Secrets of a Sydney past

Gumbramorra swamp, or Sydenham if you like

2011-12-15T05:26:00.001Z

I know Gumbramorra swamp quite well. It's dry, heavily paved and filled with factories. Plus the odd house or 3. When it rains, however, the swamp rises fast and floods Sydenham and Victoria Roads to car door-level in places. You get a bow-wave effect as you drive through it. I know this because a storm flooded this area in '79 and knocked out the electricals on my VW Golf. That sort of thing - stuck fast in a temporary lake - sticks in your mind.

It wasn't always exactly so developed and the story is interesting, so here are some links and quotes.

Quoted sections via Chrys Meader, 'Sydenham', Dictionary of Sydney, 2008, http://www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/entry/sydenham, viewed 15 December 2011

Sydenham

Most of the western half of Sydenham was within the Gumbramorra Swamp, a local Aboriginal name, which provided an effective boundary for the early European land grants. The majority of Sydenham stands within Thomas Moore's Douglas Farm, granted in 1799. Thomas Moore was one of the largest landowners in the area.

Another grant of 30 acres (12.1 hectares) was made in 1799 to emancipated convict, John Fincham but it was virtually useless land as it was entirely contained by the swamp.

What else would you give an ex-con but a swamp? It certainly looked different back then:

Sydenham

The Gumbramorra Swamp emptied into the Gumbramorra Creek and then into Cooks River. Part of Sydenham and the suburbs of St Peters and Tempe developed to the south east of the swamp and the suburb of Marrickville to the west of it. Gumbramorra Swamp consisted of marshland at the foot of the declining sandstone and shoal ridges of Marrickville, in a relatively narrow area surrounded by low hills. At the mouth of the Gumbramorra Creek were mudflats, which were also evident in the swamp itself. Behind these mudflats and mangroves was the characteristic salt marsh. These conditions supported abundant wildlife. The Gumbramorra Swamp was a good source of food for the Aborigines.

I think that should be "sandstone and shale" ridges, by the way. I can imagine it, the low hills with dry sclerophyll eucalypt forest giving way to casuarinas followed by fresh-water mangroves and mudflats in a narrow strip along Sydenham (previously Swamp) Road. Given that it was elevated above the Cooks River it was in effect a large hanging swamp, with another such smaller swamp above it around Addison Road, Marrickville. It would indeed have risen and fallen with La Nina/El Nino events but afforded some sort of regular food and freshwater supply most times. It's hard to believe that now, of course. It basically looks very drab and industrial in the most part.

Of course it got developed, we know that, but surprisingly it was for cheap housing at first... until disaster struck.

Sydenham

In 1881 the tramway was constructed along the western boundary of the swamp, now Victoria Road. Part of the original line for the tramway was laid down in the swamp as an incentive to development.

The Tramvale subdivision was then offered for sale in 160 lots with double frontages. The subdivision targeted the working class, stressing the availability of employment within 'a centre of a manufacturing district' with a 'certainty of a rise in value'. The estate was badly designed, afflicted with regular flooding and poor drainage. It lacked basic sewerage facilities. Tramvale was notorious for its stench, which the breeze carried all the way to nearby Marrickville, St Peters and Tempe. Its inhabitants also suffered from a range of diseases, including typhoid fever. In summer the mosquito plagues reached epidemic proportions.

The stressed owners of Tramvale would never see a return on their investment. After five days of heavy rain in May 1889, Cooks River flooded and the water rushed up Gumbramorra Creek and into the swamp. Tramvale was the worst hit, with residents having to be rescued as their homes went quickly under water. There was a public outcry and questions were raised in the NSW Parliament about the ethics of developers who sold cheap land, which was both unhealthy and subject to regular flooding, to working-class people, who would never be able to resell.

And the fix was to make it industrial land only (for the most part, as some houses were built later). A pumping station was also built in Carrington Road and later the stormwater system of drains and pits was constructed. One such drain runs parallel with Sydenham Road and intrepid adventuring school kids have attested to its easy traverse to Sydenham. They can probably also attest to blind panic during flash floods after summer storms.

And to quote my own work...

Alexandra canal | Out out damned Blog!

The principal access roads to the Marrick village were Illawarra Road, a narrow track running south and Swamp (later called Sydenham) Road, running from the west to the south-east. A western track ran from Parramatta Road through Petersham and downhill to link up to Swamp Road, later becoming Petersham Road, and another (again from Parramatta Road) became Livingstone Road. To the south (on higher ground) was another track which became the present Marrickville Road. As now, it ran from current New Canterbury Road to the swampland at Sydenham. Crucially, it connected all the north/south tracks in an east/west fashion and came into its own when the trams were routed down Victoria Street (Road) and the Bankstown railway line came into being.

Another Council document on the History of The Gumbramorra Swamp is worth a look, especially this extract: “early settlement of the upland areas naturally impinged on the swamp. Since much of the region was given over to grazing and timber-getting, the edges of the Swamp served a useful purpose to the inhabitants who worked the later Wardell estate. The existence of habitation on both sides of the Swamp encouraged some traffic across. By the 1840s, a track, and then a road, ran across the swamp to Unwin’s Bridge Road. This ‘Swamp Road’ is Sydenham Road“.

And “in 1855 the 60 acre estate of Thomas E Chalder, called Marrick, was subdivided. It became the village named Marrickville (1861) and the centre of the municipality. The village remained small, with only the minimum of community services. It was bounded, generally, by Illawarra Road, Chapel St, Fitzroy St and Sydenham (Swamp) Road and was in the vicinity of the north-western section of the Swamp. The construction of the tramway along Victoria St, the principal north-south route on the western side of the Swamp, in 1881 promoted settlement in the district at a time of large-scale suburban expansion. At the same time, plans for the Illawarra Railway (opened 1884) concentrated on the eastern side of the swampland, adjacent to Unwin’s Bridge Road. The Swamp area was no longer a relatively isolated and neglected sector.”

Sydenham railway station (on the Illawarra line) was originally Marrickville Station, renamed when today’s Marrickville station, closer to the intersection of Illawarra and Marrickville Roads, was established.

The general area, courtesy Google Maps.

View Larger Map
Zoom into the centre to see the industrial area for a rough approximation of the swamp's extent. West from Sydenham Railway Station along Sydenham Rd to Enmore road is dead flat but rises to a ridge along the east (Tempe to St Peters) with a gentler rise to Marrickville Road to the south and higher land to the north and west. Addison Rd swamp is to the north west. There are plenty of drains in evidence if you look hard and the heritage-listed pumping station and pit lies between Sydenham and St Peters stations.

Gumbramorra Creek flowed into Cooks River to the south of the creek, so I expect the original course is along or near Carrington Road, where a steam-driven pumping station was sited.
View Larger Map

More soon, I promise.

Rose Bay flying boat base

2011-11-16T07:36:00.001Z

Rose Bay S25_377, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Or the real Sydney International Airport, if you like. Image somewhat re-processed of course.

Kensington Racecourse: Wilson's 1926 directory

2011-06-27T04:53:00.001+01:00

Kensington_Wilsons 1926_287, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Last one on Kenso, and it's the racecourse that became a university - of NSW, to be precise. Kensington racetrack was a pony course adjacent - probably too close - to the Randwick horse racing track. Randwick won out politically and the Kensington ponies were shifted south to Ascot (or Mascot, if you like). The Old Tote building became a theatre under NIDA and the rest of the land became the UNSW.

There are also some interesting tram formations on this 1926 map, including the Dacey Ave line and the loop on the other side of Anzac Parade from the racetracks.

View Larger Map

Kensington, Heffron and Randwick: Wilson's 1926

2011-06-27T04:41:00.002+01:00

Kensington_Wilsons 1926_288, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Lots of changes here since 1926. Long Bay Road becomes today's Malabar Road and the trams have gone, of course. What is now Heffron Park is not yet split by Fitzgerald Ave and plenty of houses are missing. Also the old Randwick rifle range has yet to shrink or lose its tram link (along Araluen Street, below).

View Larger Map

Long Bay: Wilson's 1926 street directory

2011-06-26T06:27:00.002+01:00

Long Bay_Wilsons 1926_289, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Nice advert for a dream home in Randwick... wonder if that house still exists?

Also noted is the tram line up Perry Street, right onto Bunnerong Road, keeping well to the left before crossing the road onto the right side and finally enjoying some reserved track. I guess the road traffic was fairly light in any case but it seems odd to cross sides like that....

St Peters: Wilson's 1926 street directory

2011-06-26T06:19:00.002+01:00

St Peters_Wilsons 1926_290, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Note 'King Street' for today's Princes Highway, the dam at the Cooks River and the cricket ground on King St near Station Street. Also the advert for lime from kilns on Canal Rd is interesting.

An interesting historical note about Narara, the sunken steamer off Barrenjoey - not the suburb. Or is it?

2011-06-09T05:01:00.002+01:00

A snaky tale of ships and sea... well, in part, anyway. In summary, "Narara" appears to mean "black snake" in local Aboriginal language and it is a name that has adorned a ship that sank off Barrenjoey as well as the Gosford suburb. I note that Wikipedia hasn't updated its spelling of Barrenjoey since 1909... perhaps that is the preferred spelling?

Narara (ship) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Narara was a wooden carvel screw steamer built in 1900 at Jervis Bay, that was wrecked when it sprang a leak whilst carrying general cargo between Sydney and the Hawkesbury River and was lost at 2 ml SE off Little Reef Newport near, Barranjoey, New South Wales on the 29 May 1909. The vessel commenced her runs from Sydney Harbour to the Hawkesbury River in January 1900 and continued on this run till the time of her final 1909 sinking. During 1903 the vessel was burned to the water line and sank at its mooring only to be refloated and rebuilt and started back on the same run.

Narara, New South Wales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The name 'Narara' can be traced back to the local Aboriginal term for 'black snake', which appears on the official emblem of Narara Valley High School and the scarf of 1st Narara Scout Group.[1][2]

Narara, New South Wales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Narara largely consisted of orchards and small mixed farms. Water from the small dams that used to be accessible from Narara Creek Road was piped in wooden piping across Narara Creek to the Railway station to supply steam trains. The dams were also a popular swimming spot especially when the ladder and walkway still existed on the lower dam wall.

Bo Diddley plays Henson Park, 1976

2011-05-08T23:18:00.001+01:00

Bo Diddley Henson Park 1976_456E, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

The legendary Bo Diddley once played Henson Park in Marrickville, NSW using a local backing band (whose name escapes me..! ). Support was Jeff St John and the Silver Studs, MC was Donnie Sutherland. I believe it was 1976. Luckily enough I was there to take these blurry pics...

FYI Henson Park was a rugby league football ground and before that a cycling velodrome and key venue for the 1938 Empire Games. It wasn't usually a rock venue....

Where Qantas hid its DC4 fleet

2011-04-27T03:11:00.001+01:00

QF DC4 EDB Sydney 75_245, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

It must have been a tad embarrassing as well as expensive (and arguably romantic, in a way) for Qantas to have to maintain such old aircraft well into the jet age.

Between trips to Norfolk's short grass strip the old birds were maintained in the hangars furthest from any passenger terminal but plainly visible to anyone driving from the domestic terminals to the "new" international terminal on the far side of the airfield. It was semi-hidden but by far the most interesting part of Sydney Airport in the 1970s...

Air transport in the 70s: QF DC4, 1977

2011-04-27T03:03:00.001+01:00

QF DC4 1977_229, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Perhaps even more surprising than seeing big 4-engined turbo-prop L188 Electras flying into Sydney Airport in the 1970s was seeing (and hearing!) these 4-engined piston and prop-driven Douglas DC4 airliners in regular service from Sydney to Norfolk island!

They would often appear on the distant horizon to the east and north of where I was at Marrickville and lumber their way onto a short final approach to runway 16, making a left turn late over Sydenham. Presumably they were a slow-moving nuisance for the faster jets and were "hurried up" by air traffic control.

Air transport in the 1970s - Ansett L188 Electra

2011-04-27T02:54:00.001+01:00

Ansett L188 Electra 76_918, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Excuse the blur but it was hand-held after dusk!! Point is that it's an L188 Electra, one-time workhorse for TAA and Ansett, forced to serve out its days carrying cargo at night. Sydney then (as now) had a curfew on jets so "quieter" prop-driven aircraft did the night-time shifts. It extended the life of this Ansett Electra, which was retired from passenger duties in the early 1970s.

I remember both TAA and Ansett Electras swooping in from the south, joining the 16 approach quite late, over Marrickville or even Sydenham in order to 'nip in' before a bigger jet. They often soared over my head, one following the other in the 2-airline parallel timetable days.

This particular shot was taken in 1976, close to final retirement from the fleet.

A wet Coogee Crit, 1987

2011-04-27T02:29:00.001+01:00

Coogee Crit 1987_040, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Well I think it was '87. It's the Coogee crit stage of the Bank Race, anyway, which held criteriums and road stages in and between various towns in Queensland and NSW. Some promising guy called Jan Ullrich won it overall one year and another memorable winner was Cronulla's Matt White.

Austin in a Marrickville Street circa 1948

2011-04-27T02:22:00.001+01:00

Austin 02, a photo by gtveloce on Flickr.

Snazzy Austin caught in a Marrickville Street around 1948 or thereabouts.

Some notes on Camperdown and its Town Hall

2011-01-23T06:56:00.002Z

Camperdown Municipality went insolvent to the extent that its Town Hall was sold off by the Sheriff in 1909. The Town Hall itself was (seemingly) in "George Street" according to public notices of that time in the Sydney Morning Herald - but there is no George Street in Camperdown these days. There is one in nearby Erskineville, though. Or maybe 'George St' has been renamed? Other records suggest that the Town Hall was between King and Bishopgate Streets, and that's entirely on the other side of Newtown, towards Parramatta Road - where we actually expect to find Camperdown nowadays. Otherwise I'll just keep looking...

UPDATE: Found it! George Street was (of course!) renamed - it's now Parramatta Road. The Camperdown Town Hall was beside the primary school, corner of Mallet Street and Parramatta Road.

Records of Councils Absorbed by Sydney City Council - City of Sydney

1909
Sydney City Council (known as the Municipal Council of Sydney until 1949) took over the small and struggling Municipality of Camperdown.

Records of Councils Absorbed by Sydney City Council - City of Sydney

1968
The City lost most of the areas it had acquired.
Part of Camperdown (west of about Church Street/Mallett Street north) and part of Newtown (west of King Street) were transferred to the Municipality of Marrickville.

ARCHIVE - CAMPERDOWN

On 9th August, 1803 an area of land was granted to Thomas Rowley. Part of that grant later became the Kingston estate. Australia Street is marked on subdivision maps for the 1860s in the huge area known as North Kingston estate. Part of the street was in the Camperdown Estate. However, there would have been people residing where Australia Street now is before the street existed. A few streets south there was a very large land grant and there were people living in scattered cottages around this area.

ARCHIVE - CAMPERDOWN

The Municipality of Camperdown was formed in 1862, taking in the Parramatta Road end of Australia St. It was dissolved in 1908, at which time the area was absorbed by the City of Sydney. Newtown Council was formed in 1863, taking in the King Street end of Australia St. Newtown Council held their first meeting in 1865, one of the councillors appears to be a property owner (but not occupant) in Australia Street - Conley (or Connelly, who later became chairman). It was abolished in 1949 and the area was also absorbed by the Sydney City Council. In 1968 the area was carved up between Marrickville Council and (South) Sydney Council. In 1988 the area came fully under Marrickville.

Marrickville Council - History of Suburbs

Camperdown was named in 1806 by Governor William Bligh, who was granted an estate there of 97.1 ha (240 acres). Bligh was decorated for his role in the British naval victory against the Dutch at the Battle of Camperdown (Kamperduin) in 1797. Kamperduin, literally the Dunes of Kamp, is the name of a north Holland village, near the North Sea.

