Oral history @ the library

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Oral history is the recording of memories of people’s unique life experiences. Often the only way to find out about the past is to ask someone who knows about it. Through oral history the past comes alive.

THE COLLECTION

Since 1997 we have interviewing people to capture their memories of living and working in the area in earlier times. Interviews are conducted by volunteers, local history staff and oral historians that are funded through Leichhardt Council’s Local History Grants programme.  At present 120 interviews are held in digital format and will be going online later this year.

WHAT AREA HAS BEEN COVERED BY THE INTERVIEWS?

The Oral History Collection covers all parts of the Leichhardt local government area, which comprises the suburbs of Annandale, Balmain, Birchgrove, Leichhardt, Lilyfield and Rozelle. Between 1968 and 2003 the suburbs of Glebe and Forest Lodge also came within the Leichhardt area, so the collection includes interviews relating to those suburbs undertaken between 1997 and mid-2003.

WHO HAS BEEN INTERVIEWED?

Interviews have mostly been with people who have had a long association with the area. Some of them grew up in the area and went to school here and tell about their memories of childhood and growing up. Others worked in local industries and remember their working lives, working conditions, etc. Some owned small businesses in the area. Many interviewees have useful and interesting comments to make about social conditions in the area during the Depression, about jobs and industries which have now disappeared, and about local businesses and corner shops which are no more.

WHY INTERVIEWS?

Hearing the voices of people who actually experienced the times they are describing makes history come alive in a unique and fascinating way. Their reminiscences greatly add to our understanding of the social history of the Leichhardt area, and in many instances, if these memories had not been recorded they would now be lost forever. People can often be much more interesting than documents, and they often have anecdotes to tell which will not be found in the formal records.

Oral history interviewees Molly Mc Sullea, Peter Flaherty and Howard Horwood

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS

The Fishermen of Iron Cove

A collection of 12 interviews undertaken by oral historian Annette Salt in 2006 with the Italian fishing community of Iron Cove

Rozelle Hospital Project

11 interviews undertaken by oral historian Roslyn Burge in 2008/9 with former workers of Rozelle Hospital and its parent institutions Callan Park Mental Asylum and Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic.

Transforming the Local

20 interviews  by oral historian Paula Hamilton and community volunteers on social and cultural changes in the Balmain area since the 1960s. Interviewees included long-term residents and those who moved into the area in the1970s and 80s. More information on this project can be found at www.transformingthelocal.net.au

Leichhardt’s Environment

10 interviews undertaken by the library’s local history staff and community volunteers on environmental change. Interviewees included bushcare and community garden volunteers, local environmental activists and Leichhardt Council staff such as planners and engineers.

With My Heart On My Sleeve – the Weroona Life Stories Project

11 interviews with residents of Weroona Nusing Home, Lilyfield.

Saving 2.6

Our current project exploring the experiences of local residents who fought to save Ballast Point  -a 2.6ha headland in Birchgrove- for community open space.

For more information on our oral history collection and projects contact us at localhistory@lmc.nsw.gov.au or telephone 02 9367 9266

Annandale House

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In 1793 George Johnston received a grant of 100 acres on Parramatta Road later additional 290 acres was granted and the suburb was named after his birth place in Scotland. The house was entered through the gates situated on Parramatta Road and was marked by an avenue of Norfolk Island Pines.               

 

 

Prior to Annandale being established as a suburb it was a farm that was governed by the Johnston family who owned Annandale House which was built in 1799. the house no longer exists however it was one of the first large brick buildings in the colony and was convict built.  The estate was like a miniature township, with a butcher, bakery, smithy, stores and out houses. At one point the property even had an orangeries. Which is said to have produced the juiciest oranges in the colony and a vineyard. In 1832 Annandale Farm was considered “One of the Most complete farms in the neighbourhood of Sydney” The original Sandstone gates of Annandale House were moved to the front of Annandale Public  School in 1976.

Mort’s Dock listed on the NSW State Heritage Register

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Sarah Ward Maritime Archaeologist

On Sunday 22nd May 2011, a dedicated crowd gathered at Mort’s Park  to commemorate the listing of Mort’s Dock on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Members of the Balmain Association, Heritage planners, Councillors, local residents and Member for Balmain: Jamie Parker, incoming Leichhardt Mayor Cr Porteous and Gabrielle Kibble of the Heritage Council of NSW were all present for this significant event. Sarah Ward, Maritime Archaeologist Office of Environment and Heritage for the NSW Department nominated the site for the Heritage register and opened the event acknowledging that the listing was a significant event for the people of Balmain and would have made Nick Origlass and Issy Wyner proud. It celebrates the social and cultural significance of the site and will help protect Mort’s Bay Park, in years to come.

