FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 1

Alison Homestead NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 2

Contents

COVER STORY: ...... 3. EDITORIAL: ...... 4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: ...... 5. HISTORICAL NOTES: ...... 6. DEVELOPMENT UPDATES ...... 7. GARDENS: ...... 8. VOLUNTEERS IN PROFILE: ...... 9. EVENTS: ...... 10. ITEM OF INTEREST: ...... 12. CAN YOU HELP? ...... 13. VISITORS BOOK ...... 14. FEEDBACK: ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.. RECOMMENDED READING: ...... 15. A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME: ...... Error! Bookmark not defined..

President Greg Denning V. President Wal Billington

Secretary Margaret Boldt Treasurer Rosemary Brennan Alison Homestead Museum 1 Cape Road, WYONG 2259

PO Box 241 Wyong 2259 Telephone: (02) 4552 1886 e-Mail: [email protected]

ABN: 76 012 347 584

FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 3

COVER STORY THE REGENT GUEST HOUSE IN WYONG.

The Regent Guest House was built Mr. and Mrs. Jim Roberts in the early twenties. It was, and remained a family holiday home for over 30 years. Mr. George Collins spent leave during the war and made up his mind to own it one day. When The Regent came on the market, George and his wife Joan, and partners George and Rose Phillips became owners in 1948. Thousands of guests passed their happy holidays here. George Collins bought out the Phillips family in 1956, intending to convert the Guest House into a Caravan Park. Because of the flood fear it remained as a guest house and Motel. One Guinea for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Wanting to modernise the choice was a Motel or a Nursing Home. Mrs. Collins was being a trained Nurse (ex Army). So it became a Nursing Home. (badly wanted in the district). The building was brought up to Health requirements and the home was called "The Regent Riverside Nursing Home ". It was opened in 1960 and had 19 patients. Mrs. Cutherwell (mother of the Estate Agent) was the first patient. Within a week all beds were occupied. As the need grew extra beds to 35 were added. In 1968 Mr. and Mrs. Proudman (both trained nurses) bought the Nursing Home and. they added a new wing. After several years it again had a new name. It was changed to Wyong Nursing Home and it was bricked over, another wing added bringing the number of patients to 80 and employing more staff. ( Staff is regulated by Health Department.) It is now a credit to the businesses in the . Still in use in 2018.

Foot note: When doing the research for the Guest House an interesting document came to light that we thought would be of interest to our readers. At first we thought it was a letter but it turned out to be a short story and as such was to long to include in the News Letter. It was decided to make it available as a supplement and send it to you along with this Newsletter. It is not politically correct in this day and age, we don’t know the author, or is it fact or fiction but it makes good reading.

HOME FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 4

EDITORIAL

Belated warm greetings to everyone for 2018. May it provide many beautiful moments and treasured memories. Buoyed on by the growing popularity of the homestead which became so apparent last year, let’s hope we can all help write the next annual chapter in the life of Alison Homestead by setting new goals and doing our very best to achieve them. 2018 has kicked off on a positive note. Several bookings for visits and tours of the museum are already in the diary and an early highlight was the visit on Saturday 13th January by more than eighty members of two classic car clubs. A couple of forthcoming events to keep in mind include the official opening sometime in March or April of the revamped Pearce’s flower shed …and a Devonshire tea morning during Seniors’ Week in April…(see more info later in this newsletter). You will receive a flyer about the flower shed opening when the date of the event has been determined. Our horizons are also broadening on the events front. A wedding planner called in recently to check out the facilities here and has added the Homestead to her discerning list of potential wedding venues. Other businesses are showing interest in what the Homestead has to offer for similar functions.

HOME FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 5

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Welcome to another year of expansion and activity at Alison Homestead. Life …as I am sure you will agree…is a great teacher, especially when it teaches you be persistent and remain optimistic. I say this as the long awaited extension to the Mens’ Shed is set to commence. I have kept the phone lines to the Council very busy for the past six or so months. It’s hoped 2018 will see a growing number of volunteers attracted to the Homestead. Already we have some new faces on the scene, some who are keen to be part of the gardening brigade and another who is putting her archival skills to good and much-appreciated use..,but it’s hoped more men will join up when the expanded Mens’ Shed become a reality in the near future. Volunteers are often quiet-achievers and whilst they may choose to maintain a low-profile… their efforts do not go unnoticed. I can say this from personal experience. It’s a delightful five kilometre drive through bushland along the Wyong River to my home at South Tacoma..but unfortunately some see it as a dumping ground. However, not a week goes by without me seeing one particular couple walking along the road ... and not just for regular exercise. Neil Hinton walks their dog and watches for traffic whilst his wife Jan, armed with bags, collects ALL the rubbish discarded by others too lazy to take it home. The lady in question leaves the rubbish at various points along the road and other locals who appreciate her efforts stop and pick it up and put it where it should go…in garbage bins. What environmental angels !