Camperdown was a separate municipality from 1862 to 1908.

Camperdown Cemetery, established in 1848, is one of the oldest European burial sites in New South Wales. The first interment was Sir Maurice O"Connell, son in law of Governor Bligh. The vault also contains the remains of his grandson, Richard Murray O'Connell.

Victoria Park, Camperdown - City of Sydney

Victoria Park, Camperdown

Victoria Park is at the junction of City Road and Parramatta Road adjacent to the University of Sydney. Both roads began as walking tracks in the 1790s, leading from Sydney to Botany Bay and Parramatta. This was the site of some of the earliest land grants in the colony in 1789 when 1000 acres was reserved to provide farmlands and pasture to support church, government and school officials. Early names for the area included the Kangaroo Grounds and Parakeet Hill.

Secrets of Mann Street, Gosford. The old waterfront, the Regal theatre site and more

2010-09-08T13:32:00.001+01:00

Not exactly Sydney but close enough and inextricably linked both now and in the past... there's an excellent heritage walk on the Gosford Council website but it lacks a few current maps and images... so here are some excerpts with Google Maps and Streetview images added.... and remember to check out the GCC site for additional detail (including some marvellous old photos).

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

Gosford Park was dedicated on 15th January 1886. At that time the Park was a bare paddock. A rotunda for band recitals was added much later. This Park sat directly above Brisbane Water in the early days. The land immediately below the Park is all reclaimed from Brisbane Water. The practice ovals at the rear of the 1954 Gosford Public School were once all part of Brisbane Water. Georgiana Terrace marks the northernmost place Brisbane Water once reached. Around 1911, spoil from dredges was piled up on the water's edge, to create "Waterside Park". Later projects led to further reclamation and the building of Dane Drive. Vaughan Avenue was once named Wharf Street.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

This part of Mann Street was once comparatively busy, with a conveniently located pub and General Store waiting for travellers to and from Sydney, and a Post and Telegraph Office. Steamship travel was the fastest and most comfortable means of getting to Gosford prior to the coming of the railway in 1887. George Watt sold tickets for the Parramatta River Steam Company from his two-storey weatherboard building. Watt's Gosford Emporium sold boots and shoes, ironmongery and crockery, groceries, drapery, meat safes and scrubbing boards amongst other things. With the railway station being built further north along Mann Street, during the 1880s, the businesses began to gravitate towards it.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

A casual look at the front of this building (which a late friend described as " late 20th century brutalist!) would lead you might think that there was nothing historic about it at all. Walk to the northern end, and look east. You will see that the awful red brick front of the building hides a largely intact Victorian building. Along Mann Street there are some lovely old buildings hidden behind very unflattering 1950s & 60s facades.

The Post and Telegraph Office, and adjacent residence, were originally long and low single storey structures designed by James Barnet. In 1891 a second storey was added to the main Post Office. The building has had further alterations from 1908 to 1953, culminating in the building you see before you.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

looking west directly across the street is the site of the Old Gosford School of Arts. Built in 1888, the Gosford community was very proud of this building. It featured a library, reading room, large meeting room, Municipal Chambers and a hall capable of seating 250 people. Travelling theatrical companies, magicians, illusionists and a blind concert group gave concerts in the hall. Travelling picture showmen would bring their wares to the people before the establishment of permanent cinemas in town. In 1927 the School of Arts burnt down. The hall was rebuilt on the old foundations. On the northern side facing Georgiana Terrace can be seen remnants of the old painted signage for Council offices. It is now used as a teachers' resource centre.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

The original Gosford watch-house was built in Donnison Street in 1827, near today's Workcover building site. It was a three-roomed shingle-roofed slab timber structure that quickly became inadequate for its purpose. Around 1833 the first Gosford courthouse was added.

In 1849 the "new' Gosford Court and Police Station was built in Mann Street. It cost 345 pounds, and consisted of a courthouse, clerk's room, magistrate's room, two cells, a constable's room, and a yard. By the mid 1860s the building was in need of major repair. The northern end of the complex was extended in 1892. A brick charge room and offices were added in 1928 to the southern end. If you look closely you can see evidence of the various additions. From Georgiana Terrace you can see the original gaol cells. Over the front entrance you can still see the wrought-iron gas lamp holder. In the 1970s, police working in the old station were fed up with outdated facilities. Plans for the demolition of the building were halted, and a variety of historical and arts groups put their hands up to occupy the site. The new Gosford Police Centre was opened in June 1983. The new courthouse in Donnison Street opened in August 1987.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

Henry Helman designed the Brisbane Water County Council building that was completed in 1957. The town was very proud of the project, and it featured local sandstone fascia provided by Gosford Quarries, and many fittings and furnishings from local companies. The meeting rooms were wood panelled, and the mechanism for operating the clock tower was controlled from a bookcase shaped to reflect the design of the outer building and clock tower. The old County Council building was briefly the home of the Northern Eagles football team in the late 1990s. The Spurbest proposal for the site includes the retention of the County Council facade.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

The number and longevity of cafes in town reflect the passing trade in tourists and travellers who used to be directed through Gosford along the old Pacific Highway. PNA House stands on Jephson's Corner. Horace Jephson was a tobacconist and hairdresser who built his store on the site in 1907. A later extension was added in 1913. Walter Buscombe was an early occupant of the site before Jephson. Fred Cohen had a drapery and grocery store next door in the early 1910s. Old photos show that these two buildings were rather lovely in their time.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

the Imperial Centre now stands on Sterland's Corner.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

Shepherd's Corner was where William Street meets Mann Street

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

Where the Commonwealth Bank stands today was known as Hill's Corner. The corner was previously known as Campbell's Corner, after the owner of shops in the 1910s. Campbell's shops were destroyed by fire in November 1914. Campbell rebuilt on the site, and soon after sold to Hill. Hill's Corner Chambers were notable as the first "modern" mix of shops, businesses and professional rooms, with three-way garage. Fire destroyed the building in November 1933.

Mann Street South Heritage Walk — Gosford City Council

In 1937 a new and luxurious theatre, the Regal, was opened. It was designed in the Art Deco/Moderne style, and was as good as any city cinema of the period. The opening programme was the Janet Gaynor and Frederic March movie A Star is Born. Local workmen were used on the theatre that featured "plate glass and polished maple doors", "a foyer of terrazzo", 20,000 pounds worth of RCA sound equipment, and a "crying room" where mothers and infants could enjoy films without disturbing other patrons.

Diggin' history: quarry railway from Fairfield to Prospect, 1940

2010-09-01T07:14:00.002+01:00

Well it's back to the maps for me. I knew there was a private railway from Fairfield station to the blue metal quarries at Prospect, I just couldn't put my finger on where I had seen reference to it. And here it is in the 1940 Robinson's Street Directory, showing it starting at Fairfield and running as a tram line beside the roadway for most of the distance to Windemere under the name of "Sydney And Suburbs Blue Metal Company". Of course another private railway - or tramway if you prefer - ran to the northern side of the same area from Toongabbie.

(And yes, I have corrected "1926" to "1940".)

The Toongabbie tramway is here.

My take on maps and copyright law in Australia - just for the historical record of course

2010-07-19T03:14:00.001+01:00

This is a blog that dwells somewhat on local Sydney history - you may have noticed! And this post is partly an explanation and a disclaimer. In short: I do my best to respect copyright. That doesn't mean I agree with it - too often copyright hinders the creation of new material. Historically it has been important that new material reference and build on the past, and I remain in favour of that "fair use" principle. I don't believe in plagiarism or blatant misuse. Thus I respect the law as it stands, applied sensibly.

The longer explanation: wherever possible I cite sources for my material and avoid knowingly breaching copyright. Please let me know if I have stepped on your toes in that regard - it wasn't intentional.

Where I "sample" and mark recent material (with notes or circles) I do so for historical research purposes (ie 'study') only in accord with fair use under the act. I also believe that in all such cases I have only reproduced what is needed to obtain historical context and clarity, and that remains only up to or less than 10% of the original work. This is achieved by cropping or blurring the remainder. Where I have overlayed one map upon another I have not in my view altered or added to the original material, rather I have simply layered one image over another. Where I have reproduced a full page of a street directory or other map either I consider it to be no longer covered by copyright, or to be less than 10% of the original (and complete) work. In that way I do distinguish between a complete work, being a whole publication, and sampled pages of a complete work. I have not copied any street directory published after 1954 in its entirety, nor do I intend to do so. Again, if I have stepped on any individual copyright owner's toes please let me know.

And here are some copyright snippets from other sites for comparison...

The Australian Copyright Council site. A great source of up to date material.

National Library Of Australia | Copyright in maps

Maps published in or before 1954 are free of copyright. For maps published in 1955 or later by a government publisher, copyright lasts for 50 years after the end of the year the map was published. For maps published in 1955 or later by a non government publisher, copyright lasts for 70 years after the end of the year the map was published.

National Library Of Australia | Copyright in maps

Maps still in copyright can be copied for you in libraries under "fair dealing" exemptions of the Copyright Act 1968 for the purposes of research and study. However, you will need to demonstrate that you have followed your obligations under the Copyright Act. For a map in copyright a 10% portion of the map may be copied for research or study purposes only. In practice this usually means one A4 size portion (21cm x 30cm) of the map only. You do not need permission from the copyright owner to obtain a copy of a portion of a map as long as it is used for the purposes of research or study only. Permission is needed if you wish to copy the entire map, or if you intend to reproduce, display, publish or sell the copy.

I can't resist some relic tunnels, railways and whatnot from NSW shale mines, can you?

2010-07-04T11:32:00.001+01:00

Well I find it interesting, anyway. Been there twice, once staying overnight near Newnes. Shale oil mining was big business in the late 19th Century until the early 20th and a raft of mines sprung up in NSW. Tunnels, railway relics, oil refinery equipment - you name it, it's all there to be seen. This post is (you guessed it) about that shale mining. Follow the links to more detailed sites with pics.

Brian Ayling's Airly relics

From 1883 to about 1913, Kerosene shale or torbanite was mined in the vicinity of Airly, a small village near Capertee about 120 miles from Sydney. Transport of shale to the nearby railway was initially handled by a system of roads and horse tramways, but with increased production and the establishment of an oil works at Torbane, some spectacular cable haulage inclines were employed to cross Airly Mountain.

The Airly mines closed after shale production was concentrated in Newnes, and today just a few remarkable relics remain, in fairly secluded bushland.

Brian Ayling's Airly relics

Hidden cottages
Small stone dwellings can be found adjacent to the route of a horse tramway that served shale mines along the eastern slopes of Airly Mountain. Careful exploration either side of the tramway formation reveals numerous hidden gems like these, the example at right being neatly concealed beneath an overhanging rock.

Brian Ayling's Airly relics

Oil works site
Reward for a climb to the crest of Airly Mountain is this spectacular view overlooking the Torbane oil works site. Farm house is the original works manager's residence, and the access road approaching from right uses an abandoned standard gauge railway formation.

Dingo Gap Gallery | Airly Cave Houses and Village

When Oil Shale Mining started in 1883 at Mt Airly and Torbane, a small village named Airly sprang up in the valley immediately to the east of Mt Airly.

There was no town planning. Small ramshackle huts were built wherever there was a level bit of ground large enough to support foundations and the chimney.

A tramway for hauling shale from the mines to the refinery at Torbane ran through the village.

Some miners took advantage of rock overhangs and built cave houses, filling in gaps with stones. These houses were very small and cramped.

Not much is left of the village today. There are large open spaces in the valley. Along the old tramway there are the remains of several stone or brick houses and several some cave houses.

A couple of the cave houses are in remarkably good condition.

Mining had ceased by 1914 and most of the population moved away soon after.

Capertee

The road turns north towards Glen Alice at the intersection with the Glen Davis Road, or you can penetrate even further into the valley by going on into Glen Davis.

This now sleepy village, named after the Davis Gelatine Company was originally known as Green Gully. It was developed as the site of a shale oil industry during WWII which lasted 12 years before closing.
Glen Davis (Photo - Bruce Upton)

The site of the refinery is on private land is only accessible by guided tour starting at the gates at 2pm on a Sunday.

Capertee - New South Wales - Australia - Travel - smh.com.au

The railway arrived from Wallerawang in 1882. Consequently Capertee acquired a school; albeit in the form of a tent, which was replaced by a pre-fab building in 1883.

More importantly, the railway enabled the exploitation of the area's known mineral resources - coal, limestone and oil shale. The latter was discovered on the future site of Glen Davis in 1873. The first mining tunnel at that site was established in 1881 and other mines began to open around Capertee in the 1890s, including one on Blackman's Crown.

Capertee naturally benefited from the economic activity although there was little development other than the opening of a police station, lock-up and courthouse.

Two other small villages soon sprang up around the new mines - Airly Village, about 8km east of Capertee and Torbane which acquired a railway siding. By 1898, about 200 men were working on the Torbane project. It is thought that between 1896 and 1903, 140 000 tons of oil shale were extracted. For shelter the miners used caves formed by erosion in the sandstone cliffs.

However, shale production went into decline around 1903 as it is the nature of oil shale seams to narrow out rapidly from the section of greatest thickness and hence to soon become uneconomical to pursue.

By 1913 work at the mines had virtually ceased. A new company did build an aerial railway to the Torbane siding and established a retort in 1924 but it was a short-lived venture.

Capertee - New South Wales - Australia - Travel - smh.com.au

After the works at Newnes closed down in the early 1920s agitation increased for a reopening of the Capertee works as it was the only source of oil in Australia. A committee was set up in 1933 to investigate the feasibility. Its report in 1934 led to the formation of National Oil Proprietary Ltd (NOP) in 1937. Although the committee recommended re-establishing the Newnes works, the other option was eventually chosen - that being the old oil shale tunnel established in 1881 at the eastern rim of the Capertee Valley (i.e., Glen Davis).

The degree of government assistance and concessions indicate that the enterprise was to be of no great commercial success. Looming war may have increased desire for independent fuel resources but the proposed production levels were not that significant. Nonetheless the works were opened in 1938 and a town of about 2500 people quickly developed around the works which employed 1600 people at their peak in the 1940s. It was named Glen Davis after the Davis Gelatine interests who headed NOP.

Supplies were already running out by 1949 and the end of Chifley's Labor Government meant the end of heavy and on-going assistance from the government. Costs were high, output was low and cheap crude oil was available from the Middle East. Consequently the works closed in 1952. The machinery was stripped in 1953, leaving the ruins which remain today.

Geological Sites - Especially around Sydney

It's off the beaten path a bit, but don't forget to visit Glen Davis - say the tourism promoters. And those who take the trip usually find it an interesting place. The former oil shale mining town lies at the end of the spectacular escarpments of the Capertee Valley, stated to be the largest enclosed valley in the southern hemisphere. Glen Davis has perhaps the largest seam of high grade oil shale in the world. In its heyday about 2,500 people lived in the township. Vertical sandstone cliffs now stand guard over the crumbling vegetation-covered structures lending a surreal impression.

Glen Davis is one of the many known oil shale areas (Torbane, Mt Airly, Glen Alice, Glen Davis, Newnes, Marangaroo, Hartley Vale, Joadja, etc.) that have been exploited for oil distillation from the mineral (torbanite). Glen Davis was the latest and greatest of these limited life enterprises. The shale-to-liquids industry has operated in numerous countries around the world, and its beginnings go back as far as 1694 when shale oil was first produced in Scotland. Today, commercial oil shale industries are active in China, Estonia and Brazil.

