the balmain THe Peninsula 311 association N A Incorporated news sheet

Vol 44 No 3 issue 312 Founded November 1965 Sept 2009

BALLAST POINT PARK OPENING

The opening of Ballast point Park is large industrial sites, on the Balmain Henry Szeps and Jack Mundy was both intoxicating and sobering and as peninsula, being considered for formed to help the campaign. not to rain on the parade I shall briefly redevelopment at that lime; Balmain We didn't get all of what we wanted (a be sober and then get into celebrating in , Chemplex, Unilever, mosaic lined free-form neo- the Australian tradition. Ampol and Caltex. Three planning Hunderwasser dunny and a Petty power takeovers by the State Govt., six sculpture for instance) and if we had we court cases, numerous protest meetings may not have been any more and fund-raising functions and a lot of appreciative. angst later, four of those sites were rezoned for residential development and one. Caltex at Ballast Point, Leichhardt Council decided should remain zoned waterfront industrial until such time as it could be acquired for a park.

The crowd gathers

The most sobering issue is that, "never was so much owed by so many for so little", to sort of paraphrase Churchill The official opening speech during WW II. "never ... was so much owed by so many to so few." The As it is we can bask in the glory of reclamation and rejuvenation of Ballast what has been achieved and SHFA can Point look over 20 years. 15 years of take any fiack. If you don't like the campaigning for it to be open space and BA members at Tank 101 result, remember that vegetation will 7.5 years for the demolition, planning, cure all in a few years and if it doesn't, remediation, construction and planting; That is when the Ballast Point time, forgetfulness and familiarity will. a long time. In that time huge amounts Besides we did get two toilet blocks Campaign Committee came into its of money changed hands, thousands of own. In the 15 years leading up to the rather than one, we already have a Petty hours of person/time was expended on announcement by Bob Carr that the plaque outside the main entrance to the fundraising. campaigning, marching, land would be acquired by the State park, thanks to Leichhardt Council, and demonstrating, planning. lobbying, Govemment the BPCC carried on an frankly, the public sculpture at the point does have some similarities to a dunny: leafleting epic campaign to keep the concept in The first attempt to save Ballast Point the public's view. This was thanks to a little house with vents and a hole in was in 1928 when Menevia (otherwise the bottom to drop things through! many people, far loo many to name, known as Minevia) was up for sale and who contributed their time, money, Contd. Pi! 2 Balmain Council wanted to purchase it enthusiasm, talents and ideas to but couldn't due to a lack of money and I n 1909 - 100 years ago achieving a park at Ballast Point. These more pressing issues. Texaco (Caltex) Painless extraction 1/6. with gas 2/6 a tooth. people included Helen Styles. Susan Invalid port and sherry 5/- bottle. Whiskies bought the site and established an oil Frisoli. Roger Parkes. Issy Wyner, Phil from 3/6 bottle. Tooths Reschs 6d bottle. terminal there. Jenkyn. Leichhardt Councillors. June Today has been a long time in coming Lunsmann. members of the Ballast for the Ballast Point Campaign Point Tnist and many others. The I N T H I S I S S U E Committee, but it has been worth the Ballast Point Trust, by the way, with Page 1 Ballast Point Park opens wait. The BPCC was established in the notable members such as David late 1980's after the first proposal to 2 D e v e l o p m e n t u p d a t e s Williamson. Colin Sullivan, Robyn 3 S e r g e a n t I r a G r a y develop the site for housing was made Williams, Paddy McGuinness, Bruce 4 & 5 Steps to (he Foreshore public. The committee grew out of a Petty, Kate Grenville, Sandra Nori, 6 P r o f C o l i n S u l l i v a n more general movement that wanted to Larry Hand, Peter Baldwin, Kep 7 R i c h a r d O ' C o n n o r see appropriate planning for the five Enderby, Tom Uren. Margaret Throsby. 8 What's on at (he Watch House

