Sally May

James Paratore

On Thursday 3 February 1916, two fishing vessels left Port Denison to fish, as this was their livelihood. Henry James, the father, and young son Francis in one boat, with elder sons Theodore and Albert in the other vessel. They intended to fish some thirty miles down the coast between Irwin and Leander Reef.

By mid-afternoon with the breeze freshening, Henry James and young Francis (b. 1904) returned to port, leaving brothers Theodore (b. 1900) and Albert (b. 1899) to do one more drift before heading home. The father had left them about a mile further out to sea in the vicinity of the reefs and apparently safe.

They were expected back the same afternoon. At first it was thought they had sought shelter at Freshwater Bay, owing to a strong wind springing up, and were unable to return. It was not until the Friday afternoon that the worst was feared, when three Fremantle boats entered the bay stating they had not seen the missing men. The local Police were away, so Mr. T. Hughes reported the occurrence to Geraldton and Police Constable Fanning arrived to assist with the search. With the help of others they began patrolling the north beach for some distance, and Henry James Money started at daylight southward.

Constable L.H. Thompson of Greenough, on patrolling the beach towards Dongara, saw a portion of a boat painted blue drifting towards the shore about 12 or 14 miles north of Dongara. At night, he reported his discovery and by Sunday morning, he was accompanied by Henry James Money to identify the wreckage as belonging to the missing boat. The newspaper’s reported that the two brothers practically lived on the water, and were perfectly acquainted with every inch of the coast and reefs. They were also highly capable of managing the boat.

During his search, Constable Thompson unexpectedly came across a water hole containing beautiful fresh water only a few yards from the sea between Greenough and Dongara. He suggested that finger posts should be erected at various points on the sand ridges abutting the sea, indicating the position of water holes to aid survival.

For more than 20 years, their grieving mother Annie (also known as Elizabeth) would walk to Point Leander each evening and as the sun went down over the horizon, she would light her hurricane lamp in the hope this would one day guide her boys’ home.

Other family stories indicate Annie would put this same lamp on in the window of their house located at the top of Point Leander as a beacon for their journey home. The home was located on the corner of Kailis Drive and Port Leander Drive – approximately 100 metres away from the Point Denison Point (Fishermen’s Lookout).

Both men’s names now appear on a memorial plaque at the top of Point Leander, Port Denison. The memorial was unveiled in 1979. The original stone obelisk was erected after Captain W. D. Moore lost his small sailing ship, 

 on the Irwin Reef in 1869. Moore requested a lighthouse, but the obelisk was built instead.

Henry James Money married Annie Frances (Elizabeth) Payne in Dongara in 1897.Henry was born in Essex, England in 1863 and died in Geraldton, WA in 1931. He was the secretary of the Irwin Roads Board in Dongara. Annie was born in WA in 1878 and died in Mount Lawley in 1956. They had seven children, losing two in the 1916 tragedy. The Money family continued to be involved in the fishing industry for many years, and their great-grandson Matthew Taylor, continues involvement in the fishing community as the current Chief Executive Officer of the Wester Rock Lobster Council.

This story is folklore in the Dongara/Port Denison community.

As the family story goes, Albert and Theodore Money’s mother wouldn’t allow them to join the Australian Imperial Forces and go to war until they were both 19, so they both decided to go fishing and wait until they reached the age their mother had stipulated for overseas service.

Bonzer

Marlene Anderson

In his role as pastor he travelled conducting services to scattered groups of Latvian migrants living throughout Western Australia. As a young girl Eva accompanied him on many of his travels and ten years after arriving in Australia, on 15 September 1959, the Kampe family were naturalised and became Australian citizens. By 1975 at 63 years of age Leo had chosen a different path in life to that of travelling pastor and was crayfishing in the small coastal town of Cervantes. Crayfish as a food source had been introduced by American service personnel during World War Two and after the war finished crayfish also became popular with local people.

During the crayfishing season Leo was happy making a living catching crayfish in the peaceful environment of Cervantes. He purchased a boat and, as many other migrant fishermen had done in Cervantes, initially lived in makeshift accommodation during the crayfishing season in the dunes abutting the Indian Ocean. Once the town of Cervantes had been gazetted the makeshift homes in the dunes were no longer allowed even for the duration of the crayfishing season. Leo then built himself a brick house on the highest point in the newly gazetted town.

