GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
COMMUNITY SPRING EDITION 2021
Un[contained] Challenging the common perception of what ‘art’ is.
WWW.GEORGESRIVER.NSW.GOV.AU
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MAYOR'S MESSAGE Spring brings with it a sense of renewal and a fresh start and Georges River is embracing Spring this year after a challenging few months. While we have been affected by additional restrictions during the lockdown in our local government area (LGA), we did what was required and focused on moving forward. I’m extremely proud that within a week of Georges River being announced as a LGA of concern, we implemented a range of new measures to provide support through this crisis: •
We opened two extra COVID testing clinics, equipping Georges River with eight COVID testing clinics
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We opened a walk-in AstraZeneca vaccination clinic with NSW Health at Hurstville Entertainment Centre
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We hosted a timely and much needed live Public Health Order information webinar with NSW Police and NSW Health with almost 400 community participants
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We stayed connected with the community to ensure it was clear what they needed to do for additional restrictions to be lifted
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Despite having many of our staff working from home in lockdown, we continued to provide the services you value.
Georges River is ready to breathe life back into our city. Our $47 million Economic and Social Recovery Plan is now near completion of phase two – Revival and ready to move onto phase three – Discover Georges River, with our focus on the improvement of the public domain, place making and the continued delivery of capital works. To support our local businesses, we are offering online events and mentoring including a Cafe Series with Cafe Millionaire and Creatives in Business "Money is not a Dirty Word'. Soon, we will be able to start a $4.75million upgrade of the Palm Court car park in the Hurstville CBD into a much needed open space for our community.
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Our next endeavour is to showcase the potential of Georges River supported by other regions, including the Central City and Wollongong, to create a thriving Greater Sydney. To do so, we are hosting Metropolis of Five Cities. The event will bring together councils, advocacy groups, universities and city leaders, to influence the future direction of Greater Sydney Planning. We will be advocating to rethink the planning for Greater Sydney in a way that improves connectivity, inspires jobs growth and creates opportunities for all. I am determined to look to the future, a future built on solid foundations with an optimistic view of a thriving community. Kevin Greene Mayor, Georges River Council
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
CONTENTS 4. YOUR COUNCIL Awards reflect the commitment to our community Council Wins Gold Award at the Australasian Reporting Awards 5.
Recycling in Georges River Council Flying-fox Management Plan
Find your bin collection dates at any time
6. COMMUNITY It’s not too late: The Plan. The priorities – you get to choose 7.
Locals appreciate locally
8. BUSINESS Café Millionaire 9.
She Elevates – more than just a name
10. ART AND CULTURE Georges River Art Prize 11. Create our culture with your colours 12. Un[contained] Arts Festival 16.
Georges River Artist in Residence program
18. LOCAL HISTORY Edward Holland of Dumbleton 20. What's in a name? - ALLAWAH 21. Historical Markers
Our Journeys | Our Stories exhibition postponed
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE IS MAKING SOME CHANGES We will continue to have the Community Magazine available at all our libraries, Museum and Gallery, and each of the Customer Service Centres. Copies will also be placed at our community facilities, including the Hurstville Entertainment Centre, and provided to our early learning centres. To ensure you can enjoy our magazine we have made it easier to access. Now, moving into new digital platforms. This magazine is just one way to receive information from Council and we encourage you to sign up for our fortnightly Community E-news and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or view our YouTube channel.
Georges River Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land in which the Georges River local government area is situated - the Biddegal people of the Eora nation.
22. WHAT'S ON We Are Georges River
YOUR
SAY
Be involved in important projects that shape the future of the Georges River area. Your feedback matters! Register via Council’s website at yoursay.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
To subscribe, visit www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au and sign up via the eNewsletter form located at the bottom of the home page.
