Wollongong's Early Telegraph and Post Offices.
11 Market Street Wollongong.
By October 1879 the postmaster suggested an additional storey be added to the building to include a postmaster's residence.
In July 1880, Colonial Architect James Barnet forwarded to the Public Works Department a tracing showing a second storey as well as an ornamental finish to the front of the building. The tender of G. Billings, estimating the cost at £1375, was accepted.
In July 1880, Colonial Architect James Barnet forwarded to the Public Works Department a tracing showing a second storey as well as an ornamental finish to the front of the building. The tender of G. Billings, estimating the cost at £1375, was accepted.
The Old Wollongong Telegraph and Post Office is a heritage-listed former government offices, telegraph station and post office and now local history museum at 11 Market Street, Wollongong, in the City of Wollongong local government area of New South Wales, Australia. James Barnet designed the 1882 extension and expansion. The telegraph and post office was built from 1864 to 1882 in varying stage by S. E. Bloomfield (1864), George Brown (1870), George Billings (1882), Andrew Herd (1885) and the NSW Government (c. 1939). It is also known as Illawarra Historical Society Museum; Wollongong Museum; and Illawarra Museum. The property is owned by Wollongong City Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 27 February 2015.
91 Crown Street Wollongong.
Wollongong East Post Office.
Wollongong's first government post office was constructed in c. 1864 in Market Street, formalising the postal service that had been operating in Wollongong since 1832 when the first postmaster began working in the town. Early offices were commonly operated out of the business premises of the postmaster, the post being a part-time occupation for most early country postmasters. The building was an extension of the then telegraph office. The telegraph had arrived in Wollongong in 1862 and an office had been built in Market Street on land purchased by the Government to accommodate the telegraph office. Following the amalgamation of the post and telegraph departments in 1870, it was decided to combine both facilities in the same building. So it was then, in the mid-1870s, that the telegraph building was extended to house the post office as well. In 1882 the Market Street office was effectively rebuilt, with the addition of a new facade and a second storey.
In December 1888, the local MP, Francis Woodward (Illawarra), suggested to the Postmaster General that the existing building be sold and a new office be built in a more central position. The Postal Inspector agreed to the proposal valuing the current building at £2,000 and estimated a cost of £3,300 for the purchase of a suitable site and the erection of a new office in Wollongong. The site chosen was adjacent to the Wollongong Town Hall in Crown Street, which was purchased for £900 in October 1889 after protracted negotiation with a reluctant Public Instruction Department as the vendor.
Tenders for the construction of the new office were called; the lowest, from Messrs Banks and Whitehouse, for £2,953, was accepted. The Colonial Architect James Barnet finalised plans in 1890 and work on the construction began soon after. The two-storey office building was completed on 28 October 1892 under the reign of Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon. The ground floor area included a covered entrance vestibule leading to the postal office, money order office and telegraph office. Behind the main office area was the battery room. A dining room, kitchen, scullery and laundry occupied the right wing of the building. On the first floor was the main living area for the postmaster, with five bedrooms, a drawing room and bathroom.
One of the functions of the post office was timekeeping. Each day, a telegraph signal was sent from Sydney to the post office and a metal disc located on the roof over the centre of the front facade was lowered in response. The lowering of the disc was observed from Flagstaff Hill and the one o'clock cannon would be fired. The disc mechanism has since been removed and there is a flagstaff in its place.
In 1914, the left wing of the building was extended to make way for the inclusion of a new telephone exchange, which involved the relocation of the battery room. In the front of the building, the rooms were reconfigured with a new public area in the former money order office, and a mailroom replaced the telegraph office on the eastern side. In 1918, more work was done on the front portion of the office. The public entrance was moved forward eliminating the vestibule area. Inside, the general office space was rearranged to accommodate a longer counter parallel to the front of the office. One internal wall was removed to create a large general office area and public space. The mailroom was moved to the public area from the 1914 design. An awning was installed at the front of the building at the same time.
In c. 1940, an annexe was built adjoining the post office to house new public telephones. In 1968, a new building was erected in Upper Crown Street to serve as Wollongong's main post office; the study site was re-classified as Wollongong East Post Office.
In 1988, Australia Post spent $250,000 restoring the Wollongong East Post Office. The project included the removal of the 1918 awning, which was replaced by a smaller canopy over the front entrance. Internally, the counter was moved back to allow for more public space, while an extra 300 private mail boxes brought the total to 800 for the office. The Post Office continued to operate until October 2000, when it was closed as an office, and was replaced by a shopfront office within the IBM Arcade off the Mall.
