THE STORY OF FLETCHER
CHRISTIAN
On Valentine's Day, Fletcher
Christian Apartments reached a significant milestone, celebrating fifty years
since the arrival of the first guests on February 14th, 1965.
Back in the early sixties,
owner Bernie Christian-Bailey was working for Qantas in Sydney
in the Sales department, and often took advantage of the cheap staff fares to
travel home to Norfolk Island for the weekend.
He realised there was an opportunity to develop an enterprise that would cater
for the needs of the modern traveller to the island. At that time, Norfolk
An architect friend in
Sydney, Dick Gailey, was commissioned to design a complex of self-catering
units, to be built on just over 2 hectares of family land adjacent to the
developing commercial district in Burnt Pine. The original plans show a series
of blocks of units zig-zagging back down the hillside, with a small complex of
boutique shops on the street frontage. Bernie wanted the development to be in
an island colonial style, using local materials as far as possible, in order to
blend in with environment. It was a pleasant block of land, sloping down to the
Cascade Creek, and up the opposite hillside to butt on to Marie Bailey’s property.
A fine well was sunk in the valley, and later another very successful bore was
sunk on the level area closer to the road.
Early in 1964, work
commenced on the first block of four units. Bernie's dad George Bailey took
charge of the project, and his team of Norfolkers went about their task with
great energy and enthusiasm. People like Charlie Evans and Moray Anderson
helped on the job, and it was Moray who skilfully produced the shingles to roof
the original building.
Meanwhile, there was
landscaping to be undertaken, and it was Bernie's Aunt Edie Randall, who first
planted the row of hibiscus along the street frontage, as well as many other
trees and shrubs that are still there today.
The first block of units
Karenne Gatehouse recalls
that as a young girl, she and her Dad Kik had been out on horseback, and Kik
suggested they let their curiosity get the better of them, and call in to see
what was going on in Bernie’s new project. Karenne recalls her Dad being
somewhat in awe of all the modern streamlined touches and finishes.
Ideas for a name were tossed
around, and it was a colleague in Qantas who suggested "Fletcher
Christian," a name which would not only reflect Bernie's family heritage,
but would give the venture a unique and distinct brand.
Eventually the name appeared
on the walls each side of the new cattle stop, this task being carried out by
Mr Scotty Neagle, a very artistic gentleman who lived on Norfolk
Island for many years.
Scotty Neagle
Bernie had begun to promote
the Apartments through Mrs Aileen Dickson, who ran the Norfolk Island Booking
Centre in Sydney, one of her assistants being Joe Adams! However, as it turned
out, the very first guests were people who had been staying at the Kingfisher
Hotel at Anson Bay
In many ways, it was a
courageous venture, and a number of friends and family thought Bernie was
taking a big risk. However he knew from experience that Qantas was actively
promoting the Norfolk Island market at that
time, and that modern travellers were looking for upmarket and self-contained
accommodation that offered more convenience, independence and flexibility.
Bernie also relied on the fact that even if the "tourist boom" proved
short lived, his central location would also be attractive for the traditional
visitor coming for a longer term stay.
The prices that were being
charged also raised a few eyebrows. The tariff in 1965 was 17 pounds and ten
shillings ($35.00)per week!! And you even had to provide your own food!
As it turned out, many of
Bernie's guests in those early years were fellow Qantas staff, taking advantage
of the cheap staff travel fares, and the discount that Bernie offered.
Guests in the sixties
Grandchildren Sarah(with Digby) and
Emily in the same spot
In those early years, there
were also a handful of longer-term occupants in the units, including an
American lady Mrs Barbara Gandy, and Mrs Sally Kadesh, who eventually restored
and lived in no 6 Quality Row.
Until Bernie returned to the
island to live in 1967, the units were managed by his cousin Mrs Marie (Leo)
McCoy. When he came back here to live, he at first worked for Burns Philp. As
the business grew, he took over full-time management of the apartments.
