A publication ofTHEGLEBESOCIETY Glebe Society Bulletin 3/2006 April/May which wasservedbyLouiseGraberandwithsconesmadeRobynSolling. luckily wewer Much-needed rainarrivedalittletoosoon-about10minutesbeforetheendofservice.But historian MaxSolling,whostoodbesidear Church inAustraliaandaformerArmychaplain.Theaddresswasgiven,asusual,byGlebe year This yearwasnoexception. Each AnzacDaysince1994,therehasbeenaceremonyattheDiggers’MemorialinFoleyPark. the backofS 55th/53r Persians. defence of peoples. TheParthenoncommemoratesthe W Wreath-laying intherain.Photo:EdwinaDoe other jobstofightfortheircountry conscripts. Mostofthemweremenwholeft They werecitizensandvoters,volunteers because moremenfoughtinit,werekilled. ration thanallpreviouswarsinEuropeanhistory The warof1914-1918generatedmorecommemo- and theyexpressthanksgivingtodeities. Normans. Theybothcelebratemilitarytriumph, celebrate theinvasionofEnglandby bodies. decided thattherewouldbeno repatriationof Empire dead,theimperialgovernment having returned forburial,whichincluded alltheBritish gravestones formenwhosebodies werenot home, andlocalwarmemorials becamesubstitute the majorityhadbeenkilledalongwayfrom Anzac DayinGlebe,2006 Max Solling’sspeechatGlebeANZACDayService ar memorialsareasoldconflictsbetween ’ s ser After morethan thirtyyears,KenInglis d Batallion,Royal vice whichwasledbyRevKenCornwell,MinisterandPastModeratoroftheUniting W Athens againstinvasionbythe estminster INCPOBox 100GLEBE2037 www t John’ e abletodr s chur Abbey wasbuiltto ch, togetherwiththever y outinsideS Australian RegimentinW About 60people,muchthesamenumberaslastyear . Moreover t John’ ed andyellowbanner , s Chur y fragileW aftermath oftheGreat war memorialconstructedin completed hislongjourneytoeachandevery W fruitfully Benedict commemorative work.Inglishasextended their gesturesandthecadencesof ing them.Theyrecapturedtheirlanguage, inscribed onthemandintheactofconstruct- to themenandwomenwhoselivesare (1998) InglisandJanBrazierhavegivenvoice mourning tocomparewith In probing writingsofInglisfor thisaddress. fade awaythemselves.Ihave drawnonthe conversants moveawayordieoff,cometo a livingconversation,whichwhenthe monuments are“atypeofspeech”,afocus ch, wher orld W ar Memorialsinthe Australia before1915therewas nodayof ar II.Thebannerisusuallykeptat orld W e wegather , theRegimentalColoursof ar IColours. Continued on next page.... Anderson’ ed formorningtea, .glebesociety W Australian Landscape ar America’ . In Australia inthe s notionthat , attendedthis Sacr - EdwinaDoe ed Places- s Memo- .org.au ... Continued from previous page 1922. The Cenotaph in Martin Place was touches, following the tradition of rial (or Decoration) Day, when cemeter- dedicated in 1927 and sculptor Bert mixing Christian and classical imagery. ies, filled by fratricide between 1861 and Mackennal’s bronze soldier and sailor The Carrara marble Angel guards those 1865, were visited by the bereaved, for were unveiled on 21 February 1929. symbolically resting in the mausoleum. Under this is a simple and understated Australia had been spared the horrors Building memorials was a social process dedication: “Erected by Glebe Residents of civil war. Until Anzac Day appeared, by which Australia worked on its in Memory of the Glorious Dead”. Its our only spontaneous and distinctive problems, its grief, its place in the location next to St John’s Church was national festival was devoted to a race world, its unity, its disillusionment. The between horses, the Melbourne Cup. an important spiritual consideration, a memorials asserted that something great local sacred place. On 25 April 1915 the landing at Gallipoli, had been done, that comfort and reflected the Sydney Morning Herald, reconciliation were needed, that there But Glebe’s memorial also shares much in common with other town and subur- “began a campaign which was more a were new problems to face in a some- ban memorials. Anglo-Celtic names searching test of character than any what fictionalised version of wartime predominate on the marble name plates, single engagement”. It showed, the unity. indicating the ethnic origins of Austral- newspaper said, The landscape ian society then, and the construction that liberty, equal- ANZAC showed “Australia became a vehicle for of all memorials required much local and ity and a semi- had come of age” social meanings and voluntary effort to raise money (£2,500 tropical climate a centre for public at Glebe), and all the people involved in “have not caused commemoration. A the project acted in an honorary capac- the Anglo-Saxon race to degenerate but range of ceremonies arose, from the ity. All this initiative was testimony of have added to it a new strength”. It Dawn Service on Anzac Day to the the emotive power of Anzac sacrifice. showed, said orators and preachers, march and the main ceremonies when The unique nature of the Glebe monu- that Australia had come of age. the community displayed its dignity, ment (the only one of its kind in Aus- The first anniversary of the landing was hierarchy and structure in formal tralia) tells us something about the celebrated spontaneously and diversely ceremonies. There are few such occa- independent minded designer, architect by troops in Egypt, England and sions in the country when a sense of William Martin, Glebe councillor and France, and by soldiers and civilians at community can be ceremonially as- active anti-conscriptionist, who ques- home. serted, and the memorials filled an tioned Australia’s involvement in the empty social niche. war. By 1918 it was customary to hold services on Anzac Day but Australians The other role was personal, difficult to - Max Solling disagreed about how the anniversary penetrate, but critical to many who lost close relatives in the war. In should be celebrated. From the 1920s, 1932, C H Percival noticed “Walk- one by one, the states did make 25 April ing the other day across Martin a statutory holiday, but what was Place I happened to pause and prohibited and permitted on the day look at the Cenotaph. A woman varied. The RSL sought a uniform was standing on the step immedi- observance of the national day, but its ately in front of the Digger … I own national congress could never gathered she had just deposited a agree on the terms of uniformity. wreath at the foot of the impres- After the 1939-1945 war, in which 27,000 sive figure. Her hand stole up to people died out of 558,000 who enlisted, its knee - she could reach no there was a declining taste for public higher - and there for a little while mourning. Its returned men preferred to she patted the metal. I could not build “utilitarian” memorials such as see her face. I did not want to. I hospitals, which served the living rather felt just then that there were some than adding substantially to the cer- things better left to the imagina- emonial monuments which their elders tion”. had raised to the dead. The Glebe memorial has a number Some 1,445 memorials were built of unusual aspects. Firstly it is throughout Australia to those who rare for a soldier to be accompa- enlisted in the 1914-18 war; 516 of those nied by a sailor in these monu- memorials were in NSW, nearly all of ments because the RAN had only which were completed after the war. 5,000 men in a few notable actions. Many were unveiled in inner Sydney in It is also a very Australian monu- the early 1920s - Marrickville (1920), ment; neither the Empire nor Newtown (1921), Annandale (1921), Britain are represented or men- Max is concerned that his speech was all about men. Petersham (1921), Camperdown (1921), tioned. The granite and marble So here is a photo of his aunt, Wilhelmina “Minnie” Paddington (1922), Leichhardt (1922), mausoleum echoes the shape of an Solling (1878-1960), who was a nurse in the 1914- Pyrmont (1922) and Glebe on Anzac Day Egyptian temple with classic Greek 1918 war.

