Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
Table of Contents
1.0 Syllabus links ...... 3
1.1 National Curriculum – syllabus implementation ...... 3
1.2 Human Society in its Environment ...... 4
1.3 Science and Technology ...... 5
2.0 Additional resources ...... 6
2.1 Wangal People...... 3
2.2 Images ...... 4
2.3 General Information ...... 4
3.0 Traditional owners – the Wangal People ...... 8
3.1 Aboriginal people of the Wangal ...... 8
3.2 Woollarawarre Bennelong ...... 8
4.0 Commemorations ...... 10
4.1 Federation – the Pavilion ...... 10
4.2 World War 2 – Victory Coppice ...... 11
4.3 Sports Hero - William Beach ...... 11
5.0 Changes over time ...... 12
5.1 Transport ...... 12
5.2 Recreation ...... 14
5.3 Industry ...... 17
6.0 Student Activities...... 18
7.0 Excursion ...... 20
7.1 Notes for leaders ...... 21
7.2 Student worksheet ...... 31
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
1.0 Syllabus Links Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park are an ideal educational resource for the students of the City of Canada Bay and surrounding areas. Not only is it rich in history, it provides a fascinating study of a community and how it changes over time. Within a small geographic area students can study the local aboriginal people, industry, transport, recreation, culture and how a community celebrates its history through commemorations. This education pack has been designed for Stage 2 as an integrated HSIE/History and Science unit of work. The information packs provides background information and learning activities including a walking tour to the area – an ideal excursion to bring the content to life. Many of the student tasks also have a strong literacy focus with activities requiring students to write using text types - recounts, narrative, exposition and general communications as well as present a speech to their classmates. This education pack has been designed to cover both the current syllabi and the new national syllabi being introduced during 2013 – 2016. See below for the implementation timetable of the NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum for Kindergarten – Year 6
1.1 National Curriculum - syllabus implementation
Implementation timetable - NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum
2013 Familiarisation and planning
2014 English – start teaching
Mathematics – optional to start teaching
Science and Technology – optional to start teaching
2015 Mathematics – start teaching
Science and Technology – start teaching
History – optional to start teaching
2016 History – start teaching
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1.2 Human Society in its Environment/History
Current NSW Syllabus (Human Society in its Environment)
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Change and Continuity
CCS2.2
Explains changes in the environment and family life and evaluates the effects of these on different individuals, groups and environments.
Environments
ENS2.5
Describes places in the local area and other parts of Australia and explains their significance.
ENS2.6
Describes people‟s interactions with environments and identifies responsible ways of interacting with environments.
New NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum (History)
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Community and Remembrance
HT2-1
Identifies celebrations and commemorations of significance in Australia and the world.
HT2-2
Describes and explains how significant individuals, groups and events contributed to changes in the local community over time.
HT2-5
Applies skills of historical inquiry and communication.
Key Inquiry Questions
Who lived here first and how do we know?
How has our community changed?
What features have been lost and what features have been retained?
What is the nature of the contribution make by different groups and the individuals in the community.
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1.3 Science and Technology
Current NSW Syllabus
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Built Environments
People create specialised environments to meet specific needs. Structures are built from natural and processed materials and components. Environments are sometimes modified to fulfil new and different requirements.
New NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Built Environments
ST2-14BE
Describes how people interact within built environments and the factors considered in their design and construction.
