Author: hcsYbOjXZv

by Gifford and Eileen Eardley

Prior to the advent of surf-bathing it was customary for the citizens of Sydney and the metropolis generally to spend their weekends at one of the many watering places, as they were termed, located around the foreshores of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay. At Botany, adjacent to the Cooks River entrance, was the famous Sir Joseph Banks Hotel and its adjoining pleasure grounds, which attracted vast crowds of holiday makers to splash and swim in the shallow waters of the northern section of Botany Bay, to picnic in the bush surrounded grounds, to ride on the miniature steam train, to patronise its hotel bars, to inspect its zoo and the elephant, and generally make merry.

All these things were keenly observed by Mr. Thomas Saywell who saw a good financial return was to be had in catering for the entertainment of the populace. To this end he commenced to develop the sand dune country at Lady Robinson’s Beach, adjacent to the eastern extremity of Ocean (later Bay) Street, Rockdale. Here a palatial hotel was built, also large swimming baths with separate palisade enclosures to divide the sexes, evidently to protect the defenceless males from the wiles of the designing females, and a most spacious picnic ground where people could loll under the shade of the native trees. This area was aptly named Shady Nook, and its fame spread far and wide. It quickly became popular, specially so with mothers with young children to watch. There were swings, and somewhat ponderous seesaws, made from a heavy plank suspended in the centre of its length between two upright ex-tramway sleepers, an arrangement which called for the careful balancing of the opposing loads of youngsters, as broken arms and legs were not altogether unknown amongst its patrons.

The Shady Nook enclosure was located at the southern side of Bay Street and its eastern fence line, formed of short stubby lengths of indigenous tea-tree packed tightly between parallel wires, strung between posts, in an endeavour to halt the inroads of wind blown sand, followed the western verge of the present Grand Parade for some little distance. For a portion of its length the southern fence boundary was occupied by a shelter shed, replete with high ungainly seats, more solid than comfortable, and substantial picnic tables of a strength calculated to withstand the assaults of the vandalistic larrikin element which has always existed in our midst. The remaining portion of the southern boundary, together with the western fence line, was enclosed by a rough hewn post and rail fence which prevented livestock from entering the enclosed grounds. At the time it was common practice to permit cattle and horses to roam at will, seeking agistment wherever it could be found.

The western section of Shady Nook was left, to a large extent, in its virgin state as far as the larger trees were concerned. This growth was intermixed with small-leafed coastal Banksia trees, and gnarled, grotesque shaped Saw-leafed Honeysuckles (Banksia Serrata), which were once so common to the sand dune district bordering the western shore of Botany Bay. There were the bright green Geebungs (Persoonia), the Woody-pears (Xylomelum Pyriforme), and a host of other wildlings which have fascinated generations of naturalists.

To cater for the ice-cream, lolly buying, and tea and scone needs of the picnic crowds a small shop was erected at the north-eastern corner of Shady Nook. This was housed in a long weatherboard building, a single room in width, and extended for some distance along the eastern frontage of Shady Nook in a southerly direction from Bay Street, the tea-room and buy shop being located at the northern end and a separate post office, together with the single room which formed living accommodation for Miss Ward, the post mistress, were placed at the southern end. On the western side of this building, running for its full length, was a narrow side verandah sheltering the various doorways and also a series of attractive bay windows which displayed an excellent wealth of ferns and exotic pot plants.

The northern facade of the shop premises, abutting on to Bay Street, was largely devoted to window space, the lower section of the wall being divided into three glazed sections for confectionery display purposes. Immediately above these windows was an intricate panel made up of small panes of coloured glass, reds, greens, and yellows, said to be of German manufacture, This panel looked most attractive at night when illuminated from within by the mellow gleams of the gaslight. The separate lettering of “CADBURY’S CHOCOLATE”, in white glass, now a historic feature of advertising, was affixed in semi-circular fashion, across the three panels of the display window. Beneath the eaves the upper section of the facade was enclosed with redwood shingles painted an ochraceous shade of green, a covering which looked most attractive. The fascia boards were decorated at their ends by semi-circular drops and also midway in their length. The roof was of corrugated iron, painted Indian Red, as a protection against the inroads of sea air and rust. Surmounted above the ridging was a crest board of pierced metal as an ornamentation, the sharp upper edges of which were not appreciated as a potential landing place by the local sea-gull population.

The tea-room was a friendly little place given over to dainty morning and afternoon teas served at small round tables with polished marble tops, around each of which were can-seated “Austrian” chairs. Behind the counter were shelves displaying a wondrous array of chocolate boxes depicting scenes from the Swiss Alps, or flowering gems such as roses, corn-flowers, or red poppies, each box being tied with rich coloured ribbon, the products of old established firms such as Cadburys, Frys, Kailers, MacRobertson, and Nestles, amongst others. For the younger clientele with a penny to spend the stock in trade ranged from gingerbread rabbits to pink and also white sugar pigs, plus a tremendous variety of sticky toffees, milk-poles, licorice telephone wires, also straps, and blocks (at four a penny) of the same black laxative material. There were pink musk sticks, sherbet bags with a licorice tube to suck up the contents, fizzoes (round balls of sherbet encased in white toffee) at half-penny each, and many other tempting comestibles for the juvenile palate.

The post office catered for the then rather limited postal needs of Brighton- le-Sands and had the usual counter, stamp drawers, and delicate brass letter weighing scales. Letters in New South Wales needed one penny stamps, red in colour and issued by the New South Wales Government, and interstate letters were two-pence, a blue stamp. Newspapers, irrespective of their destination were sent at one half-penny each, the stamps of this denomination being green in colour. It may be of interest to give details appertaining to the furnishing of the bedsitting room occupied by the postmistress. The dividing walls of the room were of vertically fixed match-boarding and the ceiling, of the same material, followed the apex shape of the roof timbers. A large table, fully covered with a cloth of elaborate floral design, occupied the central position, whilst a sideboard, with a longitudinal mirror and shelves loaded with vases, ornaments, and trinkets, lay against a wall. There was a natty single bed of iron construction, adorned with spherical brass knobs, one on top of each bed-post, together with a multitude of brass and china fittings. Framed pictures added colour and interest to each wall, and at night a golden glow was shed by an ornate centrally hung gas bracket which, per medium of a pair of oval-shaped brass-sheathed balance weights dangling at the end of chains, could be raised or lowered at will. It was certainly a wonderful cosy little room.

The eastern half of the fence along the Bay Street frontage of Shady Nook was formed with white-painted pickets, a double gate being placed therein to admit vehicular traffic. The main pedestrian entrance was adjacent to the tea-room verandah where a number of vertical posts, each about four feet in height, arranged in two alternatively positioned rows, afforded a maximum of discomfort to obese persons and a wonderment to members of the canine family. Side by side, to admit perambulators and go-carts, was another entrance protected by a revolving cross-bar arrangement, pivoted in a central round post. These protective facilities effectually kept out the roving larger animals, and the revolving cross-bar gave endless pleasure to the smaller children as they were pushed round and round, hanging on for dear life, by their excited mates. The long verandah was paved with brown glazed bricks and the children spent much time gazing at the ferns displayed in the several bay windows and trying to pry through the fronds into the rooms beyond. The grassy sward of the eastern portion of the enclosed grounds was planted, at about twenty foot intervals, with Norfolk Island Pines, each tree being protected by rectangular shaped guards of wooden palings and several guards had seats arranged around their outer sides.