2 Glebe Society Bulletin Update on “Triangle Valhalla sold – what of its future? As reported recently, the Glebe Valhalla Park”, the Crown Land has been sold by its long-term owner and Glebe personality Chris Kiely to W Property Pty Ltd for about $2.95m. The in Forest Lodge 68 year old cinema will be converted by its On 1 April 2006 about 50 people gath- week of May). The Lord Mayor is also new owners, Prue and Mike Williams, to “work studios” or “creative office space” ered on the Crown Land at the rear of 77 seeking a meeting of senior officers to aiming to attract film and creative industry Hereford Street to learn about the discuss how this could be achieved. professionals. Whilst the shops will be history of this tree-covered triangle of The Glebe Society, the Glebe Chamber restored, it is intended that the original land and about the threats to its preser- of Commerce and FRROGS (Friends foyer area, staircases, ticket box and vation as open space resulting from the Residents/Ratepayers of Orphan School carpet design will be conserved in order to Department of Lands notification of its “keep the art-house feel” of the building. intention to sell the land. The residents Creek Gully) have all indicated full of the units at 77 Hereford Street have support for the public open space idea. In expressing its disappointment at the loss of yet another historic cinema from been campaigning both for the Depart- If you would also like to show your Sydney, the National Trust of Australia ment not to sell the land for develop- support please write to Tony Kelly, ment and also for the City of Sydney to (NSW), which has placed the Glebe Minister for Lands, Level 34, Governor Valhalla on its Register, “will argue acquire it for public open space (see Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, strongly that any adaptive re-use of the Glebe Society Bulletin 2/2006). Neigh- Sydney 2000, tel: 9228 3999, fax: 9228 building should be carefully designed to bours and community 3988, email: allow the changes to be reversed”. members contributed [email protected] Contact with Tanner Architects who will ideas and signed a and ask him not to sell be doing the work gives some assurance petition urging that the the land for develop- that the office installation will be a “loose land not be sold for ment. Also contact fit” that can be reversed at a later stage if development and that Clover Moore, Lord and when viable cinema use might be re- the City of Sydney Mayor of Sydney, established. acquire it. Sydney Town Hall, 483 The Glebe Society supports this ap- The petition with 308 George Street, Sydney proach, but will be pressing also for the signatures, gathered 2000, tel: 9265 9229, retention of the upstairs cinema in its from the neighbour- fax: 9265 9328, email: current form, because of its great potential hood in the short cmoore@cityofsydney. for creative uses by the community space of 10 days, was nsw.gov.au and ask generally. The challenge is there for all tabled at a momentous her to continue her and especially for those who have been meeting of the Council efforts on behalf of the inspired by the past life and activities of Glebe Valhalla. of the City of Sydney local residents to see on 10 April (when five that the land becomes - Bob Armstrong opposition councillors public open space. walked out during Mary Pollard addresses the meeting Thank you to all those discussion of CEO on 1 April. Peter Seamer’s depar- Photo: Edwina Doe who have already ture). Deputy Mayor contributed to the Verity Firth had also put a question on campaign. We would appreciate receiv- notice about the land issue at the ing copies of any correspondence in meeting which was answered favour- whatever form to be sent to email ably by the Lord Mayor. Councillor address Firth was also able to ask two supple- [email protected]. mentary questions. (Minutes of the For regular campaign updates and Valhalla photos: Sherrill Glasser Council meeting can be accessed developments please see: http:// through the Council website.) forestlodgetrees.blogspot.com/. This Since the meeting the Lord Mayor has blog also outlines the reasons why this written to the Minister for Lands on particular piece of land should be behalf of residents of Forest Lodge and retained as public open space. Glebe asking that the land be retained in - Mary Pollard, on behalf of Owners public ownership as a local park and Corporation, 77 Hereford Street, Glebe seeking deferment of the sale of the land (an auction is due in the second

April/May 2006 3 Planning Matters

Heritage Development The March Bulletin included a question- Planning Powers should remain Control Plan Workshop naire from this Workshop, and the con- with Local Government sultants are keen to receive feedback. I At its meeting on 30 March the Plan- On Tuesday, 21 March, I attended a have spare copies (9660 0208). workshop run for the City by Architectus, ning subcommittee deplored the legisla- the consultants employed to draw up Draft Glebe Conservation Area tion passed the previous day permitting provisions for protection of Heritage Study the Minister for Planning (currently Items, conservation areas and This Study will form the basis of conserva- Frank Sartor) to appoint panels to take streetscapes as part of the new town plan tion in Glebe, and will probably go on over a Council’s planning powers to be finalized by the end of this year. As exhibition at Glebe Town Hall and Council’s without a public enquiry. well as Glebe, there were representatives from Chippendale, Pyrmont, South website before the next Bulletin is pub- An enquiry ensures the community Sydney and Paddington and The National lished. The key recommendations are: knows why a council has had its Trust, State Rail Authority, the Redfern/ 1. Glebe is divided into eight Conservation powers curtailed. In most cases, council Waterloo Authority and Department of Areas to reflect original subdivision staff and residents have a degree of Housing. patterns. local knowledge that cannot be achieved by a panel or a State depart- As you might guess from the attendees, 2. Glebe Point Road is designated a the discussion was wide ranging. The ment, and there should be a very strong Heritage Streetscape in addition to its core of the consultants’ work is to adapt justification, including proof of im- inclusion in a number of these Conserva- the approach used in The Glebe Point proper conduct, before intervention. tion Areas. Road Main Street Study (another first for Leaving the decision in the hands of Glebe!) classifying buildings as either 3. The listing of Heritage Items on Glebe the Minister always raises the suspi- contributory, neutral or detracting in Point Road has been rationalised. This is cion the Minister will use his power to relation to the streetscape and conserva- because the original listing was based on favour some group politically, and tion areas. the Glebe Point Road Main Street Study, development companies are large It was obvious Glebe and Paddington, which needed updating (this was requested contributors of funds to all major parties. with their long established resident action by the Society, as the Study is fifteen years groups and existing controls, are in a old. I can claim credit for most of the Existing Use Rights relatively strong position. However, they listings; previously very few commercial or The same legislation that extended the should still benefit from the closer analy- industrial properties were protected). Minister’s powers from 29 March did sis, as well as leading the way for less however have one benefit. Previously it well-studied and protected areas. Al- 4. As a result, twenty four Glebe Point Road properties have been removed. was possible not only to continue a use though many of the concerns of residents normally prohibited, provided the use are being successfully addressed, there Nevertheless, the number of listings has already existed, but also to switch to are a number of issues still unresolved. increased from 69 to 95 because buildings are now listed separately or in smaller another prohibited use. This was the 1. Diversity. It is more difficult to groups. ploy attempted in the Tramsheds devise controls for very diverse application in 2004, and refused by the streetscapes (e.g. parts of Forest Lodge). 5. Twelve additional properties throughout Central Sydney Planning Committee. For example, it should not be possible to Glebe have been made Heritage Items. Now, however, a developer can apply to enlarge a building simply because some Members with an interest in conservation continue a current use, but not to other buildings in the street are larger. change it to another one that is also However, the consultants have made are asked to inspect and, if they feel prohibited. The Tramsheds application some progress and are confident they can inclined, to comment on the Draft. It is would now fail on that ground as well. achieve this goal. likely the Society will object to the removal of at least some of the Items, and while BASIX 2. Contributory versus Heritage there is no problem with any of the twelve Item. Heritage Items have individual additional Items, it may be possible to make This is a program designed to increase statements of significance. This makes out a case for the inclusion of others as energy efficiency. Initially introduced protection relatively easy. However, well. for new housing, it is now applicable to contributory buildings in conservation renovations as well, so it could affect areas do not have such statements. The Draft is very bulky because Attach- anyone. Hear all about it in the Commu- Workshop participants raised two prob- ment C includes all the Statements of nity Room at Benledi at 6 pm on lems: how are contributory buildings to be Significance for Glebe Point Road plus the Monday, 15 May, from Andrew Thomas, distinguished from Heritage Items? and additional twelve Items. However, leaving Manager, Strategic Planning at the City how effective is their protection? the Attachments aside, the draft itself is of Sydney. Watch this space! quite short and easy to read. - Neil Macindoe

