2010 News
June 2010 Fort Scratchley Attack Re-enactment
Fort Scratchley came under fire once again to mark the 68th anniversary of the Japanese submarine attack on Newcastle Harbour during World War II. This time however Newcastle was prepared with re-enactment of the attack due on Tuesday June 8, 2010. The re-enactment saw a 1939 WWII search light back in action, and the firing of the guns over Nobbys Beach.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 
The submarine attack on Newcastle Harbour occurred at 2.17am on June 8 1942. Official records state that 26 shells and 8 star shells were fired at Newcastle, while Fort Scratchley returned a total of 4 shells.
On the night of the attack Fort Scratchley Officers were forced to use a small search light to illuminate the enemy as the larger, more powerful search light had recently been replaced. It is widely believed that this caused a hindrance to the Officers’ ability to target the enemy.
The majority of the damage from the submarine attack was incurred at Parnell Place and the only reported injury was to off duty Fort Scratchley Officer Stanley Newton, who sustained a laceration to his face.
Quest For The Macquarie Pier Plaque Dedication - 4 August, 2010
The Coal River Working Party (Newcastle University) of which Fort Scratchley Historical Society is a member, has been working to find the Foundation Stone for Macquarie Pier (an important part of the Port and has protected shipping in and out since 1818). This year has been deemed the year of Governor Macquarie who took up his tenure in the colony in 1810 hence the anniversary.
In his term he set about many public works that have survived till today and the "Quest for the Macquarie Pier" is part of that year of celebration. A bronze plaque will be inserted in the footpath near the suspected actual site of the foundation stone and will be dedicated by the current Governor Marie Bashir on Wednesday 4th August at about 4 pm this will be followed by an Exhibition in the Barracks Rooms of the Fort, also to be opened by the Governor.
The Exhibition will be a collaboration between the Newcastle Port Corporation (SPONSOR), the Fort Scratchley Historical Society and the University of Newcastle and will present drawings paintings diagrams plans in an order that will show the history of Nobbys (top blown off) the site now known as Fort Scratchley (used as quarry for the Pier) and panoramas of old Newcastle that will take the viewer on a journey from then till now. The Exhibition will run from 4th to the 8th of August during normal opening times 10 am till 4 pm.
We would like to again acknowledge the Newcastle Port Corporation as a sponsor who have provided $2,250.00 to prepare the laminations and framing and Newcastle University in preparing the products to be framed or laminated.
Life members
At he AGM held in September 2010 saw three new life members invested, namely Bill Hopkins, Carl Christie, and Len Young.
Exhibition Project
Stage1 - Room 1 covering the Period 1797 to 1881 and Room 2 covering the period 1882 to 1913.
Stage 2 - Room 3 will deal with the period 1914 to 1939 followed by Room 4 which will cover 1939 to 1945.
Stage 3 - At this point it is intended to develop and complete our firearms exhibition in the Small Arms Store.
Stage 4 - The fifth room will cover the period 1946 to 1972 and our final Room will illustrate activities on the site since 1973 to the present. Just when we complete the project overall is dependent on the availability of funding.