ISSUE 08 APRIL 2021 The Chronicle The latest Ray Park Heritage Group news, views and announcements

Local Heritage Bygones At a glance The Coastal Radio Service Transmitting Station The Coastal Radio Service Pennant Hills c.1930 Article written by Neville Williams Transmitting Station.

Happenings in Progress: Toilet facilities in Hazlewood Rose Park, CoP Council updates

Happenings in Progress: Carlingford Produce Store Updates The 400ft high (approx. 122metre) mast at the Pennant Hills Wireless Station, c 1930 showing the surrounding open country. Radio, the Industry of the future

Happenings in Progress: The Coastal Radio Service Transmitting Station at Pennant Hills, From Fruit Bowl Farms to around 1930. In those days, the area was distinctly rural and part of the food bowl for a much smaller City of . The transmitting Housing Booms Vol. 2 site was far enough west to be out of the built up area, and sufficiently Book availability remote from the ocean to form an improbable target for any hostile warship standing off the coast. Two large poultry farms occupied the land adjacent to the transmitting site. Dairies, orchards and market gardens were scattered around the Ray Park Heritage hills, while bullock-drawn timber wagons ( jinkers) hauled logs along Group Inc. nearby Tunks Road, now Pennant Parade, Carlingford. Beginnings: Around 1910, a tender for the erection of a coastal 02 9876 5713 service radio station at remote Pennant Hills (now Carlingford), [email protected] plus a companion station at Applecross, WA, had been accepted by the government of the day from Father Shaw’s Australian Wireless rayparkheritagegroup Company.

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01 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Local Heritage Bygones In this The Coastal Radio Service issue... Transmitting Station Stattion was opened in August/September 1912 continued from page 1

Costing 4159 pounds each, the stations were destined to be the most powerful in the Southern Hemisphere. They would use Telefunken quenched-gap spark transmitters, feeding aerials supported by a central 400ft. (120m) vertical tower, and Local powered by a diesel engine of 60hp or more, driving a 500Hz alternator. After Heritage sundry delays and arguments, the Station was opened in August/September 1912. Bygones In terms of actual circuitry, the transmitters and receivers were elementary in the extreme but, with a spark gap set to break down at 60KW, the present voltages present demanded state-of-the-art installation and maintenance. Transmissions Cover, cont. 02 were possible in the range of 300-3500metres. In 1917, a locally produced Paulsen arc transmitter was installed at Pennant Hills making possible telephony transmission for the first time.

Valve transmitters and valve receivers made their appearance in the coastal service from 1919. In 1922 Federal Government acquired a majority holding in AWA and amongst other things, commissioned the company to assume formal responsibility Happenings for the operation of coastal radio stations. It was a source of great interest to residents in Progress for and visitors alike for whom wireless was a new concept. Carlingford The former orchard land, originally part of the Murray Farm Estate, was resumed Produce Store by the government in 1910, and is now occupied by three (3) schools (Carlingford High, Roselea Public and St. Gerald Majella) and a church. Today this area remains Carlingford. 08 Extracts from Radio Pioneers by Neville Williams

From Fruit Bowl Farms to Housing Booms - Book availability 14

Thanking our supporters Timber Jinker and Orchards, Carlingford. The photo was taken looking towards corner of Murray Farm and Orchard Roads, Beecroft. This and surrounding land was once part of Andrew Murray’s [1793-1858] 435 acre estate subdivided and sold as farmlets in 1882. In Colonial times timber getting was an industry. Horse teams hauled logs to Ermington Wharf. 20 Stumps were grubbed out by the orchardists before planting. Photographer: Rex Hazlewood [1886-1995]; Hazlewood Collection, Mitchell Library, State Library of .

02 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Early days in the life of the Wireless Station, Pennant Hills/Carlingford. Photo on left page was taken from somewhere near the northeast anchorage point for the main mast, looking northeast toward the corner of Murray Farm and Orchard Roads. Timber Jinker removing logs from what was known as “Cook’s Bush” with orchards in the background, Carlingford. Photo courtesy of Gerald Stanley

The high tension room at the Pennant Hills Wireless Station c1912. The engineer testing the air cooled spark transmitter used for marine operations Hazlewood Collection: Rex Hazlewood

The Engine Room, intended to keep the station on air in the event of a mains failure. Photo courtesy of Gerald Stanley

Operation Station at the Commonwealth Wireless Centre 1912 Hazlewood Collection: Rex Hazlewood

Photo on left: Testing of the engine generating power for the Pennant Hills Centre in the machinery room measyring some 40 – 20 ft. This room re- mains to this day under the St. Gerard’s Community Hall Hazlewood Collection: Rex Hazlewood

03 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Mass Communication - Where it all started The Carlingford Skykraper

