The steamship Uki heading towards Nestle’s milk processing factory wharf at Smithtown. Aerial photograph by Earl McNeil of Kempsey. Date unknown. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Silt and floodwater in Belgrave St, Kempsey after the 1949 flood. Shops include Lane’s Chemist, Yabsley’s Butchers, Mackay and Slack Real Estate, James Dry Cleaners and Dr Marsh’s surgery. Picture from the Steuart McIntyre collection of the Macleay River Historical Society

Boyes and Benson’s butcher’s van in the 1940s. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Macleay St, Frederickton in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Picture from the Boyes collection of the Macleay River Historical Society.

Smith St, Kempsey in the 1940s.The Bank of NSW branch on the western side, and the Post Office on the eastern side. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Belgrave St looking west from the road bridge during the 1949 flood, the deadliest flood on record. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

The Willow Glen guest house in East Kempsey after the 1949 flood, which took away a nearby wharf. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

A bullock team hauling a huge log, with a tall chimney smoking in the background. Unidentified people and area. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

The opening of the Toorooka bridge across the Macleay River on July 30, 1909. A large crowd gathered for the occasion. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Kempsey traffic bridge looking from east to west in the 1910s.The Tattersall’s Hotel sign on the roof can be seen at the Kempsey end. Note the lamp, wooden spans and notice of speed limit to horse riders. Picture courtesy of the Macleay River Historical Society.

Frank Supple with his draught horse Jock on his property at Five Day Creek. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Two steam ships at East Kempsey wharf, with a small boat near the Kempsey traffic bridge. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and party after his aircraft ‘Southern Cross’ was forced to land at Frogmore on the Lower Macleay in 1933. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

‘The old Originals’ Pirates rugby union team in 1914.William Byrnes is on the extreme left in the second row. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

‘Costonville’, the family home of John and Alice Saul at Bellimbopinni, later owned by their daughter Jean and her husband Harry Vale. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Floodwater at Willawarrin in 1949. From left William and Sue Cavanagh’s house, Cecil Forrest’s house and a portion of St John’s church. Picture from the Maisie Sillitoe collection of the Macleay River Historical Society.

A cattle sale at Willawarrin in the 1940s, held at Elrington’s saleyards. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Floodwater in Clyde St, Kempsey, thought to be in 1921. Picture courtesy of the Maisie Sillitoe Collection of the Macleay River Historical Society.

An unidentified child with Donald and Bill Baker and their fishing nets in Killick Creek at Crescent Head. The two storey hotel in the background is the New Brighton. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Two women and children outside a family home in the late 1800s. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Debris and floodwater in Belgrave St, Kempsey during the 1949 flood. Argent’s bus depot and service station. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Pioneer home: This old slab cottage at Mungay Creek had a shingle roof, replaced with iron. It was built by an early settler going by the name of Cavanagh. The fence is wooden paling. The photo is printed from the Macleay Argus negative collection and dates from 1962. Pics: Macleay River Historical Society.

Barrel and Conn’s Kempsey to Armidale service car in 1926.The car was a converted International truck, with solid tyres converted to pneumatic, an electric light and electric starter. It could carry up to 16 passengers plus the driver. It ran from Kempsey to Armidale Mondays and Thursdays, returning Tuesdays and Fridays. On Saturdays it ran to and from Bellbrook. Note luggage tied to the running board and bonnet.