VACY developed as a private town on land granted to John Cory Snr. in 1828. Gilbert Cory inherited his father’s estate. Vacy remained in the Cory family until subdivision and subsequent sale in 1927.

The walk begins at

1 St. John’s, Vacy’s second Anglican Church, built in 1887 by James Richardson, from locally made brick, on land donated by Gilbert Cory step inside
Some notable features of this much loved little church
The Sanctuary - woodwork and panelling by Canon Hobart (1930-4)
Stained Glass Windows, gift from the Cory Family.
Organ, purchased in 1934.
Note the remains of gas light fittings turn right after leaving the porch
past the turnstile, once stood a weatherboard shed which housed the gas making tanks. The Church and School of Arts were lit by electricity in 1934
Church gates, gift from parishioners, as inscribed, turn left and continue past the white house built in 1930 by Alf Presland Snr. and Jnr. for Tom McInnes.

2 McInnes’ Shed, built in 1930 by Arthur and Darcy Crouch to house Angus McInnes’ motor lorries which replaced his horse drawn milk wagon.
Moving on, Amanda McInnes’ silky oak, planted in 1935, still stands near the remains of her wisteria covered trellis.
3 Post Office and Telephone Exchange. Vacy became a “Postal Town” in 1860, the Exchange opened on the 4.3.1915. The Schoolmaster was also the Postmaster, until 1919 when Mr. F.C. Willis resigned and Angus McInnes took over his duties. The single roomed Post Office building was moved from the school residence on a slide. The Exchange closed on the 16.6.1981 and the Post Office became an agency of the Store in October 1983,
ending the McInnes family association.
4 INVERNESS (Post Office Residence) built 1900-1, rented from the Cory Estate by Angus and Amanda McInnes until it became available for purchase in 1927. It remained in the family for 100 years.
5 The Butcher Shop, built prior to 1900. Mr. W. Sherwood sold to Mr. Brooker Snr. in 1914 and it remained in this family until it closed on the 31.6.1965.
6 Butcher Shop Residence, built 1912-13, like most other buildings in Vacy at this time, by Clarrie and Tony Ebbeck. The Privet hedge was planted by Mrs. Brooker Snr. and the interesting garden urn is one of a pair from “Cardoness”. Brookers still own and live here.

7 In the driveway between Brooker’s and the Shop, a 1910 photo shows a weatherboard creamery.
Cream was transported to Gostwyck Butter Factory 3 days a week. Gostwyck factory began operation in 1908.
8 Two buildings, prior to the present building, are shown as shop buildings. The earliest mention of a shopkeeper is Mr. Brown in 1868. His shop would probably have been a slab and shingle structure with a dirt floor, used as a storeroom in later years. The present shop was built in 1935, as was the residence, next door, for Mr. A. Horn. Moving past the “Bakery Residence”, built in 1913.

9 The Bakery ceased to operate in 1965 and was converted to a residence. This building was constructed in two matching sections, the earliest being the northern section which housed brick ovens, which continued to be used for bread baking until the close of the business probably in the late 1950’s. Bread deliveries were made from a horse drawn vehicle cross to the right hand side of the road and continue on towards the bridge, to the left…..

10 “Cooyong” built 1927-8 for Mr. S. Cardow. His son has planted the avenue of poplars and silky oak
continue on to “Narrow Bridge” sign, look to the left, across the paddocks to
11 “Cardoness”, double gabled English style home, built on James Adair’s grant, extensively remodelled by 1940 owner, Mr. Haythorpe. The Tucker family owned Cardoness prior to Haythorpes, in the early 1900’s. Sunday School picnics were hosted Tennis courts and golf course stood between house and river. A log and safety wire allowed foot access. The mountain to the west is Mt. George (H. 452.6m.) Continue on to the bridge -. the mountain ahead and to the left is Mt. Breckon a private town which did not eventuate was planned for the Breckon.
12 Bridge, built 1898, to replace a flood prone low level bridge on the old road to Vacy. Stone work at the northern end of the bridge is attributed to a German stonemason Zenisch. About 1 km. downstream is the junction of the Paterson and Allyn rivers.
To the north, from the bridge, on the righthand side bank, the cement floor remains of Uriah Heep’s cream separating room. Cream was taken to Paterson Wharf by wagon, and by boat to Bowthrone factory (near Morpeth). This preceded the creamery near the shop, approx. 1903-8. Rainbow Bee-Eaters, brightly coloured migratory birds are often sighted in this area between October and February.
As you turn to retrace your steps, buildings to the left, in the middle distance mark the site of Johns Horns original homestead block, on Cory Vale granted to the Cory family in 1824 and purchased by J.Horn in 1879 and remains in the family.
Continue off the bridge to the right hand side of the road. The mountain directly ahead is Mt. Johnston (h. 341m) Named in 1801 after Lieut. Johnston. It was a noted landmark for inland navigation.
The triangular shaped paddock to the left was the Hub of Vacy prior to the opening of the bridge.

The ‘Old Road” followed a course roughly in front of the Hotel turning right towards the river and crossing at ‘Clarkes Crossing’ first by a river ford and later by a low level flood prone bridge that was destroyed by fire. Two lonely trees either side of the ‘road’ may well mark the now unknown site of the first school and church. The slab and shingled roofed school had its eastern boundary to the road. It was opened 1/9/1859. It stood opposite the slab church which is believed to have stood near the present residence for the Motel. It was opened by Bishop Tyrell in 1850 and served the community. Rev. Addams, second minister in the Paterson Parish, would have conducted services.
Mr. Chapman, the first school teacher also became the first postmaster in 1860. The buildings were provided by Gilbert Cory for use of his tenants. It was a busy spot with pigs and cattle being driven along the road to market. Cattle saleyards once stood below the site of the Vacy Motel.
13 D’arcy Keoghs blacksmiths shop stood opposite the present Bush Fire Shed. In 1902 D’arcy relocated to the new Keogh residence on top of the hill past the School of Arts.

14 Farmers Hotel (prior to 1897- the Half Way House). The original hotel is believed to have stood a little further down the hill and burnt down during Mr. Bernard Higgins proprietorship, and the new hotel renamed Farmers Hotel. The earliest licencee found to date Mr. Beattie, 1865. The area between the hotel carpark and the roadway locally referred to as the Green in the early 1900’s had a permanent circle marking the ring of the travelling horse drawn circus. Continuing on past the Sportsground, which has seen many games of cricket over the years and more recently, Rugby League. In the 1930’s, Mr Tucker of Cardoness supervised the planting of trees on the road edge. Residents were responsible for allotted trees.
In 2004, road side planting was undertaken by local residents, led by Ken Lambert.
15 Present School Residence, site of second school and residence. The second school relocated from the old road site in 1882, on land bought from Gilbert Cory. It was a brick building with semi detached class room. The Post Office building stood off the corner of the verandah. The Post Office was moved to its new location 1919 – the residence and schoolroom demolished in 1966. From the school ground to the top of the hill was a dairy prior to subdivision of land, 1927.
16 School of Arts, built in 1901. Repairs and alterations have been carried out in recent years, saving this important community centre from demolition.

Compiling this walk has been a great pleasure. Acknowledgements must go the Mr. H. Smith 1959 Vacy School Centenary Booklet, the memory of Jean Smith, Will and Dorrie Brooker. Special thanks to Rod Galagher’s art contribution. Finally, thanks to you for sharing this walk with us.

Wendy Cannon
St. Johns Anglican Church Centenary
1887-1987

top of page