by Clarence William Napper
Muddy Creek is now no longer a muddy creek, but a large stormwater channel carrying almost all the drainage from the higher lands of parts of Hurstville, Carlton, West Kogarah, and Rockdale. Nobody seems to know just where it starts from, as there are so many drains and street gutters flowing into it.
It comes under the railway line about midway between Rockdale and Kogarah. The first thing we notice from this point is a lovely line of willow trees on the right which help to cover up an unpleasant sanitary tip. On the left we see an old cottage owned firstly by the Skidmores, one of the pioneer families of this district, now occupied by Frederick’s granddaughters. From there on to Princes Highway it is built on with homes and factories and is not seen by passing people. Past Princes Highway on the right used to be Reuters vegetable garden and orchard, On the left was a paddock, then came now wholly taken up by the Shopping Plaza. the late John Proctor Lister’s very fine property, on the right was Mascord’s garden, now the Air Force base, and their bowling green. On the left again was Gearson’s Garden, then James Beehag’s land, now the lllawarra Tennis Courts. From there to Bay Street it is all built on, but the right hand side is still mostly vacant land.
From Bay Street to the crossing at West Botany Street, the whole of the left side is taken up with the Youth Centre, and on a Saturday afternoon, is quite a gay sight with hundreds of children playing all kinds of sport. On the right hand side is the Rockdale Bowling Club, with its four greens and large clubhouse.
Crossing West Botany Street on the right was one of the first market gardens in this district, owned by the late Charles Napper. He was one of the first six aldermen to form what is now the Rockdale Council. He was also a leader in many other progressive moves for the welfare of Rockdale. His old garden has made way for the new Elizabethan Ladies’ Bowling Club, which is a gay sight now at weekends.
On the left are the Chinese market gardens, originally owned by David Wilson. Following on south eastern, is the garden originally owned by John Bowmer, who was a well known pioneer of this district. Bowmer was Mayor of Rockdale for seven years. He also was the Returning Officer for State Elections, member of the school board and held many other honorary positions. His old garden is still in the Bowmer family, being worked by a grandson. From here on to Bestic Street is mostly vacant land on both sides.
On the right hand side past Bestic Street is the Fishermen’s Club, with a nice halt and many boats of various kinds anchored in the water, making a very pretty sight.
On the left is Barton Park, which is a large playing area under the control of Rockdale Council.
From here, Muddy Creek enters what is generally known as the Canal, being an arm of Cooks River, and finally into Botany Bay.
This article was first published in the August 1966 edition of our magazine.
Browse the magazine archive.
Unless noted, images courtesy of the Bayside Library Service Local History Collection.