Griffiths Island

Griffiths Island is a small island at the mouth of the Moyne River, in Port Fairy, south-western Victoria, Australia. It is now connected by a short causeway to the mainland, which gives easy public access on foot. Notable features of the island include the Griffiths Island Lighthouse and the Short-tailed Shearwater (or Australian Muttonbird) breeding colony. A walking track, including some beach-walking, circumnavigates the island.

History

The island was originally known as 'mallone' or 'mallin' in the local Aboriginal language. In 1835 a whaling station was established on the island and puchased by John Griffiths, after whom the island was named. At about the same time, sealers established themselves there, though overhunting soon eradicated the local population of seals. Whaling ceased in 1843.

In about 1850 a mission to the Aborigines was established on the island, though it only lasted about three years. [cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/victoria/port-fairy/2005/02/17/1108500207199.html|title=Port Fairy|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=8 February 2004]

Lighthouse

Infobox_Lighthouse
name = Griffiths Island Lighthouse


caption =
location = Port Fairy harbour, Victoria, Australia
coordinates =
yearbuilt = 1859
yearlit = 1859
automated = ~ 1956
yeardeactivated =
foundation =
construction = Bluestone
shape = Conical
marking = White with red trim, red lantern roof
height = 11 m
elevation = 12 m
lens =
currentlens =
intensity =
range =
characteristic = Fl. (2) 10 s
fogsignal =
admiralty =K2136
NGA =8028
ARLHS =AUS-086

The Griffiths Island Lighthouse is 11 m high and was built in 1859 from bluestone by John Griffiths, employing Scottish stonemasons,. Originally built on what was a separate small island known as Rabbit Island, landfill and the construction of a breakwater have made it a part of Griffiths Island proper. The bluestone cottages built for the lighthouse keepers were demolished following the automation of the light around 1956. In 2000, volunteers helped to restore the site by revealing the foundations of the cottages, which had been overgrown.

The light's focal plane is located at 12 metres above sea level, the character of the signal is a double flash every ten seconds. [cite web|url=http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/vic.htm|author=Rowlett, Russ|title=The Lighthouse Directory]

hearwater colony

Much of the land area of Griffiths Island is covered by the breeding burrows of an estimated seasonal population of 30,000 Shearwaters. These birds may be seen at dusk between late September and mid April as they return from foraging trips at sea to incubate their single eggs and subsequently feed their growing chicks. The young birds leave in early May, after the adults have departed. A public viewing platform has been built for visitors to enjoy the spectacle.

References

ee also

* Griffith Island

External links

* [http://au.geocities.com/aust_lighthouses2/port_fairy/griffiths_island_lighthouse.htm Griffiths Island Lighthouse]
* [http://www.port-fairy.com/shearwaters.htm Griffiths Island Shearwater Colony]