Wollongong's first government post office was constructed in c. 1864 in Market Street, formalising the postal service that had been operating in Wollongong since 1832 when the first postmaster began working in the town. Early offices were commonly operated out of the business premises of the postmaster, the post being a part-time occupation for most early country postmasters. The building was an extension of the then telegraph office. The telegraph had arrived in Wollongong in 1862 and an office had been built in Market Street on land purchased by the Government to accommodate the telegraph office. Following the amalgamation of the post and telegraph departments in 1870, it was decided to combine both facilities in the same building. So it was then, in the mid-1870s, that the telegraph building was extended to house the post office as well. In 1882 the Market Street office was effectively rebuilt, with the addition of a new facade and a second storey.
In December 1888, the local MP, Francis Woodward (Illawarra), suggested to the Postmaster General that the existing building be sold and a new office be built in a more central position. The Postal Inspector agreed to the proposal valuing the current building at £2,000 and estimated a cost of £3,300 for the purchase of a suitable site and the erection of a new office in Wollongong. The site chosen was adjacent to the Wollongong Town Hall in Crown Street, which was purchased for £900 in October 1889 after protracted negotiation with a reluctant Public Instruction Department as the vendor.
Tenders for the construction of the new office were called; the lowest, from Messrs Banks and Whitehouse, for £2,953, was accepted. The Colonial Architect James Barnet finalised plans in 1890 and work on the construction began soon after. The two-storey office building was completed on 28 October 1892 under the reign of Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon. The ground floor area included a covered entrance vestibule leading to the postal office, money order office and telegraph office. Behind the main office area was the battery room. A dining room, kitchen, scullery and laundry occupied the right wing of the building. On the first floor was the main living area for the postmaster, with five bedrooms, a drawing room and bathroom.
One of the functions of the post office was timekeeping. Each day, a telegraph signal was sent from Sydney to the post office and a metal disc located on the roof over the centre of the front facade was lowered in response. The lowering of the disc was observed from Flagstaff Hill and the one o'clock cannon would be fired. The disc mechanism has since been removed and there is a flagstaff in its place.
In 1914, the left wing of the building was extended to make way for the inclusion of a new telephone exchange, which involved the relocation of the battery room. In the front of the building, the rooms were reconfigured with a new public area in the former money order office, and a mailroom replaced the telegraph office on the eastern side. In 1918, more work was done on the front portion of the office. The public entrance was moved forward eliminating the vestibule area. Inside, the general office space was rearranged to accommodate a longer counter parallel to the front of the office. One internal wall was removed to create a large general office area and public space. The mailroom was moved to the public area from the 1914 design. An awning was installed at the front of the building at the same time.
In c. 1940, an annexe was built adjoining the post office to house new public telephones. In 1968, a new building was erected in Upper Crown Street to serve as Wollongong's main post office; the study site was re-classified as Wollongong East Post Office.
In 1988, Australia Post spent $250,000 restoring the Wollongong East Post Office. The project included the removal of the 1918 awning, which was replaced by a smaller canopy over the front entrance. Internally, the counter was moved back to allow for more public space, while an extra 300 private mail boxes brought the total to 800 for the office. The Post Office continued to operate until October 2000, when it was closed as an office, and was replaced by a shopfront office within the IBM Arcade off the Mall.
Early Auction Sales around Wollongong. Extracts from the National Library of Australia.
Mount Pleasant Coke Works.
The Mount Pleasant Colliery leased portion of their property near the present Wollongong High School to Robshaw and Figtree who built a small set of 4 coke ovens in 1889. In 1910 the number was expanded to 14 ovens by Edmund Figtree and his four sons. The coke works were regularly improved as new technologies developed. It ceased operating in 1978.
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North Wollongong Hotel(Bode's Hotel).
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The Centennial Grounds, or Bode’s Oval as it became better known, was developed near the Hotel in 1889. The grounds became home of Wollongong’s major sporting events and boasted a large pavilion and grandstand. The grounds were described as “about the best out of Sydney” in 1912.
Shepherds Oval Speedway - Mount Keira.
Kembla Grange Speedway - opened in 1963.
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Balgownie Migrant Workers Hostel.
Located in Squires Way, Fairy Meadow, the Balgownie Migrant Workers Hostel was built from 1950 to 1951. The buildings numbered 201, Quonset hut (Kitchen/Dining Room), 204, Nissen hut (Laundry Exchange), 210, Quonset hut (Staff Residence).
Fairy Meadow Drive-in Theatre.
