Vol 48 No. 2 Issue 327 Founded November 1965 June 2013 Douglas Grant and the Harbour Bridge War Memorial Douglas Grant, draughtsman and Australia and after demobilization where he also had accommodation. soldier, was aboriginal born c1885 on 9th July returned to work at During his spare time he constructed in the Bellenden Ker Ranges, Mort’s Dock. Several years later he a large ornamental pond spanned by Queensland. Two years later a replica of the Sydney while two members of a Harbor Bridge and was collecting expedition from used as a War Memorial. the , In the 1940s he lived at Robert Grant and E J Cairn the Salvation Army’s old found that the infant’s men’s quarters in Sydney parents had been killed so and later at La Perouse Robert Grant decided to and died in Prince Henry rescue the child and sent Hospital, Little Bay on him to his own parents in 4th December 1951 age Lithgow and later adopted 66 years and buried at him. Botany cemetery. He Douglas Grant was raised never married. with Grant’s own son Grant’s attainments Henry and was educated included a wide at Annandale, Sydney, and knowledge of trained as a draughtsman. Shakespeare and poetry He was a sketch artist and had considerable and in addition he learned skill as an artist. Despite taxidermy from his foster- The Bridge Monument in the 1930s and as it is today his acceptance of white father. culture, in later life he About 1903, Grant was a suffered rejection and draughtsman at Mort’s Dock frustration on account & Engineering then in 1913 of his heritage. resigned to work as a wool The Sydney Harbour classer in the Scone district Bridge War Memorial is before enlisting in 1916 as a situated in front of the private in the 34th Battalion, former veteran buildings, Australian Imperial Force Military Drive, Callan but was discharged when Park. his unit was about to leave for overseas service because Source : ADB. Grant, Aboriginals were prevented Douglas by Chris Clark. from leaving the country 1930s photo : Mitchell without Government Library, Sydney. approval. He again enlisted Today’s photo: Kathleen and embarked for France to Hamey. join the 13th Battalion. On 11th April 1917, during the first battle of Bullecourt, he was moved to Lithgow, where he worked In this issue wounded and captured and held as a labourer at a paper products P.1 ��� Sydney Harbour Bridge Memorial prisoner of war in various places. factory and a small-arms factory. In P.2 ���� Planning matters Grant was repatriated to England Lithgow he was active in returned P.3 & 4....Some History of the Balmain in December 1918 and visited his servicemen’s affairs and conducted a Telephone Exchange foster-parents relatives in Scotland ‘Diggers session’ on the local radio. P.5. �� Heritage Festival Community where his features, combined with By the 1930s both his foster-parents Milestones a richly Scottish accent attracted and his foster-brother had died so he ������� Mysterious relic in Callan Park attention. returned to Sydney to work as a clerk P.6 �� What’s On - Exhibitions In April 1919 he embarked for at the Callan Park Mental Asylum What we’ve been doing ...... The Taskforce (BPTF) Callan Park – The Callan Park Master James Packer has increased his stake in report – The report has finally been Plan is still awaiting determination by the Echo, the owner of the Star Casino. The released. Port operations will still be the Planning Minister. Further changes at this winning design for the Casino tower has priority for White Bay. No public space or stage, such as requests for more space for already been revealed. Work continues on waterfront public access is yet available or a particular football club, could undermine south and the headland park. planned for White Bay,(except for limited the adoption of the Masterplan which The Exhibition centre access to the Ship Terminal). Provision was the result of extensive consultation has just been approved with conditions. of designated public access points for between Council and the community, Each Exhibition must have its own traffic pedestrians and cyclists to the foreshore including many Balmain Association management plan. at White Bay, other than the general members. Establishment of the Callan Park Council LEP – the new Council LEP access via Robert St, is being pursued Trust would ensure the proper governance 2012 is being finalised. Council will keep by the community. A meeting is planned of Callan Park and the implementation of datasheets for each Heritage listed item. In between Sydney Ports and Leichhardt the Master Plan. ‘Friends of Callan Park” large part the new LEP will be a translation Council to discuss this. suggests supporters of the plan write from the current LEP to comply with new NSW