the Newssheet of the Balmain Association PO Box 57•Balmain•NSW•2041 www.balmainassociation.org.au

Vol 52 No 1 Issue 342 Founded November 1965 March 2017 The Launch of Balmain Peninsula Transport History ay back in 2014, the National Peninsula Transport History was Trust Heritage Festival theme launched on the 10th December, Wwas Journeys and the Balmain 2016 at the Watch House. Association presented an exhibition Over 40 people attended the titled Journeys to and from Balmain, launch and were entertained by see article by Kathleen Hamey in Duncan’s words including from March 2014 edition of The Peninsula his previous statement that you Observer. In this article Kathleen wait ages for a bus and then two talked about the outward spread come at once and in his case of the suburbs and the means of two transport publications came transport that was available starting at once: Balmain Peninsula with the watermen and ferries who Transport History and Ryle’wy could transport people and goods the History of Sydney Horse between “Sydney Town” and the Buses, both available at the Watch new land releases on the Balmain House. peninsula rather than by the toll road He also faced the trials and (we know about these today) that tribulations of going into print, operated from 1811 connecting the always fraught with a degree city to Parramatta. There was also an of anxiety and more so when image of Horse Bus 158 which was managed by a “committee”, with one of several buses operating from Duncan with secretary, Di Garder last minute decisions such as will it be the Balmain Peninsula to convey colour or black and white? as well as Overall 150 people attended the passengers to the city via the Glebe other hiccups. exhibition including 22 in just 2 hours Island Bridge once it had opened in on Thursday 26, Australia Day, when the early 1860s. Balmain’s transport history is fascinating including ferries, trams, entrepreneurial Kathleen Hamey The other image is of the railways, horse and motor buses, thought it would be an opportunity to counterweight, “the dummy”, at the from the early days when watermen show visitors some of our history. bottom of Darling St circa 1940 which rowed residents from Millers Point Balmain Peninsula Transport History $25 many residents will remember, with to wharves at the east end of the 1940s tram waiting to go back up the Ryle’wy the History of Sydney Horse peninsula. There were outrageous hill to head for George St. Buses $59.95 proposals for bridges such as the one “Callan Park: Compassion and Now Duncan MacAuslan has to go from Balmain via Goat Island to Conflict in the Asylum” $15 completed a comprehensive history the North shore. of this evolution of transport on the All available at the Watch House. Throughout December and January peninsula and his book Balmain there was an June Lunsmann. exhibition of photos of ferries, trams and buses of many vintages IN THIS ISSUE with associated P. 1 Launch of Balmain Peninsula Transport paraphernalia. P. 2 Council mergers P. 3 Balmain Telephone Exchange An added bonus Farewell to Andrew West to the exhibition P. 4 & 5 John Colin Watson, Steam Boat was the return of proprietor the popular story P. 6 An interesting story about Elliott St boards “Callan Wharf Park: Compassion P. 7 Planning and Heritage Strategic Refernce and Conflict in the Group Asylum” and the P.8 What’s on at the Watch House, 2017 associated book. Australian Heritage Festival Events - Balmain Association and Friends of Callan Park The attentive audience Inner West merger is the wrong merger - John Stamolis

Of all the problems with Council areas. Therefore, we should be doing State Government must lift their fixed mergers we can also add: “Do we have our best to stop them interfering here. cap on the number of Councillors – the right merger?” Just have a look at Mergers cause local representation by a sensible amount because local our Council. One end is on the CBD to fall to lowest levels ever representation will be far too low. We environs with extensive harbour front already have two levels of government Forced amalgamations have slashed and contains the early heritage of our – Federal and State – which have the number of Councillors across city while the other end is bayside. minimal interaction with the average Sydney, reducing local community Over time, these big differences alone person. Most people feel increasingly representation to the lowest level ever. will present significant challenges for irrelevant when it comes influencing Average representation for the Inner Council. When the politics start again or interacting with Federal and State West will plummet from 1 Councillor in September, there may be heated government. for every 5,100 people to 1 Councillor battles about which areas get what per 12,300 people. This comes at a Is it too much to ask that we have funding and both areas may suffer. time when Sydney’s population is set meaningful access to our Councils State Government can force together to grow by around 1.5 million over the and our local representatives? After