the peninsula Observer newsletter of Balmain Association Vol. 55 No. 2 Issue 355 Founded November 1965 September 2020 Thanks June his edition of The be able to dust off her keyboard The BA has been successful in Peninsula Observer sees and to apply her publishing getting a Community Building a change in editor experience to editing the Partnership grant to do some with June Lunsman Peninsula Observer. remediation work on the eastern retiringT and handing the role wall of the building. The Balmain Association on to Fiona Rivers. looks forward to seeing where A lot of effort by BA members June, a long time Balmain Fiona takes the journal. It is goes into applying for these Association member and local the last vestige of local news grants and thanks go to activist has edited the BA’s publications on the peninsula. committee members for this journal since 2011 and the BA Please share this journal with success. And fi nally thank you thanks her for all her efforts. friends. to all the contributors to this June continues to manage the Understandably Covid-19 has newsletter whose efforts make bookings for exhibitors at the had an effect on the BA and the it possible. Watch House. Watch House. Enjoy the read. New Peninsula Observer editor The June issue of the Peninsula Duncan MacAuslan Fiona Rivers fi rst moved to the Observer wasn’t published and President, Balmain Balmain Peninsula in 1980 as exhibitions have been cancelled. Association a teenager and she has lived in The latter resume soon as Birchgrove for the last will be seen from the fi ve years. ‘What’s On’ pages. After gaining a degree in Indian The building is now open again history Fiona worked as a on Saturdays from 11.30am In this issue government researcher before until 3pm with the expected 1 Thanks June moving into publishing. She ran requirements to log in and a 2 Callan Park’s history a local inner west newspaper, strict limit on numbers. New Metro Times from the The building’s rooms are 3 History Week 2020 mid-1990s to the early surprisingly small. 4 Balmain Premier’s 2000s and worked as a Visits to the Watch House can Opening Bat communications contractor for be quite exciting as when several years. I locked some screaming 8 Almagamations equal Fiona pivoted career wise children (with parental obliteration? about 10 years ago and has permission) in one of the cells 9 Quiz worked very happily as an a few weeks ago. interior designer since gaining a The children had some lessons 10 What’s on ... qualifi cation in that fi eld. on local history and the 11 Quiz answers Her keen interest in local experience added reality to history led her to the Balmain their class work. Such is the Association and she is thrilled to value of heritage work. Pic: Fergus Fricke 2:30pm – 4:30pm with Q&A Dr Stephen Gapps, President of the History Council of NSW and author of: The Sydney Wars: Confl ict in the Early Colony 1788-1817 Local histories are never really confi ned to buildings or places but sprawl across landscapes and over time. In this talk Stephen will consider the value of community history in the context of understanding our broader relationships with the past in the present and why this important work still has so much to be done, and in many cases, to be re-done. Sarah Luke, author: of Callan Park, Hospital for the Insane (2018) Remembering those who dwell in the margins: Callan Park and the ‘Vernon Boys’ Sarah explores the relationship between Callan Park and the Nautical School Ships, Vernon and Sobraon, moored permanently at Cockatoo Island between 1867-1911 for the reception of homeless and often criminal boys. Both institutions were home to marginalised groups in society. Today they are generally regarded as ‘awkward’ moments in the history of NSW; they are misunderstood and, in some cases, have been deliberately forgotten or distorted. Sarah will trace the stories of a patient at Callan Park and his son, one of the Vernon boys, and members of a colourful Colonial family – and consider the benefi ts of knowing the past at these two signifi cant sites. No registration required. Just join Zoom on 13 September at 2:15pm. We will start promptly at 2:30pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83517158155 Or by phone: 8015 6011 Meeting ID: 835 1715 8155 Seminar is free - donations are welcome. BSB 633 000, Act#: 142343243 Direct questions to [email protected] or Cynthia on 0413 733 219 2 History: History Week What is it good for? The combined Australian State History Councils’ Value of History Statement shows how history is critical in shaping 2020 local identities, fostering inclusive communities and This year’s History Week runs generating economic well-being. from September 5 to 13 and asks History stimulates us to think the question: critically and creatively and it ‘History: What is it good for?’