NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Botany Police Station c.1938

In the “Year of COVID”, for the first time there will As Chair and feeling very unconfident, I had hoped be no AGM or Christmas Function, a sad reality that the November Meeting would be ‘normal’ but resulting from the Pandemic! It is thought the again we had to manage through a mixture of those COVID-19 Pandemic began in Wuhan, China towards who could attend in person and those using “Teams”. the end of 2019 but its short and long term effects, The Executive expresses its thanks to Council and internationally, nationally and locally have been tragic especially to Bobbi Mayne (Manager Customer and a great test of national unity and community Experience) and Leonie Maher (Administrative spirit. Officer Customer Service) for their assistance, Who would have or could have thought that after expertise and patience. the initial Executive Meeting in February that there In spite of the many difficulties this year with the would be no talks or excursions, in fact nothing ‘virus’ and the challenges of technology, the BHT occurred this year? The catastrophic bushfires has seen some real achievements. Because we were dominated the news of late 2019 and early 2020 but unable to fulfil our usual program of events, the that soon changed! Executive has concentrated on saving and preserving The BHT Executive met twice in February, one a our precious primary sources. After much discussion scheduled Meeting and the second an Extraordinary and perseverance, Council has agreed to employ Meeting to deal with our invaluable Archives and a specialist in Community Heritage to research, other historical memorabilia. Our May Meeting was locate, assess, evaluate, archive and preserve cancelled due to COVID and our August Meeting a Botany’s primary source materials, documents and ‘trial’, as some Executive Members were physically artefacts, so that they are saved and available to present though socially distanced at Mascot Library the community and future historians. The person with others participating virtually online, virtually appointed has amazing qualifications and will begin through “Teams”. in February 2021. We believe this to be a real ‘historic’ achievement and again thank Council and especially Bobbi Mayne for pursuing our case.

2 | Bayside Council Despite COVID and its implications for group Four Executive Members also represented the BHT gatherings the Annual Nancy Hillier Lecture did take at a Meeting in Eastgardens Library, along with place albeit online. Dr John Carr (UNSW) replaced Members from the Randwick Historical Society and Associate Professor Paul Brown this year. Paul has the Cape Banks Family History Group. The Meeting been a staunch supporter and promoter of the Lecture was organised by Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries from the beginning and Dr Carr is a worthy and NSW to discuss current and future burial practices enthusiastic successor. Dr Carr organised several and other community uses of Botany Cemetery. It is expert speakers mainly linked to UNSW and the possible and hoped for that down the track the Trust Lecture is available online. It was disappointing for will participate in taking guided tours around Botany organisers as Botany Town Hall, a more or less second Cemetery. home to the late and amazing environmentalist Nancy Hillier was to bring the Lecture back to the people There have also been some notable ‘losses’ this year. and its ‘roots’ but that is yet another dire outcome of Again, because of COVID the Annual Ron Rathbone COVID. In 2021, Nancy’s Memorial Lecture will be “at History Awards had to be postponed till 2021 though home”, in Botany where it all began. I believe potential entries from this year will still be eligible. I am also delighted to tell Members that the NSW Geographical Names Board has agreed to the The worst ‘losses’ and another tragic outcome have renaming of Hillier Park Botany as Nancy Hillier been Development approvals given by the Bayside Park. A ceremony to honour our local environmental Local Planning Committee, a State appointed ‘warrior’ with a plinth and attached plaque noting instrumentality that can and has gone against Nancy’s life and achievements took place on Saturday Council decisions. The ‘mega’ developments around 5 December 2020. the Holden Pagewood site are sadly obvious to all but the proliferation of developments along Botany In the same vein, as suggested by Ron Hoenig MP Road, Botany is also of enormous concern! After more for Heffron and Life Patron of the Trust and with than a year of discussions, submissions, protests the support of Council, the Geographical Names and hearings, the Local Bayside Planning Panel Board has also been asked to rename Eastlakes gave permission to a unit development at 1445–1447 Reserve as Jack Mundey Reserve. Jack Mundey, Botany Road, despite the destruction of a heritage President of the BLF, “Father of the Green Bans” cottage on the site. This permission has paved the way was hugely responsible along with his Union and the for undoubted massive development along Botany local community for saving Eastlakes Reserve from Road, with 1449 almost certain to get approval, becoming yet another high-density development. It is quoting 1445–1447 as precedent. Many more are more than fitting that he be honoured and Eastlakes sure to follow despite the opposition of Council and Reserve take his name! supported by the Trust.

Unveiling of Nancy Hillier Park and Interpretative Sign Saturday 5 December 2020

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 3 The preservation of the old Botany Police Station, To use a cliché, 2020 has been somewhat surreal ’s oldest and the nearby heritage boarding and the immediate future, despite lifting of some house may prove a real battle in the future! The restrictions and openings of borders cannot be Executive has plans to seek the cooperation of Local considered ‘normal’ or more descriptively the ‘new Members and one very relevant State body to preserve normal’! It is humbling to realise that a century on at least the Police Station. Hopefully, the boarding from the infamous and rather inaccurately titled house will become part of the campaign to begin in “Spanish ‘Flu” that nature not science is still the early 2021! dominant force. Certainly because of better food, medicine and hygiene, the mortality rate is nothing As explained previously, due to the restrictions like that of the Great Pandemic although the imposed by COVID-19, sadly there will be no AGM ignorance of some so-called great powers has been or Christmas Function this year but the Executive unforgiveable in spreading the virus. is considering alternative arrangements for 2021 including perhaps a “Christmas in July” or even In conclusion, I would again like to thank Members, earlier? the Executive, Council and Council Staff, in particular Bobbi Mayne and Leonie Maher for their continued On a positive note, I believe our Newsletters have interest and support. been outstanding this year, arguably the best ever and a tribute to Leonie Maher for her dedication, genuine interest and sheer hard work. Anne-Maria Slattery BHT President