any Councils that it likes but if we next 15 years – increasing the average all, we spend enough money for three don’t get the right merger, we will end size of Councils by a further 60,000 levels of government in Australia. up with an inefficient and incoherent people each. John Stamolis is former independent Council trying to do too much, costing The number of Councils proposed for councillor for Birrabirragal/Balmain. more than expected and stretching its Sydney (25) is less than Melbourne resources too far. Before we continue (31) and Perth (29). with this merger, let’s see if we have The current situation the right one. In London, 1 Councillor represents on average 4,500. For Sydney it is Communication from Jamie Parker In complete disregard to strong over three times that (16,500)! That’s MP 14/2/17 community opposition, the NSW because the number of Councillors on Business Chamber continues to support All 20 existing mergers will remain in a London Council varies from 46 to 70 the Baird mergers. I wonder what advice place in Sydney - including the merger while in Sydney, the Baird Government they give to their member businesses which created the Inner West Council has arbitrarily capped the number of if they spend money on ventures - while the remaining five merger Councillors at a very low 15. In London, which don’t work or on products that proposals will proceed subject to the our Inner West Council would have customers reject? Do they suggest that decision of the courts. about 60 Councillors – not 15. these businesses should keep ploughing The decision was reached in an money into a bad venture? Do they get Of course, UK doesn’t have State extraordinary meeting of cabinet this onto TV and radio saying how wrong Governments, but would anyone morning, convened for the express the customers are? seriously suggest that a London purpose of resolving the council Council should have 45 extra We are forced to listen to nonsense mergers issue. Councillors just because there is no that a demerger will be expensive. Sadly, it’s one rule for the bush, one State Government? The Inner West In several weeks, we could be rule for the city. Every resident in will have 15 Councillors and 3 State back to where we were, at minimal NSW deserves equal treatment and MPs representing us. In London, we cost, and we will all have forgotten genuinely local democracy. Whether would have 60 Councillors. about this whole merger mess. Our you’re in the city or the bush, the Council has 70 years of experience I am not suggesting that Sydney fact is forced amalgamations are and performance. Several months of Councils should have that many undemocratic and damaging and must a merger can soon be undone if our Councillors. I am simply comparing two be scrapped. community desires. We shouldn’t global cities having similar democratic It’s disappointing that the Liberal/ be asked to pump resources into a fundamentals. London is one of the top Labor majority on our local council merger that we don’t want and may two global cities and has more local voted against proposals from Greens not be best for our future. Do we let government areas and much higher local councillors to take legal action against it continue for the next 50 years or representation than us. the proposed mergers. do we get this right? It’s time that we If you live in the Inner West Council, The Greens are presenting legislation were consulted about this. which has 185,000 people, you here in Parliament to unwind forced Mergers are precisely the sort of thing will have 15 Councillors. If you amalgamations and guarantee that the big political parties keep live in Canterbury-Bankstown or residents the final say through binding forcing on us and they wonder why Blacktown, each with around 340,000 plebiscites. I’m absolutely committed we are so disenchanted with them. people, it is still 15 (the worst local to working with you over the next two Mergers are provocative and grubby representation in the nation). It’s one years to ensure we reverse the damage politics and is exactly the sort of size fits all! What is the reason for of the Baird/Berejiklian government interference that we have had enough this disgracefully low representation? and restore local democracy. Anyone would have expected that of. The big parties should keep their Jamie Parker is a member of the NSW hands off our local communities. They reform of local government should have attempted to make representation Legislative Assembly representing lack common sense and create huge Balmain. problems in so many other policy of communities better and fairer across Councils. Now, it’s worse! 