In the year 1910 the Commonwealth Government acquired land in the Pennant Hills (now Carlingford) to build a wireless station. The same year the Telefunken Company, as contractors to the Australian Post Office, commenced the construction of the first Coastal Radio Station at Pennant Hills. This was on a 40 acre site bounded by Pennant Hills, North Rocks, Norwood Avenue and Murray Farm Roads (now occupied by Carlingford High School, St Gerard Majella's Church and School, The original 'Telefunken' building which carried the badge on an inner Roselea· Public School, Roselea Community Centre and wall, long after it had been pensioned off. Vincent ( Vin) Stanley set up residential housing). The property, originally granted to his office in the front left corner, the remainder of the building servicing as a storeroom. The main central antenna mast remained in use. Andrew Murray in 1823, was resumed at the cost of £6500. Photo courtesy of Gerald Stanley, son of Vin * Commonwealth Gazette Sept. 19 & Dec. 24 1910. As a result, nearby Mahers Road, Beecroft, was subsequently named Marconi Road in honour of the inventor of radio. An invitation to tender for the establishment of the station brought into being 's first wireless company, the Australasian Wireless Limited founded by a syndicate of Sydney businessmen led by Walter Starker of the firm of Starker and Fischer which had connexions in Germany.

More spacious and better ventilated than the old Telefunken cottage, the 'new' transmitter building accommodated the transmitters around the walls, with control and switching facilities in a centre aisle. At this stage, the facilities were manned 24 hours per day. Photo courtesy of Gerald Stanley, son of Vincent Stanley

The above was officially called the Pennant Hills Wireless Station but as far as locals were concerned it was a Carlingford landmark. It was a source of great interest to residents and visitors alike for whom wireless was a new concept. The former orchard land, originally part of the Murray Farm Estate, was resumed by the government in 1910 and is now occupied by three schools and a church. To-day this area remains Carlingford, whereas neighbouring Norwood Avenue, formerly Carlingford, now comes under the Beecroft postcode. Photo by courtesy Gerald Stanley

In April 1910 the new company purchased, reputedly for £4150, the rights to the Telefunken system and equipment. Equipment was then shipped from Germany and installed under the supervision of the Telefunken engineers. The broadcasting installation consisting of a One of the 3 purrpose built Government Staff House accommodation along Pennant Hills Road. 400 ft high steel mast encompassed by ten 120ft masts connected to the main mast, became known as the

04 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Pennant Hills Wireless Station. At the time it was the they had a cricket team under the name of A.W.A. in tallest structure in the nation. The mast was the most the local competition. With the further development powerful in the southern hemisphere. Its function was a of Australia's overseas services, it became obvious, transmission station for coastal and overseas services. A shortly after World War II (1939-1945) that the Pennant sign on the mast and at the high tension building bore the Hills site, with its restricted area, could no longer image of the skull and crossbones accompanied by the answer the necessary requirements. In 1950 a 700 words: DANGER. PERSONS ARE WARNED THAT IT IS acre site at Doonside was acquired by OTC (Overseas DANGEROUS TO COME WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE. Telecommunications) for a new transmitting centre. During the years 1955/1956, with the completion of the In 1911 a press reporter trumpeted the virtues of the new station at Doonside, transmitting services were station: A truly wondrous construction, a triumph of transferred from Pennant Hills. The Pennant Hills station scientific skill , it ranks among the first in the entire was maintained for some time as a purely emergency planet. Local citizens were enthralled at the sight of the service until the conclusion of the XVI Olympiad held huge radio mast, almost a wonder of the world in their in Melbourne in November 1956. The masts came down area. on April 1959, 50 years after their erection. As the last When the coastal radio service began in 1912, guy-wire was burnt through in the flame of an oxy- communication with ships was by morse code telegraphy. acetylene torch the 400ft skyscraper weighing 60 tons It was the development of the electronic valve technology keeled over, slowly at first , until mid a cloud of dust it which improved the quality of radio reception and paved crashed to the ground. A handful of spectators witnessed the way for speech in the 1920s. The development of short the end of an era. *Radio, the Industry of the Future A.W.A/ wave (high frequency) also benefited communications. Transit OTC Magazine June-July 1959. The alliance of high frequency and radio telephony led to telephone calls across the world. International calls which we take for granted to-day, began in 1930.

During World War I (1914-1918) the station was taken over by the Department of the Navy which posted guards around the complex. In 1918 it was handed back to the Post Office. In 1922 the contract was given to the Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Limited to operate the Coastal Radio Service and this control was maintained until 1946 when the Overseas Telecommunications Commission was formed to take over both the coastal radio service and the Australian overseas cable and radio services. The Pennant Hills Station served as a combined sending and receiving coastal radio station until 1926 when, due to the development and growth of services on high frequency to ships, the receiving facilities were transferred to a site in Willoughby.