Wishing Everybody A Safe, Healthy and Happy Christmas and 2021

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Anne-Maria Slattery President Jacqueline Milledge Alice McCann Senior Vice-President Peter Orlovich Christopher Hanna Vice President Barbara Keeley Robert Hanna Secretary Councillor Dorothy Rapisardi Richard Smolenski Treasurer Councillor Scott Morrissey

2021 Meeting Schedule : 1 February, 3 May, 2 August and 1 November

4 | Bayside Council THE 2020 BHT CHRISTMAS QUIZ | 30 Questions/30 Answers

1. What was the first song ever broadcast from space?

2. Rolf Harris sang about 6 white ‘boomers’ pulling Santa’s sleigh. What is a ‘boomer’?

3. What aspect of Christmas reminds children of the shepherds who visited Baby Jesus?

4. In 1953, who sang the hit song “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas”?

5. True or false? Do reindeer have antlers?

6. In the song “Jingle Bells”, how many horses pulled the sleigh?

7. Who helps Santa make the toys at the North Pole?

8. What Christmas beverage is also known as ‘milk punch’?

9. Christmas Island off the coast of Western Australia has an annual migration of which animals?

10. What Christmas tradition began in in 1938?

11. Who wrote the story “A Christmas Carol”?

12. In what town was Jesus born?

13. How many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh?

14. Name Santa’s reindeer.

15. In the song “The 12 Days of Christmas”, how many maids were milking?

16. Which Christmas themed ballet premiered in Russia in 1892?

17. Which grumpy American President banned Christmas trees in the White House?

18. What is the highest grossing Christmas movie?

19. “Miracle on 34th Street” is based on which real New York City department store?

20. In Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song”, who was Santa Claus kissing under the Christmas tree?

21. Unlike prawns, what Christmas food can be kept for a long time after Christmas?

22.In what modern day country was Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) born?

23. What are the names of the Three Wise Men?

24. In what Christmas holiday movie does Donald Trump have a cameo part?

25. Whose eyes were made of coal?

26. What star sign are you if you were born on Christmas Day?

27. In what country did the tradition of the Christmas tree originate?

28. In what year did Google begin tracking Santa Claus?

29. What colour Christmas did Elvis Presley sing about?

30. In the Australian version of “Jingle Bells”, what kind of transport replaces Santa’s “open sleigh”?

WHAT IS YOUR SCORE ...... / 30 Answers will be found elsewhere in this Newsletter. Try not to take a peek before completing the Quiz! Good luck and have a very Merry Christmas.

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 5 CHRISTMAS AT WA R

Artist’s Impression Illustrated London News 1915

The Christmas Truce was a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front around Christmas 1914 even though one of the most popular sayings of 1914 was that “the war would be over by Christmas”.

It was a short peace in a terrible war. As the Great War resumed, it wreaked such destruction and devastation that soldiers became hardened to the brutality of the war. While there were occasional moments of peace throughout the rest of World War I, they never again came on the scale of the Christmas Truce in 1914.

The phenomenon took different forms across the Western Front. One account mentions a British soldier having his hair cut by his pre-war German barber; another talks of a pig-roast. Several mention impromptu “kick-abouts” with makeshift soccer balls, although, contrary to popular legend, it seems unlikely that there were any organised matches.

6 | Bayside Council Roughly 100,000 British and German troops were involved in the informal cessations of hostility along the Western Front. The Germans placed candles on their trenches and on Christmas trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols. The British responded by singing carols of their own. The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were excursions across “No Man’s Land”, where small gifts were exchanged, such as food, tobacco, alcohol and souvenirs, such as buttons and hats. The artillery in the region fell silent and the truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently killed soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Joint services were held and in many sectors, the truce lasted through Christmas night, continuing until New Year’s Day in others.

The following excerpts written by soldiers give us an insight into their experiences during the Christmas Truce.

“I remember the silence, the eerie sound of silence,” one veteran from the Fifth Battalion the Black Watch, Alfred Anderson, later recalled. “It was a short peace in a terrible war.”

WWI Christmas Truce Front Line - Imperial War Museum

“First the Germans would sing one of their carols and then we would sing one of ours, until when we started up ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ the Germans immediately joined in singing the same hymn to the Latin words ‘Adeste Fideles’. And I thought, well, this is really a most extraordinary thing, two nations both singing the same carol in the middle of a war.”

British soldier, Murdoch M. Wood thought “I then came to the conclusion that I have held very firmly ever since, that if we had been left to ourselves there would never have been another shot fired.”

Adolf Hitler, then a Corporal of the 16th Bavarians, saw it differently: “Such a thing should not happen in wartime,” he is said to have remarked. “Have you no German sense of honour?”

