The Collection

Parachute Silk

Date: c.1941

Donated by: Winifred Roberts

Location: Shellharbour City Museum Collection

This parachute silk is from Ben Turner Parachute Factory at Broadway Sydney NSW. Albion Park’s Esme Walsh worked for Ben at his factory making parachutes for World War 2. 

Benjamin Horace Turner was a world record parachutist, a manufacturer of parachutes in Australia during World War 2, and the designer of the iconic Australian Scamp swimsuit. He was also a pilot and established Southern Cross Air, which operated in the South Coast.

In 1949, Ben moved to Clover Hill, Macquarie Pass, with his wife Jean and their English sheep dog Roger. In the 1970s, the historic Clover Hill homestead, originally owned by the Thomas family, burnt down, and the NWPS acquired his property as part of Macquarie Pass National Park.

Ben was allowed to remain at Clover Hill until his death. Here he built his famous English Tudor style home, known locally as Ben’s Folly, around huge rock formations on the property.

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Shellharbour City Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of Dharawal Country and recognises their continued connection to the land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and the contribution they make to the life of this city.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have since passed.