Information and events in this publication are current at the time of printing. Subsequent changes may occur. Georges River Council does not guarantee that this publication is without flaw or wholly appropriate for your purposes. It and its employees expressly disclaim any liability, for any loss or damage, whether direct or consequential, suffered by any person as the result of or arising from reliance on any information contained in the publication.
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YOUR COUNCIL
Awards reflect the commitment to our community
Annual Report 2019/2020
Georges River Council has received great recognition of its enduring commitment to deliver initiatives and services to the Georges River community. Council received the Greater Sydney Planning Award 2021. This award was granted for Council’s Economic and Social Recovery Plan - City-Shaping During COVID-19. Local Government Excellence Awards 2021. The big winner at the awards was the BENE-FIT 360 program implemented by Council in the People Workplace Wellbeing category. Council was highly commended for Environmental Leadership through the Gannons Park Water Quality Improvement and Stormwater Harvesting Scheme and highly under the Special Project Initiative Award for Council’s THRIVE! Program. Council was also recognised for our Customer Service Excellence Program and our New Rates 2021 Campaign, placing as finalists in the Customer Experience and Innovative Leadership categories. Planning Institute of Australia’s National Awards for Planning Excellence 2021 Council’s ChillOUT Hubs secured the win under the ‘Best Ideas – Small Project’ category. Museums and Galleries National Awards 2021 Hurstville Museum and Gallery achieved Highly Commended in the Museums and Galleries National Awards 2021. ‘Artbomb: connect + create’ took out the award for the Best Temporary or Travelling Exhibition – Level 1 Category. Keep Australia Beautiful NSW’s Sustainable Cities Award Council was commemorated for our environmental sustainability efforts winning the ‘Renewable Energy’ award. The award acknowledges Council’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy in our operations by 2025 and the implementation of mitigation initiatives to progress towards net zero carbon emissions. Georges River Council is most proud to serve and provide the Georges River community with innovations and initiatives that matter most. Council is humbled by the recognition of these efforts and aims to continue these efforts in the future.
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www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au 1
Council Wins Gold Award at the Australasian Reporting Awards Georges River Council’s 2019/20 Annual Report won the Gold Award at the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA) held on 18 August 2021. This Annual Report is the third for Georges River Council overall and marks the third entry in these Awards with previous years’ entries receiving Bronze Awards. The ARA Awards are open to all organisations in Australia, New Zealand, and countries in the AsiaPacific Region. These include companies, government departments and agencies, and not-for-profit bodies. The criteria to achieve a gold award means that the Annual Report must achieve overall excellence, provide high quality coverage of all aspects of the ARA Criteria, provide full disclosures of key aspects of the core business, address current legislative and regulatory requirements, and be a model for other reports to follow. We extend our congratulations to Council on their achievement.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Recycling in Georges River Council Georges River Council is committed to supporting local residents with waste disposal and increased recycling to reduce landfill and improve the local environment. Council supports waste disposal and recycling in the following ways.
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Providing residents with a yellow lidded recycle bin for each residential property.
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Providing residents with two clean up collections each year, for all residential properties for larger household items.
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Providing tech waste and chemical collections at scheduled times throughout the year, subject to current NSW Public Health Orders.
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Recycling household batteries, mobile phones and CD/DVDs at the small drop-off station at Georges River Civic Centre, Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm), subject to current Public Health Orders.
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Recycling mattresses by collecting them separate to other clean up material.
For more information on these and other waste services, please visit the A-Z Recycling Guide at the Georges River Council website www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Flying-fox Management Plan Nestled in the bushland treetops of Myles Dunphy Reserve in Oatley is a camp of Grey-headed Flying-foxes. This iconic species is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Council has developed a Draft Oatley Flying-fox Camp Management Plan 2021 to look after our flying friends. The draft Plan aims to guide protection measures for the Grey-headed Flying-fox and their habitat, while identifying actions that manage public health risks and minimise impacts on the community. It will also serve as a guiding document for stakeholder involvement, actions, roles and responsibilities in relation to the Oatley Camp. The draft Plan is now on Public Exhibition and we are inviting the community to comment and provide feedback. To learn more and have your say, please scan this QR code.