Perhaps the principal feature of Shady Nook was the large ornate Merry-Go- Round, placed near the north-eastern corner of the pleasure ground. This appurtenance was constructed about the beginning of the present century by Messrs. Stewart and Cropp, a local firm of contractors, and was electrically driven per medium of a winch, several idling pulleys, and an endless rope, the latter, after leaving the winch, being coiled around and immediately below the rotating wooden floor of the machine. A circular single railed track, concentric with the main pivot, was traversed by railway type wheels, each revolving on separate radiating axles. A large electrically operated organ played strident “mechanical” music which was clearly audible more than half a mile away, amongst which one vividly remembers the rendition of the “Blue Danube” in particular. The Merry-Go-Round was housed in a many-sided wooden building with a conical roof, above which a small cupola gave a sense of adornment. The entrance doorways were closed with wooden shutters When the machine was not in use to prevent unauthorised intrusion and acts of vandalism. The wooden horses, three abreast, moved up and down on vertical brass covered rods, each dappled steed bore a distinctive name on its neck relative to some well known racehorse of the period. There were at least four wheel-less chariots, equally spaced, which gave a measure of comfort to the younger children who were too frightened to ride the bouncing nags ahead. There was also a razzle-dazzle nearby. This contrivance consisted of a large diameter circular seat, suspended by stout iron rods from a metal cap mounted on top of a high and stout post. By the strenuous efforts of the more able participants, the circular seat rotated around its post in a rising and falling fashion. As this machine was on the free list it was a prime favourite with its many and often shrieking patrons.

About the period of 1908 a couple of discarded de-wheeled tramcar bodies, complete with glazed windows, were placed in Shady Nook west of and in the vicinity of the Merry-Go-Round. These erstwhile vehicles had end doors and side seats facing inwards and were popular with picnic parties. They also provided shelter should a thunder-storm arise. Another arrival about the same period was a “Dummy” (or driving) cable car formerly in use on the then abandoned King Street Cable Tramway in Sydney. This open-sided vehicle, minus its wheels, had seats facing outwards and towards each end, the space between the raised backs of the seats once provided standage for the former tram-car “Grip-man” where he manipulated his control levers. This unit found great favour with boys playing at “Trammies” but did not remain at Shady Nook for very long. Its ultimate fate is not known.

With the expiration in 1914 of the thirty years franchise granted to Thomas Saywell by the original Act of Parliament, a move was made by the Rockdale Municipal Council to acquire Shady Nook as a public park. Two years later the Government was urged to purchase the area for recreation purposes, but to no avail. In 1920 the local Council had the option of taking over the property at a cost of £10,000 but could not arrange the finance, and as late as 1928 agitation for its purchase was still proceeding. However, the developers took over and, after the ruthless destruction of the lovely trees had taken its course, they erected the row of shops which face Bay Street and Grand Parade. Trafalgar Street, The Boulevarde, and Duke Street were eventually constructed to serve the needs of the residential area spread over the southern and western portion of the once so beautiful and popular Shady Nook.

This article was first published in the August 1971 edition of our magazine.

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(Images courtesy of Bayside Library Service Local History Collection)

It comes as a shock to discover that there was once a time when otherwise knowledgeable citizens of Sydney had only a hazy notion where Rockdale, Kogarah and Hurstville were. Moreover, Banksia was not then in existence.

The following press report, discovered by Mr. Phillip Geeves, describes our home suburbs in the St George District as they were in 1894, when the now- defunct Australian Joint Stock Bank was Rockdale’s only bank and Chinese market gardens supplied the green symmetry between Rockdale and Lady Robinson’s Beach.

Down at the Beach Saywell’s Hotel had been transformed into the first home of one of our Great Public Schools – the Scots’ College (the Hotel had been delicensed for an infraction of the liquor laws) and the hotel parlour, which had once catered to the gargantuan thirsts of its patrons, was now transformed into a Presbyterian chapel.

In those far-off days,. when a home at Sans Souci was regarded as “a country residence” and Rockdale railway station was noted for its floral display, a journalist wrote this description of St. George’s suburbs, as they then were:-

Illawarra Line

There are many thousands of Sydney people who know little or nothing of this one of the most beautiful and attractive of our suburbs, simply because it does not lead to one of the holiday resorts, for pleasure-seekers. Yet for beauty of scenery we are not aware of any suburb which excels it; and for attractive residential sites, easily accessible, at moderate rates, with frequent trains running punctually from Sydney at 5.10 a.m. to 11.38 p.m., and from Hurstville 5 a.m. to 11.05 p.m., persons travelling on business or pleasure have every accommodation which Sydney residents enjoy. St. George’s electorate commences at Arncliffe, on Cook’s River, five miles from Sydney, and terminates at Hurstville, on the George’s River on the south, bounded on the east by the shores of Botany Bay, and on the west by a continuation of Saltpan Creek, comprising an area of about forty square miles. The towns on the railway line are Arncliffe, Rockdale (with a tramline to Lady Robinson’s Beach), Kogarah (with a tramline to Sans Souci), Carlton and Hurstville.

Arncliffe

At this point we get clear of Sydney proper, with its continuous lines of streets, with their closely-packed houses, with back premises 12 by 12 feet, the hotbeds of disease, and get into the country proper, with its fresh air and breezes from Botany Bay, charged with life-giving ozone.

In this neighbourhood are many attractive residences within the reach of every class of society. There is a considerable elevation above the station, on the highest point of which is the handsome residence of Mr. Barden surrounded by a verandah on the upper floor, with some enchanting views, including Botany Bay and Cook’s River, with its new improvements and reclaimed land, which will become very valuable for manufacturing and other purposes. In addition to the residences there are several large landowners who have sites for sale. Campbell’s Hill, for instance, has a high and commanding position; Dr. Clay Hill, etc. Arncliffe is one of the wards of the Municipality of Rockdale, to which it extends on the west side of Rocky Point Road as far as Harrow Road, where the Kogarah Municipality commences.

Rockdale

Rockdale is the principal business centre of St. George’s, and is divided into three Wards – Arncliffe, Rockdale and Scarborough, constituting the Municipality of Rockdale. It has an area of about eight square miles, and an estimated population of five thousand; has a Town Hall and School of Arts, with a good library. There are several first-class stores and business houses, and in the neighbourhood some very nice residences, with more or less ground up to six acres, well planted with fruit trees. There is a large number of market gardens, producing first-class vegetables, some of these being kept by the irrepressible and indefatigable Chinaman. The immediate neighbourhood is well adapted for fruit and vegetable growing, to which might be added fruit canning; it only requires capital and the right people. There are churches of different denominations, also public schools. A branch of the A.J.S. Bank; two hotels; a College for Boys. A tramway runs, on the arrival of each train, to Lady Robinson’s Beach about a mile, where there are baths for both sexes. This could be made a very attractive pleasure resort on the same plan as Coogee and Bondi, and ought to pay if taken up with spirit.

It is much to be regretted that many of the residents will waste their time and spend their money in going to Sydney to get bargains (!), when they can buy the same goods on the spot at the lowest Sydney rates, and keep the money at home; also, they will subscribe to the Sydney School of Arts, pay a pound per annum subscription and take all the trouble of going to Sydney to exchange their books, while – they can get the selection from a good library on the spot for three shillings a year! Perhaps they want a free library as well as a free paper.

