Willoughby History Chatters

VOLUME 42, NUMBER 6

WILLOUGHBY HISTORY CHATTERS

DECEMBER 2015

WILLOUGHBY DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC.

WILLOUGHBY DHS: SHAP ING OUR FUTURE INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The Willoughby District Histor- M U S E U M 2 ical Society as with most oth- REPORT er voluntary community- based organisations, has ex- BOOK REVIEW 3 perienced declining member- P I C T O R I A L ship and a lack of volunteers WILLOUGHBY to maintain our activities. A F R E N C H 4 We looked at these issues in CONNECTION 2010 when our strategic plan and collection policy for the 4 museum were prepared. Five years down the track, we need to revisit an assessment 5 of where we are at and how we need to address the challenges ahead. As listed on page 6, the man- F R O M T H E 6 agement committee will meet ARCHIVES at the Museum on Thursday 6 January to assess our challenges and plan our activities CONTACT 6 for 2016. Members and DETAILS friends who would like to make contributions at this C O M I N G 6 session are welcome. EVENTS The issue we need to address include updating our constitu- tion in line with legislative changes and the evolving COMING EVENTS challenges we face; updating our strategic plan; and plan- Saturday 6 December: ning our next exhibition at the Members’ Christmas Museum. Party at the Museum (See page 6 for details) In the meanwhile, we look forward to catching up with The Home Front: How members and friends at our Willoughby families annual Christmas Party at the copes 1913–1920 at the Willoughby Museum on Sun- Willoughby Museum (see day 6 December. Please RSVP TOP: The ‘Dog House’ that was presented to Mayor Noel Reidy in page 6). to us by phone or email as 1978 (following a ‘captain;s call’ at a cricket match and which was peer the contacts on page 6. subsequently brought into council meetings, as aldermen who misbe- haved were symbolically sent to the ‘Dog House’. BOTTOM: The precision bowls measure formerly owned Northbridge Bowling Club that was donated to the Museum by Paul Storm. See page 2 for additional information. WILLOUGHBY HISTORY C HATTERS Page 2

UPDATE ON THE MUSEUM

Our small band of volunteers have continued work on collection management tasks over the past two months.

Following the Place Marking exhibition, attention has been focused on identifying, assessing and document- ing the large lace collection we have at the museum. Mary Thom and Margaret McNaught have been undertaking this task with assistance from Mary Green of the Cavalcade of Fashion. Most of the significant items have been as- sessed and documented in an Excel file, which will be added to our MOSA- iC database. Bob McKillop has scanned and en- tered a number of early postcards and A drawer with items from our lace collection at the Willoughby Museum similar memorabilia into MOSAiC, together with some interesting objects that have recently been donated. These include:  Three items donated by former Willoughby Mayor Noel Reidy; namely a large paining of Innisfall- en Castle by Joan Dent, which was commissioned by Council as a raf- fle prize, but was not required for this purpose; a commemorative plate depicting a scenes inside the Hallstrom refrigerator factory creat- ed by Sir Edward’s daughter, Jean Hill; and the miniature dog kennel that featured in Willoughby Council chambers from 1976 when aldermen wee ‘sent to the dog house’;  The sign from Legacy House dating

from 1972, donated by Bill Whyte, The Hallstrom commemorative plate No. 6 by Jean Hill depicting the enamelling furnace a resident at Windsor Gardens; and  A 1966 precision bowls measure from Northbridge Bowling Club donated by Paul Storm. VOLUME 42, NUMBER 6 Page 3

PICTORIAL HISTORY WILLOUGHBY REVIEW: BY ROB WILSON

ommissioned by Willoughby City Library, the Kingsclear C publication of a Pictorial Histo- ry Willoughby is timely in the Willoughby City LGA's 150th year. Written by the Willoughby District Historical Society's Bob McKillop, in conjunction with material supplied by the Library's Local History Section and other contributors, it is an im- portant work in recording our region's distinct development from the days of the First Fleet Settlement to the busy, diverse and vibrant residential and business area we are today. While parts of Willoughby LGA featured in an earlier Kingsclear publication on the Lower North Shore by Catherine Warne, this book concen- trates within our defined Willoughby City boundaries. Many of the wonderful photographs are from the Library Local History The development of Willoughby's this book will be an invaluable re- Section, viewable on the web at various suburbs and their specific source for understanding the place ‘Picture Willoughby’ and also from characteristics, such as market gar- we call home. the Willoughby District Historical So- dens, dairying, tanneries, industries, ciety's collection. education and cultural forms Let us hope that the current "Policy" of the state government towards The book begins by describing are then detailed including the built Willoughby’s landforms, the original form of Willoughby that today form council amalgamations does not many of our Heritage and Conserva- Cammeraygal inhabitants, the begin- make this fine book a memorial to tion Areas. ning of the land grants, the early tim- what we know today as the City of ber-getter settlers and Eliza Davies’ For many, those who were born here Willoughby. first public school. to those who have come to live here,

