The final transfer on the Certificate of Title Vol-Fol 1932-197 available on the NSW Land Titles historical viewer is recorded on 10 October 1985 when Marie Jane Perkins sold to the little cottage to the next door neighbours Jean and Arthur Bultitude who owned the original James Ryall bakehouse property at 2 River Street. This brought the property back to when the same people owned both 2 and 3 River Streets.
From this time forward the property was rented, originally well kept but as it progressed through owners since that time, the upkeep has gradually declined. Over the years family have taken photos of ‘Grandma’s place’ documenting the decline and neglect. Gone are the front picket fence and gate, the original side small neighbour friendly paling fences now replaced by colourbond fencing. It is now known as the ‘little blue house’ after it was painted a bold blue.
Property data online indicates it was sold in
- 1998 for $103,000
- 2007 for $390,000
- 2011 for $750,000 (with a note that states this may not reflect the value of the property may include 2 River Street)
- 2015 for $287.500
- 2022 2- 3 River St Yamba combined $1,100,000
- 2024 3 River St Yamba sold independently again https://www.realestate.com.au/property/3-river-st-yamba-nsw-2464/
Below are a few photos over the years of the cottage at 3 River Street until 2021.
In 2021 it is still standing and the local historian John Macnamara at the Port of Yamba Historical Society documented the houses at 2 and 3 River Street as being the two oldest cottages left standing in Yamba.
References – 1927 Photo courtesy of Beverley Knox nee Gray – ‘Happy Home at Yamba 1927’ Percy & Edith Gray with mother (Francis) May Gray nee Richards and Emma Gray
A Cottage By The Sea 