r BBQ and celebration under our e

b spreading fig tree

m Saturday 16 October provided a perfect

e opportunity to see Glebe Point looking at

v its sparkling best between the rain from the

o previous night and the very cold Sunday that followed. N / Eighty people attended the BBQ. The event r was well supported by Glebe businesses e with donations and assistance. Everyone

b indulged in gourmet sausages, provided by

o Glebe Society members Rod and Deborah Jan Wilson, Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Eva Cox t Blay of Peppercorn Meats. Louis Fruit & Robyn Kemmis. Photo: Sue Ingram c Market, 337 Glebe Point Road, donated the fruit. The onions were donated by Damian cooperation between residents, businesses O and the City of Council. The vi-

of Frank Galluzzo and Sons, 187 Glebe Point Road. Tim Smith of Glebe Liquor, 375 Glebe brancy of the community underpins the

Point Road, assisted with storage of drinks philosophy of Council, that Sydney is a ‘city

4 and supply of ice. Our appreciation must of villages’. Councillors attending included Phillip Black, Verity Firth, Tony Pooley and 0 also be given to Phillip Combe of Barbehire Robyn Kemmis. Other councillors sent their

0 and his competent Chef, Brett for the apologies, as there were concurrent commu-

2 professional BBQ services

/ nity public meetings on in Sydney. There were the usual accompaniments, 9 Only in Glebe would we feed a driver of bread rolls, sauces and drinks. It was a true Sydney Buses, mind a Sydney bus whilst the

community event hosted by the Glebe Society. Invitations were extended to driver went home for lunch and have a senior

members of the Glebe Chamber of Com- member taxied home in a police car. A celebration of this nature provides an merce, Glebe Housing Estate, Glebe Police opportunity for all to come together, meet

and other residents.

and discuss issues very relevant for our The purpose of the BBQ was to welcome community.

our ‘not so new’ Councillors and to In conclusion, our thanks must go to the City celebrate the commencement of the Glebe

of Sydney for the support they have given

Foreshore Walk and the acquisition of the

Anchorage site. The Lord Mayor, Clover Glebe to date.

Moore, spoke about the strength of the - Jan Wilson Glebe community and the importance of the Macbeth at St Scholastica’s It was like a scene out of Shakespeare’s extended from Broadway down to the Macbeth ……. Blackwattle swamp, was developed with small workers’ cottages. By 1861, 2000 On a wet and windy night about 70 people people lived there, compared with 1000 gathered around the cauldron cum slide people in the rest of Glebe. Bishopthorpe projector as Max Solling, with assistant was next, being the area further north from warlock Michael Foster, weaved their magic Cowper Street to St Johns Road. Here we of times past. learned that most houses were built under Drawings, paintings and maps of very early the owner/builder arrangement, generally in days, say back to 1850, illustrated how timber. There was much variety here but Glebe was populated by the Respectability, little of quality. Select Committees in 1860 who were spread out over 12 estates in and 1875 examined the poor drainage and about 20 substantial houses. overcrowding in such areas. It is not Then came the beginnings of subdivision. surprising that most of these early houses Firstly an area known as Bishopgate, which were replaced with brick terraces. The last Continued on page 3 ...

A publication of THE GLEBE SOCIETY INC PO Box 100 GLEBE 2037 www.glebesociety.org.au demand more funding for the school. Forest Lodge Public School The parents were socially aware and demanding, but what role has the P&C really had on the development of the school? This is just one of the many questions that could be covered in this project. When funding is approved, a project Forest Lodge steering group will be established to girls gardening scope the project. The Glebe Society in 1903 has been invited to nominate one person to help us determine exactly what is done. We hope that your long interest in the history of Glebe can ensure that a social history is in the appropriate context in the development of Glebe. The application seeks funding for: * a social historian to research the Forest Lodge Public School (FLPS) the proposal. Below is an extract from stories, will celebrate 125 years of education the funding application: * an oral historian to record at the school in 2008. In the lead up ‘The history of FLPS mirrors the identified stories, and to this event the P&C has applied for dynamic and changing cultural funding to produce a social history. history of Australia. The school was * a person to put the school register The Glebe Society has agreed to help established shortly after compulsory on a mailing list, so we can the P&C communicate the progress education began in 1880 and its contact previous students and and results of the project, as well as ongoing eclectic student body families, and update our mailing helping on the steering group. provides us with many narratives of list. The Commonwealth Department of Australia’s earliest immigrants and Funding for publication of the social the Environment and Heritage are their continuing cultural presence in history is also requested. We want to offering funding under the Sharing Sydney. Also FLPS’s location in an pull out stories that can also be used Australia’s Stories grants to commu- inner city suburb means the socio- by the teachers in programs such as nity, not-for-profit organisations such economic and ethnic background of Human Society in the Environment. as schools. As part of the centenary the school’s population has changed Preparation of the application has celebrations at FLPS in 1993 a factual dramatically over the last century as already generated a lot of interest. history was produced. This publica- the inhabitants of Glebe responded to The principal has suggested getting tion tells us when buildings were local changes in technological, funding to refurbish the Girls’ built, how many students attended, residential and work patterns. Department gate on Pyrmont Bridge and something of the education Over the last 20 years, in particular, Road. The oral historian has policies that affected the school. the ethnic mix of students has suggested putting digital interviews There are acknowledgements of a changed dramatically. There are now on the school web site (see number of previous students who 40% of students from families of non forestlodg-p.school.nsw.edu.au). The have contributed to the development English speaking background, from a photo of Pet Day with a pony and of Australia, such as the Antarctic wide range of countries, including many chooks has made us wonder explorer Douglas Mawson, and Sierra Leone, Fiji, Turkey, as well as what was a day at FLPS like 100 years Agnes Robertson, Commonwealth Singapore, Taiwan, China and Japan. ago. Do people organise living representative for WA. What are their stories of school in history days in which current Australia and in the country their students can experience what a day This funding proposal aims to parents were born in? A Chinese was like in the history of FLPS? As capture the stories of the range of parent says that now schools in with many community organisations, students, their families and their China have 60 to 70 students in a ideas are not the limiting factor, it’s teachers. Recently the school has class! The teacher uses a megaphone funding and the time to put ideas into received a letter from a previous to be heard and discipline is very action. student who is in her 90s. What are strong. The P&C president of 25 We look forward to getting this her recollections of FLPS and what years ago can recollect only one proposal funded and having support impact has her education at FLPS had aboriginal family at the time of the from the Glebe Society in helping on her? Even over the last 90 years Centenary. Such a lot has changed in communicate and steer the project. there have been so many social a relatively short time.’ - Gabrielle Kay changes at FLPS that reflect the The Centenary publication reports For further information contact changes in society of Australia. This that the parents marched on Gabrielle Kay, Forest Lodge P&C, is the main argument we are using in Parliament House in the 1970s to [email protected]

