THE inspiration behind a significant donation to the Port Macquarie Surfing Museum can be traced to the man who helped shape our coastline.
On behalf of Transit Hill Pty Ltd, Directors Maggie Wolk and Steve Newman have presented a cheque for $25,000 to museum president Alan Jeffrey and secretary Donna Liver.
The significant contribution has been made towards the cost of the Development Application for the new Museum, planned to be built on vacant land adjacent to Oxley Oval.
The museum committee is thrilled, as it will move the project one step closer to fruition.
Steve Newman and Maggie Wolk have a long association with committee members of the Surfing Museum, as did Maggie’s father, Roger Knyvett Dulhunty.
His father, her grandfather, Robert Venour Dulhunty, established Port Macquarie’s first real estate and surveying practice.
With appropriate training, Roger joined the business and helped drive growth through developments including Bellevue Hill Estate, Clifton and the North Shore.
After becoming principal in 1961, he continued shaping the coastline and community through projects such as the Transit Hill Estate, Shelley Beach Estate, Lakeside Woods and Settlement Shores among others.
Roger Knyvett Dulhunty was a man of many talents and was a natural athlete, participating in a wide range of sports including surfing, and was an active supporter before it became mainstream.
Later, he became a member of the Surf Life Saving Association.
He also carried the Olympic torch on two occasions, first in 1956 for Melbourne and later for Sydney in 2000.
Roger saw active service in the AIF’s Anti-Aircraft Division during World War 11.
He and his brother Phillip were instrumental in launching the first flying boat service to Port Macquarie, improving the connection with Sydney over the 10-hour trip via a gravel road.
Community involvement was high on Rodger’s agenda, with him being a founding member of the Port Macquarie Rotary Club, serving as Club President in 1961 and District Governor in 1969.
In his presidency, he played a key role in establishing the Port Macquarie Observatory at Rotary Park.
Roger sadly passed away in 2003 and is fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Known for his generosity, warmth and sense of fair play, he remains a highly regarded figure in Port Macquarie.
Maggie Wolk is very proud of her father’s achievements and his huge involvement in the local community across business, sport, projects and social events.
“It seemed a logical decision to make this donation to the Surfing Museum to help preserve the rich cultural heritage of surfing in our community.” Maggie told News Of The Area.
The Surfing Museum still requires funding for the next steps of the project and will happily accept more donations. You can simply pop into the Museum on the top floor of Port Central where a friendly staff member will talk to you, or you can visit their website: Port Macquarie Surfing Museum.
By Bill HARROW
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