Suzanne Christesen Oral History

DETAILS

Alternative NameSue DavisOverview
Suzanne Mary Christensen offers a detailed and personal account of early life in Noosa, where her family were among the region’s first permanent European settlers. Born in 1948, she describes how her father, Harry Davis—a skilled builder—discovered Noosa during military training in WWII and purchased seven acres of land through a friend before returning from service. On this land, he developed a small enclave of Tudor style homes, using local stone and timber, and relying on family labour and hand built infrastructure such as wells, pumps, and gravity fed tanks. Christensen recalls a childhood spent in tents during construction, later moving between the three houses her father built.

Her memories illustrate a secluded, undeveloped Noosa: sand tracks instead of roads, abundant bushland, natural water sources, and a small, close-knit community. She recounts daily life marked by independence—walking to Little Beach, drinking from creeks, playing in the National Park—and an emerging surf culture that attracted early board shapers including Bob McTavish.

Christensen also reflects on regional changes, including the growth of tourism, unsuccessful efforts to preserve family buildings, environmental threats from rutile mining, and the increasing loss of natural vegetation. Despite these changes, she expresses enduring affection for Noosa’s landscape, heritage, and community identity.

Photograph

Suzanne Christesen

Oral History Transcript

Suzanne Christesen Oral History - Transcript

Audio

Suzanne Christensen Oral History - Audio

Video

Suzanne Christensen Oral History - Video

IDENTIFIERS

Subject (Keywords)Surfing

CONNECTIONS

LocalityNoosa HeadsPlaceAlderly CottagePersonSuzanne ChristensenProjectNoosa History of Surfing

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Suzanne Christesen Oral History