![]() ![]() In the early days of the mid 1800s it took three families to look after the lighthouse, but fraternisation was frowned upon, according to Prue. ![]() But if they sink or start taking in water, the GPS can fail and so we are here for old fashioned navigation,” said Tony. “Even with GPS, the Tasmanian ferry uses our light as a landmark to turn right towards Tassie.” The Cape Schanck Lighthouse starts beaming at dusk and works on sensors and mains power electricity, with a backup generator. “We are known as a landfill lighthouse which is used as a backup for the GPS which most boats have now. Most of the lighthouse keepers would have literally thrown them over the cliff and into the ocean when they were phased out by electric mechanisms.” “It is one of the only lighthouses to have the clockwork mechanism that still works. “We took over two decades ago from Rod Tilly. “I love history so immediately delved into the history of lighthouses, how the Australian lighthouse families lived and how our lighthouses operate differently to overseas,” said Prue of the lighthouse that has been shining since 1859. “It is the last one in Victoria to run to full capacity,” said Tony, whose job has been to maintain the lighthouse and be a tour guide with wife, Prue. “That was 20 years ago and we are just finishing up now.”Īs a couple who have been involved in hospitality and running b&b’s all their life, taking over the lighthouse was a piece of cake, and with Prue’s fascination for history it was a match made in heaven. “One day Tony just came home from work and said ‘How would you like to run a lighthouse?’” said Prue with a laugh. ![]() For 20 years Tony and Prue Sheers have been keepers of the lighthouse at Cape Schanck, upholding a tradition of a long list of lighthouse keepers who have had the torch passed over to them.Īs watchers over the lighthouse, the Fingal couple have had the rare privilege of guarding and protecting one of the areas most precious treasures at the southern end of the peninsula, and upholding a tradition that is steeped in history.įor the Sheers, having occupation ‘lighthouse keeper’ stamped in their passport was an unexpected surprise in their lives, and came at a time when the couple were considering semi-retirement. ![]()
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