the balmain THe Peninsula 111 association incorporated ESi news sheet
Vol 44 No 2 Issue 311 Founded November 1965 June 2009 Balmain Town Hall Refurbished
r I ihe heritage listed Balmain Town to the front and side of the building. I Hall has been extended and The large fig trees have been retained -1- refurbished to improve and there is now a shaded courtyard accessibility and to pro\ ide modem area accessible from Darling Street and library facilities, whilst retaining from the Library. heritage features. The Town Hall was Stage 1 has now been completed and built in 1887-1888. as part of the the official opening by the Mayor of Balmain Civic group of buildings. The Leichhardt Council took place on Mon architect was EH Buchanan who was 16 March 2009. also an alderman on the Balmain Attendees were taken on a lour of the Council. The main stmcture is a two- new library and meeting rooms Inside the 'new' Library storey Victorian lialianate building of followed by tnorning tea. As well as the brick and stucco with plaster usual library facilities, there is now a decorations. The comer tower used to computerised history section, a new Resources have been expanded with the have a large dome which was taken meeting/reading room for teenagers and purchase and installation of a public down during World War II Ibr safety a new storage room on the first floor. address system, projector and screen. reasons. To support improved sound, advice was Balmain ceased being a municipality in sought from an acoustic specialist. His 1948 when it was amalgamated into recommendation for curtains to reduce Leichhardt Municipality. The last and control distortion has been Mayor to preside over Balmain Council implemented. For the main hall to be was Richard M O'Connor. On 10 Dec functional, further work needs to be 1948 the Balmain Council held its undertaken. Balmain Town Hall farewell ball, the proceeds of which Committee has received a request from went to the Red Cross and 'The Miss the Mayor. Councillor Jamie Parker, for Australia Quest'. a list of urgent items to be submitted to Council for consideration as funding for Stage Two is not available. He Official opening expressed support for an upgrade of facilities to complement the work that Comments so far on the renovations has already been undertaken. Editor have been positive. There was particular interest in the modem In 1909 - 100 years ago artwork windows in the new children's area. Council is to be congratulated on the fine results. Community response to the colour scheme, changes to the library and foyer has been enthusiastic Newly refurbished Town Hall and as use of the facilities increases, full appreciation of the improvements Leichhardt Council undertook to will be possible. Already a number of refurbish the Town Hall in 2008 with a meetings and other events have taken Montague South from Post OITicc Tower plan of undertaking work in two stages. place in the renovated building, I N T H I S I S S U E The first stage of work was the including the March Ordinary Council Page extension and refurbishment of the meeting, the first Council meeting to 1 B a l m a i n T o w n H a l l library, provision of a lift to the main take place at the Balmain Town Hall 2 & 3 Ro/elle Heritage, Metro and hall on the first floor, upgrade of the since the refurbishment. De\elopmeni Update Meeting Room and installation of The second stage of the refurbishment 4 Sydney Heritage Fleet toilets with disabled access. Exterior includes maintenance for the main hall. 5 J o h n B o o t h painting was also included. It needs urgent attention so that the 6 & 7 Heritage Walk 1. Editorial Landscaping work has been completed venue can realise its full potential. 8 What's on at the Watch House Heritage Rozelle Neighbourhood Metro to Terminate History?