This is a good live town to live in, as there are frequent dramatic and other entertainments, which could be supplemented by lectures, if encouraged. There is a latent spirit of enterprise in the people, but they are shy about supporting a paper run in their interests. There is an excellent hotel, the Royal, for the accommodation of visitors.

Kogarah and Sans Souci

This Municipality is divided into three wards – East, Middle and South. It has an area of about five square miles, and an estimated population of four thousand; has a School of Arts and Public Library. It extends from Harrow Road to Oatley, and has seven churches of different denominations.

On leaving the station at Rockdale, the railway line is on the up grade and although the ground is rather rocky, and not suitable for cultivation, it presents most charming sites for residences, with views at various points of Botany Bay, with a well wooded country intervening, and the charming little suburb of Sans Souci, to which a tramline runs on the arrival of the trains from Sydney.

We recommend our town readers to pay a visit to this locality, particularly if seeking a country residence. The Moorfield Racecourse is an attraction, and there are many horses in training in the neighbourhood. This is one of our holiday attractions.

The Moorfield Hotel has extensive stabling and the landlord as a sporting man will command a good share of support.

Carlton

This is little more than a railway station, but between it and Botany Bay there is one of the greatest attractions in the florists and nurserymen’s grounds, where the flowers which made the great display at the late exhibition of chrysanthemums were principally grown. A visit to this beautiful locality will be a treat for those who take an interest in the subject, and will give them an opportunity of securing some beautiful specimens for their grounds. The Royal Hotel at this place, kept by Mr. Mitchell, is a first-class house which we recommend to visitors.

Hurstville

This Municipality is divided into three wards – Bexley, Hurstville, and Peakhurst. It has an area of about twelve miles square, and an estimated population of three thousand five hundred, being an increase of about seven hundred and fifty over 1890. It has nine churches and four schools, a library and the scenery is very attractive. There are indications of gold in the neighbourhood, resulting so far in little more than the colour. There is some desirable land near worth the attention of investors.

To sum up. It is the general impression that the first step towards getting the several municipalities out of their financial difficulties, will be a Bill for Local Government, to enable the municipalities to collect overdue rates and force the land, now held by the speculators, into the market. In the meantime the necessity for retrenchment is felt very severely by those dependent on local work, and the refusal of government support in the shape of customary subsidies, leaves the municipalities helpless for the present.

We have to thank Mr. George W. Leeder, Council Clerk of Hurstville, and Mr. Sayers, of Kogarah, for their kindness in furnishing information, also the Mayor of Rockdale, Mr. W. Taylor, for his valuable suggestions; and trust the publicity given in this article will be as we wish it of value to the electorate, and a proof of the value of a local paper. The floral display at this station is quite an attraction. Mr. Hall, the station master, deserves a notice for his good taste.

This article was first published in the October 1965 edition of our magazine.

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(Images courtesy of Bayside Library Service Local History Collection)

Greetings fellow St. George Historical Society Inc members,

Without doubt, this past year has proven to be the most logistically challenging yet reinvigorating year in the life of the St. George Historical Society Inc. for many, many years. The historical ‘jewel in Bayside City Council’s crown’ and the home of our society, Lydham Hall has like the proverbial phoenix, risen from the ashes. The exterior is resplendent under a superbly restored slate roof, with all verandah trimmings repainted and the surrounding gardens looking neat, well cared for and becoming for the gracious sandstone house set in their midst. Meanwhile, the interior is while still a work in progress, nonetheless tastefully set-up, being both clean and welcoming. The throngs of visitors, which average 90+ on the monthly Open Days are quite effusive in their praise of the house and its grounds. The proof as they say is in the pudding….Or rather, the Devonshire teas, pumpkin soup and beverages served on the rear verandah with its delightful view over the garden. It is wonderful to see young and the ‘young at heart’ relaxed and partaking in fellowship, food and fun. The Open Days are only possible due to the untiring enthusiasm and unstinting labours of the Society’s volunteers. The charismatic Tina and her willing team of fellow volunteers, whose ‘sleeves rolled-up, get the job done attitude’ keep the doors open and the kettle boiling. I take this opportunity to thank Tina for her dogged determination to persevere notwithstanding a very challenging year with ailing parents, house renovations, property sale and retirement, to name but a few matters. To mention specific volunteers would be imprudent, as I would invariably miss others of equal merit. Suffice to say, thank you to those volunteers who take tours and interact with visitors, prepare and serve food, sell merchandise, take admissions and sales, plus keep the house and grounds in a very presentable state. Many thanks all!

I would like to thank Robert McGarn for his quiet and efficient undertaking of his Public Officer and Vice Presidential tasks, Anne Field for her very determined and proficient efforts to raise the Society’s profile as Publicity Officer and her dedication to the upcoming Christmas in July dinner, which is the Society’s inaugural fund raising event this season. Barry Johnson aside from capturing and recording the lion’s share of funds generated at Lydham Hall, or at meetings and other events, is also working assiduously behind the scenes to maintain the Society’s website and Facebook pages, plus ensure proper accounting records are kept including provision of Annual Financial statements. Laurice Bondfield could well be said to be a ‘trooper’, the last six months in particular have not been kind to her as regards her health. Nevertheless, she has soldiered on and has expertly recorded minutes, drafted correspondence, worked on the Society’s newsletter, coordinated speakers and afternoon teas as well as ‘keeping me on track’, which is no mean feat!

I come back once more to Tina, who has been the mainstay of the Society’s operations at Lydham Hall. Tina has worked tirelessly and painstakingly concerning the complex and intense negotiations had with Bayside City Council. She continues to play a key role in our negotiations with Council. Many thanks Tina, we are indeed indebted to you. Finally, thank you to all members who assist with ideas, logistical support, an encouraging word here and there, plus honour the Society with your presence. I cast my eyes around recent meetings and see members from of old, but increasingly, ‘new blood’, almost all stemming from the Lydham Hall Open Days. I am confident the balance of 2024 will prove to be a most excellent and fulfilling year for the Society and all fellow members. Onwards and upwards!

Madam Secretary kindly provided me with a summary of the last 12 months’ speakers. The monthly meetings have seen nautical themed topics such as the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, The Shark Arm Case, Anne Field’s ‘Message in a Bottle’ and a History of St George Sailing Club. Other themes explored local areas such as talks on World War 2 in Arncliffe, Growing up in Dolls Point, Zofia Laba’s presentation on local leadlight window artist John Radecki, Janette Pelosi’s Joseph Davis: From Lidham Hill to Lydham Hall and finally the more broad brushed Reluctant Pioneers which provided a fascinating account of life in the early days of the Colony presented by Beverley Earnshaw.

Especial mention must be made of the February Grand Reopening of the Lydham Hall museum. This event was well patronised by Bayside and Georges River Councillors including Bayside City Mayor, Bill Saravinovski who fittingly launched the reopening, Local History librarians for Bayside City and other councils, office bearers and members of other historical societies, members of other community groups, members and friends. The day was warm (as ‘hot as Hades’ in the 1970s kitchen), but the goodwill and enthusiasm of all present were an excellent counterfoil. This event made-up for all of the days, weeks, months and years of a house in disrepair and a collection in moth balls and desperately in need of some tender loving care.

