It's no joke: Nelson Bay's Inner Light celebrates 150th on April Fools Day, April 1

The memorable occasion will feature descendants of the original and last lightkeepers and a re-enactment of the original lighting of the lamp.

John Reid, the Marine Rescue Port Stephens facilities officer, said that the Geoff Glover, the great great grandson of the original lightkeeper William Glover, will be on hand to take part in the re-enactment.

"We are fortunate to have Geoff join us at this historic event," Mr Reid said.

"We have also completely refurbished the light room and installed new lamps to show visitors what the lighthouse would have looked like when it was first commissioned. We will also be displaying some of our artefacts from that era.

The first lamp was lit by William Glover, who was born in London is in 1822, on April 1, 1872.

According to historic accounts, William's parents migrated to Western Australia where he became a free mariner, transporting cargoes of good overseas in his barque.

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"On June 1, 1846, he married Margaret Dow in Sydney and brought his wife and growing family to live in Fly Point, Nelson Bay in 1857 where he possibly carried on his timber transportation from port Stephens.

"On October 21, 1869 he was appointed to service under the colony as a telegraph operator. Port Stephens Outer Lighthouse at Fingal Bay was connected to Morpeth for the transmitting of shipping and weather reports to Sydney.

"A timber lightroom was established on April 1, 1872, at Nelson Head to help counteract the numerous sinkings there. William and his family of 11 were able to occupy the brick residence built in 1875. A one-storey hexagonal tower was added to the residence in 1876.

"From this room William lit and tendered four kerosene lamps which guided the ships to safety in Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay and Soldiers Point.

"In 1878 William's wife Margaret died when she was thrown from a cart travelling up the steep road to their residence. William remained lighthouse keeper for 22 years before he died in 1892. A stepson Harry Lambourne took over the duties to become Nelson Bay's second lighthouse keeper."

According to Lighthouses of Australia Inc, the Nelson Head Inner Light is rather unusual in that the light is no longer active.

"However, in the past the light guided ships into the port. The light was shown through the window of the lantern room, and later mounted outside."

The lighthouse cottage offers a small museum and tea rooms, which are open daily and a small museum is located inside the cottage.

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