The dedicated ceramicist was a key figure in creating unique pottery in Australia in the pre-1990s, at a time when the country relied heavily on Chinese fine porcelain and English earthenware styles.

Mrs Hope began learning pottery at Sydney architect Nellie McCredie's studio in 1941 and trained at the St George Technical College in 1951.

She later sold slipcast ceramics to David Jones under the title 'Domay' for nine years, before moving to Port Macquarie with husband, Jack in 1962.

The pair began a pottery business called Thrumster Village Pottery producing earthenware from local clay and oxides.

A public meeting was called in 1974 and the pair formed the Hastings Community Craft Centre with local potters, spinners, weavers, engravers and printers.

Pottery history: What's making news in Port Macquarie on August 29, 1968

Author of the Pictorial History of Port Hacking Potters Group, Jean Swinyard said Mrs Hope established the Port Hacking group in 1962, which is now the longest continuously running pottery society in NSW.

"The influence of Dorothy's pottery was crucial at the time because Australian materials and aesthetics was heavily influenced by Chinese and English pottery. Australian pottery tried to use the same techniques but clays were not produced here and our products were considered inferior," Mrs Swinyard said.

"In the 1950s there were no pottery kilns, no pottery wheels. Dorothy was one of three or four people who were extremely influential to a national significance of making Australian pottery.

"She chose Port Macquarie because of the climate, but also because she had done some geology courses and found that there were good mineral deposits for clays and glazes.

"She was instrumental in pioneering Australian pottery and she handed that onto her students. Her enthusiasm and professionalism showed what was possible."

Mrs Hope retired in 1986 and published a book entitled 'Impressions in Clay' in 1990 about her life as a potter, she passed away in 2013.

Her works of pottery can still be found today and often contain impressed markings such as 'DH' or 'TV' for Thrumster Village.

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