Tragedy struck three days after Christmas, 28 December 1975, when Leo left Cervantes at 5.30am in his boat to pull his craypots. It was a Bondwood boat, 21 foot in length and fitted with a 4 cylinder 75hp Ford diesel motor with licence number LFBF 312. Although it had no radio it was fitted with all safety equipment.

after a cocker spaniel dog Eva had bought with pocket money she had earned from working for her father making bricks for their new home. The name Netta was displayed on the side of the boat along with its licence number LFB 312.

Fisheries’ licensing rules permitted a crayboat to have 3 pots for every foot in length of the boat, allowing Leo to fish with 63 craypots. Leo had set his craypots between Cervantes and Jurien Bay extending to about 3 miles offshore. Weather conditions at the time were fine and dry with a moderate sea and southerly wind at about 20-25 knots and Leo proposed to return to Cervantes at approximately 2pm in the afternoon.

When Leo failed to return to Cervantes at the allotted time concern was expressed by other local crayfishermen and by 5.50pm 9 boats had put to sea to search for him. A Cervantes local, Donald Hunt, telephoned the Jurien Bay Police Station to make an official report about the failure of Leo to return from fishing. Leo’s daughter Eva and his son-in-law, Len Vlahov, who were having a family Christmas holiday at Cervantes, engaged a private aircraft to search for him. Further help was sought by Eva and Len from Sergeant Brennan at Jurien Bay Police Station and another charter aircraft was authorised to assist in the search.

At 6.30pm First Class Constable, Graeme Sisson, from Jurien Bay Police Station departed in a single engine Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft piloted by Roger Ruddock to search the area between Cervantes and Jurien Bay, extending to about 5 miles offshore. During the search the 

, a local crayfishing boat from Cervantes, skippered by Max Gazeley, located a hatch cover 2 miles south of Jurien Bay and about half a mile offshore. An immediate search by both aircraft and other fishing boats in the area failed to find any sign of Leo or the 

. Due to failing light and poor visibility Constable Sisson returned to Jurien Bay at 7.50pm.

With the assistance of Ross Fisheries at Jurien Bay Sergeant Brennan continued to maintain radio contact with the boats assisting with the search. At 6.30pm he contacted Senior Inspector Kenward, to advise him of the day’s search. It was decided to arrange for another aircraft from the Department of Air Transport to leave Perth at first light the next morning, 29 December 1975, to assist with the search.

At 5am the following day Constable Sisson and fisheries inspectors J Williams and M Porter commenced searching the beaches in a dinghy between Jurien Bay and Cervantes. The search included the reefs and islands off Jurien Bay. Forty-five minutes later, at 5.45am the men located the missing 

 partly submerged in about 6 feet of water, 75 yards offshore, 1 ½ miles south of Jurien Bay. Fisheries inspector J Williams dived onto the boat but found no sign of Leo. There was only minor damage to the boat and all safety equipment was intact.

Constable Sisson returned to Jurien Bay Police Station and advised Sergeant Brennan that the 

had been found. Sergeant Brennan then contacted the Department of Transport aircraft and fishing boats involved in the search. Although extensive, the search failed to locate any sign of Leo and the 

Police, fisheries inspectors and civilians continued the search for the rest of the day. A fisheries inspector from Cervantes, L Wallis, patrolled the beach in a four wheel drive vehicle between Cervantes and Jurien Bay and fisheries inspectors J Williams and M Porter continued to patrol the beach in a dinghy between Jurien Bay and Sandy Point. The results of the search were reported by Sergeant Brennan to Eva and Len Vlahov and also to Senior Inspector Kenward.

On 31 December after two unsuccessful days of searching, Senior Inspector Kenward requested further assistance from the Royal Australian Air Force. An Iroquois helicopter was procured to search the beaches and islands between Cervantes and Greenhead. Twelve miles north of Jurien Bay, the fully clothed body of a male person was sighted on the beach but in an advanced stage of decomposition. The helicopter landed on the beach and the body was conveyed to Jurien Bay and from there on to the Moora District Hospital.

Life extinct was certified at 2.15pm by Doctor D K W Ramsay at the Moora District Hospital. Leo’s general appearance and his clothing allowed identification to be confirmed at 3.15pm by his son-in-law, Len Vlahov, at the Moora District Hospital Mortuary. Sergeant Brennan then informed superintendant Blackman at the Metropolitan District Office in Perth of the result of the search.

