DaVince Tools Generated nswaol.library.usyd.edu.au/data/pdfs/13695_ID_Thorp1998... ·...

I I I RANDWICK

I NAVAL STORES AND SMALL ARMS FACTORY

I I ARCHIVAL ANALYSIS

I I I : I I

I I I I I I I CUL TURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

FOR I GRAHAM BROOKS AND ASOCIATES

I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Draft Historical Context: Randwick Commonwealth Property

SECTION 1.0 PROLOGUE

This report presents the evidence contained in primary documentation -that describes the development and use of the land which encompasses the Randwick Naval Stores, Small Arms School and land adjacent to both at Randwick,' NSW. The evidence has been obtained from several sources including Commohwealth and State Archives, local history records, Water Board Archives and Land Title records as well as several secondary sources. A full bibliography is appended to this report.

The information is presented in several chapters that analyse and describe the several uses or functions to which this land has been put since its alienation in . 1829. Generally, though not comprehensively, these also correspond with the chronological development of the site. The principal chapters are: .

• The Pre-Settlement Landscape and Its Evolution

• Alienation: The Church and School Lands Corporation

• Early Military Associations: The Rifle Range

• The Small Arms School

• The Naval Stores

\

WendyThorp Page 1

I I I I I I I I : I

I I I I I I I I I I I I

>, , '


SECTION 2.0 THE PRE-SETTLEMENT LANDSCAPE AND ITS EVOLUTION

The portion of the colony that later was to encompass the areas of Randwick, Kensington, Coogee and Maroubra was viewed by both Captain Cook and Governor Phillip during the formative years of locating and establishing a settlement site. However, for nearly the entire first half of the nineteenth century the distance from Sydney, the nature of the land divisions and the quality of the topography contributed to the district being left almost in isolation although several grants were made during the 1820s and the village of Coogee was surveyed in 1839. If not substantially settled, however, the area did attract severql visitors and scientists and sportsmen used the area for hunting and fishing. From these people come the first European accounts of the environment that had supported and been home to an Aboriginal population for thousands of years.

The several accounts are all sim ilar and refer, without variation, to the quantities of wildlife, to the timber stands near to the coast, the sand hills and the large areas of swamp (1). Official descriptions of the early 1830s, such as the NSW Post Office Gazette, record similar impressions (2). First class building timber and arable soils found towards the north-west areas of the district predisposed settlement in that direction.

Poor conditions and isolation appear to have made the Church and School Lands, which encompassed all the land south of Coogee Beach to Long Bay and included the present suburbs of Kingsford, Maroubra, Matraville, Pagewood and Malabar, an unattractive prospect to either the Corporation which owned the land or the several tenants which leased portions during the 1880s. By the time it was selected as a site for a rifle range it appears that the land and environment it supported had remained virtually unchanged for the majority of the nineteenth century.

The descriptions provided by the surveyors who first measured the site of the future' range are the earliest specific records of the condition of the study area. At the time of the selection of the proposed site in the 1880s it was noted by the Surveyor that the 250 acres encompassed over nearly half its entirety badly situated, low and swampy land (3). For this reason the improvements made for the rifle range, and later the Small Arms School, were confined to those portions which presented the best aspects. Even during the early years of the twentieth century much of the land remained in an undeveloped state. In 1915 a piece sought by Council for a municipal depot was described by the military authorities as "practically a swamp"; this was at the intersection of Storey Street and Broad Road (4) .

A government surveyor described the condition of the site in 1926. It was said to be. fully exposed to the southerly and westerly winds. The ground mostly sloped and was bordered by sandy hills. The area of the Small Arms School was

Wendy Thorp Page 2

I I I 'I I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

- -----------------------------------------.

Draft Historical Context; Randwick Commonwealth Property

described as comprising earth and rock but water from the hills drained along the ridge making the site constantly damp (5).

Surveyors' reports prepared during 1944 to aid the construction of the Navy Stores provide more specific evidence for the condition of the site. It was noted that, to the east of the Navy-owned site, storm water drained into a lagoon and there was a similar swampy area to the west (6). In 1947 it was noted that lithe eastern portion of this Commonwealth property situated at the rear of the old targets consist of sand hills covered in low scrub and the land is of little use for any Commonwealth purpose in its present conditionll (7).