Planning White Paper –The new to the Planning Minister Brad Hazzard NSW Government definitions. The FSR NSW Planning Laws White Paper was and the Health Minister Jillian Skinner definitions have changed and reduce released in April. Submissions can be asking them to approve the Master Plan the overall space considered as part of made online at www.planning.nsw.gov. in full and establish the Callan Park Trust the FSR – e.g stairwells and internal au/newplanningsystem or by post to the without delay. car parking spaces will not be counted Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Post Office Park, the Telstra exchange within the FSR. Council is proposing New Planning System, until 28th June 2013. – Telstra has yet to respond to the MOU to remove site-specific controls for the The White Paper focuses on reforms to from Leichhardt Council to demolish the former Balmain Leagues Club site. The streamline and speed-up the development front of the Telstra exchange on the corner extraordinary Council meeting to adopt process. Development consultation of Montague and Darling Sts Balmain and the new LEP is on 21st May 2013. with local Councils will be on a sub- convert the site to a small community park Thirty-minute free parking – Council regional basis. Community consultation with viewlines opened up to the historic has decided to extend the trial period for will be at the strategic stage rather than Town Hall precinct. Negotiations continue. introduction of 30minute free parking on an individual development basis. It Bell’s Store- The future use of Bell’s in Darling St Balmain and Norton is proposed that 80% of development Store on the foreshore at East Balmain was Street Leichhardt. Unfortunately more will be complying or code-assessment discussed at the April Ordinary meeting businesses in Darling St are closing due with reduced document requirements of Council. A café/gallery is proposed to high rents. and shorter timeframes to approval. for the building and curtilage with toilet Heritage-listed White Bay Power Balmain Association committee members facilities at the rear with external access. station – The Bays Precinct Taskforce participated in a Government forum on the Council is proposing to demolish the report, now released (see above), has White Paper in May. Leichhardt Council toilet block next to the Balmain East identified the White Bay Power station as will hold a public meeting on the White wharf. We are hopeful that the building a site that needs to be considered as soon Paper on 30th May at 6.30pm, Balmain and curtilage will also be available for use as possible for adaptive re-use. Town Hall. The Metropolitan Strategy by community groups. Anka Development Terry St Rozelle (submissions before end May) will also White Bay Cruise Ship terminal – The influence planning. – Work is expected to begin at the Anka Terminal on the White Bay foreshore is development in Terry St (former Carrier Better Planning Network (BPN) – the now operatonal. Carnival Cruises have site) within weeks. The development will Balmain Association has joined the BPN measures in place to reduce noise impacts be a mix of low-rise and medium rise and supported it with a small donation. on local residents. Noise, pollution and residential buildings with some small The BPN was formed as a result of major traffic are concerns for the area. Continuous commercial and retail. concerns arising in NSW communities daytime public access to the waterfront, Christina Ritchie regarding the proposed NSW Planning public recreation and amenity, have not Laws. The BPN alerted its members been provided at White Bay. Ships now to ‘The Early Intervention’ Bill, which being built will be able would extend State Government powers to connect with onshore to remove a Local Council. power rather than keep Tigers Development – The revised generators running, but development proposal (that includes they will be too large to fit On behalf of SAWA-Australia NSW Inc. we thank you towers to 26 storeys) by Rozelle village under the Harbour Bridge for your generous support in helping to make the Artists Pty Ltd for the former Tigers Leagues Barangaroo - The for Afghan Aid at the Watch House such an outstanding club site has been strongly criticised Crown Casino (James success. For those who were unable to attend it was seen as by the RMS and Director General’s Packer) proposal for a diverse and exciting exhibition of professional work. office. Despite this, the proponent has a 60 storey hotel, The profit for the event was just over $10,000, all been allowed to submit a further revised apartment and Casino will go towards the annual budget of Hewad School, proposal. Indications are that there would Tower at Barangaroo is Rawalpindi, Pakistan which has an enrolment of 200 need to be major changes to the latest in competition with an Afghan refugee children and is run by a progressive Afghan women’s organisation www.sawansw.org.au. proposal in order for it to be acceptable to extension to the current Thanks again, Dawn Atkinson, Convenor SAWA NSW. RMS and the Director General’s office. casino at . 