Find your bin collection dates at any time Visit the Waste page on Council’s website and enter your address to find your bin collection dates and available recycling services; www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/services/waste From January 2022, residents will receive a printed waste calendar upon request. This will reduce our environmental and carbon footprint, in accordance with Council’s Waste Strategy. If you would like to opt in for a printed calendar, use the Log It / Fix It tool on Council’s website and search ‘calendar’ or contact our Customer Experience Team on 02 9330 6400 or at mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
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COMMUNITY
YOUR
SAY
It’s not too late: The Plan. The priorities – you get to choose Council has a Plan that sits above all of Council’s other plans which identifies the community’s (your) main priorities and aspirations for the future – the Community Strategic Plan. We are reviewing this legislated Plan and want you to be involved in establishing the priorities for the next ten years. The Plan takes into account the resources that will realistically be available through our Long Term Financial Plan. We have consulted with many residents and business owners over the last few years on a number of strategies and intend to use these results to review our current Community Strategic Plan, rather than starting from scratch.
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We want to ensure that The Plan is still relevant and reflects your priorities and needs for the Georges River local government area. There is still time for you to be involved in this review. Take the survey to tell us your priorities by scanning this QR code: It is a requirement of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) that Community Strategic Plans are reviewed every four years. This Community Strategic Plan Review must be adopted Georges River Council following the NSW local government election to be held in December 2021.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Locals appreciate locally
Dorothy Yin, Hurstville resident, shared this watercolour painting of Woodville Park. Materials used in this painting: Lamy safari fountain pen with carbon ink, watercolour travel set, brushes and spray bottle
Shayne, Operations Leader for Trees at the Mortdale Depot, captured this sunrise on 28 July, “What a nice early morning view in Hurstville today!” COMMUNITY | SPRING EDITION 2021 | 7
BUSINESS Council is committed to supporting small business in our community and has partnered with Bayside BEC, University of Technology Sydney, as well as local experts with Café Millionaire, and She Elevates, to present a series of events from September to November. The range of events will cover many industries, from manufacturing to hospitality and creatives.
Katherine Blizard from Cafe Millionaire
Café Millionaire Successful café owner turned business advisor, Katherine Blizard, is sharing her knowledge as a Business Advisor whilst starting, running and growing cafes all at once. During her time as a Business Advisor, Katherine met people who dreamed of owning a café and were prepared to leave their high paid jobs to make this happen. Katherine came to realise that this vision is so far from reality for those who dive into the hospitality industry without understanding how it works and what it takes to succeed. There are no barriers to entry to start or buy a café, so many educated people assume that it can’t be that difficult…
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Unfortunately, as Katherine came to realise it’s not an easy industry to navigate and only 40% will start, run, and grow a café with success. Katherine is fortunate to have turned all her cafes into financial successes and now wants to focus her time to share what she has learned, so she established Café Millionaire. Café Millionaire will be presenting a series of webinars during the month of October. For more information, visit the event page at GeorgesRiverBusiness.com.au.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
She Elevates
– more than just a name Cassandra Croucher and her business partner, Emma Fisher launched ‘She Elevates’ because they saw the need to connect with other women in business. They made it their mission to not just network but to ensure these women could form connections that were long standing. Georges River local Cassandra shares her journey to building ‘She Elevates’. ’When thinking about networking. I hated it. Anyone else? In my experience it was small talk, handing out business cards that I knew would never again to see the light of day, being asked “What do you do?” So that they can then tell you what they do. No thanks! UNTIL I discovered a group who did it differently on the other side of the city, I asked permission to recreate it in South Sydney and She Elevates was born.’ Cassandra and business partner Emma formed a group that works to women’s strengths. ‘Women don’t need to be shown how to connect or make friends – that’s WHAT WE DO,’ Cassandra shared. ’We just create and cultivate the perfect environment that breeds collaboration over competition, that celebrates women in all stages of their business and encourages REAL relationships over small talk!’