1 Ballast Point Park Opening Contd. from Pg 1

II is easy to concentrate on the downsides Cart, in 1997, was a wise investment. of the campaign and how things might have been belter. The grey hair (if the Besides the park there have been a hair exists at all) and wrinkles, while not number of good things to come out of the directly attributable to the campaign, campaign: the sense of community, the were not helped by it, and are clearly new friends and acquaintances, the evident in those present today. The lack realization that there were other things to of participation by young people and accomplish and now the sense of well, it needs to be said, the cost, are also achievement and good fortune. Had of concern. We were not self-centred and Ballast Point not been acquired by the self-serving people. We realised that State Government in 2002 we would not there were many other calls on the State be celebrating the transformation of an government's funds. In jest I can say that ugly private industrial site to a beautiful in the end we increased the property public park today. Given the present values which resulted in higher rates and The sculpture on the foreshore financial situation we should consider increased sales tax revenues and so we ourselves fortunate in more ways than will eventually more than compensate for More seriously, the cost was a one. the multi-million dollar consideration but we felt that the long- Fergus Fricke outlay to acquire Ballast Point and create term investment of headlands for the a park. people of NSW, as proposed by Bob

Update on Developments:

• Iron Cove Bridge duplication: It seems to be full • Bays Precinct and Consultation: The first two steam ahead by the NSW Government with earmuffs and meetings have taken place at last as part of the State hotel vouchers for desperate residents if noise levels Government's Consultation process for the Bays become intolerable during construction for more than 2 Precinct. But no sooner were these underway than more nights. But what happens after construction is complete? ad-hoc development approvals were made. Now Will the loss of parkland, the increased traffic through delegates to the Community Reference Group are and restricted access to and from Victoria Road wondering what purpose there is to the consultation and provide any benefit? even the Taskforce itself. Discussion and determination • CBD Metro: The recent feasibility study confirms on the Cruise Passenger Terminal relocation seems to have been passed into the hands of a new Govt Steering suspicions that the proposed Metro, even if it does eventually reach the West, will save only a few minutes Committee, protected from any influence or input by the on travel times. The financial cost? - S8.3Bn! The cost to community. The Bays Precinct consultation appears dead our Heritage and village atmosphere that we cherish and and buried. From 80 hectares to 40 hectares and falling, that brings visitors and business to our area could be lost what is there left to plan? forever. The developers rub their claws in glee as the • : The Conservation Plan of Tigers' site is destined for a remake bigger and more management has expired so what now for this Heritage awful than we feared. item? This is one site for which the State government is • Multiplex site; With no buyer currently signed up for asking the Community to express its ideas. After many the site, discussions continue between Council and locals years of neglect it's time to plan and lock in its future to determine what rezoning and under what strict before it too falls into such disrepair that the Planning conditions development would be acceptable on this site. Minister, with her new powers to delist Heritage items, The preferred option so far seems to be a mix of uses that may assign its future to the bay dust. is predominantly residential, with no buildings higher • Callan Park: There is not yet a lease to sign. than 4 or 5 storeys. Negotiations continue between Council and State • White Bay: The State Government has excelled itself Government re the buildings that SHFA now wish to this time in its disregard for constituents and proper keep and a grant to help pay for expensive ongoing planning principles by approving the Baileys industrial maintenance and upgrade of what is a special and much- development for wharf 6 before the planning process and needed regional park for the inner-west. consultation has even begun. The Wharf 6 site is the most Editor prized public foreshore site in White Bay and is the closest to people's homes. This development proposal Note of apology; fails to satisfy noise, and other safety and compliance The content of the article, Heritage Rozelle Neighbourhood, written by John Williams, which was published in the regulations in its original and revised version. One may ask why the government saw fit to approve it at all. The previous edition of the 'Observer', and attributed to him, was Planning Minister must be required to justify her inadvertently published without his permission. The decision. Local community representatives and Council Association regrets any embarrassment the publishing of the continue the fight but fear the worst. material may have caused Mr Williams. Ed.