2 SOME HISTORY OF THE BALMAIN TELEPHONE EXCHANGE Fergus Fricke Occasionally treasure hunts discover extension or on the crossbar exchange a phone within days.), the telephone gems that one didn’t even know existed. and other equipment installed. However numbers had six digits (82 XXXX) In the case of the Telstra Museum* the the file did contain information (hand which later became seven digits (810 unknown gem comes with an invaluable written letters and memos amongst XXXX) and later still the present eight curator and former Telstra employee, other typed letters, notices, tenders digits as telephones became a necessity Brian Mullins. Amber with a preserved and agreements) on the original 1914 and the population and automation grew insect inside pales into insignificance Balmain automatic exchange and some (Now, with mobile phones dominating with this find. I went to the museum, subscriber information dating from the and fixed lines decreasing, perhaps there on the advice of Robert Flynn from time of the 1888 manual exchange. will be less subscribers and digits in Telstra, to look for information on the The names and statistics of Balmain future for fixed line telephones …….. if Balmain Telephone Exchange and telephone subscribers makes interesting such phones exist at all.). became fascinated by other items on reading mainly for the original display including photos and exhibits few names and later for the of telephone, telegraph, telex and other number of subscribers. The communications equipment used in post PMG** Annual Report of offices, telephone exchanges and radio 1892 lists the 15 subscribers and television stations. in Balmain that included the One fascinating exhibit was a 1910 Biloela Goal, the 1879 to Sydney GPO handwritten record, known 1908 gaol on Cockatoo Island, as the “misdemeanours book”, in which and the Callan Park Lunatic were entered the names of employees, Asylum. Information on the the “Nature of Irregularity” they had operating hours of the Balmain committed and the fine imposed on them. It manual exchange was not is a huge official ledger of about a thousand available but from a record of pages with one or two employees per a Balmain Council meeting page. Amongst the entries was one for an it is clear it wasn’t a 24/7 employee whose irregularity was “absence operation. At its meeting on without leave”. His fine was a salary 10 November 1892 Balmain reduction from £140 to £120 per year. Council was asked to petition Another entry was for a thirteen-year-old the Postmaster-General to have Glebe messenger boy. He had fines of one the exchange open all night on shilling for each of eight irregularities that Sundays and during holidays included incorrectly addressing telegrams, ”as at present it was a drawback incorrectly enclosing telegrams, omitting to business people, and might porterage when addressing a telegram prove a loss in case of fire”. A and placing a telegram in an incorrectly motion to keep the exchange addressed envelope. The messenger boy operating until 10pm lapsed obviously realised that he did not have a for want of a seconder. It was bright future in the post office so left and then resolved that “no action be had a lifelong career in another profession. taken in the matter as it would Norman T Gilroy was the first Australian to necessitate increased staff, be appointed a Catholic Cardinal. and the aldermen were agreed A page from the PMG Annual Report 1892 The museum had a file on the Balmain that the present time was most exchange but unfortunately it was inopportune to ask any concessions in The growing use of telephones was clear small compared with files on some this direction”. from the record of subscriber numbers other exchanges. There was a lack Only subscriber numbers were available for the Balmain Exchange covering of information on the design of the for the period 1950 to 1977. These the years 1950 to 1977. In 1950 there 1957 telephone exchange and why showed a growth rate that would be were 1996 subscribers. By 1960 there the eastern side of the Post Office envied by most businesses. When I came were 3105 and in 1970 5790 subscribers tower was “damaged/modified” during to live in Balmain in 1974 telephone and on the trend from 1970 to 1977 the its construction and nor was there installations were difficult to get (Or so 1980 subscribers would have numbered information on why the Post Office said the real estate agent who also said about nine and half thousand. This was tower spire was removed. There was if I paid him $50 he would get his mate in a period when Balmain was losing no information on the exchange’s 1971 to connect me! I declined and still got population but was being gentrified.

