Glebe Society Bulletin 2007 Issue 09
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Lord Mayor launches Grandeur & Grit Well over 200 specially invited people gath- ered at the Glebe Branch Library on Tuesday 16 October for the launch of Max Solling’s long-awaited history of Glebe. The wait was well worth while as Lord Mayor Clover Moore indicated in her speech. It is a hand- some volume – replicated as one of the most amazing cakes we have ever seen! Superbly enlarged photographs from the book adorned the Library and entrance hall of Benledi. Finding just the right illustrations was one of the reasons why publication was somewhat delayed, as well as Max’s determination to check every detail of his research. Clover commented again in the course of her talk on the strong community spirit in Glebe and how much the City appreciated the kind of feedback and responses that it receives from this particular one of its villages. The evening’s proceedings were led by the City of Sydney Historian, Dr Shirley Fitzgerald. Max’s response to the launch of his book is The Lord Mayor. Cr Clover Moore, MP and printed on p2 of this Bulletin. Other speakers Max Solling after the book launch. 8/2007 October/November 8/2007 October/November were Matthew Richardson, from the publish- Photo: Jom Photography, courtesy SCC ers, Halstead Press, and a long-standing (and also busking) friend of Max’s, John Dengate (see p3), who provided a musical backdrop Meet the Candidates for the evening once all the formal talking The Glebe Society has organised a “meet was over. Much other conversation was gen- the candidates” evening for the Federal seat erated over the refreshments bought by Coun- of Sydney on Thursday 15 November, 7pm cil; from local businesses: the drinks from – 9pm at Forest Lodge Public School, Tim Smith of Glebe Liquor and the savouries corner Bridge Road and Ross Street from Stella & Sophie’s Gourmet Café and Deli. This meeting is being organised by the Both Max and John emphasised the special Glebe Society to give local residents an character of Glebe, its constantly changing opportunity to hear and ask questions of our nature, and some of the fights of earlier years, local candidates. The Society will provide such as the Green Bans, the perception of the the candidates with a short list of questions, suburb as a “slum”, and the struggle against which we ask them to address. These will expressways which would have literally cut focus on issues where the Federal Glebe apart. All in all, it was a great “Glebe” government can impact on local matters, evening, and we were glad that Max’s family especially support for cities, their were able to be there, including his elderly infrastructure and sustainability. In the mother who travelled down from the country. second half of the meeting candidates will It had been hoped to welcome Bernard Smith, address questions from the audience. the founding President of the Glebe Society, The meeting will be held in the Forest as a guest of honour on the occasion, but alas Lodge Primary School Assembly Hall, on frail health precluded his travelling from Mel- the corner of Bridge Road and Ross Street. bourne. We wish him well for the launch of The entrance is in Bridge Road. Unfortun- his own latest work which is also happening ately there is no wheelchair access, as there in October. are four small steps to negotiate. Please Now, all that remains is for us to enjoy read- arrive early and be seated by 7pm. ing the book. We look forward to seeing you there. - Jeanette Knox Everyone is welcome. And who would like to write a review for the - Jan Macindoe, President next Bulletin? - Editor There are a few places left for the Glebe Society Champagne High Glebe Society Bulletin Tea at The Retreat on 4 November. See page 9. A publication of THE GLEBE SOCIETY INC PO Box 100 GLEBE 2037 www.glebesociety.org.au Max Solling’s speech at the book launch Few thought Glebe had a history through its History Project, demon- at the moment it is very much on the worth writing about when I came strated a commitment to publish histo- way up. It began as a semi-rural re- from the Bush to go to Uni in 1960 ries of who have lived, worked and treat for families of professional and and found cheap accommodation here. played here that has contributed much mercantile men but by the end of the An old local told me confidentially to its character. I owe much to a num- nineteenth century Glebe's open then that outsiders thought if you ber of local people, born between spaces were rapidly filled with new lived in Glebe you could probably 1896 and 1911, with an intimate people, new houses and industry. As