Two days later at 8.30am on 2 January 1976 a Post Mortem was conducted at the City Mortuary by Dr Hainsworth. In attendance was First Class Constable P Harbison. The cause of Leo’s death was deemed to be by drowning. Samples of blood and urine were forwarded to the Government Chemical Laboratories for examination. One week later, on 9 January 1976, Constable Sisson confirmed to the District Coroner in Geraldton, Mr Philp, the cause of death of Leo was by drowning.

Leo had been in poor health for some time with a weak heart but it was not known if this contributed to his death. He had led a very active life even before his move to Cervantes and he had always been able to maintain the strenuous lifestyle required by crayfishing.

The last confirmed sighting of Leo was made by Jefferey Smith, a deck hand on the crayfishing boat 

, skippered by Kevin Tester of Cervantes. This was about 9.30am on the day Leo set off from Cervantes. It was about 3 miles offshore south of Jurien Bay near the location of Sandy Knoll Ledge. According to Jefferey Smith “All appeared correct at the time.”

As the damage to the boat was only slight Constable Sisson stated in the summary of his report that it appeared the 

 may have rolled over by a wave near the Sandy Knoll Ledge. However the fine and dry weather with moderate sea and southerly wind were The Royal Australian Airforce
Iroquois helicopter 4 perfect conditions for Leo to be out on the ocean pulling his pots. If his weak heart did fail him Leo died while doing what he had loved to do over many years. His family continue to enjoy holidays in Cervantes in the little brick house that Leo built so many years ago.

At the conclusion of a small family history written in 2017 for her grandchildren, Eva expressed how her father’s loss had affected her with the poignant words: 

Gone was my Dad, my mentor, my support, my guide, my inspiration, my babysitter and my children’s grandfather. His loss was heartbreaking and my memories of him will be with me and each one of us for all time.

Each grandchild received a copy of the history at the dedication of the memorial stone for Leo in the Cervantes Memorial Park on Sunday 26th February 2017.


Drowned at sea; Body recovered
28 to 31 December 1975

Born on 22 February 1912 in Latvia, Leo Kampe graduated in the 1930s from the faculty of Theology at Riga University. After World War Two many people who had survived war torn Europe were given the choice of migration to a number of countries that were relatively unscathed by the ravages of war. Leo’s background in theological studies saw him being sponsored by the then Lutheran Church of Australia to provide spiritual care and services to the many newly arrived Latvian migrants. Accompanied by his wife Lucy and his young daughter Eva, he arrived in Australia in 1949.

Netta

On the 3 August the fishing boat was discovered. A man named Halliday had seen a net floating in the sea off Woodman’s Point and alerted nearby Fishermen. 6 of the missing Fishermen’s compatriots, including Nicholas Tzar, and a couple of Englishmen proceeded to the spot and found the net floating about a mile and a half off the Point and slightly to the southward, attached to the boat lying in 8 fathoms of water. The men spent upwards of 12 hours in raising the boat and emptying the water out of her. The fishing boat was towed to Careening Bay at Garden Island. All the boats gear and nets were found safely stowed away, and for’ard, hanging on a hook inside the decking was a watch. It was reported that from the position in which the boat was lying it is believed she was caught in the night gales and must have taken a dive, and being a ballasted craft, foundered immediately.

Antony’s body was recovered more than a month later on the 12 August, found firmly wedged between two rocks about 4 miles South of Woodman’s Point (9 miles south of Fremantle). The body was found by Italian fishermen, and was still fully clad in oilskins. It took until the 14 August to recover the body and with great difficulty.

On the 17 August an inquest was held at Fremantle. Evidence was given, through an interpreter, by Nicholas Tzar (a compatriot of Garbin and likewise a fisherman living in Fremantle). His reported statements date the tragedy more than a week earlier – the 6 July. He stated that early on the morning of 6 July, he had seen Garbin and Barbich asleep in their boat, which was at anchor at the bank near Woodman’s Point. Coming the same way, at 8am that day, he had observed that the boat was no longer there and surmised they had left on a fishing excursion. Matteo Kazea, a wine saloon-keeper and licensed Victualler in South terrace, expressed the opinion that the boat suddenly dived, and the deceased was too heavily dressed to save himself. The body of Andrew Barbich was never recovered.