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 7 Botany Voluntary Aid Detachment. Image courtesy of Bayside Libraries (Community History Collection)

As we all know, the temporary ceasefire of the In more concrete terms, the Botany area grew after “Christmas Truce” did not last, three more Christmas the war in a myriad of ways. The development of Days would come and go before the Armistice of 1918, Daceyville, for example, had started in 1912 but had and by then a new crisis would already be unfolding. been delayed by the war. In the years that followed, the This new crisis, the 1919 Influenza Pandemic, has been development of ‘Daceyville No. 2’ began, eventually referred to again and again this year as we all attempt becoming the suburb of Pagewood. to grapple with COVID-19. Industry and technology also developed rapidly Regular readers of this Newsletter will remember the in the 1920s, the construction of the Bunnerong research of Jenny MacRitchie on the impact of “the Power Station started in 1927, while the increasing wretched flu” in Botany and Mascot: the difficulties importance of aviation meant the expansion of imposed by the quarantine, the local inoculation the Mascot Aerodrome. This in turn assisted the clinics, the public education campaigns, and the grief development of the surrounding Mascot area, leading caused by the many deaths. But regular readers will to new businesses, new opportunities and a growing also know that History demonstrates that both wars population. and pandemics have been common in the past, and that countries can not only survive them, but can At the same time, new local churches and schools were thrive in their aftermath. being built, expanded or significantly refurbished. Mascot Public School, Daceyville Public School, St Locally and nationally, the soldiers returned home, Michael’s Catholic School and Banksmeadow Public the influenza pandemic was gradually brought under School are all prime examples. Mascot School of Arts control, and the 1920s turned into a remarkable period thrived in the early 1920s. New entertainment venues of growth and change. For women, especially, the opened, including the Marina Theatre in Gardeners social changes brought about by the War were a step Road, Rosebery. In 1920 a new Sir Joseph Banks Hotel towards a more equal role in the political and economic was built to replace the original 1844 building. life of the nation.

8 | Bayside Council 1920 Marina Theatre In Gardeners Road, Rosebery

Land for Sir Joseph Banks Park was purchased in the 1920s, and planning and development began on Jellicoe Park. Mascot Memorial Park was also built in the early 1920s; in fact, the foundation stone for its Memorial was laid on the 4 December 1920.

The centenary of the laying of the foundation stone brings us full circle. The stone was laid by the Mayor of Mascot, Alderman Thomas Hicks. As BHT President Anne Slattery noted in the May newsletter, the Mayor’s son, Hector Hicks, had survived the war only to die from the “Spanish Flu” in November 1919. The solace of history lies in its ability to show us that no matter what disaster, tragedy or conflict befalls us, it will pass, and when it does, we can do more than recover: we can thrive, we can grow, and we can prosper.

Hector Hicks, courtesy of Kathryn White

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 9 JJ Cahill Memorial High School HONOUR ✦ EXCELLENCE ✦ RESPONSIBILITY ✦ OPPORTUNITY 60th ANNIVERSARY – 24 MARCH 2021

On 24 March 2021, JJ Cahill As plans for the new education Memorial High will celebrate reforms evolved, the President its 60th Anniversary, its of Gardeners Rd Public School Diamond Jubilee. Following P&C, the wonderful Miss Norrie is a précis of the School’s Braithwaite and the local community began agitating for History. a local high school, basically for equal opportunity for children Background from Botany Municipality. When it opened on 24 March 1961, JJ There was no high school, Cahill Memorial High was one of Government, Catholic or the first six co-ed, comprehensive Independent in the former high schools built in NSW, ready Municipality of Botany until 24 for the new education system when March 1961. Students leaving it was introduced in 1967. The first Primary School, who lived in students walked from Gardeners Botany, Daceyville, Eastlakes, Rd to JJ Cahill carrying their Pagewood, Mascot or Rosebery chairs! had to travel to Cleveland St Boys, Dover Heights Girls’, Randwick in NSW with Memorial as part Boys’ or Girls’ or Sydney Boys’ or The Opening of their name, Parkes Memorial Girls’ depending on their academic Ceremony High and JJ Cahill Memorial ability as assessed at the end of High, named for both men’s Year 6 (6th Class then). The Opening Ceremony was a extraordinary contributions to star-studded event with official Children who did not fit perfectly their State. Joe Cahill was born guests including the NSW Premier in Redfern in 1891, the son of into that category attended junior Bob Heffron, Local Federal high school at either Daceyville or Irish immigrants and left school and State MPs, the Minister at age fifteen. He started as an Gardeners Road Public Schools, for Education Ernie Wetherell, where they learned useful trades as apprentice fitter for NSW Railways the Mayor of Botany, Army and lived through the Conscription well as a basic academic education. representatives, the Director of The final exam till 1967 was the Campaign and General Strike NSW Education, Public Service of World War I. Joe Cahill never Leaving Certificate and it was a Chiefs and of course, members of five-year course strictly geared to forgot his background and his the Cahill Family led by Joe Cahill’s ideals of God and family nor his university entrance and entrance widow, Mrs Esmey Cahill. There to the Public Service. In 1967, the passion for engineering. JJ Cahill were Cadets and a choir for this became Labor Premier of NSW Higher School Certificate was splendid occasion. introduced under the Wyndham in April 1952 and died in office in Scheme and children were no JJ Cahill Memorial High was October 1959. He is remembered longer locked in or out of tertiary named for the late Premier of for so many things, especially education at the age of twelve. NSW, John Joseph (Joe) Cahill, the building of the Sydney Opera who died 18 months before the House and is a great role model for School opened. students of the School named for him. There are only two high schools