A Metro station is proposed by the English Gothic style. The same firm the adjoining St Paul's Presbyterian State Government for Rozelle Junction. also designed the adjacent rectory that Church, which opened in 1904. Darling Street and Victoria Road. was constructed in 1882 in Victorian Rozelle still has a Masonic hall, There is a cluster of heritage buildings filigree style. erected in Victorian classical style in in that location that should be 1888. The hall's elaborate facade preserved. In the mid-1950s, to includes a canopied life-size statue enable the widening of Victoria of Minerva, whose left hand holds Road, Rozelle lost a swag of built up the beacon of learning for the heritage that stood enlightenment of nearby residents between Darling Street and Terry and the bustling pedestrians of Street and faced Victoria Road. Darling Street's northem The landmark While Bay Hotel thoroughfare. On the southwest was destroyed by fire last year. side of Darling Street there stands What remains of the built heritage should be retained. j-| the former fire station designed by Walter Liberty Vernon in a style that evokes the domestic arts and When, in 1914. Dr J J C Bradfield crafts movement for which Vernon planned a rail link connecting is famed. Millers Point to Petersham, via Rozelle Post Office the Balmain Peninsula, the "Weston The 2008 rebirth of the former [Victoria] Road" station was to be A spacious 1906 St Joseph's Catholic Mechanics Institute in Victoria Road as located near the Belmore and Church with its distinctive French- a conservatorium of music is a Whiticombe Streets' intersection, inspired fleche dominates the welcome return to original edifying adjacent to the former tramways southeastern side of Victoria Road. St purpose of this 1907 building, which electrical substation in Hancock Joseph's presbytery in nearby Quirk was the advancement of useful arts. Street. Notifications of planned Street is styled in free Victorian The building's previous life was resumptions were issued to affected Gothic, possibly by local architect and mostly as a haven to a mouldy freeholders at that time. A second alderman, James McDonald. The circulating library which was housed station, "Callan Park", was planned for Anglican rectory and Catholic downstairs and shady habitues who Rozelle's border with Lilyfield. presbytery are two of the few patronized the upstairs poolrooms. outstanding residences erected in Other of Rozelle's historical buildings The following is an extract from my Rozelle during the late colonial period have not siu^'ived. The early online Dictionary of Sydney entry on that have escaped demolition or 20''' century rail-sidings and wheat Rozelle. With the exception of St alteration. silos constructed on the Glebe Joseph's Catholic Church and The public school which John Horbury Island reclamation displaced the Presbytery, together with the former Hunt was invited to design opened in Edmund Blacket-designed abattoirs, Masonic hall, all other items are 1878. William Edmund Kemp which were demolished in 1915. The clustered around the area where a extended the original wing in 1884 removal in the mid-1950s of an entire Rozelle Metro station would likely be and, under the hand of James Sven row of imposing heritage buildings on located. The online entry reads: Wigram. it was extended again in the northwest side of Victoria Road for 1901. In 1961, the school's Horbury a wider carriageway took the ornate In spite of the stigma of an ugly slum, Hunt wing survived an arson attack towered Rozelle Post Office, designed Rozelle was blessed with a small but that destroyed much of the building's by Vernon and built in 1893-4, the remarkable collection of public roof and flooring but left its fabric and original weatherboard St Paul's (1876), buildings. The oldest of these is St structure undamaged. Using a free designed by McDonald. Alexander Thomas's Church of England, designed medieval style, local alderman and Elphinstone's 1882 manse for St by Blacket and Sons in 1874. This was architect Edward John Bowen designed Paul's, and the original Bridge Hotel. built, and later extended, in an early 2 The White Bay Hotel, which dated from 1907, became a Before its demolilion c 1955 Rozelle Post Office (see photo Glebe Island landmark. It was famed as Rozelle's sole previous page) stood as a splendid example of high "earlier opener", with its public bar opening on weekdays at Victorian public architecture that came out of the colonial 06:00am. After patronage evaporated in the wake of the architect's office. To assuage residents' hostility to the closure or relocation of local heavy industry, the hotel postal name "Rozelle, Sydney", Sir George Reid's ceased trading. By dawn on Saturday September 6 2008, a Postmaster-General (later Federal Prime Minister), Joseph fire that began the night before had completely razed the Cook, changed it to "Rozelle, Balmain". hotel, and thus another of Rozelle's iconic buildings was John Williams removed from the townscape.