In the Sydney Basin, oil shale occurs as high grade torbanite beds. The torbanite yields approximately 300 litres of oil per tonne. Torbanite deposits in the upper part of the Late Permian coal measures have been exploited along the western margin of the Sydney Basin, in the Illawara area, and also in the Gunnedah Basin. The best-known deposits are Joadja in the south, Newnes and Glen Davis in the central west, and Baerami in the southern Gunnedah Basin. Some deposits have also been recorded in the Greta Coal Measures of the Hunter Valley.

Geological Sites - Especially around Sydney

Glen Davis was a follow-on from Newnes. Newnes was one of the larger and more successful of the early oil shale mines and refineries, and it operated from 1906 to 1934. The Newnes oil distillation works was very much an on-off operation. The Newnes works opened and closed repeatedly due to competition from imports, mining difficulties and capital shortages.

After the works at Newnes closed down in the early 1920s agitation increased for a reopening of the Capertee works as it was the only source of oil in Australia. The Federal Government undertook support for the Newnes works from 1931, as both an employment creation measure and as encouragement for domestic oil production. The government supported the new owners, the Shale Oil Development Committee Limited, but by March 1932 this company had failed. A committee was set up in 1933 to investigate the feasibility of continuing operations in the area. The government then called for new tenders in April 1932 but nothing eventuated. Then in May 1936 the Federal Government announced it would take over the Newnes operation and, together with the New South Wales state government, inject new capital into a joint enterprise with private industry. To that end Sir Herbert Gepp, as a consultant acting for the government, approached many industrialists about the scheme, including Mr George Davis (the founder of Davis Gelatine Pty Ltd. Davis).

More oral history of Sydney - horse trainers in Glebe - and brief history of the Penrith trotting track

2010-07-03T02:50:00.001+01:00

I'm getting drawn into Bill Whittaker's oral history of Sydney's race tracks even though I have no interest at all in horse racing of any sort. What interests me is the changing land use, the transport infrastructure that was built and the people - the characters - who pushed and pulled for all of this to happen. There was certainly contention - racing was not always seen as a proper use of resources like land and electricity (especially for night racing) when people were suffering under depression or war. But it was popular outdoor entertainment, at least until television and the pokies drew people inside. The same fate awaited the track cyclists on Sydney's velodromes, so it's all intertwined, related and just plain interesting.

Anyway, there was a track at Forest Lodge called Lillie Bridge for teyh ponies that became Harold Park. And the horses were stabled nearby in Glebe and Newtown...

Where were they stabled, those horses? All through the Glebe district, through streets like Wigram Road, Hereford – Hereford Street, that’s where the great Sutton McMillan had his stables – and Arundel Street. Arundel Street was where Seymour Stables they were called in my time but in the 1920s and ‘30s a great trainer who was killed called Jack Eddie, E-D-D-I-E had those stables in Arundel Street, which is now a motel, I think, is it not? It’s just near the university, where the university students stay. Well, Jack Eddie, one morning in 1938, he was the leading – or one of the leading drivers - at Harold Park for years, was driving his horse home. He was sitting in the sulky behind a mare and leading two others and the mare reared, tossed him out of the sulky, smashed his head and he was killed in – I think it was in Ross Street, as he went up the hill to Arundel Street. It was a great tragedy. It’s a wonder it didn’t happen more often because there were hundreds of horses walking around those streets of Glebe – you couldn’t imagine; you’d have to have a vivid imagination to think that so many horses could have been in such a small area on the side of that hill, going down into the Glebe Hollow. Even in my time, I remember Jack Lewis - who had a great horse called Jack Hope at the time – he had his horses stabled on the corner of Ross Street and Parramatta Road; there was a livery stable there even – that was into the 1950s. So, I think it’s a service station now - it’s opposite the University of Sydney.

But it's not just about inner Sydney, is it? There were race tracks wherever there were people, basically...

Penrith City Council

As early as September 1900, mention is made in the local press of the plans to build a trotting track of half a mile in length with posts erected every 60 yards. Mr. T.R. Smith was to provide the funds to build it and was to be repaid from the training fees as they came in.

The trotters of the early days were generally saddle horses and professional trotting trainers often approached local owners, especially those with show horses with proven trotting abilities, to lease them for the trotting races.

The competition from galloping and pony racing clubs in daytime meetings saw the gradual demise of trotting as a popular sport and it wasn’t until the closure of pony tracks and the introduction of night racing in the post-war era, that trotting began to regain popularity. It was now known as harness racing acknowledging the fact that although all the horses wore harness, many paced rather than trotted.

The modern history of harness racing in Penrith began on 16th April, 1964 when night racing began in Penrith. The crowd packed into the brand new $80,000 grandstand to watch a first class program, with horses of a high calibre racing. The opening marked a milsestone in trotting history as the Nepean District Agricultural and Industrial Society became, that night, the first of the new night clubs in Sydney to conduct a registered race meeting.

The high standard of entries has continued till the present day, with the Penrith Paceway rated as one on Sydney’s leading provincial clubs. In 1999 the club closed for some months while it underwent a major upgrade, but it re-opened on 25th November to loud acclaim. The Penrith Paceway track circumference is 804.64 metres with a home straight of 130 metres.

A bit more history on the Victoria Park racecourse, now Green Square

2010-07-03T02:29:00.001+01:00

More from the oral history transcript of an interview with Bill Whittaker provided by the City of Sydney. This time on Victoria Park racecourse, which became the Leyland factory, Naval Stores and finally (so far) housing.

Oh, yes, well, daytime trotting, it prospered at times and, you know, the Depression came in 1929 in the first years after they’d renamed it and things were tough, there was very little money, and daytime trotting had big disadvantages. They couldn’t race Saturday because it would have been in opposition to the galloping - which had been going for a hundred years, they were relatively used to it - and they couldn’t really compete for the patronage from the punters when the races would have been that Saturday because every Saturday afternoon racing in Sydney, so they had to race Monday afternoons. There were two tracks, Harold Park and Victoria Park. Victoria Park was established in 1911 by Sir James Joynton Smith and Sir James Joynton Smith played a very active and prominent role in the establishment of daytime trotting at Victoria Park, which he owned. Sir Joynton Smith was one of the most interesting characters in Sydney history. He was Lord Mayor of Sydney for several years, I think he was second president of the New South Wales Rugby League, the organisation which has flourished so much. He actually supported the rugby league when they broke away from the rugby union. Sir Joynton Smith established Smith’s weekly, the newspaper - very prominent newspaper - and he also built the Carrington Hotel at Katoomba and he also built a beautiful arcade – I think it was called the Victoria Arcade – down near the Australia Hotel and the Prince Edward Theatre in the old days in Sydney. It was a beautiful arcade that sadly has been demolished. So,
you can see he was very prominent and he lifted the image of trotting in Sydney. He was also chairman of the South Sydney Hospital and when Victoria Park was established from the proceeds of the first meeting he in fact donated five hundred pounds – a lot of money then – to the South Sydney Hospital charity to help improve it and establish the place.

History of Sydney - where was Lillie Bridge? Apparently it was at Forest Lodge...

2010-07-03T02:16:00.001+01:00

Lillie Bridge was a pony racecourse in the 1890s as well as an athletics track holding professional athletics races. Reference has been made to a Forest Lodge location at several sites and the SMH records it as being now called Harold Park. After being known as Lillie Bridge it became "Epping" but was renamed Harold Park to avoid confusion with the Sydney suburb of the same name.

Here's part of an oral history transcript from the City of Sydney records where Bill Whittaker recalls the early history of Lillie Bridge and other tracks:

Oh, yes, yes. Harold Park’s got a very stormy and interesting history - it was originally called Lillie Bridge. As you know, Margo, it’s situated in the Glebe Hollow, reclaimed land. It was a swamp and about 1880 it was still a swamp adjacent to, you know, the Glebe – there were Glebe abattoirs and things like that down there but the Harold Park or the area where Harold Park now is was a swamp and even to this day when it rains heavily there’s a lot ‘o’ water in the middle. But anyway, it was called Lillie Bridge and in the 1890s there was pony racing. They had a track, a little, a very small track - it was about two and a half furlongs around; that’s about less than six hundred metres – and they had pony racing and trotting, a proprietary body that was a bit shadowy, a bit shady, but they had bookmakers there, no tote, but they had bookmakers and in actual fact they had night racing. They lit it up in – I think the year was 1895 or 1896 and it was popular for a while but oh, the skulduggery was considerable and it didn’t last, so it was then sold. The property was sold and developed by the New South Wales Rugby Union, football, and they owned it and then the trotting, a group of men formed what they called the ‘New South Wales Trotting Club’, and they were interested in having trotting meetings. They’d previously raced in Sydney along – they called it Moore Park Road, it’s now Anzac Parade, and they used to have Saturday afternoon meetings there, just stake money with the others, many of them very wealthy, including one of the Horderns - the original Anthony Hordern actually raced along the Moore Park Road - but there was no betting or very little, only side wagering. But anyway, they formed the New South Wales Trotting Club and the trotting club at first leased Lillie – oh, it was called Lillie Bridge and when the Rugby Union took it over it was called Forest Lodge - and the trotting club leased it from the Union and for six or seven years they raced there at the Forest Lodge track. It was an eight hundred metre, half mile track, and they had meetings there and they also – there was a problem with the lease and they went to Kensington Racecourse -where the New South Wales University is now - there was a racecourse there and the New South Wales Trotting Club held, oh, eight or nine meetings at Kensington - a place of great learning now, of course - and then they came back to Harold Park in about 1904 or 1905. It was then called – it was Lillie Bridge first, then Forest Lodge and then they renamed it Epping and they raced there regularly. They had, I think they had twelve meetings a year at first and then twenty until 1929 when due to the confusion with the suburb of Epping, out in the Eastwood/Epping area, they renamed it Harold Park. It was renamed Harold Park because Andrew Town - who was one of the great trotting horse breeders and thoroughbred breeder of Hobartville Stud near Richmond - Andrew Town had imported a great stallion - American bred, but he imported it from Scotland - it was named ‘Childe Harold’, H-A-R-O-L-D, the man’s name, and so the name was changed from Epping to Harold Park as late as 1929, and of course it’s been Harold Park ever since.

Friday night fever proves a hit with the southerners - www.smh.com.au

Ever since the days of Lillie Bridge in the 1890s, racing has been trying to find a second best day to Saturday. Sure, there is the odd exception, such as the first Tuesday in November, but just about every other alternative has been tried in Sydney without success.

Lillie Bridge, now known as Harold Park, was the first to use electric lighting, then a new-fangled invention. While trotting, too, was held on the course, pony racing was a major attraction and one that did better than the present gallopers at Canterbury.

SMH reference to pony racing at Kensington, the old tote building and NIDA

2010-07-03T01:57:00.001+01:00

Although the Kensington pony track is long gone, the old tote building is still there on the Uni of NSW grounds. NIDA was based there for a long time and there's still a theatre there (or was, last time I checked).

Harry shone back when ponies were almost main event - Horseracing - Sport

The painting of jockey Harry Reed, a kindly old man in civvies, on a wall at Belmore Road, Randwick, is fading. Words say he rode "countless winners" and helped build the University of NSW on the site of the old Kensington racecourse, a pony track much favoured by him. He later worked as a patrolman and gatekeeper at the uni.

Harry Reed? The name never rang a bell. Mind you, growing up around Kensington, having used the lake in the centre of the defunct track for swimming and the old tote building, later to become a nursery for great actors, as a playground, the mystique of pony racing was always strong.

Historical footnote: prior to WWII pony racing was a big entertainment option in Sydney

2010-07-03T01:50:00.001+01:00

Like the lost velodromes of Sydney, there are also the lost pony racecourses such as Ascot, Rosebery, Victoria Park and Kensington. Ascot's track and surrounds were overtaken by Sydney's growing airport at Mascot, Rosebery by housing flats and Kensington by the University of NSW. Victoria Park had several later uses, including Leyland car factory, Naval Stores and housing.

Pony racing was defined as

Pony racing was defined as "any meeting at which the conditions of any race included any condition relating to the height of any horse, mare or gelding eligible to compete". By 1930 restricted height races were generally programmed for 14.1- or 14.2-hand ponies.

South Sydney's major venues for them in the 20th century were Ascot (now a Sydney airport runway), Victoria Park (a housing development), Rosebery Park (part of Mascot) and Kensington racecourses. Other Sydney circuits for them included Liverpool, Lillie Bridge, Brighton, Belmore and Epping.

In 1907, in opposition to the registered clubs, headed by the Australian Jockey Club, they formed the powerful Associated Racing Clubs (ARC). But it has long gone. Rosebery went in 1962 but the final meeting there took place almost 23 years earlier. Sydney's last pony meeting was at Ascot on August 22, 1942. Rosebery was still operating as a training track in my time and the betting action on official two-year-olds' barrier trials, with the likes of Hollywood George Edser betting (illegally), was greater than at your average Randwick Saturday these days.

By: Wayne Peake
Publisher: Walla Walla Press, Newsroom

Between 1888 and 1942, unregistered pony racing broke away from and challenged registered horseracing to become one of Sydney’s most popular sporting industries. It was also big business elsewhere in Australia, and in England, South Africa and India. Peake’s important contribution to Australian sporting and public history focuses on this little known phenomenon. Sydney’s pony racing epicentre stretched from the city to Botany Bay, with the main courses located in Rosebery, Kensington, Ascot and Victoria Park.A fascinating picture of the sport’s prominence in Sydney life over half a century emerges in these pages.

Some snippets of history: Turramurra, a northern suburb of Sydney

2010-06-28T23:16:00.001+01:00

Some varied history and observations about Turramurra, a suburb in the north and west of Sydney, split by the north shore rail line and the Pacific Highway. Anecdotally the northern side of the suburb is the place to be if you happen to like big houses, big cars and expansive lawns and gardens. The Pacific Hwy was variously in parts called either Lane Cove Road or Gordon Road up to Pearces Corner, where Peats Ferry Road began.

Geological Sites - Especially around Sydney

TURRAMURRA
Lovers Jump waterfall. Lovers Jump (locally also known as Lovers Leap) is a waterfall with a significantly large pool at its base, on the northern side of Burns Road between Finchley Place and McRae Place. A pool at the base of the waterfall is not known to have ever dried up, even though the creek may periodically run dry. The relatively deep valley of Lovers Leap (Lovers Jump) Creek below the waterfall has an area of remant Blue Gum High Forest ecological community. Brush turkeys in groups of up to 4 or 5 lives along the creek and the birds are seen in McRae Place where nesting mounds have been built and chicks have emerged in recent years. Also known in the area are lyre birds, owls, lizards like the water dragon, water rat, eels, etc. No particular reason for the waterfall development here is apparent. The creek at the top of the falls is probably close to the top of the Hawkesbury Sandstone. Where McRae Place makes its first bend (to the east) shale has been met with in digging on the northern side of the road, and close downslope from here the sandstone outcrops. This is probably an accurate elevation point for the base of the Mittagong Formation. Opposite the entrance to McCrae Place, on the south side of Burns Road, building excavation in 2007 exposed weathered Ashfield Shale passing down into Mittagong Formation. Near here was Irish Town. For a time this was an isolated community of orchardists who settled after 1850, with frequent intermarriage and picnicing at the Lovers Leap waterhole (fide Ku-ring-gai Historical Society). Irish Town is remembered by the small "Irish Town Grove" creek reserve between Bannockburn Road and Adams Street; although some accounts state that much of North Turramurra was known as Irish Town. The orchards are also remembered by the Orange Green park behind North Turramurra public school. This school was opened in 1914 to serve the community of orchardists, market gardeners and dairy farmers. In 1920 fruit fly proved disastrous to commercial orchardists on the North Shore

Turramurra, New South Wales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Turramurra is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Turramurra is located 17 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council. North Turramurra and South Turramurra are separate suburbs.[1]

Turramurra, New South Wales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Early settlers referred to the area as Eastern Road until the name Turramurra was adopted when the railway station was built here in 1890. One of the early local landmarks was Ingleholme, a two-storey Federation home in Boomerang Street. It was designed by John Sulman (1849-1934) as his own home and built circa 1896. The house was part of the Presbyterian Ladies College for some time afterwards and is now on the Register of the National Estate. It is notable as an example of John Sulman's style.[2] The first post office opened in 1890. The Hillview estate was marked for heritage listing.[3] Another humble landmark is St Andrew's in Kissing Point Road, which is an example of the Federation Carpenter Gothic style.