Whilst we have gained many new members, we also need to acknowledge the sad passing of Mr. Peter Orlovich which was advised by Olga Sedneva. Peter had originally joined the Society in the 1960s and his research and first hand acquaintanceship with early members of the Society, as well as the late authoress Christina Stead as identified by Olga Sedneva, provided others with a wealth of knowledge, which is still being investigated. A well done is also due to our fellow member Jeanette Pelosi who was recognised for her contribution to the annual Ron Rathbone Local History Award competition and also to Olga Sedneva, an independent scholar for her entry too. Well done ladies!

It is necessary to look to the past, but even more important to consider the future. The Christmas in July fund raising dinner which is being held at the Bexley RSL Club is scheduled for next Tuesday night. Anne Field has been the mastermind behind this excellent initiative. We have about 60 confirmed bookings and the evening should be replete with fine fellowship, food, friendliness and fun. Thank you to Laurel Horton for assisting with organising the trivia and local artist, Pamela Griffith, who has most generously donated a painting for which raffle tickets are now on sale. Pamela will speak about the painting at the dinner. Other events are being planned for the Society in the general area and at Lydham Hall, so stay tuned!

With all good wishes,
Wesley Fairhall
President, St. George Historical Society Inc.

During the late 1880s the Sydney Morning Herald published a series of articles on the Municipalities of Sydney. This article was dedicated to West Botany.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday, 5 January, 1888, p4

The borough of West Botany was incorporated on the 13th of January, 1871. It has an area of about six square miles, and is bounded on the north by Cook’s River, on the south by George’s River, on the east by Botany Bay, and on the west by Wolli Creek and Rocky Point-road. A little more than twelve months ago a large additional area was annexed to the original area, and the borough was then divided into the three existing wards, viz., Rockdale Ward, Arncliffe Ward, and Scarborough Ward.

A bill is now before Parliament for the purpose of changing the name of the municipality. Two substitutes are suggested, Scarborough and Rockdale, but on account of certain objections to the former it being, in fact, the name of a post town in another part of the colony it is considered probable that the latter will be adopted.

At the present time there is no system of sewerage in the borough, but a combined movement is on foot to devise a system of drainage to accommodate the whole of West Botany, Kogarah, and Hurstville. The water supply is obtained from tanks and wells but, in consequence of the Nepean scheme being now available, a petition has been prepared for presentation to the Sydney Corporation asking that the mains be extended to the municipality.

According to a census recently taken, the population of West Botany amounts to 3267, which includes 195 Chinese. The sanitary condition of the borough is stated to be good. The aggregate length of the streets is about 50 miles, of which 20 are made and 30 unmade. Kerbing and guttering of footpaths have only just been commenced, but asphalting has not yet been introduced. Some of the streets have been aligned, but those in the new subdivisions have not, neither have they been formed or improved.

It should, however, be remembered that until the opening up of the district by the construction of the Illawarra railway line, the bulk of the inhabitants were market gardeners, poultry breeders, &c., and it is only during a comparatively short period that the land occupied by them has been utilised for building purposes, notably at Rockdale and Kogarah, which are fast becoming thickly populated.

Independently of the numerous contracts for road making now in hand, the council employ on an average about 20 day labourers ; but they have for the second time -taken advantage of the Government subsidy by employing 50 of the “unemployed” class on public works of a permanent character.The council have just entered into a contract with the Australian Gaslight Company for a period of five years for the supply of gas at the rate of £6 per lamp per annum, and 5s. 6d. per thousand cubic feet for gas supplied by meter to private consumers. The mains are now being laid down, and 27 lamps have been ordered as the first instalment.

The localities to be supplied are starting are Rocky Point Road and, Gannon’s Forest – road, Arncliffe street, Illawarra-road, Wollongong-road, Harrow road, Bay street, and West Botany- street; and next Anniversary Day will be celebrated in the borough by the first lighting of the public lamps.Up to the present time a small building at Arncliffe – a freehold property belonging to the council-has been used as the council chamber; but the increasing business of the municipality has long since outgrown the accommodation afforded. The council some time ago secured a more central site on the Rocky Point-road, near the Rockdale railway station, for a new and commodious town hall.

This is now in course of erection, the contract price for the building being £2495. The town hall will contain a large meeting room, with sitting accommodation for 600 persons; a spacious council room, together with suitable rooms for all the municipal officers; a free public library and reading-room ;an apartment for friendly, society meetings, and quarters for the caretaker. It is also intended to arrange a portion of the building to meet the requirements of a post-office.

A large portion of the low-lying lands is still occupied as market gardens, the Chinese paying much higher rents for such land than Europeans. West Botany is amply provided with reserves and water frontages. Cook Park, better known as Lady Robinson’s Beach, skirt Botany Bay, and is about seven miles in length. Its width varies from 100 ft at Webb’s Grant to 15 chains at Doll’s Point, and it is one of the most picturesque beaches in the world.

Scarborough Park, which is about 100 acres in extent, is situated a few chains back from the beach, at the southern portion of the district About 80 acres have been already laid out and planted with between 1100 and 1200 ornamental shrubs and trees. The trustees intend converting the greater part of the swampy portion of the park into a large lake,which will have a depth of at least 8ft. in the driest seasons.

The park is almost entirely surrounded by wide streets-notably, the Boulevard, 3 chains in width; Frederick-street, Lawrence-street, and Walter street, each 2 chains ; Park-street, 72 feet ; and Tonbridge-street, 1 chain. About 30 acres forming the best portion of Scarborough Park was a free gift to the public by the Hon. Thomas Holt, and is, with the rest of the reserve, now dedicated and placed under the control of trustees.

West Botany is easy of access by train from Sydney, there being two stations within its boundaries From Rockdale, a tramway, built by Mr. T. Saywell, runs to Lady Robinson’s Beach, where commodious baths, for both ladies and gentlemen, have also been erected by the same enterprising colonist. A Government tram runs from Kogarah station to Sandringham and Sans Souci. This line is three miles long, and the other one mile, and both have done much towards opening up most delightful health resorts.

The total number of houses in the municipality in April last was 650, and the number of ratepayers on the municipal roll 1128. The total capital value of rateable property is estimated at £754,810, and the total annual assessed value is £17,137. The only rate levied is the general municipal rate of 1s. in the pound,which produced during the year £2350. The total revenue from all sources last year amounted to £2394, and the total expenditure for the same period £3330 (the revenue and expenditure accounts of the annexed area are not included in these items). The Government endowment was at the rate of 5s. in the pound.

Two loans of £3000 and £10,000 respectively have been raised in Sydney, each bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum. The rapidity of the progress of West Botany may be gathered from the fact that in 1882 the total estimated capital value of rateable property was only £102,315, the estimated annual value £7153, the total annual revenue from all sources £724, and the total expenditure £847, while the total number of ratepayers on the roll was only 199.

But notwithstanding the much smaller revenue previous to 1882, many good works in the shape of roads and bridges were carried out by the pioneer ratepayers, who rendered assistance occasionally by lending their horses and carts, and doing manual labour themselves voluntarily. The following gentlemen were the mayors during the years named;
William Yates 1871;
James Beehag 1872, 1873;
Elias Godfrey 1874;
James Beehag 1875,1876;
James Collins 1877;
John Bowmer 1878 to 1884;
W. G. Judd 1885, 1886, 1887;

Mr. Thomas Leeder is council clerk.