If a poor site for building and development because of these conditions, the environment did attract specific development which was able to exploit those same factors which were constant irritants to those living and working around them. The nature of the soils, particularly sand, was attractive to several companies. During the 1930s the Public Works Department made requests to the Army to establish a quarry on the southern side of the site although this venture appears not have gone ahead. In 1939 a Mr Styles of Cement Morton Pty Ltd applied to remove sand from the easter'n side of the site. He was refused at that time (8). In 1943 the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board applied to remove sand from the site to aid in the construction of the Sydney Graving Dock; it is unclear if this request was approved by the Army (9).

During August 1946 Mr Styles applied in his own right to remove sand from an area that was on the eastern side of the eastern fence of the Naval Stores. It was

'stated at that time that this area comprised a steep hill and had not been used for any military purpose (10). Another applicant applied at the same time.

It was not until 1947 that approval was given for the commencement of sand -mining and this single activity was to significantly change the topography and

, environment of the area. Commencing in the area of the IIsteep hillll, the only c,ondition for the work was that it ensure that any changes made to the site, for example filling in swamps, would not alter the drainage pattern of the area. It was the opinion of the Surveyor General that this work would not have a detrimental impact on this aspect as the swamp was low lying and the water was approximately at the same level as the rest of the district, that is, it was at a shallow level (11). Some areas were noted by that official to be completely unworkable because of their condition.

The attraction to the Army ( and Navy) of this operation was that eventually previously useless land would be made viable for further extensions of Commonwealth property. To this end, then, the work undertaken by Mr Styles entailed not only removing sand dunes but filling in a swamp and turfing and grading the surface (12). Newly formed and levelled land was to be planted with Kikuyu grass (13) or, alternatively, filled and levelled with cinders, ash and other wast~ products from powerhouses (14).

WendyThorp Page 3

I I I I I i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


The amount of sand moved from the site by Mr Styles was enormous and is also indicative of the nature of the area. For example, in October 1947, 1332 cubic yards were removed; in November this had increased to 1693 cubic yards and, in December, 1947 cubic yards (15). Between January and February 1951 the total was again raised to 11,735 cubic yards. Styles paid a royalty to the Department of the Interior per cubic yard and in this month alone that royalty amounted to a little over 293 pounds (16).

To accomplish this achievement Styles had erected on his land several winch houses, offices and storage bins. These were located in the very southern portion of the site in the most westerly corner of his property. A loop road provided access to this facility (17). In doing so and in alienating this land from the Small Arms School the latter lost several targets (18).

The relationship between the sand-mining company and the Department of Defence appears to have been one of mutual benefit. At times Mr Styles assistance was requested in managing an environment which was particularly harsh and troublesome for the stores. In 1954, for example, during a period of drought when the water in the pond close to the stores was low he was requested to commence building a levee around one side of the pond and to deepen the bottom (19). These actions were intended to counter the propensity of this pond to flooding the Stores.

Sand, however, was a constant problem. It scoured the buildings, covered the roads and blocked the drains (20). Active management of the environment was proposed to reduce its harsh effect on the several Stores and other buildings. This was to be achieved through planting schemes. Recommendations were made in 1949 to regrass large areas of bare earth between several of the Navy sheds and, as well, plant 3.5 acres of shrubs or trees such as oleander and cassia. Hedges of olive and privet were to be created that would provide some protection for the sheds. The boundaries were to be planted with salix, jacaranda and poplars (21). Pig-face was to be planted in the dunes to try and stabilise them.

The sand mining lease was to have finally ceased in 1957 but appears to have renewed at that time for another ten years although a portion was resumed from the area of the lease to allow for the construction of several prefabricated homes and new roads (22). This proposal subsequently was abandoned, however, by the 1950s the pressure of the surrounding suburban environment were being felt by the military managers of the site. A demand for land for post-war housing estates and the value of the real-estate led to constant requests for excisions of portions or, even, the complete closure and subdivision of the site.