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society - Local history - Turramurra

Turramurra is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘high hill’ or ‘big hill’. When the railway was opened on 1 January 1890 the suburb was called Eastern Road after the border of one of the major estates in the area. This was changed to Turramurra on 14 December 1890 as it was thought more appropriate the suburb have an Aboriginal name.

Turramurra is a large suburb, extending from the Lane Cove National Park in the south to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the north. Both these parks govern the boundaries of North and South Turramurra. The township of Turramurra is divided from Wahroonga by Finlay Road, Cherry Street, Brentwood Avenue then east to Eastern Road. From here it continues along Eastern Road to its junction with Burns Road, to swing south to a branch of Cowan Creek. On the Pymble side, the boundary goes south to Pentecost Avenue, west to Bobbin Head Road, then south again to the Pacific Highway. It crosses the highway, runs down along the edge of Rofe Park to end of the Lane Cove River...

In 1822 Thomas Hyndes leased and subsequently purchased 2,000 acres north of Robert Pymble’s grant. Turramurra was part of this lease, known afterwards as The Big Estate Lease.

Tempe and St Peters map via Wilsons 1926

2010-06-28T07:37:00.001+01:00

St Peters_Wilsons 1926_290
Originally uploaded by gtveloce

As promised, the 1926 street directory map of Tempe... and haven't things changed!

Yes, the trams have gone now and Cooks River and Shea's Creek (Alexandra Canal) have moved, but several streets in Marrickville (like Renwick, premier and Warren Rd) have also been truncated somewhat since 1926.

Unwin's Bridge (of Unwin's Bridge Road fame) appears to be in the current location of the road bridge near the velodrome. Bridge Street has no bridge.

The dam, long gone of course, is marked on the Princes Highway. And there's a cricket oval on the highway at the Railway Road intersection (not to mention a host of disappeared streets). The extra park land apparent now at Sydenham is because of house buy-backs to reduce Sydney Airport's runway 34/16 noise footpoint.

And there's even a lime advert on the opposite page.

Some snippets of history - lime, mills, dams, silting and sewage : the Cooks River, Sydney

2010-06-28T07:18:00.001+01:00

I've previously mentioned that the Riley Street (Surry Hills) indoor board velodrome was shifted holus-bolus to Canterbury - splinters and all - which is remarkable enough, but there's more to Canterbury than just an old velodrome site, a station, a bus terminus and a horse racetrack. There's also a river - the Cooks River - that runs from Botany Bay to Canterbury and further westward. It was of course once a working natural river with meanders but dams, industry and concrete culverts put an end to much of the "natural-ness".

I'll post a map of the Tempe dam soon, but the article quoted below makes the location clear enough. The river was dammed to poor effect at Tempe and at Canterbury. The flood of the late 19th century wiped out much of the market gardening and led to grand schemes of tunnels and canals, of which only Alexandra Canal really came to pass. The river's mouth was also moved to accommodate an enlargement of Sydney's Mascot airport. You can find maps of that elsewhere on this blog.

City of Canterbury - History of Cooks River

Descriptions of the country along Cooks River by the early explorers were not optimistic about the land's potential for food production. Captain John Hunter and Lieutenant Bradley both mentioned the shallowness of the water and the large swamps, in place of Cook's 'fine meadow', so it was to the alluvial terraces of the Parramatta and Hawkesbury Rivers that the farmers of the colony went. The Reverend Richard Johnson, however, took time out from his chief mission - first pastor to the settlements in New South Wales - to cultivate his properties, among them being a grant of 250 acres at Canterbury (stretching along the river from present Garnet Street, Hurlstone Park to Croydon Avenue, Ashbury). There is no evidence that he ever lived on his 'Canterbury Vale' farm. But with the help of an overseer, several convicts, and labourers paid by himself, he cleared and planted several acres. Yields were high enough from his estates for him to be described by Watkin Tench as 'the best farmer in the colony'. When the property was sold to William Cox in 1800, it included livestock, two acres of vineyard, and another acre of orchard with orange trees, nectarines, peaches and apricots.

City of Canterbury - History of Cooks River

Major industries of the area were fishing and lime burning, especially around the mouth of the river and in Botany Bay. In a new settlement, three basic needs had to be satisfied: the need for food, the need for water, and the need for shelter for the inhabitants. Although brick-making clay was abundant, nothing could be found for a long time to hold these bricks permanently together. Lime, essential in making mortar, was in such a short supply that most brick buildings collapsed in a heap of rubble as soon as the walls were leant on, and Governor Phillip constantly appealed for limestone to be sent out as ballast in the ships from home. Shell middens left by the aborigines on the shores of the Cooks River and Botany Bay proved to be a vital source of lime, and many colonists managed to make a living gathering the remnants from thousands of years of aboriginal meals to supply their kilns.

City of Canterbury - History of Cooks River

Cornelius Prout built a punt to give him access to his property, Belle Ombre (along the river from today's Canterbury Road to Clissold Parade, Campsie); a punt also operated somewhere about the same time at Undercliffe, known as Thorpe's Punt. This was a link on one of the roads to the Illawarra district. Fords existed at Tempe and further up the river, but with the spread of settlement and eventually industry, permanent bridges were needed.

City of Canterbury - History of Cooks River

A B Spark, Leslie Duguid, and F W Unwin all built country houses beside Cooks River in the late 1830's, and by 1840, three bridge crossings were in use; Unwin's Bridge at Tempe, (to give access from Sydney to his house, Wanstead); Prout's Bridge, replacing the punt, at Canterbury; and the dam at Tempe, continuing the line of Cook's River Road (Princes Highway) past the house of Alexander Brodie Spark.

City of Canterbury - History of Cooks River

A second dam was built to serve the river's first manufacturing industry: the Australian Sugar Company's refinery at Canterbury; this location was selected because of the need for ample supplies of water in processing.

The Sugar House is placed within one hundred feet on Cook's River which is shortly expected to be fresh water, the Dam being quite close and is built of beautiful white sandstone. (Sydney Herald, 4 October, 1841)

Cooks River - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Cooks River is a 23 kilometre long urban waterway of south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia emptying into Botany Bay. The course of the river has been altered to accommodate various developments along its shore. It serves as part of a stormwater system for the 100 square kilometres of its watershed, and many of the original streams running into it have been turned into concrete lined channels. The tidal sections support significant areas of mangroves, bird, and fish life, and are used for recreational activities.

Geological Sites - Especially around Sydney

The river was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770 but it was not until 1793 that any permanent settlement began to occur along it. The first bridge was erected here in 1810, give access to the southern bank of the river for timber getting. It was then a limit of recreational excursions from Sydney.

With the degradation and growing inadequacy of Sydney's Tank Stream water suppy by 1826 the Cooks River was considered as a possibly fresh water supply. A dam was built across it here for that purpose, in the 1830s. The work was mainly completed in 1839-1841 using convict labour. It was considered that floods might flush out the saline water and give allow a fresh supply behind the dam (cf. in a flood of 1889 the river flowed 10 above the dam at Tempe). However, the dam was unsuccessful, as the water remained saline and the main effect of the dam, because of the increase of upstream polluting industries, was to generate a cesspool. Most of the fresh water remained dammed behind the later dam at the Sugar House at Canterbury, but that dam water too was often in a very offensive condition. There was an outbreak of typhoid fever affecting swimmers in 1896. The Tempe dam was lowered to improve flushing, and eventually demolished entirely.

The changes wrought to Randwick since 1940

2010-06-26T01:33:00.002+01:00

Randwick_Robinsons 1940_245
Originally uploaded by gtveloce

There's so much that's changed here - and it was only 70 years ago. Where do I start?

OK, from the left - South Dowling street just stops at Kensington Golf Links. Today it carries on to the airport. To the left of that, Victoria Park Racecourse - gone. Below, Rosebery Park racecourse - gone, replaced by flats - lot's of 'em. To the right of that is a tramway sand quarry (or whatever you call it!). On the next page is Centennial Park at the top, largely intact but now sadly invaded by sports fields and other "single use" recreations like coffee drinking (not that I don't enjoy a coffee) and car parking.

Below that is Randwick Racecourse with its own tram station. Of course pre-war transport was mostly by foot, bike or tram so the dreaded waste and extravagance of low-cost private cars was still ahead of us.

You'll also spot Randwick Tram Workshop in the middle with a few stretches of reserved track so public transport was not only better but quicker. Wait here for trams: Sydney's trams during the last decade of operation

Click through for more personal research and opinion on Sydney history.

Street directory and associated material, scanned for historical research purposes only. Attribution for street directories to HEC Robinson and Gregory's Maps, now UBD. As I say, it's for historical reference only.

Penrith in 1926 according to Wilson's. Love the old garage.

2010-06-26T01:19:00.002+01:00

Penrith_Wilsons 1926_293
Originally uploaded by gtveloce

There's a lot to enjoy here - the old Penrith garage in the advert to the left, the 1926 Penrith streetscape.. what about the amazingly narrow bridge over the Nepean River... was it even passable by opposing traffic?

Click through for more personal research and opinion on Sydney history.

Street directory and associated material, scanned for historical research purposes only. Attribution for street directories to HEC Robinson and Gregory's Maps, now UBD. As I say, it's for historical reference only.

Victoria Park racecourse - Waterloo according to Wilson's 1926

2010-06-26T01:13:00.002+01:00

Waterloo_Wilsons 1926_291
Originally uploaded by gtveloce

Nice layout shown here for Victoria Park racecourse, including the tramway on reserved track (probably through a paddock?). Of course it's no more, replaced by a succession of English car makers culminating in the Leyland car plant that built the P76. When the wheels fell off that in the mid-70s it became a Navy supply yard before finally rebirthing as the new suburb of "Green Square", or whatever they call it. To me it's still Victoria Park.

Click through for more personal research and opinion on Sydney history.

Street directory and associated material, scanned for historical research purposes only. Attribution for street directories to HEC Robinson and Gregory's Maps, now UBD. As I say, it's for historical reference only.

Bankstown West according to Wilson's 1926 street directory

2010-06-26T01:00:00.002+01:00

Bankstown_Wilsons_1926_547
Originally uploaded by gtveloce

It's 1926 and Liverpool Rd is also "Great Southern" Road. Marion Street is shorter and there's a blank canvas awaiting for Bankstown Airport.

Click through for more personal research and opinion on Sydney history.

Street directory and associated material, scanned for historical research purposes only. Attribution for street directories to HEC Robinson and Gregory's Maps, now UBD. As I say, it's for historical reference only.

Bike racing circuits of Sydney... mapped

2010-06-22T10:39:00.003+01:00

Where have we raced our bikes in Sydney? Lots of places. Cycling was the workingman's way to travel long distances before mass production of the motor car. The bike was ridden everywhere (if someone tells you that Sydney's 'too hilly' for bikes just laugh - they have no idea what's possible on a bike) and inevitably raced.

It's a work in progress, but here goes....

Crit circuits and velodromes in the Hurstville area: Oatley Park, Olds Park, Hurstville Oval(velodrome), Kempt Field and Railway Parade (velodrome)

Crit circuits in the Sutherland area: Waratah Park

Crit circuits and velodromes in the Eastern Suburbs: Riley Street (velodrome), Heffron Park, Coogee and Bondi Beach

Western and Inner Western Sydney Crit circuits and velodromes: Merrylands Oval (velodrome), Canterbury (old Riley Street velodrome, moved), Tempe (or Canterbury velodrome), Wiley Park (velodrome), Bass Hill (crit track and velodrome), Camperdown (velodrome), Blacktown crit track, Lidcombe Oval (velodrome), Lansdowne, Henson Park (velodrome)

As always, more soon...

Where was....

2010-06-22T10:09:00.002+01:00

Where was Amaroo Park?

Where was Oran Park?

Where was Catalina Park?

Where was Maroubra Speedway?

More to come....

The type of emotional rhetoric used to close an airport - in this case Hoxton Park but today's events will lead to more calls for Bankstown to close

2010-06-15T04:05:00.001+01:00

It's obviously a traumatic and sad event when an aircraft crashes with a loss of life - and we don't need local agitators jumping on the bandwagon. But they will. Of course aircraft don't crash on approach or departure from Bankstown as regularly as cars and trucks crash on our roads - far from it - yet the fear campaign will be all about the unsuitability of having an airport adjacent to houses, schools and offices. It may be a statistically low risk but it's an emotive issue, especially so immediately after a crash occurs. It's ghoulish and sad that people will use this event in a manipulative way, but it will add to the aircraft noise debate (arguably the real issue) and may eventually cause Bankstown to be reduced in scope, or to close. Perhaps.

Sometimes issues just mount up and force a hand. Further to the west of Sydney Hoxton Park has closed, at least partly because of the fear campaigns of elected parliamentary members just "doing their job", and partly in aid of a bigger transport picture involving airport privatisation and development. The end result is another airport closure, putting more pressure on existing facilities - like Bankstown.

Now Bankstown airport has been around a long time (planned in 1929 but built during WWII) and pre-dates much of the industrial and residential development that now surrounds it. Indeed it is hemmed in and further growth is impeded. And as Sydney's airfields have closed - many of the WWII airfields such as Castlereagh or Fleurs lasting only into the '50s or at best early '60s - others have taken up the slack, like Bankstown, Camden, Wedderburn and The Oaks (despite the quote below very much an active field) . Be they the late lamented Naval Air Station at Schofields or the more recent closure of Hoxton Park the loss of landing strips forces light to medium aircraft users, owners and operators into either more distant airfields like Wedderburn or The Oaks or into busier ones like Bankstown. And we aren't actually opening any new ones, are we?

By the way I'm hardly a silvertail (read below for the bald faced rhetoric), having grown up in Marrickville in the 60's. I don't fly any more but the point is that private pilots can come from any socio-economic background. That's what our egalitarian society is all about - opportunity coupled with fairness and social mobility. Or is that just rhetoric as well?

Hoxton Park Airport - 07/05/2002 - NSW Parliament

Mr LYNCH (Liverpool) [4.41 p.m.]: I ask the House to note as a matter of public importance Hoxton Park Airport and the surrounding suburbs. Hoxton Park Airport is located within my electorate and it is the subject of considerable controversy. Both in terms of the safety of residents living around it and in the amenity of their neighbourhoods, a substantial number of people have been calling for the airport's closure. The suburbs surrounding the airport include Cecil Hills, Green Valley, Hinchinbrook, Hoxton Park and West Hoxton. I have called for the closure of the airport on previous occasions, and I restate that call today. I have raised this matter on a number of occasions in this House. Indeed, I debated an urgent motion on the matter in 1999. It is appropriate to raise the matter again today because only several weeks ago there was a further accident at the airport.

Hoxton Park Airport is a general aviation airport. It covers 85 hectares and has one sealed runway that is 1,098 metres in length. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, circuit training is restricted to between 6.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 6.00 a.m. to one hour after last light on Sundays. It caters to both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, that is, planes and helicopters. It is usually busier on weekends than on weekdays, which says something about the people who are using the airport to train. As I understand the evidence, an average of about six or seven planes are in the air around the vicinity of the airport at any given time.

