In 1974, Jane’s father Bubby uncovered the remarkable remains of a convict-era home hidden deep within Music Valley. The stone cottage, built around 1791, belonged to Ann Harper, a convict who became the first European woman to own land on Norfolk Island in her own name. Ann and her husband Jacob Bellett, a fellow convict, raised eight children in this cottage. Today, the ruins provide a rare connection to Norfolk’s first settlement and to the generations of descendants who return and reconnect with their family history.
For centuries, Norfolk Islanders have transformed the natural fibres around them into practical and beautiful objects. From hibiscus bark to banana fibre and pandanus, these natural materials became clothing, string, bedding, tools and more. In this film, we explore the patience and skill behind these traditional crafts, including the process of making banana-fibre string. Through Jane’s eyes, we understand that working with natural fibres provides a connection to knowledge that has been passed down through generations.
What began as a simple shed for protecting vehicles from Norfolk Island’s salty air has become a fascinating collection of island history. Bubby’s Shed is filled with objects, creations and curiosities that have either been collected or made throughout Bubby’s life. From timber carvings and walking sticks to a Polynesian-era stone adze and a telescope linked to Pitcairn Island, every object tells a story. Walking into Bubby’s Shed is both a journey through one man’s life, and a retrospective view of Norfolk Island through the ages.
For Jane, Music Valley was once a holiday retreat from life in the family butcher shop, but it later became the permanent family home. She recalls the unusual design of the building they lived in, as it was constructed from three WW2 army huts, which were originally shipped from New Zealand to be used for wartime communications on Mount Bates. There have been some renovations to the home over the years, but it’s important to Jane that the building retains the heritage value and history that makes it so unique.
What was once a sparsely planted valley has transformed into a thriving garden filled with rare plants, endemic species and wildlife. Beginning with Bob Dewy’s vision, Bubby and later generations have nurtured the valley into a living ecosystem shaped by its unique microclimate. From the rare Phillip Island hibiscus to the enormous king ferns, the valley is a thriving organism that is constantly reinventing itself. Jane considers herself the custodian of the valley, and wishes to carry on the legacy of her father and Bob Dewy, so that future generations can continue to enjoy the lush hidden valley with all its natural treasures.