2 The Glebe Society Bulletin ...Continued from page 1 subdivision occurred in 1915, Come to forming Eglinton Street. Max’s magic continued with early The Glebe Society’s photographs showing us the many 2004 Christmas facets of Glebe’s social history, examples being: Drinks - Many of the large houses became at institutions eg, to accommodate single mothers and homeless girls, or The Glebe Rowing Club, Ferry Road educational establishments. (next door to the Boathouse Restaurant) - Most of the building work was Friday 3 December from 6.00 to 8.00pm carried out by just a few local Enjoy a fine view over the waters of Blackwattle builders. It is interesting to learn that the people who made the money Bay as you celebrate with were Estate Agents and financiers! delicious finger food, wine, sparkling wine, beer, - Glebe went through many phases mineral water or juice, Christmas Cake and the accommodating diverse and ever Great Glebe Society Raffle. changing socio-economic populations. Catering by Nags Head Hotel, Glebe. A Booking Form is enclosed with this Bulletin. We need to have Max related the story of one person who first occupied his house as a your acceptance, payment ($25 per person), completed raffle Convict, and later became a Gentle- ticket stubs and unused tickets by Monday 22 November 2004. man. We all live in hope! For more information ring - David Mander Jones Anne 9660 4423, Margaret 9660 4124, Mari-Luise 9660 2211 Great 2004 Christmas Raffle This year’s Glebe Society Christmas Raffle has some excellent prizes, donated by Society members and by busi- ness people in Glebe. They are: 1st Prize: Three days in a holiday house at Marlborough Sounds, (dates negotiable), value $300. Donated by Hilary Wise and Steve Stewart. 2nd Prize: Two nights for two people at Cowra Motor Inn, including breakfast (dates negotiable), value $160. Donated by Pam & Geoff Grinter. 3rd Prize: Fine Dining Voucher, value $150, donated by The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay. 4 th Prize: Art piece from Glass Artists Gallery, value $150. 5th Prize: Book, Roberto Burle Marx: the Lyrical Landscape by Marta Iris Montero, value $105. Donated by Florilegium Bookshop 6th Prize: Dinner for two at Rosso Nero. Donated by Rosso Nero Trattoria. 7th Prize: A porcelain clay bowl made by Rosa Chan, value $65. Donated by the Clayworkers’ Gallery. How to buy tickets: * Tickets cost $5 each, or a sheet of five tickets for $20. For your convenience, a gold-coloured sheet of five tickets is included with this Bulletin. * Include the payment for Raffle Tickets when you pay for the Christmas Party. Send in the stubs (the left hand side of the page) with your Party Booking form. * Buy more tickets from our Stall at the Glebe Street Fair, on Sunday 21 November. * Phone Cynthia Jones (9660 2451) or Jeanette Knox (9660 7781) for more tickets. If a message machine answers, please leave your name and phone number. * Buy even more tickets at the party on 3 December. Results will be published in the Sydney Morning Herald Public Notices on Wednesday 8 December. Robyn Kemmis has arranged for Council to give us two tickets to the City of Sydney New Year’s Eve party. Two lucky people will go home with these tickets after our party.