10 | Bayside Council Australian Womens Weekly 14 June 1961

Demography Standards Achievements

The original school population was There has always been a strong There have been extraordinary mainly “old” Botany but within a expectation that “JJ” students achievements over the past 60 short time, the growing numbers develop a sense of individual years, academically, in the sporting of migrants settling in the area, responsibility and community field and culturally. So many especially in Mascot saw a huge spirit as well as achieving their doctors, nurses and lawyers, a change to the intake of students. absolute personal “best”. The judge, a magistrate and several School Motto is in Latin as was politicians, State and Local plus a Local work opportunities drew the fashion of the day: Virtutis nationally known comedian and migrant families to the many Gratia Virtus or Do What is Right an up and coming filmmaker are local industries. Mascot and Because it is Right! Excellence, among the wonderful alumnae of its surrounds were close to the Respect and Opportunity are the “JJ”. City, the Airport, beaches, good key principles. Uniform has always hospitals and the relatively new been important and the original There are also business success UNSW. Cheap shopping, sporting students, really the girls were given stories and excellent tradespersons facilities and parks were other the opportunity to design their but perhaps the School’s greatest attractions, plus the high-density own uniform. Blazers, hats and achievement is the quality of its ex- development of Eastlakes both gloves were de rigeur. The original students, rich and famous, known Government and private provided uniform was quite spectacular and or unknown, struggling, perhaps growing numbers of students. By remained unchanged till the mid- even poor in material terms but the 1970s, there was a huge Greek 70s but there have been several whose loyalty to School, family and component and the migrant trend modifications since to adapt to our community is strong and lasting continues today, though the Pacific changing world and the needs of and invaluable! To quote part of the Islands, SE Asia and the Middle School Song, “And down through students. East are probably the dominant the years the lessons we’ve learned groups now. here, will leave us with memories that never will die.” For a more definitive account of the School’s achievement just search the Internet. You will be both amazed and admiring!

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 11 Unique to “JJ” ✦ Netball, Basketball, Softball ✦ “The Botany Compact”, and Volleyball Champions over a unique and pioneering 1. Cultural Highlights many years Education-Business Link that began at “JJ” in 1989 ✦  ✦  The great tradition of A School Captain, who was also partnering the School originally drama with the ”Opera” or the 18 and Under World Karate with 20 local companies fabulous Gilbert and Sullivan Champion ranging from solicitors performances of the 60s and ✦  to Qantas. The Compact early ‘70s The legendary Sister School visits to Mt Austin High in eventually encompassed seven ✦ The Musicals including Wagga other Schools, Government and “Bye-Bye Birdie”, which won Catholic and 45 companies, all a State award 3. “JJ” Vocabulary organised through JJ Cahill MHS. The School won two ✦  ✦ The Dramas such as “The Banquet” - the Year 12 Director General’s Awards “Arsenic and Old Lace” Formal till c. 1975 and the scheme was extended statewide. ✦ International Nights ✦ “The Opera” - any School musical performance till c. 1976 ✦ The incomparable “Rock Buildings and Eisteddfods”, 1989 – 1996 ✦ “The Exeat Book” - the triplicated form allowing a Refurbishments ✦ Music, music, music student to leave Class. Students Originally there were three major were always confused by EXIT ✦ The Dances in the 70s and 80s blocks plus a Hall, a “Manual signs and thought the word was and yes, ACDC did perform at Arts” building, an armoury for misspelled! “JJ” the cadets, toilets and of course ✦ “The Periodical” - the 6 Weekly the Administration Office, which ✦ The Clock i.e. the automated Report Book on EVERY was famously built back to front so electric bell that rang out even Subject, EVERY student had that the Deputy had quite a large during the holidays! to carry and EVERY teacher space and the Principal a somewhat smaller one adjacent to the Staff 2. Sporting Achievements had to fill-in so that Classes changed EVERY 6 weeks! Toilets! ✦ Outstanding Rugby League ✦  Later, extensions were added to the Champions in the 60s and 70s “Versing” - playing another team in sport or even debating Science and Maths areas including ✦ Outstanding Soccer the famous circular garden in the ✦  Champions, Boys and Girls “Sequencing” - sewing sequins latter. from the 80s onwards onto costumes. “Sequinning” was unknown at “JJ”

2019 Big Night Out

12 | Bayside Council A new Library came later but at the expense of the swimming pool built and paid for by “JJ” parents and students. The School was the only Comprehensive Government School to have its own pool but sadly, vandalism by outsiders proved too expensive for upkeep and the pool was demolished on the site where the Library is now. JJ Cahill Memorial High School

“JJ” has been refurbished about three times in the past 60 years A Multicultural Model, social and economic. The School and the modern IT, media and is especially proud of its Special Hospitality facilities are amazing! a Microcosm of Australia Education Unit. Students from Academic, sporting and cultural everywhere and anywhere are Teaching and achievements are the desired aims valued and accepted. Students and outcomes of every school but it value each other. Ancillary Staff is the development of independent JJ Cahill Memorial High has learners with a commitment to The School is an outstanding always been blessed with excellent responsibility, family, country, example of the success of dedicated and professional community, loyalty, personal Australia’s Multiculturalism and teachers. Traditionally, teachers achievement, ethical behaviour, a microcosm of the wider tend to stay a long time at “JJ” and compassion, tolerance and respect Australian community. “JJ” the same virtues and values apply for others that is equally if not more embodies and embraces its Motto, important. These have always been to the Ancillary Staff. The first Do what is right, the values expected and nourished Principal, Mr Len Schmidt set a because it is right! high tone for the School. He was at JJ Cahill Memorial High. quite a revolutionary educationalist “JJ” students, with varying and extraordinarily demanding abilities, come from a multitude of of staff, students and most of all, backgrounds, national, religious, himself. Len Schmidt was highly respected and even loved by many of those early students and Len loved “JJ”.