The airport was originally constructed in about 1942 as part of a group of airfields to be used as aircraft dispersal fields in anticipation of a Japanese air attack. Others included Menangle, Bargo, the Oaks, Wallgrove, Fleurs, St Marys, Castlereagh, Pitt Town and Ettalong. Interestingly enough, none of those airfields is currently operating as an airport. RAAF pilots also used Hoxton Park Airport for training purposes and the like. After the war the airport was leased to the Hardy Rubber Company for use as a tyre test track. Eventually its use as an airport was resumed, but its current use is very different to what it was then. It is now used overwhelmingly for training purposes.

Speaking of developers eating airports, how about Cooranbong, north of Sydney?

2010-06-15T01:15:00.001+01:00

Bankstown, Mascot and Hoxton Park are clear examples of developers gradually surrounding an airfield and then absorbing it, either completely or at least on enough edges that the airport becomes "hemmed in" and unable to operate optimally - or to possibly expand (short of reclaming Botany Bay, for example). I mentioned also the pressure on Warnervale airport due to changing patterns of land use and the incursion of residences into flight (and thus noise) zones - and then I stumbled on another airfield with an interesting history as well as pressure to convert and rezone its use: Cooranbong, to the northwest of Warnervale.

"Heritage Impact Assessment of the Cooranbong Aerodrome in the context of potential rezoning and a concept master plan. The property has been assessed to have some local community heritage value, primarily for social and historic association, in the use by the Adventist Aviation Association, established 1973, and their aircraft assisted volunteer country outreach and missionary programs. There are secondary levels of significance, such as the formation of the main strip by early Adventist community members in the late 1940s, and the development of a flying school in the late 1970s. The size and scale of the airstrips form distinctive landmarks when viewed from the air.

The proposal sets out the re-zoning of the site to allow for future development, and the concept master plan comprises pockets of developable areas set within retained areas and corridors of natural bushland. The airstrips have been incorporated into the future road patterns planned for the site and will remain prominent elements that contribute to the heritage nature of the place. Areas of open space allowing for specific heritage interpretation are planned into the scheme."

In many ways transport has defined European settlement in Australia and set the pattern for development. Where we found a sheltered haven we built a port. Where we laid tracks towns formed. Where roads joined or rail was laid junctions were created and new focuses and possibilities came into being. It's the timing of transport development that gradually shaped where we lived. Obviously we had reasons other than transport alone - arable land, water and adequate shelter were all factors, sometimes key ones. The Central Coast relied for many years on timber felling for example, which led to a need for tracks and trails, railways and ports. We then link isolated towns and create alternatives to the ports, leading to a de-emphasis on one mode of transport. It is this decison making - or perhaps non-making - that shapes our direction. Cooranbong is an interesting example of this:

"Cooranbong was an important river port with up to ten ships trading here regularly for timber and agricultural produce. The town had a courthouse, shops, hotels and a ship yard. When the northern railway was coming, it was expected to pass through Cooranbong with a branch line to Newcastle and the main line to pass under the Gap as it went further north. The town’s people saw the town as the administration centre of the south. But the line was eventually built through Morisset and over Dora Creek. This prevented the sailing ships from coming up the river and Cooranbong rapidly went into decline dropping the population from 700 to less than 200 in five years. About that time the Adventists arrived and moved the town a mile to the east ignoring the old town and to a large degree, the local people."

And Cooranbong also has an interesting aviation history:

"Between 1932-37 a few local aviation enthusiasts including Albert Harris built a Piertenpole, a high-wing monoplane, in the fowl houses and tool sheds in different parts of the town. The plane was made from crude parts including a ten-year-old,
four-cylinder motorcycle engine; a homemade contraption mounted underneath the wing as an airspeed indicator, and barrow wheel tyres. The only instruments were an oil pressure gauge and a rev. counter."

First flight was from "Miller's paddock", now Meyers Crescent, off Alton Road

With an early airfield as well...

"The same enthusiasts made the first airstrip on the southern side of Cooranbong near the Post Office (near present day Martinsville Road). The site was bounded at one end by a dry creek and at the other end by telephone lines. It was 300 yards long. The Civil Aviation minimum requirements at that time were 500 yards. Despite not meeting regulations, the site is reported to have been used by the group until the outbreak of WWII."

And interestingly there's a link between Cooranbong and 'Wamberal airstrip':

"Harris and the other notable local enthusiast, Frank Wainman, put a second remodelled plane together. Intermediate tests with some crashes were performed on
the first early Cooranbong strip, however the main tests for that plane was at Wamberal airstrip. Frank Wainman’s first solo trip was during one of these tests at Wamberal and resulted in the wreck of the second plane."

And the current - now closed - airstrip was created by clearing land circa 1946. And an east-west strip was added circa 1977 and other upgrades led to a flying school being established. It's a fascinating history well worth reading at the heritage planning site I have been linking to.

That heritage impact assessment document concludes negatively in regard to conserving the airfield itself but recommends using the runway alignments as a feature of any new development. The argument sounds reasonable in a heritage sense but does mean that another aviation resource - and one hard to replicate - is lost. But we'll a memory imprinted in the roadscape, won't we? Better than nothing, I suppose.

Making Time for Flying: Moisture in the air and water in the tanks

I flew past the Cooranbong aerodrome, which is no longer used as one can tell from the big white crosses at the threshold of each runway. It's sad because it looks like a very nice airport, with a long sealed runway. Apparently, Avondale College used to run an aviation degree out of here up until 2006.

Warnervale - an active airstrip north of Sydney

2010-06-15T00:05:00.001+01:00

I feel like I'm cataloging airfields now, but each has a rich history and I intend coming back in due course to fill in the blanks.

Warnervale is in the Wyong district north of Gosford. It's an important regional airfield and one of the few remaining strips between Sydney and Newcastle. These days we have to catch a train or drive our cars first if we want to fly... and whilst flying is not the most fuel-efficient method of transport it's hardly going to be enhanced by extra car or truck journeys, is it? Alas airfields tend to secure an expanse of grass for runways and overruns, eventually attracting developers bent on turning the "wasted" grassy fields into houses or industrial estates. The airport itself may attract additional investment, leading to jobs, and further development. Which is a downward spiral leading to airport closure when newly local residents complain about the aircraft noise. Warnervale is secure for now but the fight to remain active is always on the horizon.

Making Time for Flying: Moisture in the air and water in the tanks

After Patonga I adjusted my heading slightly toward Warnervale at 3500ft, with still lots of clouds in the Kariong area. I found Warnervale aerodrome, which is not really a challenge given its prominent location between the Pacific Highway and Tuggerah Lake. One lonely Cessna 152 was doing circuits at Warnervale. I made a call on the CTAF frequency advising everyone I was overflying the aerodrome and kept tracking north.

Those "known unknowns" - the hidden airfields of Sydney starting with "W"

2010-06-14T23:16:00.001+01:00

I've become a bit obsessed with the subject of the airports, airfields and landing strips that either exist now or existed once in the greater Sydney region. You may have noticed a few posts on this subject recently... well here's another one!

I mentioned Wedderburn.

I should mention Wallacia.

And Wilton, of course.

Last post on this for a while - gliding out of Camden - a potted history of that airport

2010-06-14T14:25:00.002+01:00

A really interesting history of Camden Airport, particularly from a gliding perspective at the link below.

My first experience of Camden was as an aircraft-mad Marrickville kid growing up in the mid 1960s - and my recollection is much as the 1953 description below. Very much a "WWII RAAF airfield" feel with the gate house and raised gate, the house on the hill and the buildings on the hillside, the twisting road down to the hangars and so on. Of course there was also the Camden Museum of Aviation, an absolute must-see at the time.

My next recollection would be around 1976 or so, flying into Camden in a Cessna 150 and a Cherokee, practising touch-and-goes. I did taxi there, too, and the Kittyhawk-width grooves were certainly for real.

And then in the early '80s I took off and landed a German-built sailplane there, on a grass strip.

Finally the airport had a complete revamp, new tower, the museum was booted out and eventually new private owners took charge. I haven't been there since.

Southern Cross Gliding Club, Sydney

The aerodrome area was originally a race track owned by Arthur Macarthur-Onslow. In 1919 a film called "Silks and Saddles" was being made which required a race between a horse and an Avro 504K, and the Camden track was ideal for shooting this sequence... ...Camden became Australia's first private aerodrome. Edward Macarthur-Onslow became a great personality in aviation and formed the Macquarie Grove Flying School which by 1939 employed more than thirty people in the workshops at Camden Aerodrome servicing about a dozen aircraft at all levels, including engine overhauls and propeller manufacture.

When World War 2 came, Edward Macarthur-Onslow made the aerodrome available to the Commonwealth Government "for the training of Australian war pilots". Then the RAAF moved in, and then the Americans, the elegant Macquarie Grove House on the aerodrome was turned into an officer's mess and the sergeants made even more of a "mess" of Hassell Cottage at the top of the hill... ...What the gliding people saw in 1953 was an almost intact example of a WW2 Air Force training base. Near the top of the hill at the bend in the road was a sentry box with boom gate and khaki painted wooden huts stretched in rows right down the hill to the hangers which were full of unwanted aircraft, mainly Avro Ansons... ...That so much should have remained in 1953 was remarkable. But no one else visited the place and it was like an old movie set of WW2. The gliding people were even given the use of a few wooden huts.

An extra note here is the training status of Camden:
Camden, NSW is recorded as being the only Central Flying School (CFS) in the
country as at December 1941.34 This seems to be the case as sources claim the
CFS moved to Tamworth RAAF Base.35 Table 1 therefore lists the CFS as the
principal function at Tamworth.

The first glider flight in Australia (excluding box kites) - 1909, Narrabeen. Mentions also of Cronulla, Granville, Bunnerong

2010-06-14T14:09:00.001+01:00

I've already quoted from the excellent Gliding.com.au site but here I go again, just for the record.

The first glider flight: Southern Cross Gliding Club, Sydney

The first "glider" flight in Australia was made in December 1909 by George Taylor at Narrabeen, NSW. A special memorial has been erected opposite the Narrabeen Post Office to commemorate this feat. Taylor's partner was a young fellow by the name of Edward Halstrom who was to become a household name in Australia for his gas powered Silent Knight home refrigerators of the 1950s and his private zoo of rare animals.

Did you realise that there once was a Granville glider club? Or that they test flew at Duck Creek, Auburn? Well it was a while ago... but on the other hand I can remember the odd paddock strung along Parramatta Road in that area from Homebush to Parramatta, persisting until the 1970s at least.

Southern Cross Gliding Club, Sydney

I spoke to Stan Rose who was later to become Secretary of the Southern Cross Club about the early days. In 1930, he saw the Granville Club's glider and was very impressed with it. Being a lad of 15, he went home and found a design of a hang glider in "Chums Annual" and decided to build it. It had about a 5 metre wingspan and was made of bamboo tied together with cord fishing line.

When the wings were ready for covering the only logical material was some bed sheets and these proved ideal although his mother put on no end of a performance when she found out. Ah, one of the first of many little differences of opinion caused by gliding.

So with the wing covering held on with flour and water glue, it was ready for test flying. The site was Duck Creek at Auburn and it was blowing a good westerly. Stan got up a bit of a run and with a good angle of attack, the thing jumped about five feet into the air. Next it dropped one wing, zoomed into the creek and clobbered the only tree stump in sight.

Gliding - or perhaps hang gliding - is not a surprise at the Cronulla/Kurnell sandhills.

Southern Cross Gliding Club, Sydney

Harry Ryan, who was later the CFI of the Southern Cross Gliding Club, was one of the early pioneers of gliding. He had his first flights with Martin Warner and Alf Pelton who operated a German Primary glider from the sandhills at Cronulla in 1931.

But Bunnerong Park is a bit of a surprise. Especially in the dark.

Southern Cross Gliding Club, Sydney

Another group was started by Jack Munn who designed and built the Falcon. They formed the Sydney Metropolitan Gliding Club and flew at Bunerong Park, about a kilometre from Mascot Airport. They flew by day and night and records show that the group often flew until midnight if the moonlight was bright enough. To help with night landings, a motor bike headlamp was fitted to the front of the machine and a motor bike battery tied inside the nacelle. When coming in to land, at a few feet off the ground, the pilot used his left hand to clip a lead onto the battery terminal.

Another "known unknown" airstrip near Sydney - Wedderburn, south of Campbelltown

2010-06-14T13:51:00.001+01:00

NSW Sport Aircraft Club - Wedderburn

Become a member of the NSW Sports Aircraft Club Inc. and enjoy the general experience of belonging to a club dedicated to the private ownership of aircraft and to the comradeship of the aviation fraternity. Wedderburn was founded as an inexpensive venue for members to fly, house their aircraft and fraternize with aviation minded people. And it continues to adhere to those principals today. So ideally it is the Flying Club there for your pleasure---- not simply a place to park your aircraft.

Sydney's Castlereagh dragstrip, formerly a WWII RAAF airbase...

2010-06-14T11:33:00.001+01:00

Castlereagh Aerodrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Castlereagh Aerodrome was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) emergency landing ground and dispersal ground during World War II at Castlereagh, New South Wales, Australia. The runway was 5,000 ft long (1,500 m) x 150 ft wide (46 m). The airfield was to become home to No. 94 Squadron's Mosquito aircraft and had been upgraded by No. 9 Airfield Construction Squadron, however the aircraft did not arrive before No. 94 Squadron was relocated to RAAF Base Richmond and disbanded.

After disposal by the RAAF, the airfield was used as a drag strip eventually closing in April 1984, becoming Castlereagh Country Estate.

And more detail on RAAF Fleurs, WWII airstrip and CSIRO radiophysics site

2010-06-14T10:39:00.002+01:00

Fleurs Aerodrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fleurs Aerodrome was a parent aerodrome built on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force near Penrith, New South Wales, Australia during World War II.

Construction started on the aerodrome in 1942 and was still under construction in 1944 as part of a proposal to base a United States Navy Fleet Air Wing in Sydney should the need arise. Initially planned with three runways, No.1 (5000ft) and No. 3 (6000ft) runways were serviceable, however construction of No. 2 runway (5000ft) was abandoned. A total of eight aircraft dispersal hideouts were constructed and accommodation was a farm house and a former Civil Constructional Corps camp.

In 1969, Fleurs was considered as a site of the second airport for Sydney. The aerodrome is now utilised as precision ground-reflection antenna range operated by the University of Sydney, known as the Fleurs Radio Observatory.

Not only but also....
"...Satellite aerodromes were constructed to alleviate congestion at ‘parent’ aerodromes. The degree of congestion at any of the ‘parents’ could be indicated by the number of satellites. For instance, in Western Sydney between Blacktown and Penrith (at the foot of the Blue Mountains), Fleur
had five satellites. Fleur was a Station for the United States Navy Fleet Air Arm (USN FAA). As Australia needed the assistance of the US with its extensive defence assets, the government considered it appropriate to provide any necessary infrastructure from which the US fleet could base itself in the southern hemisphere. It was an objective of the US Navy to have one ‘parent’ and six dispersal airfields in the Sydney region and Fleur met this requirement. The presence of the US in the State and at its aerodromes is obviously significant due to their success in the South-West Pacific Area campaign."

RAAF Wallgrove Aerodrome - yet more on another Sydney airstrip - AKA Doonside

2010-06-14T10:37:00.001+01:00

Getting confused yet? The WWII airstrip at Wallgrove (or Doonside) is just 3km or so from the Fleurs airstrip. Sydney was ringed with the darned things, apparently.

Wallgrove Aerodrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wallgrove Aerodrome was a Royal Australian Air Force satellite and emergency airfield at Doonside, New South Wales, Australia during World War II.

The aerodrome was built in 1942 and the runway was 5000ft (1524m) long and 150ft (45.72m) wide running NW-SW. After World War 2 the aerodrome was closed in 1946 and reverted to farmland.

A number of former revetments are still in existence and the runway can still be located. A industrial area has been built over the southern end of the aerodrome.