October/November 2004 3 Planning Matters

Things seem to have been pretty specifically the dwelling mix, but also others nearby. It is likely this interest- quiet while I was in , although issues of privacy and traffic flow. ing area will continue to be redevel- Mark Dent has been making excel- The retail proposal looks unlikely to oped at high density, and this will lent progress in negotiating and proceed. The development will still have the same kind of impact as has campaigning over the two major have a significant impact, but not as the redevelopment of the Hospital. development proposals for Rozelle great as was proposed. Bay. If we succeed in reducing the The Abbey, 156-160 Bridge impact of both or either of these it Parking Lot, 3 Bridge Road Road will be mainly owing to his efforts. This site on the corner of Taylor The repeal of DCP 49 should be The City Council has voted to Street, opposite the Senior High advertised shortly. The developer has support The Society’s campaign, School (previously Glebe High) has lodged an appeal, and objectors will and it appears the support will also been an eyesore for many years. The soon be asked to put their grounds in be financial. site is zoned Business, and there is writing. Max Factor, 431 Glebe now a proposal for a three storey building over excavated parking Can Council Cope? Point Road (entry off the lane), ground floor As a result of boundary changes the It so happened that Bob Armstrong retail and commercial, first floor nature of the City has become quite and I returned to Sydney on the commercial and top floor residential. different. We must expect some same flight, although from different The area has some heritage build- adverse comment, especially from holidays. No sooner had we strug- ings and Victorian terraces, and The developers and their mates, as the gled blearily off the plane than we Society will try to secure a design vastly increased number of residents had to speak at the Council Planning that blends as much as possible with make their views felt. There will also meeting held that same evening these buildings, but in most respects be tensions within the Council itself dealing with this controversial having a fairly modest building on as the nature of its task changes. proposal. the site will be an improvement. These are natural adjustments. While Fortunately the Councillors decided Weston’s Biscuits, 13-17 not everyone is happy with all not to accept the report, which Pyrmont Bridge Road etc decisions so far, relations with both supported the proposal, and decided staff and Councillors have been to hold an inspection after attending This large site is not in Glebe, but is remarkably positive. A resident- The Glebe Society BBQ on 16 in the triangle of industrial land friendly Council, need not be, and October. A number of residents immediately adjacent that includes should not be, paralysed and impo- expressed their views very forcefully the Children’s Hospital site. Council tent. Good relations between respon- at this inspection, attended by four has approved a Masterplan permit- sible organizations such as the Councillors. The following Monday, ting eight mixed use buildings, Society and Councillors and staff are 18 October, Council resolved to defer between three and eight storeys, on the key to effective action. the matter for a month to allow a the site. This is a similar density to variety of concerns to be addressed, the Hospital site and a number of - Neil Macindoe

Hat Making in Australia - a RAHS/ASHET talk During the 1800s and early 1900s As many hats were made from fur Michelle Patient, a Uther family everyone, whether rich or poor, wore based felt, there was a market for descendant, will speak of the work of hats. They were just part of what pelts from the colony to be sent back Reuben Uther and the company he one wore, not part of a fashion to , so Colonial entrepreneur established. statement, but they did reflect the Simeon Lord added this activity to Date : Tuesday 30th November 2004 social standing and circumstances his trading empire. Then in 1806, of the wearer. This meant that the Simeon Lord apprenticed 15-year old Venue : History House, 133 Mac- hatmaker was an important trades- Reuben Uther, son of John William quarie Street, Sydney, 5.30 for 6 pm. man in the community, producing a Uther, a skin-dresser and seal Cost $7 includes wine and cheese on range of felt hats, caps or elegant skin sorter, as a hatter. He then arrival. top hats for men and riding hats or brought Reuben to Australia to more fashionable models for women. establish a local industry in the new To book, phone RAHS on 9247 8001 colony. or email [email protected].

4 The Glebe Society Bulletin Heritage notes and news The World of Old Houses For the past six months I’ve been working on some unusual research. From the terraces The subject has been concealed ritual objects in old Australian houses and buildings. These have been recorded The in many parts of the UK, Europe and North America in a practice which has development of roots deep in the ancient history of British and European folk magic. The terrace gardens purpose of these objects was to Georgian protect houses and their occupants from witches and evil spirits.While “The first gardens in the colonies visiting England in 2002 colleagues were necessarily utilitarian but as the there told me that concealed ritual earliest communities … became more objects [such as shoes, dried cats established, gardens based on and witches’ bottles] had been found English prototypes became increas- in English buildings dating from as ingly sophisticated. Stylistically, the late as the early 20th century. This more ornamental gardens show provided me with a Eureka moment. remarkably little variation throughout fruit tree, usually a lemon. Gerani- the Regency, Victorian and Boom ums grew in pots, or more often, in Realising that there was a good styles of the 19th and early-20th containers recycled to the garden chance that this bizarre practice might centuries, with only subtle differ- after their usefulness as teapot, have come to Australia with convicts ences in size and the introduction of bucket or kerosene tin had ended. If and settlers I began looking for these new materials, plants and decorative there was room, a chicken coop or a objects. A small but significant elements. vegetable patch completed the number has now been found at picture. Greater horticultural locations in every state and territory Victorian sophistication was introduced to except the Northern Territory. One of the interesting aspects of this bizarre “By the 1830s simple layouts for the some back gardens in the latter half th custom is that it was carried out in front gardens of terrace houses were of the 19 century with the addition great secrecy. There appears to be often published in the books and of rock gardens, greenhouses, or nothing about it in the documentary magazines of the influential Scottish ferns, commonly the native staghorn archives. The only evidence is in the gardening writer John Claudius and elkhorn which could be elevated artifacts which are carefully con- Loudon, and these served as pattern on a wall or tree stump. cealed in old houses and come to books for Loudon’s British and Last Century light only when building renovations Australian audiences. Loudon are taking place. The result is that recommended the circle as the simple “Few changes took place in the back historians were quite unaware of the and most effective shape for garden garden during the early part of the fact that many people in Australia beds and a centrally placed circular 20th century. Since then, however, during the 18th and 19th centuries garden bed became a common choice changes in sanitary facilities have had firm beliefs in magic, ritual and for the confined space of the front [altered] the way garden space is witchcraft. gardens of 19th century terrace used. As the use of ‘coppers’ for houses. The adventurous chose washing clothes declined and were A couple of months ago I worked variations of Loudon’s more sophis- replaced, so did the need to store with a team from ABC-TV’s ‘Rewind’ ticated suggestions, which included wood. The lavatory was also moved programme to prepare a story on this locations for urns or fountains. inside the house. Fruit trees died strange custom. The result was in the Garden beds were often edged with a and were not replaced. program on Sunday night, 17 Octo- ber. I hope as a result of the program low hedge such as box. “More recently still, the back garden to hear about further finds. Some has continued to evolve as residents Towards Federation information about concealed ritual place emphasis on the need for th objects is on my website, together “During the second half of the 19 outdoor living and dining areas, and th with images of some recent finds. I and into the 20 century, the use of more ornamental surroundings.” decorative brick edge or terracotta hope you find this subject as inter- garden edging tiles became more Source: esting as I do. fashionable. Back gardens remained Howells, T and Morris, C, Terrace - Ian Evans, World of Old Houses essentially utilitarian with space Houses in Australia, 1999, pp6-10. (www.oldhouses.com.au) used for hanging washing, the outdoor lavatory and the occasional Reproduced with permission. PO Box 591 Mullumbimby NSW 2482