There has been a succession of Principals and Deputies since, all of who have made their mark on the School but arguably Mr Schmidt’s contribution has been the most lasting and positive.

There are too many teachers to be praised but again, a search of the Internet is worth the effort. The Ancillary Staff have complemented the teaching staff for their loyalty, professionalism and commitment. As every teacher knows, the Office is the ‘engine room’ of any school and vital to its smooth running and success.

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 13 THE BEXLEY PATRIOTIC FLAG AND THE MASCOT FARLEIGH TANNERY

The Lydham Hall In 1915 the school had started Mrs Ellen Wharton-Kirke, a Museum, run by the to plan a memorial tablet to be mother whose four sons had St George Historical engraved with the names of enlisted, suggested to the NSW Society, is home to a ex-students who were enlisting Premier, Sir , that wonderful collection of to fight in the war, and the school a national fund-raising day be purchased a flag to display with the held to raise money to support local items and material tablet. However, while the school our overseas troops and wounded including an Australian was planning its memorial, a new soldiers. Regardless of what date Flag created in 1915 for national initiative was was chosen, said Mrs Wharton- Bexley Public School. taking shape. Kirke, the day should be called ‘Australia Day’. Her idea was adopted, the designated date of the first Australia Day was named as 30 July 1915, and planning for fund-raising events began across the country. The four St George Councils combined to form a St George Australia Day Fund with the aim of raising £5,000.

Bexley Public School had already arranged for a School Fair to raise funds for wounded soldiers. The School Principal, Mr Middenway, now announced that the proceeds from the School Fair would be donated to the St George Australia Day Fund. Moreover, a new event was planned at which locals willing to donate money to the cause would earn the right to have their name embroidered on the school’s new Australian Flag. As a result, 59 individuals donated money and had their name embroidered on the flag, which became known as the ‘Bexley Patriotic Flag’.

14 | Bayside Council Councillor Andrew Tsounis, Mayor Joe Awada and Councillor Liz Barlow, holding the Bexley Patriotic Flag

The war lasted longer than anyone had anticipated When Gibson Farleigh enlisted in 1916, he had become at the beginning of 1915, and the school’s planned a leather merchant himself and was working at the memorial tablet eventually became an Honour Board Mascot tannery. Enlisting along with him was Fred listing the names of no less than 115 former pupils who Farleigh, Edward Farleigh’s youngest son, another had enlisted. leather merchant also working at the Coward Street tannery. One of those names was Gibson Farleigh, an employee of a Mascot tannery and a grandson of that tannery’s Fred was Gibson’s uncle, but the two men had been founder: E. M. Farleigh. born only four years apart. Gibson was 25 years old when he enlisted; his uncle Fred was 29. Both men Edward Manicom Farleigh migrated to Australia in the were commissioned as Lieutenants, were wounded 1860s. He entered the leather trade and, after moving in action and served with distinction. In fact, Fred to Sydney in the 1870s, founded his own firm - E. M. was awarded the Military Cross for ‘conspicuous Farleigh Pty Ltd – and built its tannery at Mascot. gallantry and devotion to duty’, an honour he earned The Farleigh tannery occupied three acres of land on after leading his men in a raid on enemy trenches. But the south side of Coward Street between what was then whereas Gibson returned home when the war ended, Kent Road and Old Botany Road. Bourke Road would Fred was killed in action by artillery fire while serving eventually cut through this section of Coward Street, with his Battalion at Bray-sur-Somme on 22 August and Old Botany Road would be renamed O’Riordan 1918. Street, but in the late 1800s it was largely vacant land. As was the case with so many men who failed to return Even by 1915, according to Sands Directory records, to their unit after the chaos of battle, Fred was at first there was a total of only five houses on this section of listed as ‘Missing’. According to Red Cross Wounded Coward Street. and Missing Enquiry Bureau files, it was three days By 1915, both the Farleigh firm and the Farleigh family before Gibson even discovered this much. Fred served had become large and successful. Edward Farleigh’s with the 33rd Battalion; Gibson with the 34th, and eldest son, John Farleigh, had become particularly there was little Gibson could do when he finally heard prominent: he was a senior partner of the firm his uncle had not returned from battle. Gibson asked Farleigh, Nettheim & Co., had served as an alderman the Chaplain of his Battalion – Padre Captain Calder – on Rockdale Council, and was a Member of the NSW for help. It was Chaplain Calder who searched for Fred Legislative Council. The Gibson Farleigh listed on the Farleigh, found his body, and buried him with honours Bexley Public School Honour Board was John where he had fallen. Farleigh’s son.

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 15 Gibson survived the war, married in England in 1919, and returned to Australia in 1920. He had lost not just an uncle in the war, but a cousin as well: Leigh Howard, a maternal grandson of Edward Farleigh. Leigh was only 18 years old when he enlisted in March 1916. Less than three months later, while training for overseas service, Leigh contracted Streptococcal Meningitis; he died from the disease on 5 June 1916.