RAAF Marsden Park - yet another WWII Sydney area airstrip

2010-06-14T09:57:00.001+01:00

Marsden Park Aerodrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marsden Park Aerodrome was an aerodrome constructed by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) near Marsden Park, New South Wales, Australia during World War II.

The aerodrome was built in 1942, as a relief landing ground for RAAF Base Richmond, with a runway 5,000 feet (1,500 m) long and 150 feet (46 m) wide. A number of RAAF radar stations; No's 169, 170, 309 & 312 were located around the aerodrome during separate times. The aerodrome was abandoned after World War II and was briefly used as a motorsport facility in the 1950's.

Love this story of meeting "Mr Lake" of Lake Road, Tuggerah

2010-06-14T08:35:00.001+01:00

Woy Woy.net -A Woy Woy Weblog

On the way out to the site I saw an old bloke walking a greyhound down the road and I pulled over to ask him if he knew of the airfield.
In a stroke of luck he did indeed know of the strip and pointed over the fence from where we were and said " that's it there " - right in the spot I suspected , he also told me to go see a local further down the road who had lived here all his life.
So I drove to the end of Lake road to see the " Mr Lake " , that was what the greyhound guy called him.

CSIRO radiophysics and RAAF Fleurs - the Sydney airstrip at Badgery's Creek

2010-06-14T07:17:00.001+01:00

As I've mentioned several times before Sydney and nearby towns played host to a number of wartime airstrips including The Oaks, Cordeaux, Schofields, Hoxton Park and Woy Woy amongst many others. Some of these remain usable but others were re-used as motor racing tracks or simply became disused.

So here's RAAF Fleur, another one with an interesting post-war use.

The CSIRO connection - Flowering_of_Fleurs

Fleurs is situated about 40 km west-south-west of central Sydney near Badgery's Creek, and occupies an expanse of flat land between South Creek and Kemps Creek adjacent to a disused WWII air strip. Between 1954 and 1963, Fleurs was the leading field station of the CSIRO's Division of Radiophysics, and was home to three innovative cross-type radio telescopes, the Mills Cross, Shain Cross and the Chris Cross (Figure 1), all of which played important roles in furthering international radio astronomy (Robertson, 1992). This article discusses these radio telescopes, and the research that was carried out at the Fleurs field station.

The Gliding connection - Southern Cross Gliding Club, Sydney

In 1946 the AWA Club moved to a disused wartime emergency strip just west of Cabramatta called Fleurs Airstrip which was only 3 Km away from the Doonside airfield. It was to become more or less a permanent home for gliding operations. Being on the bend of a river, it used to flood regularly and when a hanger was finally built the machines were always lifted up on top of 200 litre drums as a safety measure. On visiting the strip after one of these floods, the first job was always to retrieve the toilet hut which always seemed to be a couple of kilometres downstream.

At the end of '46 things were pretty busy at Fleurs. The clubs operating from there were the AWA Club, Sydney Metropolitan, Cumberland-Phoenix (now amalgamated) and occasionally Sydney Soaring.

Gliding moves to Camden - Southern Cross Gliding Club, Sydney

Late in 1953 the NSW Gliding Association decided to hold a "gliding pageant" at Camden. The Hinkler and Sydney Soaring Clubs were already flying their sailplanes from this site. Although the Southern Cross membership was down to five, they loaded the old Primary onto an antique Bedford truck and decided to attend the pageant as well.

They were very impressed with the long smooth Camden runways and decided not to return to Fleurs Airstrip which was destined to be taken over by the CSIRO for the Maltese Cross Radio Telescope. Besides Camden was totally deserted apart from a few gliding people and a locally owned Macarthur-Onslow Hornet Moth which rarely flew.

Some initial investigations into the history of the Sydney-Newcastle or F3 freeway

2010-06-14T06:23:00.001+01:00

Before the F3 there was the Pacific Highway - a wondrously snaking road that originally crossed the Hawkesbury at Peats' ferry. And what a marvellous way to cross a mighty river - slowly. Just imagine the queues at either end these days! Well the ferry ended in c1945 (although there are substantial remains at each end) and the replacement bridge is still in use. (Let's not forget the rail bridges downstream, either, and the remnants of the original rail route.) Alas the F3 did away with the old and swept in the new, but it's still interesting to reflect on how we got where we are now, and the options that were spurned.

So why replace the old road? Traffic - too much of it. I do remember the traffic jams at the Hawkesbury crossing and at Wyong. Endless jams. And my father's car boiling over in summer. One time we stopped at a creek on the old highway and topped up with pure river water, bellbirds tinkling around us. I also remember my father dodging the 20cent toll. Doesn't seem like a lot now but "toll dodging" (usually by joining or exiting the "freeway" at Mount White) remained a popular sport for years, until the toll was lifted.

Ozroads: Sydney-Newcastle Freeway

Following World War II, it was glaringly obvious that the existing route between Sydney and Newcastle, not even 20 years old by that time, was completely inadequate for the amount of traffic it carried. By 1960, traffic across the 3-lane Peats Ferry Bridge had reached a daily average of 6,600 vehicles, rising to over 18,000 per day in holiday times. The existing two-lane, winding alignment was unsuitable to carry this amount of traffic, let alone any future increase, and there was considerable local-through traffic conflict through the busy town centres of Gosford, Wyong, Swansea and Belmont.

Interesting that the government of the day considered a private toll-road at the time but was pressured by its own bureaucrats to fund it publicly, even if a small toll was still required. It would have brought forward the idea of a "public-private partneship" by some years, had it gone ahead. Of course money for infrastructure was always - and remains - the main issue in a country so big in area yet small in population.

Ozroads: Sydney-Newcastle Freeway

the DMR was always against letting the private sector construct such an important project and the commissioner of the time, Howard Sherrard, threatened to resign when the government decided it would take Solomon up on his offer. This caused the government to abandon the private sector idea, and announce in January 1962 that it had accepted a proposal from the DMR for the construction of a four-lane expressway that would not only connect Sydney and Newcastle but form part of an improved route to the north and north-west of the state. In 1965, the proposal was refined to include a new route across Mooney Mooney Creek downstream from the Pacific Hwy crossing that would render the existing Peats Ridge route redundant. However, it was recognised that construction would not be possible until at least the mid-1970's due to financial restrictions.

Although there's a lot more that interests me about the F3, I'll also link to this history of Peats Ridge Road and allow you to read the details. If you ever drive this road (which proceeds northwards from Calga to almost Ourimbah) you'll be struck by its mostly excellent construction, its width and general feeling of over-engineering for the current task. And of you are old enough to remember when it was a national highway you'll understand why! Personally I remember stopping at the Oak roadhouse at Peats Ridge (now a strip of shops including a cafe with some memorabilia to look over) on a number of occasions, including when it must have been quite fresh and new. (There's another roadhouse at the old road on the southern side of the Hawkesbury, near Brooklyn - unused and strangely moth-balled but well worth a look-see.)

Ozroads: Former NH1 Peats Ridge Rd

Peats Ridge Road itself was constructed purposely by the DMR to take the National Highway 1 shield (then National Route 1) as the main route between Sydney & Newcastle. However, it was not given the NH1 shield until the arrival of federal funding via the National Highway system in 1974. Prior to this, the route was signposted as either 'Newcastle via Peats Ridge' or 'Sydney via Peats Ridge'.

Peats Ridge Rd carried the steadily increasing expressway traffic for 22 years (12 years as NH1) until the 7km shorter expressway route between Calga and Somersby opened to traffic. Some of the original route was retained, the 7km between Somersby and Ourimbah was duplicated and incorporated into the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway. National Highway 1 was removed from Peats Ridge Rd in December 1986

Bike racing - pre-War Northern Sydney courses

2010-06-13T04:18:00.001+01:00

Interesting historical note on where the road cyclists raced pre-war on the north side of Sydney. Just for contrast down south the Randwick club raced crits at Bondi Beach and road races on a loop along Bunnerong Road and Anzac Parade.

Northern Sydney Cycling Club - Club History

Racing before the war was on courses such as the 20 mile out and back from Jersey Street in Hornsby to Peats Ferry (there was no Hawkesbury River Bridge in those days!), or track cycling on a board track at Riley Street in the city, which was eventually torn down and used as a storeroom during the war. After that, Norths and Hornsby riders would travel to the Henson Park track at Newtown. Not many people had cars in those days, so the riders would cycle out on their road bikes with their track bikes slung over one shoulder, hopefully finding a passing truck or car to hang on to along the way. Cars were not usually available to transport riders to opens such as the Goulburn to Sydney either, and in the late 30s and early 1940s, race entries included a rail concession so that racers could travel to Goulburn on the train with their 'machines', and race back. Interestingly, the prize list for 1941 also included one pair of 'Elasta-top' plus fours for the "competitor whom the officials consider the most unfortunate rider." Road laws made it compulsory for all bikes to be properly equipped with 'bell, brake and reflector', or racing was not allowed.

RAAF Cordeaux airstrip - cut by Mount Keira Rd but still there

2010-06-12T03:09:00.002+01:00

5,000 feet is a very useful length of runway indeed. Having it bisected by a main road was probably a bad thing for the long term - that and being out in the middle of the bush.

Cordeaux Airfield (Landing Ground), Cordeaux Dam, New South Wales, during WW2

Cordeaux Airfield was constructed in late 1942 near Cordeaux Dam in New South Wales as an RAAF landing ground (maintenance) for its parent RAAF airfield at Albion Park.

The airfield consisted of a sealed runway 5,000 feet long and 150 feet wide running NE/SE with twelve aircraft hideouts. Original Works were authorised to build the sealed runway and 24 hideouts. Remnants of the airfield can still be seen today where it crosses Mount Keira Road about 5.6kms north of Cordeaux Dam.

Investigation into Sydney's International Airports - chronology from 1946

2010-06-12T02:58:00.001+01:00

I am assuming that in 1946 Sydney's "International Airport" was actually Rose Bay Flying Boat Base. If that assumption is right then this link below takes us back to the decision to anoint the swampy airfield site at Mascot as "the" International Airport of the future. If you follow the chronology a 2nd "major" airport is considered in 1964 when the Towra Point Folly first comes up. Somersby also gets a guernsey in the 1970s, along with Galston and Duffy's Forest. All 3 drew a lot of protest from locals, for good reason. They were also the most challenging sites to build on, so the fight perhaps wasn't that hard to win in retrospect.

As I have pointed out several times it's wrong to say Sydney needs a "second" airport. Sydney already has Mascot, Bankstown, Richmond and Camden plus it had Schofields and Hoxton Park. Not forgetting The Oaks and a bunch of WWII airstrips. Whether it "needs" a 2nd major airport is a harder question to answer.

Second Sydney Airport-A Chronology (September 2003)

A study is undertaken to determine the best site for the development of an international airport in Sydney. Sites studied include Towra Point, Bankstown and Mascot. Between 1946 and 1968, Federal, State and local governments discuss the Towra Point site, which is eventually ruled out because of environmental difficulties.

Active gravel runway at Wallsend

2010-06-12T02:02:00.001+01:00

WALLSAIR Airport

Wallsair is a collection of 17 like minded aviators who enjoy their flying, from GA to ultra-lights. Conveniently located 4 Nm west of Newcastle, Wallsair has a 750 meter dirt strip oriented 30 and 210 degrees,

Currently 2 Hangars and a Clubhouse.

GPS Co-ordinates

S 32 degrees 52.977

E 151 degrees 40.977

Visitors are welcome, but where possible landings and takeoffs are to be to and from the north. If landing from the south is necessary, approach down the green corridor running south west of the strip. If the strip is wet, land and takeoff on the western side of the centre. Circuits are to be wide to the west around Maryland residential. Beware of HT power lines running along the west of the strip.

Wallsair flyers are all on radio and use Newcastle frequency 132.100 Mhz.

The Entrance Airstrip - gone but not entirely forgotten - 2 possible sites

2010-06-12T01:18:00.003+01:00

I have my doubts about this first location, but we have one source that says that the Bateau Bay airstrip was at the Entrance, in the grounds of what is now the Entrance High School. It's possible, but it's very close to the township itself and on sloping ground. Whilst that ground would have at least have been drier than the surrounding swamps, there is a second option - another school site at Bateau Bay proper that is flatter and better in every way. Perhaps it was just too swampy? We do have a local report that perhaps backs the second site up, which I'll share down the page...

Assuming it was on the Entrance High site, although the alignment is unknown (to me, anyway) we could assume it ran northeast-southwest (aligned with Newling lane but uphill and aimed at the township) or perhaps more east-west (logical for such a coastal airstrip and flatter but it would conflict with the road layout). More research required I fear.In any case, I still doubt it was the site.

Bateau Bay, New South Wales at AllExperts

* Bateau Bay was once home to an airstrip known as The Entrance Airstrip. The site of The Entrance Airstrip is now within the grounds of The Entrance High School *

The second site (my preferred option) is mentioned by a Gosford Aeromodeller: "The first time I spotted radio control models was in 1972 at the old The Entrance airstrip near Bateau Bay. This area is now occupied by sports fields and a High School. They drew a big crowd on Sundays because of the nearby Entrance road. The club however was soon on the move because permanent flying fields were hard to find, even in those days. By the time I had decided to join they were no longer at Bateau Bay and for a time I was unable to locate them."

So it was closer to Bateau Bay than The Entrance, putting it down on the flatter land to the south on what is now Tuggerah Lakes College (formerly Bateau Bay High School). A much better site IMHO. This site fits with my recollections as well - although I didn't come to the coast a lot in the late 60's early '70s I could have sworn I saw an old strip down on the flat near the main junction (now a roundabout).

Taking off from Somersby airstrip, 2007

2010-06-11T16:20:00.003+01:00

Below is a description of taking off from the Lackersteen's Rd airstrip, Somersby.

Interestingly there's what looks to be another old, unused airstrip on the other side of Peats Ridge Rd (ie to the north but running more east-west) - perhaps the Somersby strip used to be longer with a crossing strip or L shaped configuration and was cut by the roadworks? I do have doubts about the terrain, though - it may be a bit lumpy just there between the 2 sites.

Print Page - Back To The Nest - Bundaberg 2007

The engine takes a while to warm as the temperature is a bit on the cool side, but we are soon taxying to the run-up area, at the southern end of the strip. The engine run-up checks are all OK and the pre-flight essential check-list complete, so we taxy to the end of runway 35, make our departure call, log the time at 1008 and give the engine full throttle as we turn onto the runway for a short field take-off.

With the T’s and P’s in the green and the ASI rising, we accelerate down the hill that is a characteristic of the Somersby airstrip bouncing over the rough stuff and gently raising the nose of the aircraft for a short / rough field take-off. The Jabiru being full of fuel, two POB and holding a reasonable amount of luggage, is reluctant to leave the ground, but once it does we accelerate quickly in ground effect before raising the nose to the best angle of climb attitude and settling into the climb out. Once clear of the tree-line, we pick up the effects of the cross wind and adjust the flight path to suit. Lowering the nose to the best rate of climb attitude, I allow the aircraft to accelerate to the top of the white arc and then clean up the flaps. Fuel pump off – engine still running (always a good thing) and the rest of the post take-off check list completed T’s and P’s in the green, accelerate to the cruise climb speed of 90 KIAS and then 100 KIAS still gives a good rate of climb.

The Gosford City Aeromodellers at Narara Airstrip

2010-06-11T15:54:00.001+01:00

Our Field/Getting Here - Gosford City Aeromodellers

Located at the top of Mangrove Road at Narara, we are very central on the coast and easy to find. There are 2 ways to access the club, from the north and from the south. From the northen end it's easiest to get to the club via Dog Trap road at Ourimbah, which tee's off the Pacific Highway opposite the RSL club and links up with Mangrove road once you cross the freeway. The Southern end is accessed by getting onto Narara Valley Drive and following it until you can turn off directly onto Mangrove road, I would recommend coming from this direction as it is fully tarred where Dog Trap road still has a dirt section.

