Artist Amy Sharrocks has been on a water-led journey for her whole life. From her early days as a swimmer, to tracing the lost rivers of London through, to becoming the instigator of an ever-changing project called Museum of Water. Now she is questioning her own worldview and looking to the past for a better tomorrow.
Author: Heath Killen
Heath Killen is the founder and editor of On A Floating World. Born and raised in Newcastle, he is passionate about the coastline and waterways surrounding his home. Elsewhere he helps people develop brands, campaigns, and projects based on their passions.
The War in Port Stephens
Today, Port Stephens is an idyllic holiday spot, sought out for its natural beauty and serenity, but it was once an integral part of Australia’s war effort, providing a training ground where tanks and soldiers stormed the dunes while planes bombed the beaches.
On Phoenix Park with John Wright
Under historic Morpeth Bridge is a farm that has been in one family for five generations. Today it belongs to 80-year-old John Wright, who has survived floods, droughts, and the death of the river that runs by his house. Despite these tragedies, he still works everyday and says he loves his rural life.
Catherine Hill Bay
Hidden away near the start of the Pacific Motorway is a perfectly preserved former coal-mining village by the sea. The remnants of its past can be found throughout a majestic coastline and untouched wilderness, almost like a heritage treasure hunt.
The Lost Pool of Newcomen Street
The unique bathing culture of Newcastle rose in the early 20th century with a range of projects built to get people into the water. One of these was a grand experiment designed to bring the ocean into the city. While short-lived, its legacy remains in the hearts and minds of locals. But has it gone forever?
On Merewether Baths with Brydie Piaf
With its ancient sandstone cliffs and pristine azure waters, the Newcastle coastline is a photographer’s dream. Brydie Piaf is not only capturing the natural beauty of this place, but the stories of the people whose lives are intimately connected to it.
Woodcock Smokery
From fisherman’s wife to world-renowned artisan. Out of adversity, against all the odds, and still struggling with emerging challenges from bureaucracy to climate change, Sally Barnes has built an enduring business founded on the principles of family, wild fishing, local culture, and sustainability.
Hunter Valley Dune Buggy Club
It’s a movement that seems to have risen and disappeared almost as quickly as the drift sand that flows across the dunes: Newcastle’s own homemade beach buggy scene. Take a look back at our lost history of coastal custom culture.
On Nobby’s Reef with Tom Dyer
Coming from a family of surfers and sailors, Tom Dyer was destined to enter the ocean. The personal connection he has made through spearfishing has helped him maintain sobriety, connect with his Aboriginal heritage, and become the person he wants to be.
Walka Water Works
Originally built in 1887 to provide drinking water to Newcastle, Walka Water Works has a long and complex industrial history. It still stands today, a perfectly preserved site that now provides refuge for native wildlife and a picnic spot for families.