Greg Denning President HOME

FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 6

HISTORICAL NOTES "I REMEMBER WYONG, WHEN.” (Memoirs of Rene Levenspiel) At one time we lived in a house on the corner just before the Grand Hotel. (no brother yet) and I were wakened by a shower of silver spoons, forks, knives, etc. being thrown onto our bedspread and being tied into a knot. We and the silver were transported outside into the gutter. The place was on fire, our house being on the tail end of the buildings that were ablaze. Wyong had many fires. In the front garden was a huge, wondrous, old pepper tree where Jean and I used to play. Never did I imagine that twenty years later that dear old tree would be cut down and a service station would stand there instead or that I would marry the eventual owner. Now it's a bank. I only ever knew Railway Street as the Front Street. Then I found out the original name was Larnarch Street. When I asked my grandson the name of the street facing the railway he replied "The Pacific Highway, Lulla! ",. as though I knew nothing about it. It is good to know that our old Primary School has been classified. Built in 1889 of brick because of the white ant problem. Many families can claim fourth and fifth generation attendance. A teacher can influence you for life. I can still see the motto in my first classroom printed in chalk at. the top of the blackboard. Our teacher, Miss Ayling, had printed "Do it Now", I haven't always done it now, but I've tried. I will never forget Miss Ayling for another reason. My first few days at school were a little painful. I was recovering from a boil and dear teacher made a pillow of some old dusters for me to sit on and also made a friend for life. Another exceptional teacher was Mrs. Quinn. Could she whack! ! ! - always dear soul with just cause. It wasn't until we left school that we could value and appreciate her influence, In those days we had weekly scripture visits from the Methodist and C. of E. Ministers the Methodists in one room, the C of E's in another with a glass wall between. Because Jean and I always wanted to be together I got into the habit of forsaking the C of Es for the Methodists. One day when I decided to slip in with the Methodist the minister was told I was learning to play the piano so he gave me a hymn to learn. I practised and practised and came the day we all sang together "Jesus bid us shine". As I climbed down from the piano stool two eyes belonging to the C of E minister bored through the glass into my very soul. Next week I was back" with the C of Es. and that was the end of my helping Jesus to bid the Methodist shrine! In the Flu Epidemic of 1918 the school was turned into a hospital, We were then living in Baker's Lane ...Father's surgery opening into the front street. One Sunday, playing cubbies, I badly gashed my arm. It is said my screams were louder than the congregation singing in the Methodist Church behind the house. I was rushed to the school to the doctor in charge and I have only one comment: I hope his flu patients fared better than my arm, which still carries a ghastly scar today. The old school is still fulfilling a role in our Community. I. have loved Dooralong Valley ever since I could toddle. My mother's sister married the schoolmaster of Dooralong, Mr. Sam McKimm, who was on his retirement held the record for the longest serving teacher in one school - 43 years. I think it still holds. He had plenty of opportunities of going further in the Education Department.

HOME FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 7

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Good news on the Mens’ Shed front. A builder has been contracted to build the long-awaited extension to the Shed and all the necessary approvals are in place. The construction certificate has been issued and the deposit has been paid to the builder so we expect the extension to be completed by the time the next newsletter is sent out Just like to remind you that the funding for the extension has been provided by the Bateau Bay based Elderslee Foundation, Ltd . Its ongoing support for Alison Homestead has been overwhelming. And… I apologise wholeheartedly for misspelling the foundation’s name in our last newsletter. The mistake was mine and mine alone. Incidentally…the DA for the new Administration Building is in a ‘discussion stage’ with Council …particularly with regards how it will be funded …and its size. The Council is keen for it to be possibly double the size of what the Historical Society has proposed so it can serve as an information, education, research and exhibition centre as well as an office.

FEEDBACK

It’s good to receive comments about the newsletter and it’s appreciated when suggestions are made for its improvement to which we will give consideration and implement where practical. However we have had a request or two for hard copy versions rather than email ones. The reason we use email is to cut down on costs of postage and stationery…and dare I say…while some have suggested we use a smaller print font to economise….others have asked if we could make the print larger.

HOME FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 8

GARDENS The gardens continue to flourish and are looking amazing. One plant is thriving particularly well at this time of year so I thought it worthy of ‘Plant of the Month’ status. It’s the stunning GAURA also known as the butterfly plant or beeblossom. It’s low maintenance, sun-loving and flowers from early Summer till the end of Autumn. The stems which grow to around 1.5 metres are topped with masses of white or pink flowers that dance in the breeze. All it needs is well-drained soil and a cut back to just above the ground once the flowering has finished. If you stop by the Homestead you will see a wonderful example of this plant on the right-hand side at the top of the driveway.