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2.0 Additional Resources
2.1 Wangal People
Detailed information is available from the Cadigal Wangal website developed by Marrickville Council that tells the Indigenous history of the Cadigal and Wangal peoples. http://cadigalwangal.org.au/clientsite/
The Australian Encyclopaedia. Sydney, Australian Geographic, 1996 (Entry for Bennelong vol. 2 pp. 440-441)
Coupe, Sheena Concord, a centenary history. Concord, NSW: Council of the Municipality of Concord, 1983. (Contains useful information although it incorrectly identifies the local Aboriginals as being part of the Kuringai tribe instead of the Darug)
Guider, Michael Aboriginal history of the City of Canada Bay. The Author, 2003
Smith, Keith. Bennelong. Kangaroo Press, 2001
Turbet, Peter The Aborigines of the Sydney district before 1788. Kangaroo Press, 2001
Willey, Keith When the sky fell down. Collins, 1979
2.2 Images
Dedicated libraries relevant to the content of this education pack have been created in Flickr:
AGL http://tinyurl.com/cs9m64a
Cabarita Park http://tinyurl.com/cazzhgx
Correy’s Pleasure Gardens http://tinyurl.com/a43huha
For a comprehensive library of historial images of the City of Canada Bay visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/canadabayconnections/
Further images are available from a larger image library that can only be accessed from within Concord and Five Dock libraries. Refer to the link under Canada Bay Connections http://www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au/your_local_library/local_studies_pg.html
2.3 General Information
Canada Bay Local History Blog http://canadabayconnections.wordpress.com/
The Local Studies Librarian [email protected] Concord Library, 60 Flavelle St, Concord NSW 2137, Five Dock Library, Level 1, 4-12 Garfield St, Five Dock NSW 2046 Tel 9911 6210 (Concord) or 9911 6310 (Five Dock) Fax 9911 6550 www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au
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1890. AGL site, Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
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3.0 Traditional Owners – the Wangal People The Canada Bay area was part of the traditional lands of the Aboriginal people of the Wangal clan (also spelt „Wann-gal‟), whose name was derived from the word for their country.
3.1 Aboriginal people of the Wangal
The Wangal were a clan of the Darug (sometimes spelt Dharug) tribe or language group. They called themselves the Eora, meaning „the people‟. The Wangal clan‟s territory is thought to have originally extended from Darling Harbour, around the Balmain Peninsula (including Goat Island (called Me-mel or Memill) almost to Parramatta in the west, the Parramatta River formed the northern boundary although it is uncertain how far south their land extended. The Wangal are believed to have occupied the area for over 20,000 years. First contact was made with local Aboriginals of the Wangal Clan by Captain John Hunter who led an exploration of the Parramatta River. On 5 February 1788 while having breakfast he was met by Wangal at the location now referred to as Breakfast Point. William Bradley, First Lieutenant on board HMS Sirius, recorded the following entry in the log: We landed to cook breakfast on the opposite shore to them (Breakfast Pt.). We made signs to them to come over and waved green boughs. Soon after which 7 of them came over in 2 canoes and landed near our boats. They left their spears in the canoes and came to us. We tied beads etc. about them and left them our fire to dress their muscles which they went about as soon as our boats put off. During the summer months, the Wangal gathered much of their food from along the Parramatta River. The food consisted mainly of fish and shellfish and the remains of these meals, known as shell middens, may still be seen on the foreshore. The Wangal called the area Booridiow-o-gule. The name Cabarita is an Aboriginal word which is though to mean „by the water‟.
3.2 Woollarawarre Bennelong
One of the best known members of the Wangal was Woollarawarre Bennelong, who had a special relationship with Goat Island for which he had custodial or ownership responsibilities. Bennelong was initially captured in November 1788 along with Colby, of the Cadigal clan, under the instructions of Governor Arthur Phillip so he could learn more about the local Aboriginal people. Although some sources give the impression that Bennelong was a willing collaborator, more recent sources suggest that Bennelong was a far more complex person in his dealings with the British. While he and Phillip formed cordial relations it is nevertheless thought that he probably instigated the spearing of Phillip in 1790 at Manly as a payback for
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park his earlier abduction. Bennelong had escaped in May 1790 but by September he was leading negotiations with Phillip for peaceful Aboriginal-European contact following the Governor‟s spearing. Soon he was living at Government House eating at Phillip‟s table and calling him beanga (father) while Phillip called him dooroow (son). Bennelong was quick to learn English and adopted many British ways. A brick hut was built for him at Tubowgule (believed to mean „white-clay headland‟) now known as Bennelong Point, the site of the Sydney Opera House. In 1792 he travelled with Phillip to England where he met King George III, returning to his country in 1795. He resumed a traditional Aboriginal lifestyle, fathering one son Dickie (c.1803-1823) by his third wife. Bennelong however found himself at variance both with his own people and the British settlers. In January 1813 he died at the age of about 50 at Kissing Point, Sydney, as a result of a tribal fight.