Located near the corner of Balgownie Road and Princess Highway in Fairy Meadow, to the north of Wollongong. The Southline Drive-In opened on 30th October 1957 with “Picnic”(Kim Novak and William Holden). The Southline Drive-In closed on 24th March 1984 with “Octopussy” and “Flying High 2”. The(vacant and possibly demolished?) site was sold in 1988, and is now a light industrial area.
Fairy Meadow Railway Station.
Fairy Meadow Railway Station was opened as Cramsville in 1887. Then renamed a year later to Para Meadow on 3 October 1888. A goods siding was added on 6 May 1891. It was renamed Balgownie on 13 December 1909 and renamed again on 22 January 1956 to Fairy Meadow.
Para Meadow:
'Para' is an Aboriginal word meaning river or creek. Para Meadow was the original name of the Fairy Meadow district. It was named after Para Creek which is known as Fairy Creek.
Para Meadow:
'Para' is an Aboriginal word meaning river or creek. Para Meadow was the original name of the Fairy Meadow district. It was named after Para Creek which is known as Fairy Creek.
Unanderra
Coke making in the Illawarra began on a commercial basis in 1888 at Unanderra, when the Southern Coal Mining Company, which operated a coal mine on the eastern side of Mount Kembla, established the Australian Coke Making Company Works. The Works were located on the eastern side of the Illawarra railway line and north of Five Islands Road. By November 1889, 20 ovens were in operation, the industry employed approximately 40 workers, and 300-400 tons were produced per week. The number of ovens later increased to 90. In 1912 most of the plant was relocated to Corrimal.
This is the Australian Coke Making Company's Unanderra battery. The location is given as being near the former Commonwealth Steel Plant, west of the current freeway....see photo below. The coke works initially fed coal supplied from the Southern Coal Company's Mount Kembla colliery. By 1890 all coal was being supplied from Corrimal Colliery and all Southern Coal Company locomotives were stabled near the coke works. This coke works was closed in 1912 and was replaced by one at Corrimal.
The signal box at the right of the photo above is controlling the crossing of the NSWGR (left to right in the photo) by the line from Mount Kembla Colliery.
The signal box at the right of the photo above is controlling the crossing of the NSWGR (left to right in the photo) by the line from Mount Kembla Colliery.
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CHARCOAL BECOMES UNANDERRA
In Berkeley's early days the north-western part of the estate contained the "little village which rejoices in the name of Charcoal" as the "Sydney Morning Herald" said in 1855 The Charcoal Inn opened with a ball and supper in 1856 and Charcoal post office opened in 1860. The name was changed to Unanderra on April 7, 1881, the school also changing its name. The break up of the Berkeley Estate allowed township lots to be sold at Unanderra in 1890, thus giving the old village the opportunity to grow.
In Berkeley's early days the north-western part of the estate contained the "little village which rejoices in the name of Charcoal" as the "Sydney Morning Herald" said in 1855 The Charcoal Inn opened with a ball and supper in 1856 and Charcoal post office opened in 1860. The name was changed to Unanderra on April 7, 1881, the school also changing its name. The break up of the Berkeley Estate allowed township lots to be sold at Unanderra in 1890, thus giving the old village the opportunity to grow.
Extract from the Illawarra Daily Mercury.
Friday 6th June 1924.
Reminiscences of Illawarra.
Series No. XXXIV
Unanderra (‘Charcoal’).
Of all the areas in the Illawarra District, there is none so important from an historical point of view as that section, Cobbler's Hill to Kembla Grange, and known to the pioneer and the historian as 'Charcoal.' Away back at tan early period of the district's settlement, the pioneer moved first to the Five Islands, and then west to the Mountain. The Berkeley Estate formed a portion of the area, and Berkeley House was early amongst the ‘Stately Mansions' in the Southern portion of the district. Berkeley, in the years from 1840, supported a fairly large farming population, and it was here on the Berkley Hill (Flag-Staff Hill) that the farmers looked for the flag to appear which heralded the entry into the Wollongong harbour of the ‘Sophia Jane,' or the 'William the Fourth.'
Charcoal supported two hotels in its early life. One was situated opposite the present public school, and the other 'Farmer's Inn,' was situated on the hill before going down to Kembla Grange. The 'Farmer's Inn' was kept by William Lindsay, who was the father of our present 'Bill' Lindsay, of the Port Kembla Hotel.