October/November 2004 5 tomes. At the back of his sleepy head ground zero of an ecological holo- Our Environment a small question popped up. In a caust that scatters aesthetic but squeaky sort of voice, it said, ‘I environmentally disastrous species Another view of wonder if, instead of humans spread- far and wide across his customer catchment ... evolution ... ing weeds, all the time weeds have actually been spreading humans?’ … … Humans are the vectors of weeds. I laughed out loud while listening to … It took a long, long time before a It is our failure of stewardship, our Radio National’s Ockham’s Razor on misbred chimpanzee stumbled out of failure even to see what is going on Sunday 17 October. the enfolding shelter of the rainforest, before our very eyes that is the cause Robyn Williams, the presenter, told scratched himself and took off across of the problem. us that it was the start of Weedbuster the savannah, rock in hand. But the Take for example the fact that, of the Week. He introduced Professor weeds knew a priceless opportunity 6,600 plant species which are pres- Julian Cribb, a Science Communica- when they saw one. ently permitted to be imported into tor who lives in Canberra and who It took ‘em a while, but in the end Australia, 4,003 are known agricul- explained a conspiracy theory to they managed to breed a particular tural or environmental weeds. They cap all others. sort of chimp, clad in the skins of include beauties like bridal creeper, The tongue-in-cheek theory is that other animals, who was prone to pick Parkinsonia, and, wait for it, no fewer instead of humans spreading weeds, up grains and cart them around with than 690 strains of blackberry! All all the time weeds have actually him. perfectly legal ... been spreading humans. Here is an Instead of humans domesticating ... The average Aussie does not think edited version of the talk … wheat and barley, the wheat and weeds are a problem. The very word Julian Cribb: Albert the archaeology barley had decided to domesticate implies something feeble and incon- student was in the university library, humans. siderable. A nuisance, not the Agent slumped over an untidy heap of Orange of ecosystem obliteration The weedy strategies for doing this which some of them become. palynological textbooks that traced were amazing. They lured humans the emergence of the emmer and the Yet they are our gravest environmen- with luscious fruits. They ravished us tal threat, and we put only a fraction einkorn on the Fertile Crescent some with head-spinning scents. They six or seven thousand years ago. of the effort into controlling them wooed us with nectar. They taught than we do into tackling salinity, a far He was dozing gently in the autumn male humans to gather the brightly less widespread problem. sunshine when a late blowfly droned coloured genitals of weeds and past, rousing him from his soporific present them to their females as a As a science communicator I can state. signal of their true intentions. only say that if we hope to control the Green Death, the wholesale All the textbooks had said the same It wasn’t long before weeds began landscape loss which weeds occa- thing: that humans had, over a few selectively breeding humans on the sion, we must first muster the Aus- thousand years or so, harvested wild basis of their ability to transport tralian people to the cause. grasses, brought them back to the seeds. They started by developing home shelter, dropping a few seeds farmers, an obvious bunch, famous This will require long and extensive around the place which over a for their ability to cultivate a whole dialogue with them of the threat, its longish period, selected themselves lot of other things by accident nature, its extent and its conse- into a sort of a crop. besides wheat and barley, but they quences. Its ultimate costs, financial, soon moved on to explorers, mer- social and environmental. It was the start of agriculture, the chants, witches and apothecaries ... start of civilisation, religion, literacy, computers, wars, politics, the cross- ... they created a host of clones, It will involve engaging their enthusi- your-heart bra, Tupperware, Spandex, hybrids and genetically modified asm and interest. It will require their the space race, Teletubbies, the strains. willing participation, their sense of ownership of the issue ... whole goddam thing. The Pasture Scientist, for example, And with humans there came weeds. cheerfully collects an innocent native ... Arousing the Australian people Weeds everywhere. Humans spread grass in Latin America, where it is and their governments to the immi- weeds like they spread, well, humans. doing no-one any harm, and promptly nence and magnitude of the weed They turned the whole of planetary infests half the Northern Territory threat is our most pressing ecological biology topsy turvy and created a with it. Oops ... task ...... Let there be a war, not so much on problem they couldn’t begin to ... The television back-yard renovator, Terror, as on Weeds. handle. can stick more alien species into 20 But Albert had an eerie sensation he square metres of dirt in less time than Hear or read the full text of this talk any known animal on earth. on the Ockham’s Razor website. Or I wasn’t getting quite the full picture, can send you a copy. despite the insistence of the learned The Home Garden Centre Owner, - Edwina Doe