4 Glebe Society Bulletin As the Glebe Society’s contribution to the 2006 National Trust Herit- age festival, “Industrial Heritage - Our Working Lives”, Max Solling spoke to about 100 people on Wednesday 5 April. This is what he told us: Glebe’s Industrial History This evening I’d like to talk about indus- sewer. Butchers disposed of offal as best trial activities that have long disappeared they could by carting it away or keeping from the Glebe landscape. pigs. Creek water was required to wash The waterfront carcases and hopefully the action of the tide or the creek flow would carry the offal Max Solling at the podium. Prior to 1870 the most conspicuous deep into the harbour. But in summer, Photo: Bruce Davis industries were the slaughter houses, water in the creek dwindled as the distill- boiling down works and piggeries at ery’s demand for alcohol increased, and Francis Campbell’s evidence reflected the Blackwattle Swamp, the Glebe Island offal lying on the mud flats exposed to the prevailing miasmic theory that disease abattoirs and other animal-based concerns sun soon became putrid. Poor people was communicated by the noxious like Dunn’s tannery and Walton’s hide who relied for their sustenance on “receiv- vapours or gases which collected in damp and skin firm that fed off the abattoir. ing donations of heads, tails, skirts and sheltered localities where faecal wastes Other enterprises included brickmaker and other parts” from the slaughter houses were deposited. Topography was a potter Enoch Fowler (of Fowlerware fame) petitioned against their removal. critical element in suburban development. Elevated sites favoured with natural and George Blackall, flour miller James Legislation in 1830 required slaughter drainage (and a view) were coveted by the Pemell, Joseph Davenport’s Forest Lodge houses to be moved within 20 yards (18.3 well-to-do from an early date, exposed to Boot Factory, Cowan & Israel’s Soap and metres) of a creek, river or high water breezes and fresh air, remote from blight- Candle Works at Rozelle Bay, and the mark. Blackwattle Swamp met these ing winds and noxious vapours emanating operations of Thomas Tipple Smith at requirements and in the early 1830s its from nearby swamps and estuaries, Belief Blackwattle Swamp, where he built a jetty proximity to the city attracted proprietors that the urban development was poison- to receive timber and shells for lime from of slaughter houses, piggeries and ing the air had developed from earlier coastal vessels, manufactured bricks at boiling-down works to the locality. his Glebe yard and quarried stone there hypotheses that the atmosphere itself for his building work and for sale. A select committee in 1848 found slaugh- produced diseases. The young Listerians ter houses near Sussex Street and Black- were advancing their ideas of bacterial From 1824, when the Brisbane distillery wattle Swamp extremely offensive to contagion in the 1890s, though the was established on Parramatta Road in people residing near them and injurious to general populace continued to cling to old adjoining Chippendale, the creek’s fresh their health. Dr Francis Campbell told the beliefs for a time. water was dammed for use in the produc- committee that people living nearby were Commercial activities were attracted to the tion of spirits “very similar to London generally poor, and he attributed attacks cheap sites on either side of Parramatta Gin”. By 1830 wholesale carcase butch- of typhoid fever to the impurity of the air, Street but a pungent aroma hung over the ers Thomas May, John Neale and Thomas to the want of ventilation and the filthi- locality. As the neighbourhood was being Holmes built weatherboard slaughter ness and smallness of the houses. built up by 1848, a select committee houses beside Blackwattle Creek into Neglected cow houses and piggeries, Dr recommended that the slaughter houses which blood and offal fell. Soon the Campbell said, were even more pernicious and other noxious trades be moved to a Arcadian stream had become an industrial to health than the slaughter houses. more remote place. The government resumed land for a public abattoir at Glebe Island, just across the sluggish waters of Blackwattle Swamp, and within a decade tanners, tripe makers and soap and candle manufacturers were operating in close proximity to the abattoir. In 1883 a Royal Commission into Noxious and Offensive Trades heard evidence from 312 witnesses and tabled details concern- ing 108 suburban premises. Glebe Island Abattoir, a massive polluter of the air and harbour, loomed large before the Commis- sion which agreed that offensive industry should be segregated from the centres of Glebe Island Abattoir began operating in the early 1850s and became a massive polluter of population. Blood was converted to both the air and the harbour. It was a place neither government nor city authorities were fertilizer in a desiccating plant at Glebe anxious to manage. The abattoir remained a constant source of agitation until it finally closed Island, and other waste materials were in about 1916. (Sydney Mail, 22 February 1896) boiled down in a tallow factory there. Continued on next page ...

April/May 2006 5 ... Continued from previous page Industry continued to invade Glebe in the vessels”, and proposed building extensive Blood and offal were dumped in the 1890s, still largely located on the suburb’s broadside wharfage in Johnston’s, Rozelle harbour and cattle, sheep and pigs, driven perimeter. Hackshall’s Centennial Steam and Blackwattle Bays, but lack of capital along suburban streets, represented a Biscuit factory, Lackersteen’s jam and the and manpower meant that this work did serious threat to pedestrians. Basic Upton Soap Works, Sydney Lead Works not take place until 1926. During World cleaning procedures were ignored at the and Abrams broom factory in Wentworth War 1 a railway line proceeded by viaduct abattoir, there was clear evidence of Road, and just around the corner in Bridge across Wentworth Park and by a tunnel mismanagement and despite agitation for Road, Brady’s revolving shutter factory, under Glebe Point to Rozelle Bay. Mem- removal of the abattoir in 1879, a parlia- Kauri timber mills and coachbuilders. bers of the Glebe Ratepayers and Property Owners Association (1904 - 1927) had mentary committee recommended im- Down the Broadway end, Dunn’s tannery, told the parliamentary committee that they provements rather than removal. The established in Grose Street about 1844, wanted the railway line built around the stench of Glebe Island permeated Balmain was still there; Thomas Wearne’s Glebe Glebe foreshores and opposed the and Glebe and the Balmain Observer foundry, with 130 workers in 1889, pro- proposed tunnel under Glebe Point remained an implacable opponent. How- duced railway carriages, safes, ovens and ever in the 1890s Labor members James bridge components at their Cowper Street This is all recorded in the Parliamentary Johnson and S J Law defended the foundry. Standing Committee on Public Works on abattoir, with Johnson accusing council Authorised Goods Line Darling Harbour Accurately quantifying the precise inspectors of persecuting butchers and to Rozelle Bay NSWPP 1914/5. Rozelle number of factories and local factory other meat tradesmen. In 1903 secret railway yards became a feeder for a workers is impossible between 1890 and overflows from the abattoir were still Darling Harbour line and by 1916 a railway 1944, as factory employment statistics finding their way into Blackwattle Bay line along the western boundary of were not published. However entries in which was described at times as being Leichhardt to Wardell Road, Dulwich Hill, Sands suburban directories and various “blood red”. was completed. Commonwealth and State statistics do The abattoirs at Glebe Island, with two provide some evidence of the extent of Construction of wharfage around Glebe long sandstone buildings, one to slaugh- increasing industrialisation. Island began in 1912, and six years later ter sheep and the other for cattle, stood foundations for grain elevators were laid The advance of industry into old residen- out on the landscape and acted as a there. Large grain silos, together with tial precincts meant some deterioration in magnet for other animal-based noxious wharves to handle bagged wheat, domi- living conditions, though noxious trades trades to set up nearby. Agitation for nated Glebe Island by 1922. by 1900 had come under better control, removal of the abattoir became more and sanitary provision and health had From the early years of Federation the strident with residential expansion, improved. Glebe by 1914 was describes as timber mills fronting Rozelle and Blackwat- culminating in lengthy parliamentary “mostly a large industrial and manufactur- tle Bays - Langdon & Langdon, George inquiries in 1878 and 1903. Construction ing centre”, though it had a fashionable Hudson, Vanderfield and Reid, Hardy of a new abattoir at Homebush Bay was part, Glebe Point. The process of industri- Brothers, Timber Distributors and Allen authorized in 1906 to replace Glebe Island, alization gathered momentum in the Taylor - became the largest employers of “a noxious nuisance ... a source of interwar years. local labour. The timber strike in Glebe, serious loss to the government … and which lasted from January 1929 to October hopelessly out of repair”. It had gone by The Timber Industry in Glebe 1929, sustained by formal and informal 1916. The timber industry, attracted by the networks created by local women, was Glebe’s Industrial Landscape, locational advantage offered by Blackwat- remarkable for its tenacity and duration. 1880 - 1914 tle and Rozelle Bays, close to building The timber union finally had to back down activity, saw the appearance in 1882 of in October 1929 and accept the Lukin Comparatively cheap land and low Langdon, Hopkins & Langdon’s timber award that reduced wages, increased suburban rents for industrial premises was mills at Rozelle Bay, expanding rapidly to working time to 48 hours and encouraged a powerful reason for small workshops to employ 120 men. From 1891 the Kauri replacement of adult workers by lower move beyond the city limits. Industrial Timber Co’s Blackwattle Bay mill was paid youths. Few of the old timber penetration in Glebe from the 1880s flourishing. A parliamentary committee in workers were re-employed in their mills, tended to be located in pockets on the 1910 recommended the Darling Harbour and they faced long periods of unemploy- perimeter of the suburb. The number of Goods Line be linked by a railway goods ment. A number of them lived at Glebe local factories grew from 30 in 1880 to 41 line to the head of Rozelle Bay in a scheme Rowing Club. by 1888, employing 351 people. The to redevelop the port functions of Black- Langdon & Langdon’s timber mill was Sydney Tramway & Omnibus Company in wattle and Rozelle Bays which, by 1914, Francis Street had a real presence, attract- burnt down in 1930, but the timber had become a centre for the coal and industry remained a feature of the Glebe ing seven coach and wagon works to timber coastal trade. The new sawmills locate nearby. The Omnibus Company landscape until the 1970s. George Hud- received consignments of sawn timber, son went into liquidation about 1974 and remained an important local industry until logs, piles and girders from coastal ports about 1901, when it left Glebe. Most of its Blackwattle Bay site was acquired by as well as increasing quantities of im- the Department of Education for a compre- the other works in the 1880s were closely ported softwoods. associated with the building industry - hensive high school. Glebe High began joineries, sawmills, furniture workshops, The Sydney Harbour Trust Commission- taking enrolments in 1979. Hardy Brothers brass and iron foundries and Conlon’s ers in 1914 noted the “pressing needs of abandoned its Glebe Point timber drying Broughton Street pottery from 1880. increasing trade and the larger modern sheds from the late 1970s, and the Black-