2 Sergeant Ira Gray - last Police Officer at Balmain Watch House

After 70 years of police service the Balmain Watch House closed in 1925 as a local lock-up and became a residence for policemen and their families. Sergeant Ira Gray and his wife Eliza and twelve of their fourteen children, two children died young, lived there from May 1930 to May 1947. Mrs. Gray confined five children, single births, while living at the Watch House. Of course the older The Gray children children were living away mostly but referred to the Watch House "When we moved in, there were as home. A couple of the girls Mrs. Eliza Grav gas lights on the walls and a fuel trained to become nurses at the stove. Later a gas stove was "The first large cell at the back Balmain Hospital and the boys installed to the right of the fuel was kept for drying clothes on who joined the forces all survived stove and at the back door of the wet day as there were always their war service. extended kitchen, stood the ice nappies to be dried. The other chest. Outside the kitchen was a large cell was used for playing or table where the children would to do our homework. The charge eat when we had visitors as there room at the front was the lounge was insufficient room inside. The room that held a three piece washing up was done here in a tin tub and placed on a large tin tray lounge, piano, wind-up gramophone and sideboard and a to drain. A covered area led to the wireless. Undemeath the stairs bathroom that held a bath-tub and was closed in to use as a pantry heater and a chair in the comer. and store, a cupboard for the linen On the other side to the bathroom, and a table where we ironed. The a large fuel copper worked two smaller cells and upstairs overtime with a pair of concrete wash tubs that had a wringer rooms were all bedrooms with a attached. How my arms ached partition in the large meeting room for the parent's bedroom from turning the handle of the where the five children were bom. wringer for Mum. At Christmas Sgt Ira Gray "My mother was a hard worker, time Mum used to make three sewed all our clothes and loved to large puddings in calico and boil The following is from Memories crochet. Dad was a wonderful them in the copper. The copper by Jessie McMahon nee Gray, man. Sgt Grey was bom at was also used for heating bath second daughter and fourth bom: Grafton on 17"" June 1889 and water before the gas was installed. "The picket fence is still the when he joined the Police Force same. A hedge grew the full There were three toilets, one on 17'^ May 1911 his occupation either side in the exercise yard length of the fence and was kept was given as farmer. He reached well trimmed by Dad. The front and one in the original 'dunny' in the back yard. Sgt I'" class in 1940 and served at verandah was closed in with Cowra, Lithgow, Canowindra, timber and glass louvers for "Vegetables were grown in the back yard and dad had built a bird Regent Street from 1916 to 1944 privacy and this kept the weather including duty at the Children's out. The front yard was all garden aviary where he kept whistling Court with some time at Balmain and looked wonderful when the canaries and with the three fish in 1937. At the time of his death plants were in bloom. The entry ponds, there was Just enough on 13''' November, 1944, he was held four chairs standing against room to walk to hang the clothes on the lines, fastened on posts and working at Regent Street Police the left wall and four at the Station where he collapsed and held up with props. Sometimes opposite wall with a large table on died in Balmain Hospital, he was wheels that was pushed over to the fork-shaped end would break and the washing would fall down only 55 years. My mother was the wall when not in use and a killed in a car accident at the age onto the dirt. chair at each end of the table. of 59, on 30"' August 1956.

Kathleen Harney

3 Steps to the Foreshore Part 1: Rozelle/lron Cove to Birchgrove

Iron Cove, King George Park way for the apartment development. swimming pool, renamed after These concrele steps are a very recent The old pump house is currently Olympian and local resident Dawn addition to the area on the Western unused. Eraser who trained in this pool. Built side of Victoria Rd at King George in the 1880's, it is a tidal flow salt Park and are apparently temporary. water pool and is the oldest pool and They allow pedestrian access to and swimming club in Australia. It is from the foreshore walk and Victoria protected by its Heritage listing. Rd while major construction work for the bridge is taking place. Punch St steps These steps at the lower, foreshore • end, of Punch St were officially opened earlier this year on completion of the restoration work on the foreshore and cliff area. Punch St led to a public wharf in the 19th century. The foreshore site was once used by the National Box Company which operated here from post WWI Since the establishment of until the 1970s. The quarried cliff face Bridgewater Park this foreshore shows signs of once attached grassed area has provided a green respite for residents of the buildings. Under Victoria Rd. King George Park development and those who walk through or next to it along the Work has commenced on the foreshore. Leichhardt Council is now contentious second Iron Cove Bridge seeking to introduce playing fields and a large chunk of King George into this park area. There is likely to Park has been ripped up and replaced be objection from residents to this by sheds, machinery and construction proposal on the basis of noise materials. Residents facing the park disturbance and the inevitable are already suffering noise and dust restriction on casual recreation should from the construction preparation some or all of the area be designated taking place there. A few residents for sporting activities. The steps to the have been offered vouchers for foreshore offer lovely views of Iron alternative accommodation while cove and beyond to Birkenhead Point. Punch St steps night time works are in progress on Victoria Rd. Some of the park will be Lonsview St steps and Dawn Eraser There is a special surprise in store for lost forever if the second bridge Baths those who stand on the foreshore and crossing is completed. Just next to Secondary look up to the cliff face or stop on the College wooden steps lead to the steps and look across. A sculpture of Steps to Bridgewater Park foreshore from the comer of King Neptune can be seen in the rock Bridgewater Park is a public foreshore Longview and Bayville Streets. There face. park area surrounded by the large is a sign on the comer indicating that Balmain Shores apartment complex. the steps connect with a foreshore The park area was designated as an walk towards King George Park. area for playing fields when the DA for the development was approved. The complex is on the site of the former Balmain Power Station, of which the 1934 Pump House on the waterfront is all that remains. The power station was established by the private Electric Light and Power Supply Corporation in 1909 and burnt garbage as well as to generate . Doubled in size in the King Neptune carving 1940s it was taken over by the It was carved into the stone in 1977 by Electricity Commission in 1957. New Longview St steps coal fields stations replaced it and it artist Michael Clifton and until was decommissioned in 1976 and Further along towards Birchgrove, recently was overgrown by weeds and other vegetation. finally demolished in 1998 to make through Elkington Park, are steps leading down to the Dawn Eraser 4 Rozelle/Iron Cove to Birchgrove - Foreshore Steps, contd.