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by Mary Barthelemy*

St Magdalen’s Tempe was an offshoot of the Good Samaritan Sisters’ House of the Good Shepherd in Sydney’s Pitt Street. Destitute women, including former prostitutes, were cared for in this refuge from the Order’s beginnings in the mid-19th century. Laundries were features of these establishments as they had a dual function – to help the women and provide a regular income to support the institution. These ‘fallen women’, ‘penitents’, are the subject of the ABC Radio National program The Missing Magdalens.

The ABC illustrated the first version of the program (19 July 2023) with an image of a young girl in a messy, depressing laundry. Whether the girl worked at this unidentified Irish laundry, whether it was Catholic or Protestant, is unknown.¹ But, it suited the story they wanted to tell.² The program used reports about Irish Magdalen laundries to sensationalise its story about St Magdalen’s. In the revision, published mid-November 2023 (August 2023 ABC website), this has been replaced by a picture of the real St Magdalen’s laundry c1980.

The narrator, Donna Abela, gives a particular slant to the story of the penitents – especially in her search for a voice from one of the ‘hidden’ women. She presents May Gould as such a voice. Gould’s misleading claims about working in the Retreat’s laundry in 1906 were widely disseminated in The Watchman; later repudiated by her former supporters.³ It is a travesty that nearly 120 years later these are presented as a ‘factual account’. One of Gould’s assertions, that three nine-year-old girls were working in the laundry, was highlighted in the broadcast. In her rebuttal, Mother Dominic stated that the youngest there in fact was 14 and a family placement.⁴ Another was that she had worked in a Bathurst presbytery (she had not). The list goes on. (Details are given in Jeff Kildea’s article, ‘”The Missing Magdalens’: the ABC resurrects a ‘hidden story’ discredited more than a century ago”.) The story has been retained and its use defended.

Listening to this program, particularly the story of ‘the penitent’, I realised that I first encountered it in recent research.⁵ This prompted another look at the history of St Magdalen’s. By highlighting the so-called ‘hidden voice’ and restricting the discussion to the institution’s earliest phase – up to the first decades of the 20th century – the one most removed from modern society, the broadcast, even in its current form, continues to do a disservice to many girls and women, including the Religious, who lived there.⁶

St Magdalen’s was a part of my childhood in the 1960s and early 70s. I had a privileged experience. My father was in charge of the grounds. When I was in primary school and into my teenage years I spent some time in the holidays there. I rarely saw the girls but I do remember one, perhaps 16+, quietly sweeping the paths near the chapel on one visit. Not only was I free to explore the grounds at the front but I was permitted to use the swimming pool (I had a hearing condition). I fondly remember ‘Rosie’ calling out, “Hello Mary Angela” followed by an echo from someone else … the many styles and colours of the swimming costumes hanging in the dressing room. I recall the convent as a place of welcome and many of the Sisters, including Sister Process us (Sister Mary Gregory); the kitchen at the rear of the house – the aroma of decades of cooking baked into the plaster.⁷ It was there still in the early 1990s at an open day for Tempe House organised by the local historical society. The scent of the cedar ceiling in the chapel remained though the furnishing was sadly derelict. By that time the large buildings had been demolished following a fire – a few years after the Sisters sold the property to Qantas (1989).

The Order hoped the site could be developed into aged living, like the Good Shepherd Sisters’ Ashfield laundry, but Rockdale Council rejected this. A small group of Vincentians lived there for a few years. Qantas eventually sold it: enormous change followed. The front paddock was used in the construction of the airport railway line. Wolli Creek station was built and the surrounding area developed into what is seen today – high-rise residential buildings. What little remained of the laundry was not considered valuable built heritage, was demolished and replaced by multi-storey apartments. Tempe House was the focus of heritage restoration and also the chapel.⁸ A plaque near the chapel provides a brief outline of the Retreat and the chapel’s architectural heritage. ‘Wolli Creek’ replaced ‘Arncliffe’.

There is another story to tell. In St Magdalen’s 100 years tremendous changes occurred – more subtle than the foregoing but change nonetheless. This article can only be a sketch of such a long and complex record. A knowledge of local history situates this institution in a new context and offers some insights into its place in the local community.

Continue reading in the Journal of the Australian Catholic Historical Society, vol 44, 2023, page 22.

* Mary Barthelemy has an interest in researching and writing about history. She is currently employed as a public servant. This article is based on the author’s recollections, parish history and research as well as recent independent examination.

1. Unidentified Magdalen Laundry in Ireland early 20th century https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. ↩︎
2. Australian Town and Country produced a story and a two-page spread with photos of the Tempe laundry, dormitory, dining room, chapel, house and grounds in 1899. It also appears to be a source for some of the restoration of Tempe House. There are two laundry interiors either of which could have been used. “St Magdalen’s Retreat, Tempe” Australian Town and Country Journal 10 June 1899 p 31 ff. ↩︎
3. “The Bathurst Presbytery and the Tempe ‘Escapee’: a retraction by Dr Dill Macky” National Advocate 6 August 1906 p 2. Her former supporters were not afraid to class her a liar and in print. ↩︎
4. “A Shameless Slander Exposed” Freeman s Journal 14 July 1906 p 17. ↩︎
5. I intend to update this book: M Smith, M Barthelemy-Reason, A History of Sts Peter & Paul Cook’s River Tempe 1858-2008 Enmore-Tempe Parish, Enmore, 2008. ↩︎
6. For all the program’s emphasis on young unmarried mothers, St Magdalen’s at Tempe/Arncliffe was not this type of refuge. The Sisters of Mercy Foundling Home at Waitara became one. ↩︎
7. The shed housing equipment my father used had a large crack in its base due to having been built over a pool, there was also a large stand of tall bamboo nearby. The pool and bamboo are mentioned in “Our Catholic Institutions. No. XV. Magdalene Retreat.” Catholic Press 20 June 1896 p 16. Neither was preserved in the redevelopment. ↩︎
8. Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd Tempe House and Grounds: Non-Indigenous Archaeological Investigation (2002-6) – Report to Australand May 2010 (laundry remains pp 19-21 ). The lack of a plaque for a non-existent laundry building can hardly be blamed on the Sisters (or the Catholic Church). That was the provenance of the site conservationists and the developers. ↩︎

edited By Ian D. Clark And Fred Carhir
CSIRO Publishing, 2013. 303 pages & index.

Review by Laurice Bondfield

The subtitle of this book of articles is: “Forgotten Narratives” but as Dr. Peter Thorne, Vice President of the Royal Society of Victoria points out in his introduction, “Few episodes in Australia’s history have received as much attention as the Victorian Exploring Expedition of 1860-61”. Books, films, music, paintings, poems, and memorials have been dedicated to commemorating, mourning, explaining or satirising the Burke and Wills expedition. Why another book? Dr. Thorne is Chair of the Burke and Wills Anniversary Advisory Committee, which was set up by the Royal Society of Victoria in 2008 to critically examine the historical and other studies of the expedition in order to identify any areas that had been overlooked previously. Two areas stood out. First, no study had been done on the scientific work carried out during the expedition. This oversight has been rectified and a book published. Second, no careful study had been done on “the interaction between Indigenous people and the expeditioners and their potential and actual contribution to the expedition.” This book is the result of a symposium on the topic held at the University of Ballarat under the guidance of the editors and contributors, Ian D. Clark and Fred Carhir.