6 Glebe Society Bulletin wattle Studios emerged there as a vibrant and trees sprouted everywhere”. In merchants and two blacksmiths. place for more than twenty years. The Matrimonial Causes (1993) Hardy Inner Sydney in 1945 had long been explores Ferry Road. It “follows the lie of timber mills of Vanderfield & Reid were heavily industrialised and overtly working the land, running down to Blackwattle acquired in 1975 by Parkes Developments class in their demographic profile. In Bay. The area is undergoing a lot of for home unit development. Along Rozelle 1945/6 the City of Sydney, which included change - rusty, ramshackle factories Bay the Maritime Services Board encour- Pyrmont and Camperdown, recorded 2,795 coming down, small boatyards and aged its tenants, National Plywood, Beith factories operating there, employing workshops closing, apartment blocks Chemicals, Sydney Sawmilling and Smith 73,178 factory workers. Some 2,148 rising on the sites. There were still some Brothers, to move to Port Botany. factories were located in Sydney’s inner of the old houses, narrow, single, and industrialised suburbs in 1945/6 employ- This of course was a part of a much double storey, terraces jammed close ing 97,048 workers. Alexandria, with 358 broader change. Sydney’s long history as together with built-in verandahs and factories, was the most heavily industrial- a working port created a diverse and porches dating back to the depression ised suburb, while there was an even distinctive waterfront, but from the 1970s when rentable spaces were at a premium”. spread of factories elsewhere - 241 manufacturing and waterfront infrastruc- Cliff Hardy still haunts the streets of Glebe factories in Redfern, 220 in Waterloo, 199 ture, no longer economically viable, began in 2003; “the apartment development at in Balmain, 196 1n Annandale and 190 in to close. the end of Glebe Point Road was just Newtown. Some 164 Glebe factories about ready for the well-heeled owners to Port-related facilities began to move to employed 4,496 people. Port Botany, and the export of coal and move in on water views … and back up around Harold Park, the pub has gone and Glebe’s population at the 1947 census was wheat shifted to Port Kembla. Sydney I wondered how much longer the pacing overwhelmingly Australian-born - 88.46% ceased being a port city and began to would continue”. of its males and 91.79% of itsfemales, and change to accommodate its new role as if those born in the British Isles and New the headquarters of a range of Manufacturing 1920-1970 Zealand are added, the overall figure is transnational businesses whose primary Public policy and private pressures led to 98%. Only 148 Glebe residents, less than role is as an information economy, with as the establishment from the 1920s of a high 1% of the population, were overseas born. many links overseas as within the country. and rising tariff wall to preserve and But with postwar European immigration After Parkes Development acquired the encourage manufacturing. Sydney the number of overseas-born Glebe Vanderfield & Reid site, the Glebe Society, became the hub of industry, the largest residents grew to 3,420 at the 1971 census, the 4-Shores Committee and the Glebe manufacturing centre in the country, and almost 24% of its population. Many Action Group agitated for the developer the inner suburbs became increasingly newly-arrived Italians and Greeks found to dedicate part of the land for waterfront industrialised. After the war an influx of cheap accommodation on the Church of parkland. Their action led to the creation foreign capital brought new technology England’s Glebe Estate where they of Blackwattle Bay Park in 1983. As which established conditions for substan- established themselves in their new industry was encouraged to leave water- tial increases in productivity. The country country before seeking better accommo- front industrial land at Rozelle Bay, adapted to foreign technology and world dation. In 1947 the number of Catholic resident action groups, especially the tastes, particularly in the mass consump- residents living in the inner suburbs was Glebe Society, were actively lobbying tion of consumer durables. These, with above the state average of 25.82%. Glebe, Leichhardt Council and the MSB for related base industries, provided a Waterloo and Redfern were 9% above the platform for a postwar boom in manufac- Catholic state average, Paddington over creation of new parkland to be added to turing. 7%, Annandale and Newtown about 5%, Jubilee Park. Bicentennial Park was Balmain 2% and Leichhardt 1%. Catholi- opened in 1988. In interwar Glebe the need to accommo- cism identified with working class people date the expanding wool industry saw the The gentrification of the 1970s left Glebe’s and all inner city electorates were solid demolition of old working class housing urban fabric largely intact as new resi- Labor Party seats. St James Church in and the building of multi-storey wool dents fought fiercely to protect its urban Forest Lodge was the favourite meeting stores and warehouses, and premises place for Glebe Catholics. They built heritage. But the new invasion of the late being used for hide and skin merchants. strong local networks around the church 1980s and the 1990s brought extensive The number of small mechanical and where they worshipped, educated their changes. The flight of industry from the general engineering workshops grew to 14 children and sought fellowship, but one of inner city saw the conversion of non- by 1936, invading residential precincts in their parishioners wrote: “Life was hard, residential use to residential use as old central parts of Glebe, and printing firms but we knew no better way. We accepted timber mills and disused factories were found Forest Lodge a convenient loca- things as they were; we were loyal to our bulldozed for elite waterfront townhouses tion. Alec Burdon led resident opposition school, our parish, our country, the and apartments. Pavilions on the Bay, to the increasing industrialisation of Glebe Balmain football team and the Labor Glebe Harbour and so forth sold for from in 1923, and Glebe Council’s decision to Party”. one to three million dollars and other old allow for the demolition of Guildford industrial buildings metamorphosed into Lodge, and the building of a commercial Manufacturing provided the largest area apartments. activity, Stearns Chemical Co (later the of employment for Glebe’s workforce, 41% Something of changing Glebe can be Max Factor building). In 1947 there was a of its female workforce and 26.5% of its male employees. Many shared common followed through the experiences of miscellaneous collection of industries - most numerous were 14 mechanical employment. Heavy industry, machine author Peter Corris’s private investigator, engineers, seven timber mills, six printers, making and repairs were men’s work, as Cliff Hardy. Cliff noticed change on the four flour millers, four wool merchants, apprenticeships and trade courses were Glebe landscape: “the boarding houses four hide and skin merchants, three coal got changed back to family residences Continued on next page... April/May 2006 7 ... Continued from previous page Let me introduce you to closed to women. Transport and storage (12%) and commerce (11%) were other The Blackwattle Cove Coalition (BCC) significant areas of employment for local men. About 28% of Glebe’s female Not another community group, I hear you date largely unplanned, with a seedy air of workforce were in paid employment. In sigh! Another acronym to get your head neglect, a forgotten area almost. Yet manufacturing, local women were heavily around. What is this lot on about? And today the importance of this area grows concentrated in clothing trades, a tradi- fair enough too. There are so many! I daily. It is working harbour, it is open tional women’s field, and about 19% come from the sleepy northern suburbs of space and recreation for an ever-growing worked in hotels and cafes. 