Stories from Urunga, Coffs Harbour, New south Wales, Clementina Marshall, A proud nurse is part of Urunga history.

Clementina Marshall, lived in Urunga NSW from about 1930 to her passing, in 1968 in Urunga NSW. Clementina has a beautiful grave site at Urunga NSW cemetery overlooking the blue ocean high upon  the hill overlooking the dunes at Urunga cemetery.

Clementinas grave has a large red cross in ceramic tiles on the front top of the bed of the grave site.

Her brother Alexander,  & Sister Elizabeth are buried with Clementina Hay Marshall ( in the next row across, ) the picturesque Urunga cemetery, overlooking the North coast sea side ocean views. A particularly beautiful looking Peace-full resting place for Clementina after the horrors of the war years she  witnessed.

Clementina Lived with her brother Alexander & His wife Ethel, with their children for about 20 years on MARSHALL ISLAND in the Bellingen river, URUNGA, NSW. AUSTRALIA.

***LIFE ON MARSHALL ISLAND  *** ( story by Barbara Marshall Ellem Urunga NSW 2010)

Alexander Thomas James Marshall ( known as PADDY ) was married to Jessie Pettit & was the eldest son born to Alexander ( SANDY ) Marshall  ( Clementinas  younger brother), & Sandy wife Ethel,  – Wherever Paddy  lived with his family Sandy, Ethel & CLEMENTINA  all Lived together. Paddy & Sandy built 4 homes on the island & together they  farmed the island , dairy, pigs & vegetables. The house Sandy & Ethel  lived in was approx 400 meters away from Paddy & Jessie’s home  & the fourth home they built  for the couple  who helped on the island. Attached  to the house at the edge  of the veranda was Clementinas house where she  lived until we all moved to the mainland after the 1950 flood & again in BIG 1954  Flood.

Paddy ( who was CLEMENTINAs nephew ) wife Jessie had  5 children namely.

Marie Nelson, who now lives at Point Clare Gosford. Married Norm Dec. Marie & Norm had   3 children, Tony, Lisa, Gary.

Peter Marshall & Eileen who now lives at MT Cotton Brisbane.Peter & Eileen had 5 children, Cameron, Jason, Susanne, Bradley, & Shawn.

Barbara Marshall Ellem & Kevin  Ellem who lives at Urunga, This stories author. Barbara & Kevin Had 3 children , Donna, Jeff, Kerrie ,(KERRIE is also a nurse Just Like Clementina,.) Nurse MARSHALL

Clare Elias & David who now lives at Auburn NSW. Claire & David had 2 children Paul & Chris

Michael Marshall & Lorraine .  Michael Marshall  & Lorraine had 2 children Stephen & Greg. Michael was killed in a car accident  at 20 years old in 1965.

After the flood in 1950 we moved  to the mainland. To do that Sandy & Paddy dismantled the 4 houses on Marshall`s island, put them  on an oyster Punt,  they ferried load after Load from the island by river & re built the two  homes which still stand on the Pacific Hwy  , Urunga ( one attached to the  Country Comfort Motel as you come into Urunga on the Left) , Then they built  the little ( 1 bedroom )  behind the  one to the North  for Sandy & Ethel.  Sandy & Ethel lived in that house  & Clem STAYED IN THE FLAT TOWARDS Urunga FOR  APPROX. 3 MONTHS. once THE MAIN SECOND HOUSE  WAS COMPLETED IN FRONT OF  THE LITTLE HOUSE Clem HAD A NEW FLAT WITHIN THAT NEW HOUSE  WHICH COMPRISED OF  A LOUNGROOM, BEDROOM kitchenette, that WAS APPROX 1956 1957.  Sandy DIED IN THE FIRST LITTLE HOUSE & SADLY NEVER GOT TO LIVE IN THE NEW MAIN HOUSE ….. IT WA  JUST OFF A MONTH BEFORE IT WAS FINISHED… HE DIED SUDDENLY OF A  HEART ATTACK. Ethel & Clem  MOVED INTO THE MAIN  LARGER HOUSE & WERE HAPPY  THERE,..  Clem USED TO LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL knitting. CLEM ALWAYS ROLLED HER OWN  CIGARETTES & USED TO WALK  INTO TOWN CENTER OFTEN.  Clem & her friend  nurse  HAMILTON, together they would both LEAD the URUNGA RSL ANZAC DAY march through own.
The property where the two houses & motel are still standing was a farm that Paddy continued to farm until the 1970`s is now known as `BELLINGEN KEYS`, a new housing estate. Paddy milked approx 70 cows & lots of cattle there & Sandy Marshall (CLEMENTINAS brother , & also Don Marshalls grandfather Robert Marshalls brother) anyway Sandy Marshal grew veggies as well.
Both of Clementinas brothers were diary manager of diary co-operatives around NSW & Victoria) Sandy Marshall was the manager of the butter factory at Gulgong NSW , Robert Marshall was the butter factory manager at Merrigum Victoria, he brought Carnation America to Australia to build the first milk & cream con condensery in Australia. see write up.

***MARSHALL`S ISLAND (365ACRES) & THE BIG FLOOD OF 1950, URUNGA, ON THE BELLINGEN RIVER NSW.
STORY BY BARBARA MARSHALL ELLEM.

Click here to read the official ABC news article on Clementina.