In February 1927 the permanent coastal radio receiving station at La Perouse was completed and thereafter Pennant Hills served purely as a transmitting station, providing facilities for coastal and overseas services on The picture above was a postcard from Carlingford showing a koala both telephone and telegraph. The Pennant Hills site at the Pennant Hills Wireless Station. The native bear is trying to say was used as a broadcasting station for 2FC, which was an "Why do you want this new-fangled device when you've got good old abbreviation of Farmer and Company, the people who bush telegraph?" This unique photo was taken by staff member, Joe started the station on December 5 1923. To the Pennant Reed. By courtesy of Gerald Stanley Hills Station fell the honour of successfully transmitting Nearby on the south eastern corner of Pennant Hills the first Empire Broadcast on September 5 1927. The and North Rocks Road another mast for receiving signal was clear. The initial sounds broadcast such as wireless messages from ships was erected. The rigger the laughing of the kookaburra and calls of cooee may and maintenance man the re was Roy Campton (1897- have somewhat shocked listeners in England. This was a l96I). He and his wife and eight children (six boys and significant occasion, as it led to world wide broadcasts. two girls) lived in the government-owned house on the Staff at the station enjoyed great comradery. In the 1930s corner. At the age of 50 Roy could climb up the 450 ft

05 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 mast in 18 minutes and descend in just 12. His children (in turn Sid, Len, Val, Ron, Don, Barry and Shirley) at Carlingford Public School could at times observe him climbing to the top to replace globes or check fittings. The sway at the top was said to have been considerable. Intercom was simply by voice. " Interview recorded with Don Campton (horn Carlingford 1929). The station was used for some time by broadcasting stations 2FC and 2SM as well as for the AWA short-wave transmission. It was the precursor of other masts in the Pennant Hills such as 2CH on the southern side of Stewart Street, by the rim of the Dundas Valley. It was commonly known to locals as Lightning Ridge because it was often struck by lightning. In February 1932 a 2CH station and wireless masts were erected by Sir Frederick Stewart whose home in Stewart Street, Tebbut Lodge, is now part of the Lottie Stewart Hospital. In those days staff there used to delight in shooting from the station windows, rabbits, hares, quail and various other small game which frequented this then very rural area. rn 1936 it was reported that while one employee bagged a hare at 150 yards, another's best effort was killing the neighbour's cat. Later in the same year shooting was prohibited because of the presence of Sir Fred's prize Red Poll cattle and farm horses.

Mass Communication – In the age of rapid communication not many of you realise that Pennant Hills (now Carlingford) was the place where it all started for Australia. Hazlewood Collection, Photographer: Rex Hazlewood

The wireless mast near the south-eastern corner of Pennant Hills and North Rocks Roads came down on Wednesday March 11, 1981. Photo taken by Don Garland

Norma Archibald of Benghazi Avenue recalls the final days of the mast: As our backyard was adjacent to the structure, authorities came to warn us about its coming down. During an electrical storm it certainly attracted lightning. The ground around the mast had been pasture for cattle. Occasionally the animals would get out and wander along our street. It was quite an event. The land was later sold for housing. PROGRESS IN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND ENGLAND. By Clipper Ship (the fastest sailing vessel of its day) 100 days - by a modern ocean liner in 1930 30 days - by wireless in 1930 one fifth Photo taken by Don Garland of a second. Extract from Carlingford Connexions, Alex McAndrew

06 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Happenings in Progress Toilet Facility in Hazlewood Rose Park Updates March 2021

The three-week long petition, ‘Amenities Block Required for Hazlewood Rose Park achieved 100% community response in favour!

Summary Progress since 14 August, 2019: a) City of Council’s Landscape Architect to investigate a suitable location for a toilet to assist Ray Park Heritage Group Committee with grant applications (Dial before You Dig investigations to understand the existing underground utilities). b) Three (3) Council location options shown on map, with Option No 3. preferred by Council. c) Tuesday 20 October, 2020 Executive Committee voted to continue advocating and fundraising for the toilet with aims as follows: d) 1. Providing a local, accessible, age-friendly area with toilet for group excursions by aged care facilities and community organisations. 2. RPHG is driving this community fund raising project to build accessible toilet amenities in Hazlewood Rose Park. The designed small building is estimated to cost approximately $200,000 3. RPHG will actively pursue Grant opportunities to supplement community funds if required. 4. If the project is deemed unviable, community funds raised (held in Special Account number 1055 6663) will be donated to Karonga Special School and The Cancer Council. 17 August, 2020 Council will provide the necessary support to enable any grant application that RPHG make – eg. the Community Building Partnership Programme (https://www.nsw.gov.au/projects/community- buildingpartnership) and the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (https://www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Stronger- Communities-Programme). e) Continue to follow Ray Park Heritage Group Facebook Donate today for donation deposits – as @ 20th March, 2021 the Special Donate today by Direct Transfer Community Fundraising has a balance $2,075. Ray Park Heritage Group Inc. https://tinyurl.com/Hazlewood-Rose-Park BSB: 062 300 Special Account Number: 1055 6663 Reference: Community Toilet Fund (CTF)

Dorothy Doolan & Stephen Rossi, Project Coordinators

07 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Happenings in Progress Carlingford Produce Store Updates. March 16th 2021 Project Coordinator: Belinda Turco

There has been significant media interest, with 7News reporting on the imminent closure 18th Feb 2021 – here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RMEuRtn5Jg. This clip had 14,723 views on YouTube as at 16/03/2021!

7News also attended on the 28th Feb 2021, the final day of trade after 124 years of business: https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSsydney/posts/4462069577150474

Sadly, the CPS is now closed to the public for the foreseeable future. RPHG participated in farewelling the CPS on 28/02/2021 from 13:00 – 16:00 with tea, coffee, sweets and conversation! The home-baked treats provided by Carolyn, Narelle and Belinda were thoroughly enjoyed, so much so that the employees wanted to bring them home!

