While Shoalhaven waterways are being enjoyed during this holiday season for fishing, boating and waterskiing, the Shoalhaven Historical Society has shone the spotlight on the region’s oyster industry beginnings.
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Haiser Road at Greenwell Point serves as a reminder of the man who is regarded as the “father of the oyster industry”.
George Haiser (1836-1915) was not the first to harvest and market the shellfish but he came to Greenwell Point soon after the introduction of the oyster leaser system in 1882 and secured the first lease in the township. He was the major leaseholder for the rest of his life.
During 1885 he was one of three lessees of oyster beds to offer a 10 pound reward for information leading to the conviction of people who stole oysters from their leases in the Crookhaven and Shoalhaven Rivers, along with Jervis Bay.
It would be an ongoing issue, resulting in similar advertisements over the years.
The Bavarian-born Haiser endured life’s ups and downs in his travels that had taken him to various parts of the world. He left his native land at the age of 14, spending a little time in North and South America where he gained a basic knowledge of oysters.
When George Haiser died on March 28, 1915, he was described by the Shoalhaven Telegraph as “Greenwell Point’s grand old man”
Embarking from Chile he arrived in Australia in 1857, married Mary Ann Whatman at Ulladulla the following year, and went into business at Batemans Bay.
There the couple’s four children were born between 1864 and 1872. The business flourished for a time but Haiser lost money when he backed friends were failed to repay him, and when he was burnt out, he left that town virtually penniless.
Eventually, with his second son Harry, he ventured to Jervis Bay in search of work.
They found a supply of oysters and George took them to Sydney, only to find there was no regular market operating. He still sold oysters but prices gained were haphazard, ranging from six shillings to 10 pounds a bag.
Eventually a market was set up and as his business grew, Haiser had up to 30 men working for him at Greenwell Point. Apart from the regular shipments to Sydney, he also sent them to Melbourne and Western Australia.
He was appointed to the Fishing Board, and while he was a large leaseholder, he advocated the setting aside of waterfront reserves for public use.
Haiser became a naturalised Australian in 1873 and was one of the organisers of Empire Day celebrations at Greenwell Point.
When George Haiser died on March 28, 1915, he was described by the Shoalhaven Telegraph as “Greenwell Point’s grand old man”.
Information courtesy of Alan Clark and the Shoalhaven Historical Society.