18% found Sydney. Yes, yet another empty nester population of people from Pyrmont, employment as clerks in government come to a new roost in the dynamic inner Ultimo and Glebe, a heavy traffic corridor departments and companies. Many city. The number of community groups to and from the city, a cross route for women preferred factory work, despite its just stuns me. In Turramurra, I don’t pedestrians getting to and from the low wages, to the alternative, domestic shopping areas of Broadway, a sporting service with its long hours and close ground, a dog walking area, increasingly a supervision. The domestic skills and What is BCC picnic area for the surrounding suburbs, informal networks of the 72% of Glebe and a dog racing arena. women not in paid work were crucial doing? components of working class strength. There is no overall future plan for this We are currently working to get area. Any improvements that go on here Kevin Gale was a genuine voice of dialogue going with all the above go on piecemeal, if they go on at all. postwar Glebe from 1947 where, as authorities and are pushing Wentworth Park itself is a vast area, a secretary of the Toxteth Progress Associa- strongly for coordinated and huge potential open space resource for tion and editor of the Glebe Observer, he careful planning to start in this surrounding residents. It doesn’t exist in defended Glebe’s reputation but lamented area. To that end we have met isolation - at its eastern boundary is the that “slowly but surely, The Glebe itself is with Steve O’Brien, Verity Firth foreshore where we hope to get greater being swallowed up by industrial under- and Robyn Kemmis from connectivity with viewing corridors. To takings”. Sydney City Council, Susie the south is a high ridge leading into Manufacturing, especially in labour- Cleary from the Sporting Trust, Ultimo and Pyrmont and the whole park intensive textiles, footwear and clothing Brett Moore and Stephen exists as an island cut off by a never- sectors, began to decline in importance in Montgomery from the NSW ending river of cars and trucks. It needs Sydney’s workforce from the 1970s, as Maritime Authority, our local greater accessibility for the users of this increasingly mobile foreign capital was state parliament member, space. The area is linked, north and withdrawn from Australian manufacturing Sandra Nori and we have south, to the Foreshore walk and this under the new international division of meetings planned with Monica needs careful and creative planning to labour, and relocated in low-cost coun- Barone, SCC, and the strategic marry public accessibility with working tries. Deindustrialisation of the metropoli- planning section of NSW harbour. The challenges are enormous tan labour force was reflected in the Maritime. A meeting with and the whole area desperately needs absolute decline in Sydney’s manufactur- representatives of all authorities, ing sector, with 178,000 jobs lost between coordinated, far-sighted planning. hosted by Sandra Nori, is in the 1970 and 1985. By 1996 manufacturing pipeline as we speak. There is a problem - there are at least six comprised only 12.8% of the city’s total major authorities responsible in one way workforce. Something of the rapidity of or another for this area; the NSW Mari- deindustrialisation within the Leichhardt believe I was ever aware of any at all, so it time Authority, Sydney Harbour Fore- municipality is reflected in factory clo- is a shock. I have great difficulty getting shore Authority, Sydney City Council, sures. The number of factories declined the word association for the letters of their State Government, the RTA, Wentworth from 668in 1945 to 462 in 1971 and to 210 group names to register in my declining Park Sporting Complex Trust. And it in 1983. mind. And now I find myself convener of covers thee different suburban areas: - Max Solling yet another. You know what it is? It is Pyrmont, Ultimo and Glebe. sign of a very dynamic place where there On the positive side, the representatives is a lot happening, where there are so of community groups in all three suburbs Wentworth Park on TV many competing interests and so many have got together and are united in challenges. And to my amazement and purpose. That is really wonderful and as The football field beside the arches in delight, there are so many committed convener I can’t praise their integrity, hard Wentworth Park is featured in the activists who genuinely care about the work, concern and enthusiasm highly Reality TV series Nerds FC on SBS good of their community. enough. It is a privilege to be working (7.30pm Fridays). The program aims to with them and to my relief they have turn a group of self-confessed nerds So here is one more group, one more experience which I painfully lack. into a football team. acronym. Let me introduce you to the BCC. This group is looking into Blackwat- Hopefully, out of all of this a more positive Unfortunately the field looked a bit tle Bay and its hinterland, which takes in future for this sadly neglected area will neglected in close-up, but we hope the emerge. We can but hope and work current top dressing program inmproves Wentworth Park and its feeder area, Bank doggedly towards it. matters in the near future. Street, the Foreshore and harbour and the Fish Markets. It’s a complex area, and to - Anne Fraser 8 Glebe Society Bulletin Who Lived In Your Street? By Lyn Collingwood Fred Spofforth, The Demon Bowler (1853–1926) Fred Spofforth lived for much of his youth playing a New South Wales team of 22 at in Derwent Street, on the southern side. Sydney’s Domain in 1862. England won Born in Balmain, he spent part of his this match but lost a later one on the same childhood in New Zealand before, by ground and against the same numbers. 1863, settling in Glebe, a suburb with The result was popular with the crowd but plenty of open space, including a vacant not really fair to the visitors who had to block next to the Spofforth home. Fred catch a steamer that afternoon and hit at was educated privately at the Reverend everything. Fred noted that the English John Pendrill’s Eglinton House on Glebe favoured a round-arm delivery while Road (Pendrill and Eglinton streets near almost all locals bowled underhand. The the Point indicate the location) and, for a next season a stronger English team short time, at Sydney Grammar (the Alma returned to the Domain. While scoring Mater of another local boy Edmund was slow – again there were 22 in the field Barton, Australia’s first Prime Minister). – Fred was impressed with George Fred’s father was Yorkshire-born Edward Tarrant’s over-arm style. Modifying his Spofforth who landed in Fremantle aboard own “throwing” action, he started to bowl the Addingham in June 1836. An uncle as fast as he could. Schoolboy oppo- was Markham Spofforth, a solicitor and nents became afraid of his deliveries; in election manager for the Tory Party. the summer of 1873 he took nine for ten Although he went into the staid profes- against Sydney University, including sion of banking, Edward first came to seven clean bowled, the only batsman public notice in 1839 as the leader of two remaining being Edmund Barton. He played for the Newtown Cricket Club and search parties tracking survivors of one of squinting into the sun, and a formidable George Grey’s expeditions into the interior on the Albert Ground, on Elizabeth Street opposite what is now Redfern Oval. leap. His ability as an all-round athlete of Western Australia. (Spofforth brought was demonstrated in 1881 by his record four men back to Perth.) In New Zealand Cricket in those amateur days was very sprint of 100 yards in 10.2 seconds. he married Anna McDonnell, who came different from the present. Flannels were from a pioneering family. The couple had unknown, people played in their ordinary Stimulus to Australian cricket came with four children: Anna Elizabeth, Edward clothes and hardly anyone had his own W G Grace’s visit in 1873-4. Spofforth, Arthur (died 1883), Frederick Robert and bat. There were no shelter sheds or who was in Tasmania, went to Melbourne Adelaide. Edward died in 1875 and was places to change, and no rollers for the for the opening match. He noted that buried in Balmain Cemetery. His mother pitch. Grounds hard and uncared for Grace (who evoked memories of his old died in 1891 at Molong. meant wickets suited to fast bowlers. But