Antony was born in 1878 on the Island of Solta, Croatia, just 9 miles from Split. He married Vica Jakovcevic in Croatia and moved to Western Australia in 1908. Antony left behind his Pregnant wife, and 3 children (Ramie Mary – 11, Semie – 8 and Victor – 5). After the disappearance of Antony, Matteo Kazea provided food and lodging for the family, and began a relief fund to help the family. Antony had been working in Kalgoorlie for 3 years, prior to purchasing a fishing boat and nets with a partner in 1911. The family had only just arrived to join Antony in Fremantle onboard the 

Left destitute in a strange country with a family to support, Matteo advised Vica to go to Kalgoorlie where she would find friends. She left her two daughters Ramie and Semie in St. Joseph’s orphanage in Subiaco and moved to Boulder with her son Victor. One of the local newspapers, the Golden Gate, suggested that “Jack” Myers, the leader of the Fremantle band, should organise a benefit for Garbin’s widow and orphans. In reality, five families donated money and built Vica a bag and sapling home in Kalgoorlie.

Vica was an extraordinary woman. She was described as independent, self-sufficient and prepared to work hard. Now expecting her fourth child, Vica took in washing, ironing and mending until she was secure enough to reunite her family. She gave birth to Lucy Antoniette in April 1912. By 1914, Ramie, now 14, was able to join her and in 1915 she re-married Marin Bavich and the family moved to Spearwood. With Marin, she went on to have 4 more children. Her two daughters, Ramie and Semie married two Gericevoch (later shortened to Gerovich) brothers – Jack and Len. Semie and Len produced 6 children, the youngest being John Michael Gerovich. John played 221 league games for South Fremantle between 1955 and 1969, kicking 774 goals during an illustrious career. Gerovich is best known for the “Mark of the Century”, when in the 1956 WAFL Preliminary Final he took one of the most famous marks in history, captured by a photographer for the 

. The unfortunate “step-ladder” was Ray French of East Fremantle. The “Mark of the Century” statue was unveiled in 2006 and sits proudly at the intersection of Parry and William Streets. In another twist of fate, Ray French, a waterside worker, died in an industrial accident in Fremantle a few years after the famous mark was taken.

It is hoped that someday, Antony Garbin’s memory and legacy is also remembered in a memorial dedicated to all of those lives lost tragically at sea. Part of the remembrance would go some way to acknowledging the extraordinary resilience of Vica Garbin in adapting to her new life, accepting the circumstances of the tragedy and raising a family in Australia. And both would be proud that their Grandson scaled new heights in Australian Rules Football.

Antony (Ante) Garbin
Andrew (Andrija) Barbich


Drowned at Sea; Body of Garbin recovered
6 July 1911

The first missing reports for Antony (Ante) Garbin (33) and Andrew (Andrija) Barbich, two fellow Croatians (Austrians), surfaced in the local newspapers on 20 July, when it was suggested the two fishermen had left Fremantle on the 14 July for Garden Island, intending to beach the boat to paint her.

Later reports suggested they had left for a 2 day fishing excursion. Both men had been “clad in oilskins” and they were last seen at 6pm off Woodman’s Point where they had “put in for tea”.

Garbin and Barbich

Jack Drinan next to his Makeshift Raft, Nor 6 1963

In 1916, two fishing vessels left Port Denison to fish as this was their livelihood. Harold, the father, and young son Francis in one boat, with elder sons Theodore and Albert in the other.

By mid-afternoon with the breeze freshening Harold and young Francis returned to port, leaving brothers Theodore and Albert to do one more drift before heading home. They never returned.

For many years each evening their grieving mother would go to the water and light her hurricane lamp in the hope this would one day guide her boys’ home. They never came home.

W.a. Fishers’ lost at sea memorial association

Read the tragic stories of loss at sea in Western Australian waters from the 1800s to the present day. Meticulously researched by our historians, these accounts will take you back in time.

Fishers' Lives Lost at Sea

Explore the W.A. Fishers’ Lost at Sea Memorial Trail, a collection of memorial sites commemorating fisher’s lives lost off our coast.

W.a. Fishers’ lost at sea memorial association

Fishers' Lives Lost at Sea

Memorial Trail

Featured Stories