2 Balmain Telephone Exchange DA - Fergus Fricke n case you wanted to comment on vertical garden/green the DA for the demolition of the wall on the as yet to be Ifront of the 1957 Balmain Telephone constructed new north- Exchange building you will have to do facing external wall of it to friends, family or acquaintances the exchange. This was and wait for the square/plaza/Balmain the preferred option for speakers’ corner to be opened. Then that wall for a number you can speak to those seeking of reasons that include company, peace, a seat, inspiration or creating a cooler waiting for the PO to open. In other space in summer and words the Development Application adding vegetation to for the creation of a public plaza an area that will have in front of the Balmain Telephone predominantly hard Exchange has been publicly exhibited trafficable surfaces. and there were no objections. In fact The alternative was there was only one response and it a mural on the exchange’s new front aboriginal names wherever possible, supported the DA. wall. While this feature is not included means “a peaceful or quiet place”, and What happens next? The DA now in the current design it seems that a while it may not represent reality it has to be assessed by Council staff combination of vertical garden and does cover wishful thinking. Another before it goes to the “Planning Panel” a mural may yet be a possibility. suggestion might be “Restoration and finally to be signed off by the A mural could be a “trompe l’oeil” Plaza” which recognizes that there Administrator. The demolition of depicting the historic use of the site used to be public open space beside the front of the Exchange can then while also adding a feeling of depth the PO at a time when there was very be carried out after seven years of to plaza. And speaking of heritage little road traffic, no traffic lights but negotiations between the Balmain the DA heritage report undertaken for many Italian immigrants. How about Association, Telstra and Leichhardt Council by Lynette Gurr, a Balmain giving your suggestion? Council. Telstra is aiming to complete resident, is well worth reading but Another of the yet to be resolved the demolition work by June this year. unfortunately is no longer on the IWC issues is whether the part of the website. However I can email a copy Ideally it would have been better if decorative balcony on the side of the of it to anyone interested in reading it. the plaza could have been extended PO tower that was removed for the another four metres. This would have The naming of the plaza is potentially construction of the 1957 part of the revealed the whole of the side of the a hot topic. Some suggestions are exchange will be restored. This is not PO and provided a more substantial “POP” (Post Office Plaza), “Exchange a straightforward issue as the Balmain plaza. Having seen the interior of Square” (not to be confused with the Post Office building was sold to a the exchange on several occasions it Exchange Hotel and soon to be the private investor about 20 years ago superficially seemed to be possible “Exchange Apartments”), Balmain and if the balcony is restored it will for this to be done. Perhaps the plaza Square, Barnet’s Revenge (James overhang the boundary of the plaza could be extended in the future if Barnet designed the Post Office and which remains Telstra’s property. anyone has a spare seven years to Court House Building, the eastern One suggestion has been to leave the work on it. side of which has been hidden since damaged section of the tower as it is to 1957 when the front of the present remind people of past planning when A preliminary design of the “Exchange telephone exchange was built), there was a lack of interest in heritage Plaza” (I shall call it that until a name “Anembo”, which complies with and limited planning controls. has been decided on) was done by Leichhardt Council’s resolution to use David Vago who works for “Habit8”. David was also the designer for the open area in front of Rozelle Public School and the Loyalty Square plaza. Farewell to Andrew West, a valued member The current version of the design is Andrew joined the Balmain Association in October 2013 and became very shown below. The design includes a active in historical research. He was particularly interested in looking at the history of houses in the Balmain and Rozelle area and so helped many people who requested information about when their house was built and who had lived in it in previous years. He also wrote a number of articles for the Peninsula Observer which he had thoroughly researched and made for very interesting reading. His first article for the Observer was “A street near you…. Roseberry Street”, named after the British Prime Minister. We are sorry to farewell Andrew as he leaves Balmain, but wish him well in his new move and know that he will continue to pursue his interest and love of history. Di Garder, Secretary Balmain Association.

3 John Colin Watson, Steam Boat Proprietor he Peninsula Observer presented an article on John Colin Watson written by relatives, Hazel Marks and Dianne Marshall in Dec 1999. TOver the pursuing seventeen years, the research has continued. This article is written to add information to, as well as correct some facts now known to be incorrect. John’s personal family bible has recently been uncovered. It had been handed down the family, through his son John (1859-1936), and recently donated to the Mitchell Library. What a find! Janette Stewart.