6 The Glebe Society Bulletin Australia, and President of the The Story Behind Contemporary Art Society of Aus- the Park tralia. The text of a talk on Madame She encouraged her dancers to study Helene Kirsova given by John Hood modern art. She brought books on at the AGM of the Glebe Society on modern art from her home for them to 19 September 2004. read. If they understood modern art, Kirsova Park in Wigram Lane, they could understand what she was behind Benledi, is one of a series of trying to get at with her choreogra- playgrounds endowed by Helene phy. Kirsova from the profits of the She considered should be a Kirsova Ballet. I had never heard of balanced combination of décor, music Kirsova until eight years ago, when I and dancing. began writing a biography of , Australia’s finest classical She welcomed members of all ballerina of the 1940s and 1950s. branches of the fine arts to visit her Peggy made her ballet debut in the Madame Kirsova in Carnaval in the studio. It became a meeting place Kirsova Ballet. 1937 tour of the De Basil Ballet Russe. where they shared ideas, stimulating their creativity. Young artists drew During my research for my book I Photo, in the Kirsova Archive at the sketches of the dancers in class and interviewed former dancers from the Research Library of the National Gallery, by Jack Cato. in rehearsals. They handed the Kirsova Ballet and spent three full unsigned sketches to the dancers days in Canberra exploring the other dancers had stayed in Aus- after rehearsals. These unknown extensive Kirsova Archive in the tralia, including , artists included Sali Hermann, Arthur Research Library of the National who opened a ballet school in Boyd, William Dobell, Amy Kingston Gallery of Australia. I uncovered . and others. She commissioned the material about Kirsova not men- In 1940, Kirsova opened a ballet visiting artists to design scenery and tioned in any other book. school in Macquarie Place, near costumes. Kirsova was born in Denmark in . The building now She wrote two major full-length 1910. Little is known of her early houses the Marriott Hotel. It was a , commissioning Henry Krips years. However we do know that she palatial studio, with a grand piano in to write the scores. The first of these was a very popular ballerina in the corner for classes and rehearsals. was Faust, based on a poem by the Denmark as a teenager, and in Prue Page, a member of the Glebe 17th century German poet Heinrich subsequent years she always wore a Society, was a pupil at Kirsova’s Heine. diamond-studded, crown shaped Ballet School when she was seven gold brooch that the King of Den- years old. Six dancers were the mainstay of her mark presented to her in recognition company in its early days. These In 1941 Kirsova opened a ballet of her dancing. She trained under were four colleagues from the . She enrolled all her dancers Lubov Egorova and Olga Russe who had stayed in Australia, in Actors Equity, paid their subscrip- Preobajenska at their studios in . also Henry Legerton, an Australian tions and then paid them a wage These were the greatest ballet who had trained in England, and when they were performing. This was teachers of their time, and had taught whom she considered had the Australia’s first professional ballet at the Imperial Ballet Academy in St potential to become Australia’s company. Petersburg and the Maryinsky greatest dancer, and her Baby (Kirov) Ballet. She worked her dancers hard. If she Ballerina, 14 year old Strelsa recognised dancers with special Heckelman. Kirsova was the star of the De Basil talent who were prepared to work Ballet Russe in its 1936-1937 Austral- These six dancers danced the leading hard, she spent extra time with them ian tour. After the tour she returned roles in Faust. It premiered at the and worked them extra hard. to Europe to finalise her divorce to a Minerva Theatre at Kings Cross and Mr Westrup. (In his book The Story There were14 ballets in the Compa- was an outstanding success. It ran of the Theatre Royal, Ian Bevan ny’s repertoire. Kirsova choreo- for six weeks with 25 consecutive stated that Westrup had ‘trained graphed all these ballets except for performances. Kirsova claimed this Kirsova like a racehorse’). Kirsova and . It was was a world record. Two other then returned to Australia and original, innovative choreography. teenage dancers had joined the married Dr Erik Fischer, the Danish company at this stage, Rachel She loved modern art and contempo- Cameron, a Queenslander, and Peggy Vice-Consul. They lived at Clifton rary music, interests she shared with Gardens and had one son called Olle. Sager, who had come from New one of her supporters, Peter Bellew, Zealand. With the threat of war in Europe, Editor of a Fairfax magazine, Art in Continued on next page...

