WALKABOUT with Ruth CENTENNIAL PARK AREA

Walkabout

with Ruth CENTENNIAL PARK AREA

In this Ed 38, Feb... I take a walk around the streets surrounding Centennial Park.

Centennial Park started out as a reserve to protect the central ponds and swamps which formed early Sydney's water supply. It was superseded by the Nepean water supply system in the 1880s so Centennial Park opened in 1888. Part of the funding was to come from selling off residential lots adjacent to the park, but this did not occur until 1904. No wooden buildings or terrace homes were allowed; brick or stone were mandated, with tile or slate roofs. Between 1905 and 1925, quality homes were built, featuring a mixture of Federation, Arts and Crafts, Victorian and Old English styles.

I begin my walk at 12 Lang Rd (1) at Walshome.This property was the first to be built in the early 1900s housing estate, making it among the oldest homes in Centennial Park. Built between 1906 and 1908 for Fred Walsh, the Consul-General for Honduras at the time, It is an example of Federation Romanesque design.

‘Devoncliffe’, at 26 Lang Rd (2) was first owned by Robert Saunders, senior partner in the Saunders quarry business at Pyrmont. It was built in c.1910 in the Federation Free Classical style and made of sandstone.

Tongkah at 28 Lang Rd (3) is a Federation Queen Anne/Arts and Crafts style home built in 1910 for Mr and Mrs Claud Benalla Quinan. Mr. Quinan was a well-known racing identify and stock broker, and member of the Sydney Stock Exchange for 38 years. He lived in the house until his passing in 1946 at the age of 70. Quinan’s daughter Patricia married Mr. James Bancks, creater of the popular ‘Ginger Meggs’ comic strip in 1938.

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On the corner of Cook Rd and Lang Rd is the Equestrian Centre (4) the site was formerly run by the Royal Agricultural Society and was famed as an historic part of the former Royal Easter Show site. The Centre provides accommodation for 197 horses comprising riding school horses and privately owned horses. Equine facilities include three arenas (two roofed arenas), a covered lunge yard, stables (both inside pavilions and outdoors), wash bay facilities, sand rolls and on-site float parking.

I cross the road passing Centennial Park Gates. There are a number of other historic sandstone gates around Centennial Park dating from the same era, including at Robertson Rd, York Rd, Govett St and Jervois Ave, as well as a number of pedestrian gates with sandstone plinths. The sandstone gateway at Moore Park (crnr of Anzac Pde and Moore Park Rd was erected to mark the Park’s opening in 1869. Head left into Martin Rd. No. 2 is Stanton Hall (5) (also known as Babington), this is an example of the Inter-War Free Classical style, and is heritage-listed.

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Murrulla at 4 Martin Rd is a Queen Anne style property dating back to 1906. It was reportedly owned by Justice Deirdre O’Connor, the former Australian Industrial Relations Commission president, and barrister Michael Joseph who bought the 2327sq m property in 1996 for $4.05 million.

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Highbury, located at 20 Martin Rd (6) was designed by William Nixon and built from 1912 to 1913. Highbury was the home of Australian novelist Patrick White(the first Australian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature) for approximately 26 years, until his death in 1990. Patrick White moved into Highbury in 1964 and lived there with his partner, Manoly Lascaris, after leaving his home in the suburb of Castle Hill. Following White's death in 1990, Lascaris continued to live in the house almost until he died in 2003.

The Crossways located at 50 Martin Rd (7) was built in 1908 for surgeon Dr Gordon Craig and designed by architectural firm Waterhouse and Lake. The Crossways is described as "one of the finest examples of the Federation Arts and Crafts style in Australia".

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I follow Martin Rd around to Robertson Rd. No 39 is Bungalow. (8) This is a landmark Walter Burley Griffin property: after winning the 1912 competition for the design of Canberra with his avantgarde garden city’design Burley Griffin moved to Australia. This is a rare and authentic example of Burley Griffin’s architecture, The Bungalow’ was built in 1914 for a wealthy Norwegian industrialist and ‘bon vivant’. I complete the walk at Lang Rd.

Sydney Cricket Ground

Entertainment Quarter

Cook Rd 1

Lang Rd2 3 Oxford St

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Centennial Park

Anzac Pde 8

Robertson Rd5 6 7

Talking & Teaching Tarot

Hi Everyone, Omicron is spreading fast, but hopefully it will plateau soon. Remember to be mindful when you go out. Test for symptoms. If you are sick stay home.

Wear a mask, santize, distance and keep up-to-date with the ever changing news about the virus.

Stay safe and stay well.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 19) THE STAR is the Tarot Card for AQUARIUS This Card shows a Goddess kneeling with one foot in a pool of swirling water where she is watering flowers which are beginning to bloom. This means growth on the horizon. She has a cosmic balance which indicates balance within. THE STAR is a very lucky card but does suggest you stick to one thing at a time and finish a job properly. It is important to pace yourself, this will give you better results. If you put your energy into one thing at a time you will be very successful. You are always ahead of time. You have inspiration in yourself so use it properly. This will enable you to have a successful year.

Lucky Gemstone: Turquoise Lucky Numbers: 11 & 4 Lucky Colours: Blue & Silver

PISCES (Feb 18 - Mar 20) THE HANGED MAN is the Tarot Card for PISCES This card shows a man hanging upside down from a tree. This indicates enlightening and suggests you dont rush into making decisions. You should wait til things fall into place easily. 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 you must take time to get away from the hustle and bustle of 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 and all will go in the right direction for you.

Lucky Gemstone: Amethyst Lucky Numbers: 12 & 7 Lucky Colours: Lilac & Green

Love and light to all...Stay safe, be positive...

RUTH MARKS

TAROT CARD READER

0414 273 104

Google Ruth Marks Tarot Card Reader Tarot Card lessons available

The next Edi 39, March, my walk takes you down New South Head Rd along the Rose Bay promenade and marina.