John Watson was born in Gainsborough, Honorah Nugent was born on 7 May Lincolnshire as John Watson on 15 1825 at Banch, Tipperary, Ireland and January 1818, the son of John Burman arrived in Sydney on the Palestine, 7th Watson, grocer and draper, and his wife March 1842, with her brother Michael. Eleanor (Ellen) Garvin Bernard of Hull, They married at St Mary’s Cathedral as written in his own hand in the family on 13 March 1853. The children were bible. Parish records at Gainsborough christened Protestant, but there are John Watson - portrait by his daughter-in- law, Sarah Watson (nee Porter) c 1880 show him to be the fourth child – Eliza records at St Augustine’s, Balmain, 1807, George 1809, William 1815, John indicating that Honorah chose to later afterwards formed into the company 1818, Edward 1824. The first two were have them christened in the Catholic of John Watson & Co, which he ran christened at Grimsby two days after their Church, unbeknown to her husband. with his sons. The Balmain Steam birth, but later, the first four including John and Honorah had six children,all Ferry Co finally bought out J. Watson John, were christened at Gainsborough on born in Balmain, none before & Partners in 1887. The Company 3 February 1818. Edward was christened their marriage. Walter 1854, Mary had owned and operated quite a fleet at Gainsborough in 1824. Ann (May) 1856, Edward (Eddie) of paddlewheel steam ferries between Watson was apprenticed to an engineer 1857, John 1859, Ellen Honorah 1873 and 1887 including the Alma, at 13 and later went to sea with the (Nellie)1861 and a stillborn 1863. Courier, Kirribilli, Atalanta, Violet, merchant navy experiencing many The family were living at Datchett St Nellie, MeMel, Gem, Excelsior, Bald exciting adventures on the high sea, when Ellen Honorah was born. Walter Rock, Lincoln, and a wooden screw having been wrecked several times and Mary Ann later married siblings steamer, the Psyche. and fighting in the American-Mexico in the Dickson family, of Dickson In 1859 John purchased 11 Datchett war of 1847. He joined the Merchant and Son, timber merchants and soap St, Balmain, with a weatherboard Service of New York and also the well manufacturers. John went on to own cottage, near his employer, Mr known Black Ball Line. tugboats on Sydney Harbour, Edward Perdriau, at number 14. According to No record has been found of his became a steamboat proprietor and ‘Walking Coastal Sydney Historical arrival in Australia but before his youngest daughter Ellen married notes April 2011, the street was marriage to Honorah Nugent at St Captain FW Marshall. ‘named after the village of Datchet, Mary’s Cathedral on 13th March 1853, In the early days, John Watson was near Windsor in England, is on land he worked at Jimbour Station on the a waterman, rowing his passengers bought in 1838 by cabinetmaker, Darling Downs, Queensland and was to the city. The Balmain Municipal John Barrett. Much of the land was by 1853/4 working near Broadstairs, Council Souvenir of Balmain 1860 steep and difficult but Barrett tried to Balmain. - 1910 states: ‘The late John Watson maximise his return by creating lots was manager for Mr Perdriau for with 6 metre frontages.’ The first lot some twenty years and in Datchett St contained the well from then he purchased the which all purchasers had the right Bald Rock branch’ and to draw water (Source: Leichhardt became its proprietor. He had the ferry run between Erskine St & Bald Rock on White Bay. There were other ferry Companies before his, but he was first at Bald Rock (near Smith St in White Bay). The 11 Datchett St, today John and Honorah Watson with their children Bald Rock Ferry was 4 Historical Society). The cottage is still There is a growing group in existence. When my mother visited of Watson descendants the house in c1999, she recognised the who are meeting and portrait of John, still hanging on the sharing treasures. wall. The owners very kindly passed it The family Bible and on to Hazel, a direct descendant. Honorah’s wedding ring In 1865 John Watson returned to are two of those treasures. England to collect a large inheritance His descendants are a mixture of lawyers, from his Aunt Sarah Lomax (nee Drawing of Jimbour, artist not known. Watson), which no doubt enabled him to academics, marketers, teachers, purchase a ferry service and build four He died at Jimbour, on 7th October social workers, farmers and more. fine houses in Smith Street, Balmain. 1889, after a long illness, his wife Contact has recently been made with Honorah surviving him by only a a Sydney based descendant of John’s NSW Government records indicate few months, passing away on 17th older brother George, who remained that Balmain subdivisions occurred December 1889. Both were buried at in England in the cabinet making in January 1869, with 14 allotments Waverley Cemetery. With them is their business. made in Smith St, Rosser, Reynolds granddaughter, Lomaxia and other and Mullens St. John was able to The Watson family has links with the members of the family. purchase four allotments in Smith St Marshall, Dickson, Marks, Stewart, and build fine houses for his family An extract from Old Books, Old Friends, Rose, Pollack, Solly, Black, Grinsted, - Gainsborough at 42, Grimsby at Old Sydney by James