We were able to raffle the last copy of the CPS Conservation Management Plan, which raised $115. Cara was a wonderful assistant throughout the event, but did a fantastic job at being the barrel girl to draw the winning ticket that belonged to Bailey H-S.

Thanks to Carolyn and Dorothy for organising and manning the display! Enjoy the photos from the day – the majority of which can be credited to Kim Balcombe – a million thanks Kimmie! ______

RPHG will continue to advocate for the preservation of the heritage at the CPS, and are dealing directly with Sydney Trains. We believe Sydney Trains have good intentions of preserving the heritage elements, and we are looking forward to positive outcomes from their planned actions:

- Reviews of the site by the Sydney Trains’ Heritage Team & building engineers - Review of the Conservation Management Plan published by Colin Israel in 2012

It is likely that the site will remain "mothballed” for the foreseeable future. We have a few ideas to preserve and reinvigorate the site but will need to work in conjunction with Sydney Trains to see this rare gem brought to life! Contact with community heroes Trudy Stevenson and Martha Jabour OAM from the Carlingford Rotary Club and Julie Owens MP suggest that we need to reach out to the locals to gauge their interest in the what they’d like to see at the site. A brilliant transformation has occurred at the Waverton Coal Loader – perhaps this could be the exciting direction for the CPS?!

Separately, we have elected to fund the recording of Rob Cayzer’s oral history pertaining to the CPS. Rob is a long- serving employee who managed the CPS in its heyday of the 1960s. The interview will be conducted in April 2021, with the files expected to be available in May 2021.

08 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Happenings in Progress Carlingford Produce Store Updates. March 16th 2021 continued...

Vintage hay bale hooks

Assortment of bottles – predominantly emptied of alcoholic beverages! L to R: Unknown, Johnnie Walker, Beer, Toohey’s Beer

Curios that the Carlingford Produce Store has amassed over 120 years of continuous trading.

09 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Happenings in Progress Carlingford Produce Store Updates. March 16th 2021 continued...

Many pallets filled with bulk goods were sold by mid-morning, as shoppers scrambled to secure their supplies. This left room for RPHG to set up undercover, out of the rain!

RPHG’s set up onsite – tea, coffee, heritage items for sale. Our raffle for Colin Israel’s Conservation Management Plan was drawn by Cara, with $115 raised.

10 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Happenings in Progress Carlingford Produce Store Updates. March 16th 2021 continued...

AssortmentAssortment of goods of goods for sale for saleon the on lastthe lastday dayof trading of trading. .

11 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Happenings in Progress Carlingford Produce Store Updates. March 16th 2021 continued...

Donna’s collection of photos taken on the final day of trading at the Store

Recording Rob’s Oral History Dr Margaret Leask is not only a lovely person, she has a very impressive CV, and she has accepted our project of interviewing Rob on site in April 2021. Due to lack of suitable grants available, and the tight timeframe to utilise the site for the interview, RPHG are using existing funds to capture Rob’s history. Some of the questions she will be asking include details on Staff facilities, who were the main Customers - what was in high, regular demand? How did deliveries and stocking the shelves get done? Was the mill working, how did it operate? Dealing with orders, sales? Changing technology, and many, many more. Do you have any questions for Rob on the CPS that you’d like answered – let us know!

Margaret was recommended to us by Michelle Goodman, Archivist at CoP Council, and we have enjoyed working with her in preparation for the interview.

Margaret attended our farewell gathering with her husband and 97-year-old father-in-law, who found it a most interesting day out!

12 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Happenings in Progress Carlingford Produce Store Updates. March 16th 2021 continued...

Rob “will miss the customers the most” Full story at https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSsy dney/posts/4462069577150474

Belinda, Sam and Dorothy

Channel 7 recording Sam hefting bags to a customer’s ute.

Young employee, Sam & Rob

13 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08

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m e Spr ing is planting time Written by Chris Staples This is a pictorial history of how our local area changed from being the fruit bowl of Sydney to its development through subdivision of the farms. Volume One • 850 copies printed • all sold

Volume Two ROSS ZONE, HABITAT HAVENS 17/03/21

e back e m i t g n i t n a l p s i g n i r p Can you help to turn m S • 500 copies printed from ugly to bush? • remaining 189 copies available continued from page 6 (Volume 2 covers the area south of Carlingford Road to Mobbs Lane and the eastern side of the old Carlingford railway site).