I
The METRO plan: U
The maps for the Rozelle portion of the Metro have areas at the Darling Street and Victoria Road junction marked as sites for "surface works". "Surface works" may mean that the relevant land is required for tunnel excavation and extraction of spoil, or for locating heavy construction machinery, or for runnel or station ventilators, or for Rozelle station access, or for bus access, or for a combination of purposes). At this stage, Metro planners can't be specific but I have determined the following:
St Thomas' Church On the north-western comer, the land between Victoria Road and the former Presbyterian Church is affected, together with the open A high-demand pre-school operates in the Anglican hall (and space on the Victoria Road side of Rozelle Public School and the has done for over half-a-century), so use of this portion of land open space behind the Presbyterian Church (where the for a surface works site would be highly contentious, The weatherboard James Macdonald church of 1874 was later re- parents of the pre-schoolers have publicised their concems erected). The 1904 Edward Bowen church itself is not affected, already in local newspapers. nor is the early !920's hall behind it. None of the Rozelle John Williams School buildings is affected. The row of shops that stands between Victoria Road and the church, facing Darling Street, is affected. Metro and other developments update:
On the north-eastern comer, neither St Thomas's Church nor the Opposition to the CBD Metro plan, terminating at Rozelle, has been expressed strongly by local residents and Leichhardt adjacent Rectory (both Blacket and Sons) is affected but the hall Council. The plan has already received much criticism from with the window facing Victoria Road, where the pro-school is various sources including Infrastructure Australia. The estimated now located, certainly is. The rows of shops that stand cost has already blown out to S5.3billion. The latest budget blowout comes as the Government begins only now to properly between Victoria Road and the church, facing Darling test the project's viability. Street and Victoria Road, are affected, The RTA appears to be still pushing ahead with the duplication of 1 have two priority concerns: the Iron Cove Bridge despite strong opposition from communities and Councils on both sides of the crossing. Sydney Rowers are 1, The St Thomas' Anglican Church hall this shares a style looking into legally challenging the new bridge as it would similar to the hall at All Souls Leichhardt, which faces Marion prevent them being able to use what they claim is the only suitable calm waterway in the area, Opponents of the RTA plans say the Street. Both buildings are contemporaneous. duplication is costly, would not alleviate traffic congestion problems and would cause greater difficulty for traffic entering 2. The comer building on Victoria Road, adjacent to the Leagues and leaving Victoria Rd in Rozelle. Club (where the all night chemist used to operate) has features Leichhardt Council and community groups have taken up the which could possibly be associated with James Macdonald the running on community involvement in the planning of White Bay. blend of Gothic and classical motifs. After more than 2 years of promises of proper planning with full community consultation, nothing has happened other than Mr Phillips. Heritage officer for the Metro team, urged that the continued ad-hoc inappropriate proposals put forward by State whole St Thomas' site (including the hall) be put to heritage Government, The community has been kept in the dark about any Taskforcc meetings and no information has been forthcoming on assessment before Metro planning is too far advanced. any proper planning of the foreshore. Editor
3 Sydney Heritage Fleet
The forerunner of the Sydney Heritage taking place on thcl912 ferry Kanangra The Sydney Heritage Fleet also made Fleet, was founded in 1965 by a group and the 1927 relief pilot vessel John significant contributions towards the of public-spirited individuals to Oxley, both of which are located at the establishment of the Australian preserve Sydney's 1902 VIP steam heritage shipyard off James Craig Rd, National Maritime Museum which yacht Lady Hopetoun. The organisation Ro^elle Bay. Restoring a 1000 ton ship opened at Darling Harbour in 1991. The later became known as the Sydney with a volunteer workforce is two organisations play complementary Maritime Museum Limited and then in necessarily a long term proposition, the roles, the Sydney Heritage Fleet placing 1998 the trading name Sydney Heritage recovery and restoration of the James an emphasis on restoration and Fleet was adopted. The Fleet now Craig from her resting place in operation of heritage vessels rather than comprises 8 operational historical Recherche Bay, Tasmania took 30 years preservation and conservation. vessels, one of the largest such and cost approximately S25 million. collections in the world. The restoration of the John Oxley is of A community-based non-profit considerable historic significance organisation, the Fleet's mission is to: nationally and internationally. One of build and maintain an internationally the few Clyde built steam ships still recognised centre of excellence in around she is typical of the fleet of maritime heritage for the benefit of all costal steamers that played such a huge Australians by presenting through part in