The isolated life of lighthouse families in 1966 | RetroFocus

This episode of 'Weekend Magazine' follows the families of lighthouse keepers living on two remote Tasmanian islands.
Accessing the rugged Maatsuyker and Tasman Islands from the MV Cape Pillar was just the first challenge, in what would be years of isolation. Children were educated via correspondence, and families had to fend for themselves as rough seas often meant delays in supplies.
This program aired on ABC Television on 31 March 1966.
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[@PS-Straya_M8]

I lived on several lighthouse stations as a child in the early 70s, amazing experiences!

[@wakeoftheflood2]

In Australia ?

[@PS-Straya_M8]

@@wakeoftheflood2 i lived on New Zealand lighthouse stations

[@jacintabyline]

@@PS-Straya_M8 - How fascinating. I always wished my dad had been a Kiwi lighthouse keeper. But he was one of NZ's top nuclear physicists. But we did get to grow up in a few different countries.

[@TJ-nq5nt]

@@PS-Straya_M8 what did you do when a animal got to close to the lighthouse.

[@michel76543321]

Hi @P S I am doing some research on the people who are living/have lived on a lighthouse station. May I ask you some questions please? I'll be very grateful!

[@hoderharris]

The woman waving goodbye with her 3 kids, is like,get me the hell of this island. See ya sucker's! Ha

[@jeromecabral7464]

I have always wanted to be a lighthouse keeper as a kid

[@PS-Straya_M8]

Great for kids I loved it!

[@mevoy2702]

Omg me too but now it seems to lonely and scary for me

[@OscarOSullivan]

Mevoy in Irish or British lights you were always guaranteed two other people after 1817. You could get a station like Crookhaven lighthouse, Lowestoft Lighthouse or Dún Laoghaire lighthouse which are smack bang in the middle of the towns they are named after.

[@MaxFuckinFightmaster]

Have you ever, ever felt like this?

[@gordywarin6804]

Strangeee things happen...are ya goin' round the twist

[@klattalexis]

Sounds exciting!

[@user-lx5ue4wm5k]

Just beautiful love these documentary s

[@tanyapetersen8354]

My family lived on Tasman island 👌

[@OscarOSullivan]

What years?

[@dianegray5164]

This reminded me so much of Nan Chauncy's Lizzy Lights book with the hauling basket contraption and the tracks although the trolley car was used for leaving the island the main character lived on. I read it several times. Amongst even the tiny island community there was diversity. The daily lives unfold beautifully, there are secrets and some surprising and unpleasant moments. Written in 1968 for girls to adolescents. If you can get hold of it, it's a great read for anyone.

[@bengello]

That would be a great life!

[@Mr2pint]

As soon as smartphones were invented they all died from taking selfies on the cliffs.

[@bevcd3625]

😂😂😂👍

[@TheWorld-of7dd]

It's not so lonely with your family with you

[@TheRebelliousrabbit]

i would sign up for this

[@cassandrawilliams9610]

You actually can at Maatsuyker Island

[@AleMelgoza]

Crazy but kinda cool

[@seawynd99]

Looks like heaven.

[@mystfaex8794]

💓Ahh! If only they still necessary... I would go live & work there in a heartbeat!😁 1900's... simpler times...

[@derinko]

Are you forgetting the fact that WWI was on 1914 and WWII 1939?

[@cassandrawilliams9610]

You still can live at Maatsuyker Island rent free to take care of the land and wildlife

[@mohit5496]

light house ghost is gonna have fun

[@grgr6720]

Living in a lighthouse with no TV or Internet.. No wonder why they had so many children.🙄🙄

[@kalahi7050]

Poor basterds, guess the fishin would keep you busy.

[@ReluctantReader]

Back when Australia was white

[@MrLunithy]

Just stay jerking of to manga and leave the real world to the adults also don't eat on the train OK Barret.......

[@Pseudosurfer]

Australia's never been white, you drongo

[@jacintabyline]

Your comment alone proves what a 'reluctant reader' you are... and thus - your total ignorance of history.

[@abramgoldberg1014]

stopping jewish subversion since 1966

[@user-op8cw6li4o]

What did Jews have to do with it I'm not sure

[@wakeoftheflood2]

huh?