A 1956 photo of the Sydney GPO Interstate Telephone Exchange 3 The year-to-year changes in telephone diem was 7.02 and the average length of ……… Another guest was Mr G. subscribers show a fairly consistent calls was 2 minutes 7 seconds. Herbert, who was the first telephone trend except for 1951 and 1965 when the Interior design and comfort was engineer appointed to control the subscriber numbers remained virtually also covered to some extent. For exchange’s growing ramifications in unchanged and 1976 when the number example clause 52 states, “All exposed 1886 ..………… the first telephone of subscribers decreased. While this woodwork shall be of thoroughly exchange in Sydney was established may seem odd there were unusually seasoned mahogany or other approved in 1881 by private enterprise at the high increases in subscriber numbers wood, finely polished and finished in a Merchants’ Exchange, Pitt-street. When either the year before or the year after workmanlike manner. Woodwork on the the Government instituted its service, it these three uncharacteristic years which top and back of any desk or switchboard installed a switchboard to accommodate suggests that they were not due to a shall be stained and varnished”. Clause 50 subscribers’ lines. Ten subscribers deadly pandemic or lack of potential 53 states, “The testing officer’s and chief were at first connected, and on the first subscribers but rather to a temporary operator’s desks shall be finely polished day only one call was put through. It was lack of capacity in the exchange or the and in keeping with the woodwork of the soon found that additional switchboards elimination of a waiting list. switchboard” and clause 54 that “One were required, as there was a steady The first automatic telephone exchanges in telephonist’s chair of approved design demand for service. The Mort’s Dock NSW were installed at Balmain, Glebe and and finish, shall be provided for testing line remained the longest in use for Newtown in 1914. The Balmain exchange officer’s desk”. Thermal conditions were some time, and then the erection of a was opened on 11 July 1914 in a purpose dealt with for the equipment under clause line to National Park was undertaken. designed building erected where the four- 70 “Tenderers shall state what, if any, Meanwhile, the telephone service storey part of the present exchange now warming or drying arrangements will be established by the Merchants’ Exchange is. The building cost was £1150 (SMH required in the Exchange building”. remained in operation, and was connected to the Government exchange. 8 September 1910 reporting on New Finally, some of the missing background Late in 1882 the Merchants’ Exchange Work Estimates submitted to the House history to the original Balmain Telephone switchboard was burnt out owing to of Representatives). The tender was won Exchange was supplied in an article titled an accident, and its subscribers were by Automatic Telephones (Australia) Ltd “FIRST CALLER OF 1882 CALLS transferred to the Government exchange. representing the Automatic Electric Co. LONDON” in the Sydney Morning ……….. Although not among the original Chicago, at a cost of £8195. Herald (Wednesday 23 March 1932) subscribers, Richardson and Wrench The Commonwealth Government tender celebrating the jubilee of telephones in received the number 1. document for the 1914 exchange contained Sydney. Some excerpts from the article some interesting information and far- are included below: In 1887 there were 750 subscribers, and a switchboard of new design to sighted requirements. Amongst many other On March 22, 1882, the first Government accommodate 3000 lines was installed. things the initial equipment installed was telephone exchange in In 1900 this apparatus was replaced with required to handle 1100 subscriber lines but was opened at the G.P.O., Sydney. Mr a 4000 number board. An additional be extendable to handle 7000 lines (a figure P. Howe, the operator who put through not reached until 1972). The automatic *** common battery switchboard was the first call , yesterday celebrated exchange had to be able to handle party obtained in 1908, and was gradually the jubilee of that event by conducting a lines with selective ringing for up to four extended. The first branch exchange wireless telephone conversation with the parties per line. It also had to be able to was opened at Hunter’s Hill