The foreshore park area was home to a Balmain Sailing Club, at the end of The 2.6 hectare park was designed and Mr Hicks for 13 years until Council the foreshore boardwalk, and below completed by the Sydney Harbour moved him on when the restoration Water Street, was established in 1885, Foreshore Authority (SHFA), with work was completed. sailing the small boats which input from local residents, after many According to local historian Kathleen developed into the famous 18 footers years of lobbying. Harney, the sculpture reflects the in the 1890s. The land was bought from John period when Balmain was particularly Gilchrist in 1840 by George Cooper noted for its artists and other creative Yurulbin Pt but was soon lost due to mortgage people. The steps at the end of Louisa Rd in payment shortages. Part of the Point Birchgrove lead down to a foreshore was quarried for sailing ships' ballast, Gow St and Hopetoun Quays park and the ferry terminal at Yumlbin giving it its name. There is a long straight flight of steps Pt. The steps begin next to the last from Gow St down to the waterfront house in Louisa Road, Yurulbin, a fine close to the Gow St entrance to the Federation / Queen Anne style home modem upmarket Hopetoun Quays built in 1897 for Charles Niccol. The housing and marina development. house was restored in the mid 1980s after a brief period as the headquarters of the Bandido Bikie Gang. The bikies were evicted after being involved in the infamous Milperra Massacre - a gun battle with the rival Comancheros Gang at the Viking Tavem - in which 7 died. Yurulbin Point (formerly Long Nose Point) is the tip of a narrow spit of land at the start of the Parramatia Ballast Point Park steps River. The Wangal Aboriginal people were the first occupants. Clothing merchant Thomas Perkins acquired the site in 1852 and built a large house, Menevia, on the site. From 1893 onwards Menevia was leased as a boarding house and steadily fell into disrepair. In 1928, Texaco Oil bought the site, demolished Menevia, and established Gow St steps an oil terminal and grease plant with a number of storage tanks from 1929 The development comprises a large onwards. This was operated number of lownhouses built on the site continuously, until eventually being of the old coal mine, and slipway and taken over by Caltex in 1984, until it thel970s-80s Howard Smith coal closed in 1999. Walker Corporation wharf. There are steps through the Yurulbin Pt steps proposed to develop apartments on the development down to the waterfront site but met strong, determined local near the old entrance to the mine. The first industry to be established opposition. In 2002 the State here was a galvanised iron works built Govemment compulsorily acquired by Alexander Cormack. The site was the site. An ongoing legal challenge further developed by Wallace ensued regarding compensation for the Powerboat Building Co in 1917-20 proposed developers. and then Morrison and Sinclairs The park incorporates interesting moved their shipbuilding yard here industrial interpretation and from Johnstons Bay in 1923. After the sculptures, but mostly it is open space shipyard closed, the site was on a number of levels, with foreshore purchased by the State Planning access. Authority in 197. It was turned into a park by 1979 designed by award- (See article on the opening of the winning landscape architect Bmce area's newest park, in this edition.) McKenzie. Christina Ritchie Ballast Point Park The most recent sets of steps to the Refs: ' Walking Coastal Sydney' foreshore to be completed in the area website are those at the new Ballast Point Hopetoun Quays Park, at the end of Wharf Road, opened on 11 July 2009.