fight or play football, but do blessed knowledge of Glebe gained from a the better off, with their rising for- little else. Some were haunted by this life-long association, whose oral testi- tunes, withdrew to semi-detached image but I was quite comfortable mony filled in gaps, particularly on houses and bungalows on the outer with it since I engaged in those kind working class life, which the manu- limits of development, their places of activities. I thought it was my sort script material failed to yield. I were increasingly being taken by a of place. And it was. gained so much from David Kerno- poorer, more transient, population that han, Ada Stokes, Jack Flitcroft, Alice The streets of Glebe have always been rented rooms, and lived in lodgings Currie, Tom Brown, Josephine Law, full of characters, and the way Glebe and boarding houses. From the early Billy Gough and George Borwick. accepts all sorts of personalities and years of a new nation inner Sydney All have since died and I much regret their eccentricities is part of what became more industrialised and their passing. They gave an identity makes it a very human place. If overtly working class in its demo- and character to people who would you're feeling low, go for a stroll graphic profile. Social boundaries otherwise remain mere names on a along Glebe Road; it’s good for the within Glebe became hazier, but it street directory or electoral roll, and soul. You never know what you'll still remained a mosaic divided along restored to some who left no written see. I found the locals laid back, pos- class lines and this social pattern was record of their living, their original sessing an earthy friendliness and lack not drastically revised for a long time. importance. of pretence. But I soon found out that After World War II, Glebe and Syd- it was not without its own peculiar The City Historian, Dr Shirley Fitz- ney's other inner suburbs entered a complexities. The landlady at the first gerald and Dr Dennis Jeans read and period of prolonged population de- place where I found lodgings heard commented on the manuscript at its cline. Young couples wishing to raise me tell someone on the phone I lived various stages. I greatly benefitted a family were attracted by the pros- in Glebe. She quickly showed me the from their insights and advice. Continued on next page ... error of my ways. “Max”, she said, Shirley has written extensively “you live at Glebe Point, not Glebe” . on Sydney's history, and Dennis Her perspective of the suburb was that is well known as a pioneer in people lived in the same place but Australian historical geography inhabited different worlds. She was during his time as Associate right. Glebe has always been a social Professor at Sydney University. mosaic, and that's part of its fascina- I am deeply indebted to them. tion. Matthew Richardson and Alana Ayliffe from Halstead Press Glebe people don't need a reason to really have produced a very celebrate life. Glebe has some very handsome book. I have thor- august institutions, none more so than oughly enjoyed working with its rowing club. Physical exertion Matthew and Alana, and their creates the need to quench one’s skilful editing has made this a thirst, so the rowers were known to much better book. Their index have the occasional drink. They cele- to the book is superb. Glebe has brated their AGM in 1927 in the main its own great little urban re- hall upstairs in Glebe Town Hall. It search group, and 1 am indebted was a terrific night and much alco- to Michael Foster, Helen Rand- holic liquor was consumed. Some erson and John Fischer for pro- liquor spilt on the floor seeped viding wonderful research sup- through onto the mayor's chair below. port and assistance. Nothing to Never again, Glebe Council decreed, do with Glebe escapes their would Glebe Rowing Club be allowed scrutiny. The names of many to party in their town hall. I should other people who contributed to add that they're much more respect- the making of the book are set able now. out in the acknowledgements. The City Council is to be commended Max Solling and the Lord Mayour cut the cake Glebe has had its ups and downs for being especially active promoting Photo: Jom Photography, courtesy Sydney City over the last two centuries, and an awareness of our history. It has, Council 2 Glebe Society Bulletin Grandeur and Grit launch—memories of Max Get hooked on Mad to live in Glebe? heritage You probably listed heritage as a ma- “Shame on those who would deny the In the 1970s, there was a series of jor interest when you joined the Glebe knotted hands that set us high” - I quote articles in the Sydney Morning Herald Society.