October/November 2004 7 ... Continued from previous page J C Williamsons sponsored a five Charles) Mackerras. She had only month tour of Sydney, Melbourne, choreographed one scene when she The company then went to Mel- and . Every closed her company. Charles was left bourne for a successful season at performance was booked out. with the score for a ballet that would His Majesty’s Theatre. Kirsova hired Kirsova and the critics agreed that never be performed. He re-arranged it the theatre from J C Williamsons, three of her dancers, Peggy Sager, as an orchestral suite which was who owned most of the theatres in Strelsa Heckelman and Rachel performed by the Sydney Symphony Australia and New Zealand. Part of Cameron, were world class. At the Orchestra and broadcast by the ABC. the packaged deal included the use end of the tour she remarked to of a J C Williamson orchestra. “If only I could take In 1957, when he was resident Kirsova believed that two excellent the company overseas at this stage, it conductor of the Adelaide Symphony duo pianists on grand pianos were would scoop the pool”. Orchestra, Henry Krips re-arranged better than a mediocre orchestra. She his score of Revolution of the paid the orchestra’s wages but did J C Williamsons offered her a salaried Umbrellas as a symphonic suite. The not use them. She used duo pianists position to run her company for them. ABC broadcast this and released it for all her ballets. She and all her dancers would be on a on an ABC microgroove record. I regular salary. However she would have now obtained a copy of this Following a disagreement with have to present the popular ballets wonderful recording from the Na- Kirsova, three of the Ballet Russe from the Ballet Russe instead of her tional Archives of Australia. I am dancers left the company after the new ballets. She would also have to trying to get the ABC to re-issue it on Melbourne season. All her male use J C Williamsons’ orchestras, their CD. It would be a best seller. dancers were conscripted into the costume department and their army. Kirsova therefore did not have scenery. Kirsova was a woman of independent enough principal dancers or male means. She had donated the profits dancers for another season. She She refused the offer. All she wanted from the Company’s earliest perform- spent the next 12 months training was the use of their theatres. They ances to the Red Cross. She then new dancers. Paul Hammond joined made the same offer to Borovansky. dedicated the profits from the the company after he left school. He He accepted. As they could only use remaining performances to establish a had talent and was prepared to work one ballet company, J C Williamsons chain of playgrounds in Sydney’s hard. Kirsova therefore choreo- had no further use for Kirsova. inner suburbs. She purchased two graphed all her male parts for him. J C Williamsons controlled most of blocks of land in Erskineville and built two playgrounds. At the By 1943, Kirsova’s dancers were the theatres, which were all in use. As opening of the second playground, trained well enough to do justice to she could not book consecutive she announced her intention to open her innovative choreography. She theatres, she could not organise a more playgrounds in Glebe. However resumed performances with short tour. She could not offer her dancers this was after the final performance of seasons at the Conservatorium every regular work. She therefore gave her Company, and no-one was aware few months. These played to packed permission for them to accept an offer of any more playgrounds being built. houses. One of the new ballets was from Borovansky to join his com- Revolution of the Umbrellas, a full pany. Her principal dancers had faith Early last year I visited Erskineville to length major work. Henry Krips in her and remained with her. see if her playgrounds still existed. I wrote the score. He was influenced In 1945 she booked the Brisbane City found her second playground in by the music of Stravinsky. Henry Hall for a two week season in Octo- George Street. It was run down and Krips and teenage prodigy Richard ber. They had rehearsed a set of new there was no plaque or sign mention- Farrell played the pianos. ballets and were ready to go. The ing Kirsova. I contacted South Sydney Council. Tony Pooley, the Kirsova choreographed a short mayor stepped in and cancelled the Mayor, organised the renovation of ballet, Jeunesse, based on the Trio booking. The City Hall was used the playground and on 14 February for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon by every night for a dance for service- 2004, there was a gala re-dedication contemporary French composer men and he was not going to deprive of the playground, and the unveiling . The atonal music them of that. of a plaque honouring Kirsova. Five interacted with the choreography to Kirsova accepted the inevitable and of Kirsova’s former dancers attended, create visual poetry. She showed closed the company. At this stage her coming from as far as that atonal music could be romantic. marriage to Erik Fischer was over. and Cootamundra. Her masterpiece was Harlequin, Peter Bellow wrote a book, Pioneer- Late last year, while exploring the based on Ravel’s Rhapsody ing Ballet in Australia, telling the internet, I found two reports on the Espagnol. She told Paul Hammond to story of the Kirsova Ballet. Glebe Society website about Kirsova study Picasso’s paintings of the Pink Playground No.3 in Wigram Lane, and Blue period so that he could Kirsova had commissioned the score and how Society members were understand what she wanted from for a new ballet, Waltzing Matilda, her choreography. from a teenager, Charles (now Sir Continued on next page...