PICTORIAL HISTORY WILLOUGHBY at the Museum

As now listed on the WDHS website, we now have copies of Pictorial Histo- ry Willoughby available for sale at our Museum Shop and copies will be available for purchase at the Mem- bers’ Christmas function on 6 Decem- ber. The cost is $25, plus xx for packaging and postage if you require us to send the book. WILLOUGHBY HISTORY C HATTERS Page 4

A FRENCH CONNECTION by Catherine [Herring] Williams

ames Harris French was a The election for aldermen was held on 16 provided £100 [$16,000 in 2014 prominent citizen in the found- December 1865 and the first council terms] each to James’ sister-in-law El- J ing of the Municipality of North meeting was on 1 January 1866 in a len French, niece Mary French and Willoughby on 23 October 1865. He ‘barely furnished slab hut’ located behind nephews Michael and Henry French. was born in Dorset, England, to James a cottage on the corner of today’s Pens- Mary French married Robert William and Mary French in 1817. hurst and Penkivil Streets. The prominent Carr and they built a brick house with their inheritance at 54 High Street land holder J W Bligh was elected as the James junior arrived in Sydney on the (later renumbered 48) around 1895. As first chairman, with his fellow aldermen Alfred in January 1841 as the age of Mary suffered bad varicose veins in her 23 and he married Mary Tiffin, the being John Bryson, James Harris French, legs, there were no steps in the new daughter of the prominent Jamaican Thomas McClelland, James Reid and house. It had a large backyard garden Billy Blue on 10 August 1842. By 1844 George Trickett. with numerous fruit trees. he was a trustee of the Presbyterian The French family Robert Carr worked at Willoughby Coun- Schoolhouse at St Leonards and in cil, initially as a labourer and then as James’ younger brother, Henry (born in overseer. And his projects included June 1851 he was sworn in as a Spe- 1919), followed his brother to Australia a strengthening Flat Rock Bridge for cial Constable and Ranger of Crown few years after James, settling at Spring trams in the 1890s. Robert (or Bob) Lands under Simon Pearce, the Crown Creek in South Australia. He married Ellen subsequently built the boatshed at Cas- Lands Bailiff. Riordan in February 1851 and they had tlecrag which is still in use today. James and his family lived in the fine five children: Catherine (1851), Michael Ellen French died at Coolonglonk in home Paradise, situated in 40 acres of (1853), Mary (1854) Caroline (1855) and 1915 and her son Henry French died land adjoining Alpha Road in Willough- Henry (1859). Tragically Henry died in there in December 1915. Her son Mi- chael died at the Royal North Shore by and the road which led up to his May 1859 when he was thrown from his Hospital in April 1922, and her daugh- home was subsequently named horse on the way home from work. When ter Mary Carr died at Willoughby in Sep- Frenchs Road. Together with land on he didn’t return home, Ellen went looking tember 1939. Mary and Michael are Tenilba Road in today’s Northbridge, for him, but she had poor eyesight and buried at Roockwood Cemetery. he owned 100 acres in Willoughby. did not see him lying injured near a fence. Robert William Carrr died at Willoughby Willoughby Council He caught a chill and died a few days in January 1942. He is buried at North- later. ern Suburbs Cemetery with his youngest During 1865, the residents of daughter, Rosemary O’Toole, who died Willoughby organised a petition to be Ellen stayed on in South Australia for sev- in 1941. His second youngest , Caro- eral years, but her failing sight caused her sent to Sir John Young, the Governor of line Myrtle Carr died at the Castlecrag to contact her brother-in-law in Sydney. New South Wales, requesting him to Private Hospital in July 1977. She was issues a decree for the area to become She travelled to Sydney by boat with her cremated at the Northern Suburbs a borough with its own council. The three surviving children (Michael, Mary Crematorium and her ashes were scat- meeting to organise the petition was and Henry) and met up with James Harris tered in the garden of the family home. held at James Harris French’s home, French at Willoughby. Ellen and her The French and Carr families made sig- Paradise, and he would play a signifi- youngest son Henry subsequently moved nificant contributions to the Municipality (now City) of Willoughby, with Frenchs cant role in the establishment of the up the coast to Coolongolook near Taree. Road being named after James French. council. Ellen married George Tompsett in 1870. The family of Robert and Mary Carr Some 67 local residents signed the James Harris French died at his home mostly lived and worked in Willoughby petition and the Municipality of North Paradise in Alpha Road on 3 March 1893 in the tanning, shoe repair and building at the age of 76. He was buried at the Willoughby was formally proclaimed by trades. Wesleyan Church on the corner of Lane Their grandchildren, great grandchildren the Governor in the Government Ga- Cove Road (now Pacific Highway) and and great great grandchildren acknowl- zette of 25 October 1865. It was the Mowbray Road. His will stipulated that the edged James’ contribution to Willough- first local government to be incorpo- land be sold and the proceeds used to by on the 100th anniversary of his rated on the North Shore, but just 400 purchase land in Frenchs Road for the death in March 1993. people lived within its borders. building of church and also covered the cost of building materials. The will also VOLUME 42, NUMBER 6 Page 5