3.3 The Wangal at Canada Bay today
Today few traces of Aboriginal occupation survive in the Canada Bay area other than a few cave painting sites, rock shelters and middens. It is believed that Parramatta Road was built upon an Aboriginal pathway which had been in use for centuries. The Wangal today are remembered by the Wangal Bushland Reserve (Mortlake) and Wangal Place (Five Dock). Bennelong‟s name has been perpetuated in numerous street names throughout Sydney and is also the name of a Federal Electorate. In nearby Sydney Olympic Park an area has been named the Wangal Woodland.
Illustrations of the Wangal People and Bennelong are from the Waiting Collection at the Natural History Museum, London.
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4.0 Commemorations Cabarita Park is home to many memorials and commemorations to our past including the Federation of Australia, the Second World War and even a local sports hero!
4.1 Federation – The Pavilion
Located in Cabarita Park is the Pavilion which had been used for the signing of the Federation documents and the proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia at Centennial Park in 1901. Concord Council bought the Pavilion for £60 and re-erected in Cabarita Park in 1903. In 1901 it was a highly decorated pavilion. Now it is a simple wooden structure. In 1951, the Jubilee (50th birthday) of Federation was celebrated at Cabarita Park at the Federation Pavilion. A memorial tablet and plaque at the rotunda was unveiled by the Honourable K.W. Street, Lieutenant Governor and Chief Justice of NSW on 9 May. 10,000 people attended the unveiling ceremony. The ceremony also included exhibitions of gymnastics, waterskiing and speedboat racing.
1901. Signing of the Federation 1951. Jubilee of Federation at the Federation Pavilion, Cabarita Park. documents and the proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia at Centennial Park.
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4.2 World War 2 Memorial – Victory Coppice
A small memorial was placed in Cabarita Park in 1945 to commemorate those men and women from the Concord area who served and died in World War 2,
A row of trees forming a “Victory Coppice“ was also planted in a ceremony on Arbor Day (25 August).
Unusually, the plantings are all native Australian plants. A similar planting ceremony was held the following year on Arbor Day.
4.3 Sports Hero - William Beach
In 1938 a monument to William Beach was erected on the northern shoreline of the park.
William Beach (1850 – 1935) was one of Australia‟s great international scullers and undefeated world champion. In 1884 he defeated the word champion Edward Hanlon on the sculling course on the Parramatta River between Ryde Bridge and Henley Point. 1880. William Beach. Beach went on to defend his world title successfully six times before his retirement in 1887.
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5.0 Changes Over Time
5.1 Transport
Tram
In 1907 the steam tramway between Enfield and Mortlake was extended to Cabarita. In February 1912 electric tram services replaced steam ones. The tram ran until August 1948.
Circa 1910. Steam Tram.
Bus
Today a bus service links Cabarita Park to Ashfield Railway Station via Burwood Railway Station, Enfield and Croydon Park.
1912. Tram turning area now the bus turning area.
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Ferry
Public transport access to Cabarita Park was first provided by steamers from the 1850‟s. The first ferry wharf at Cabarita Point was built in 1880. It was a publicly owned ferry stop, providing access to the park and Correy‟s Pleasure Gardens. With the introduction of the steam tram the ferry wharf became less important and as a result it was closed (date unknown).
A ferry service was reinstated in 2000 with the opening of the Rivercat Wharf on 20 January, and operates today on the Parramatta River service. It is one of the fastest growing ferry 1920. Correy’s Jetty. wharfs on the ferry network.
Boats 2006. Cabarita Wharf.
In 1906 a boatshed was established in Cabarita by Charles Sanders, son of a Mortlake gas lamplighter. It was known as Sanders Marina. It was destroyed by strong winds in 1920 and was rebuilt.
Visitors to the nearby Correy‟s Garden were attracted to the boatshed to try their hand at fishing or rowing. During the Depression Sanders ran a „ferry‟ service taking gas workers in a rowing boat from the wharf at Looking Glass Point to Mortlake. The boatshed was destroyed by fire in 1992.
D‟Albora Marina continues today in this location and now offers restaurants, a D’Albora Marina. maritime training school, berthing for private boats, private cruises and a boat selling agent.