the economic and social research, acquisition, conservation, development of Australia, she is the last restoration, education and operation, surviving example of such a vessel. our continuing maritime history. The Fleet is funded through donations, The John Oxley is a familiar site to all A volunteer painting the rails membership subscriptions and income who cross the Anzac bridge westbound, from vessel charters and tours. The her tall steamer's funnel is Fleet receives no federal or state The fleet relies on the volunteers to unmistakable as she sits on the fleet's government funding. carry out much of the work. slave dock at our heritage shipyard site Volunteers can be of any age over 16 in Rozelle. Over the last four years we yrs, and any background, from have just about completed the carpenter and welder to research restoration of the hull replacing and re- assistant or artist. Recently, in riveting nearly a hundred steel plates of about a tonne a piece. The project is conjunction with the Australian Society of Marine Artists, local artist being lead by Barry Jones the 84 year David Wilshire was invited to be an old ex chief engineer of Garden and artist-in-residence on the Kanangra for Cockatoo Island dockyards. We hope to 5 mths during which time he produced re-float her in the next two years though over 40 paintings and drawings the ship's interior will require at least inspired by his surroundings which another 5 years work. Once restored, were on exhibition to the public at the she will be exhibited and steamed end of MarchThe Fleet is not just a 1874 barque James Craig within the harbour and along the NSW bunch of old men restoring ships there coast. arc also a variety of courses run with The Fleet's 1200 strong membership and local schools in particular Sydney 550 dedicated volunteer workers restore, Secondary College at Blaekwattle, operate and maintain the fleet of vintage Leichhardt and Balmain and vessels while preserving traditional Canterbury High School. The courses technical methods and skills. cover everything from "Messing about in boats" to commercial seaman's The Fleet's oldest vessel, the 1874 iron courses and a project to build a 28ft barque James Craig has been fully diesel hard chine fishing boat. restored and sails regularly. The Fleet recniits and trains her crew of 45 and The fleet needs water front facilities to runs regular square rig sail training undertake the restoration projects and courses for all comers, the courses cost to run ship charters. Water front land SI05 and upon graduating deck trainees is increasingly under pressure in the can sign on as crew for day sails and 1902 Steam Tug Waralah Harbour. The Fleet has an excellent annual trips to Hobart, Newcastle and relationship with NSW Maritime and Melbourne The Fleet also operates three The Fleet also has 55 small heritage is negotiating with the NSW Govt for of the most historically significant a permanent shipyard site and fleet vessels on Sydney Harbour: the 1902 boats and one of the largest collections of marine engines in Australia which operating base. Goat Island has been steam tug Waratah, the 1902 VIP steam suggested. launch Lady Hopetoun and the 1903 are being restored and conserved. The schooner Boomerang. To supplement Fleet's collection includes over fiffy the dying band of steam engineers the model ships including models of some Christina Ritchie of the Fleet's own vessels. The Fleet's Fleet runs its own accredited course for Marine Engine Drivers (steam) the only Maritime Records and Research Centre Thanks to Jon Simpson. General maintains a comprehensive research organisation in the world to do so. Manager, SHF. for his assistance in Other operational vessels include library and archive which includes writing this article. workboats and a 1950's wooden photographs, ships' plans, diaries, logs and journals. speedboat. Restoration is currently JOHN BOOTH Local Historical Identity, Balmain's First Mayor
Most sources portray John Booth as an a property at Cooma and 510 acres (206 ha) Waverley cemetery. He was survived by important IQ"* century figure in Balmain at Bundanoon. his wife Susannah, nee Wetherall, whom he and in NSW. Circumstantial evidence had married at Brisbane Water in 1850, and confirms Booth's reputation (there is a by four sons and six of their seven Booth Street in Balmain as well as in daughters. Annandale). Some biographical details on Booth are missing (his mother's name and John Booth -Extract from Australian Men family for instance) and given the verbose of Mark vagueness of his entry in Australian Men of The pioneers of the industries of New Mark (published, when Booth was still South Wales certainly deserve a place in alive, to celebrate the centenary of British any role of Australian men of mark. To settlement in Australia), it could be inferred them is due much of the material prosperity that his family, euphemistically termed of the country. It is they who find work and "uneducated", though not convicts, were wages for the artisan. Each one of those from the wrong class. It seems the NSW great instimtions of labour - not yet half colony was not the egalitarian society that numerous enough in this colony - with Australia was portrayed as later and their workshops ringing with the strong indicates that Booth had to contend with voice of labour, and their approaches more than a devastating fire, to make the thronged at morning and evening by contribution he did. coming or returning workmen, are so many monuments to the energy, capacity, and Booth entered politics in February 1872, success of the men who now form the heart Below is the entry on Booth in Australian when he and Joseph Weame, John Dictionary Of Biography - Online Edition and brain of the industries of the country. Robertson and Joseph Raphael were elected John Booth, of Balmain, Sydney, is well- (wH^^'.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A030I8 for West Sydney. Standing as a known as one of the pioneers of our early 4h.him)an
