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the balmainassociat ionincorporatednews sheet

X t i e P e n i n s u l a

Vol 36 rHo3 Issue 271 Founded November 1965 J u n e 2 0 0 1

O n i t h o i o g i c a lA s s o c i a t i o n. 5)ui]der, John Lowe & Son lived at Per-ritt Terrace, 13 Perritt Street, Balmainf r o m 1 8 8 4 t o 1 9 0 9 .

John Lowe was a bird fancier and MrsJ Ramsay of Chatswood, (his descendant), kindly sent some 'treasures' keptfor many years in an envelope in thatbo t tom d raw. The ' t reasures ' were someb u s i n e s s i n v o i c e s d a t e d 1 8 8 ! a n d t h ebrochure of the Balmain Canary andCaged Bird Show, in the Balmain TownHall in June, 1901. There were 31 prizesof trophies, gold medal, cash prizes forthe different categories, 1®' of 10 shillings, 2"'' 5 shillings and 3^^ 2 shillingsand 6 pence. Entry for the competitorswas 1 shilling and 6 pence.

The present Secretary of the NSWOrnithological Association, Mr N Richardson has supplied the following informa t i on on t he Assoc ia t i on .

The Assoc ia t ion was founded in 1894and has carried on continuously fromthat time, conducting bird shows everyyear. It is the oldest bird club in NSWand there is some conjecture as towhether i t is the oldest club in Austral ia.I n 1 9 9 1 t h e A s s o c i a t i o n c o m b i n e d w i t hthe Parramatta Canary & Cage Bird Society, in conducting a combined birdshow in May each year.

In 1994, the 100'^ annual show washeld and each exhibitor was presentedwith a Centenary Club Badge, featuringa king parrot inscribed on the face and1 8 9 4 - 1 9 9 4 .

The Canary & Cage Bird Improvement Society was formed a few years aft e r t h e A s s o c i a t i o n . S i r E d w a r dH a l l s t r o m w a s a m e m b e r o f t h e A s s ociation, as well as many other prominentA u s t r a l i a n ' s .

O t h e r c l u b s h a v e b e e n f o r m e d o v e rthe years, one being a Sydney Federation formed in 1935. The meetings wereheld In Sydney and some membersfrom the Newcastle and Hunter areas,would travel by train and would returnhome on the early Paper train to Newcas t l e .

T h e F e d e r a t i o n h a s 1 0 6 a f fi l i a t e dclubs in every state in Australia. A magazine Feathered World is publishedeleven times a year. Contact: 11 President St. Croydon Park. 2133.

P.S. A story is told in my family aboutmy younger brother's fascination with abirdcage! My parents were bird loversand kept many finches in a large avery.My Job before school each morning wasto clean out the cage, feed and water thebirds. One day my two-year-old brother,opened the cage door and crawled in,leaving the door ajar and so the birds escaped. From then on, each day for

some time, brother would crawl into thecage and happily play for hours. Motherwas delighted and would creep up andsecure the latch, then finish the household chores. We also kept a beautifulsinging canary in a cage, kept high upout o f b ro ther 's reach.

Kathleen Harney

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C a l l a n P a r k P l a nThe gray areas on the accompaning map shows the proposed

dedication of public accessible open space claimed by theHealth Dept as 80% of the Caiian Park site. Notice the Kirl̂ rideheritage buildings surrounded by the road. Some of this hasbeen accessible by the public for some time.

Although no details have as yet been published by TwyfordConsulting, the firm engaged to do the public consultation, it isbelieved that the Health Dept plans to concentrate developmentbetween Glover Street, Wharf Road and Carrington Street. However 1.5 ha along Manning Street is also marked for sale.

The area for medium density housing claimed to be 12.5 hawould enable a developer to construct 625 dwellings underLeichhardt Council Town Plan 2000 that imposes a floor spaceratio (FSR) of 0.5:1.

Leichhardt Council has set up a planning forum to produce analternat ive vis ion for the future of Caitan Park. Fr iends of Cal lanPark meet on the first Monday of the month in Liiyfield Neighbourhood Centre, cnr Cecily and O'Neill Streets, Leichhardt.

Roya l Aus t ra l i anH i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t yCentenary. L wo men who influenced the found

ing of the Australian Historical Society;Andrew Houison, 'founding father' andDavid Scott Mitchell, patron.

In 1888 community sentiment wasriding high on the tide of nationalismfollowing the Centenary and the debateo n F e d e r a t i o n .

What motivated Andrew Houison, asuccessful medical practitioner, to develop a passion for Australian history,then only of 100 years of European sett l e m e n t , t o b e c o m e t h e f o u n d a t i o npresident of the RAHS?