Tyrell, who was Gibb, Brehaut, Taylor, Campbell and 44 (the nameplate hangs at No.43), born in Darling Street in 1875 states : Higgins families. Jimbour at 47 and a very fine two Balmain was a great place for boys of Footnote: The name ‘Colin’ appears storey house Lincoln, at 49 Smith the Tom Sawyer persuasion in those days to be a middle name added by John Street, Rozelle. (Now 53). ‘Lincoln’ (1880-1887). We lived practically right at some stage in his life. It does not had two carved models of ferries alongside the water, only thirty yards or so appear on his baptism record, but is above the doors, in the front the from the Jetty and linked to the romantic on his death certificate and Will. He ‘Me Mel’ and at the rear the ‘Gem’. world of piracy and adventures on the writes his name as John Colin Watson When built, residents came walking high seas by ships and sailors constantly in the family Bible. coming into the bay. on Sundays from all over Balmain, Contact: Janette Stewart to see the Watson’s mansion in the At times a ferry already ran from [email protected] bush. Of those homes, Gainsborough the Jetty, a paddle wheeler, taking and Jimbour still exist. Grimsby was passengers from Balmain to Erskine demolished in 1890 for extensions to Street and the city. What may be called the Smith Street School and Lincoln Sydney rush to get somewhere in a demolished for flats in the 1980s. hurry is not altogether a latter day John took a lively interest in local development, for even then there were matters and was an Alderman of the always some either running to leap for Balmain Municipal Council between the ferry as it moved off or ready to from 1876 to 1878 He was liberal in Jump ashore before it tied up. Captain his views, generous and kind hearted. Watson who lived in a large house on top of the hill, ran the ferry. He was a man of ships and water, even to the Jimbour, 47 Smith St, today extent of having a ship modelled on the side of the big house up on the hill. The barques and ships of sail have long gone from Johnson’s Bay and the site of my boyhood home, is completely covered by the works of Lever Bros., the soap Gainsborough, 42 Smith St, Balmain - courte- Lincoln, 49 Smith St people. sy Google maps. 5 An interesting story revealed about Elliott St Wharf

When objections were raised to Council’s proposal to demolish the old café/ restaurant on the wharf and Paringa Reserve at the bottom of Elliott St late last year without a Heritage Report, the application was withdrawn and a Statement of Heritage Impact (SHI) prepared. The report relates a story of an approved waiting room, being demolished and rebuilt, turning into a kiosk and then a café and restaurant over the years without the due process we expect today. The report (summarised by me here) was written by Lynette Gurr, using Source SMH - 2/9/1953 research and history by Leonie Mason of HBRS Architecture and the The Elliott Street Wharf kiosk was the extension of the waiting room Balmain Association, through Lyn one of the “odd jobs” identified in the structure to the west as far as the Gerathy Manager of Property and report. According to Hunt’s report seawall. No plans or surveys have yet Commercial Services, Leichhardt, the Balmain Council decided to erect been sourced to confirm the extent of Inner West Council, has kindly been a kiosk to cater for Cockatoo Island the works. given permission to share the story workers at the Elliott Street wharf We then have no information for with members. (the full report on and lease it to J Naylor at a weekly another forty years until 1992 but I Council website PREDA/2016/235) rental of £1.The report in the Sydney do recall in the early 80s buying my In 1885 the Balmain Council applied Morning Herald, 2 September 1953 children icey poles from the kiosk to the Department of Lands for a makes interesting reading. which was open at times of ferry lease for a jetty at Elliott St, this was The kiosk constructed in 1952- visits. The Department of Transport approved and built with the wharf 53 appears to have resulted from notified Council it intended to replace being sublet to the Balmain Steamship the wharf due to its poor and Ferry Company. A diagram from condition. 1886 shows the wharf at the end of We then have no Elliott St at Fig Tree Pt, a fig tree is information for another shown and labelled on the left side of forty years but in 1992 the wharf. Pellegrini wrote to In July 1887 Balmain Council Leichhardt Council seeking commissioned a report on the need approval to undertake for suitable waiting rooms at various renovations to the kiosk, wharves, including Elliott St and upon which they had subleased adoption plans were prepared for from Leichhardt Council Elliott St.. The waiting room was built Above: Waiting room/kiosk date unknown most since 1986. Two DAs were and outlined on the amended detail likely 1970s/80s Leichhardt Council files. lodged and approved in this year for survey of 1891. Below: Source NBRSArchitecture September 2016 internal changes and use as a coffee By 1913, the waiting room at Elliott Street was in a poor state of repair and the Council decided to remove it. There is no record in newspapers of when a new waiting shed was erected in its place at this time. Forty years later in September 1953 a GW Hunt