Narara airstrip on Mangrove Road - for model aircraft only?

2010-06-11T15:40:00.000+01:00

Having driven past this airstrip and read the signs alluding to the presence of a model aircraft club, I suspect the only aircraft operating from here aer rather small... but the site itself suggests that a larger airstrip was once in operation.

Forestry Commission, perhaps?

Another Kulnura airstrip - well it used to be, anyway. Looks overgrown now

2010-06-11T15:14:00.001+01:00

Is this a military airstrip from WWII? Or a Forestry Commission effort that's now been decommissioned? Or (last guess) some left-over infrastructure from the construction of Mangrove Creek Dam? Whatever the origin or original purpose, it's clearly a 2-runways crossing setup fairly deep inside MacPherson State Forest.

Unless you had a reason to hide in fairly rough terrain I can't see much point to it.

Central Coast Soaring Centre - not quite an airstrip, definitely a landing ground

2010-06-11T14:52:00.003+01:00

This strangely almost L-shaped block of mown grass on Bloodtree Road is the home of the Central Coast Soaring Club (judging by the sign at the gate, anyway). I presume there are sailplanes - gliders - onsite here.

There are buildings that could conceivably work as hangars, anyway.

Light rail - or Sydney goes Back to the Future. I'm not saying this is a bad idea, but...

2010-06-10T03:46:00.001+01:00

More than likely throwing out the tram network in Sydney back in the '50s (last trip '61) was a bad idea, but re-laying it will-nilly doesn't make much sense either. Just like when we laid the trams tracks in the first place it's local lobbying that is pushing the local barrow for funding, in total ignorance of the bigger picture. Sure, starting with the old heavy rail goods line infrastructure is not a bad plan - it's cheaper than starting from scratch - but it does ignore every other area of Sydney. How about assessing where light-rail is needed, wanted and would be used, rather than just pushing for an extension of the cheapest option?

I'm also not sure what some of these local members are wanting, or even saying... a light rail from Cronulla to the City via Kogarah duplicates the current heavy rail but - admittedly - also captures a few areas covered only by bus or car and would supplement the heavy rail. But there are many areas of Sydney with no heavy rail at all and arguably greater need. And when a local MP says that "the infrastructure is in place" and that all you need is to lay some track you have to wonder what they think "infrastructure" may mean. Umm, things like track, perhaps? Light rail stations? The land to put it on? The rolling stock and maintenance sheds? Oh that's all sitting idle just waiting for some track! Sure it is.

Light rail a ticket to votes as other MPs push for new services

Ms Burton also proposes a light rail line from Cronulla through her electorate to Martin Place in Sydney. ''The infrastructure is already in place and all that is needed is to lay the track,'' she said.

ThatWWII landing strip at Tuggerah - link to more details

2010-06-09T07:12:00.001+01:00

Just for completeness, here's a link to more detail on the airstrip at Tuggerah. I'll scan an old map I have as soon as I find it, too.

Woy-Woy.com - Tuggerah Military Airfield WW2

In 1942 a single runway was constructed by the Australian Army at Lake road Tuggerah , this was part of a network of coastal landing strips that were used for emergency landings by military aircraft travelling along the seaboard.

WWII plans to disable strategic railway tunnels - including the Woy Woy tunnel. That would slow your commute down

2010-06-09T07:06:00.001+01:00

I've seen the tunnel mentioned on the site (click link below) and it's worth checking out the full details. It all makes sense of course. The sense of threat posed by the Japanese forces in WWII has receded with time (as you'd hope) and it's quite striking to reflect on the fears held at the time an dteh preparations made. My grandparents cartainly had a bunker in their backyard in case of bombing, for example, and had stockpiled food. But for some strange reason I never really quizzed them, or my parents, about the war years. The stories I did get were more about the dances at the Palais!

All things Woy

During WW2 with the threat of Japanese invasion quite real , a national defense plan was set into action.
Part of this plan was to disable the railway system so the Japanese could not use it if they invaded along the coast.
The Americans were in charge of coastal defenses in 1942 and trialled demolishing railway tunnels with explosives at an old tunnel near Otford on the South Coast.
Explosives were lowered down an air shaft and detonated , successfully collapsing the tunnel roof , it was proposed to repeat this plan at several other tunnels along the coast including Woy Woy tunnel.

Drive the red gravel runway at Trafalgar Avenue, Woy Woy

2010-06-09T06:59:00.001+01:00

I think I've mentioned this former WWII airstrip at Woy Woy a couple of times and neglected to provide a link. I'll remedy that now...

Woy-Woy.com - The Red Runway at Blackwall

During World War 2 the R.A.A.F constructed an airfield in the center of the Woy Woy Peninsula, running roughly along what is now Trafalgar Avenue between McMasters Road in the North to Oxford St in the South. Proposals were made for eight pens for medium bombers to be constructed in the nearby streets and bush blocks, these pens were to be camouflaged from enemy eyes by blending in with the local surroundings, local ti trees were to be used as well as man made objects like disguising a hangar to look like a house.

Another Central Coast airfield - an active one at Somersby on Lackersteens Road

2010-06-02T23:17:00.001+01:00

Just one of those things I wanted to note down. It's a short, natural-surfaced airfield adjacent to the F3. I haven't found anyhistorical detail as yet but it's certainly been there for the 10 years or more that I have known of it.

Microlights fly out of here and there is a small collection of hangars half-way down the strip. A motor sport facility was proposed on adjacent land at the F3 end of the field but I don't know the status of that.

Somersby Airfield - YSMB

Somersby Airfield - YSMB

"Old Banks' on the Paterson: not exactly Sydney but an interesting early extension of Colonial administration

2010-06-02T23:09:00.001+01:00

History of Paterson and its people

'Old Banks' is the name of a site on the western bank of the Paterson River that was the hub of early European activities and settlement in the district.[1] It appears near the bottom of the map of Paterson Plains c1830, and is indicated on Dangar's 1828 map by the symbol of a tent with a flag on top.

In 1804 a permanent penal settlement was established at Newcastle for convicts who had re-offended in the colony. In that same year convict timber-cutters began operating on 'Patersons River' where they were 'severely beat-up by black natives'.[2]

Mod Luna Park Invasion in the late '70s

2010-03-31T07:00:00.002+01:00

Mod Luna Park Invasion_062
Originally uploaded by gtveloce

Another blast from the past... Sydney Mods from the Quarryman and the Lismore crowds...Fanzines, Paul 'Modfather' Weller articles... I was only a peripheral Mod, liking the music but not joining in with the fashions. But I have these fanzines, see, and a scanner...

Link to image, State Library NSW: 'Uncle Billy' Meek, Newtown toll keeper for 30 years

2010-01-26T08:55:00.002Z

Library of NSW Search - Manuscripts, Oral History, and Pictures Catalogue - State Library of New South Wales

"Toll bar gates at Newtown ...? Uncle Billy Meek / Brother of James" -- on reverse

"General Note
From a collection of 19 photographs of the Meek family, Marrickville and Sydney (see P1/Meek Family, Mitchell Library)
Tollgate keeper, Billy Meek lived in the small gatehouse for 30 years."

Another reference to Newtown Congregational Church, now the Greek Orthodox Church

2010-01-17T23:26:00.002Z

Sydney’s Inner West | Tightarse Tours | Cheap Backpacker Walking Tours Sydney Melbourne Australia

"Newtown Congregational Church, now the Greek Orthodox Church, opened in 1856 was built on land donated by Hon. J. Fairfax, founder of the Sydney Morning Herald. The first pastor was Rev. S. C. Kent, also principal of nearby Camden College. The school which adjoined the church was intended to provide a basic education for students who would proceed to the College for theological training."

Reference to Stanmore House, Mary Reiby, James Pemmell

2010-01-17T23:25:00.002Z

Sydney’s Inner West | Tightarse Tours | Cheap Backpacker Walking Tours Sydney Melbourne Australia

"Hidden behind the liquor shop - and indeed behind a thousand alterations - is Stanmore House, Newtown’s only surviving old mansion, now barely recognisable. It was built in 1847 and 1855 by Mary Reiby for her daughter Elizabeth Anne who married Captain Joseph Long Innes. It was of Colonial Regency design with a central entrance and gable, wide verandah and capped columns. It is claimed that Sir Joseph Long Innes, who was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1873 and was one-time Attorney General of NSW, was born here in 1834. James Pemmell, parliamentarian and wealthy flour merchant, lived here until his death in 1906."

1856: Newtown Congegational Church opens

2010-01-17T23:19:00.002Z

Timeline

1856: The Newtown Congregational Church opens (on last Sunday in November) on land donated by John Fairfax. It is similar in design to that of Redfern (1847-1964).

Arncliffe, William Beehag, West Botany St (AKA Muddy Creek Road)

2010-01-17T23:16:00.002Z

History

"Up until the mid 1850’s the nearest churches for settlers south of the Cook's River were the Anglican Church at St. Peter's and the Wesleyan Church at Newtown. But in 1855, James and William Beehag, two brothers from Essex in England, men with “true and deep religious experience” started a Sunday school on William's property in West Botany St., Arncliffe (In those days known as Muddy Creek Road)."

Part 13 - Subdivision of Reiby House and grounds, 1902

2010-01-17T22:46:00.002Z

Building allotments &c. and Reiby House & grounds at Newtown [cartographic material] : for auction s... | National Library of Australia

Sales plan for land in the suburb of Newtown in Sydney, New South Wales, bounded by Don Street and Station Street.

"Torrens title."

"Subject to deposited plan."

"Vendor's solicitors, Messrs Lambton, Milford, & Abbott."

"F.H. Reuss, architect & licensed surveyor, 82 Pitt St."

Part 12 - Reiby House, Reiby Hall - 21 acres in Enmore

2010-01-17T22:43:00.002Z

Reiby

"Reiby Hall was originally built in 1905 as a gospel hall. It was built on the last 3 lots of land subdivided from Mary Reiby's estate which was 21 acres extending the length of Enmore Road. Mary Reiby's mansion Reibey House stood next door to Reiby Hall until it was demolished in 1967 to make way for public housing."

Part 11 - Images of Newtown

2010-01-17T22:39:00.002Z

Sydney Architecture Images- HOME

"A few of the original estate homes survived such as Stanmore House, Reiby House and Gowrie House." Well, almost survived. Various interesting images of Newtown and Enmore historic properties.

Part 10 - Reiby House demolished, Stanmore House remains

2010-01-17T22:36:00.002Z

Enmore

"The only surviving reminder of the villa estates of Enmore is Stanmore House, located on the corner of Enmore Road and Reiby Street. It was built c1847 as a wedding present for Mary Reibey's daughter, Elizabeth Anne, who was unhappily married to Captain Joseph Long Innes. Captain Innes was an alderman of the first Sydney City Council. Shops were built in front of the property in the 1930s and the house was converted to flats. Stanmore House was altered significantly but still retains part of its original fabric, detail and joinery.

Mary Reibey's own home, Reiby House, survived until the late 1960s when it was demolished to construct a block of high-rise units for low income earners."

Part 9 - Reiby House, Enmore - almost 2km frontage along Enmore Road

2010-01-17T22:35:00.002Z

Enmore

"Reibey's business empire flourished. She moved to Enmore in the 1840s and established herself comfortably in Reiby House. The property had a frontage of almost two kilometres along Enmore Road. Reiby House was a grand, two-storey Georgian villa with tight security against bushranger incursion. Shutters fitted with heavy iron bolts ran the length of the house, both inside and out. Secret bells were installed in some of the shutters so when the window was opened the alarm was given in another part of the house. Presumably Mary's servants were ready to repel any invader."

Part 8 - Reiby House (image in 1939)

2010-01-17T22:31:00.002Z

Reiby House, Station St., Newtown, no. 1642, Box 9. picture by by Henningham, F.,

Reiby House, Station St., Newtown, no. 1642, Box 9. picture
Date(s) of creation: Feb. 23, 1939.
photograph : gelatin silver ; 15.6 x 21.4 cm.
Reproduction rights owned by the State Library of Victoria
Accession Number: H20199
Image Number: b52080

Part 7 - Mary Reiby: death certificate, brief history

2010-01-17T22:30:00.002Z

Mary Reiby

"In 1794 she married Thomas Reiby, formerly of the East India Company, who established a trading enterprise called Entally House. By 1803 Thomas owned three boats and traded coals and wheat up the Hawkesbury and Hunter rivers. In 1807 Thomas bought a schooner for trading with the Pacfic Islands, however he fell ill after a voyage to India in 1809.

After his death in 1811 Mary was left with seven children and control of a large business which included rural properties, Bass Strait sealing operations and overseas trading. Through enterprise and hard work she became one of the most successful businesswomen in the Colony. As she rose in affluence, she also rose in respectability and socialised in Governor Macquarie's set. Mary opened a new warehouse in 1812 and extended her fleet with the purchase of two more ships in 1817. In 1820 Mary returned to England with her daughters. "

(Returning to Sydney by 1825 or so, living in Newtown until her death in 1855.)

Part 6 of a series of posts. Where was Reiby House?

2010-01-17T22:27:00.002Z

Reiby House, a 2-storey Georgian villa is generally believed to have been on what is now Reiby Lane, off Station Street, Enmore. The house was demolished by the the then Sydney City Council in about 1966, replaced by a block of flats behind Newtown RSL. The then wealthy retailer Mary Reiby moved to Enmore circa 1840 and the house was almost certainly built by 1843.

Stanmore House was also built by Mary Reiby in the 1840s, for her daughter Elizabeth. It fronted Enmore Road (although still standing it is obscured by later develeopments) and almost backed onto Reiby Lane.

An interesting account is given in Literary Sydney, a Walking Guide, by Dimond and Kirkpatrick

Part 5 of a series of posts. Mary (Haydock) Reiby, Thomas Reiby, East India Company, Entally and more...

2010-01-17T22:16:00.002Z

Entally House « Waltzing Australia

"In 1790, at that age of 13, Mary Haydock of Lancashire, England, had the poor sense to ride a horse that didn’t belong to her, which resulted in her being convicted of horse stealing and being sent to the recently established colony of Australia. She was 15 by the time she set sail for Sydney. It was a long trip, and on the way over, she made the acquaintance of a young Irishman who worked for the East India Company."

Part 4 of a series of posts. Mary Reiby, State Library Tasmania

2010-01-17T22:14:00.002Z

State Library of Tasmania catalogue • ""Entally House", Mrs Reiby"

"Entally House", Mrs Reiby (Photograph)

Part 3 of a series of posts. Reiby Brothers, Tasmania, Entally, Mary Reiby

2010-01-17T22:13:00.002Z

The Reiby Brothers

"In 1794 Mary married Thomas Reibey, a sailor. Thomas was given land for a farm on the Hawkesbury River, and he also became a shipping merchant. The family moved to Sydney where they built a fine home, called “Entally” after a suburb of Calcutta, India. By the early 1800s Thomas owned several boats that traded between Sydney, the Hawkesbury and the Hunter River, and were engaged in sealing in Bass Strait. Following his death in 1811, Mary took over the business and she operated it successfully, as well as looking after her family of seven. Her shrewd financial dealings made her one of the richest people in the colony.

"By then Mary's two eldest sons, Thomas and James, were old enough to help with the business. Both boys had been sent to sea, being prepared for their part in extending the Reiby mercantile empire. In 1815 the 19 year old Thomas, became master and owner of the schooner John Palmer, trading between Sydney and Launceston. He married Richarda Allen and in June 1817 sailed with his bride to take up land on the banks of the South Esk River, which he named “Entally”. Seventeen-year old James, disowned by his mother, left for Hobart Town in March 1816. There he married a widow, Rebecca Breedon, and they established a shop stocked with goods worth £40, obtained on credit.

