Lawrence Museum

29/08/2026

Quirky, different Father's Day gifts.
Surprise your Dad with a gift from the Lawrence Museum Collectibles Shop.
Open Tuesday 9.00am-1.00pm and weekends 1.00pm -4.00pm.
Lots to choose from, prices for as littles as 50c - books.

27/08/2026

2026 Bluff Point Quilters Exhibition at Lawrence Museum.

18/08/2026

Members of the Clarence River Historical Society (Schaeffer House) were fascinated by the new feature, at Lawrence Museum, the Lawrence Lock-up.
They first enjoyed lunch at The Lawrence Tavern, then an afternoon spent browsing the exhibits and displays. Lawrence Museum volunteers also enjoyed the afternoon discussing local history and sharing ideas.
Photo taken in front of the Lock-up

10/08/2026

Cane Farmers provide Horse Drawn Cane Cart
The Lawrence Museum has a cane farming display in the Museum building, a cane derrick outside and even a sample of cane growing. But it did not have a horse drawn cart until five local cane farmers decided to change this.
Ron Farlow, Trevor Commerford, Vince Castle, Alister McFarlane and Milton Lewis purchased a beautiful example of a horse drawn cane cart which they have loaned to the Lawrence Museum.
Horse-drawn cane carts were historically crucial in the development of the sugar industry on the NSW North Coast, including areas near Lawrence. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, farmers relied on horse or bullock teams to haul raw, harvested sugar cane from the fields to the nearest river wharves to be taken by barge & tugboat to the Harwood Sugar Mill.
Spokesperson for the Lawrence Historical Society, Roz Jones said, “This is a very well preserved example of a horse drawn cane cart, and significant to our local history. We thank Ron Farlow, Trevor Commerford, Vince Castle, Alister McFarlane and Milton Lewis for this great addition to the local farming collection.”
Visitors can view the cane cart alongside the Bullock Wagon, in the outbuildings at the Museum, which is open Tuesday morning 9.00am -1.00pm and weekends 1.00pm -4.00pm. Admission is only $5 for adults.
PHOTOS:
Cane farmers Ron Farlow, Trevor Commerford, Vince Castle, Alister McFarlane and Milton Lewis.
The horse drawn cane cart.

02/08/2026

Fun Day at Lawrence Museum.

Visitors arrived from all over the Clarence Valley to enjoy the Open Day.

The blacksmiths forge drew a good crowd, and demonstrated some of the their skills. Thank you to Neil, Ken and apprentice Eddie.

It was leisurely viewing time at the museum, with plenty to see and do. The children enjoyed old fashioned games such as skipping and hopscotch, and a Treasure Hunt.

Many visitors were surprised at the size of the museum and the collections. The Communications Collection was popular, and also the four 1930's rooms, upstairs in the shed.

Everyone was invited to a free 'cuppa' and Ken, Neville and Dennis kept the hunger pangs at bay with a 'sausage sizzle' in the gardens.

Thank you to all our visitors who supported the day and all of our volunteers who organised the event.

26/07/2026

Open Day at Lawrence Museum Sunday 2 August
It’s a free day for everyone at the Lawrence Museum on Sunday 2 August. From 10.00am -2.00pm everyone is welcome at the museum.
We have old fashioned games for the kids, (even big kids), such as hopscotch, hula hoops, elastics, marbles and stand in prop. Some may even catch on again.
There is something for everyone to see at the Museum. Did you know Lawrence was a major port on the Clarence River in the 1800’s? Big sailing ships, steam ships and all manner of local river traffic visited Lawrence, or what was known as ‘The Elbow’.
Farming and fishing were major industries, before cane farmers grew potatoes and corn. You can see the old machinery they used in the paddocks.
Cane became a major crop in this area, and you can see the cane knives used by the cane gangs. Could you make one from an old saw blade?
One of the Aboriginal families that lived here, was the Roach family. Son Archie Roach became a famous singer/songwriter.
Another famous son of Lawrence was ‘Ram Chandra’ the snake man. See where he lived as a child and be amazed at his story.
The whole museum is open, fascinating social history, agricultural and maritime history, and so much of the amazing collection is local to Lawrence. Come along and enjoy.
The collectibles shop will be open for browsing, as well as the plant stall.
Blacksmiths, BBQ, sausage sizzle, tea & coffee, cold drinks, raffles, treasure hunt and fun for the whole family.