schoolmaster who joined in the game and it was Spofforth’s increasing subtlety with taught by example) treated the Australian Like his father, Fred became a clerk with bowlers with respect. In January 1874 the Bank of New South Wales, a career he variations in style that earned him his nickname, “The Demon Bowler”. He Spofforth played against Grace’s team for combined with ever-increasing involve- New South Wales, taking three wickets for ment with cricket. Fred’s first recollection worked tirelessly on different deliveries while maintaining an unfathomable 14 runs. In December that year he took of the game was being taken by his father four for 22 and five for 50 against Victoria, to watch Stephenson’s All England Eleven demeanour: “the balls thunder like cannon-shots, yet he has the guile, when giving his State its first victory in seven seemingly about to bowl his fastest, to years. In the days before Federation drop in a slow, which is generally fatal to intercolonial hostilities ran high in politics, the batsman”. Six feet three inches tall, society and sport. Caught in a storm en weighing under twelve stone, with a route to England, New South Wales Mephistophelian expression, he was “all batsman and expert swimmer Charles legs, arms and nose” as he struck terror Bannerman said he would save his brother into his opponents. One batsman remem- and Spofforth, but wouldn’t risk his life bered passing him on the way to the for the Victorians. A riot occurred during crease: “His look went through me like a the 1878-9 English visit to Sydney when red hot poker”. “Always attack the Victorian umpire George Coulthard gave batsman,” was Spofforth’s advice. “Bear an unpopular run-out decision, the crowd in mind that batsmen are sometimes declaring they wanted an English replace- nervous creatures ... Go at him for all you ment. “We won’t have a Victorian!” are worth. If a batsman confides in you Spofforth withdrew from the 1876-7 test that he does not expect to make runs, against England because the Victorian encourage this idea; if you can make him keeper was preferred to that of his own believe he is in for a duck, he will probably colony. get it.” He had a special delivery for those Spofforth hits the crease Continued on next page ... April/May 2006 9 Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator, Glebe The conservation architect, Trevor Willoughby and Glebe. Of the other six Waters, presented a most engaging tour incinerators built elsewhere in Australia, of the Walter Burley Griffin incinerator at five have survived. Glebe, on Saturday, 8 April. The tour was In the 1930s incinerators were commis- organized by the Walter Burley Griffin sioned by local councils to manage the Society, Inc. problem of garbage disposal. Shipping Trevor outlined the history of Walter garbage out to sea had become too Burley Griffin’s work, the innovative expensive and ineffective, as the tides nature of his buildings, and his ability to returned all manner of undesirable mate- combine functionality with design excel- rial, and landfill had also become too lence. In partnership with Eric Milton expensive. Incinerators were seen as a Nicholls, Burley Griffin designed 13 cheap and efficient method of disposing Sandstone “pillboxes” anchor the two lines of municipal incinerators in Australia for the of garbage. sheds. Reverberatory Incinerator and Engineer- Burley Griffin’s incinerators were designed ing Co Pty Ltd. Seven of these were in and the residue out for disposal. The to blend in with the landscape and were Sydney, and the only ones to survive Glebe incinerator is an exception. Origi- normally built on a hill, so that gravity destruction are those located at nally the incinerator was to be located on would feed the garbage into the burners the higher ground overlooking the Harold Park Trotting venue. However, objections ... Continued from previous page to Australia in 1924-5 he saw the visiting from local homeowners forced the reloca- side defeated 4 -1. tion of the incinerator to an area looking It was the 1878 tour of England which out over Blackwattle Bay. established Spofforth’s reputation. The A wealthy man, he died in Surrey, sur- players left Australia with little send- off vived by his widow, two sons and two The Glebe incinerator was opened in 1933, and the Victorian and New South Welsh daughters. Edward Spofforth had risen and ceased operation in the 1940s. The players avoided each other on the trip from “clerk” to “gentleman” by the time of building then became part of the council depot and was adapted for use as storage over. Freezing in their light silk shirts and his death. As early as 1878 Vanity Fair space and staff amenities. constantly chasing their felt hats which had said of his son: “like all the better kind blew off in cold, blustery weather, the of Australians, he is not distinguishable With council changes back and forth from Australians lost their first match at Trent from an English gentleman.” Fred’s ties to the City of Sydney to Leichhardt , the Bridge (“much smaller and greener” than the gentry were reinforced by the marriage original plans for the incinerator were lost, the grounds Spofforth was used to in of his sister Anna into the Lyttleton family. and indeed, it was assumed that the Australia). But the Marylebone side was Lord Lyttleton, a cricketing enthusiast, building itself had been demolished. demolished at Lord’s where Spofforth had 14 children and at one stage fielded a However, due to the diligent research of took 10 for 20 and bowled Grace for a full Eleven of little Lyttletons. Trevor Waters, the remains of the building duck. In contrast to their departure the - Lyn Collingwood were recognised as the incinerator returning team was met by a flotilla of designed by Burley Griffin and Eric boats in Sydney Harbour and driven in a Nicholls, and a conservation study was four-horse coach, through streets deco- Bibliography carried out with a grant from the NSW rated with flags and flowers, to the Town Australian Dictionary of Biography Heritage Assistance Program. The Hall. In Melbourne and Adelaide too they Australian Encyclopaedia first edition preservation of the building is largely due were feted as heroes of the hour. In 1879 1926 to the efforts of Trevor Waters, the Walter Spofforth took the first hat -trick in a Test G W Bedlam and C B Fry Great Bowlers Burley Griffin Society Inc. and The Glebe match. In the original “Ashes” game he and Fielders (1906) Society Inc. took 14 for 90, enabling Australia to win N Cardus Days in the Sun (1929) The colonnaded wooden sheds which by seven runs. He shrugged off setbacks Cartoons of Australian celebrities 1878— were an integral part of Burley Griffin’s and never gave up on a match: “Recollect 1905, Vanity Fair design were demolished recently. They it only takes one ball to get a man out”. Sir George Grey Journals of two expedi- were apparently regarded as an eyesore, tions of discovery ... 1837-9 (1841) rather than as part of our industrial Overall, Spofforth played 18 Test matches. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography heritage. The two colonnades in the park, He toured England five times and in 1886 volume 57 between the incinerator and the water, married Phillis Cadman, the daughter of a Fred Spofforth Australian Cricket and represent the original sheds and in one rich tea merchant. The couple lived for a Cricketers n.d. colonnade some of the original concrete time in Melbourne where Fred managed columns which supported the timber the Moonee Ponds branch of the National Editor’s note: sheds can be still be seen. See photo page Bank of Australasia but settled perma- 11. nently in England in 1888. While manag- Before I moved to Glebe, I lived in ing the Star Tea Company, he continued to Spofforth Street, Cremorne twice - at The material used in the construction of play for Derbyshire and Hampstead, but No 50 and No 47a, so I am interested the incinerators was concrete. Concrete is after 1903 devoted most time to business in Fred Spofforth. Bannerman Street a cheap and easily moulded material, and horticultural interests. On his last trip was nearby. Continued on next page ...