At Launceston, Thomas prospered. He set up his merchant store on the banks of the North Esk River and in 1820 he built the first wharf of the fledgling port at the foot of St. John Street. He continued to skipper ships, taking wheat, seal skins, oil and vegetables to Sydney, and returning with general merchandise for sale at his store."

Part 2 of a series of posts. Mary Reiby, retailer and Hunters Hill settler

2010-01-17T22:10:00.002Z

Hunters Hill, New South Wales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The area that is now Hunters Hill was settled in 1835. One of the earliest settlers was Mary Reiby, the first female retailer in Sydney. She built a cottage -- later known as Fig Tree House -- on land that fronted the Lane Cove River; Reiby Street is named after her. During the 1840s, bushrangers and convicts who had escaped from the penal settlement on Cockatoo Island took refuge in Hunters Hill."

Part 1 of a series of posts. Reiby House, Mary Reiby and more...

2010-01-17T22:09:00.002Z

I mentioned "Reiby House" in an earlier post. So where was Reiby House? And who was Mary Reiby? I'll dig and post in a series to answer these and other questions.

My earlier reference:
Secrets of a Sydney past: Charles Street, Marrickville and surrounds - a potted history. Part 1.

"1843 - Homlewood built. 1844 - Foundation stone of first St Stephen’s church (Anglican), Newtown. Economic depression producing many forced sales and bankruptcies. 1847 - Stanmore House begun. 1848 - Inauguration of National education system. Subdivision of Petersham estate. Reiby house probably erected by this time. Foundation stone of St Thomas’ Catholic church, Lewisham. Temporary building for St Peters Anglican school.(permanent building in 1855). Goodsell family brickworks. Fowler’s Pottery."

1860 - "Stone Cottage", Harriett Street, Marrickville

2010-01-17T01:36:00.002Z

Library of NSW Search - Manuscripts, Oral History, and Pictures Catalogue - State Library of New South Wales

Image of "Stone Cottage", Harriett Street, Marrickville, built in 1860 by the Meek family.

Another personal note: Alfred Russell living in Alice Street, Newtown (off Edgeware) in 1908

2009-12-31T10:55:00.001Z

Sands 1908

82 Russell Alfred

Personal note: an Alfred Russell in Edgeware Road, Enmore, 1932...

2009-12-31T10:51:00.001Z

Sands 1932

81a Russell Alfred

NSW Premier J J Cahill: railwayman, unionist with strong Marrickville links

2009-12-31T09:56:00.001Z

Cahill, John Joseph (Joe) (1891 - 1959) Biographical Entry - Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

CAHILL, JOHN JOSEPH (1891-1959), railway fitter, trade unionist and premier, was born on 21 January 1891 at Redfern, Sydney, son of Irish-born parents Thomas Cahill, labourer, and his wife Ellen, née Glynn. The family was part of the tightly-knit community of railway workers that had grown up around the Eveleigh railway workshops. Educated at St Brigid's convent school, Marrickville, and Patrician Brothers' School, Redfern, on 2 July 1907 Joe was apprenticed as a fitter at Eveleigh. He joined the Workers' Educational Association, regularly attended lectures and developed his public-speaking skills in debating societies.

An officer of Marrickville branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (Amalgamated Engineering Union from 1920), Cahill went as a delegate to union conferences. He was dismissed from his job on 14 August 1917 for his part in a railway strike and his personal file was annotated 'agitator'. There followed a lean period in which Cahill found it difficult to obtain regular employment. At one stage he was reduced to selling insurance. Prominent in the early 1920s in an unsuccessful revolt by a group of activists against the A.E.U.'s governing body, he was banned from holding office in the union until mid-1925. In May 1922 he was re-employed by the railways. At St Brigid's Church, Marrickville, on 11 November that year he married Esmey Mary Kelly; they were to have a long and happy family life.

Addison Rd Centre - or Barracks - linked to Gumbramorra Swamp and farming

2009-12-31T09:53:00.001Z

Addison Road Centre - History

The site of the Addison Road Centre (ARC) in the suburb of Marrickville was once natural wetlands known as the Gumbramorra Swamp which was drained in 1890. The original residents of this area were the Cadigal Wangal People who lived in the area for more than 40,000 years. The Cadigal were a clan of the Darug people and spoke the coastal Eora language. Clans of the area included the Wangal, the Kameygal and the Bediagal. More information can be found here and especially the Cadigal Wangal website here also.

Incredibly despite massive disruption to the First Australians through colonisation we believe there are still descendants of the Cadigal alive today living in this area.

Local farmland for market gardens

There is evidence of a stables and hayloft on the site (which is now the main office, gallery and studios) possibly related to farming or army barracks

Interesting cycling item in the Powerhouse Museum collection, with Marrickville connections

2009-12-31T09:49:00.001Z

2004/76/1 Bicycle, miniature, theatrical prop, with canvas bag, metal/ leather/ rubber/ canvas, made by Carbine Cycles/ used by Fred Klimo the clown, Australia, 1936-1939 - Powerhouse Museum Collection

Fred's wife Hylda was born Hilda Williams on 9 March 1887 at Goulburn. When she was young they lived in a tent by Cooks River at Earlwood. They built a home in Garners Ave Marrickville. She and her sister Mabel formed the Trevena Sisters, a singing/dancing vaudeville act. The sisters learnt to dance and joined a travelling show, and experienced the excitement of being 11 year-old girls travelling in a covered wagon. They eventually became well-known vaudeville entertainers.

Hylda and Fred married in 1909 at St Clements Church Marrickville. The donor was born Fay Trevena Klimo in 1922, one of six children. Her name contained the stage names of both parents. She married Ray 'Bud' Abbott. When Bullen's Circus first came to Sydney, Fred got Ray a job there as the drummer and panotroper (responsible for operating the panotrope, a sound system that provided mechanical music).

"Norwood township", Petersham and Henson Park: a resident blogger

2009-12-31T09:46:00.001Z

the ’sham » Blog Archive » in the archives

The position of NORWOOD for a Township, is one of the
MOST ELIGIBLE
To be found in the COLONY. It occupies that picturesque and
Splendid Site,
PETERSHAM HILL,
Immediately over the
RAILWAY STATION,
Any portion of the Town being within FI VE MINUTES WALK
of the Station. The TRAINS to and from Sydney will not oc-
cupy more than TEN MINUTES, thus affording a
PLEASANT, ECONOMICAL, AND EXPEDITIOUS
MODE OF TRAVELLING
To the Metropolis, the distance being only
THREE AND A HALF MILES.
NORWOOD is also accessibly either by the
PARRAMATTA ROAD,
By which it is about Twenty Minutes drive to Sydney or
THE NEW TOWN ROAD,
passing by Enmore. From the great elevation of the town, it
commands views of EXCEEDING BEAUTY: towards the
north-east there is a most
MAGNIFICENT LANDSCAPE,
Including
BOTANY HEADS,
THE BAY,
THE PACIFIC OCEAN,
NEWTOWN, and all the adjacent country, several GENTLE
MEN’S SEATS diversifying the scene. Also a most picturesque
view of NEWTOWN CHURCH.
Towards the south-west there is altogether a different character
of landscape and equally as pleasing in the immediate foreground,
is the Railway Station.
[...]

The auctioneers could dwell much longer on the pleasing duty
of illustrating the splendid site selected for Norwood, but they
think enough has been said to awaken the desire of intending
purchasers to see themselves the beauties of nature displayed to
such advantage.

Sydney's first fire station - at Marrickville

2009-12-31T09:39:00.000Z

History of City of Sydney Fire Station - NSW Fire Brigades

All fire stations were given a number as they were built, starting with Headquarters or No 1, but City of Sydney was not actually the first fire station built for the MFB, the honour going to Marrickville which was opened in 1886.

Silent star Annette Kellerman, born in Marrickville, 1886

2009-12-31T09:38:00.001Z

Million Dollar Mermaid - Annette Kellerman by Wendy Sharpe

Born in 1886 in Marrickville, Sydney, Kellerman was a NSW swimming champion who left for England aged 18 to help her cash-strapped family. In Europe, she built a name for herself in long distance swimming and exotic swimming and diving demonstrations. By 1906 she had moved to vaudeville theatre in America as 'Australia's Mermaid' and quickly progressed to the big screen. Kellerman enjoyed tremendous success as a silent movie star in mythological underwater films, including Neptune's Daughter.

Suffrage, the Wolstenholmes and Maybanke House, Marrickville

2009-12-31T09:35:00.001Z

Maybanke Anderson at AllExperts

Maybanke Susannah Anderson also known as Maybanke Wolstenholme (February 17, 1845 - 1927) was a Sydney reformer involved in women's suffrage and federation.

Maybanke Susannah Selfe was born at Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey. Her family emigrated to Australia as free settlers when she was nine years old. Twelve years later in September 1867 she married Edmund Kay Wolstenholme, a timber merchant. The couple had seven children between 1868 and 1879, four of them died form a heart condition before the age of five. The Wolstenholmes built a large house called â€˜Maybanke' in Marrickville. The later years of the marriage were unhappy, Edmund had a number of business failures and became and alcoholic, leaving the family in 1884. Maybanke has to wait for the passage of the Divorce Amendment and Extension Act in 1892 before she could divorce Edmund on the grounds of desertion, the divorce was finalised in 1893.

Webster - Marrickville quarryman

2009-12-31T09:33:00.001Z

Webster, William (1860 - 1936) Biographical Entry - Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

WEBSTER, WILLIAM (1860-1936), quarryman and politician, was born on 7 June 1860 at Everton, Lancashire, England, son of John Webster, labourer, and his wife Elizabeth, née Poynton. One of a large family, William left school at 13 to work in the Welsh quarries. Migrating to New South Wales in 1879, he quarried stone at Pyrmont and, by diligent saving, was able to bring the rest of his family to Sydney. By 1880 he was prominent in the Quarrymen's Union of New South Wales and financial secretary of the Trades and Labor Council. On 7 June 1883 at St Clement's Anglican Church, Marrickville, he married Jane Buckney. Webster Bros, the quarrying firm he founded at Marrickville, was among the first in New South Wales to observe an eight-hour day and standard wage.

Newtown, Marrickville and Marcus Clark & Co

2009-12-31T09:31:00.001Z

HHT - Marcus Clark & Co

From a modest start in the Sydney suburb of Newtown in 1883, Marcus Clark & Co rose to become one of the city's largest department stores with a network of branches in towns and suburbs across Australia. Henry Marcus Clark (1859-1913) established the company when he purchased the drapery business of his former employer, John Kingsbury. The business quickly expanded, trebling itself within five years, and soon opened new stores in Marrickville and Bondi Junction. In the Sands directory for 1894, Marcus Clark was listed as a "wholesale and retail draper, tailor, milliner, boot warehouse and fancy repository; the largest, best lighted and most comfortable establishment in Newtown, the floor space covering nearly an acre."

Newtown - Sands directory 1858 - Goodsill, trustee of Cook's River Road

2009-12-31T09:26:00.001Z

Sands 1858

Goodsill, Frederick J., trustee of C. R. Road,
Cook's River Road

Newtown - Sands 1909 directory - street by street, name by name

2009-12-31T09:20:00.001Z

Sands 1909

NEWTOWN,

INCLUDING

SOUTH KINGSTON.
BOUNDED on the north by municipality of Camper- south by Erskineville and St. Peters; and on the west down; on the east by Redfern and Darlington; on the by Petersham and Marrickville. Proclaimed a Municipality, 12th December, 1862, Area—480 acres. Number of houses—5,500. Number of assessments—5,740. Miles of streets—26|. Assessed Value—£193.160 10s. Annual rental—£212,390. Estimated Capital Value of all Ratable Properties—£3,540,272 4s. Council Chambers—Town Hall, King-street.

Erskineville - Robert Henderson of Henderson Road and the gravelling of Erko Road

2009-12-31T09:14:00.001Z

Robert T. Henderson - Page 15

Robert Thomas Henderson
Alderman for O'Connell in 1871-76

His father was Robert Henderson (1798-1865) whom the 'Gardeners Magazine' of February 1865 says superintended the layout of the 'once-famed gardens' of Alexander MacLeay's Elizabeth Bay House estate. His mother Elizabeth was daughter to Thomas Shepherd who operated the nursery in Chippendale from the 1830s which was known as the Government Nursery or the Darling Nursery because, as Victor Crittenden says, it was vice-regally approved by Governor Ralph Darling. (Francis Low's Directory of 1844-45 mentions a James Henderson working at the Darling Nursery.)

Robert Henderson married Elizabeth Shepherd in 1831 and started the Camellia Grove Nursery in 1838 on four acres nearby in the low lands in what was the Kingsclear grant of 1794 and now is land on the corner of Henderson Road and Park Street Erskineville. The first son Robert Thomas Henderson was born in 1837, brother Charles JBN Henderson in 1845.

Newtown Mayor with a Cook's River Road address - William Bailey

2009-12-31T09:11:00.001Z

Mayor William Bailey JP - Page 6

Mayor William Bailey JP

Mayor 1871-76, Councillor/Alderman 1863-64, 1867-78

He was a builder, he was no doubt pragmatic and the longest-serving of the early mayors.

His place of residence is unclear according to the Sands Directories; in Cooks River Road in 1858, in Station St/Enmore Rd between 63 and 71 (in 'Camborn Terrace' between Cooks River Road and Union St), in Cavendish Street in 1873 and in Enmore Rd in 1877 and at Trafalgar Terrace in 1886.

It is said that he belonged to the Church of England but this should be checked as the Sydney Mail of 10 August 1861 reports that a certain Mr W Bailey was appointed replacing Alderman Robert Dunlop to superintendent the Newtown Wesleyan schools.

He built the Congregational School which operated as a Sunday school and regular school. Thomas Holt MP officiated at the laying of the school's foundation stone on 23 January 1862, saying 'it is destined to be instrumental in working a great moral reformation in NSW' ('Sydney Mail'). Nicholas Trengrouse, a senior draghtsman in the Railway Department and an alderman in Marrickville's first council, designed it...

Marrickville and Fort Street link - Charles Haddon, dramatist

2009-12-31T09:05:00.001Z

Dictionary of Australian Biography Ca-Ch

CHAMBERS, CHARLES HADDON (1860-1921),
dramatist,

was born at Sydney on 22 April 1860. His father, John Ritchie Chambers, who had a good position in the New South Wales civil service, came from Ulster, his mother, Frances, daughter of William Kellett, from Waterford. The boy was educated at the Petersham, Marrickville, and Fort-street schools, but found routine study irksome and showed no special promise.

Marrickville - another reference to Sans Souci and Thomas Holt

2009-12-31T09:03:00.001Z

We-R1.org Our Area

Holt, Thomas - Born in Horbury, Yorkshire, 14th November 1811. Was a proficient swordsmen and stickler for physical fitness. He vested into many enterprises including wool and establishing the AMP society. He built many mansions , some of which are the remains of Sutherland House, now a garden feature in a Sylvania home.

Marrickville linked with Sans Souci - via Thomas Holt and 'The Warren'

2009-12-31T09:02:00.001Z

afs007

The area was originally a grant given to Catherine Cooper in 1830. The Coopers built a home on the land which was called Charlotte Point or Rocky Point. The Coopers later ran a distillery there. In 1853 Sans Souci (French for 'without care'), was named after the mansion built by Thomas Holt on Rocky Point road for his wife. Being too isloated, Mrs Holt refused to live in it so he built her another, 'The Warren' on the Cook's River at Marrickville. William Rust acquired the property and turned it into the Sans Souci Hotel and the suburb adopted the name Sans Souci. [Pollon 1991, p. 252.]