in 1884. London exchange. “The longest line in deal with calls to and from other automatic Conversion to the automatic system those days was one to Mort’s Dock,” said exchanges as well as manual exchanges commenced in 1914 with the Balmain, Mr Howe yesterday. “Little did I imagine and provide for the proper operation of Glebe, and Newtown exchanges……….. the possibility of speaking to another “coin in the slot” public telephones, private From its modest beginning with ten Australian State, and I never dreamed branch exchanges and extension lines. subscribers, the New South Wales that one day my words would be carried Tenderers were informed they may assume telephone system ……… now has nearly over thousands of miles of water.” that the average calls per subscriber per 200,000 instruments. Acknowledgements This article is published on the third anniversary of the start of the Balmain Association’s current campaign for the demolition of the front of the Balmain Telephone Exchange to create a public open space and a full view of the PO clock tower. The help and assistance of Dom Galluccio and Robert Flynn from Telstra and Brian Mullins from the Telstra Museum is gratefully acknowledged as is the support of Leichhardt Councilors, the Heritage Advisory Committee and council staff. * Telstra Museum, 12 Kitchener Parade, Bankstown. Tel. 9790 7624 ** Post Master General ***Mr. Howe said that his first day on the switchboard was very light, as there was only one call. The clerk at the Darling Harbour Railway Station, as a courtesy, asked: “How are you doing down there?” Mr. Howe replied: “All right, thank you.” And that closed The disused testing desk in the 1957 Balmain Telephone Exchange the conversation. 4 National Trust Heritage Festival 2013 Community Milestones The year-to-year changes in telephone diem was 7.02 and the average length of ……… Another guest was Mr G. th subscribers show a fairly consistent calls was 2 minutes 7 seconds. Herbert, who was the first telephone This year the Festival was held from 18 Member Meg Wallace with great April to 31st May, the theme Community enthusiasm worked to produce an e-Walk trend except for 1951 and 1965 when the engineer appointed to control the Interior design and comfort was Milestones. In the past the Festival was only guide for the Balmain Peninsula from subscriber numbers remained virtually also covered to some extent. For exchange’s growing ramifications in 10 days in April and it proved unsatisfactory the Darling St Wharf to about Curtis unchanged and 1976 when the number example clause 52 states, “All exposed 1886 ..………… the first telephone as many of the activities clashed so the Rd. Humble to Handsome, 1840 - 1860. of subscribers decreased. While this woodwork shall be of thoroughly exchange in Sydney was established excellent free events guide this year Photos were provided by Diana Garder may seem odd there were unusually seasoned mahogany or other approved in 1881 by private enterprise at the contained information on events in Sydney, and a little help from other members. th high increases in subscriber numbers wood, finely polished and finished in a Merchants’ Exchange, Pitt-street. When Suburbs and State wide. The launch of the web site was held on 30 either the year before or the year after workmanlike manner. Woodwork on the the Government instituted its service, it The Balmain Association’s Exhibition at the April at the Balmain Town Hall Meeting these three uncharacteristic years which top and back of any desk or switchboard installed a switchboard to accommodate Watch House displayed a Time Line from Room by the Balmain Library, as the 1800 to the present, the milestone of the Watch House did not have the necessary suggests that they were not due to a shall be stained and varnished”. Clause 50 subscribers’ lines. Ten subscribers establishment of the Balmain Association in wi-fi for the presentation carried out by the deadly pandemic or lack of potential 53 states, “The testing officer’s and chief were at first connected, and on the first subscribers but rather to a temporary day only one call was put through. It was 1965 and the early years to have the Watch designer RedAnt Media. operator’s desks shall be finely polished House in the care of the Association. Copies Member John Morris was to be the lack of capacity in the exchange or the soon found that additional switchboards and in keeping with the woodwork of the of the newssheet over time made interesting principal speaker but was taken ill the elimination of a waiting list. switchboard” and clause 54 that “One were required, as there was a steady reading. Of interest was the concerns of the day before the launch so Fergus Fricke The first automatic telephone