10 Glebe Society Bulletin An Important Feature of Glebe’s Industrial Heritage

Photos clockwise from top left: Restored incinerator building with “chimney”, original Photo: Adrienne Kabos concrete columns that remained after the demolition of the workmen’s sheds; view to Pyrmont, site of a larger Griffin incinerator; two details of art deco features on the main building.

Photos by Bruce Davis and Adrienne Kabos

... Continued from previous page which Burley Griffin treated with various additives, including oyster shells, to give the appearance of sandstone, including the glistening patina of sandstone. The moulding, particularly of the Pyrmont incinerator, reflected the Rudolf Steiner concept of four ethers, with symbols for fire (circle), water (crescent), air (triangle), and earth (rectangle), and Trevor brought an example of one of the moulded con- crete bricks to the tour. The surface did indeed look and feel like sandstone. The Pyrmont incinerator had once stood across Blackwattle Bay looking towards the Glebe incinerator. Sadly, the Pyrmont incinerator was demolished in 1992, to make way for apartments. The original huge sandstone retaining wall remains, The Heritage sub-committee, led by David Mander Jones, is busy planning a and several of the original moulded concrete bricks were saved. visit to the Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator in the near future. Watch out for further announcements. - Margaret Sheppard

April/May 2006 11 Badde Manors damaged again In early April, I drove past Badde Man- Francis Street should remain closed or problems have continued down to the ors, on the corner of Francis Street and operate one-way out of Glebe Point present day, with the most widely Glebe Point Road. It looked as though a Road (left turn only from Glebe Point reported incident being the manslaugh- truck had damaged the corrugated iron Road, no entry to Glebe Point Road). ter of a driver of a car involved in a verandah. The police were taking notes The developers argued for the section collision with a vehicle turning out of and there was yellow tape blocking the adjacent to Glebe Point Road to be two- Francis Street into Glebe Point Road. footpath. Similar accidents have hap- way, left turn only into Glebe Point There is no doubt in my mind that the pened before. Road (the present situation). There was Society’s position was then, and is now, some support for this position from Neil Macindoe tells the background to the correct one, and Bill McCarthy and I businesses fronting Broadway with rear this incident. raised the matter again when we met entry off Grose Street, especially the with the City to discuss Minogue - Edwina Doe: brothels. Leichhardt Council voted to Reserve. Hence I think we could keep the street one-way, and barriers reactivate the issue through the City, Francis Street were erected. which may have more clout than Francis Street is a long standing prob- Unfortunately, by 2000 it became clear Leichhardt (at least it’s worth a try!) lem made even worse recently by the the developer (Walkers) had a lot of - Neil Macindoe construction work on the Broadway influence. Both Sandra Nori and the Centre. RTA began to support reopening. The Unfortunately my file on Francis Street Glebe Society launched a campaign to is inaccessible at the moment because maintain partial closure, and the rather Letter to we are renovating, but here are the bare melodramatic result was an attempt by bones. police to arrest Roger Mackell and the Editor myself, who were preventing workmen In 1998, with the reopening of Grace from removing the barriers. However the Bros as the Broadway Centre, there police were young, and Roger and I Dear Editor were various proposals concerning have a long history of civil disobedi- Is there any chance that the Society traffic management in the surrounding ence, so the attempt failed. might take up the issue of the streets. Franklyn Street was closed in dangerous intersection at Wigram order to extend Minogue Reserve and However, the will of the RTA prevailed, and Glebe Point roads? There have join it to the Forsyth Auditorium, despite the continued protest of a large been two fatalities there recently, and previously part of Grace Bros car park. section of the community, and espe- a stream of schoolchildren meanders During most of the time after Grace Bros cially of Robert Sebes, the then owner across both pedestrian crossings closed, Francis Street was also closed, of Badde Manors, who was experienc- before and after school. Should or operated one way only out of Glebe ing a lot of problems with the Broadway traffic lights be installed? Point Road. development and with the reopening of Francis Street in particular. Those - Lyn Collingwood Leichhardt Council (ie me) argued City Of Sydney Community Satisfaction Survey

In order to understand the satisfaction levels of their community More positive than the Total: base, the City of Sydney undertook a phone survey late last year. Overall performance: 10% “needs improvement” in comparison to A nine minute survey was conducted with a total sample size of 17% for the Total. n=400 (100 per zone). The zones were: Recreational facilities: 72% “excellent and good” compared with CBD – Haymarket to the Rocks; 62% for the Total . West – Chippendale to Annandale and Pyrmont; Appearance of public areas : 73% “excellent and good” compared East – Surry Hills to Potts Point and Moore Park; with 60% for the Total . South – Redfern to Erskineville and Rosebery. Traffic management and parking facilities : 31% “excellent and good” compared with 20% for the Total . 48% “needs improve- Here is a summary of the results for zone which includes Glebe: ment” in comparison to 59% for the Total. Generally, the residents of the West Zone tended to be more Less positive than the Total: satisfied than the average for Sydney and were significantly so on one Key Performance Indicator and on three attributes. Safety in public areas: 39% “excellent and good” compared with 48% for the Total . 38% “needs improvement” in comparison to They were, however, significantly less likely to feel safe in public 24% for the Total. areas than other Sydney residents, viz: Source: City of Sydney press releases and website. The full report is available on the City’s website.

12 Glebe Society Bulletin Book Fair Building community - The popular Book Fair at Glebe Library Darling Street Glebe will be held this year on Saturday 3 June, from 9am. Donations of books for the Fair does it again. are welcomed - please contact the Library The usual date for our street party, for further details. Australia Day, was missed this year, so we There will be boxes for you to donate decided to have a party on Anzac Day. birthday gifts (unwrapped please) for the With some changes of residents in Darling disadvantaged children who attend the Street, return visits of past neighbours Centipede Centre at Glebe Public School and an anticipated new resident, we met in (before school, after school and holiday the late afternoon. A BBQ, red wine, care). Please think of these children when Spanish frittata and other goodies all you come to the Book Fair. Additionally made for a very enjoyable event, in spite Forest Lodge Public School plans to hold Glebe Society president Bob of a few rain showers. With hearty Armstrong at Rosso Nero. conversation and introductions to new a sausage sizzle and sell cakes outside the Photo courtesy of The Glebe. library, so come along and enjoy the pets on the block, there was plenty of books and food. Bob Armstrong opportunity to meet people. We now know who lives in which house and can interviewed by The say hello to everyone when we meet in the Glebe street. It was a very easy event to 1st organise as everyone came with food and Kate Sullivan of The Glebe interviewed wine to share. Prize Bob Armstrong over lunch at Rosso Nero - Jan Wilson recently. Here is and extract from her report, in the 20 April issue ... Pétanque Glebe wouldn’t be Glebe without the The Glebe Art Show societies and community groups which An area will be set aside for pétanque, as The Glebe Art Show is held every year at work to improve the inner-city village. part of the Foreshore upgrade. It is east Benledi, 184 Glebe Point Road, and the When Glebe Society president Bob of Pope IV Reserve, near the Pavilions and adjacent Glebe Library. Local residents are Armstrong moved to the area in the late will consist of two strips of decomposed encouraged to contribute their artworks - 1970s, his first foray into community granite, 20 metres by 4.5 metres. David in 2005 well over 200 entries were received action groups was “fighting the good Mander-Jones and Bruce Davis will be for this 10-day event, which now includes fight for Blackwattle Park”. He said pleased! contributions from Pyrmont and Ultimo community groups like the Glebe Society artists following our 2003 transfer to the are an integral part of life. City of Sydney which generously pro- “I think when you are on the ground and vides a $3,000 first prize. see things you have a better idea of what This year marks the 9th Art Show and the the community would like to have”, he opening and awarding of prizes will be said “Individuals don’t necessarily get the held on Friday 30 June at 6pm at Benledi. results that groups can. The exhibition continues every day until 9 … Mr Armstrong has been Glebe Society July from 11am to 6pm at Benledi during president since January 2005 after first this period and in regular library hours. taking the role [of vice-president] in the This year new arrangements have been ’80s. “It can sometimes seem like a full- made for the library to be open from 12 time job”, he said. midday to 4pm on Saturday 1 and Satur- ... He said Glebe’s vibrant restaurant scene day 8 July, as well as Sunday 2 July from is just as important to the area as commu- 11am to 4m. nity groups. For those intending to enter the competi- “The creative side of Glebe is very tion, entry forms providing further important” he said. “I used to resist using information for potential exhibitors will be the word ‘bohemian’, but that is what it is. Bruce demonstrating a common error available in early May from Glebe Library He said in order to keep Glebe alive, to Glebe Society members Scott and (note the $15 fee). Any other enquiries shopkeepers and restaurants need to offer Judy Pearson during a pétanque should be directed to me on 9660 8936. something a little different for their course last year at Canterbury. Photo: customers. - Robin Lawrence David Mander-Jones