Andrew Houison was born at Parra-matta on the first day of January 1850,the youngest son of five sons and fivedaughters of James and mother Annnee Stark. James had trained as a carpenter and joiner with experience inGeorgian London as a clerk-of-worksand in Parramatta became a bui lder anda r c h i t e c t .

Andrew Houison attended The King'sSchool Parramatta and later the newlyopened ISewington School at Silverwa-t e r .

In February 1866, aged 16 years, heenrolled at the University of Sydney andgained his BA degree in 1869, then toEdinburgh where he graduated in medicine. After some post graduate researchin the medical field of antisepsis withProfessor Joseph Lister at the Universityof Edinburgh, Andrew returned to Sydney to a private practice In MacquarieStreet, Sydney.

In 1890 Andrew's hobby was philatelyand held the position as president ofbo th t he NSW and Aus t r a l i an Ph i l a t e l i cAssociations. He planned an exhibitionto celebrate the 50'^ anniversary of theintroduction of postage stamps in GreatB r i t a i n .

The Premier, Sir Henry Parkes, aformer philatelist himself, approved thescheme as an official government project An Illustrated book The History ofthe Post Office of New South Waleswith Houison credited as author, wasprepared for the display.

A meeting was held in the SydneyTown Hall on 30 October 1900, for 'gentlemen interested in Australian history'w i t h D r H u i s o n i n t h e c h a i r . F u r t h e r

planning meetings were held until theInaugural meeting of the Australian Historical Society was held in the Queen'sHall, Pitt Street Sydney on 15 March1901. The meeting elected him asPresident also accepting the nomination of David Scott Mitchell as the Socie

ty's patron. Andrew maintained his

interest in the Society until his death in1 9 1 2 .

'The Mitchell' is a term understood byall who research family and Australianhistory. David Scott Mitchell's obsessionfor book collecting was the basis of theMitchell Library in Macquarie Street,Sydney.

Mitchell was born at the Military Hospital in Macquarie Street, Sydney on 19March 1836, into a military medicalfamily. His father Dr James Mitchell wasthe principal surgeon and motherAugusta Maria Scott, a doctor's daught e r .

M i t c h e l l b e c a m e o n e o f t h e fi r s t

graduates of the University of Sydneywith a BA in 1852 and his Master of ArtsIn 1859. He was admitted to the Bar butnever practised although his legal training was put to good use when on thedeath of his father in 1869, it was revea led tha t the cons idera b l e e s t a t e h a d b e e n

given to his father'smedical partner. After aprotracted legal case,the jury awarded the verdic t in Mi tchel l 's favour.

With enough moneyto pursue any lifestyle,M i t c h e l l d e v o t e d a l m o s t

every waking moment ofhis life to the collectingand study of Australiana,photographs, maps, letters and paintings andvarious other publicat i o n s . S o a v i d w a sMitchell's collecting thathis treasures eventuallybegan to Intrude on thelimited space availablein his seven-room two-story terracehouse at 17 Darling Road, Darlinghurst.This area now called Kings Cross. Thet i d e o f b o o k s o v e r fl o w e d f r o m t h e l i

brary, up and down the stairs, into thebathroom and even in to a corner o f thehousekeeper's attic.

As he grew older he was faced withthe problem of what to do with his collection. In October 1898, with his healthfailing and with the support of The StateLibrary's principal librarian, Henry Anderson, Mitchell decided to bequeathhis precious library to the Trustees.Mitchell had a condition on his bequest -that the government should provide asuitable building.

The years dragged on with no sign ofthe new building even though Mitchellh a d a d d e d a n i n c r e a s e d e n d o w m e n t .

Finally, the NSW Premier Sir JosephCar ru the rs l a i d t he founda t i on s tone onthe Macquarie Street site on 11 September 1906, eight years after Mitchell'soriginal offer. Mitchell died on 24 July1907, before the building was completed.

The Mitchell Library has reopened, after being closed for the last sevenmonths for a $2.5 mi l l ion refurb ishment, including a new glass roof andoriginal features, such as 1.6 km ofshe lves . I am sure Dav id Sco t t M i t che l lwould approve!

In this year of Centenary Celebration,the Society has many events planed. Aluncheon for members and guests willbe held on Friday, 29 June 2001, at TheStrangers' Dining Room at ParliamentHouse, Macquarie Street

The RAHS has an excellent Libraryopen for research Monday to Friday10am to 4pm. History House, 133 Macquarie Street, Sydney. 02 9247 8001.

The Ba lmain Assoc ia t ion has been anaffiliated member for 35 years. Thereare 314 a ffi l ia ted Soc ie t ies .

The dining room at Mitchell's home in Darlinghurst Road

Source: Magazine of RAHS, JohnMcClymont. The Daily Telegraph 19July 1997, Walter Sullivan and 3 May2001, Monica Heary.