Walk 1 - Gladstone Park to the Balmain Watch House
The suburb of Balmain is named after Gladstone Park Bowling Club St Augustine's Church (RC) - had William Balmain, a Surgeon-General, (GPBC) - Is one of the oldest bowling early beginnings. In 1848 William who in 1800 received a land grant (The clubs, founded in 1891. Part of local Adolphus Young donated a site for a Balmain Grant) of 550 acres (220ha) folklore states that the GPBC broke Catholic church in Balmain and on 4 from Governor John Hunter. William away from the Balmain Bowling Club September 1848 the foundation stone Balmain was bom in Perthshire, in 1891. The reason, I'm told, was the was laid. Funds being short and much Scotland in 1762 and enlisted with the religious rivalry that occurred during of the labour voluntary, the church was Royal Navy as a surgeon's mate, which that period, which resulted in one club not opened until 5 May 1851. Father J. meant he did not need to be fully becoming Catholic and the other a J. Therry was its first priest and qualified. Protestant venue. This information has remained there until his death in 1864. After twelve years service to the come from a 'word of mouth' source; In 1860 the building was extended by Colony of New South Wales W. the written word on this subject is yet 12 feet and a gallery added. Balmain returned to Britain in 1801 to be seen. As the congregation grew with the where he died, aged 41 years in 1803. Balmain expansion, the church became In 1801, prior to his departure to too small and in 1906 the foundation Britain, W. Balmain sold the grant to a stone for a new church was laid. The Dr John Gilchrist for the nominal sum present church was dedicated on I of five shillings. December 1907. The suburb of Balmain could be classified as a microcosm of Australia Fawcett St. (Cottages) - The cottages in Political, Religious and Industrial with the overhanging balconies are pre historical aspects. I. 1880. This is similar to other older Gladstone Park - was originally inner-city suburbs. The law was later changed so that any future balcony known as the 'Pigeon Ground' because Gladstone Park Bowling Club pigeon shooting supposedly took place designs had to be inclusive within the in the area during the 1850s. The Slate The club has recently reinvented itself property. Most of the older properties Government purchased the land in by hiring out its venue for various were built by a stonemason Timothy 1882 and on 5 April 1890, Gladstone social events such as birthdays, Fawcett in the 1860s. Park was officially opened as a weddings etc and 'barefoot bowling' is recreation area for the residents of a regular and popular occurrence. Stephen St. - used to lead down to the Balmain. 'Stephen St. Wharf 7' ferry terminal in In the early 1800's the Roman Catholic White Bay. This discontinued during Gladstone Park School - Originally the constmction of the Industrial While known as Pigeon Ground School' was (RC) Church was somewhat restricted from constructing their establishments Bay area in the 1950/60s. opened in 1862 with a pupil attendance of about 250 pupils. It is now called in the centre of towns and suburbs. To Adolphus St. - named after William Balmain Public School and pupils use gel around this hurdle their churches were built on the nearest highest Adolphus Young (1814-1885), the park as a play area. merchant and Sheriff of NSW, ground available, and tall steeples were Reservoir - Before the reservoir was added that could be seen at great acquired a substantial holding in built, the people of Balmain got their distances. This familiar pattern repeats default of a mortgage foreclosure water from backyard wells or from itself in the older suburbs and country during the 1840 depression. pumps or water carts. After years of towns throughout Australia. Balmain Bowling Club (BBC) - this promises to improve the water club was founded in 1880 and is sanitation, the announcement in 1912 that a water reservoir was to be built recognised as Australia's oldest club under the park caused a public outcry. still playing on its original ground. This club shares a history that interacts The Water Board reassured residents with the above GPBC. that, once the reservoir was built into the rock below, the park, complete 4 Wallace St, Clontarf Cottage - was with a new bandstand, would be built in 1844 by Robert Blake, a restored right over the top of the soldier. Sheriff and spec builder. In the concrete and steel structure. The 1980's the building became derelict construction of the Balmain Reservoir and the threat of demolition stirred a was completed by the Water Board in resident action group who, by notable 1917. It is no longer in use. demonstration, helped to save it and St Augustine's Church persuade Leichhardt Council to restore the building for community use.