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5.2 Recreation
Before the arrival of settlers, Cabarita Park was a typical rocky outcrop along the shores of the Parramatta River. It was first sighted by the new settlers in 1788. The Park was reserved as a recreation area in 1856 and was accessible by steamer in the 1850‟s. In the 1900‟s Cabarita Park was popular for picnics, swimming and watching boating races on the river. The park was dedicated for public use in 1880. Today over 2,000 Sydneysiders enjoy walking, cycling, swimming and running around the park every week.
Music, dancing and picnics
Music, dancing and picnics have always been enjoyed at Cabarita Park. From the 1880‟s until World War 1, a focus of the park was Correy‟s Pleasure Gardens operated on land adjacent to Cabarita Park. The pleasure ground was established by Thomas Obed Correy, who had previously owned gardens at Botany in the 1870s. Correy brought plants, flowers, shrubs and trees to Cabarita and provided swings, merry- go-rounds, a cricket field, a running track, summer houses, and from 1887, a dance 1910. Correy’s Pleasure Gardens. pavilion, which was a great attraction for the many social and sporting clubs that held their annual picnics at the grounds. The dance pavilion could accommodate up to 900 people who would be entertained by a ten- piece string orchestra. Daytime dances were popular until gas replaced the kerosene lamps and evening dinners and dances became increasingly popular making the pleasure gardens one of Sydney‟s leading recreational resorts. During the World War One, Correy‟s Pleasure Gardens declined in popularity and was eventually sold in 1918.
25 May 1897. Sydney Morning Herald http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14105363?searchTerm=correys pleasure gardens steamer amusements&searchLimits=. Retrieved 12/02/13.
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Approximate location of Correy’s Pleasure Gardens
2013. Google maps.
Picnics continue to be popular at the park and today visitors can enjoy art installed in the park in 2012 as part of the Reclamation Art Project funded by Arts NSW.. Called the Observatory the artwork was inspired by the local history of Correy‟s Pleasure Garden, weather observation from the 18th century and the style of the 18th century. It is made up of three pieces: I. Storm Glass Hut features a barometer and weather vane (pictured right) II. Sundial Windflute features a listening device to hear the sound of the prevailing wind and to tell the time using a sundial. III. Chaise Lounge Observatory provides a place to rest and observe the area and includes a wind turbine to show the speed of the wind.
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Swimming
Swimming has always been popular at Cabarita Park. In the 1920‟s Concord Council netted in a shark proof swimming pool at the northern end of Cabarita Park. It was a segregated pool with one half for men and boys, the other half for women and girls. A popular place to meet was the dividing fence and many romances bloomed! On busy days between 400 and 500 people visited the baths.
1923. Cabarita Baths.
In 1930, work began on the Concord-Cabarita Coronation Baths. It was built to provide employment for the local community during the Depression. The baths officially opened in November 1937. The baths were named to commemorate the coronation of King George IV. The baths cost £10,230 to build and uses water pumped from Parramatta River.
About 3000 people turned up for the pool opening and in the first month 30,000 people visited the baths. The baths were remodelled in 1961 and again in 2008 and remains a popular swimming spot.
It is open from September to April each year. 2009. Cabarita Baths. Cabarita Baths website: http://www.cabaritaswimmingcentre.com.au/
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5.3 Industry – Australian Gaslight Company (AGL)
Australian Gaslight Company (AGL) established the Mortlake Gas Works in 1886 and occupied most of the area now known as Breakfast Point. For many companies involved in heavy industry, the Parramatta River provided easy access for transportation and, unfortunately, a means of dumping the waste products from production. Today the Parramatta River remains polluted.
The coal needed at AGL was transported from Newcastle and a jetty was built to allow its delivery. When AGL‟s plant was in full operation it used nearly 460,000 tonnes of coal per year. The last delivery of 1893. Australian Gaslight Company. coal was in 1971.
AGL began developing the site from 1883. By 1900 nearly 300 workers were employed at the site and new shops, transport services, churches and housing were developed to serve the workers. During both World War 1 and World War 2, demand for gas was high, so AGL expanded its operations.
By the 1960‟s the number of workers had increased to 2,000 and included carpenters, plumbers, machinists, fitters and blacksmiths.