Henry Edmond F iskB o a t b u i l d e r- ilLenry was bom in Hobart on 1 June1814, son of Captain Arnold Rskand his wife Mary Ann Campbell Bunker. Henry was their second child in afamily of eleven children. His father wasan American of Quaker stock, whosailed to New South Wales ftom England in 1802 In the Surprise. His motherwas the daughter of Captain Eber Bunker, called 'the father of Australian whaling' and a descendant of the Mayflowerpilgrim John Howland. Captain Bunkerw a s i n c o m m a n d o f t h e T h i r d F l e e t

transport William and Ann, which arrived at Sydney in 1791.

Henry Fisk married Mary Beattie at StAndrew's Presbyterian Church, Sydneyon 21 November 1846. Mary was thedaughter of John and Dulcibella Beattieof Erskine Street, Sydney. John Beattiehad purchased land in the now Cameron Cove area in the first Balmaln landsale in 1836. John Beattie also was publican of the Masonic Arms 1843-45, theformer Waterview House, the firstdwelling In Balmain, now demolished.

Oatiand Cottage

Henry and Mary children were: ArnoldJ bl847, Henry W b849, Edward Gbl851, Edgar H bl853 William Jbl857, were all baptised at St PhilipsChurch, Sydney and their only daughterElizabeth (Bessie), was born at Balmainon 28 April 1853 and baptised at St Mary's Church, Balmain. Elizabeth died in1854 and her brother William in 1858,

Enjoy volunteering in the Internat i ona l Yea r o f t he Vo lun tee r. The re a relots of ways people can give free time,skills and resources to the community.

One great way is to get involved witha community service group operating inyour local area, such as Rotary.

Local members have a pamphlet onBalmain Rotary, which explains its aims

b o t h b u r i e d a t t h e O l d D e v o n s h i r eStreet Cemetery, Sydney.

Henry and family moved to BrisbaneWaters where he became a boa tbu i lde r.He built the ketches Sylph, Midshipm a n a n d t h e P h o e n i c i o n . H e l a t e r b u i l tthe schooner Countess of Belmore atLake Macquarie.

In 1860 Henry returned to Balmainwhere he built his residence, OatiandCottage in Mort Street where he remained until 1873, continuing withboatbuilding. The cottage remains today at 83 Mort Street

At age 60 years, Henry tried his handat a new trade, when he became licens e e a t t h e A l b i o n H o t e l o n c o m e rNicholson and Darling Streets, Balmain, then moved to the Mariner's'Hotelin George Street, Sydney in 1877, Princess of Wales Hotel 1878-1879, also inSydney. During these years, Henry's sonE d w a r d w a s a b o a t b u i l d e r i n D u k e

Street, Balmain.Heney died at Petersham on 5 Febru

ary 1887 possibly at his son Edgar'sresidence. His burial was the last internment in the Church of England sectionof the Old Devonshire Street Cemetery,permitted because of the Fisk/Bunkervault. The cemetery had been closedf r o m 1 8 4 9 o n w a r d s . I n 1 9 0 1 t o m a k eway for the new Central Railway Station,the vault and remains of Elizabeth, William and Henry were removed to La Per-ouse site adjoining the existing BotanyCemetery, Church of England section,at the req uest of Mrs E Cartwright of Ko-garah.

The Department of Public Works administered the transfer of some 20,000r e m a i n s a n d a b o u t 2 8 0 0 m o n u m e n t s t othe cemetery. Other cemeteries to haver e m a i n s a n d m o n u m e n t s w e r e R o o k -wood, South Head, Gore Hill, Waverleywh i le o the rs where t rans fe r red to coun

try cemeteries. Balmain Cemetery received at least 6 re in ternments .

S o u r c e : L e i c h h a r d t H i s t o r i c a l J o u r n a lNo 14, Peter Reynolds. Sydney BurialG r o u n d 1 8 1 9 - 1 9 0 1 . K J o h n s o n a n d M

Sainty. The Shipbuilders of BrisbaneWater, NSW. Gwen Dundon.

B o n n i e D a o i d s o n .

Vo l u n t e e r L o c a l l y and activities, global and local. Have aread and consider finding out more, orhand the brochure on to a family member, friend or neighbour. If you wouldlike other ideas on volunteering, phoneVolunteering NSW on 9261 3600.

J a n e W a r d .W e l c o m e b a c k t o t h e A s s o c i a t i o n .

Jane held the President position formany dynamic years.

Sydney Harbour Trus tThe exhibition Sites Unseen: explor

ing the future of Trust lands on SydneyHarbour opened in the Custom Houseon 26 May. It is intended to generate interest in the future of six former defencea n d m a r i t i m e l a n d s o n t h e H a r b o u r.

Of special concern to Balmain residents are Cockatoo and Snapper Isl a n d s a n d a l s o W o o l w i c h D o c k . T h eNavy is not relinquishing Spectacle Island. Cockatoo Is the largest island inSydney Harbour and a visual landmarkwith a r ich h is tor ica l In terest .