Before I go on to discuss the actual contents of the book, I would like to say what a beautiful production it is. A hard backed copy (including bookmark ribbon!) with clear, well set out text and beautifully reproduced photographs and prints or drawings made on the expedition, it is a delight to look at and read. The book was shortlisted in the 2014 NSW Premier’s History Awards. Congratulations to CSIRO publishing!

Some of the articles may present a few difficulties for the non-specialist reader—perhaps the linguistic and anthropological studies use some unfamiliar technical terms—but most are straightforward historical studies.

Two articles that I found extremely interesting concerned the German members of the expedition. Both scientists, Ludvig Becker and Hermann Beckler were concerned to understand the land and the Aboriginal people. Both produced carefully documented and beautifully illustrated journals. Beckler even annotated some music he heard at a corroboree. Reproduction of these illustrations in the book are one of its pleasures. One article by Peta Jeffries shows how the land around Mootwingee influenced Ludvig Becker, how he began to get an idea of how Indigenous people regarded their country.

Some of the other fifteen papers discuss: the prior experience of members of the expedition working with Aboriginal people, the different groups that the expeditioners encountered and their protocols for dealing with visitors to their land, the way the Yandruwandha were able to live well in their lands while the expedition failed, the criticism by contemporaries of Burke’s lack of use of Indigenous guides and distrust of the Indigenous people he encountered and discussion of the follow up treks to discover what had happened. One paper by Darrell Lewis discusses the story that Burke was shot rather than died of exposure.

A Yandruwandha man, Aaron Paterson, writes of his knowledge of the way his ancestors perceived members of the expedition passing through their lands and how they lived well in what to others was forbidding country. Interestingly he counts as part of his family a descendant of Alice King, a daughter fathered by John King when he was living with the Yandruwandha before being found by the Howitt relief expedition.

For the casual reader, this book of seventeen articles can be dipped into and out of. It is aimed at an audience used to reading closely argued and annotated historical papers but is still not difficult to read. Nevertheless I can recommend it to you, not only for the interesting insights it provides into a disaster so often discussed before, but for the excellent maps, illustrations and general layout which greatly enhance the text.

Purchase The Aboriginal Story of Burke and Wills: Forgotten Narratives via CSIRO Publishing.

This article was first published in the March 2015 edition of our magazine.

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by Gifford and Eileen Eardley

About 1893 a lovely residence, named “Tottenham House”, evidently in nostalgic memory of the same place-name which occurs in North London, was constructed on the highest point of the ridge which leads to Dover, or Tom Ugly’s Point, at a distance of about one quarter of a mile short of the present day bridge over Georges River. By all accounts the house was built to the design of Mr. Roland Cook, an architect of no mean merit, who practised his profession at Rockdale, and it was first occupied by this gentleman’s father, Azarias Cook.

The beautiful home commands a magnificent view down the wide expanse of the Georges River eastward to the flats of Woolooware Bay and the sand hills beyond, which are such a prominent feature of the Botany Bay landscape. Nearer is the spacious extent of Kogarah Bay with St. Kilda Point and Rocky Point jutting out into the main waterway, the latter being united nowadays with the opposing Taren Point by the graceful curves of the Taren Point Bridge. Gawley Bay and the suburb of Sylvania line on the southern aspect of the vista, and the picturesque Shipwright’s Bay immediately below at the south-western angle, with the heights above Baldface Point forming the western skyline. Without a doubt, the outlook from the tower of “Tottenham House” would be most difficult to equal in this well chosen pretty riverside area.

The prominent feature of the house was the front drawing room, of large dimensions, which was surrounded by a wide verandah on three sides, and faced towards the east. The verandah floor was paved with rectangular shaped slabs of sandstone and its galvanised corrugated iron roof had each sheet painted, alternatively, in red and white. The outer portion of the roof was supported by slender cast-iron pillars and the frontal beams were hung with a delicate patterned cast-iron fringe, which, unfortunately, has been removed in recent years and now serves in a similar capacity at another suburb. Entrance to the verandah from the drive was gained by cut stone access steps placed on the northern side opposite the entrance hall doorway. This hail, passing beneath two plaster moulded archways, led through to the southern portion of the almost encircling verandah where a second entrance doorway was located, this outer end being surrounded, on its eastern and southern sides, by windows glazed with coloured glass.

A second hall, branching in an east-west direction from the first, led to the interior rooms of the house, and also contained a narrow width staircase which led to the upper bedrooms, four in number, and, beyond a small landing, a second staircase gave access to the higher observation tower, of four-square shape, built from cement rendered brickwork.

The front drawing room was supplied with five full length sash-windows, reaching from near the ceiling to almost floor level. A marble encased fireplace was placed on the southern side of the room. It has been stated that this marble fitment, together with its marble overmantle, was specially brought from Italy. Three other marble surrounds from the same source were provided for other rooms. Doors, skirtings, and other interior woodwork were of polished cedar. With the advent of gas-lighting a magnificent chandelier, replete with hundreds of scintillating three-sided cut glass prisms, was swung from the centre of the room, the light circle being about six feet in diameter. Dual gas brackets of ornate design were placed above the overmantle at each side of the fireplace. The drawing room also served as a music room and was provided with a Beckstein grand piano, a harp, and other musical instruments.

On the southern side of the east-west hallway, and opening therefrom, was a large dining room with a three-sided bow window which faced southwards to the glories of Shipwright’s Bay. This room was provided with a marble encased fireplace against the western wall, and was illuminated by a gaslit chandelier of similar design as that in the drawing room. When the electricity service was extended to the area the various gas fittings were removed and replaced by electric globes, using the older light shades, the wiring of the elaborate chandeliers being a most tedious and exacting process.

On the western side of, and against the dining room was the bathroom, also entered from the east-west hallway, which was replete with all the usual fittings for the performance of the family ablutions. Beyond the bathroom the east-west hallway, now isolated by a swing door, continued westward to the pantry, its southern wall being given over to a long row of casement windows.

At the northern side of the house, hard against the stairway, was the main bedroom, its windows opening to the northern portion of the tree-clad garden. This room also had a marble encased fireplace against its western wall and the woodwork was of polished cedar. To the west came the breakfast room which, in turn, had a black marble fireplace against the western wall, the sash window facing northwards to admit the early morning sun, and also to give a view over the length of Kogarah Bay, with Carss Park in the mid distance. To all intents and purposes the breakfast room, together with the bathroom on the opposite side of the hallway, marked what may be regarded as the main portion of the house with the exception of the kitchen. The three lesser rooms, of small dimensions, comprising the pantry, the scullery, and the laundry, were of temporary construction, subject to replacement on a grander scale at a later date.

The stairway led upwards to connect with four bedrooms used by the children of the house, two rooms being lit by dormer windows, one facing north and the other south, whilst the other two attic rooms faced west and were lit by wide sash windows. Part of the ceilings of the four attic rooms sloped for a short distance to accommodate the slope of the roof. As before mentioned, from the upper landing of the main stairway a very steep flight of stairs led to the floor of the tower.