In the 1990‟s operations wound down and when it closed it was the largest gas manufacturing plant in the southern hemisphere. In 2000 AGL sold the land to a property developer and it was then turned into a new suburb called Breakfast Point. 1960. Mortlake Bank at the AGL Wharf. In 2000, AGL sold the land to property developer - Rose Group. The Rose Group is owned by the Rose Family, direct descendents of Thomas Rose who came to Australia in 1793 as a free settler on board HMS Bellona. In the same year, Thomas Rose was given farming land at Liberty Plains, an area which borders Breakfast Point.
The Rose Group then turned the old AGL site into a new suburb called Breakfast Point.
These days Breakfast Point is a residential suburb with a small town centre featuring a supermarket, restaurants, shops, dentist and optometrists and is home to nearly 2,000 people. Heavy industry has left the Cabarita area. 2008. Breakfast Point.
Page 17 of 33 LastVideo Revised: of Breakfast 25/06/2013 Point residential estate from Breakfast Point Realty: http://www.breakfastpointrealty.com.au/index.cfm?pa gecall=misc&pagemode=breakfastPointSuburbs Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
6.0 Student Activities
These activities address:
Key enquiry questions from the History Syllabus (NSW Syllabus for Australian curriculum)
Who lived here first and how do we know?
How has our community changed?
What features have been lost and what features have been retained?
What is the nature of the contribution made by different groups and the individuals in the community
Learning outcomes for the Built Environments component of the NSW Syllabus and the NSW Syllabus for Australian curriculum
Describe how people interact within built environments and the factors considered in their design and construction.
Activities
1. Research the local clan, the Wangal people, and its most famous member, Bennelong. Prepare a poster showing your findings. What was the name for the area the Wangal people used?
2. The year is 1895. Imagine you are Mr Thomas Obed Correy, owner of Correy‟s Pleasure Gardens. You are currently planning your summer programme of activities and need to create advertising showing the program of activities for visitors to your Pleasure Gardens. Using Microsoft Word or Powerpoint, create either a brochure or a presentation of what you are offering visitors. Use the Flickr accounts to access images: http://tinyurl.com/a43huha
3. Create a timeline of Breakfast Point showing the events listed below. Include interesting facts and images: Consider creating a class timeline with each child being responsible for gathering facts and images on a particular event to add to the timeline. Encourage them to go and visit the area taking a camera to capture images of remaining AGL buildings, the new residential development etc. The walking tour is a great excursion and is a valuable source of information in the creation of the timeline.
Original inhabitants First visit by a white person Australian Gas Light establishment Other buildings built due to AGL Closure of the AGL plant Breakfast Point residential development 4. Interview your parents, grandparents and/or neighbours and have them share their memories of Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park. Ask them how things have changed and what activities they have enjoyed in the park over their lives. See what they remember about AGL. Do they think Breakfast Point was better when AGL was there, or now as a suburb of houses. Share your findings with the class in the form of a speech.
5. Prepare a list of pros and cons about closing an industrial site and turning it into a residential suburb.
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6. After the excursion: Have the students take on the role as Town Planner for the City of Canada Bay. Each Town Planner has responsibility for one of these areas – transport, recreation and housing. Write a report to the Mayor of Canada Bay about the current facilities provided and what improvements they would recommend. Think about things such as needs for disabled people, families, older people, workers and residents. As a class write a letter to the Mayor of Canada Bay with your recommendations.
7. After the excursion: Compare swimming at Cabarita Park today with what it would have been like in 1923. What are the differences and the similarities? Do you think the baths are better today than in 1923? Why?
8. After the excursion: Prepare a diary entry recording a day out to Cabarita from either the viewpoint of 1912 or 2012. Describe what public transport you used to get there and what you did when you were there.
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7.0 Excursion
Explore Cabarita and Breakfast Point with a walking tour. The walk will take approximately 2-3 hours and can be concluded with a lunch stop at Cabarita Park.
The walking tour commences at the Palace Hotel, Tennyson Road, Mortlake, proceeds through the former AGL site, now known as Breakfast Point and concludes in Cabarita Park at the Federation Pavilion and picnic shed – an ideal spot for a well earned lunch.