The most important industry of Charcoal was the tan-yard of John Richards. This was established about the year 1860, by the late John Richards, father of the Richards family, some of whom are living at Unanderra. The tan-yard was situated at the back, of Richard Bros'. present store, opposite the Unanderra station, and in the day of its glory was a big concern. At one time it employed about 40 hands, and a big plant was installed. The late John Richards was a fine sample of the early pioneer of industry in New South Wales. He was born in Sydney, and learned the trade as a tanner under good men. He started at Charcoal in a small way at first, employing one man besides himself, and with little plant to assist in the work. The preparing of the wattle bark was made with a small axe. Some years later, under the management of Jack and Jim Richards (sons), a large plant was installed. Sixty pits were built, steam rollers, wattle bark cutter, pump, and other plant installed, and the works were classed amongst the best in the colony. There were some fine men in the district in those early days, but a vote would have placed the Richards family high amongst the pioneers of Illawarra's first industries. The leather produced at this old time tanyard was of a high quality. Much of it was sold in Illawarra, and a considerable quantity was dispatched to Sydney. It was said in Illawarra in those early days that with Richards' leather and Andrew Moran as the bootmaker, a pair of boots were produced which lasted into the second generation in a family.
At Charcoal a very important store existed some forty years ago. This store was kept by Phineas Beatus, and was more of a district store than local...see photo below.
The late Mr. Beatus was very popular at Unanderra. The store was situated in a building still standing near Mr. George Lindsay's late residence. In many respects this business was more of a market than a store. Large quantities of butter, eggs, and other farm produce were bought to be dispatched to Sydney.
The Hotel or Inn at Charcoal was situated where the Richards family lived. It was kept by John Musgrave, and he is reputed to have made a lot of money in the business. The blacksmith's shop at Charcoal seventy years ago, was kept by Robert McPaul, who was an uncle to Mr. George McPaul, now residing in Wollongong. A butcher's shop was also one of the early businesses of Charcoal. This was situated in the position of the present butcher’s shop. It was kept by Dan Griffin, senr., father of Mr. Dan Griffin, who often visits Wollongong. The tailor's shop was represented by Joseph Knight, who made handsome suits for the youth of Charcoal. In addition to the store kept by Phineas Beatus there were two other stores in the village. Mrs. Lindsay kept a store where the present post office is situated. A Mr.Phillips also kept a store near the present station. The second hotel in the area was known as the Farmer's Inn, the old building is standing to-day.
It is the old building on the hill by the side of the road going to Kembla Grange.
Kembla Grange.— This is a place of historic value. It was a fine residence seventy years ago, with lodge at entrance gate. It was first the home of Doctor Gerard Gerard, who practiced there, and also at Wollongong. It afterwards became the home of the Howarth family, who lived there in considerable style. Mr. O'Brien now resides there, and there is still an atmosphere surrounding the old home which speaks of an historic past. The lodge has recently been enlarged, and is now tenanted. A little further on by the banks of Mullet Creek, is a fine two story building known in the old days as 'Newton.' This was the residence of D. W. Irving, Esq. It was built by Mr. Irving, and was a fine residence. Later Mr. A. Graham, senr., miller, of Wollongong, lived there, and it is now owned and occupied by Mr. O'Donnell as a dairy farm. Mr. Joseph Ritchie, an early farmer, lived where Mr. Waples now lives. Mr. Ritchie was a first alderman of the Central Illawarra Municipality, and a good public citizen generally. "FARMBOROUGH," AND FARMBOROUGH ROAD. 'Farmborough' was built by John Lindsay over seventy years ago.
For some years John Tigh lived there, Mr. Tigh was well-known both at Charcoal and Wollongong. After Mr. Tigh, Mr. Jackell lived at 'Farmborough.' On the Farmborough Road was the residence of Edward Healey, father of the present Edward Healey. Further up the road was the residence of Mr. Blackman. No man in early Charcoal was more respected than Mr.Blackman. The people recognised him as a gentleman, and such he always proved to be.
In a previous article we have dealt with the educational side of Charcoal, and it is not necessary in this series to do more than place the positions of the schools. The early schools were National in character. In the position of the present Council Chambers Mr. Tresnan's school was situated. Mr. Hawkin's school was situated where the present railway station is, and the R.C. School, taught by Mr. Glennon, was situated in the building now very old, at the comer of the Farmborough Road. On the Jenkin's Estate some of the tenant farmers were the Duncan's, Burgess' and Hegarty's. Descendants of these old pioneer families are still at Charcoal, they are men and women, who are worthy representatives of the solid old pioneers, who carved out a heritage at a time when there was little comfort and much hard work. The old Unanderra cemetery deserves mention. At an early period there was a Church (Church of England) situated upon the block where the grave yard is. In this cemetery rests the remains of the pioneers of Charcoal. A few have, been buried there from Wollongong, and even of recent years the bones of men have been laid to rest there, who, in their life time, have been drawn towards this old time cemetery by sentiment, which lies deep in the hearts of men.