As first built the property was served by a lower driveway which led from the northern entrance gates, placed against Woniora Road (now Princes Highway) to the two-storied stables and coach-house established on the lower level of the grounds, about 150 feet away from the house, in the vicinity of the present day Townson Street. This drive encircled the house in the length of its course and provided an easy grade for the carts carrying chaff and other heavy materials. There was an upper driveway, also leading from the entrance gate, which gave carriage access to the front entrance of the house, before encircling the drawing room extension and then descending westwards to the lower level driveway as it approached the stable enclosure. The stable menage catered for several horses and cows, whilst its upstairs rooms housed the handyman, under whose care the animals, and also the garden, were placed. This stable building was destroyed by fire about 1908 and was replaced by a single storied structure erected closer to the house and served latterly by an unpaved lane which led direct from the entrance gate to the stable yard, the former lower road being absorbed by the widening of Princes Highway. At this juncture it may be mentioned that Mr. William Molesworth Oxley, a former sea-captain and relative of John Oxley the explorer, found a safe haven at “Tottenham House” where he attended to the garden amongst other chores. The main horse paddock was ranged along the area now marked by Townsend Street, whilst a tennis court was located near the entrance gate opening on to Woniora Road.

The terraced garden was served by numerous paths, lined with low slabs of sandstone, delightfully arranged to follow the slopes of the hillside and mingle with the native tree growth and lemon-scented gums. There were a number of Sydney Red Gums, both young and old, which were really beautiful specimens of their kind, showing off their writhing shaped branches to the best advantage for their wondering and appreciative admirers. Intermixed with the indigenous growth were jacarandas, cypress trees, olive trees, and camphor-laurels, and along the drive to the house was a row of pine trees which overshadowed a mass of partridge-breasted aloes, aglow in their flowering season with clusters of red and orange bell-shaped flowers held aloft on long spindly stems resembling over-large Christmas Bells. One path is bordered with a dense growth of blue and white agapanthus, which thrive on the somewhat stony soil. Oleanders grew to large dimensions and displayed a multitude of pink sweet-smelling blossoms. There was one finely shaped Abies pine tree, a real gem with light green foliage and cream-leafed tips. Box trees with their reddish coloured trunks added charm to the scene, likewise the scarlet bell-shaped flowers of the tall hibiscus plants. A wealth of smaller flowering plants, such as geraniums of diverse sorts and colours, flourished at the western end of the house, whilst various varieties of climbing vines spread themselves over a large glass-house, which, at the time of our inspection in 1970, had fallen, literally, on evil days, and its former contents of ferns and begonias removed to places elsewhere. In its hey-day “Tottenham House” with its extensive gardens, must have been very beautiful.

The elder Mr. Azarias Cook passed away about 1905 and the house then came into the possession of its architect, Mr. Roland Cook, who, with his family, resided therein. About 1969 this lovely property was vacated and vandalism became rife to the detriment of the windows and internal fittings in particular. As far as can be ascertained the future of the stone built house has not been decided, but there is a possibility of the extensive grounds being subdivided, prospective buyers seeking that the beautiful tree growth be preserved, which is just as it should be.

This article was first published in the July 1971 edition of our magazine.

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by Gwen Frost

Mrs. Catherine Collins, nee Swarbrick, came with her parents, Richard and James Swarbrick, and her four sisters and two brothers, from Woodplumpton in the Manchester, Blackpool area, about 1910. They had lived in a comfortable two-storey farmhouse on the farm, which had been in the Swarbrick family for generations. The family migrated because of Richard’s ill-health. It was thought the warmer Australian climate would be of benefit to him.

They went first to Toowoomba, where Richard had been engaged prior to leaving England, to manage a farm in the area. They found. conditions were very primitive, far different from their comfortable home in England. The farmhouse consisted of just one, very large, unlined room, totally unsuitable for themselves and their seven children.

Jane Swarbrick’s brother, Robert Rhodes, had come to Sydney some years previously, the first of the family to migrate. He established the first pig and poultry farm in the Matraville area in Smith Street. This area became a big farming community, with pig, poultry and vegetable growing as the main industry. It is now known as Pagewood and is totally suburban. Rhodes Street was named after Robert Rhodes, who was very highly respected in the area.

The Swarbrick family came to stay with him and as he and his wife, Nellie, had seven children of similar ages to the Swarbricks, it was a very lively and crowded household.

Richard and Jane bought land at Arncliffe, in a rural area, now known as the suburb of Turella. Richard’s health did not improve. He was found to have cancer of the stomach, and died within a year of reaching Australia.

Jane, who was a wonderful cook and manager, established a dairy farm, run on sound English lines. The family rose at 2am, milked the large herd of cows and delivered milk in horse-drawn carts to the area around Bexley, Banksia and Arncliffe. There were two deliveries daily. Catherine delivered milk in the Bexley area, alone. A terrifying experience one would think, since the area was sparsely populated and mostly without any street lighting.

Jim Collins came to work on the dairy and courted Kitty, When they had a night out, with transport as it was then, it was usually a case of changing into work clothes on arrival home and on with the milking.

There were many Chinese market gardens around the farm and the industrious Chinese were often the subject of good-humoured Tricks on the part of the Swarbricks.

After their marriage the farm was sold and Jane bought land in Sackville Street, Bexley, where she built a wooden home called “The Bungalow”. She gave her daughter a block of land next door, and another timber home was built, by the young couple. Both homes are still occupied.

Their two daughters, Jean and Maisie were born, and Jim Collins carried on a milk delivery business from there.

He sold the business to Albert Beale in 1915, and rented a shop in Rouse’s buildings, between Harrow Road and Frederick Street, Bexley. He opened a cake chop there and in 1917, built his own premises on the corner of Forest Road and Bayview Street.

By hard work and sheer determination, the young couple built up a cake shop and later, a catering business there. They weathered the depression years. The premises were remodelled and a hall built above the shop, where weddings and small functions were catered for and they prospered.

Two sons were born in 1928 and 1930,James and Richard (Jack) a cause for much rejoicing. In 1944 they retired to live at 20 Henderson Road where they remained for nearly 30 years, finally moving to Ulladulla in 1973.

James became a High School Teacher, but his heart was always set on farming, and he is now a prominent and very successful farmer, at Springvale near Bega. He and his wife are public-spirited, and have by their work, greatly helped the farmers of the valley.

Jack went to England to teach, then to Lake Quesnel in Canada, where he met his wife, Helen, and they now live at Coquitlam, an outer suburb of Vancouver.

Maisie was a secretary, and married Norman Hooper, who was an apprentice in the family business, and after living in Carlton with their five daughters, have retired come years ago to lake Burril.

Jean, became a senior State School Principal, when women were given that opportunity. She married Charles Groom, but is now widowed, living at Kurrajong where she very successfully breeds Cairn Terriers and maintains her professional interest in teaching children with learning difficulties.

The following Obituary – James (Jim) Collins – is from The Express, dated 21st April 1982.

James (Jim) Collins – “Pop” to everybody, was born August 14, 1886, in Denchworth, Berks, England.

“Pop” was an indentured apprentice to the saddlery trade for a period of four years at Wantage, but became dissatisfied due to the confined activities which prevented him from following his football training, such as tanning and bicycling, which he also enjoyed at this period of his life.

He left this trade and assisted his father for a short time in farm work, shepherding sheep and ploughing fields.

He was then introduced to the baking and pastry cooking by a mutual friend. He was employed by the Great Western Railway Co-operative at Reading in Berkshire, England where he became a proficient tradesman and as the years went by, he acquitted himself well as a pastry cook.

Later he migrated to Australia and settled at Arncliffe in Sydney, finding work as a dairy hand. He formed an attachment to the daughter (Catherine) of his employer, Mrs Jane Swarbrick, who later became his mother-in-law.