6 White Bay - named after First The local community has been It was purchased in 1911 by Henry Fleeter, John White, Surgeon- promised input into the planning of Brisbane Swan, a timber merchant General to the Settlement. "Journal White Bay. and local wharf owner. After his of a Voyage to New South Wales", death it fell into disrepair but has by John White, was first published 12b Grafton Street, Hampton now been meticulously restored. in 1790. This publication included Villa - cl 855. Sir Henry Parkes Camerons Cove is also the 65 magnificent colour plates of (1815-1896) resided here from Headquarters of the NSW Water "non-descript animals, birds, 1888-92 while Premier of New Police (Sydney Harbour). serpents, curious cones of trees and South Wales. As an Australian other natural productions". statesman he became known as the Balmain Watch House - Today, White Bay was developed in the "Father of Federation". the Balmain Watch House is the 1950/60s into an industrial complex As the earliest advocate of a Federal headquarters of the Balmain for Lever and Kitchen, a detergent Council of the then colonies of Association, formed in November manufacturer. This involved Australia, a precursor to the 1965 to preserve and promote the creating a wharf area and rail Federation of Australia, he is district. As Balmain grew in the network link that covers the generally considered the most 1850's it became a nuisance to take distance of approx 1.5 kms. The prominent of the Australian short term prisoners to the City for a wharf area was used as a container Founding Fathers. single night and local residents terminal from the mid 60's until the requested a police force and local mid 1990's. It is, at present, used gaol. The building was used by the for the storage of cars before police up until 1960 when it became delivery to retailers. derelict. The building dates back to 1855 but became a target for demolition in the early 1960's when the National Trust was asked to support an appeal, led by local residents, to save the Watch House. The BA now maintains the building which is used mainly for exhibitions and to Ewenton Park store archival history. Ewenton Park/Camerons Cove - George Cooper Ewenton Park overlooks Jubilee White Bay Bay/Camerons Cove and contains one of Balmain's grand waterfront You can contact George via the Balmain Association for The future of White Bay depends houses, Ewenton. Built in 1854 as a on the outcome of a new planning single story dwelling it was information on future conducted local historical walks. process for the bay area. extended between 1862 and 1873.
Autumn/Winter update The cooler season is well and truly with us - a time when the area but also its liveability. The foreshores too need we can appreciate the changing colours provided by the our attention. Huge marinas and other inappropriate deciduous trees in our parks and streets. It may also turn proposals continue to be assessed and approved for our our attention to thinking about ways we can provide harboLirfront and waterways. Our health services too are warmth and comfort to those less fortunate who live in under threat. The casualty services provided by Balmain cold, damp conditions or on the streets of our diverse city. Hospital have recently been reduced. There is no longer a Luckily Balmain/Rozelle is now a far cry from the night CP casually service and even the day services are at substandard overcrowded unhealthy suburb of our not-too- risk of closure. Our residents, our special community, distant past when dirty, noisy industry occupied the deserve better. Editorial foreshores and slopes around the peninsula and the workers endured harsh working and living conditions. Traffic and parking problems are a new annoyance 100 Years Ago - 1909 however and our footpaths need attention. Unfortunately too, while many of us have been carefully upgrading, Electric Light and Power Supply renovating and extending our homes, superb examples of Corporation Ltd was established to supply historical, and even heritage, architecture have disappeared electricity to Balmain. Electric street for ever from our historical area. Swathes of concrete lighting was installed and public buildings surround us in ever-increasing expanses. Parks and open also received lighting. spaces struggle to meet the needs of our increasing population, especially those of our new young families. A Garbage Destructor was built to replace We need to be vigilant and question new planning reforms the tip in Elkington Park. that threaten to destroy not only the historical character of
7 What's on at the Watch House For further information see http://halniainassociatioii.orL'.au