WIRRINGULLA AND THE PARADISE EST ATE

On 25 September 2015 residents of Paradise Avenue Roseville, together with neighbouring properties in Bound- ary and William Streets, celebrated 100 years since subdivision of part of the land originally owned by Maude Fitzhardinge. Certificate of Title Volume 1170 Folio 228 dated 30 August 1895 shows MAUDE FITZHARDING,E wife of James Frederic Fitzhardinge of North Sydney, Solicitor; as owner of land at Chats- wood in the Parish of Willoughby con- taining four acres two roods, frontage 331 feet 7 inches to William Street, depth of 590ft 10½inches along Dar- ling St, rear to Albert Street (now Boundary Street) of 332ft, being part of Section 2 of the Township of North Sydney. It was also part of 600 acres originally granted to John Stirling by Crown Grant dated 17 May 1850. Council rate book for 1895 shows a new house occupied by Wm Huig, while Sands Directory for 1910 lists the house as Wiringulla in the name of J F Fitzhardinge. On 2 October 1914, the land de- scribed above was transferred from Maude Fitzhardinge to Emanuel Silva of Sydney Esquire and the Paradise Estate Subdivision was put on the market on 25 September 1915 with Hugh Duff & Company as auctioneers. Wir- ingulla remained on a 241 feet frontage to William Street and extended to Darling Street on the east and Para- dise Avenue to the north. The stately Wirringulla still exist today.

ABOVE: Hugh Duff & Co’s advertisement for the Paradise Estate auction on 25 Septem- ber 1915. Willoughby City Library Services. BELOW: Paradise Avenue on 5 August 1938. David Warner collection, Willoughby Museum, WAR.1993.779 FROM THE ARCHIVES Page 6 CONTACTS

WDHS Management Committee:

President: Paul Storm (9419 7354) Vice-President: Mary Thom Secretary: Terry Fogarty a/Treasurer: Bob McKillop Committee Members: Joan Antarakis, Brian Day, Don Swonnell Patron: Gail Giles-Gidney, Mayor of Willoughby Newsletter Editor: Bob McKillop Willoughby Museum Our museum is located at Boronia, 58 Johnson Street, Chatswood. Opening hours: 1-4pm each Sunday.

Admission $5 adults; $4 concession; $2 child, $10 family. Group tours by appoint- ment. Note: the museum will be closed from 7 December to 31 January 2016 for COMING EVENTS the holiday period.

Members’ Meetings WDHS management committee and other members will be workshop- Held at the ‘Willoughby Room’, WILLOUGHBY DISTRICT ping our future plans for 2016 and HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC. Willoughby City Library at The beyond at the Museum. Please con- Concourse, commencing at 2pm tact us is you would like to attend or on the second Saturday of even have any suggestions for strength- 58 Johnson Street, Chatswood 2067 months (except December). ening our museum and activities. Visitors welcome. Willoughby Museum in 2016: Our Phone: (02) 9410 3203 Saturday 13 February 2016: current exhibition, The Home Front E-mail contact: [email protected] Willoughby DHS Annual General Editor: [email protected] Meeting, together with a guest 1913–1920: How Willoughby fami- speaker (further details in next lies coped, will remain in place until Website: www.willoughbydhs.org.au issue). late March 2016. The theme for the 2016 National Trust Heritage Festi- Tours & Events val is ‘Discoveries and Rediscover- NOTICE TO MEMBERS ies’ and we are currently finalising a Sunday 6 December: Willoughby At our October general meeting, the issue DHS Christmas Party at the Mu- new exhibition for opening in April. was put to the 12 members present regard- seum, 58 Johnson Street, Chats- NOTE: We do not currently have any ing a possible change in the days on which wood at 2pm. We will have our tours scheduled for 2016, but we our General Meetings should be held. This usual poetry reading and mem- are seeking feedback from mem- was raised on account of the heavy traffic in bers are request to bring a plate bers on locations of historic interest Chatswood on Saturdays, so the option of of sandwiches or delicacies to that you might like to visit on a weekday meetings was put to the meeting. share at the event. We look for- group tour, together with new kinds Those present at the meeting voted to retain ward to catching up with you at of events that could be held at the Museum. Please contact us by the present days and times, but the Commit- this time. email or phone re your ideas. tee feels that all members need to be in- Thursday 14 January 2016 volved in any change. Please contact us with WDHS planning meeting: The your view on the most suitable time/times for meetings.