Historic lighthouse optic to light up on Friday

THE historic South Solitary Island Lighthouse Optic (SSILO) will be turned on for half-an-hour on Friday, 26 September.

Situated in a purpose-built display case near the entrance to the Jetty Foreshores Pier, the SSILO’s on-switch will be hit at 6pm on Friday, 26 September to mark World Maritime Day.

“The old lighthouse optic will be illuminated and cycle through its phases for half-an-hour so it’s a great opportunity for people to gather at the jetty and relive an iconic part of Coffs history,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.

“Bring a picnic rug, maybe some takeaway prawns and chips, and make an occasion of it under the hypnotic glow of the optic.”

The kerosene-fuelled light stood sentry at Coffs Harbour from 1880 until 1975 when the lighthouse was automated and the optic decommissioned.

It was then stored in a Harbour Drive building for decades until a plan was hatched to restore it.

The restoration project was made possible by funding from the City of Coffs Harbour and the NSW Government, and driven in part by the volunteers of Friends Of South Solitary Island Lighthouse (FOSSIL).

“The plan is to light the optic twice a year – on its birthday in March and in September to mark World Maritime Day.

“This will be the fourth time it will be illuminated since finding its new home at the jetty,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.

In March 2024, the first lighting of the SSILO at its new home by the pier drew a crowd of 400.

Jack Duvoisin gave the order to relight the optic on that day.

While it was 144 years to the day after it was first turned on officially on South Solitary Island in 1880, it was Mr Duvoisin who decommissioned the light in 1975 when the station was automated.

“This is one of the finest displays of light piece equipment anywhere in Australia,” the former lighthouse engineer told the crowd.

Mayor Williams praised FOSSIL for its role in celebrating the optic.

“They have been true believers since day dot in this project and remain passionate about South Solitary Island, its history, and its potential,” she said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the optic is a beacon in the modern storyline of Coffs life.

“It’s the first and last lighthouse optic in NSW to be powered by kerosene and it’s irreplaceable as the factory in the UK which made the glass panels was destroyed when it was bombed in World War II,” he said.