Pop and Catherine set up in business with the financial help of her mother as a caterer and pastry cook, in Forest Road, Bexley, where they conducted a successful enterprise for about 33 years, making many friends in the district during this period.

On retirement, Pop travelled overseas to his homeland and renewed lots of old associations of his youthful days. His wife accompanied him on a later trip.

His first and last love was fishing. Like most fishermen he was prone to exaggeration so far as the size and number of fish he caught or in respect to the ones which got away.

He made a study of fish – habitat, tides, winds and always knew the reasons why fish don’t bite. In fact, he became an artful and cagey foe, making it difficult for the fish to escape, whatever the circumstances and it has been suggested that the fisheries inspector was taking more than a passing interest in the “size” of the fish in his bag, particularly when he lived in the St. George District.

In May 1973, he and his wife Kitty, moved from Henderson Road Bexley, (their retirement home) to 27, Boree Street, Ulladulla, where he lived until his death, for nine years, and during that time he and his wife took on an identity in the district, his wife for her philosophical insight into life generally, with all its plusses and minuses.

Pop being an extrovert, made friends easily. He was always his own man, and to the last took a keen interest in football, tennis and cricket, with a good sense of recall as to the players names, clubs and the score of each event.

His garden was always colourful and immaculate.

He was interesting an told many stories about. “the good old days” and his opinions of the workers today, by comparison to yesteryear, were proactive. He was concerned about the direction Australia is taking today and of course, he is not the only person to be aware of this, and sharing his concern.

He has lived a good and industrious life and has had a good innings, playing the game of life to its end.

He is survived by four children – Jean (Kurrajing), Maisie (Dolphin Point), Jim (Bega) and Jack (Canada). There are also thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

Death Notice
COLLINS, James
Died April 17, 1982 at hospital.
Late of 27 Boree Street, Ulladulla, Formerly of Henderson Road, Bexley.
Dearly loved husband of Katherine (deceased) Loved father of Jean Groom of Kurrajong, Maisie Hooper of Dolphin Point, Jim Collins of Bega, Jack Collins of Vancouver, Canada.
Loved Pop of his 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Aged 95 years.

This article was first published in the August 2001 edition of our magazine.

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It is always good to see one of our members going out of their way to show people the importance of our historical background and also demonstrate the importance of federation to our country. Ms Anne Field has certainly done this. On August 10th, 2001 she coordinated and starred in a production called “A Nation at Last” which was an 1897 Constitutional Role Play. This can be seen from the 2 articles below.

Back To The Future

Men in three-piece suits and top hats; ladies in hoop skirts, bustles and feathered hats Kogarah residents on the night of August 10 were waiting for the horse and carriage to appear as they viewed the anachronism move through the middle of Queens Avenue.

An elegant procession of ladies and delegates from five States in Australia, led by Kogarah Municipal Band, made their grand entrance to the Kogarah School of Arts for the 1897 Constitutional Role Play.

The event was a fundraiser for St George Hospital, celebrating the Centenary of Federation in Kogarah and honouring Sir Joseph Carruthers, a solicitor and politician responsible for the establishment of the District of Kogarah and the development of Local Government in the area.

The role players included actors, lawyers, Members of Parliament, namely Mr. Robert McClelland, Federal Member for Baron and Shadow Attorney General, and Mr. John Mulcair, St George and Sutherland Shire Leader.

Ms Field was in charge of much, of the evening’s organisation, which required months of coordination and behind the scenes work. She also performed in the role play as one of nine Ladies, active in the movement towards Federation and the fight for women’s rights, who told of their role in Australian society at the turn of the century.

Hansika Bhagani of Year 12 and myself, Alicia Tripp of Year 11, were invited as a youth envoy to relate the story of how women fared in the decade leading up to 1 January 1901. We narrated Australian women’s history from enfranchisement to holding public office in Parliament, to the establishment of women’s prisons, women police. special regulations for women workers and a separate school syllabus for girls.

A number of Year 10 students volunteered their Friday night to usher the guests ,and audience and to serve food and refreshments during the interval. The night was a success. Ms Field’s efforts did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Mr. Mulcair presented her with a beautiful and extravagant arrangement of flowers. Mr. Mulcair also congratulated St. George Girls’ High School for consistent participation and high achievement in fundraising and community events. I accepted a lovely bouquet on the school’s behalf.

It was a rare opportunity for Hansika and I to be involved in a “special night in the history of Kogarah”. We are honoured to have our names and photographs preserved in the local archives. Our time as Victorian Ladies was an enjoyable experience but the clothing was so uncomfortable that we were glad to go back to the future!

By Alicia Tripp
Year 11
St. George Girls’ High School

The Parliamentary Education Office Fellowships

The Parliamentary Education Office is based in Parliament House Canberra, and is funded by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Its purpose is to help educate both school students and teachers, as well as the wider community about the Commonwealth Parliament and its functions and processes. The Office’s core function is to run programs for students and others who visit Parliament House.

This year, the Parliamentary education Office awarded Fellowships to eight teachers throughout Australia. Anne Field was awarded one of these Fellowships. Fellows have developed celebrations of Federation in their local communities.

The Parliamentary Education Office is very pleased to be associated with this special celebration in Kogarah. The achievement of Federation a century ago, happened because lots of people in local communities such as Kogarah, worked for an ideal that they believed was important.

Anne Field, and all those involved in this celebration, believe that Federation is important and is worth celebrating. They join the thousands of other Australians who are working locally to celebrate national events. This spirit will help define what this country becomes in the next hundred years.

Geoff Clarke
Parliamentary Education Office

This article was first published in the August 2001 edition of our magazine.

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12 Sept. 1962

Dear Sirs,

I was very interested in the talk on early Rockdale last Saturday night as I myself was born just a few minutes walk from Brighton Le Sands almost 78 years ago. My grandfather, James Beehag, and his brother, William, came to Australia just 2 religious minded young men when it was all bush.

My grandfather bought 99 acres of bushland from what is now known as Princes Highway (old Rocky Point Road) to a few yards from Brighton down the right hand side of Bay St which at that time did not exist. It was years later that Bay St was made by my own father (Samuel Tattler) who for 16 years was overseer on Rockdale Council.

My grandfather gave an acre of ground on which the Methodist Church of Rockdale now stands, and his brother, William, built the first Sunday school of ti-tree and hessian. The first public building of a permanent nature was opened by the Rev. R. Amos for people called Methodists, the locality at the time being known as Rocky Point. We were friendly with the Geeves family and children from each family went to Rockdale school. Mr Fred Geeves and one of my brothers were inseparable.

I remember Brighton when it was all bush and when I was a little girl there was one shop conducted by a Mr Lowe. After some years a park called “Shady Nook” was formed and I always think it was a pity that it was ever changed as it was a very popular walk from Rockdale to the beach and have a rest in “Shady Nook”. I have been told by my mother (she was Margaret Beehag) of the days when she was a girl and her brothers carted wood to Sydney before there was ever a George Street. It was just a bullock track. We often tried to get mother to see a reporter and tell her story of the early days which was very interesting. She died at the age of 88 about 31 years ago. She was born at Canterbury and her people came to Rockdale 10 years later and resided where Mr Draper’s Nursery is now and lived there the rest of her life.

I am
yours respectfully
Amy Slade

This article was published in the February 1991 edition of our magazine.

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