April/May 2006 13 Slipway Development in Rozelle Bay News and Notes A public notice appeared on page 6 of The Glebe, 20 April. Thirsty Thursdays Exhibition of Environmental Assessment All members are invited to meet for dinner in Glebe on the first Major Project: Proposed Marine Maintenance Facility, James Thursday of each month, to eat and talk with other people who Craig Road, Rozelle, Leichhardt LGA live in Glebe. Location: Lot 31 & 34 James Craig Road, Rozelle Bay The next Thirsty Thursday is at La Tavolaccia Garden Restau- Proponent: Sydney Slipways Pty Ltd rant, 355 Glebe Point Road (near the Toxteth Hotel) on 4 May. Approval Authority: Minister for Planning There is no need to book, so just turn up and BYO wine. Description of proposal Put Thursday 1 June in your diary, too. Sydney Slipways Pty Ltd has made an application (reference number 05_0187) for the construction and operation of a marine BASIX Explained - Monday 15 May maintenance facility at James Craig Road, Rozelle Bay in the Leichhardt local government area. The proposal would include: Hear all aboutBASIX in the Community Room at Benledi at 6 pm • five floating pontoons, two fixed berths, a crane and two on Monday, 15 May, from Andrew Thomas, Manager, Strategic straddle lifts; Planning at the City of Sydney, as Neil explains on page 4. • 8200m² hardstand area; All members are welcome, free of charge, and we have invited • water treatment plant; other community groups in Glebe as well. • maintenance and painting sheds; • diesel refuelling facility; and associated administrative and Smoke Alarms storage facilities. The Environmental Assessment will be on exhibition until 23rd From 1 May 2006, you must have smoke alarms installed. See May at: www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au/community/athome/smokealarms for • Department of Planning at 23-33 Bridge Street; information • Leichhardt Council; • Nature Conservation Council level 5 362 Kent Street; •S ydney Harbour Foreshore Authority level 6 66 Harrington Glebe Foreshore Walk work being Street, The Rocks. watched Representatives from the Glebe Society and the Save Rozelle Bay You are invited to make a written submission to this proposal by group are having fortnightly meetings with council representa- close of business on Tuesday 23 May. See http:// tives to inspect the progress of work on the Foreshore Walk. www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register2006.asp#gma for more information.

Mail-out team goes AWOL City of Sydney Councillors Lord Mayor No fewer than four members of our regular mail-out team were Clover Moore MLA overseas when we mailed out this Bulletin.. Councillors This is not good enough. It is no way to spend the retirement years. Their passports will be confiscated when they return. Phillip Black Verity Firth Chris Harris Bulletins by email? Marcelle Hoff Robyn Kemmis So far only one person, Mari-Luise, has asked to receive the Michael Lee Glebe Society Bulletin by email, as offered in last month’s issue. Shayne Mallard If you would like to join her in saving the environment, please John McInerney send an email to [email protected]. Tony Pooley Phone the Town Hall, 1300 651 301, for contact details. Computers Wanted The Glebe Connunity Centre at the Old Fire Station.has a thriving computer section. Unfortunately their computers are rapidly Forest Lodge Public becoming out of date. If you have a functioning computer that you no longer need, School please contact: Home of The Glebe Jan Wilson Society Archives H: 9660 2698 M: 0408 207 784 Principal: Mrs Elva Salter Phone 9660 3530 [email protected] 14 Glebe Society Bulletin For your diary ...

Thursday 4 May, 7pm - Thirsty Thursday - Dinner at La Tavolaccia, 355 Glebe Point Road. Wednesday 11 May, 7.30pm - Glebe Society Management Committee Meeting - The Old Fire Station, 115 Mitchell Street. All members welcome. Monday 15 May, 6pm - BASIX Explained - Presentation by Andrew Thomas, City of Sydney - Benledi Community Room. Everyone welcome, free of charge. Thursday 1 June, 7pm - Thirsty Thursday - Dinner at La Tavolaccia, 355 Glebe Point Road. Friday 2 June - take your surplus books to the Library for the Book Fair. Saturday 3 June, 9am - Annual “Friends of Benledi Library” Book Fair. Wednesday 8 June, 7.30pm - Glebe Society Management Committee Meeting - The Old Fire Station, 115 Mitchell Street. All members welcome. Friday 30 June - Sunday 9 July - Annual Glebe Art Competition.

Contacting The Glebe Society Inc The Glebe Society Established 1969 Mail Management Committee: All correspondence should be addressed President Bob Armstrong 9660 4189 to: Vice-president Bruce Davis 9660 7873 Immediate Past President Andrew Craig 9566 1746 The Glebe Society Inc Secretary Liz Simpson-Booker 9518 6186 PO Box 100, Glebe NSW 2037 Treasurer Bruce Davis 9660 7873 Website Committee Members: Anne Fraser 9660 7560 John Gray 9518 7253 The Society has a growing website Bill McCarthy 9660 5119 Jan Wilson 9660 2698 (www.glebesociety.org.au) for the infor- Sub-committee Convenors: mation of members and anyone with an All sub-committee convenors are ex officio members of the Management interest in Glebe. Committee Arts, Culture and Media Sue Ingram 9692 8534 The website will only flourish if members Bays and Foreshores Tony Larkum 9660 7030 use the site. Send contributions or Wentworth Park Anne Fraser 9660 7560 comments to Environment and Open Spaces Bill McCarthy 9660 5119 [email protected] Heritage David Mander Jones 9552 4172 Infrastructure Defect Reporting Margaret Sheppard 9660 4121 The Bulletin Membership Cheryl Herden 9660 7371 We are glad to publish letters or articles Planning Neil Macindoe 9660 0208 on any matters of interest to Glebe, any Transport and Traffic Chris Hallam 9660 3670 topic raised in the Bulletin, or any issues Adopt-a-Park Contacts: relating to the Glebe Society. Write to Foley Park: Bobbie Burke (9692 0343) Kirsova: Fay & David Mander Jones Paddy Gray Park: John Gray the address above or email Other Contacts: [email protected] Archivist Lyn Milton 9660 7930 Disclaimer Blackwattle Cove Coalition (BCC) Anne Fraser 9660 7560 Bulletin Editor Edwina Doe 9660 7066 Views expressed in this Bulletin are not History of Glebe Max Solling 9660 1160 necessarily those of the Glebe Society History of the Glebe Society Jeanette Knox 9660 7781 Inc. Liaison with CityRags Bob Armstrong 9660 4189 Bulletin Deadline Liaison with COGG Bob Armstrong 9660 4189 Liaison with FLAG Jan Wilson 9660 2698 The next edition of the Bulletin will be Publicity Sue Ingram 9692 8534 published at the end of May. The deadline Social events Jeanette Knox 9660 7781 for contributions is Wednesday 18 May. Website Cynthia Jones 9660 2451

April/May 2006 15 In this issue lll Anzac Day in Glebe - p1 lll 77 Hereford Street update - p3 lll Planning Matters - p4 lll Glebe’s industrial History - p5 lll The BCC explained - p8 lll Who Lived in Your Street? - p9 lll Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator - p11 lll Glebe Matters - p13

The GLEBE SOCIETY Inc POSTAGE PAID PO Box 100 Glebe 2037

Membership of the Glebe Society Community Contacts Manager-Neighbourhood Services Centre ; Glebe, Forest Individual member $45 Lodge, Camperdown, Ultimo & Pyrmont: Baharak Sahebekhtiari, Phone: 9298 3191, Mob: 0417 426 201 Joint (2 people, one address) $55 Email: [email protected] Household (more than 2 adults and/or children, one address) $60 Glebe Town Hall Office: 9298 3190 8.30am-5.30pm Mon- Fri Concession (student or pensioner) $20 Sydney City Council Customer Service Business or institution $110 Telephone (24 hours): 9265-9333 email: council@cityof sydney.nsw.gov.au Write to PO Box 100, Glebe, 2037 or phone the Secretary, Liz website: www.cityof sydney.nsw.gov.au Simpson-Booker, on 9518 6186. Dumped Shopping trolleys: Bi-Lo - 9281 4511. Most other major stores - 1800 641497. Pacific Services If you have a matter that you would like to discuss with the - 0500 847 000 or [email protected]. Management Committee, please phone the Secretary. Aircraft noise: 1800 802 584

16 Glebe Society Bulletin