Be aware of the number of people allowed in your home, maintain safe hygiene practices and use QR codes to check in if you are going out to a restaurant, pub or bar. There will also be a number of measures in place to strictly control crowd numbers around the Sydney Harbour. Year’s Eve Pass from Service NSW. Passes will be checked prior to entry into the Green Zone area. Anyone who does not have a New Year's in place. Have a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve. and we look forward to a better 2021 with new hope, with what's been a very trying WALKABOUT - EDGECLIFF

Walkabout Edgecliff

with Ruth

Source: www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au

In this Ed 27, I walk around Edgecliff, pointing out past history and present development that has shaped the area, not necessarily in a good way.

I begin my walk in the tiny side streets behind Edgecliff Centre.

On the corner of Cameron St and Thorne St is a sign on a weatherboard wedge-shaped house, which used to be a corner shop in the 1860's.called Emma Chisett...which legend has it that the name is a strine variant of How much is it?

Behind these quaint streets lined wth historic houses is Trumper Park a community garden, and tennis courts with views towards Sydney CBD.

7

New South Head Rd

8

2

Trumper Park

1

Cameron St Ocean Ave

6 5

Edgecliff Rd

Thorne St

3 4

Ocean St Albert St

5

Crossing Ocean St into Albert Street, you can't miss the striking white church called St Joseph's Church, the first Franciscan church in Sydney.

St Joseph's is a Roman Catholic church which was erected in 1866 but the present structure, of early English Gothic style, dates from 1874 it is ministered by Franciscan Friars.

Next to St Joseph's, at No. 8 Albert St, is Fenton...but only the gates and driveway can be seen.

Fenton was the residence of NZ born architect Robin Dods, built after WWI. Once described as a contemporary house, built as a counterpart to an eighteenth century English house but with "all the best features of a modern home". Today it is a private residence.

Opposite side of the street, once stood Quambi, built in 1862 by Mr Montague Consett Stephen, later purchased by Sir Frederick Darley, P.C., M.L.C., Q.C., Lieu. Governor in 1891. It was demolished in the 1930's and replaced by 'Quambi Place' proclaimed in 1938 becoming a significant streetscape of houses after the 'Wilkinson style'.

4

Turning left at Edgecliff Road, I pass Consulate homes, mansions and a, mixture of Art Deco flats. At the intersection of Edgecliff Road and Ocean St there is a small reserve. This was once Edgecliff House, built about 1861 by Edward Wise, Justice of the Supreme Court, later occupied by William Busby. The big Fig trees were given to the Woollahra Council with the land from Edgecliff House by the Terry family on the condition that they would not be cut down.

6

On the other side of Edgecliff Rd is an Art Deco building which once the office of Malcolm Bligh Turnbull AC now a retired Australian politician who was the 29th Prime Minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018.

Now Dave Sharma, Federal Member for Wentworth, occupies the premises.

7

Opposite Edgecliff Centre on New South Head Rd is Ascham School. The area was once dominated by the 'Glenrock' property. Sir Edward Knox built 'Fiona' in 1864 after having it designed by J. F. Hilly. Other elements of the estate included 'Glenrock', an Italianate residence designed by David MacBeath and built by John Marks circa 1870. There were also substantial gates of wrought iron and sandstone. The building was demolished when New South Head Road was widened, but the gates survived. Also on the estate was the 'Dower House', a Victorian Gothic Revival house of sandstone, built some time after 1842 by Whistler Smith.

Talking Tarot

with Ruth Marks

Hello Everyone, It's nice to see we are all out and about again. Cafes, beaches, parks and restaurants full of fun and chat, and the roads overflowing with traffic.

We are now coming into the star signs of PISCES and ARIES.

If you need guidance or confirmation phone me on 0414 273 104.

PISCES (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

THE TAROT CARD IS THE HANGED MAN

The Tarot Card shows a man hanging upside down from a tree. This card indicates enlightening and suggests you dont rush into making decisions.

Just wait till things fall into place. You respond well to nature so make sure you spend time in our beautiful beaches and parks particularly if you live close to the city as you dont like loud noise.

You are naturally artistic and need to take the time for yourself to maybe start creating writing, painting or sketching. Give it a try and dont give up on your first attempt. It is important to give yourself time to nurture yourself and all will go in the right direction for you.

Lucky gemstone is AMETHYST Lucky numbers are 12 & 7 Lucky colours are LILAC & GREEN

ARIES(Mar 21 - Apr 29)

THE TAROT CARD IS THE EMPORER

The EMPORER is seated on a cubic throne giving the impressions of worldly powers and leadership. You are strong and sometimes stubborn.

You are dedicated to your plan and will not accept the suggestions of others. You are good on business levels but can be impulsive and not go about things in a practical way. As your symbol is THE RAM try not to headbutt your way to good fortune, instead of taking time and having patience. Show your understanding and encourage people with love rather than demands. Lucky gemstone is DIAMOND Lucky numbers are 1 & 11 Lucky colour RED

Love and Light to all... Good health, happiness and peace to all

RUTH MARKS

TAROT CARD READER

0414 273 104

Google Ruth Marks Tarot Card Reader Tarot Card lessons available

My walk finishes at (8) Edgecliff Centre built in 1971which was identified by Woollahra Council as an opportunity site, noting that redevelopment would deliver a range of community benefits including an improved retail experience with better connections to public transport...and Edgecliff railway station opened in 1979, when the Eastern Suburbs railway line was opened from Central to Bondi Junction.