tabled a report to Leichhardt Council investigating possible fraudulent activities in respect of “odd jobs” carried out in the former Balmain Council, by council employees and at no cost. 6 lounge, at a cost of $50,000. In 1993 Pellegrini had a 10 year lease with The replacement will be constructed the Department of Transport notified Council which expired in 2004 and entirely on Council land so there will Council it intended to replace the following a dispute regarding rent be no need for a lease with Roads wharf due to its poor condition. and the construction on Paringa and Maritime. The SHI has not In August 1995, the Council Reserve this was resolved and the given the remaining structure any commissioned a survey which showed lease was extended for one year with a Heritage Significance probably as it alterations to the shed structure substantial rent rise. has grown haphazardly over time, had been carried out, but without Pellegrini continued to hold the lease and the earliest elements still present a Building Certificate, and that the until they elected to vacate in 2015. are from sometime between 1913 and extension approved in the Amended Elliott St Wharf is little used now as 1952. The site is of significant local DA had not occurred. The extensive regular ferries do not visit however importance due to its relationship with renovations had been carried out with the considerable development Cockatoo Island and our waterfront at a cost according to Pellegrini taking place on the Nutrimetics site past. The Balmain Association has of $225,000. The work included this may change in the future. This suggested that the significance be considerable additions encroaching was the only waterfront restaurant acknowledge at the site but the story the adjoining Paringa Reserve, owned on the Peninsula and could be a includes some questionable actions on by Council, but not leased to the successful business. the part of local council over time so Pellegrini. Council appears to have Council is proposing a replacement it will be interesting to see if that will taken no action in respect of the illegal café restaurant building and for its happen. building works. use as a licensed café/restaurant. Carolyn Allen Planning and Heritage Strategic Reference Group - Ray Stevens Ray Stevens is the Director of OIKOS proposal to broaden the scope of comprises: an owner/designer of the Architects and also a member of the the architectural award called the winning property from the previous Balmain Association. He is one of “Marrickville Medal” to include year, a member of the Marrickville local representatives on the Planning the whole IWC with possible name Heritage Society, and a conservation and Heritage Strategic Reference change. I mentioned I have been architect. From Marrickville Council Group of IWC. He attended their lobbying for many years for an award website. first meeting on 9/2/17 and has the as have others and it would be a good In 2006, the Balmain Association following: move to actually have an award. management committee discussed • Reference Group will be bound to Representatives of the Marrickville a similar award in the form of a keep confidential some matters. Heritage Society said they had not Certificate of Appreciation. The idea • Members not to speak on behalf of even been told of the change and they was that we took photos of what we the IWC. (I asked for clarification have been involved in its judging considered appropriate restorations on both these matters as I and others and organization since its inception. and also new buildings. Unfortunately see it as our role to report to the A motion was put to keep the award it seems too many other issues got community as well as participating) in Marrickville but have other ward in the way and no photos were ever based awards as well. • The Group will meet approximately presented! Maybe an opportunity still every 2 months The Marrickville Medal exists. June Lunsmann. • There was some discussion on the This has been awarded for Statement of Vision and Priorities. The Conservation annually since 1995. It Another book launch document is a typical workshopped celebrates built conservation works Little Lost Girl document with typical “motherhood that contribute to the understanding Graham Wilson is a self published statements” with the intent to build and preservation of Marrickville’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. The local author who formerly lived in a platform for the new Council as Balmain and now lives in the Rocks. well as being mandated vision plan. award was one of the first of its kind I managed to have added a few in New South Wales, and coincides He has written 3 novels called the suggestions to the Administrator with the state-wide National Trust ‘Old Balmain House’ Series. These (as there is no Council) to include Heritage Festival. are predominantly set in Balmain from the 1840s to current day and have the recognition that our suburbs are Eligibility to enter the Marrickville been sold overseas as ebooks. This historically, geographically and social Medal is open to all building works, is the second edition produced as a distinct and this should be recognised completed in the preceding three print book and launched on Thursday and