exchanges in telephonist’s chair of approved design demand for service. The Mort’s Dock proposed second bridge crossing that would stepped ably into that role. NSW were installed at Balmain, Glebe and and finish, shall be provided for testing line remained the longest in use for have cleared parts of the peninsula in the Newtown in 1914. The Balmain exchange officer’s desk”. Thermal conditions were some time, and then the erection of a early 1970s. was opened on 11 July 1914 in a purpose dealt with for the equipment under clause line to National Park was undertaken. designed building erected where the four- 70 “Tenderers shall state what, if any, Meanwhile, the telephone service storey part of the present exchange now warming or drying arrangements will be established by the Merchants’ Exchange is. The building cost was £1150 (SMH required in the Exchange building”. remained in operation, and was Above: Meg pointing out the details on connected to the Government exchange. St Marys Church, East Balmain. 8 September 1910 reporting on New Finally, some of the missing background Late in 1882 the Merchants’ Exchange To the left: The group outside Ewenton House. Work Estimates submitted to the House history to the original Balmain Telephone switchboard was burnt out owing to th of Representatives). The tender was won Exchange was supplied in an article titled A walk of the route for the 4 May was an accident, and its subscribers were by Automatic Telephones (Australia) Ltd “FIRST CALLER OF 1882 CALLS quickly booked out so another was transferred to the Government exchange. th representing the Automatic Electric Co. LONDON” in the Sydney Morning arranged for the 18 May, again guided by ……….. Although not among the original Chicago, at a cost of £8195. Herald (Wednesday 23 March 1932) Meg Wallace with help from Leo White, subscribers, Richardson and Wrench Penny Alexander, June Lunsmann and The Commonwealth Government tender celebrating the jubilee of telephones in received the number 1. Ross Mackenzie. document for the 1914 exchange contained Sydney. Some excerpts from the article In 1887 there were 750 subscribers, Go to www.balmainassociation.org.au then some interesting information and far- are included below: to walks, next to Humble to Handsome. and a switchboard of new design to sighted requirements. Amongst many other On March 22, 1882, the first Government A memorable milestone Heritage Festival. accommodate 3000 lines was installed. things the initial equipment installed was telephone exchange in New South Wales In 1900 this apparatus was replaced with required to handle 1100 subscriber lines but was opened at the G.P.O., Sydney. Mr a 4000 number board. An additional be extendable to handle 7000 lines (a figure P. Howe, the operator who put through not reached until 1972). The automatic *** common battery switchboard was the first call , yesterday celebrated exchange had to be able to handle party obtained in 1908, and was gradually Mysterious relic found at Callan Park the jubilee of that event by conducting a lines with selective ringing for up to four extended. The first branch exchange wireless telephone conversation with the parties per line. It also had to be able to was opened at Hunter’s Hill in 1884. For some years the a Bush Care group from the Rozelle Bay Community London exchange. “The longest line in deal with calls to and from other automatic Conversion to the automatic system Native Nursery have met each Friday in Callan Park at various areas, to those days was one to Mort’s Dock,” said remove over grown weeds and then revegertate with stock grown at the exchanges as well as manual exchanges commenced in 1914 with the Balmain, Mr Howe yesterday. “Little did I imagine Nursery. and provide for the proper operation of Glebe, and Newtown exchanges……….. the possibility of speaking to another The volunteers have recently worked on the hillside overlooking King “coin in the slot” public telephones, private From its modest beginning with ten Australian State, and I never dreamed George Park where a flight of stone steps from North Cr lead down to the branch exchanges and extension lines. subscribers, the New South Wales that one day my words would be carried Park. In August 2012 in this area a relic of a firearm was uncovered. Not Tenderers were informed they may assume telephone system ……… now has nearly over thousands of miles of water.” much remained of the rifle, the rusty barrel 60cm long, trigger and a much that the average calls per subscriber per 200,000 instruments. depleted wood handle. A contact Kerry Guerin from the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Acknowledgements Museum was most helpful but because of the condition the This article