About Us
Fletcher Christian Apartments was established in 1965 by Bernie Christian-Bailey, a born and bred Norfolk Islander and a 5th generation direct descendant of Fletcher Christian.
Bernie worked in Sydney for Qantas in the sales and administration department for almost 2 decades of his younger life and often took advantage of the cheap staff fares to travel home to Norfolk Island on weekends. He realised there was an opportunity to develop an enterprise that would cater for the need of the modern traveler to the island. At that time, Norfolk had only a few guest houses and boarding houses and holiday cottages for long-term rental, many of them run down and tired.
An architect friend in Sydney, Dick Gaily, was commissioned to design a complex of self-catering units to be built on just over 2 hectares of family land adjacent to the developing commercial district in Burnt Pine. Bernie wanted the development to be in an island colonial style, using local materials as far as possible, in order to blend in with the environment. A fine well was sunk in the valley and later another very successful bore was sunk on the level area closer to the road.
Early in 1964, work commenced on the first block of four units. Bernie's dad, George Bailey, took charge of the project and his team of Norfolk tradesmen went about their task with great energy and enthusiasm.
Ideas for a name were tossed around, and it was a colleague in Qantas who suggested "Fletcher Christian", a name which would not only reflect Bernie's family heritage but would give the venture a unique and distinct brand.
Eventually the name appeared on the walls each side of the new cattle stop, this task being carried out by Mr Scotty Neagle, a very artistic gentleman who lived on Norfolk Island for many years.
Bernie had begun to promote the Apartments through Mrs Aileen Dickson, who ran the Norfolk Island Booking Centre in Sydney, one of her assistants being Joe Adams! However , as it turned out, the very first guests on February 14th,1965 were people who had been staying at the Kingfisher Hotel at Anson Bay, and wanted to move closer to town. People with the rather unassuming name of Smith!
In many ways, it was a courageous venture, and a number of friends and family thought Bernie was taking a big risk. However he knew from experience that Qantas was actively promoting the Norfolk Island market at that time and that modern travelers were looking for upmarket and self-contained accommodation that offered more convenience, independence and flexibility.
The prices that were being charged also raised a few eyebrows. The tariff in 1965 was 17 pound and ten shillings ($35.00) per week! And you even had to provide your own food!