JUNE who surround us everyday and those 6, 7 Long weekend Watch house who we never see. History Week closed. Friday night, 5-8 pm, drinks from If anyone has items for 13,14 and 20, 21 Available for hire 6pm with the artists everyone is exhibition they wish to otherwi.se Balmain Association open welcome have included for Saturday 11.30 to 3pm Saturday 29, Sunday 30 History week please Saturday 27, Sunday 28 1 Gam 4pm contact 9818 4954 or 10am -6pm Out of Hours 9810 6885 HARTstART An artistic exhibition from the people The annual exhibition by students of who know the tools and materials of hARTstART studio. Fine art best - after all, it's their job to sell it. The staff of Eckersley's stores Heritage Festival JULY around Sydney and beyond have The Balmain Association Saturdays 4, 11,18, 25 collaborated to showcase their diverse participated in the 2009,NationaI 11.30 to 3pm skills, natural talent and hard-earned Trust Heritage Festival held-4-19 Balmain Association Exhibition in technical knowledge. April although the photo conjunction with National Trust to be Opening Friday, August 28"^, from 6- exhibition continued all April. confirmed. 9pm, all welcome. An item published in The Glebe For enquires, contact Nicole Pendle on about Fergus Frickie's attempt to AUGUST 0402059454, or Helen Alker, on obtain permission to take photos Saturday 1, Sunday 2 0400940036. 10am-6pm from the Balmain Post Office Abby Wang et a! SEPTEMBER tower, attracted visitors to view Visit Balmain Association website for History Week 2009 will take place 5- the Kerry panorama taken from more information closer to time of 13 September. The official theme for the tower in 1909. exhibition this year is Scandals, Crime atid Two coach tours of some former Corruption. History Week 2009 will sandstone quarries in the Saturday 8, Sunday 9 be a wild journey through the dark Available for hire shadows of our past. Discover the Municipality, guided by Bob and Noel Irving and Christopher Balmain Association History Room scandals, crime and corruption that will be open 11.30 to 3pm have shocked us over time and shaped Reeves, visited our sandstone our history, sometimes in unexpected photo exhibition and Noel's Saturday 15, Sunday 16 ways. quarry photo display. Noel has 10am to 5pm Balmain boys DO Cri..me and other generously donated the exhibition Paper and Bones Misdemeanours to the Association. JeffD'KelTs sculptures in hardwood The Balmain Assoeiation will present Many tourists enjoyed their visit to based on the body; drawings of paper an exhibition of Crime, scandals and the Watch House and by Judy Castle and Georgina Castle; corruption on Saturdays 5, 12,19 complemented the Association on photographs by Lorraine Sullivan and and 26. the presentation of the building painted landscapes by Barbara Watch House. Opening hours 11.30am Zambrano. - 4pm and gardens. Opening Friday 14th 6pm to 8.30pm There will be a guided tour of the Thank you all for assisting with all welcome. Balmain Courthouse, 2pm Thurs 10 the mounting and demounting of Sept. FREE. Nos. limited the display and the volunteering at Saturday 22 10am - 6pm, Contact: 9818 4954 & 9810 6885 opening times. Sunday 23 12 noon -4pm Looking forward to the September Companions: People c6 the Landscape OCTOBER Lea Kannar & Jens Lichtenberger History Festival with a great Saturday 3, Sunday 4 theme, "Scandles, Crime and New works by Lea explore the Mixed exhibition of Doris Rainsford's changes that have been imposed on drawings, mixed media and sculpture; Corruption". Can you help here with a story, as Balmain boys Do the landscape by the people who wish paintings and mixed media by Karen to reinvent what is a landscape. Alex and Barbara Hardy. CRIme? Photography by Jens Lichtenberger Kath Harney shows you his vision of the people
The Balmain Association Inc Representing Balmain, Birchgrove and Rozelle
O u r a i m s a r c t o : Our editorial eontacts:phone/fax is 02 9818 4564 Improve the living, working and recreational amenities of our Email: chrisritchieO I (a vahoo.com.au area; maintain all features having natural, arehiteetural and or Postal: PC Box 57 Balmain 2041 historical value of the area and keep a permanent eollcclion of O u r W e b s i t e : historical interest; seek the eoopcralion of everyone eoneemcd in http://balmainassoeiation.org.au the realization of the above. Annual subscriptions:Household S20, Concession SIO, The Balmain Association meets on the first Wednesday of each Organizations S30 month at 5:()0pm in the Watch Hoii.se, 179 Darling Street Balmain. .Materia! from this newsletter is not to be reproduced without The Watch House is open every Saturday from 12:00 3:00pm. acknowledgement