Speeches made by the outgoing mayor and other guest speakers alike commemorated  the longtime efforts of the Balmain Association and resident action groups who have worked so hard over the years to improve and protect Balmain’s working harbour.

Gabrielle Kibble: Heritage Council of NSW, Mayor of Leichhardt, Rochelle Porteous, Member for Balmain, Jamie Parker

History: Balmain’s Mort’ Dock  named after Thomas Mort, was the first Dry dock of it’s size, opening in 1855 one year before Cockatoo island. It was the largest shipyard and engineering workshop, and the colony’s largest private enterprise.  Also home of the Ship Painters and Dockers union which was established on site in 1872 and instrumental in the creation of what was later become the Australian Labour Party in 1891.

Plaque unveiling at Mort’s Dock

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Leichhardt Council, in partnership with the Heritage Council of NSW and the Balmain Association, cordially invite you to help to celebrate the listing of Mort’s Dock on State Heritage at an official plaque unveiling on

Sunday 22 May 2011 at 2pm at the former dry dock at Mort Bay Park.

Mort’s Dock was the largest shipyard and engineering workshop in Australia in the latter half of the 19th century. The site developed into the colony’s largest private enterprise and in many ways helped establish the colony and Sydney as Australia’s premier maritime port. The archaeological remains are possibly the only remains of a dry dock of this size preserved in situ.

Coffee and light refreshments will be provided by Leichhardt Council to celebrate the listing of this important historical item.

For any enquires on this matter please contact Leichhardt Council’s Parks and Open Space Planning Unit at recreation@lmc.nsw.gov.au or phone: 02 9367 9270 during normal working hours.

We hope that you can join us.

Sarah Ward
Maritime Archaeologist

Office of Environment & Heritage

NSW Dept of Premier & Cabinet

 

Birchgrove Industrial Heritage and garden walk: Saturday 21 May 2pm

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Saturday 21 May, 2-5pm

Take a guided walk in Birchgrove with the Australian Garden History Society

and discover two ex-industrial sites that are now contrasting harbour-side

parks: Mort Bay Park and Ballast Point Park, along with a couple of

enchanting private gardens, in very diverse locations.

For more information:

* Cost: $25/ AGHS members $15, includes light refreshments and notes

Bookings essential: Jeanne Villani, 9997 5995 / Jeanne@Villani.com

www.gardenhistorysociety.org.au /branches/Sydney

2011 Heritage Festival comes to a successful close

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Our Heritage Festival event for 2011 “Leichhardt Jubilee Pressed” went very well with a lot of local interest in the history of Leichhardt, the photography of J.G. Parks and the wonderful and fascinating process of the Print Press.

We had about 60 people on the opening night, a great crowd of artistic and historically inclined people, with special guest photographer Lewis Morley, speakers Sue Tronser from Heritage Group of Leichhardt District (HGOLD), CR Vera Ann Hannaford and artists Bill and Genevieve Moseley of Hill End Press.

(right click to turn off quick start)

F Roebuck and Sons, Rocking Horse makers 256, Norton St Leichhardt 1900 -1972

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Alice St Newtown: the birth place of Australian Rocking Horses

Alice St Newtown holds a very significant place in Australian history as this is where 32 year old Frederick Roebuck started the first known Rocking Horse business in Australia around 1880 and what was to be the largest and best known (actual house number still to be confirmed but was between 132 and 144 Alice St).

The Roebuck family is one of the oldest Rocking Horse makers in the world; they span four generations over three continents. The Roebuck family had been making Rocking Horses since the 1800’s in England.

Frederick’s Father; John Roebuck started making Rocking Horses along side Paul Leach; a well respected British Rocking Horse maker of the 1800’s before starting his own Rocking Horse business in London in the mid 1800’s where he was listed as a Master Rocking Horse maker. This is where young Fred mastered his craft; under the watchful eye of his Father.

Early records show the acceptance of a Rocking Horse in 1865 for the young Duke of York by King Edward VII made by John Roebuck.