HOME

FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 9

VOLUNTEER IN PROFILE KERRY BRASLIN

I have been a rower for more than 50 years and a cyclist for nearly as long. I like to get my exercise sitting down! (Although I did run marathons in my thirties …..) Having spent so much time on and around bikes, it seemed only natural to do the Bicycle Mechanics Course in Portland Oregon – so I did 2 weeks full time in July 2013, and when I returned to Australia it also seemed quite natural to get involved in bicycle recycling (which is huge in Portland) and so I joined the newly formed Alison Homestead Mens’ Shed and started fixing up a couple of bikes given to us by the San Remo Mens’ Shed who had been supporting Camp Breakaway. A couple of months later, a story in the local paper, and presto! Hundreds of bikes donated – many totally unserviceable – a story of chaff and straw. But now, 4 years later, we have up-cycled over 1000 bikes and built a little niche in the community and charity sector of the Central Coast. I grew up in southern Tasmania on a farm growing black currants. It is still bewildering to me as to how my parents raised 5 children on 100 acres with about six acres from this under fruit. A good year was 20 tons, a bad one was 12, and that meant that Dad went to work in Hobart in winter to supplement the shortfall in income. My pocket money came from trapping and shooting rabbits, which I sold for 20 cents each; mostly to my teachers which might explain why I never failed a subject and got very little homework! My father was a capable farmer as were his father and grandfather. They all worked the plot of land given to my great grandfather in the mid 1800’s in the back blocks of Van Diemans Land. By contrast, my mother was “sent out” from her family in Ireland at the age of 16 just before WWII and after landing in was relocated to Hobart to work in the munitions factory. In the sixties, like many of my school friends, I took one of the apprenticeships available after 10 years of school (Fitting and Machining), but I wanted to go to University and afterwards got there thanks to Gough Whitlam ‘s Commonwealth Scholarship Program. The combination of a trade background and university studies in Politics and Administration launched me into a corporate Industrial Relations role and after moving to Sydney and working in Human Resources in manufacturing, banking and I.T., I began my own Management Consulting business specialising in executive coaching. I sold the business, retired, thought about a comeback, decided NO! etc etc…. Moved from Sydney to the Central Coast in 2013 after having bought FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 10

a couple of acres on the Wyong River in 2006, installed our sheep, just before the flood of 2007!! Now it’s just Marion and I on a couple of acres on the Wyong River, a border collie, Mango (who is better known than both of us), some chooks, 10 ewes and a heap of bikes in various stages of refurbishment. And on that note, I am now off to my shed to work on yet another 26” Mountain Bike……

HOME

HOME FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 11

EVENT 2018 got off to an excellent start with a colourful display of classic…and some vintage vehicles. More than eighty members of two car clubs…the Central Coast British Car Club Inc. and the Sydney-based Triumph Sports Car Owners Association held their monthly outing at the Homestead on Saturday 18th January. There were around forty lovingly-restored vehicles on display. The visitors enjoyed barbecued sausages, hamburgers, salads and pavlova and were glowing in their emailed thanks for the food, hospitality and warm welcome. They were so impressed with the venue and what it has to offer they have suggested we can look forward to their company again next year. Although the Museum is not opened on a Saturday… we do welcome visitors by appointment and were so glad we did on this particular Saturday. It was one of the most jovial groups to have visited the Homestead. Thanks to the volunteers who came along on the day to make it such a success.

FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 12

ANOTHER EVENT PLANNED We would love many* of you to come and join us for a couple of hours in early April. Who? When? Why? The 2018 NSW Seniors’ Week will be held from the 4th to 15th April and it’s a cause for celebration. This will be the sixtieth year the week has been held in NSW and it has grown to become the biggest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The theme this year is ‘Let’s Do More Together’ (what a good idea) and as part of the statewide celebrations the Homestead will be hosting a Devonshire Tea between 10 and noon on Wednesday 11th April. It will offer a variety of scones and cakes. The guest speaker this year will be Phil Morley…a prominent local historian and life member of the Historical Society …and… an engaging speaker. The cost per person will be five dollars which will entitle you to have a free tour of the Museum. You are regarded as a senior if you are sixty or over, an indigenous person who is fifty or over…or a person with a disability who is fifty or over.