5 Local Professor's Achievements Recognised

arlier this year Professor Colin inventive design using a membrane, the against the rezoning of the Five sites. , Sullivan, well-known local seal was achieved by the same pressure This led to her immediate expulsion J resident, was awarded the AO for being applied within the mask to splint from the Labor party but was one of the services to medicine as an innovator in the airway. This increased the patient's four or five critical points leading to the the field of sleep disorders and the comfort and therefore their willingness eventual establishment of the Ballast development of equipment and to use the Nasal CPAP. His next Point Park. He continued his rallying treatment practices. invention was a fully flexible mask to speeches and supported Helen Styles treat babies and infants. who formulated the strategy which was Professor Colin Sullivan was a young the way the committee kept to their goal medical researcher and clinician at the Currently, Professor Sullivan's through the 13 year long struggle. This University of Sydney and Royal Prince innovative focus is on a device to campaign was led to its final successful Alfred Hospital in 1980 when he diagnose and monitor a patient's vital conclusion by Roger Parkes, Fergus invented a revolutionary method for the signs in any location including their own Fricke, June Lunsmann and other study and treatment of Obstructive Sleep home. important committee members. Apnoea (OSA). The method consisted of a nasal mask attached to an air pump by Christina Ritchie means of an open respiratory circuit. When used during sleep, this maintained a slightly positive air pressure in the Thanks to Janette Sullivan for the provision of information for this article patient's airway, yet allowed the patient to continue to breathe normally. Professor Sullivan called it Nasal Post Modern Art Nouveau in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Balmain (Nasal CPAP) because the low level of positive air pressure applied continuously to the upper airway acted like an internal splint preventing the airway from collapsing (Lancet, 1981).

In the 29 years since 1980, the treatment has been successfully used by millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that in the US alone, three million patients use Professor Sullivan's device each night. The invention has led to a huge global medical device industry and was the single most important trigger in the Besides his remarkable achievements in establishment of thousands of sleep Medicine, Professor Sullivan has clinics and diagnostic laboratories. As a brought his pioneering approach and Fergus Fricke readily accessible and highly effective determination to local issues. A Preview - See next edition medical treatment, it has played a central role in the opening of a new branch of In 1989 he began, with David Ell, the The AGM of the Balmain clinical medicine, Sleep Medicine. As a fight to prevent the demolition of result of the extensive number of sleep Wyoming, a derelict historic house in Association clinics and sleep laboratories, many new Wharf Road, Balmain. Eventually he The AGM will be held at 6pm sleep disorders have been identified. persuaded its then owners, the Stannards Wednesday 7 October to sell it to him so he could undertake at the Watch House Another of Professor Sullivan's the monumental task of its restoration. Members are encouraged to important contributions was his Today he is a member of the Historic pioneering use of his masks with the Houses Trust Foundation. attend. Refreshments will be open circuit method to provide assisted provided. ventilation in sleep. Nasal ventilation is Professor Sullivan was the first Any members of the now the front-line therapy for patients President of what was eventually to be Association wishing to with chronic respiratory failure in both called the Ballast Point Park Committee. nominate for the committee or hospital respiratory and emergency He helped call, and chaired, the first departments. A serial inventor. Professor public meeting held in the street outside not able to attend and wish to Sullivan's second major invention, in the Caltex site in 1990. He made a key give their apologies or wish to 1990, was the "self-sealing" or "bubble" speech from the floor of the Balmain appoint a proxy, please mask. Previously the seal of a mask was Town Hall which helped influence a contact June (98106885) or achieved by applying external pressure wavering Councillor Kate Butler to go Kathleen (98184954) to the mask itself. However, in his new against the Labor caucus and vote 6 Vale Richard Mathew O'Connor - Balmain Boy from Rozeile 8/9/1915-23/10/2008