The area of the Jenkins' Estate was 2500 acres, It was a grant to William Warren Jenkins for some services rendered to the Government of NSW. It was in recent years subdivided into farm areas, and a number of tenants and others were able to secure fine farm blocks. In the day of its glory the homestead was a fine building, and much prestige surrounded the life at the Berkeley Homestead. A large staff of servants was kept with grooms and coachman. Old residents will remember 'Billy' Saddler, as he handled the reins on four beautiful horses, and with what grace the carriage swung down from the homestead, and out through the handsome gates to the Five Island Road. Now all the glory is departed, the gates have fallen to decay. The building, once the glory of Charcoal (almost a castle), is almost a ruin. Strangers are in possession, and the glory of one of the first and finest families in the district has gone forever.
Friday 6th June 1924.
Reminiscences of Illawarra.
Series No. XXXIV
Unanderra (‘Charcoal’).
Of all the areas in the Illawarra District, there is none so important from an historical point of view as that section, Cobbler's Hill to Kembla Grange, and known to the pioneer and the historian as 'Charcoal.' Away back at tan early period of the district's settlement, the pioneer moved first to the Five Islands, and then west to the Mountain. The Berkeley Estate formed a portion of the area, and Berkeley House was early amongst the ‘Stately Mansions' in the Southern portion of the district. Berkeley, in the years from 1840, supported a fairly large farming population, and it was here on the Berkley Hill (Flag-Staff Hill) that the farmers looked for the flag to appear which heralded the entry into the Wollongong harbour of the ‘Sophia Jane,' or the 'William the Fourth.'
Charcoal supported two hotels in its early life. One was situated opposite the present public school, and the other 'Farmer's Inn,' was situated on the hill before going down to Kembla Grange. The 'Farmer's Inn' was kept by William Lindsay, who was the father of our present 'Bill' Lindsay, of the Port Kembla Hotel.
The most important industry of Charcoal was the tan-yard of John Richards. This was established about the year 1860, by the late John Richards, father of the Richards family, some of whom are living at Unanderra. The tan-yard was situated at the back, of Richard Bros'. present store, opposite the Unanderra station, and in the day of its glory was a big concern. At one time it employed about 40 hands, and a big plant was installed. The late John Richards was a fine sample of the early pioneer of industry in New South Wales. He was born in Sydney, and learned the trade as a tanner under good men. He started at Charcoal in a small way at first, employing one man besides himself, and with little plant to assist in the work. The preparing of the wattle bark was made with a small axe. Some years later, under the management of Jack and Jim Richards (sons), a large plant was installed. Sixty pits were built, steam rollers, wattle bark cutter, pump, and other plant installed, and the works were classed amongst the best in the colony. There were some fine men in the district in those early days, but a vote would have placed the Richards family high amongst the pioneers of Illawarra's first industries. The leather produced at this old time tanyard was of a high quality. Much of it was sold in Illawarra, and a considerable quantity was dispatched to Sydney. It was said in Illawarra in those early days that with Richards' leather and Andrew Moran as the bootmaker, a pair of boots were produced which lasted into the second generation in a family.
At Charcoal a very important store existed some forty years ago. This store was kept by Phineas Beatus, and was more of a district store than local...see photo below.
The late Mr. Beatus was very popular at Unanderra. The store was situated in a building still standing near Mr. George Lindsay's late residence. In many respects this business was more of a market than a store. Large quantities of butter, eggs, and other farm produce were bought to be dispatched to Sydney.
The Hotel or Inn at Charcoal was situated where the Richards family lived. It was kept by John Musgrave, and he is reputed to have made a lot of money in the business. The blacksmith's shop at Charcoal seventy years ago, was kept by Robert McPaul, who was an uncle to Mr. George McPaul, now residing in Wollongong. A butcher's shop was also one of the early businesses of Charcoal. This was situated in the position of the present butcher’s shop. It was kept by Dan Griffin, senr., father of Mr. Dan Griffin, who often visits Wollongong. The tailor's shop was represented by Joseph Knight, who made handsome suits for the youth of Charcoal. In addition to the store kept by Phineas Beatus there were two other stores in the village. Mrs. Lindsay kept a store where the present post office is situated. A Mr.Phillips also kept a store near the present station. The second hotel in the area was known as the Farmer's Inn, the old building is standing to-day.