Sunday, 5th January 2020

Hello Dorothy, Thank you to you and your fellow volunteers from Ray Park heritage Society for attending and holding a display and stall at Carlingford station last Saturday. Greeting cards for sale We were delighted with the public interest and high attendance at the event despite the terribly weather. Map Reference Orchard Farming Habitat Havens Having your historic displays and books on sale really added an extra dimension to the eCardsvent which was greatly caopnptriencuiaedte fdr.o m page 6 A range of heritage I have attached photo for you which you may like. photos, in sets of 5 I will also forward a copy of the article published in the Parramatta Advertiser. Blank Cards. Kind regards, New Bushcare Project Trudy Stevenson - Carlingford Rotary Spokeswoman Volunteers required to prepare and then plant ‘Zone Ross area’, Book Sales on Contactthe D fora orders.y Habitat Havens Bushcare site Sunday, 5th January 2020 Phone 9876 5713 (end of Magnolia Walkway, Epping) Dorothy Doolan Group Work Plan Hello Dorothy, 19 sold (can be flexible) Thank you to you and your fellow volunteers from Ray Park heritage Society for attending and holding a display (Week days/weekend day... Weekly or Monthly) Fruit Bowl Farms to and stall at Carlingford station last Saturday. Housing Boom Volume 1 We were delighted with the public interest and high attendance at the event despite the terribly weather. Contact Dorothy Chris Staples [email protected] Having your historic displays and books on sale really added an extra dimension to the event which was greatly 9876 5713 or 0438 676 011 appreciated. I have attached photo for you which you may like. Book sale updates I will also forward a copy of the article published in the Parramatta Advertiser. 23SOLD sold OUT New volunteers Kind regards, Take home Above and below photos courtesy of Jan champion Fruit Bowl Farms to welcome native Fruit Bowl Farms to plant Trudy Stevenson - Carlingford Rotary Spokeswoman spend justt oan seeds to grow Housing Boom Volume 2 Housing Boom Volume 1 hour or two in your own Chris Staples garden! Chris Staples Discussion time Book Sales on the Day and time to enjoy a cuppa afterward

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19189 so lleftd in stock prepare and 6 sold then to FrFruituit Bo wBowll Farm Farmss to to plant during CarliHngoHousingufosridn gP rBoodou Boommce V Sotlourm eVolume e 1 2 TOOLS AND GLOVES May, June , July ConsCehChrisrrvisa Stiotan pStaples lMesanagement Plan PROVIDED Colin Israel - Heritage Advice

14 23 sold THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Above and below photos courtesy of Jan champion Fruit Bowl Farms to Housing Boom Volume 2 Chris Staples 1 sold Carlingford Court’s Golden Jubilee 1965-2015 6Al esxo MldcAndrew & Dorothy Doolan Carlingford Produce Store Conservation Management Plan Colin Israel - Heritage Advice Carlingford Rotary stalls and RPHG heritage displays Photo above courtesy of Gretta Logue

0 7 T H E C H R O N I C L E | I S S U E 0 4

1 sold Carlingford Court’s Golden Jubilee 1965-2015 Alex McAndrew & Dorothy Doolan

Carlingford Rotary stalls and RPHG heritage displays Photo above courtesy of Gretta Logue

0 7 T H E C H R O N I C L E | I S S U E 0 4 Happenings in Progress UPDATES: 2020 Bambara Bushcare Group’s Wildlife Nest Box Project Project Coordinators, March 2020. Marilyn Guyot and Dorothy Doolan

Funded by $20,000 Federal Government Communities Environment Grant 2019-2020, supported by CoP Council. The project delivered 60 state of the art nest boxes into the Delvin’s Creek Bushland Catchment area in Beecroft/Carlingford.

Project description: Loss of hollow bearing trees is an issue of importance in our urban remnant bushland. The project will provide valuable habitat to fauna species found within the Devlin’s Creek bushland corridor. This corridor is made up of Critically Endangered Blue Gum High Forest and Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest which supports a wide array of wildlife including sugar gliders, feather tail gliders, many parrot species and woodland birds, as well as the powerful owl. The high amount of community investment is seen in this relatively small part of the Delvin’s Bushland Catchment area extending from Midson to Orchard (along the Pioneers’ Track). There are seven (7) volunteer Bushcare Groups working on a weekly or monthly basis. The fifty-eight (58) Hollow Log Homes CYLAS nest boxes made from 100% Recycled HDPE (high density polyethylene) and Queensland Cypress has been installed On going monitoring of all boxes by both bushcare by BARRC, Scott Meier. These boxes are Termite and rot volunteers and the community ‘Pioneers’ Track’ walkers proof and have a lifespan of 30+ (plus) years. which will aid aid Council in understanding which nest https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=18BBqh- boxes are more used than others and what fauna species PMboD2cX32c1Nij1dlvOGqLkbsB&usp=sharing are most benefiting from this additional habitat. Convenors of the volunteer groups were invited to watch the installation of the final two micro-bat nursery boxes and participate in a “walk and talk” activity by Narawan Williams/Fauna Field Ecology. Numbers able to participate were limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. Construction of microbat nursery boxes in marine and exterior ply: • Construction of 2 x four (4) chambered Nursery Bat House. • One box painted black and the other painted white. • Viewing box cavity with camera on pole considered in design • Both boxes installed on the same tree at the height of 7.5 meters • Black box on aspect receiving afternoon sun and Photos taken by Strath Clarke the white box on the south east side.

THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Mystery Photos Collection Research Who were these Children? Questions & stories from the past

Have you got any stories of the past local history you want to share? Send us your stories to Where was this Poultry Farm located, what what it's see them featured in name/who owned the Farm? coming Issues of The Chronicle email stories to [email protected]

Would you like to know more about your local history? Send us an email with Where were these photos taken? Photographer? any questions to see them featured in coming Issues of The Chronicle email questions to [email protected]

15 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Vincent Edward Stanley (1886-1966) The story of Vincent Edward Stanley

At home in one of staff cottages Vin Stanley, his wife Annie (left) and daughter Phyllis who later held a secretarial position in the AWA office in York Street. The late Vincent (‘Vin’) Edward Stanley, as the Engineer-in-Charge of the Pennant Hills Wireless Station. A contemporary of George Cookson Behind the group is the family ‘Radiola’ which was the name AWA gave and Sydney Newman, he had an active role in promoting AWA’s to their wireless receivers in the days when AWA was one of Australia’s expansion into wireless communication and public broadcasting. large companies manufacturing a huge range of wireless and TV equipment. He was manager of AWA Short Wave Wireless Transmitting Station circa 1930-1957 located on 40 acres at the corner of North Rocks and Photos courtesy of son, Gerald Stanley Pennant Hills Roads, Carlingford.

Vincent Edward Stanley, Vin to all who knew him was The station operated 24 hours a day with two operators born at Balnarring in Victoria in 1886, as a youth he always on duty in addition there was a well- equipped was able to visit the Flinders Naval base where he had workshop with three or four workers and an engine room his first introduction to the very new technology of with stand-by power generating equipment; Riggers wireless communication. Vin's first employment was and outside staff were also needed; thus, it was a major most probable at the local power station and an early employer for the area. introduction to electricity, still a very new technology. Vin enlisted in the army in the first world war only to be Vin saw the station grow in size and national importance invalided out whilst still in training when he contracted and in 1957 it was relocated to a much larger site at rheumatic fever. Doonside where the latest equipment was installed. He Leaving the Army, he studied wireless with the Marconi retired in 1961 and moved to Pennant Hills. He died School of Wireless and after successfully completing suddenly in March 1966. the course he went to sea as a ship’s wireless operator. The chance of a shore job with 2FC wireless station at His son, Gerald remembers him as a slightly built man Willoughby saw him settle down at Chatswood and marry with brilliant blue eyes, he was a very practical person Annie Croft. quite capable in the workshop; always interested in the latest inventions and a good vegetable gardener. A keen In 1927 he applied for and gained a job as 2ic to George and very good photographer and a great reader. He loved Cookson at the “Pennant Hills Wireless transmitting his Gilbert and Sullivan and Irish music as befitted his Station” a government venture for the navy to initially Irish heritage. As a youngster Gerald had to be always provide wireless short-wave communication with prepared for his practical jokes and his fine sense of coastal shipping. and then later operated by AWA on the humour. Vin was well liked by all who knew him. Governments behalf.

Early in the 1930s Vin took over as officer in charge when Cookson transferred to other duties. Vin saw many technological changes and guided the station through the difficult war years when a small army detachment was stationed there to guard the facility,

16 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 Early childhood memories of out imaginary rare reptiles to me as they mysteriously shot away before I could even see them! He told me tall Robert Sullivan and friends stories about snakes and lizards, and because of his great growing up at Beecroft, passion and enthusiasm for his interest, he had me almost Carlingford and Epping believing him! I stayed overnight at the Sullivans place a few times and Extract taken from Article written by Chris Saul it was always a lot of fun. Robert was often into some sort of mischief, either stirring up his older sister or starting Robert Sullivan, ‘I remember that kid’, I thought to myself pillow fights in his bedroom. He introduced me to Johnny as he boarded the bus at Murray Farm Road. It was the Cash songs, and told me that he was related to one of first day of Fifth Class 1968, and the boys from St Gerard’s Australia’s bushrangers!! I introduced him to Slim Dusty primary school at North Carlingford; it was our first day and that ‘unique’ Aussie singer, Chad Morgan but mostly at St Patrick’s Marist Brothers Dundas. our chatter was about lizards and the bush. Robert was With my mate, Murph I remember feeling pretty nervous always a skinny sort of kid, prone to asthma attacks but but also looking forward to the long bus ride to school. his asthma never daunted his zest for life. The bus run began its journey at West Epping, picking up boys throughout Beecroft and Carlingford before desending into Dundas Valley where we were delivered to St Patrick’s in Kirby Street.

A group of us from St Gerard’s had started kindergarten together in 1963 at Our Lady Help of Christians in Oxford Street Epping, and when a new catholic primary opened at North Rocks Road Carlingford in late 1964, any of the kids living west of Midson Road and other associated cut-off points were compelled to be enrolled at the new school in the new year. Michael Watson, Photographer: Jo Simpson Matt Murphy, Robert McDonell, Greg Clark, Steve Broderick, Con Greaves and Michael Stacey were most of the boys. Some of the girls included Maryanne Floyd, A n n e M a r e e B a m p t o n , M a r y H u t c h e n s a n d J e n n y F o x . The boy whose face I remembered on the bus turned out to be Robert Sullivan. He and his family lived in Malton Road North Epping so therefore he didn’t have to move to St Gerard’s like the rest of us. Robert and his family later moved to John Street Beecroft making him eligible to go to Marist Brothers Dundas as well.