I first met Ricky in January 1988 when filling station] behind the family home funds, Richard wasn't too happy! I became the owner of Hylands Shoes, at 150 Evans Street. Ricky was the last Joyce also recounts the story of when York buildings, comer of Victoria and Mayor of Balmain [ 1948] before it Richard ran away from home. When he Darling Streets built in 1911. I was amalgamated with Glebe and returned his Mother rang the Police to sweeping the footpath, a practice sadly Leichhardt. He came up with the idea get them to talk to him. The Police lost in this modem world. It was here of a public reserve. Ricky said that took him to Balmain Police Station and you got to say G'day to the passing Balmain was a grimy place where your put him in cell with a drunk to scare parade. I finished and went to step washing got dirty hanging on the line him. After an hour they rang his inside the store but a voice cheerily and kids played in the street as there Mother and asked her to collect him as said "Hullo". 1 tumed to find a one wasn't enough green space. He fought he and the drunk were singing together legged smiling man on cmtches who for this. and making loo much noise! promptly stuck out his hand and said Richard had an accident when he was a "I'm Richard O'Connor and 1 hear young boy with kerosene on a fire. In you're the new owner of the Shoe Shop later years the leg was removed due to and 1 just wanted to say Hullo and wish complications. He once told me that he you all the best". Here was a colourful never wanted a prosthetic leg, he was local bloke - a bit of a battler 1 thought fine as he was and others were needier. - but a gentleman in his own way. 1 This was Ricky, always very mindful liked him immediately. I learnt he was of others less fortunate! bom in and still lived in his family's He always found friendships readily. house in 150 Evans Street, 3 blocks Ricky had another neighbour Sue who away - a decent distance if you were on had moved away but still kept in touch. crutches - it didn't seem to bother him. In his later years she would take him Plaque dedication July 2009 out for drives after "the yellow peril" - O'Connor Reserve was thus acquired Ricky's yellow Ford - was sold. In later years he wasn't a great driver and along with other initiatives. Indeed, thus the nickname. when we interred his ashes under a new tree and plaque in O'Connor In 2003, his leg had failing strength. Reserve last month, I said Ricky was As a wheelchair was not practical in the house he [finally] agreed to move probably the first Green in this area. into Aldersgate Nursing Home near Mayor Jamie Parker agreed, as did those in attendance. Orangegrove School - as it was local. Bom in the family home. Ricky attended Christian Bros [behind St Joseph's]. After leaving School he obtained a job as a bread loader at Palms Bakery, Rozeile. This later became Sunshine Bakery. Later he Richard O'Connor became a bread carter. He also worked In 1994 on Council polling day, when 1 at the Rose Shamrock and Thistle [aka stood as an Independent, I arrived at St The 3 Weeds] as a cellarman and Joseph's booth to see Ricky propped Waiter. He was a Tigers' man and against the gate and cheerily engaging worked at the club for many years. He Presentation everyone who walked past. It didn't also worked at the APIA club as a matter - you had to take an ALP how d r i n k s w a i t e r . Richard was made an "Honorary to vote or he wouldn't let you past! Politics was always in his family. His Ranger" in 1994 in appreciation of all the maintenance he did in O'Connor And he had stepped in to hand out my Mother and Sister were in the Labor Reserve over the years. This clever how-to-votes when my booth person League. He became an Alderman on didn't show. This was the essence of Balmain Council where his bread and appointment also gave Council Staff a the man - always happy to help and means to 'engage' him in managing the waiting background was invaluable - reserve. On his 90'^ birthday he was always willing to serve his community he knew and talked to many so was honoured with a presentation at fairly and pleasantly. well connected with the residents and He was a Rozeile Boy and proud of his what they thought and needed. Leichhardt Town Hall. Labor roots. 1 had learnt over the years Later on he was elected Mayor, 1945- Please take the time to visit O'Connor of his dedication to his beloved ALP 48. His Sister Joyce was the Lady Reserve and this most fitting reminder of our past 'tnie blue' citizenry. Whilst and seen his eamesl contributions to Mayoress as he never married. Brother Council where all the staff knew him. Bill was also an Alderman, 1945-1947. the Plaque on his tree says he was a "Balmain Boy", he would probably Ricky and his late Brother Bill [who His sister Joyce tells the story of how have said no, I'm just a Rozeile local. was a Federal member] had secured Ricky and a mate bought a horse. They I'm sure you'll agree it is a fitting O'Connor Reserve when the trams paid 3p as a deposit. Whilst bringing tribute to Ricky, and is exactly where ceased to mn in the inner west. It was a the horse home on Parramatta Road it he wants to be. tram corridor [and former steam tram collapsed and died. Always tight for Ian Scandrett 1 What's on at the Watch House For further information see httD://balmainassociation.orp.au