In 1968, the second block of
4 units was built, George Bailey taking charge once again. Then in late 1970, a
third block was completed alongside the RSL fence, this time constructed by
Borry Evans and his team, using a New Zealand pre-cut kit, but still clad in
Norfolk Island pine.
It was around this time that
Bernie and Mary were married, and moved into one of the end units that had a
connecting door to the new office and transit lounge. It was while they were
there that the children began to arrive, and it was necessary to rent elsewhere
to accommodate the growing family.
The Transit Lounge/Office,
with the Christian Coat of Arms above the fireplace
In 1974, Bernie and Mary
built their house in the grounds. It was designed so that it could easily be
turned into two two-bedroom units. As the family grew, it was extended at the
rear. For the next 22 years it was to be home for the Christian-Bailey family,
including the 5 children Miriam ,
Charles, John, Peter and Edward. The children remember always being conscious
of needing to consider "the guests" if they were being noisy and
boisterous. But there were advantages, because it meant that Mum and Dad were
always close to home. Great friendships were formed with some of the guests who
came to stay regularly.
When the swimming pool was
built around 1988, it added a great new dimension to a holiday at Fletcher
Christian. Sadly, around the same time, the two old pines at the entrance,
which were something of an iconic landmark, had to be removed.
For many years, a very
picturesque flock of white fantail pigeons were a feature of the grounds and
garden at Fletcher Christian.
Bernie, Mary, Miriam and Charles 1973
Later there were some
peacocks who were much admired as they strutted around, but were not really
appreciated for their noisy calling at night during the breeding season, or
when they set off down the street early in the morning to see their reflections
in the shop windows, leaving their rather messy calling cards.
There have been incidents
over the years, like the times when guests tried to turn on taps for washing up
when there was a power failure and the pumps weren’t working. They would forget
to turn them off, and the units would flood. One of our funniest recollections
is of the lady who asked about the green residue that formed in the basin and
shower. We explained this was caused by minerals in the well water that flowed
through the copper hot water pipes reacting with soap (a common problem on Norfolk
In the days when palm seed
fetched a premium price, Bernie and Mary established a large palm plantation on
the land behind the units. Of course, the bottom dropped out of that market,
and four years ago they applied to the Toon Buffett Trust for a grant to
establish native vegetation in the area. Son Peter, who looks after the
grounds, was employed on this project, and the new plantings are doing really
well.
It is wonderful to look back
through the registers and visitor's books and see the names of the thousands
who have stayed at Fletcher Christian over the years. They have included a
number of well-known figures looking for some quiet privacy and rest. There
have been some real characters too. Mostly our guests have appreciated the good
Norfolk
Another view of the early
years. Remember Cec’s hire cars?
Running holiday apartments
is a bit like painting the Sydney
Harbour Bridge
So many people have worked
for us over the years, in the office, the housekeeping and the grounds. There are also many of the island's tradesman
who have shown enormous loyalty and service in helping keep the maintenance up
to scratch, and have been willing to come at very short notice to attend to
things like plumbing and electrical problems. There are too many to name, and
many have passed on. But if you are one of them, thank you for your part in
making Fletcher Christian a great place to stay!
Bernie relaxes by the newly
refurbished pool.
In 1996, Bernie decided to
"retire" from active management, and he and Mary moved to the family
home at "Devon " up the road. Part of
their former house became a Manager's flat, while the rest became a new tourist
unit. It is hard to believe that was nearly 19 years ago, because Bernie is
still very much involved. Not a day goes by that he does not call at least
once, often several times, to check on things, chat with staff or guests, and
generally make sure that everything is running smoothly.
As daughter Miriam says, Fletcher Christian" is still
Bernie's "baby". He really has been in it for the long haul. His
faith and investment in Norfolk Island , made
all those years ago, is still very important to him. There have been many
hurdles and difficulties, especially in recent times, but it has been extremely
satisfying and rewarding to be part of the visitor experience on Norfolk
Island, and help promote Norfolk Island as a
wonderful destination.
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