It is the old building on the hill by the side of the road going to Kembla Grange.
Kembla Grange.— This is a place of historic value. It was a fine residence seventy years ago, with lodge at entrance gate. It was first the home of Doctor Gerard Gerard, who practiced there, and also at Wollongong. It afterwards became the home of the Howarth family, who lived there in considerable style. Mr. O'Brien now resides there, and there is still an atmosphere surrounding the old home which speaks of an historic past. The lodge has recently been enlarged, and is now tenanted. A little further on by the banks of Mullet Creek, is a fine two story building known in the old days as 'Newton.' This was the residence of D. W. Irving, Esq. It was built by Mr. Irving, and was a fine residence. Later Mr. A. Graham, senr., miller, of Wollongong, lived there, and it is now owned and occupied by Mr. O'Donnell as a dairy farm. Mr. Joseph Ritchie, an early farmer, lived where Mr. Waples now lives. Mr. Ritchie was a first alderman of the Central Illawarra Municipality, and a good public citizen generally. "FARMBOROUGH," AND FARMBOROUGH ROAD. 'Farmborough' was built by John Lindsay over seventy years ago.
For some years John Tigh lived there, Mr. Tigh was well-known both at Charcoal and Wollongong. After Mr. Tigh, Mr. Jackell lived at 'Farmborough.' On the Farmborough Road was the residence of Edward Healey, father of the present Edward Healey. Further up the road was the residence of Mr. Blackman. No man in early Charcoal was more respected than Mr.Blackman. The people recognised him as a gentleman, and such he always proved to be.
In a previous article we have dealt with the educational side of Charcoal, and it is not necessary in this series to do more than place the positions of the schools. The early schools were National in character. In the position of the present Council Chambers Mr. Tresnan's school was situated. Mr. Hawkin's school was situated where the present railway station is, and the R.C. School, taught by Mr. Glennon, was situated in the building now very old, at the comer of the Farmborough Road. On the Jenkin's Estate some of the tenant farmers were the Duncan's, Burgess' and Hegarty's. Descendants of these old pioneer families are still at Charcoal, they are men and women, who are worthy representatives of the solid old pioneers, who carved out a heritage at a time when there was little comfort and much hard work. The old Unanderra cemetery deserves mention. At an early period there was a Church (Church of England) situated upon the block where the grave yard is. In this cemetery rests the remains of the pioneers of Charcoal. A few have, been buried there from Wollongong, and even of recent years the bones of men have been laid to rest there, who, in their life time, have been drawn towards this old time cemetery by sentiment, which lies deep in the hearts of men.
The area of the Jenkins' Estate was 2500 acres, It was a grant to William Warren Jenkins for some services rendered to the Government of NSW. It was in recent years subdivided into farm areas, and a number of tenants and others were able to secure fine farm blocks. In the day of its glory the homestead was a fine building, and much prestige surrounded the life at the Berkeley Homestead. A large staff of servants was kept with grooms and coachman. Old residents will remember 'Billy' Saddler, as he handled the reins on four beautiful horses, and with what grace the carriage swung down from the homestead, and out through the handsome gates to the Five Island Road. Now all the glory is departed, the gates have fallen to decay. The building, once the glory of Charcoal (almost a castle), is almost a ruin. Strangers are in possession, and the glory of one of the first and finest families in the district has gone forever.
Unanderra Butter Factory began operations in 1887. Twenty seven suppliers delivered milk cans in their carts. The factory was seventy eight feet long with two nine feet verandahs and a shingle roof. James York was the buttermaker; The factory which was situated west of Factory Road and backed onto Jenkins Creek, was burnt down in 1913; Farmborough Road is in right distance.
Port Kembla Cement Works.
'The Cement Plant that never was'...click on the button below.
'a clay extraction facility on Tom Thumb lagoon. This impressive structure included a device termed a ‘clay digester’, and little is known of its design. It was evidently though to condition clay extracted from the lagoon bottom into a suspension which could be pumped the 3 – 4 miles from the lagoon to the kiln site. The concrete structure remained in place for many years becoming known as “Stone’s Monument” and understood to have been designed by Edward Giles Stone.'
Old Port Kembla Road from Wollongong.
Dion's Bus Service.
Dion's Bus Service was founded in 1923 when Thomas Dion commenced operating a service from Wollongong to Balgownie followed by a service to Bellambi. It is currently the oldest operating bus operator in the Illawarra.