‘She Elevates’ launched in early 2020, on the cusp of a global pandemic, but it was a now or never moment. Just like the entrepreneurs they bring together; they found a way to network even in lockdown. Happy Hour networking drinks and Hour of Power sessions on Zoom. These have brought motivation, light, brilliant ideas and momentum into an otherwise very challenging time for businesses everywhere. Cassie explains, ‘We love getting together over a beautiful lunch and round table networking sessions. This is the key in building trust and working relationships. That consistent investment building your tribe of likeminded female entrepreneurs with a huge side dish of fun. The result of these gatherings are the most beautiful collaborations, deep friendships and amazing results formed from the women who invest in each other.’ The favourite saying at She Elevates… A woman alone has power, women together have impact. Visit the event page at GeorgesRiverBusiness.com for more information.
She Elevates event (prior to Public Health Orders)
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ART AND CULTURE
Georges River Art Prize The Georges River Art Prize showcases a range of the finest paintings and sculptures, produced from artists nationwide and gives young local artists a platform to display their works. Over $20,000 of prizes will be awarded across seven categories, with the major painting prize an acquisitive $10,000. This year’s finalists will be selected by judges Alison Clark, Curatorial and Arts Management Specialist; Simon Chan, Director Art Atrium; and figurative painter, Steve Lopes. The winner of the Georges River Art Prize, Local Artist Prize and Sculpture Prize will be announced at the official opening of the exhibition on Friday 12 November 2021 at Hurstville Museum & Gallery. The winners of the Little Artist Prize and Youth Prize will be announced in a special ceremony on
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Thursday 11 November 2021 at Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street, Kogarah. The exhibition will run from Saturday 13 November 2021 to 20 January 2022, with the opportunity for visitors to vote for their favourite artwork. For more information about the Georges River Art Prize, including this year’s finalists, visit www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/GRAP, follow us on Facebook @GeorgesRiverArtPrize, or contact Hurstville Museum & Gallery on museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Create our culture with your colours
Before Sydney’s latest lockdown, Georges River Council teamed up with Artist Abbey Rich on a project to revitalise the entrance of Hurstville Library. Both Council’s Create Georges River – Cultural Strategy and Libraries 2030 – Library Strategy have shown a strong desire within the community for lively, welcoming and creative spaces in the Georges River area. Abbey, who originally hails from Melbourne, Victoria, offered their artistic skills on a project to reflect the vibrancy of our libraries and the large and diverse community that regularly frequent them. Abbey’s art now sits proudly at Hurstville Library across the panels with bright, vibrant florals that bring life to the library entrance. Now the entry to Hurstville Library has intrigue and warmth for every local library member to feel welcomed. ‘Libraries are beautiful spaces; they are filled with such a broad cross section of the community. Focussing on pattern and colour, I wanted the design to feel exciting but not garish. Including some local native plants was also a way to ground the design in its location, referencing the native landscape in a very built-up area’ Abbey said.
community helped inspired the piece. They mention that they had the community in mind and wanted to create something that all residents could be proud of when seeing their art. ‘Whilst most of this mural was designed independently it is the thought and consideration needed to create something that a community can be proud of that is endlessly inspiring for me.’ Abbey looks back fondly on the opportunity to paint and bring their creativity to Hurstville. They spoke about the positive feedback they received from Georges River locals that has left a happy memory on this experience for them. ‘I had so much beautiful feedback and lovely chats with locals - more so than ever really. I had teenagers asking questions about how to be an artist, kids wanting to borrow the brush and add some paint themselves, parents talking with their kids about the design with me. It was beautiful, I felt really lucky to be able to bring some joy both in the moment and more permanently with the artwork itself. I'm very grateful for the community in allowing me to make this work for them.’