is published on the third anniversary of the start of rifle, the number on the rifle had been obliterated so could not the Balmain Association’s current campaign for the demolition be fully dated but was named as a Savage, Model 24 a most of the front of the Balmain Telephone Exchange to create a common combination gun, configured with the rifle barrel public open space and a full view of the PO clock tower. The above and the shogun barrel below and manufactured from help and assistance of Dom Galluccio and Robert Flynn from 1939 to 1970 at Westfield, Massachusetts, USA. The company Re SILENT ART AUCTION FROM 26th - 27th APRIL 2013 Telstra and Brian Mullins from the Telstra Museum is gratefully was founded in 1894 by Arthur Savage in New York, USA. On behalf of the Management Committee of Bridge for Asylum acknowledged as is the support of Leichhardt Councilors, the Mr Guerin during the course of the many emails, asked out of Seekers Foundation I am writing to you to thank you for your kindness interest, if the model of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was still Heritage Advisory Committee and council staff. in permitting us to use the Watch House for our Silent Art Auction. in the grounds of Callan Park as it was built by Douglas Grant We were extremely pleased to have access from Tuesday, 23rd to * Telstra Museum, 12 Kitchener Parade, Bankstown. Tel. 9790 7624 who had worked at the Lithgow factory at one time. Sunday, 28th April as this gave us the opportunity to set up and hang ** This question began a most interesting research project, Post Master General resulting in the Douglas Grant article on the front page. the items and to remove those which were unsold or had to be stored ***Mr. Howe said that his first day on the switchboard was very After 16 years at the ‘temporary’ site in Chapman Rd, off the Watch House premises for later collection. light, as there was only one call. The clerk at the Darling Harbour Annandale, the RBCNN moved to a purpose built Nursery in Your generosity has meant that we were able to raise just under Railway Station, as a courtesy, asked: “How are you doing down Wisdom St, Annandale in July 2012. $10,000 which will enable us to financially assist many asylum seekers Open: Wednesday and Friday 9am to 12.00am. there?” Mr. Howe replied: “All right, thank you.” And that closed living in our community who would otherwise be destitute. The disused testing desk in the 1957 Balmain Telephone Exchange Volunteers most welcome. Sincerely Virginia Walker Honorary Chairperson, BASF the conversation. Contact: Doug Anderson. [email protected] 4 5 What’s on at the Watch House www.balmainassociation.org.au

JUNE including traditional techniques and Opening Fri 2, 6-8pm All welcome Saturday 1 and Sunday 2, 10am - 4pm unusual methods such as deconstruction, sydneygalleryschool.blogspot.com travel, circus and life.... slashing, burning, freeform construction Sat 17, Sun 18 and Sat 24, Sun 25 10- Harriet Wheeler and Sarah Cooper met at and varying forms of mixed media . 4pm, Mon 19 to Fri 23 10am-3pm Waverley Woollahra art school four years JULY The Last Dry Dock ago. Both create for the pleasure (and pain!!) Thursday 4, Friday 5 11am to 2pm Steve Leadenham is a Sydney based artist of producing artworks which bring joy to the Saturday 6 and Sunday 7, 10am to 4pm who for the past 6 years has had an ntimate viewer Harriet recently has been using the extraTexture continues. association with Balmain Shipyard as both circus and folk tales as inspiration for her http://extratexturetextileartists.wordpress. a place of work and a source of inspiration paintings. Sarah enjoys the colours of the com for his marine-themed subjects. He works Australian bush and expressing these either Saturday 13 and Sunday 14, 11 - 4pm in oils, acrylics and gouache. through collage or landscape .This exhibition An Exhibition of works by Lupé Arellano Neil Duncan has produced world-class is a combination of recent works for all to A display of portraits from my collection photography on a world of different enjoy. and resent studies of natural subjects on subjects for more than three decades and email [email protected] paper influenced by nature. presents another precious slice of Sydney’s [email protected] Opening Fri. 12, 6pm All welcome industrial heritage at the Balmain Shipyard. Opening Fri 31, 6.30 pm all welcome Saturday 20 and Sunday 21, 10 - 5 These pictures continue Neil’s affinity with Saturday 8 and Sunday 9, 9.30 to 4.pm The Combined Harvest Exhibition the people and the places of waterfront Australian Society of Marine Artists Inc. A combined harvest of paintings from two Balmain, including the last days of the For lovers of Marine Art the paintings Sydney