encouraged. There is no such years, which can be described 23 February, at the Watch House. It thing as a “Community of the Inner as having positive conservation is a work of fiction. However many West” as yet. outcomes. Conservation could locations and parts of the history of • John Stamolis is also a member of include any of the following Balmain are true. The idea began soon the Group. John raised the issue that approaches: preservation, restoration, after purchasing a much loved cottage the Planning and Heritage Committees reconstruction, adaptation or in Balmain where a sepia photo of a were separate under LMC and this interpretation. Large or small, small girl who lived in the house about may be a consideration further down private or public; the judges look for 100 years ago, was found. the track. thoughtful and innovative outcomes. Cost: $20 at the Watch House, Brays • There was discussion about the The three-person judging panel Balmain, Gleebooks and Abbeys. 7 What’s on at the Watch House www.balmainassociation.org.au

APRIL National Trust Heritage Festival 2017 National Trust Heritage Festival Having a Voice MAY Balmain Speaks Out Saturday 6 and Sunday 7, 10am to 4pm The Balmain Association is presenting this exhibition about the protests and ‘First by 4’ struggles over the years that helped to preserve our heritage, our history and our This is the first group exhibition by four community. Issues such as ferry services, container terminal, coal loader, army at Sydney artists, drawn together through Mort Bay, Mort Housing development, the five sites etc. etc. Also early days of interconnecting and longstanding protest and advocacy by people such as Maybanke Anderson who lived in Wharf Rd friendships and their backgrounds in and later produced a fortnightly paper, Woman’s Voice, in 1890s. graphic design. It will highlight the If you have a story, some photos that you would like included in the exhibition individual nature of their artistic paths please contact one of the following. Email: [email protected] or and the inspiration they find in all that phone Kathleen 9818 4954, Ross 9810 8592 surrounds them. The exhibition will be open during April on Saturdays 8, 15, 22 and 29, Opening Friday 5, 6-9pm All welcome. 11.30 to 3pm and Tuesdays 11, 18, 25 11am to 1pm. Thursday 11 to Sunday 14, 10am - 4pm Dan Gild goes Solo Danielle Gild exhibits her latest works in this solo exhibition. Through layers of colour and a degree of abstraction, these works expressively interpret landscape, responses to her urban and domestic world in acrylics on both canvas and paper. Dan has also found a passion for ceramics and will be showing some of her works in clay. Saturday 20 and Sunday 21, 10am - 4pm Sandy & Sandy Sandy & Sandy are two artists who have been friends since art school days. They create affordable art based on all aspects of life and scenes from Balmain to Ryde and west of the blue mountains. Their painterly styles are complemented by their love of colour and light. Come along! Rally to save Ballast Point Opening Friday 19th 6-8pm All welcome Lost voices in Callan Park Saturday 27 10am to 6pm and Sunday Sunday 23 April – Sunday 7 May 2017 28 10am to 4pm Come and see what makes Callan Park ‘LADIES IN ART’ so Special. This Outdoor exhibition Fiona Davis, Suzanne Fredericks, Kerri highlights history and attachment Kerley, Marlysse Medina, Mollie Pegler, to Callan Park and Broughton Hall. Julie Percy, Helen Ross Exhibition is installed across the Seven complementary artists showing landscape with a guided tour on day works depicting colour, movement, one, then self-guided – take a leaflet and emotion and diversity juxtaposed with meander. grace. Their individual personalities Guided tour: On opening day, 23 April - portray their artistic journeys in various Photo courtesy Lyn Latella forms and techniques. $20.00 meet at 2.00 at NSW Writers’ Centre Opening Friday 26, 6 - 8pm All welcome Bookings: Essential by 22 April https://www.trybooking.com/258777 Saturday 3 June, Sunday 4 and Saturday Questions: [email protected] 10 and Sunday 11, 10am-4.30pm. VOICES FROM AN ISLAND The Balmain Association Inc Representing Balmain, Birchgrove and Rozelle Works on paper by Helen Brancatisano Our aims are to: The Balmain Association meets on the first This exhibition is the culmination of •Improve the living, working and Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm in the research into the turbulent history of recreational amenities of our area; Watch House, 179 Darling Street Balmain. the ‘Biloela’ Industrial School for Girls •maintain all features having natural, MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. established on Cockatoo Island in 1871. architectural and or historical value of the The History Room at the Watch House is The works, including etchings, monotypes area and keep a permanent collection of open every Saturday from 11:30-3 and mixed media, strive to evoke the historical interest; and Tuesday from 11am to 1 pm. haunting human presence of those now •seek the cooperation of everyone Postal: PO Box 57, Balmain 2041. absent, linking us to our past. concerned in the realization of the above. Material from this newsletter is not to be Opening Friday 2, 6 to 8.30pm reproduced without acknowledgement. All welcome. 8