From December 1927 until 1931 a coach service was operated to Sydney. In January 1928 it commenced operating route 1 services from Wollongong to Austinmer, along with five other operators. In August 1929, Barney Dion commenced operating a service from Wollongong to Kiama.
In the late 1940s, the Balgownie and Bellambi routes were sold. By 1964, through a number of acquisitions, the Austinmer service was operated jointly by Dion's and Jim Hill. In December 1976, Dion's became the sole operator of the service and in the same year, selling the Kiama service to John J Hill at the same time. On 24 February 1992, route 4 Wollongong to Bulli was purchased from John J Hill.
Dion's bus depot still remains on the Princes Highway near the intersection with Lysaght Street....area in the background of the photo above.
From December 1927 until 1931 a coach service was operated to Sydney. In January 1928 it commenced operating route 1 services from Wollongong to Austinmer, along with five other operators. In August 1929, Barney Dion commenced operating a service from Wollongong to Kiama.
In the late 1940s, the Balgownie and Bellambi routes were sold. By 1964, through a number of acquisitions, the Austinmer service was operated jointly by Dion's and Jim Hill. In December 1976, Dion's became the sole operator of the service and in the same year, selling the Kiama service to John J Hill at the same time. On 24 February 1992, route 4 Wollongong to Bulli was purchased from John J Hill.
Dion's bus depot still remains on the Princes Highway near the intersection with Lysaght Street....area in the background of the photo above.
From the Illawarra Historical Society Inc.
Speaker: Mr Les Dion.
Topic: A History of the Dion Family in the lllawarra.
Our Society was again privileged to receive an informative and often humorous talk about the history of this well-known family by Mr Les Dion.
Les told us that all ofthe photographs shown, and there were many, were taken by his Uncle Barney, who was great at keeping documents and memorabilia. Les' grandfather immigrated to Australia from Canton in the early 1880's to seek his fortune in the gold fields. He landed in South Australia and then proceeded to Bendigo - possibly walking all the way. It was cheaper to get off the ship in South Australia than in Sydney. When he was 48 he returned to China to marry his love, Annie, who was 16. They settled just out of Moruya originally, but moved to Fairy Meadow later. The Dian's family name was originally Chong and Les explained how it eventually becan1e Dion. We were shown a family photograph in the very early days- there was the father Tom, his wife Annie, and 6 girls and 7 boys. Les is a grandson. Les' father, Les Dion, gave up driving the buses when he was 85 years old. He is now 93.
In 1923 Tom Dion, the eldest son, applied to the Northern Illawarra Council to operate a bus company. One of the photographs showed a 1920 Model T-Ford - chain driven - purchased from Harrigan Ford. Les told us that the Dion Company also had 'adventure tours' in the early days - so they were well ahead ofthe times there.
With the exception oflvy, who married and went to Sydney to live, all of the Dion family members, brothers and sisters, were brought up to be industrious and hard working and they all worked in some part of the family business - driving buses, maintaining them or in some activity concerned with the business. As a young child I can remember buying fruit for my lunch on the way to school at the little shop on the corner of Keira and Smith Street, where a couple ofthe girls were in attendance. I think it may have been Rose Dion who was there then.
In the 1940's, due to petrol shortages during the War, some of the buses had gas burners on the front - charcoal burners. In 1948 there were double decker buses being used, which were very expensive to run. One of these was restored by the Tempe Museum, but Les is not sure o f its whereabouts now.
From the photographs shown it was clear that there were many buses and coaches over the long years since the business began. The vehicles dated back to the earliest ones in 1923 and when U1ings were tough, many of the buses were remodelled by the Dion men to look quite different from the original, but were still used to great effect. The Dion boys were very good at improvising what they already had, to make it work. The various old buses and coaches in Barney's photographs were a sight to behold.
Les learned to drive buses when he was a young boy in Woodhill Street, where much of the surrounding properties were owned by the Dion family. He told us he was especially good at reversing them up the street!
The Dions were always community minded and they worked with Progress Associations of different suburbs in the early days as regards where bus stops should be, etc.
The local newspaper once reported that Barney Dion had received 56 fines for not running to the time table. Barney told Les that he did run to time table - it was his own time table! Barney drove the buses well into his 80's.
In 1942 the Dion Family made the newspapers again when there was an altercation between Keith Hill (John J Hill Bus Company) and Barney. Apparently there was strong competition in those days to pick up the crowds going home on buses from the movies, dances and so on. Remember, there weren't many cars around then and buses were the means of transport for most people.