Length and time needed
The walk is approximately 3kms in length and is a relatively flat path. Allow approximately 90-120 minutes for the walk. As the walk concludes in Cabarita Park, it is an ideal location for the group to enjoy a lunch before heading back to the school.
Access
The walk from Breakfast Point to Cabarita Park is on enclosed walkways and roads. Within Cabarita Park parts of the walk are across grassed and sandy land. Due to this small stretch of grassed and sandy land, it is not suitable for students with disabilities that impair their walking.
Recommended structure
The walk takes students on some roads, although the majority of the walk is on pedestrian pathways.
Care is needed when the students will cross Tennyson Road into the Breakfast Point Estate as there is no pedestrian crossing.
Students will walk and cross some roads within the Breakfast Point Estate, however there is very little traffic on these roads. It is recommended dividing the class into small groups accompanied by at least one adult.
What to bring
Students need to bring a pen and clipboard to complete the worksheet. All walkers will also need their hat and water bottle. Children must also wear sunscreen.
Parramatta River
Students should not swim or paddle in the Parramatta River due to pollution.
Toilets
Toilets are located at the end of the walk at the Federation Pavilion at Cabarita Park but no where else on the walk.
Bus Parking
It is recommended that buses park on Tennyson Road, near the Palace Hotel to allow the students to disembark. Breakfast Point estate does not have bus parking facilities.
Courtesy
Breakfast Point is a quiet residential area with many older residents and as such ask that the students ensure appropriate behaviour.
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7.1 Notes for Leaders – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park Walking Tour Excursion
The focus of the excursion is to address the following learning outcomes derived from the History and Science syllabi.
History
Gain an understanding of the traditional owners and the nature of their first contact with white settlers in the local area.
Understand how the areas of Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park have changed over the past 150 years with a particular focus on transport, recreation and industry. Understand who made these changes and why they occurred.
Gain an understanding of how we celebrate and commemorate local history and events.
Science and Technology
View the nature of the foreshore of Parramatta River identifying natural features (i.e. mangroves, beaches) and manmade features (i.e. wharves and swimming pools)
Observe how people use the area i.e. living, recreation, work, transport and how the area has been designed to meet their needs such as access, parking, aesthetic and environmental needs.
Have students consider improvements that could be made to the area i.e. disabled access, needs of young families.
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1. Palace Hotel
The original Palace Hotel was opened in 1886, the same year as the opening of the AGL gasworks and catered for the gasworkers nearer the river end.
First known as Montgomery‟s Palace, it was a distinctive building with verandas and a tower and was a popular spot for viewing of rowing events.
This hotel was demolished in the mid 1920s and a new hotel, still named the Palace was built further up Tennyson Road, nearly opposite the entrance to the gasworks.
The AGL entrance was also the Mortlake tram terminus. The hotel became a very popular watering hole for the thirsty workers and was one of the few of Sydney‟s early-opener hotels. This variation to the normal hotel trading hours was to accommodate workers coming off night shift.
2. Tennyson Road Shops
The establishment of the Australian Gas Light Company‟s works at Mortlake in 1886 meant lots of people coming into the area, which saw new transport services, shops, churches open.
Mortlake became a thriving suburb. The shops on the corner of Tennyson Road and MacDonald Street date from the 1890s and the corner shop appears to have been the area‟s first Post Office.
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3. AGL Gasworks – Fence and Entry
Destined to be the largest gas manufacturing plant in the southern hemisphere, the Australian Gas Light Company‟s (AGL) works at Mortlake opened in 1886. The site offered easy access to Sydney by both land and water.
AGL began developing the site from 1883. By 1900 nearly 300 workers were employed at the site. During both World War 1 and 2, demand for gas was high, so AGL expanded its operations.
By the 1960‟s the number of workers had increased to 2,000 and included carpenters, plumbers, machinists, fitters and blacksmiths.
In the 1990‟s operations wound down and when it closed it was the largest gas manufacturing plant in the southern hemisphere. In 2000, AGL sold the land to property developer - Rose Group. The Rose Group is owned by the Rose Family, direct descendents of Thomas Rose who came to Australia in 1793 as a free settler on board HMS Bellona. In the same year, Thomas Rose was given farming land at Liberty Plains, an area which borders Breakfast Point.