Abbey also noted that working alongside the Georges River
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ART AND CULTURE
Un[contained] Arts Festival Over three nights, from Friday 4 June to Sunday 6 June 2021, our community was encouraged to explore pop-up artworks in and around the centre of Kogarah. Un[contained] transitioned from day to night, stimulating the senses through bringing large scale installations together with small discoverable artworks involving performance, sound, light and colour. The Un[contained] Arts Festival aimed to expand and challenge the common perception of what ‘art’ is, breaking it free from a traditional gallery space and letting it take over the streets. The community explored a range of artworks and indulged in delicious treats from Knafeh, Gelato Messina and Norma’s Burger Bar. Archie Rose Distillery Co. operated a beer garden, which featured sold out pop-up paint and sip sessions from Riverwood’s Paint and Picasso. Two shipping containers were situated on Belgrave Street, Kogarah and activated by the artworks of Bliss Cavanagh and Kit Webster. This was accompanied by an interactive installation by ANL Designs and the Neon Night Garden by Carla O’Brien. The foyer of Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah was also activated by former Carss Park Artist in Residence, Emma Davidson’s artwork.
Five muralists were selected to paint live during the festival, showcasing the diversity of street art. Georgia Draws a House, Happy Decay, Benjamin Knock, Karri McPherson, and Keith Stanley painted on portable 6m long x 2m high boards, which will be installed along the MacMahon Street carpark fence to continue the life of these works. Georgia Draws a House interacted with over 400 people, obtaining suggestions of local landmarks to incorporate into her artwork, which the community then coloured in on the last day of the festival. To expand the community’s idea of ‘art’, performance artists showcased aerial artforms, freeform dance and site responsive performances. Betty Grumble, Lily May Potger and Sophia Van Gent all created interpretative dance works for the festival. Former Carss Park Artist in Residence and local artist, Keila Terencio, curated a line-up of eight aerial artists, which formed the centrepiece of the festival. Georges River Council would like to acknowledge and thank our Principal Sponsor, Colin Daley Quinn Solicitors and our Event Sponsors, St George Private Hospital and St George Bank.
Neon Night Garden by Carla O'Brien
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Betty Grumble
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Portal by Bliss Cavanagh
Mural by Happy Decay
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Mural by Benjamin Knock
Epiphany by Kit Webster
Ecosystem by ANL Designs
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ART AND CULTURE
Georges River Artist in Residence program
Lauren McCartney, Drip, 2021
The 2021 Artist in Residence program has provided a unique creative platform for four diverse artists including: Lauren McCartney, Keila Terenico, Louisa Chircop and Sandra Winkworth. Whilst each artist works in unique and different ways, all have recognised the importance of such a space for creative development. Lauren McCartney used her residency to continue to explore a body of work she had started in 2020. Interested in visually capturing the pressure she felt as a woman during COVID--19, Lauren produced a series of still life photographs of domestic objects which she then stuffed with dough. Dough is a familiar material for Lauren, drawn to the
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textures and forms dough creates; the way in which it rises and expands; secreting and changing. The combination of dough and objects created these beautiful and grotesque still life images, a fusion of the domestic space and representations of forbidden female flesh, excess and indulgence. Photographs produced during this residency will become part of a solo exhibition in 2022. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the time I [spent] in the space. Being able to look out over the river helped my creative process, as did being completely alone for days at a time. It was a very peaceful experience.’ said Lauren.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Keila Terencio is a Sydney based artist, born and raised in Brazil. She is curious about ways of storytelling; in her practice she explores physical theatre, aerial dance, puppetry and movement, with a particular interest in subjects related to culture, languages and identity that unite people and societies. During her residency, Keila utilised her time completing a video work in collaboration with photographer, Emilio Cresciani. This video work was screened as part of the Un[contained] Arts Festival. ‘There is nothing like having a space to create, to explore, to make art. It is the first time I have an opportunity of a live-in residency, at the Carss Park Artist Cottage, my project had a “home” and so many other creative seeds were planted from this time spent there. I am leaving the space with my mind and heart full of ideas, and with opportunities to exhibit the work created here.’ said Keila. Louisa Chircop’s work investigates the human condition and the subconscious. During her residency, she explored the distance between the Carss Park Artist’s Cottage and her old home, revisiting her past from a distance. ‘The residency contributed towards further research into developing concepts to explore in my work. It was really interesting to experiment with how I responded to Carss Park as an artist who grew up in the area.’ said Louisa