VISITORS’ BOOK Visitors are coming from far and wide. Since the last newsletter we have had folk drop by from the UK…New York…Canada …plus a good number of interstate visitors and more and more locals. We have been thrilled by the comments in the Visitors’ book which indicate people think we are doing an excellent job in running the museum, arranging displays and helping to keep ‘alive’ and preserve so much of the history of our district.

HOME

FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 13

ITEM OF INTEREST One of the rewarding aspects of being a volunteer at Alison Homestead is meeting people who can tell the story behind an item on display. Such was the case with the wedding dress in the picture below. It holds a pride of place in one of our viewing rooms and in June last year a visitor, Kevin Leslie, identified it as being his mother’s wedding dress. His wife, Helen, was good enough to send us the following information. The bride was Olive Noreen Wray who was born in Sydney in February 1911. She married Douglas Kevin Leslie on the 18th March 1937. He was a bank officer in the bank of NSW. They had two sons…Douglas and Ian. They spent all their married life in Sydney and used to holiday at Hardy’s Bay on the Central Coast. To get there in those days people had to travel by train to Woy Woy and then go to the bay by ferry. She passed away at Box Hill in Victoria in April 1997 aged 86. When Kevin and Helen moved to Melbourne in 2010 they thought the dress would have a good home at the Museum so others could appreciate something so exquisitely made by hand.

 Some of us can only dream of ever having had such a tiny waistline! HOME FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 14

CAN YOU HELP? There are some things in the Museum about which we would like more information. The jacket pictured below is such an example. It’s made of fine cotton and (presumably hand-made) lace. Some people think it is part of night attire while others think it is a day-wear item like a over jacket. If you can throw some light on when and how it would have been worn we would love to hear from you.

FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 15

RECOMMENDED READING “SHIPWRECKS of the CENTRAL COAST” Vol. 1 1800 -1899 By Grieg Berry Despite their stunning beauty the waters off the Central Coast can be treacherous and dangerous. During the nineteenth century when navigation was not what it is today these waters contributed to the demise of numerous vessels and their precious cargoes which were the lifeblood of so many communities… large and small. There were several locations along the Central Coast where vessels came to grief. In our part of the region all types of boats ( schooners, ketches, sloops, barques, brigantines, cutters, steamers, punts, tugs, and passenger and cargo vessels) were involved in shipwreck tragedies, loss of life and incredible stories of heroism and survival. Many of them happened in waters in the vicinity of Norah Head and Bird Island, Terrigal, and the Wyong River. Some of the stricken vessels were blown ashore in gale force winds….some floundered on unchartered rocky outcrops or reefs, while others were involved in the not-so-occasional collision. There is an association between one of these vessels and Alison Homestead. In a garden bed near Barker’s Barn there are two Admiralty- type anchors are on display. They came from the brig “Suffolk” which capsized in the surf at Tuggerah Beach and broke up after a few days being buffeted by rough seas and squally winds. Greig’s book in not just an informative labour of love. It’s an insightful look at an important and intriguing part of our maritime history.

HOME

There are copies available for purchase at the museum. FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 16

A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME

The Homestead continues to undergo amazing transformation as will become evident to visitors in the next couple of months. For the past six months or so…a dedicated team has been working diligently to turn the old flower shed in the grounds in to a new display and/or exhibition centre. The flower shed was run by Arthur and Gladys Pearce who owned the Homestead from the 1920’s to the early 80’s and operated a flower farm here. They supplied flowers to the Sydney and Newcastle markets. This new display area will indeed be a showpiece of which the Historical Society can be proud. There will be an official opening of the Flower Shed on the 17th March (St Patrick’s Day) and it will coincide with the launch of our first exhibition of impressive large model ships. Two of the models are from the Homestead collection while the others have been constructed by the 4H research Group and the Rotary Shipbuilders Memorial Project. Some of them relate to the shipbuilding industry that thrived on the Central Coast for many years. The photo below gives a hint of what is to come.

HOME FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER 22 PAGE | 17

______RECIPE I know it can be hard to deviate from a tried and tested recipe….but I did so recently with a corned beef recipe and what a surprise I had with the outcome. It was corned beef cooked in ginger beer in the slow cooker. The only ingredients required are the corned beef studded with cloves, one peeled onion left whole and a bottle of good quality ginger beer. Cook on low for 6-8 hours depending on size of the meat. It’s amazing how pleasantly infused the meat becomes with the ginger flavour. I used a small piece of corned beef that needed only a bottle of ginger beer. You can use dry ginger ale but I don’t think it had the same ginger intensity as the ginger beer.

In closing I would like to leave you with some words of more inspiring words of wisdom about volunteering. ‘Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers. The Titanic was built by professionals”. Dave Glynn Until next time…our best wishes. Patricia Perrett and Wal Billingham Newsletter editors