. inspires future generations. In its answer to that question, the What do you love about Balmain Association is focusing on history? Can it be life-changing? three areas for an exhibition at the The theme invites participants Watch House. to share with their communities why history 1. Edmund Blacket, the colonial matters to them. architect who designed the Watch From telling stories about the House in 1854. past to shaping our futures, the 2. The Watch House, a preserved practice of history enriches our heritage police station and lockup lives in many ways. saved from demolition after being The Balmain Association is vested in the National Trust and focusing on people who shaped our suburb. leased to the Balmain Association. Edmund and Edith Blacket What is history good for? In circa 1840, Balmain’s fi rst Pic courtesy of University of Sydney Absolutely everything! community needed a lockup and the Macleay Museum June Lunsmann Watch House is a symbol of Balmain in that it echoes the progress of the suburb, namely its beginnings, heyday, decline and regeneration. 3. Ira Gray, a policeman who with his questions, consider current issues family (including 12 children) lived at and realise that the restoration and the Watch House from 1930 to 1947. salvation of our heritage buildings Through Sergeant Gray we can get is tremendously important and how a sense of everyday Balmain life at the three foci of the exhibition have the time. contributed to forming our identity. In their own ways Edmund Blacket, The Balmain Watch House ‘History: Sergeant Gray and the Watch House What is it good for?’ exhibition will were all powerful infl uences in the open on September 5 and run till formation of the Balmain. September 12. We hope this exhibition will The Balmain Watch House is open demonstrate the value of history. every Saturday from 11.30am to 3pm Ira Gray (right) and colleague. That it will not only act as a snapshot and Tuesdays between 11am and 1pm. Pic courtesy of Balmain Association of our past also make us ask Helen Carter 3 Balmain’s Premier opening bat by Ric Sissons Redfern Oval, October 2 and 4, 1897: Redfern v Balmain. As expected Redfern won the match by 69 runs but the Sydney Mail wrote that Balmain ‘did very well indeed … in its maiden effort’. his was Balmain’s observed and players had to live Balmain’s record was the same fi rst game in the within their club’s boundaries. as Burwood and Redfern, but Sydney District and The NSW Cricket Association the title was decided on batting Electorate cricket (NSWCA) set the Balmain and bowling averages and they competition.T As a newcomer boundaries as Balmain North, fi nished third. Balmain played in second Balmain South and Ryde. A John Storey was fourth in grade only. Drummoyne resident had the the batting averages with 311 Opening the batting for choice of playing for either runs, highest score 79 not out, Balmain, left-hander J. Storey Balmain or Leichhardt. average 17.27, while Tom Storey top-scored with 43 in a fi rst In the second round, Balmain was the leading wicket taker innings total of 185. Storey beat a strong Burwood side, with 43 wickets. Tom worked worked as a boilermaker at prompting The Referee to state as a fi tter at the Fitzroy Dock Mort’s Dock, and was about to that this was ‘one of the best and from 1921 until 1934 was embark on a political career that achievements of the round … a Labor Member of the NSW would see him become Labor there is room for a strong club Legislative Council. Premier of NSW in 1920. in their locality.’ John Storey The following season, 1898- District and Electorate cricket made 30 in Balmain’s fi rst 99, John Storey’s remarkable began in 1893 with four teams innings and took 2 for 28, while performances caught the – Sydney, Redfern, Glebe and younger brother Tom did the attention of The Referee which Paddington. Within two years damage with 4 for 15. noted on March 29, 1899 that the competition had expanded Balmain had an excellent fi rst he was ‘doing splendid things to nine teams and Balmain season, coming close to winning with the bat’. joined in 1897. Residential the premiership. They played Storey had scored 113 against qualifi cations were strictly 13, won 10, lost 2 and drew 1. University and followed that 4 up with 127 against Burwood. As District and Electorate notable supporters of the club’s He fi nished the season second cricket became more successful, establishment were William in the Balmain batting averages pressure grew for Balmain to Cornish (Hon.