Sandra Winkworth finds inspiration from everyday found materials which she then combines with watercolours and traditional printmaking to form temporary DIY installations, collages, assemblages and book art. During her residency, Sandra photographed and painted daily, soaking up her surroundings, she even offered free weekly workshops within the park. Like Lauren, Sandra produced work during this residency that will be exhibited in 2022; a testament to the importance of residencies for the creation of new work. ‘I had a productive stay as this residency is truly unique. It was incredible to be living within a park full of life: diverse activities and cultural practices, beautiful sentinel trees with a raucous birdlife, the sun rising over the water and open skies, and many friendly exchanges. I enjoyed researching park life collecting much reference material to feed more art projects than I proposed. I could have easily stayed longer.’ said Sandra. We look forward to seeing what our future Artists in Residence create during their time in Carss Park. For more information on the Georges River Artist in Residence program visit www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/AIR.
Keila Terencio and Emilio Cresciani, End of a River, 2021
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LOCAL HISTORY
Edward Holland of Dumbleton Prior to World War II, Beverly Hills went by the name of Dumbleton. It derived this name from Dumbleton Farm, a large market garden established in the 1880s in the vicinity of present-day Beverly Hills Public School. How did it get its name?
Edward, born in 1851, possibly at Ashbourne, was one of seven children. He was likely named after his uncle Edward, Frederick’s brother, who was a farming innovator with a property at the village of Dumbleton, in Norfolk, which no doubt the whole family was familiar with.
Dumbleton Farm was the property of an English immigrant, Edward Holland, who came from an interesting family.
Frederick died in 1860, by which time 9-year old Edward was probably at boarding-school. We don’t know where Edward studied, and he does not appear to have followed his father into the Navy. It is not clear why he came to Australia. Perhaps he was the family black sheep, packed off to New South Wales, or perhaps he came here seeking his fortune.
Edward’s grandfather, Swinton Holland, was a partner in Baring Brothers, the bankers, and a land-owner in Knutsford, Cheshire. Knutsford was the thinly-disguised setting for Mrs Gaskell’s popular novel, Cranford, and Edward’s mother was a cousin of the author. Edward’s father, Frederick Holland, had been a Commander in the Royal Navy, then retired to an estate at Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Frederick was a friend of Charles Dickens, and was one of the founders of the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
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He was in Sydney by 1879, and married, though we do not know if he married in England. His wife Elizabeth (Lily) gave birth to several children in Sydney: Lilian (born Paddington 1879), Edward Junior (born Paddington 1880), and Ellen (born and died at Pennant Hills 1886-1887). The Holland family came to our area in the early 1880s,
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Belmore Road Dumbleton Date Unknown
and are known to have been at Dumbleton, Hurstville by September 1883¹. However their stay here was not overlong. Edward Holland offered the Dumbleton Estate for sale in January 1885. The property consisted of 37 acres, including an established orchard of choice fruit trees, and residence². It adjoined the Dalmorton and MacMahon Estates, and ‘would suit gentlemen on the lookout for a country seat in the elevated Hurstville area, ten minutes’ easy drive from the station.’
a municipality. But at about this time, the family relocated to The Croft, a property at Pennant Hills, where again they established an orchard. In January 1888, Edward submitted a long, bad poem to the Australian Town and Country Journal, ‘To Australia’, in celebration of Australia’s centenary. The opening couplet is enough:
It looks as though the estate was slow to sell, because in October 1885, Mrs Holland was still at Dumbleton, and advertising for the services of a dressmaker. In December 1885, Edward advertised the auction of his household effects³. These included cows and breeding porkers, as well as two 400-gallon water-tanks, an essential item at a time of unreliable water supply.