The E. M. Farleigh firm, known for its high-quality leather, prospered A pre-war [circa 1905] studio portrait of Edward M. Farleigh and sons, the managers of the E. M. Farleigh tannery; Edward Farleigh is seated in the middle of in the decades after the war. It was the front row; his youngest son, Fred Farleigh, is seated on the far right of the front not until 1960 that the company row - From the Australian War Memorial Photograph Collection. was taken over by Finance and Guarantee Co. Ltd. That same year, the three acre tannery site on However, the names of the three The Arncliffe Methodist Church Coward Street was sold for £55,000 members of the Farleigh family World War I Honour Board, long to George Wimpy & Co. who enlisted can be seen on forgotten, was found in pieces in a There is now no trace of the another Honour Board that was garage by members of the Arncliffe Farleigh tannery left in Mascot. originally erected in the Arncliffe Men’s Shed in late 2013 and The Patriotic Flag originally Methodist Church. was restored and re-sited in the Rockdale Town Hall building. The displayed at Bexley Public School is The building still stands in now at Lydham Hall. The Farleigh Board lists over sixty names, with Wollongong Road, but it is now St the names of the ten men from the name, while listed on the Bexley Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church. Public School Honour Board, is not congregation who lost their lives among the names embroidered on in the war inscribed in gold on the the Flag. Board’s centrepiece: Fred Farleigh and his young nephew Leigh Howard are among them.

Welcome to Mascot Booklet c.1940

E. M. FARLEIGH PTY LTD

Employing to-day between 75 and 80 hands the tannery firm of E. M. Farleigh Pty. Ltd. was established on the present site over 40 years ago, by the late Mr. E. M. Farleigh who died in 1909. The tannery covers an area of 3 acres and has always been prominent in the production of high class patent and other leathers. Due however to the intensification of Australia’s war effort leather for Army boots is being produced in quantities. At the head of affairs as managing director is Mr. E. M. Farleigh, while Mr. Norman Farleigh is in charge of the works.

16 | Bayside Council A circa 1950 aerial photograph by Milton Kent of J. Bayley Tannery, Lord Street, Botany from State Library of New South Wales.

And Speaking of Tanneries… The Farleigh tannery in Coward Street was just one of many tanneries throughout the Mascot and Botany The foundation of the leather industry had been solidly area, one of the most well-known of which was Bayley laid before the advent of local government in Botany & Sons in Lord Street, Botany. Bay. In the year of incorporation, 1888, it is known that there were at least four tanners (and most likely many The J. Bayley tannery is just one of a number of local more) in the Botany Bay district. One of the earliest businesses and locations that were photographed by tanners in the area was William Horace Darvall who the aerial photographer Milton Kent from the 1930s operated tanneries in his own name and in partnership through to the 1960s. Milton Kent’s photographs, with Mr Castilla as ‘Darvall and Castilla’s Tannery’ now held by the State Library of NSW, provide both on part of Lord’s 600 acre grant immediately easy of an overview of our area and remarkable details of Booralee (near the intersection of today’s Botany Road individual streets and buildings. and Bay Street) from the early 1850s. (This tannery is For example, the above photo of the J. Bayley tannery frequently mistitled as Darvall and Costello’s Tannery, shows a section of Booralee Park and the view across but Castilla is the correct name) Other early tanners the Lord Street tannery to the Botany wetlands, were John Bunce, John Geddes, who tanned basils Mascot Bowling Club and L’Estrange Park. and hides at Springvale; Frank Lupton who operated at Rosebank Tannery in Botany Road and Messrs Page WE HOPE TO FEATURE MORE OF MILTON and Gorton who also carried on operations. KENT’S PHOTOGRAPHS OF OUR AREA IN NEXT YEAR’S BULLETINS.

Another photo of the J. Bayley Tannery taken by Milton Kent is so clear that a tennis match in progress can be seen in the garden of the Lord Street property adjacent to Booralee Park.

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 17 Botany Water Pumping Station Pumped water from the Botany Bay Swamps to Crown St Reservoir

In October 2015, a group of BHT Members toured Background Eastlakes as part of the annual Program. Since 2013 and until the “Year of COVID”, it has been customary to The suburb of Eastlakes was once the site of Sydney’s visit one of the suburbs in the former Botany Bay LGA third water supply, the first being the famous Tank and learn about its History. Hopefully, such activities Stream and the second the Lachlan Swamps, now will take place again, soon! Centennial Park. The original name of the area was the Botany Swamps, an extension really of the Lachlan In 2015, our group visited or viewed (from the Swamps. “comfort“ of the Council bus) the following places: The area was unique geologically and Botany Bay was The Lakes Golf Club, Horner Memorial Church on once much larger, encompassing the area around the King Street, the Dept of Housing Flats on Maloney St Bay, including parts of Botany and and Florence Avenue, various Parks and Reserves, surrounds. The Four Head Buddha Shrine behind the Eastlakes Shopping Centre, Eastlakes Public School, Windgap, When sand drifts began to shrink Botany Bay The Light Horse Reserve and the Alf Kay Community they formed excellent filtered, retaining areas for Centre. underground water and so the ‘Lakes’ of southeastern Sydney were formed. The area had many natural springs and creeks as well. The famous ex-convict entrepreneur, Simeon Lord built the first dam in The contentious rebuilding of the the area as part of his wool washes and other early Shopping Centre and associated units industrialists and market gardeners soon moved into was some years away in 2015! the Botany area. By the 1840s, even earlier, the Lachlan Swamps and Busby’s Bore, its water distributor to the was no longer adequate.