15/07/2026

Live ABC Broadcast at Lawrence Museum

ABC North Coast is broadcasting live from Lawrence Museum on Friday 17th July. The ABC is celebrating 90 years of broadcasting to the north coast.
The official opening of the 2NR radio station took place on July 17 1936 and was celebrated at the Saraton Theatre Grafton. Dr Earle Page MHR, Minister for Customs and Leader of the Country Party in Federal Parliament opened the event with a recorded speech from London.
The Broadcast Station was constructed in the early 1930’s and served transmission purposes until 1995, when the station became automatic and staff were withdrawn.
The mast is operated by BAI Communications and continues to provide am transmission frequency on 738kHz.
The Live Broadcast is presented by Bridie Tanner, ABC North Coast breakfast presenter, who will be talking with local identities about the radio station and local history.
Everyone is welcome to join us for the event, from 6.00am – 10.00am.

A tea & coffee van will be on site too.

11/06/2026

Lawrence Museum – Will You be Part of its Future

Thanks to all who attended the public meeting on Wednesday 10 June, at Lawrence Public Hall.
Member for Clarence Richie Williamson, chaired the meeting and explained that the museum is facing the serious issue of decline in committee members. The purpose of the meeting was to increase public awareness of the problem and to encourage new members and committee members.
Without recruitment of new committee members, the Lawrence Museum is in danger of closing.
Lawrence Historical Society member, Roz Jones, explained the origins of the Museum and the achievements of the Society since its opening in June 2004.
Lawrence Museum has become an outstanding Museum, amazing visitors with the comprehensive Lawrence collection and communications collection. It has become an important local tourism attraction, along with the Lawrence Tavern, Lawrence General Store, and Secret Lakes camping ground.
Since the acquisition of the building, the former 2NR Broadcast Station, from Broadcast Australia, in 2002, the Society has restored the heritage listed building and constructed a new 2 storey display building. The collection in these buildings depicts the local history from Aboriginal settlement and early white settlement from the 1840’s onward.
The major source of inspiration for many of displays created was the book,’ Lawrence- a history of a settlement,’ compiled by researcher Mike Gillespie.
Mike was on hand as guest speaker to explain the importance of the local history and how Lawrence became a major port on the Clarence around 1860.
Roz acknowledged the many community contributions in establishing, extending and operating the museum, from businesses, local organisations and individuals.
The Lawrence Historical Society has been well supported with committee members since inception, but age and ill health have depleted the committee.
It is imperative new members join the Society to enable the museum to continue to move forward to the future. The main construction works and curated displays are completed. It is only a matter of continuing operations, and with sufficient members the tasks are not onerous.
New members are invited to join (membership is only $10) and may fill casual vacancies on the committee leading up to the Annual General Meeting, when they may nominate for positions on the committee. The AGM is usually held in September, but the date will be decided by the committee.
The next committee meeting Tuesday 14 July at 10.15am but interested people can come along any Tuesday morning to have a look at the museum and discuss possibilities. Or they can contact Roz Jones 0429 477 102 for further information.
The meeting was attended by Mayor of Clarence Valley Council, Ray Smith, councillors Andrew Baker and Cristie Jaeger.
Photos show construction of the Broadcast Station in the 1930's and current Lawrence Museum.

02/06/2026

28/05/2026

Congratulations to Eulie (Eulaylie) Allen, 90 years young
Tuesday 26th May was a very special day for Eulie Allen, she reached her 90th birthday.
Her family and friends organised a party for her at the Lawrence Museum, where Eulie has been a volunteer for over 24 years.
Eulie is a well loved lady in Lawrence, and only a few years ago moved from a bush environment outside Lawrence, to Lawrence itself.
Eulie was a founding member of the Lawrence Museum in 2002, along with friends and other founding members, Rae Harrison and Vois Bancroft, who were able to attend the party and share the day.
Eulie still volunteers at the museum each week, and is a highly respected and loved member of the team.
Now on her way to Newcastle, Eulie will celebrate her birthday with many more friends and family, including her brother, and sister, travelling from Tasmania for the occasion.
Happy Birthday Eulie from all of us at the Museum.