My first mate was Robert McDonell from 201 Ray Road, (we grew up together) but in 1968 my best friend was Matt Murphy closely followed by Michael Watson and Greg Clark, all from West Epping. How I struck up a friendship We began to venture further down the creek where with Robert Sullivan, I can’t remember. This fella was Robert showed me where to find leaf tailed geckos in different from any other kids I knew, in that he caught, the sandstone crevices, and we started to see the big and kept lizards as pets!! I had a long necked turtle that water dragons. I remember going home after one of our Dad had given me but I’d always been wary of bluetongues walks and excitedly telling Dad of the huge gum trees and snakes and things. But, that was all about to change!! we’d seen along the creek. (I identified these many years It wasn’t long before Robert invited me to his place at later as coastal blackbutts.) We eventually made our way Beecroft. He proudly showed me his lizard and turtle down to the small waterfall just west of the collection which included blue tongue lizards, a water Beecroft Road crossing. We had lunch at this once pretty dragon and leaf tailed geckos. We were soon off down spot; there were plenty of water dragons about but they the creek together to a spot he called the ‘Little Bush’ always managed to elude capture by diving into the creek at the end of Edwards Ave. This watercourse, a tributary or disappearing amongst the rocks, which frustrated me of Devlins Creek, flowed under the northern end of no end. Orchard Road to what Robert called the ‘Big Bush’. We There was a fair sized pool below the little fall, and Robert spent happy hours in these places, with Robert pointing swore blind that he saw a Queensland lungfish submerge

17 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 beneath the surface. I knew him better by now, the looked at lizards, turtles and snakes here that we could lungfish was a big eel but this didn’t stop Robert throwing only dream of seeing in the wild. In later years Murph, half his lunch into the pool to try and make the ‘lungfish’ Mike Watson, Robert Sullivan and I would catch the train stick its head out again. to Gosford and walk out to Worrell’s park at Wyoming. I’d often have a spare turtle or lizard up my sleeve which By this stage, Robert had me hooked on chasing lizards, we’d donate to the park enabling us to get in for free. and everywhere I went I was on the lookout. In turn, I When Dad saw that my interest wasn’t just a passing one, even started taking Murph on these lizard hunts. Before my lizards and turtles were transferred out of their ‘above this, Murph and I had been mad keen on bulldozers ground swimming pool enclosure’ into a beautiful brick and earthmoving machinery, we still were, but this new pit that he built for me. How many dads would do that??? interest was something different and exciting again. During one lot of school holidays, I went to Port We went further down Devlins Creek and got into Macquarie with the Sullivan family where Robert and I some large sandstone formation and big waterholes camped in a tent on their relatives’ property. I remember which were spectacular to us kids, and we explored the going to Flynn’s Beach with them but instead of going upper reaches of the . (This is still a swimming Robert and I spent the time chasing striped good walk to do today – lots of native plants in bloom skinks amongst the tussocks on the dunes, while his in the Spring.) Robert, Murph, Mike Watson and I sisters sunbaked on the beach. Robert’s parents dropped followed Terry’s Creek a number of times chasing Robert and I off at Port Macquarie’s Marbuk Reptile Park dragons, and during one especially lucky afternoon for a day during the holiday. I remember the two of us w e f o u n d a b a r k i n g g e c k o u n d e r a r o c k ( w h a t a fi n d ! ) walking round and round the park excitedly peering into I showed Robert our creek in Ray Road, and followed the reptile pits of which there were many. We never tired it down to Devlins Creek, something I did many times. of this, we just couldn’t get enough of it. In those days we didn’t see water dragons along this On one weekend when we were in First or Second Form, waterway till we got to Devlins Creek itself but now, our school at Dundas put on an open day to show the whenever I go for a walk along the creek down to Ray parents what their sons were learning, and to exhibit Park, dragons are lying around everywhere – great to see the quality of their work. Robert and I and another how their numbers have built up. I’d have been in heaven young bloke put on a reptile display for the open day, as a kid having so many within such easy reach.

Another great place we used to visit was a tributary of Darling Mills Creek just off the western end of Murray Farm Road. This was really beautiful Sydney sandstone bushland where Robert and I discovered Leseur’s geckos. They were the first geckos I’d seen with their adhesive padded feet as opposed to the leaf tail’s with their clawed toes. In hindsight, we should’ve explored this bit of country more extensively, I think we only did three or four trips in there. I wince now at some of the things we did as kids. Sometimes we’d bring lizards and turtles home with no real place to keep them, or any real knowledge of how to care for them properly. There wasn’t much education around for Bert Saul, Chris' Father in front of his home at Ray Rd, Epping, 1956. looking after wild reptiles in those days. Although some of the things we did in our blind enthusiasm were cruel and careless, we were young, and thought we were doing no wrong – we didn’t know any better.

Dad and Mum had bought me a copy of Eric Worrell’s ‘Reptiles of Australia’ It was the best publication of Australian reptiles at the time and was like a bible to me. It’s still here in my house on the reptile book shelf, and takes pride of place!