The Botany Swamps became the main water supply of Sydney from the early 1850s for the next 30 years until the Nepean and later was constructed. The “East Lakes” part of the Botany Swamps now became available for residential development.

18 | Bayside Council in Maloney St and Florence and Avenue. Maloney St in Developments Dept of Housing the flats plus of course, HoldingsParkes and by Stocks built projects density, housing high controversial 1960s the with in began The development major residential of Eastlakes for itself! (Westcott). speaks Rd Gardeners pioneers Government (Barber, Evans) Local and Gray,Chipman, Slattery, Sparks) Hillary, Staff and O’Rourke) (Charles, Councillors or for former local Racecourse, (Longworth, Racecourse former Rosebery to the connection of the because named are Others KyogleCasino, (Vernon (John Anderson); Want). Harry e.g. Vernon, families Grafton, Florence, Lismore, their and origins men, their for these named are Eastlakes in streets Several developers sub-divisions. and HoltNo important most the 2and werethe Estate Estate), (Wellington Whitney Charles Kensington (VernonAnderson Estate), John Want (Want Estate), took place.Vernon sub-divisions 1900s, when various early the not until did occupation grow Residential occupation. main the was 1800s whenearly farming back to goes the of Eastlakes settlement The European of Sydney. part eastern the in swamps) location Botany of its the and (part lakes the from mentioned as comes previously The name west. the in Maloney Streets and Sparks and south the in Avenue Wentworth east, Pagewood to and the St Smith side of Isaac eastern the north, to Rd the Gardeners by bounded is The present suburb of Eastlakes Suburb the Eastlakes today. Swamps Botany former of the evidence visible most the are Airport the and St Lord around Wetlands Botany the and Lakes The and Eastlakes golf courses, two of the The “lakes” cultural contributions that should acknowledged. be that contributions cultural and historical significant three boasts also Eastlakes place enviable toand live! agreat Eastlakes makes shopping also centres local major other and facilities sporting great Moore Parks, and Centennial Racecourse, POW Randwick Hospital, Bay, Botany UNSW, Airport, the Beaches, Eastern the The suburb’s CBD, Sydney toEastlakes. the closeness shop at to ‘bargain’ just over Sydney all come from humble. to the People wealthy very the from ranging of housing stock diversity amazing new, an and with old cultures and of nationalities people, amyriad wonderful its is of Eastlakes feature Perhaps best the ‘story’! Eastlakes of the part another now underway, is but project well that for years many of controversy amatter been also Shopping has Centre redevelopment and The rebuilding Eastlakes of the home units! more even high-density becoming from BLF leader, Reserve who “saved” Eastlakes the late of the invaluable contribution the perpetuate and to to Jack recognise MundeyReserve Reserve, of Eastlakes name the changing considering is Board Names Geographical NSW the soldiers. Currently WWI honour gallant in of those Horse Reserve Light Florence renamed Avenue been has Reserve spaces? enough green be ever there can that said having though Park, Griffith and Reserves Vernon and Lachal Jerome Avenue Leon Dowling Thornton, Florence Avenue, Edward Eastlakes, Tight, e.g. spaces Bridget green many has also Eastlakes developments Sydney. in public housing best among the arguably are and Seidler Harry architect, leading by Australia’s then were designed flats Interestingly, Maloney St the The Lakes Shopping Centre c. 1964 c. Centre Shopping Lakes The BHT Newsletter December 2020 |19 2020 December Newsletter BHT

EASTLAKES and most . The School The . “To Rise to the Challenge!” the Rise to “To Eastlakes Public School is the only in school Eastlakes. rented in temporary, in School 1939 opened The July premises in a church Street in O’Connor and operated there till buildings Permanent were erected 1944. in was it until that not but Eastlakes 1979 1945 became a K – 6 Primary high-density of School. development The units the Rosebery on former Racecourse and nearby flatsledto a NSW DOH great increase in population and a full the demand for primary Like school. the Eastlakessuburb, Public School has a wonderful multicultural and diverse population. school specialSome features Eastlakes of Public School a Discoveryinclude Playground, a Sensory Garden established in partnership with Windgap Eastlakes School Public importantly and historically significant,mural 1930s a famous Gibbs’ Gumnut Mae Babiesof offers an excellent all-round includingeducation Languages that reflect the culturalbackgrounds of the RecreationSchool community. areas and green spaces are seen as very important. School also The has a great sporting tradition! Eastlakes Public Schoolis a true community school, respectedloved, and supported its by students and students,former its by parents and local community and from the beginning, dedicated by and highly professional teachers and staff, model and who theencourage students School motto and follow always