After many years of doing up the old buses and going through hard times, in 1988 the Dions purchased two new buses and these were air- conditioned. While this was a great addition to the bus fleet, Uncle Barney would still have preferred the drivers to use the old buses up first.
Tom Dion did well in investing in propetty in Wollongong. At one time he asked his solicitor to investigate a property he wanted to purchase. The solicitor had to inform him that unfortunately he could not purchase it - he already owned it!
It is a well-known fact that the Dion family were sympathetic to people who were 'hard up' during the depression and would stop and give them a lift whether they had money or not. They were generous with their family and also with the community and this is why they have been held in high esteem and respect over the years.
A big thank you to Les Dion for a very enjoyable evening.
Speaker: Mr Les Dion.
Topic: A History of the Dion Family in the lllawarra.
Our Society was again privileged to receive an informative and often humorous talk about the history of this well-known family by Mr Les Dion.
Les told us that all ofthe photographs shown, and there were many, were taken by his Uncle Barney, who was great at keeping documents and memorabilia. Les' grandfather immigrated to Australia from Canton in the early 1880's to seek his fortune in the gold fields. He landed in South Australia and then proceeded to Bendigo - possibly walking all the way. It was cheaper to get off the ship in South Australia than in Sydney. When he was 48 he returned to China to marry his love, Annie, who was 16. They settled just out of Moruya originally, but moved to Fairy Meadow later. The Dian's family name was originally Chong and Les explained how it eventually becan1e Dion. We were shown a family photograph in the very early days- there was the father Tom, his wife Annie, and 6 girls and 7 boys. Les is a grandson. Les' father, Les Dion, gave up driving the buses when he was 85 years old. He is now 93.
In 1923 Tom Dion, the eldest son, applied to the Northern Illawarra Council to operate a bus company. One of the photographs showed a 1920 Model T-Ford - chain driven - purchased from Harrigan Ford. Les told us that the Dion Company also had 'adventure tours' in the early days - so they were well ahead ofthe times there.
With the exception oflvy, who married and went to Sydney to live, all of the Dion family members, brothers and sisters, were brought up to be industrious and hard working and they all worked in some part of the family business - driving buses, maintaining them or in some activity concerned with the business. As a young child I can remember buying fruit for my lunch on the way to school at the little shop on the corner of Keira and Smith Street, where a couple ofthe girls were in attendance. I think it may have been Rose Dion who was there then.
In the 1940's, due to petrol shortages during the War, some of the buses had gas burners on the front - charcoal burners. In 1948 there were double decker buses being used, which were very expensive to run. One of these was restored by the Tempe Museum, but Les is not sure o f its whereabouts now.
From the photographs shown it was clear that there were many buses and coaches over the long years since the business began. The vehicles dated back to the earliest ones in 1923 and when U1ings were tough, many of the buses were remodelled by the Dion men to look quite different from the original, but were still used to great effect. The Dion boys were very good at improvising what they already had, to make it work. The various old buses and coaches in Barney's photographs were a sight to behold.
Les learned to drive buses when he was a young boy in Woodhill Street, where much of the surrounding properties were owned by the Dion family. He told us he was especially good at reversing them up the street!
The Dions were always community minded and they worked with Progress Associations of different suburbs in the early days as regards where bus stops should be, etc.
The local newspaper once reported that Barney Dion had received 56 fines for not running to the time table. Barney told Les that he did run to time table - it was his own time table! Barney drove the buses well into his 80's.
In 1942 the Dion Family made the newspapers again when there was an altercation between Keith Hill (John J Hill Bus Company) and Barney. Apparently there was strong competition in those days to pick up the crowds going home on buses from the movies, dances and so on. Remember, there weren't many cars around then and buses were the means of transport for most people.
After many years of doing up the old buses and going through hard times, in 1988 the Dions purchased two new buses and these were air- conditioned. While this was a great addition to the bus fleet, Uncle Barney would still have preferred the drivers to use the old buses up first.
Tom Dion did well in investing in propetty in Wollongong. At one time he asked his solicitor to investigate a property he wanted to purchase. The solicitor had to inform him that unfortunately he could not purchase it - he already owned it!
It is a well-known fact that the Dion family were sympathetic to people who were 'hard up' during the depression and would stop and give them a lift whether they had money or not. They were generous with their family and also with the community and this is why they have been held in high esteem and respect over the years.
A big thank you to Les Dion for a very enjoyable evening.