In 1865; John Roebuck closed his Rocking Horse business and migrated to New Zealand to take part in the Maori Wars. It is unclear why he chose to make this move; but what is clear is it robbed the family of the distinction of being classified as English Rocking Horse makers. This loss turned out to be Australia’s gain.

Whilst in New Zealand; Frederick was married and had 3 children; he then moved via Melbourne to Alice St Newtown where he had another 6 children (there is no record of him making Rocking Horses in Melbourne). He started out building Rocking Horses from a shed in his back yard.

His business grew and he eventually moved the manufacturing to George St Brickfield Hill (the site where the Regent Theatre was later built); he would carry a finished Rocking Horse on each shoulder and hand deliver them to his customers; Anthony Horderns and Hoffnungs Wholesalers.

Around 1900, he then moved his manufacturing to 256 Norton St Leichhardt and bought a residence at 43 James St Leichhardt which backed onto the Norton St factory. His youngest son Stanley; trained by Fred to carve still using the traditional way by using nothing but hand tools eventually took over the operation on the business, Stanley trained his sons Fred and Norman who would eventually take over the business from him.

The Roebuck family also built and operated Carousels around Australia; his eldest son Percy (also living in and around Alice St) operated the Carousel at Manly till around the 1920’s

On September 14, 1932, Frederick Roebuck  the Father of Australian Rocking Horses breathed his last breath in his house at 1 Grove St Dulwich Hill (corner of Hill and Grove Streetss)

During the war years they carried out many Defence contracts including collapsible army boats for troop transport, Kayaks for commando exploration work, packing cases for the G36 hand grenades and P54 bombs.

After the war the Norton St factory  run by Stanley’s sons Frederick James (FJ) and Norman; became merchanised where they traded mallets and chisels for copy lathes. During their peak they employed 30 staff and would produce up to 2,800 Rocking Horses a year and other wooden toys. They were also making the wooden components for Cyclops toys. The factory eventually closed in 1972 to make way for fiberglass copies.

Cyclops Toys, Cnr Francis and William Streets, Leichhardt

Written by Jamie Hall 2011

If anyone has photographs of the old factory at 256 Norton Street please email localhistory@lmc.nsw.gov.au.

White’s Creek & Johnston Creek Sewer Aqueduct

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These 1896 Aqueducts were the first structures in Australia to incorporate reinforced concrete using the Monier Patent. They were designed by W. Blatzer to carry the northern main sewer across Johnston’s and White’s Creeks. This new form of construction was investigated by Royal Commission and the contractor.

A bit of Historical Background

In 1859 Sydney had a rudimentary sewage system of five sewers draining to the Harbour and serving an area little larger than what is now the City area. By 1889, this had grown to some 10kim of main sewers and 103 km of subsidiary sewers serving 18,000 properties in the Sydney City area and about 25 km serving 6, 750 properties in the suburbs of Darlington, Paddington and Redfern. The System was controlled by the City Council and continued to discharge to the harbour until 1889 at which time two major projects, initiated by the Government (and constructed by the Public Works Department between 1880 and 1889), were commissioned.

The White’s Creek & Johnston’s creek sewer aqueduct is an original key component of the upstream extension of the BOOS Bondi Ocean Outfall Sewer.

The Aqueducts are listed in with the National Trust for the following reasons –

1. The status of aqueducts as being one of the first two major reinforced concrete structures to be built in NSW, and amongst the first to be built in Australia.

2. The historical significance of the aqueducts as being a key component of the first extension to the Bondi Ocean Outfall Sewer which was completed in 1889 to become the basis of the first of the three major ocean outfall sewers which served Sydney.

3. Its position as being a good example of a significant sewer structure which can be seen. The great majority  of any major sewerage system is hidden underground but there are places where crossing gullies, rivers or river flats at which the sewage carrying structures can be viewed, The White’s creek Aqueduct & Johnston’s Creek Aqueduct are such a case.

Information Provided from Leichhardt Library Vertical Files.

IMAGES:

1.Leichhardt Library

2. Sydney Waterboard

Hill End Artist print Leichhardt Jubilee 1921 blocks

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Leichhardt Jubilee 1921 blocks printed by Hill End Press from Localnotes on Vimeo.

Images of Holtermann’s Buildings, Hill End 1870 -1875 courtesy of Mitchell Library, State Library

Photographs of Jubilee Celebrations along Parramatta Road 1921 by J.G. Park

Photographs of Salvation Army, Leichhardt & Fire Station, Leichhardt 1921 by J.G. Park