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Flora Doll

Tea Gardens

THE MYALL COAST

MYALL QUAYS

The ultimate living experience

GET READY FOR LIFE WITH STYLE

Location

Imagine pristine surfing beaches, dazzling white sand dunes, magnificent headlands, stunning islands, proud rivers, tranquil lakes, calm bays, a national park with abundant wildlife all at your doorstep. The serene township of Tea Gardens is nestled amidst spectacular natural wonders, is an easy two hour drive via the F3 freeway north of Sydney, on the north shore of Port Stephens. Less than an hour’s drive from Newcastle, Tea Gardens is separated from its sister town, Hawks Nest, by the mouth of the Myall River which runs from the Myall Lake to Port Stephens. The twin towns are joined by the ‘Singing Bridge’, named for its tendency to sound like a wind harp in the breeze. Hawks Nest looks out over the Pacific Ocean, with its ‘Nine Mile’ beach to the north backed by the forests and lagoons of Myall Lakes National Park.

Tea Gardens is a unique un-spoilt, unpolluted, un-crowded township with a fantastic sense of community and friendship. The village atmosphere and lifestyle alone would entice anyone to want to live in such a beautiful area. No water restrictions, low crime rate and very affordable housing are just a few extra reasons why you should consider relocating to Tea Gardens.

The ultimate lifestyle

The developer of Myall Quays, Crighton Properties has had substantial experience and success in creating vibrant and sustainable residential communities in coastal regions of NSW over the past 20 years.

A common theme to Myall Quays, Myall River Downs and all past developments is a commitment to high quality housing though protective building covenants and architectural guidelines. The quality of housing and the wonderful community atmosphere has already provided purchasers in both Myall Quays and Myall River Downs with substantial capital growth.

A relaxed and friendly environment, imaginative living zone and a body of water teeming with wildlife are just some of the features of Myall Quays, Australia’s benchmark for creative, sustainable living in the 21st Century.

The development

Myall Quays is a unique and award winning development where people live in harmony with the superb coastal environment. There is an abundance of natiuve flora and fauna for all to enjoy. Myall Quays is located at the gateway to three magnificent waterways: the Myall River, Port Stephens and the ocean. Board walks and pathways meander through the carefully planted reserves, so a bike ride, a fitness walk or a relaxed stroll can be enjoyed whilst taking in the scenic surrounds and cooling ocean breeze.

The Myall Quays lifestyle offers an endless variety of water sports and outdoor activities such as canoeing, sailing, wind surfing, kite surfing, fishing or simply relaxing by the glistening water’s edge.

At the heart of Myall Quays is the Myall Quays Shopping village which includes a Bi-Lo Supermarket, a Medical Centre and a variety of specialty shops. There are Village Markets monthly in the Village Square as well as performing artist and community events. These activities create a buzzing community hub for the twin towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest and a place for both residents and visitors to enjoy the fun and atmosphere.

Professional town planning consultants, architects, Great Lakes Council and the community have all been included in the master planning of Myall Quays to ensure the long term success of the development.

The community

* Top class 18 hole golf course and its magnificent Club House

* Abundant waterways which include:

o Ocean beaches & sheltered harbour beaches

o The pristine Myall River which winds through rainforests

o The Myall Lake itself fed by the tranquil Myall River

* Restaurants, cafes and galleries

* State of the art Health and Medical Centre

* Bowls, tennis, croquet, cricket, cycling, walking, fitness, soccer, foorball, aqua aerobics

* The Myall Quays Shopping Village including Bi-Lo (Coles) supermarket an thirteen specialty shops

* ARTS & CRAFT

Woodwork, pottery, patchwork, mosaic, needle work

* CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS

Red Cross, Probus, Lions, Lioness, V.I.E.W., RSL, Golf, Rotary, Surf Club, Motor Club

* SPECIAL INTEREST

Family research, Drama, U3A, Mahjong, Bridge

Shhh…keep it to yourself

You may want to keep it a secret, because friends and family will be eager to visit regularly, to share the paradise you get to call home. Don't worry because Tea Gardens and the surrounding areas have so much to offer that you won’t find them crowding your couch! There are many more things to do, or not do, whichever is your fancy. Here are just a few of Tea Gardens’ fabulous activities and attractions:

THE MYALL & GREAT LAKES

Tea Gardens is approximately 2 hours drive north of Sydney, off the Pacific Highway. The twin towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest are separated by the Myall River that leads to the majestic Myall Lakes system. The towns are connected by the ‘Singing Bridge’ – aptly named from the sound of the wind as it passes through the rails.

The Myall and Great Lakes is the most extensive brackish lake system on the New South Wales Coast. A complex ecosystem exists which encourages the breeding and feeing ground for colonies of black swans and waterbirds, The Lakes also provide a haven for wildflowers, rainforests, paperbark and dry eucalyptus forests.

With a temperate climate, the annual temperature ranges from 12 – 30 degrees. Tea Gardens is the perfect holiday destination any time of the year or a great place to live all year round.

MYALL LAKES NATIONAL PARK

To the north of Tea Gardens is the Myall Lakes National Park, a nature lover’s delight. The park includes one of the state’s largest coastal lake systems, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance as well as 40 kilometres of beaches, giant sand dunes and vast areas of forest catchment. The ‘Mungo Track’ is a 21 kilometre bush walk which starts at the Mungo Brush camping area. The lakes and beaches are perfect for all types of water activities and if you don’t have your own craft you can hire one locally. You can also take a delightful car ferry ride at Bombah Point.