artists Deb Morgan and Sancha Colgate Palmolive. on exhibition will showcase the broad Prowse. After meeting at the Mitchell Sat 31 Aug and Sun 1 September, 10am approach to Marine Art in terms of Summer School of Arts (Bathurst) a few to 4pm expressive style and subject matter, with years ago and painting together at the Brandling Art Society Annual Exhibition varied reference to the marine environment Royal Art Society in Lavender Bay, Deb 2013 from the broad expanses of oceans, seas and Sancha are holding their inaugural The artists form a diverse group who paint and coastlines to harbours and inland exhibition. The exhibition features a and draw at Marrickville most weeks of waterways and the depiction of the collection of paintings including oils, the year. Many of them then continue their wide-ranging activities of those whose watercolour and mixed media depicting art practice in studios across Sydney. The lives are inextricably linked to a marine luscious landscapes, spectacular still lifes, majority of works are in acrylics and oils environment. References to the marine poignant portraits and inspirational interiors. with some drawings and other mediums. activities in and around Sydney Harbour Please come and join the artists for nibbles If you are interested in joining the artists will be prominently featured. and drinks anytime over the weekend. at Marrickville for life drawing and www.marineartistsaustralia.com.au A wonderful opportunity to view and painting on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, Opening Friday 7 at 7.30pm all welcome purchase some of their latest works! contact Ros Lawrie on 0401 031 495. No Saturday 15 (no exhibition) Opening Friday 19 6-9pm All welcome tuition is given on either day. Balmain Association History Room open Saturday 27 and Sunday 28, 10am to Opening Friday 30 August 6pm till 9pm 11.30 to 3pm. 4.30pm everyone is welcome to attend. Saturday 22, 10am to 4.30 and Sunday Colour and Light 23, 10am to 4pm Natalie Fallon and Linda McGowan are close 2 my hart both emerging artists and in our show we History Week September 2013 hART stART Studio, now in its 16th year are experimenting with Colour and how it Picture This: is the theme for History in Balmain/Rozelle, is enjoying a busy and stimulates our emotional wellbeing. Week September, 2013. productive year. In addition to the weekly Opening Friday 26, 6pm to 8pm All welcome Of the suggestions that the History painting tuition sessions, gallery visits and Council has made we’ll look at a painter’s mountain retreat also inspire the Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Saturday 10 and Sunday 11, 10am to 4.30pm what inspires you to take a photo artwork in this exhibition Themeless – the people, the place or just how Tutors Gary and Rowena emphasise that The exhibition will feature the wonderful something looks, your travels or hART stART studio is a course designed for prints of students and artists from your family so please lend us your beginners. Through modernist methods, all Meadowbank TAFE Sydney Gallery School. favourites. members develop an expressive personal Many of the exhibitors are award winning Contact style in an atmosphere that is friendly and artists and a full range of printmaking will be June 9810 6885 [email protected] non- threatening. on display. It will include etchings, woodcuts, Kathleen 9818 4954 [email protected] hART stART studio meets Tuesday linocuts, screenprints & combinations of all evenings at The Writers Centre, Rozelle. of these. Ph0410639810 www.hartstartstudio.com The Balmain Association Inc Representing Balmain, Birchgrove and Rozelle Drinks with the artists Sat 22, 1-3pm Saturday 29 and Sunday 30, 10 - 4 Our aims are to: The Balmain Association meets on the first Focus •Improve the living, working and Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm in the extraTexture members Barbara McLennan, recreational amenities of our area; Watch House, 179 Darling Street Balmain. Cindy Cooper, Jane Bodnaruk, Kerry •maintain all features having natural, MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. Shelberg, Margaret Millar and Kay Murray architectural and or historical value of the The History Room at the Watch House is will be in attendance at the exhibition to area and keep a permanent collection of open every Saturday from 11:30-3 discuss their works. The theme of Focus historical interest; Postal: PO Box 57 Balmain 2041 is to highlight the skills of the artists in •seek the cooperation of everyone Material from this newsletter is not to be a wide variety of textile art works and concerned in the realization of the above. reproduced without acknowledgement

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