8 The Glebe Society Bulletin ... Continued from previous page Volunteers needed GLEBE & THE ARTS looking after it. I will mention this in for the Glebe Street the material I am sending to the Fair - Sunday 21 Curator of Dance at the National Library in Canberra, who is in The 15th Annual November charge of all their dance archives. Glebe Music Festival, Can you spare an hour or two to After closing her Company, Kirsova 7 to 28 November help on our stall? We will be selling married Peter Bellew. They moved to 2004 Raffle Tickets and Hessian Bags, Paris where he had a job with and encouraging people to become Society members. Ring Liz on 9518 UNESCO (United Nations Educa- We have more details now about the 6186 to volunteer. tional, Scientific and Cultural Music Festival concerts. These are Organisation). In January 1952, shown on the pink booking form Kirsova and Peter returned to enclosed with this Bulletin. Australia with their two sons to visit If you have already booked or do not Peter’s parents in Melbourne. At a intend booking, would you please stopover at Sydney airport, Kirsova give the Booking Form to someone told reporters of her intention to re- else who may be interested in coming open her Ballet Company. However to the Glebe Music Festival. conditions had not changed. The Volunteers are still needed to serve Borovansky Ballet was having a afternoon tea on Sunday 7 November record breaking tour of all Austral- at the 2.30pm concert at the Great Hall Environmentally ian States and New Zealand, under in exchange for a free ticket. Please the sponsorship of J C Williamsons. contact Ted McIntosh on 9746 7738 if friendly Glebe Point They were playing to packed you can help. Road hessian bags houses every night. Kirsova therefore abandoned her plans for a The Glebe Society Hessian bags comeback. Hunter Baillie Spring are now on sale. They cost $8.50 each if you buy one or two, and $8 Kirsova died in a London Clinic in Festival of Music each if you buy three or more (give 1962. Hunter Baillie Memorial Presbyte- them to your friends). When I began research for my rian Church, Annandale, proudly biography of Peggy Sager, I inter- presents its eleventh Spring Festival Bags are available at all Glebe viewed Helene Ffrance, who danced of Music season, with proceeds Society functions and from the with Peggy in the Kirsova, going to the restoration of its Society’s Stall at the Glebe Street Borovansky and Metropolitan Ballet historic 1890 organ. Fair. But don’t wait until then - Companies. She said ‘Please include Sunday, 14 November at 3.00 pm ring Fay Mander Jones on 9552 a lot about Kirsova. No-one knows 4172 straight away with your order. about her. Everyone thinks that The Song Company directed by ballet in Australia began with Roland Peelman Borovansky’. I think I did her Unreserved seats $25.00. Conces- justice. My chapter on Kirsova and sion $20.00. her company is the largest chapter Letter to in my book. It also contains informa- Please see the website for further the Society tion about her which is not in any details: other book. http://www.users.bigpond.com/ hunterbaillie/2004%20Season.htm ... from our latest Life - John Hood Welcome to new members Membership and Society Commendation recipients ... The following people were accepted www.bookfinder.com lists second- at the October Management Commit- Ted and I thank the Glebe Society hand copies of Pioneering Ballet in tee meetings. We look forward to for the awards we received. It is an Australia as currently being seeing them at future Glebe Society honour for us both. The Glebe available from De Capo Music at functions. Society has enriched our lives. We 112a Glebe Point Road and from are fortunate that the Society has Louella Kerr Books at 139 St Johns · Robert Baker helped shape Glebe and make it a Road. Peggy Sager, Prima Balle- · Rhonda House better place than it otherwise rina is available from Gleebooks, 49 · Luke McDermott would have been. Glebe Point Road. · Anne-Marie Swan · Susan West - Alison McKeown

October/November 2004 9 Sydney Open 2004 News and Notes The Historic Houses Trust presents for the fifth time Sydney Open, an amazing day of architectural adventure Thirsty Thursdays to be held on Sunday 7th November 2004. All members are invited to meet for dinner in Glebe on the first Thursday of each month, to meet and eat with This one-day walking adventure is ideal for those other people who live in Glebe. interested in discovering Sydney and its architecture. A Sydney Open 2004 general pass gives you access to 43 The next ‘Thirsty Thursday’ dinner is on 4 November unique buildings. at The Nags Head, in St Johns Road. No bookings are needed – just turn up at 7pm. We pay for our own meals More info: www.hht.net.au and there is no BYOG. Box office: 1300 885 014 (during business hours) We will have a break in December and January. We will meet again at the Nags Head on Thursday 3 February. Problems with Parking or Traffic? Finalists for the Glebe City of Sydney The contact person at the City of Sydney for matters Business Award: relating to the placement of parking meters is Lynsey Green. Her phone number is 9265 9175 and her email * Ancient Britain Hotel (Bar) address is [email protected],gov.au. * Phoenix Rising Books (Book & Newsagent) If you have any other questions or problems relating to * Cafe Fish (Cafe) traffic or parking, contact Colin Warne on 9265 9362 or at [email protected],gov.au: * Mags of Glebe (Fashion Store) * Urban Steel (Fashion Store) ______* F Galluzzo & Sons (Fresh Food) * Glebe Quality Meats (Fresh Food) City of Sydney Councillors * Stephen Baker - Fine Patisserie (Fresh Food) Lord Mayor * The Life & Balance Centre (Health & Fitness Centre) Clover MOORE MLA * Aviweb Printers (Marketing Services) Councillors * Sonic Promotions Pty Ltd (Marketing Services) Philip BLACK * Raine &Horne Glebe (Service Business) Verity FIRTH The Awards are being presented on Monday 1 Nov Chris HARRIS 2004. We will let you know who the winners are. Marcelle HOFF Who Lived in Your Street? Robyn KEMMIS Michael LEE The winning entry will be announced at our Christmas Shayne MALLARD Party on Friday 3 December. John MCINERNEY Tony POOLEY Historic Houses Trust leaves Lyndhurst Phone the Town Hall, 1300 651 301, for contact details. The Historic Houses Trust has moved to the Mint, 10 DA Watch: Go to the homepage of the City of Sydney, Macquarie Street, Sydney. Their phone number is 8239 www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. Then look at Develop- 2288. ment in the City to see a list of ALL current DAs on display. ______Shopping Trolleys We have some narrow lanes in Glebe and they seem to Forest Lodge be a popular deposit area for supermarket trolleys. Public School Use the nation-wide trolley tracker number on the back of the Bulletin (1800 641 497) to report the whereabouts of trolleys belonging to most major stores, including Big Home of The Glebe W, Coles, K-Mart, Target and Woolworths. Ring Bi-Lo at Society Archives Broadway on 9281 4511 about their trolleys. Principal: Mrs Elva Salter Phone 9660 3530

