. His story will make interesting reading in a future newsletter.
Up until 1962 the road along the fire station and tennis courts was part of Sorrento Road. In May 1962 Gosford Council rename part of Sorrento Road to Shelly Beach Road. The use of the name Shelly Beach Road would commence from the intersection of Kendall Road and Sorrento Road. The property known as “Fairhurst”, 98 Sorrento Road was re-numbered and 16 Shelly Beach Road.
“Fairhurst”, 16 Shelly Beach Road, during the 1930 -1940s.
The original “Fairhurst” name plaque that was still proudly attached.
David “Tomo” Thomas, living in “Fairhurst” since 1954.