Blog
- The Latter Day Personnel of the Sans-Souci Tramwayby Gifford Eardley Through the courtesy of Mr. George Barnidge, of Sans Souci, one of the steam-tram drivers associated with the now long defunct Kogarah to Sans Souci Steam Tramway, which closed on Sunday, July 4th, 1937, we are able to publish a list of the personnel engaged with the running operations of this fascinating …
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- The Birth of a Bandby Alexander Belford Christison, M. B. E. In the year 1898, Mr. J. C. Walker of Rockdale, who had been a conductor of military and public bands in Sydney and suburbs for some years, decided to form a brass band in Rockdale. He had a few instrumentalists who were willing to join, but not sufficient …
- Calling All CarsIn 1894 the residents of Rockdale and district were entirely devoid of police protection at certain times. During big festivities in Sydney the few district police were withdrawn to reinforce the metropolitan squad. Rockdale Council was so concerned by this danger that it raised the matter with the Minister for Justice. On Boxing Day 1894 …
- Kevin Little, third-generation stained glass artist and restorer (1930 – 2022)Stained glass artist and restorer Kevin John Little was born in Sydney in 1930. Both his father, William Little, and grandfather, David McColl Little, worked in stained glass. David McColl Little established D.M. Little & Co. in Barden Street, Arncliffe in 1905, advertising as leadlight workers and glass merchants. Kevin Little designed, produced, and restored …
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- Book Review: Sydney by Delia Falconer, UNSW Press 2010 (293 pages)Reviewed by Laurice Bondfield Strictly speaking this is not a history book. It is more a meditation on what makes Sydney unique; one of a series in which “leading Australian authors write about their hometowns”. Nevertheless for history buffs there are many delights to be found in its pages. Chapters titled “Ghosting”, “Dreaming”, “Living” and …
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- Early Jewish Pioneers in the St George Areaby H.L. Kahana My topic concerns the early Jewish settlement in this area, the era of the Illawarra Jewish Association of the 1930s and the establishment of the Illawarra Hebrew Congregation in April, 1943. In the 1930s, the Great Depression raged. King George V and Queen Mary were succeeded on the throne by Edward VII, …
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- Sir James Joynton-Smith and the Building in Lydham Hall’s Bellingham Paintingby Bette Ross The lovely scene in S.R. Bellingham’s painting of Coogee Bay, painted circa 1882, and hanging on the left hand side of the Dining Room fireplace has a story behind it. To begin with Sid R. Bellingham is referred to in a number of Art Encyclopaedias as an artist of unknown background or …
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- President’s Report 2021Well, who would have thought 2021 was destined to continue in the same vein as 2020 due to COVID-19 related sickness, death and Lockdown restrictions impacting family, friends, the business and health sectors plus leisure pursuits to name but a few? May Australia and hopefully the rest of the world turn a corner into a …
- Michael Gannon(A talk delivered at St. Michael’s Church, Hurstville on the occasion of its Centenary in 1987 by Alderman R. W. Rathbone) There is some doubt about when Michael Gannon was actually born. His marriage certificate and his convict records all indicate that he was born in 1798 but his death certificate would suggest it was …
- Book Review: Governor Macquarie, His Life, Times and Revolutionary Vision for Australia by Derek Parker, Woodslane Press 2010 (252 pages)Reviewed by Laurice Bondfield This book has been published to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lachlan Macquarie’s arrival as Governor of NSW. It is a straightforward biography quoting extensively from his journals, letters and dispatches so you get a lively sense of his personality and attitudes as well as a clear narrative of the events …
- The Bexley Ladies’ Collegeby Frances Stacey “Rockdale College” was originally founded by the Rev. C.T. Forscutt, when he was 40 years old. He was born in Newtown and became a preacher at the Enmore Tabernacle for some years. Later at the age of 40 years, he decided he would found a Boys’ School and was greatly encouraged by …
- Old St. David’s Church Of England Arncliffeby Peter Orlovich The following article, from the researching pen of Mr. Peter Orlovich, M. A. , a member of our Society, deals with certain phases of the early history of Old St. David’s Church of England at Arncliffe, and also throws light on the pioneering Hannam family who were amongst the early settlers of …
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- Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!On behalf of the St George Historical Society Committee, we wish everyone good health and happiness during the festive season.
- A Link with the Pastby Fred Gannon In his beautiful home at Tempe Mr. Fred Gannon, who is the oldest solicitor on the rolls of New South Wales, now spends the quiet evening of his days. He has reached a hardy old age of 85 interesting years; his wife is still living, and his sons and relations worthily carry …
- Book Review – The Aborigines of the Sydney District before 1788 by Peter Turbet, Kangaroo Press 1989 (160 pages)reviewed by Laurice Bondfield The author collects together in this small book as much information as possible about the tribes who lived in the Sydney region before 1788. He covers such topics as social organisation, languages, food gathering, marriage and family life, medical treatments, religion, initiation and artistic expression. Although the Aboriginal people who lived …
- New Logo and Magazine ArchiveNew SGHS Logo During our November meeting, members unanimously approved a new logo designed by Tina Workman. The striking image at the centre of the logo is of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. It represents our connection to the St George District. Magazine Archive Our society has published a regular newsletter/bulletin/magazine since …
- The Rockdale Historical Society – Tasks For The New SocietyPrecis of a talk delivered on 12th July, 1961, by Mr. W. Poster (Councillor of the Royal Historical Society of N.S.W. and Headmaster of the James Cook High School, Kogarah) The chief task of any newly formed Historical Society is to add to the information already in existence. The Rockdale Historical Society has an almost …
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- No Ordinary FlagIn 1915, after the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli and as men around the country were joining the Australian Imperial Force, a small group at Bexley Public School took up their needles to support the war effort. By making a donation to the local fund to buy ‘comforts’ for the troops, donors could have their names …
- A Suggested Sunday Afternoon Driveby Ron Rathbone Note: This self-guided history drive was published in 1962. After almost 60 years of change, it’s a fascinating journey into the past. Commencing at the new Cooks River Bridge. On your right you have the lovely 134-year-old country retreat of Alexander Brodie Spark. Continue along Princes Highway to Burrows Street then turn …
- The Early Settlement of Wolli Creekby Gifford Eardley The Wolli Creek, one of the principal tributaries of Cook’s River, junctions with the latter immediately adjacent to the railway bridge at Tempe. In former years its upper waters flowed complacently through a gently sloped forested area which merged into sandstone hill country in the vicinity of the present day Bexley North …
- Rockdale Fire BrigadeThe precise date of the formation of a Fire Brigade in the Municipality of Rockdale cannot be established from the Board’s records but it is known that the St. George Volunteer Fire Company was located at Rockdale in April, 1891, for during that month of that year that Company applied to the Fire Brigades Board …