OCTOBER Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 After the success of the SBAS inaugural Art exhibition 10am to 5pm held in March 2009, the students are excited to announce BROAD MARKS. an exhibition by the OKAPI this exhibition. .The exhibition will showcase the great group variety and talent of the many students who attend Following their success in March this year the OKAPI Balmain's oldest art school. group will present a second exhibition in October which Opening Friday 6th November from 6.00 - 8.30pm, you will allow the artists to pursue their own themes and are welcome to come along and meet the artists. styles to create an interesting and diverse range of All works will be for sale artworks for viewing. Artworks will be for sale. Opening Friday 9th October 6pm-8.30pm with refreshments Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 Everyone welcome. 10am to 5pm They 're at it again Thursday 15 and Friday 16 Open Saturday M"* and Sunday 15"* 10am - 5pm 10am to 7pm Nicholas Beckett will be exhibiting oil paintings about Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 his disappointment in humanity 10am to 6pm Abby Wang, will display paintings and works on paper, India - From Rajasthan to the South about her joy of humanity A collection of photographs by Rosemary Williams, Jan Blake will make beautiful assemblages from the Maijorie Hystek, Erica Wallace and Peter Wallace waste on humanity. All photographs for sale and Jewellery for sale Opening Friday 13 6-8pm All welcome For information please phone Enquiries: 9876 4596 [email protected] Saturday 21 and Sunday 23 10am to 4pm Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 "Back to Balmain " - Original Fine Art Group 10am to 5pm Various works from 10 artists including paintings, Exhibition by 6+ photography, sculpture and printmaking. One of the wonderful outcomes of attending art school is Opening Friday 20 from 6 to 8pm - all welcome. the lasting friendships formed. 6+ is no exception. Cornelia Cronje, Diane O'Dwyer, Roma Devjak, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 Heather Kepski, Harriet Loneragan, Carlie Lopez, 10am to 4pm Wendy Lowe, Michael O'Keeffe and Lynne Sung called Beverley Filmer and Elke Wolhfarht recent works - oil themselves 6+ after exhibiting together for more than 4 paintings, sculpture, drawings and etchings. years at the Balmain Watch House. Opening Friday 27 from 6 to 8pm - all welcome. Many of us are recent prize winners in major art competitions. While it is rare for all nine of us to be History Week 2009 5-13 September exhibiting together, we are committed to each other as The official theme for this year is Scandals, Crime fiiends and as artists. Behind the scenes there is always and Corruption. History Week 2009 will be a wild six plus! joumey through the dark shadows of our past. Opening on Friday October 23 from 6pm to 9pm All Discover the scandals, crime and corruption that welcome. have shocked us over time and shaped our history, sometimes in unexpected ways. Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November Balmain boys DO CrL.me and other 10am to 5pm misdemeanors. Opening Friday 30 6-8pm The Balmain Association will present an exhibition Sydney Gallery School - mixed exhibition of Crime, Scandals and Corruption on Saturdays 5, 12. 19 and 26 11.30-4pm. NOVEMBER There will be a guided tour of the Balmain Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 Courthouse on Thursday 10th September at 2pm. 10am to 5pm Free - numbers limited contact 9818 4954, 9810 The Students of Balmain Art School (SBAS) Christmas 6885. Exhibition. The Balmain Association Inc Representing Balmain, Birchgrove and Rozelle

O u r a i m s a r e t o ; Our editorial contact:phone is 02 9818 4564 Improve the living, working and recreational amenities of our Email: chrisritchicO I ^t>vahoo.com.au area; maintain all features having natural, architectural and or Postal: PC Box 57 Balmain 2041 historical value of the area and keep a permanent collection of O u r W e b s i t e : historical interest; seek the cooperation of everyone concerned in http://balmainassociation.org.au the realization of the above. Annual subscriptions:Houschold $20, Concession $10, The Balmain Association meets on the first Wednesday of each Organizations $30 month at 5:00pm in the Watch House, 179 Darling Street Balmain. Material from this newsletter is not to be reproduced without The Watch House is open every Saturday from 12:00 - 3:00pm. acknowledgement 8