For one of my birthdays, Mum and Dad took our family, and Robert Sullivan to Eric’s Australian Reptile Park at Gosford. That was the ultimate for two young reptile Bert Saul working on the footings for his home 207 Ray Rd, Epping, enthusiasts, and the first of many trips to the park. We 1956. His parents Lily and Joe Saul at rear.

18 THE CHRONICLE ISSUE 08 and it was really successful. We brought our lizards Apparently, without any hesitation at all he caught the and turtles in from home and set them up in tanks and deadly snake by the tail and quickly bagged or boxed it other enclosures. I remember my bearded dragons and up. That kid had so much guts, he was only fourteen at blotched bluetongue being a real hit. Some of the parents the time. Robert Sullivan would’ve done the same had he were genuinely interested, they asked us questions and seen the snake first. As for me, I was awe struck. I didn’t remembered seeing some of these lizards when they start catching venomous snakes till I was eighteen, and were kids. I must admit that day, we felt pretty important e v e n t h e n I w a s n ’ t a s c o n fi d e n t a s y o u n g A n d r e w L o c k ! – like we could teach somebody something! I think the teachers on our camping trip were awe struck too! They sternly told Andrew to be careful but Unfortunately, as time went by Robert and I seemed to surprisingly they let him keep the snake! drift apart a bit, I don’t really know why. I’d become very good mates with Mike Watson and we did a lot of stuff Our journey continued from Central Australia over together so maybe Robert and I just grew apart, OR, was to Mt Isa then down through Central Western QLD it that I could’ve been a bit more loyal to old friends like before we headed across to the S.E. QLD coast. From Robert and Murph when new friendships developed?!! there we travelled the Pacific Highway to Sydney. Looking back, I think I was pretty careless in this area. At Port Macquarie, we visited Marbuk Reptile Park I’m not sure now but I think it was in Third Form when where Andrew gave the western brown snake to the Robert left Marist Brothers Dundas. His father had bought proprietor, Brian Barnett. Brian offered to pay him a newsagency at Lidcombe and the family moved over f o r t h e r e p t i l e b u t A n d r e w p o l i t e l y d e c l i n e d h i s o ff e r . that way. I imagine this would’ve been tough for Robert, The camping trip finished back at Dundas and so Robert after having the bush and reptiles almost at his door at Sullivan and I parted company once more. Beecroft, and then to be uprooted and have to go and live The next and last time I saw Robert Sullivan was in 1976 or in a place almost completely devoid of natural landscapes ’77. I’d met up with John Sauer in Carlingford somewhere, - I don’t know how he handled it. and he said that he was still in contact with Robert, and During the May holidays in 1973 when I was in Fourth that he’d bring him around to my place at Epping one Form, I was fortunate enough (thanks to my parents) night. It was good to catch up again, though we seemed to go on a bus/camping trip to Central Australia. to have drifted miles apart by then. Robert was driving None of my mates could go on this trip so I thought the latest Holden Sandman panelvan, while I was getting I’d just have to hang around some other fellas. about in my faithful old Holden one tonner, and our As everyone started piling into the bus on the morning conversation just wasn‘t what it used to be. We parted of our departure, I was sitting in my seat when who again that night, and a lot of water has flowed through the should walk up the aisle but Robert Sullivan. “What’s he gullies of our favourite haunts since then. I met up with doing here”? I thought to myself. Apparently numbers John Sauer again, over thirty five years ago now, and once were down for the trip and Robert found out somehow, more asked about Robert. According to John, at the time and being an ex - Dundas boy he was allowed to go. of our meeting, Robert was steering charter boats around Well, once we got acquainted again it was like old times. the Whitsunday’s. John Sauer was also on the trip. He was a grade lower than Looking back, I’ve got a lot to thank my old mate for. If it us at school but had become good mates with Robert, and wasn’t for him getting me interested in reptiles, I doubt kept in contact with him at Lidcombe. Another young that I would’ve gone on to work as a keeper at Taronga fella who was keen on reptiles came along too, his name Zoo. My interest in reptiles has never left me, Dad’s great was Andrew Lock. interest in birds finally rubbed off on me, and working Coober Pedy, Ayer’s Rock, the Olga’s and all the vast with birds for almost nine years at the zoo was one of my Centralian expanses were a real eye opener for us most rewarding occupations. kids, and at nearly every camp we went looking for Today, with many thanks to Robert Sullivan, my father lizards. Travelling in the outback was much more of an Bert Saul, Neil Hamilton, Chris Stevens, & Peter Croft adventure in those days. The tar sealed road finished not from my zoo days, and my wife Carol for all their valuable far north of Port Augusta, and from there it was a dirt input, I’m now interested in the bigger picture: Australia’s or gravel surface all the way up the Stuart Highway and natural landscapes, (especially the Blue Mountains) along into Ayer’s Rock, with not a sign of a resort anywhere! with all the fauna and flora that lives and grows within Somewhere out in the arid country, our bus had stopped them. to give everyone a break, a snack and a roam around. From a distance I heard a bit of excitement. Andrew Lock Where ever you are today Rob old mate, I hope you’re had been looking under sheets of old corrugated iron doing something with as much passion and enthusiasm for reptiles when he uncovered a western brown snake. as you had when we chased lizards as kids!!

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