The Rose Group then turned the old AGL site into a new suburb called Breakfast Point.
These days Breakfast Point is a residential suburb with a small town centre featuring a supermarket, restaurants, shops, dentist and optometrists and is home to nearly 2,000 people. Heavy industry has left the Cabarita area.
4. Main Office No. 1
The main office building was the main administrative centre of the complex during a large part of the last century. Today it operates as the Estate Office, a recreation space for Breakfast Point residents and offices for local businesses.
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5. Meter Readers‟ Office
This building is also known as the “Steel Mains Office”, “Pay Office”, and “Telephone Room”. Available evidence suggests that it was built in 1924 in its original form with three sections separated by roofed walk- through bays. Today is a real estate office for the Breakfast Point estate.
6. Fitters‟, machinists‟, carpenters‟ and plumbers‟ workshop
This building was built as part of the extensive building program commenced in 1913. Furnished with a range of machine tools, the workshops were described as being well- equipped for all trades. By 1955 workshops on the site accommodated 750 tradesmen. The building remains empty today.
7. Blacksmith‟s Shop
The building now known as the Blacksmith‟s Shop was erected as a general workshop in late 1891. It was renovated in 1922 and is one of the few nineteenth century structures which remain largely intact at the former AGL site. Today the building is the display office for the Breakfast Point Estate.
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8. Powerhouse
The Powerhouse was built in 1910-11 to help provide power to a major extension to the AGL plant. Today it remains empty.
9. Breakfast Point
Breakfast Point was so named because it was here that Captain John Hunter who led an exploration of the Parramatta River stopped to have breakfast on the 5 February, 1788. On that occasion Hunter was met by members of the Wangal clan.
Breakfast Point was one of the few place names included on Hunter‟s chart of the expedition and the name was in common use by 1799. The Wangal people called the area Booridiow-o-gule.
Take the gravel path down to the foreshore and then follow gravel path to the site of the original AGL wharf.
10. Site of the original AGL wharf
The Mortlake site offered easy access to Sydney by both land and water. A jetty was built to allow the direct delivery of coal. When AGL‟s plant was in full operation it used nearly 460,000 tonnes of coal per year. This was brought from Hexham on the Hunter River by colliers known as the „Sixty Milers‟. The last collier brought coal to Mortlake in 1971.
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
11. Mangroves
Throughout the 1800‟s and for the first half of the 20th century, tidal mangroves and salt marsh flats were found at the heads of many of the bays and inlets of the Parramatta River. The mangroves depended on drainage and tides.
The shape of the foreshores and the recreation areas around the bays are because of projects undertaken by Concord Council from the 1920s to the 1980s to reclaim the local environment.
12. Current ferry wharf
The wharf was opened on 20 January, 2000 and is serviced by the Rivercat as part of the Parramatta River service. Ferries have played an important role in how people have used Cabarita Park. Today many people walk, cycle and drive to the ferry wharf as they make their way to work or social activities.
13. Site of the original baths (demolished)
Concord Council netted in a shark proof swimming pool at the northern end of Cabarita Park in the early 1920s. The pool was divided with one half for men and boys, the other half for women and girls. A popular place to meet was the dividing fence with many romances blooming! On busy days between 400 and 500 people visited the baths.
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
14. William Beach monument
In 1938 the William Beach monument was erected on the northern shoreline of the park. William Beach (1850-1935) was one of Australia‟s great international scullers and undefeated world champion. In 1884 he defeated world champion Edward Hanlon on the sculling course on the Parramatta River between Ryde Bridge and Henley Point. Beach went on to defend his world title successfully six times before his retirement in 1867.
15. Former Ferry Wharf
The wharf was constructed at Cabarita Point in 1880 and was publicly owned. The construction of the wharf resulted in the park becoming more popular with day trippers as it provided easy access to the park and Correy‟s Pleasure Gardens. Before the building of the wharf, Cabarita Park was described as “undeveloped wilderness”.