The begetter of Dumbleton did not make old bones: Edward Holland, son of Commander Frederick Holland, died at Melbourne on 1 August 1898, aged only 47. The name ‘Dumbleton’ lived on, however, occasionally shortened to ‘Dumbo’, until it was supplanted by the more glamorous ‘Beverly Hills’ in the 1940s.
In September 1886, described as freeholder, he was one of those who petitioned for the establishment of Hurstville as
¹ NSW Government Gazette 7 September 1883, p4895, list of unclaimed letters. ² Sydney Morning Herald 10 January 1885, p16. ³ Sydney Morning Herald 12 December 1885, p20.
‘Awake young nation! Let thy children greet / The day that sees thy hundredth year complete!’
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LOCAL HISTORY
Allawah Shops, Railway Parade Allawah NSW, circa 1925 | Georges River Libraries (spydus.com)
What's in a name? - Allawah Allawah comes from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘remain here’ or ‘stay here’. The area was opened up in 1925 when the railway station was built. The name for the station was submitted to the Railway Commissioners by Hurstville Council in July 1924. Two rejected names were Solander and Robert’s Hill, on account of there being similarly named locales elsewhere in the state. Hamer’s Estate, on the Princes Highway, was advertised in September 1924 as being ‘close to Allawah, the new railway station,’ and the Allawah Estate, a subdivision offered for sale by Peach Bros in April 1925 comprised eight shop sites at the junction of Forest Road and Durham Street, ‘convenient for the new Allawah Station’. An Allawah Progress Association was formed in May 1925, and put forward suggestions to Kogarah Council for improvements to the area. It was in existence up to 1932. The landmark Allawah Hotel designed by the practice of Rudder and Grout, opened in March 1929. The licensee,
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Jack Shaw, had previously successfully run the Hurstville Hotel. Champion Davis Cup tennis star John Bromwich lived at Illawarra Street, Allawah. In the mid-1930s there were moves to change the name of the suburb to North Hurstville, but Kogarah Council rejected the proposal. Allawah-Langlea RSL Hall was opened in 1951 on the corner of Railway Parade and Illawarra Street. Did You Know…? In 1935 a man working on unemployment relief road work in Mona Street found buried in the clay, a tin containing gold sovereigns dating back to 1830. The man’s name was not made public, as he would have no longer been entitled to further unemployment relief.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Historical Markers The Georges River Historical Markers Program recognises places of historical and cultural importance. As part of the 2021 Historical Markers Program, four new markers have been recommended by the community and shortlisted: • • • •
Lugarno Market Gardens, now HV Evatt Park; John O’Grady, the famous author who lived in Oatley; Ruby Payne-Scott, the renowned scientist who taught at Danebank School Hurstville; and Carss Park Football Club, a long running sports organisation.
Four existing markers were identified for conservation: • • • •
Mortdale Fire Station marker – recognising the long history of the building; Site of Ithiel marker – an historic property once lived in by 1800s tailor Daniel James; Site of Rostrov marker – an historic property once live in by 1800s Mayor John Sproul; and Penshurst Presbyterian Church marker – recognising its 100 year history on the site.
When NSW Public Health Order restrictions allow, installation and conservation work will commence.