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and business a host of Eastlakes. is the most progressive and admired to assisted to residential accommodation. Windgap | Bayside Council and part of the suburb of the fabric of Windgap’s story is unique and ongoing parents, benefactors and community there are but alsonow Windgap Enterprises activities and locations around the area, ranging from Growability is being site upgraded theCurrently, Avenue Florence aresuch the needs expansion. for Windgap also has team and anda football a choir every (Soccer) Irish hosts Day a genuine St Patrick’s Breakfast and Shindig/Ceilidh Souths at Juniors! The storyThe and success Eastlakes of begun Windgap had and its progress has been exponential! majority The fundraisingof is through the Windgap Foundation Lionel Bowen, Member for Randwick, for Member Bowen, Lionel Kingsford Smith and future Deputy Prime Minister was a strong the project. for advocate A committee representing business, culture, sport was and government formed Windgap while setto up the Education NSW of Dept set land aside from nearby Eastlakes Public School for the premises. new A funding campaign the by led local Rotary and and Lions enthusiastic Clubs support by 000. parents and community raised than more $117, value. 1960s at are shown amounts monetary The Its originalIts owners named Windgap after a property in KilkennyIreland. near modern Camp Hill Curiously, theIrish residential and training establishment in Ireland and beyond! Windgap AldermanIn 1961, Edith requested Gibson the sitting a committee set to up Mayor raise to hopefully establish to residential a and school sheltered $60,000 children for workshop with special needs living in the Eastern and Southeastern Sydney. of suburbs children from 1953, the BotanyFrom about former Municipality been had attending a property Windgap, St, Coogeein Mount thatbeen had purchased the by localfour Councils, Randwick, and Botany, Waverley theirWoollahra but parents responsible were for almost all their expenses and care. EASTLAKES20 Some readers may recognise the children the recognise may readers Some BHT Newsletter December 2020 |21 2020 December Newsletter BHT

EASTLAKES Roseberry Race Course c. 1945 c. Course Race Roseberry Stores Depot at Rosebery Race Course in 1945 Major General Plant Inspecting the 1st Australian Returned There areThere so many Eastlakes stories there isn’t but all.space for two The courses golf deserve a chapter theirof own, especially the famous DC-3 East-West Airlines crash ‘plane the at Eastlakes course on deaths, No minor injuries, of lots 1957! 5, November embarrassmentshock and some as an ambulance bunker! fell a it flipped when into this space!” “Watch As they say, Postscript in the Light Reserve. Horse After WW2, Rosebery Racecourse was basically a training track the STC for tilluntil 1948, was it transformed the into unit area between Eastlakes George Shops, Street, Florence north Parade and George St Helena of Street. Avenue

| Bayside Council 8th Division members spent the War as POWs in 8th Division as POWs the spent War members Camps like POW notorious Changi the on infamous or “Burma Railway”. return Many did not and the thoseconditionof did who was pitiful. local One Daceyville the lost two Colenso “Boys” sons Family, and the remaining two years. captive four for held Racingreturned again but WW2 when in the 1920s began, Rosebery Racecourse became the tragic for HQ 8th that was Division, captured 2/AIF masse en during the Singapore. Fall of With the WWI, outbreak of Rosebery Racecoursewas taken theby military over and in mid August 1914 became camp the and HQ, training ground the of 1st Light Regiment the Horse of 1st Light Brigade, Horse departure it to prior EgyptI/AIF for the on “Star of Memorials The in the Light 1914. October 19, ’, ReserveHorse Eastlakes at the Light honour Horse and especially their historic victory Beersheba on at NSW Light The transferred Horse to October 1917. 31, Liverpool during WWI and the Racecourse became pivotal training to the Citizen Military Forces. 8thThe Division is also the on remembered Memorials Rosebery Racecourse Rosebery Racecourse or Park began as track a pony and wasin 1906 used intermittently as a racetrack, an army base anda training and HQ track until closed. it Rosebery when The 1948, Racecoursewas part Estateand was the of its Holt most at popular commercial for but reasonsin the 1920s the Sydney ceased Club Turf racing activities there and the site became the property Parkes and developers Stocks of High-densityand Holdings. units and the Eastlakes Centre coverShopping most now the Racecourse. of old EASTLAKES22 Make a video call to your loved ones Wednesday, 13 January 2021 this holiday season with ZOOM. We will 10:00am to 11:30am teach you how to install and use the ZOOM platform on your own device. Eastgardens Library, Room 6 Please bring your own mobile, tablet or 9366 3888 laptop. Make sure it is set up and ready Thursday, 14 January 2021 to use. You will need your Apple or Play 10:00am to 11.30am store password. Bookings essential! Rockdale Library, Level 3 Register at Bayside Library Eventbrite 9562 1821 at tinyurl.com/y2q4ljgx or enquire with library staff.

ANSWERS TO THE 2020 BHT CHRISTMAS QUIZ

Q10 Carols by Candlelight by Carols Q20 Mummy Q30 A rusty Holden Ute Holden rusty A

Q9 Crabs Q19 Macy’s Q29 Blue

Q8 Eggnog Q18 Home Alone Home Q28 2004

Q7 The Elves The Q17 Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Q27 Germany

Q6 One Q16 The Nutcracker The Q26 Capricorn

Q5 True Q15 Eight Q25 Frosty the Snowman the Frosty

Q4 Bing Crosby Bing (9 Marks) (9 Q24 Home Alone 2 Alone Home

Rudolf and Cupid Comet,

staff

Melchior (3 Marks) (3 Melchior Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Vixen, Prancer, Dasher,

represent the shepherd’s shepherd’s the represent

Q23 Caspar, Balthazar and and Balthazar Caspar,  Q14 Donner, Blitzen, Dancer, Dancer, Blitzen, Donner, 

Q3 they Canes, Candy 

Q22 Turkey Q13 Nine

Q2 A large male kangaroo male large A

Q21 Fruitcake Q12 Bethlehem

Q1 Q1 Jingle Bells Jingle

Q11 Charles Dickens Charles

BHT Newsletter December 2020 | 23