TitleMccabe Shell CollectionObject TypeObjectDate1976DescriptionShell Collection donated to Shellharbour Municipal Council by Christopher (Christy) McCabe.
All shells were collected by Christy and the McCabe family at Shellharbour.
Provenance and SignifcanceChristopher (Christy) McCabe was born in 1891 to James McCabe and Catherine (Kate) Boylan. The family home in Addison Street, Shellharbour Village, was built from salvaged remains of the shipwreck Rangoon which struck Minnamurra Island in 1870.
Christy went to Shellharbour Public School and was later employed at Bass Point Quarry, before joining the Steel Works at Port Kembla. He enlisted in the AIF in 1916, and was awarded the Military Medal recognition of his high performance at Villers Bretonneaux and Peronne, France.
The people of Shellharbour organised a welcome home for Christy, and on behalf of them, Colonel Colin Dunmore Fuller 6th Australian Light Horse of Dunmore House, presented him with a gold watch and chain, which he wore with pride until his death.
Christy never married. He was a keen sportsman and played cricket and league for the local team, and was honoured with a life membership of the local cricket club. He enjoyed the game euchre and loved to collect shells. His large shell collection was donated to Shellharbour Council and once stood in the foyer of the Warilla Council Chambers.
After a long illness, he died at Mount Warrigal Nursing Home aged 90 years. DonorShellharbour City Council