10 The Glebe Society Bulletin For your diary ... Tuesday 2 November, 6pm+ - Glebe Night. Call Glebe Chamber of Commerce, 9552 1546, for details Wednesday 3 November, 7pm, Glebe Point Residents’ Meeting, Benledi. Thursday 4 November, 7pm - ‘Thirsty Thursday’ - Dinner at the Nags Head Hotel, St Johns Road. 7 - 28 November, 15th Annual Glebe Music Festival. See page 3 and pink booking form. Wednesday 10 November, 7.30pm - Glebe Society Management Committee Meeting, The Old Fire Station, 115 Mitchell Street. Note change of address. All members welcome. Sunday 21 November - Glebe Street Fair. Volunteers needed for Glebe Society Stall. Wednesday 24 November, 7pm - Eastern Precinct Residents’ Group - Old Fire Station, 115 Mitchell Street. Friday 3 December, 6 - 8pm - Glebe Society’s Christmas Drinks - Glebe Rowing Club, Ferry Road. See page 9 and green booking form. Tuesday 7 December, 6pm+ - Glebe Night. Call Glebe Chamber of Commerce, 9552 1546, for details. Wednesday 18 December, 7.30pm - Glebe Society Management Committee Meeting, The Old Fire Station, 115 Mitchell Street. All members welcome.

Contacting The Glebe Society Inc The Glebe Society Established 1969 Mail Management Committee: President (Acting) Andrew Craig 9566 1746 All correspondence should be ad- Vice President Bob Armstrong 9660 4189 dressed to: Immediate Past President The Glebe Society Inc Secretary Liz Simpson-Booker 9518 6186 PO Box 100, Glebe NSW 2037 Treasurer (Acting) Andrew Wood Website Committee Members: John Buckingham 9660 7780 Sue Ingram 9692 8534 The Society has a growing website Tony Larkum 9660 7030 David Mander-Jones 9552 4172 (www.glebesociety.org.au) for the Hilary Wise 9660 5848 information of members and anyone Sub-committee Convenors: with an interest in Glebe. All sub-committee convenors are ex officio members of the Management The website will only flourish if Committee members use the site. Send contribu- Arts, Culture and Media Sue Ingram 9692 8534 tions or comments to Bays and Foreshores Mark Dent 9566 2511 [email protected] Environment Andrew Wood The Bulletin Glebe Point Road Revitalisation Jan Wilson 9660 2698 Heritage David Mander Jones 9552 4172 We are glad to publish letters or Infrastructure Defect Reporting Margaret Sheppard 9660 4121 articles on any matters of interest to Membership Kevin Treloar 9660 6720 Glebe, any topic raised in the Bulletin, Parks & Open Spaces or any issues relating to the Glebe Planning Neil Macindoe 9660 0208 Society. Write to the address above or Transport and Traffic Chris Hallam 9660 3670 email [email protected] Adopt-a-Park Contacts: Foley Park - Bobbie Burke (9692 0343) Disclaimer Kirsova - Fay & David Mander Jones Other Contacts: Views expressed in this Bulletin are Archivist Lyn Milton 9660 7930 not necessarily those of the Glebe Bulletin Editor Edwina Doe 9660 7066 Society Inc. Historian Max Solling 9660 1160 Bulletin Deadline History of the Glebe Society Jeanette Knox 9660 7781 Liaison with CityRags Bob Armstrong 9660 4189 The next edition of the Bulletin will be Liaison with FLAGG Jan Wilson 9660 2698 published early in December. The Publicity Sue Ingram 9692 8534 deadline for contributions is Saturday Social events Jeanette Knox 9660 7781 4 December. Website Cynthia Jones 9660 2451

October/November 2004 11 In this issue l Reports on recent Glebe Society events - page 1 l Forest Lodge Public School - page 2 l Christmas Party & Raffle - page 3 and inserts l Planning Matters - page 4 l From the Terraces - page 5 l Madame Kirsova - page 7 l Glebe & the Arts - page 9

POSTAGE The GLEBE SOCIETY Inc PAID PO Box 100 Glebe 2037

MEMBERSHIP OF THE GLEBE SOCIETY COMMUNITY CONTACTS Place Manager, Glebe, Forest Lodge & Camperdown: Individual member $45 Jenny Underwood, 9298 3191 (direct), or 0414 617 048. Joint (2 people, one address) $55 Household (more than 2 adults and/or email: [email protected] children, one address) $60 Glebe Town Hall Office: 9298 3190, 8am-6pm Mon -Fri Concession (student or pensioner) $20 Sydney City Council Customer Service Business or institution $110 Telephone (24 hours): 1300 651 301 Write to PO Box 100, Glebe, 2037 or phone the Secre- email: council@cityof sydney.nsw.gov.au tary, Liz Simpson-Booker, on 9518 6186. website: www.cityof sydney.nsw.gov.au If you have a matter that you would like to discuss with Dumped Shopping trolleys: Bi-Lo - 9281 4511. Most the Management Committee, please phone the other major stores - 1800 641 497. Secretary. Aircraft noise: 1800 802 584

12 The Glebe Society Bulletin