IN 1929 Alf and Valma Ostler built a home for their family on Ocean Drive, North Haven and subsequently began selling fishing tackle and groceries out of their front room.
As holidaymakers started flocking to the area, Alf built a row of cottages that are still standing today.
Their granddaughter Chris Trotter, a keen family historian who still lives in the area, told News Of The Area, “I have great memories of helping to clean the holiday cottages as a young child.
“It is amazing that they are still standing.”
Recently Chris attended the annual Camden Haven Show at Kendall Showgrounds; as a retired teacher she enjoys looking at the artwork on display.
This year she also decided to buy a ticket in the raffle.
Much to Chris’ delight, not only did she win, but her prize was a beautiful framed painting of the Ostler cottages that were built by her grandparents.
The piece was painted and generously donated by acclaimed local artist Terri Maddock and inspired by a photo of the cottages from the 1950s.
Working out of her studio in Bonny Hills, Terri paints Mid North Coast scenery in an impressionist style.
The cottages are now privately owned and sit on the Camden River opposite Alf Ostler Park.
More information on the area can be found at the Camden Haven Historical Society Museum in Laurieton.
By Rachael THORPE
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