ESL talks to Chris Sullivan from Sullivan Building

ESL: Why did you start a building business?

SB: Originally, Kim and I ran a plumbing and roofing business, but as our experience and knowledge grew, we decided to get a builders licence.

I studied to gain certification and Kim, who was already a qualified graphic artist, with a flair for styling, undertook a design course. Together this allowed us to provide a complete building renovation service, all in one package.

ESL: How long have you been in business?

SB: We've now been in the business for over 28 years.

ESL: How many people work in the business?

SB: We work with, and co-ordinate, a highly skilled team of sub-contractors who have been with us for years. Together we achieve outstanding results and always guarantee the quality of our workmanship.

ESL: What do you do and what do you specialise in?

SB: We are a construction company specialising in renovation design, planning, and construction.

ESL: Do you work with councils and how do you work with them?

SB: Yes, it is really important to have a professional working relationship with local councils and we are meticulous in adhering to all building standards and the terms of all building permit legislation.

ESL: What is unique about your business?

SB: We pride ourselves on our personable and hands-on approach when dealing with our clients and are a small husband and wife team to provide a total solution. This is unusual in the industry.

We approach every project with absolute focus on the needs of our clients and do our utmost to deliver every project or renovation on time and within budget. It’s something we love and have enjoyed doing for many years.

ESL: What do you most like about the business?

SB: We love the connection that we make with our clients. We are working in their homes, often for months at a time, and consider this a privilege. We have developed long-term professional relationships with many of our clients who have often undertaken several renovations.

We are grateful that they seek our advice and services when buying a property to renovate.

ESL: What kind of other businesses do you work with?

SB: We work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals including local councils, architects, engineers and certifiers to deliver high quality building results for our clients.

SULLIVAN BUILDING SERVICES

18/522 NSH RD, DOUBLE BAY 0428 259 065 enquiries@sullivanbuildingservices.com.au

THE BUILDERS OF MODERN AUSTRALIA

We continue to explore the important contributions of past parishioners of St Mark’s Anglican Church, Darling Point. THOMAS SUTCLIFFE MORT -

PART TWO

As discussed in the previous article, TS Mort was a driving force in shaping much of our modern society. His initial and most lasting legacy was to be responsible for rationalising the sale of wool as it emerged as the nation’s staple commodity. The public auctioneering system enabled local producers to stand apart from the London-based brokers who made vast profits from exploiting colonial produce. As the wool industry emerged, Mort, with the aid of his brother William in England was able to guarantee a fair price for the high quality merino-based wool which had become the most valuable export commodity of the colony.

Importantly, Mort was able to develop the first ‘pastoral house’ with credit facilities, consignment arrangements for their produce in London, and commercial assurance for pastoralists. This was so successful that it ensured the future success of the Australian Wool industry and allowed the young Mort to pursue other ventures which also benefited the broader community.

As a serial entrepreneur, Mort was able to invest in steamship companies, railways, mining, large pastoral concerns like the Twofold Bay Pastoral Company and many more. A devout church and family man, he provided encouragement and often financial support to all kinds of benevolent activities including founding of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, which provided life assurance to thousands of Australian families.

Mort was a complicated man who suffered from periodic bouts of depression. Despite his wealth and standing in the community he was driven to serve his fellow man. A genuine polymath, he invested much of his wealth in huge projects such as the creation of a dry dock which enabled overseas shipping to operate from our distant shores. He also experimented with large scale dairying, farming alpacas, producing silk, cotton and sugar, pioneering the way for others.

Perhaps his greatest achievement was pioneering the refrigeration industry. While he did not live to see the first export of frozen meat, after years of experimentation he had perfected the process which facilitated the preservation of fresh produce over vast distances, enabling the supply of Australian meat and dairy products to the rest of the world. He established the first freezing works in the world in Darling Harbour.

One of Thomas Mort’s greatest strengths was his profound understanding of the obligations imposed by wealth and status, combined with his desire to express his Christian faith in practical ways. In 1857 Sir Alfred Stephen, the Chief Justice, said of his works, “It would be difficult to specify one public undertaking, having for its object the advancement of religion, or benevolence, or the promotion of the interests of the colony, which Mr Mort has not aided – by his purse and his advocacy, almost invariably by both”. TS Mort died in 1878 at the age of only 61. He was deeply mourned throughout the community. A fine statue in his honour stands in Macquarie Place erected by public subscription.

Ian Tresise St Mark's Historical Society

For more information please contact history@stmarksdp.org or visit

https://stmarksdp.org/history/

Next month in Part Three of his story we will further discuss some of his legacy that shaped our emerging nation.

TS Mort statue in Macquarie Place

ST MARK’S KIDS