A courtyard cluster of prison barracks, water towers, worl^hops andhouses sit atop the hill and there are anumber of convict excavated grain silos.Later uses involved shipbuilding and repair and this activity is suggested for renewal to revitalise the heritage nature ofthe island as a centre of the maritime in-dustriual precinct.

The potentiai of the island as a special place to visit will be explored. An island walk could be created that ret racesthe pattern of occupation from convictgaol to maritime industry.

Exh ib i t i on v i s i to rs a re inv i ted to submit ideas on a questionaire..

S top Press.nieritage photographs were seen being removed from the Watch House twoweeks ago. They were loaded into a redsedan that was driven away fully loaded.

There's no need for concern, however. Fifty six framed photographs fromt h e B a l m a i n A s s o c i a t i o n a r c h i v e s w e r e

carefully transported to the State Librarywhere Mr Scott Wajon, PhotographicCoordinator of the Image Library, received them. He will copy and scanthem to produce a CDROM.

We shall receive negatives on proof-sheets as well as the CD. The scanningwill produce high quality TIFF (tag image file format) images for our archivesallowing the production of copies ino t h e r f o r m a t s .

C o l o u r s o f C a n n a sAdd a glow to that sunny spot in your

garden with colour during the hottesttime of the year by including cannas in yourplanting. Cannas comein all tints of red, pink,orange and yellow aswell as spotted andm u l t i - c o l o u r e d . S e ldom attacked by pestsa n d d i s e a s e s a n d r e

quiring little attention,cannas will brighten as u n n y c o r n a r .

C a n n a s a r e m o s teffective when grown.as a complte bed, butthey arealso pretty .andadaptable for spots ornarrow areas They alsocan be grown in large containers. Asthey like the sun, they can be kept on theno r th o r no r t h -wes t o f t he house . The re

tare dwarf, medium and tall growing var-iewties, so plant accordingly. They canalso be propagated from seed that canbe sown in autumn or spring.

Cannas like plenty of moisture but notbog conditions. Being quick-growing

they can absorb extraplant food. Plant ins o i l e n r i c h e d w i t h

plenty of organic mat e r i a l , s o m e a n i m a lm a n u r e a n d s l o w -re lease fe t i l iser.

The best t ime to div ide cannas i s w in te r.P l a n t s t h a t w o n ' t b elifted can be toppedwith organic materialf r o m m i d - s u m m e ru n t i l l a t e a u t u m n i f

grown in a full sunnyposition. When cann a s h a v e fi n i s h e d

flowering, the tall anduntidy stems can be cut down to nearthe ground.

B o n n i e D a o i d s o n

W h a t ' s O nW a t c h H o u s e E x h i b i t i o n s♦ Denise Barry 1-10 June

♦ Nicholas Beckett 23-24 June♦ P2antit:̂ s 23-24 June

Nlchol^ Beckett♦ 7 Artists - oils 30 June-1 Jidy

Elsie McEwen♦ Photographs - Sydney & PortArthur. Bridget Maming 7-29 July♦ Photos & Drawings 4-19 Aug

Marilyn Walters & Son♦ Ross Mainwarring 25-26 AugPaintings♦ Jan Henderson & others 1-2 SepSculpture & paintings♦ Chis Vella, Roger Janes &Ann Qarbutt 8-9 Sep

Printed by Snap Print, Balmain. ©Not to bereproduced without authorisation.

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Registered Publication PP225832/00001If undelivered return to:The Ba lmain Assoc ia t ion incPC Box 57Balmain 2041

S U R F A C EM A I L

Miss Theresa L Hayward61 Louisa Road

Birchgrove NSW 20412 0 0 1 / 1 2

P o s t a g eP a i d

A u s t r a l i a

T h e B a l m a i n A s s o c i a t i o n I n cRepresenting Balmain, Birchgrove & Rozelle.Our alms are to:

Improve the living, working and recreationalamenit ies of our area: maintain al l featureshaving natural architechiral and or historicalvalueof the area and keep a permanent collection of historical interest; seek the cooperationof everyone concerned in the realisation of thea b o v e .

The Balmain Association meets on the firstWednesday of each monUi at 7.30pm in theWatch House 179 Darling Street Balmain. TheWatch House is open every Saturday from 12to 3pm. Our editorial phone/fax Is 02 98184954.Email: hamey@netpro.net.au.Our Web site:w w w. b a l m a i n a s s o c i a t i o n . h o m e s t e a d . c o m

Interested artists, potters, sculptors, etcwho would like to organise an exhibition inthe Watch House are urged to contact SteveSouth on 02 9810 1411 or on emailswsouth@riverneLcom.au.

Annual subscriptions:Household $20, Concession $10,Organisations $30.