Person Page - 1662

     For the second time in its history a hotel stands on the shores of Venus Bay.
     Many years ago a hotel was the centre of the township of Parkin, the correct name of what has, however, always been called Venus Bay. Some 60 years ago there was at Venus Bay a store kept by Mr. Alfred Day, a police station at one time occupied by Sgt. Clode, who was afterwards in Port Lincoln, also by Sgt. Geharty, and the Venus Bay Hotel the property of Mr. Robert Simes. There were also a number of stone cottages for private residents. The original Venus Bay jetty was one of the earliest jetties on the West Coast.
     The principal industry was pastoral and the production of wool. It is said, that it was on a small island in Venus Bay that rabbits were first introduced to the West Coast, and from there they got ashore at low water and spread over the adjacent sheep runs. Their advent practically spelt ruin to the district and the township was almost deserted.
     The hotel was burned and Mr. Robt. Simes went to Narracoorte. For a number of years the late Mr. Edward Wheaton occupied the police station, and with his wife and young family still lent an air of liveliness to the otherwise deserted township.
     Some 40 years ago the bay was busy with the weekly calls of the steamer Argyle, as well ketches loading guano from the various islands in the bay. As the steamer could not get up the channels the guano was lightered to the jetty by ketches. From 12 to 20 men were employed on the guano for a year or so, but when this was exhausted the place again went into recess.
     Mr. Wheaton left the bay and took to farming at Coodlee, but continued his wheat buying agency at Venus Bay. A branch was opened up at Port Kenny and was taken over by his son, Mr. R. H. Wheaton.
     As the country developed with wheatgrowing, Mr. and Mrs. (Bert) Wheaton opened a store and catered for travellers on the Port Lincoln- Streaky Bay road. To meet modern needs they have now erected the Port Kenny Hotel.
     Port Kenny and Venus Bay have again become a centre of activity. Venus Bay abounds with fish, and since the marketing has been made possible by motor transport and icing there has been a population of fishermen.
     Venus Bay is an ideal place for yachting, and many of the families from the wheatgrowing areas on the railway line make it a holiday re sort after harvest. Mr. Wheaton's enterprise will be greatly appreciated. The hotel has 17 rooms and all conveniences such as hot and cold water, septic services, etc. The lounge sittingroom and hall have heavy pile Axminster carpets. The ceilings are done by Miller's Lime Ltd. in their usual artistic style. Port Kenny and Venus Bay should become increasingly popular. The land locked bay with its small islands provides particularly interesting and safe boating recreation. Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton's genial hospitality will be not the least contribution to the sum of the many attractions of Venus Bay.
     Before the war there was an attempt to grow sponge in the calm waters of the bay. A German obtained cuttings of good class of sponge and planted them in water which grew an abundance of a poor native sponge. The venture, however, was not successful.²