Our Journeys | Our Stories exhibition postponed With the continuation of the Greater Sydney lockdown, the decision has been made to postpone the Hurstville Museum & Gallery’s next exhibition, Our Journeys | Our Stories to April 2022. Uncovering the identity and stories of people and place, Our Journeys | Our Stories will explore the Chinese migration history of the Georges River area. Interweaving social and cultural history with the work of contemporary Chinese-Australian artists Cindy YuenZhe Chen, Guo Jian, Lindy Lee, Xiao Lu, Jason Phu, and Guan Wei, the exhibition will highlight and celebrate the significance of local Chinese migration from the 19th century through to the 2000s and the ongoing contribution of the Chinese community to the Georges River area.
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WHAT'S ON
D Barnsley, Lugarno, September 1926
Henry Bing Lee, Market Gardener, (later Evatt Park site) Forest Road Lugarno NSW, 1950s
Forwood Family, Boundary Road Peakhurst NSW, Date Unknown
We Are Georges River Georges River connects us all. It has grown out of the experiences and achievements of all those who have come before us. Our own stories continue to shape and develop our community . We Are Georges River will draw a connection between our contemporary experience and the diverse stories of our past, fostering understanding and harmony. We will be installing iconic images across our suburbs and town centres for you to explore and through the month of
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October to December 2021. We also want to hear your stories, so we can collect them and share them with the community. You will be able to submit local stories online, so start to think about what you can share about your family history, raising a family, running a small business, migrating to the area from overseas, your experience during the COVID pandemic and more. To learn more or to share your story, please scan this QR code.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Princes Highway at James Street Intersection, Blakehurst NSW, 1970s
Tom Uglys Bridge, Georges River, Tom Uglys Point, Blakehurst NSW, Believed to be 1930s
Miss M Plummer and Miss A D Snoor, Waratah Street, Oatley NSW, 1920 23
Blakehurst
Hurstville
Kogarah Bay
Mortdale
Peakhurst
Sam Elmir
Vince Badalati
Stephen Agius
Con Hindi
Kevin Greene
Sandy Grekas
Nancy Liu
Nick Katris
Lou Konjarski
Rita Kastanias
Kathryn Landsberry
Christina Wu
Leesha Payor
Warren Tegg
Colleen Symington
0410 654 310 selmir @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0424 617 831 sgrekas @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0419 984 934 klandsberry @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0411 745 255 vbadalati @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0400 681 188 nliu @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0400 241 851 cwu @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Deputy Mayor 0419 556 023 sagius @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0419 402 191 nkatris @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0419 616 898 lpayor @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0408 383 783 chindi @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0421 188 896 Lkonjarski @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0427 671 666 wtegg @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Mayor 9330 6020 kgreene @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0416 009 695 rkastanias @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0409 546 202 csymington @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
The NSW Government announced a new date for the local government elections on advice from the NSW Electoral Commission and NSW Health - Saturday 4 December 2021. Have you ever considered becoming a Councillor? The Office of Local Government has launched a comprehensive online training tool to provide candidates with detailed information: www.olg.nsw.gov.au/story.html
After-hours Customer Service available at:
Phone: 9330 6400 24 hours, 7 days a week www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Hurstville Library Monday to Friday 9.00am – 8.00pm Saturday and Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm
georgesrivercouncil f grcouncil i Georges River Council y mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au &
Council Libraries opening hours:
Georges River Civic Centre Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm Clive James Library and Service Centre Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street Monday to Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm Sunday 10.00am – 1.00pm
Clive James Library Kogarah Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street, Kogarah Monday to Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm Sunday 10.00am – 1.00pm Clive James Council Service Centre Kogarah Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
Please note: Face-to-face services are currently unavailable due to the NSW Public Health Order.
Penshurst Library 630 Forest Road, Penshurst Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Hurstville Library Corner Queens Road and Dora Street, Hurstville Monday to Friday 9.00am – 8.00pm Saturday and Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm Oatley Library 26 Letitia Street, Oatley Monday to Friday 11am – 5pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Sunday Closed South Hurstville Library Corner of Short and Allen Streets, South Hurstville Monday to Friday 11am – 5pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Sunday Closed