4WD DRIVING

Beach four wheel driving is available from Hawks Nest to Little Gibber. There are five 4WD access routes on to the beach off Mungo Brush Road. Beach permits are available from Council Office and Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest Liquor Supply. Driving on dunes or vegetation is prohibited. Sand dune tours are available.

BUSH WALKING

There are plenty of tracks around Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest which enable you to experience Australia’s flora and fauna. For example: the Myall Area Wildflower Walk, the Mungo Brush Rainforest Walking Track and the Koala Reserve. There are lakeside and forest picnic areas also located in the Myall Lakes National Park. A variety of walks are available to suit all levels of fitness and experience.

THE GRANDIS

Visit the largest known Rose Gum eucalyptus (commonly called a flooded gum) in New South Wales. Standing a proud 76 metres tall, the Grandis is not a sight you are likely to forget. The Grandis is on Wang Wauk Forest Drive near Buladelah.

HAWKS NEST GOLF CLUB

The Club offers modern Clubhouse facilities and a fantastic Championship rated 18 hole, all weather sand-belt course of 6,058 metres of easy walking. Hawks Nest Golf Club welcomes all standards of players, new members and guests. Enjoy the tranquility the natural bush setting with an abundance of wildlife and native flora.

MYALL COMMUNITY ART & CRAFT CENTRE

During your stay, take a look at the beautiful quilting, paper tole, porcelain dolls, woodwork and other exquisite art and craft products on display.

HAWKS NEST KOALA RESERVE

Across the Singing Bridge, view the koalas as they feed on their favourite tree: the rough barked Swamp Mahogany.

FISHING

The Myall waterways are a fisherman’s delight offering River, Estuary and Beach fishing all the year round. Game fishing can also be found off the coast. There are a number of businesses in Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest who supply bait and tackle.

Fishing licences are available from NSW Waterways Office(Saturdays only), Tea Gardens Grange, the Tea Gardens Boatshed and Hawks Nest Newsagency. Local waterways maps and fishing guides are available at the Tea Gardens Boatshed, the Tea Gardens Marine Centre and Garage as well as the Visitors Information Centre.

DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING

Watch the dolphins surf the waves at Bennett’s or Jimmy’s Beach or enjoy a Simba Luxury Dolphin Cruise and watch the dolphins play around the ferry. Witness the incredible spectacle of an estimated 3,000 whales passing by Port Stephens, travelling to the warm waters of the north in June and then back down south during October.

SURFING AND BATHING

Jimmy's Beach, Port Stephens is superb for watching the sunset and has great surf. The beaches surrounding Myall Quays have the finest, whitest sand and aquamarine sea you will ever remember seeing. Ocean swimming can be enjoyed at Bennett's Beach and Jimmy's Beach in Hawks Nest. Further details about current local surf conditions can be sought from Tea Gardens Surf Lifesaving Club.

WATER CRAFT

A great way for all ages to enjoy picturesque Port Stephens and the Myall River: explore the local area and enjoy water-based activities like sandboarding, X-Jet High Performance Jet Boat rides, catamaran, canoe, sea kayak and surf ski. Equipment hire and tuition is available.

SCUBA DIVING

Discover the abundant marine life in Port Stephens and off Broughton Island.

DINING

Sample the fine food at one of the waterfront restaurants or cafes at Tea Gardens.

SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Myall Park Tennis Club with four synthetic surface courts welcomes visitors. Swimming at the Acquatic Centre, Yalinbah Street Tea Gardens is popular and the venue doubles as the location for both indoor and outdoor bowls. The Croquet Club is to be found at Myall Park.

Other locations around Tea Gardens offer activities such as camel rides, fun parks and horse riding at Stockton Beach.

MYALL QUAYS – the ultimate living experience
About the Author

Tara Almarker is marketing manager of Crighton Properties and regular commentator on the Myall Quays and Tea Gardens area. Tara has developed a solid reputation as a marketer and social media analyst.

More information about Myall Quays can be found at
http://www.myallquays.com.au
and you can stay up to date at
http://www.facebook.com/myallquays

My grandmother, born in 1875 was name Flora Dora. Was their some significance about that name?

I was told told that there were dolls or characters with that name. The term "Flora Dora" meant a female vaudeville performer; however, there was no such connection in our family.

"Saint Floradora (the Pompeiian Rose) was assumed to be a Christian daughter of a vacationing Roman senator forced to take cover during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius near Pompeii" (1)

There is a rose named Floradora, and a diplomatic code, but both were named after your grandmother was named.

"This Armand Marseille 1890's doll has a perfect bisque head, nice mohair wig, open-shut eyes, open mouth, composition ball-jointed body" (2)
There's a picture of the doll there.

"The first theatrical sensation of the new century was the British musical comedy Florodora" (3)
This opened in New York in the early 1900s, but I found a reference to the London opening in 1898, so it may have played earlier elsewhere. This is my guess for the most likely place her parents got her name. That, or it just sounded nice to them.

http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-p40401689-k24-g4-~floradora-nover?sourceid=13

Just a picture (Floradora Girl) you might enjoy.