16. Sanders Marina (now D‟Albora Marina)
Charles Sanders, son of a Mortlake gas lamplighter, established a boatshed in Cabarita in 1906, south of the existing marina buildings. In 1920 strong winds wrecked the boatshed and it was rebuilt at the point. Visitors to the nearby Correy‟s Garden were attracted to the boatshed to try their hand at fishing or rowing. During the Depression Sanders ran a „ferry‟ service taking gas workers in a rowing boat from the wharf at Looking Glass Point to Mortlake. The boatshed was destroyed by fire in 1992. D‟Albora Marina continues today in this location.
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
17. Cabarita Baths
Construction of the Concord-Cabarita Coronation Baths was a project of the Depression years, providing employment for the local community. Work on the project began in 1930 but it was not until November 1937 that the saltwater baths were opened. Named to commemorate the coronation of King George VI the baths were constructed at a cost of ₤10,230 using water pumped from the Parramatta River. About 3,000 people turned up for the pool opening and in the first month 30,000 people visited the baths. The baths were remodeled in 1961.
18. Reclamation Art Project – The Observatory The featured art was installed in 2012 as part of the Reclamation Art Project funded by Arts NSW. Called the Observatory the artwork was inspired by the local history of Correy‟s Pleasure Garden, weather observation from the 18th century and the style of the same period. It is made up of three pieces: I. Storm Glass Hut features a barometer and weather vane (pictured right) II. Sundial Windflute features a listening device to hear the sound of the prevailing wind and to tell the time using a sundial III. Chaise Lounge Observatory provides a place to rest and observe the area and includes a wind turbine to show the speed of the wind.
19. Victory Coppice
To commemorate those from the Concord area who served and died during World War 2, a small memorial was placed in Cabarita Park in 1945.
A row of trees forming a „Victory Coppice‟ was also planted in a ceremony on Arbor Day (25 August) along the southern road.
Unusually, the plantings are exclusively of species native to Australia. A similar planting ceremony was held the following year on Arbor Day.
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
20. Tram turning area
In 1907 the steam tramway between Enfield and Mortlake was extended to Cabarita. The present bus stop was the tram turning area. The tram made Correy‟s Pleasure Gardens even more popular. The ferry wharf became less important after the steam tram operated to the park entrance.
21. Federation Pavilion
The pavilion which had been used for the signing of the Federation documents and the proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia at Centennial Park in 1901. Concord Council bought the pavilion for ₤60 and re- erected in Cabarita Park in 1903. Much altered, the simple wooden structure is scarcely recognisable as the elaborately decorated pavilion of the Federation ceremonies.
22. Site of former kiosk.
In 1923, a substantial kiosk was erected. The kiosk and caretaker‟s cottage were damaged by fire in 1979 and demolished in 1981.
In 1982, Concord Council constructed a large picnic shed on the site of the former caretaker‟s residence and kiosk.
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park Walking Tour
7.2 Student worksheet
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
Mapping
Using the map mark label the locations using numbers of the following landmarks:
1. Palace Hotel 2. Tennyson Road Shops 3. Original entrance to Australian Gaslight Company (AGL) 4. Original main office of AGL (now the estate office) 5. Original meter readers‟ office (now a real estate office) 6. Fitters‟, machinists‟, carpenters‟ and plumbers‟ workshop 7. Blacksmiths‟ shop 8. Powerhouse 9. Breakfast Point 10. Site of the original AGL wharf 11. Mangroves 12. Current ferry wharf 13. Sit of the original baths (demolished) 14. William Beach monument 15. Former ferry wharf 16. D‟Albora Marina (former Sanders Marina) 17. Cabarita Baths 18. Reclamation Art Project 19. Victory Coppice 20. Bus/Tram turning circle 21. Federation Pavilion 22. Picnic shed (Site of the former kiosk)
The past
During your walk list all things that remind us of the past use of the area and the people that lived and worked in the area.
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Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park
Transport
List all the forms of transport you see during the walk. Why do you think people use these forms of transport?
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Man made structures.
Choose one man made structure you see on your walk. Describe it and then think of three (3) improvements you would make:
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Natural Environment.
Recommend three (3) actions or changes to improve the quality of the natural environment i.e. foreshore, beaches, Parramatta River, parks.
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