The process had, in fact, commenced long before the 1950s. As the inaccessibility of the former Church and School Lands Estate was broken down by the construction of roads, the introduction of trams and the establishment close-by of villages such as Coogee, the wonderful environment made the area particularly desirable for residential purposes and more and more land surrounding the site was sought by Randwick Council to meet the needs of suburban housing. On

WendyThorp Page 4

I I I I I I I

:1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I


several occasions the Army was requested to release some of its holdings for development as residential blocks. For example, on the eve of war in 1939, Randwick Council requested some of the land on Avoca Street for housing.

At times the Army agreed to some of these requests, in particular the exchange of some portions to allow for the extension of roads. Some portions were leased, for example, a Council Depot was created on land that was considered by the Army to be waste ground, but generally all pressure was resisted to reduce the area of the range. Some requests, such as a proposal to make two bowling greens and two tennis courts on Army land, were rejected outright (23).

In the post-war years demands for land surrounding and within the reserved Commonwealth property became even greater. During the 1950s much pressure was brought to bear to release some of the northern portion of the site for Housing Commission Estates but it was resisted by Army (24). Earlier the Housing Commission had resumed an area of over 26 acres adjoining the site and bound by Bundock Street, Malabar Road and the Cemetery (25). Other Departments also took an interest in the area retained by the Commonwealth. In 1950 the Department of Technical Education, looking forward to the time when sand mining would cease, made an offer to take over the land to the east to develop with blocks of flats. The offer was rejected by Army managers who were themselves considering developing this land for a permanent barrack and married quarters (26).

One issue that was finally resolved in the post-war years was the formal gazettal of ownership. Problems had arisen during the 1890s when the defence authorities had wanted to purchase or lease a portion of the former Church and School Estate. The terms of that Corporation made these moves legally very difficult and the occupation of the site appears to have been by mutual agreement. Legal problems continued to surround the site when it was transferred to Federal authority at the beginning of the new century. As early as 1950 enquires were made as to who owned the site. In that year it was stated that no records could be found that gave Navy the authority to occupy their land. It was concluded that it had been a matter of war time urgency and expediency (27). Formal gazettal of the Commonwealth property was not made until November 1964 (28).

The Endeavour Oval and Centre has been formed on what was the former sand-mining area of Mr Styles.

Wendy Thorp Page 5



SECTION 3.0 ALIENATION: THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL LANDS CORPORATION

In order to maintain and organise the numerous tracts of land made to support the various ecclesiastic and educational institutions throughout the colony a new bureaucracy was initiated in 1827, the Church and School Lands Corporation. As well as the existing properties the newly formed Corporation also was granted many large tracts in its own right and for the same purpose. One of these, made in February 1829, was a grant of 4175 acres in the area of Maroubra, Long Bay and Coogee (1). There is no evidence to suggest that any particular or substantial use was made of this vast tract by the Corporation. In fact the reservation served to isolate the area and for many years discouraged active settlement and occupation. In doing so it preserved much of the pre-existing landscape.

The Church and School Lands Corporation had a relatively short life being abolished in the 1830s. Despite this fact most of the lands granted to it remained alienated from general development, in some cases, for most of the nineteenth century. At Randwick some wood cutting and extractive industries were permitted on part of the large estate but little or no activity occurred on the majority of it. In 1838 Coogee Village was gazetted on part of the estate but it was not until the 1860s-1870s that any significant subdivisions occurred and these were generally on the coastal areas. The lack of roads and other amenities that had resulted as a fact of the isolation of the area deterred settlement as did, probably, the condition of at least a portion of the land which encompassed swamps, and sand dunes. Development generally only occurred north of the border of the Church and School Lands, approximately on a line with Coogee.

Throughout the later years of the nineteenth century several subdivisions and leases were made of the Church and School Lands at Randwick, for example, in 1871 a subdivision was made of land adjacent to and east of the future rifle range site. In blocks of four to nine acres it was offered for terms of ninety-nine year leases. The terms did not appeal to many and in the early 1880s the area was resurveyed into smaller blocks. Some leases were let but most were cancelled after a few years. At the time of the first survey of the proposed rifle range the original 460 acre allotment comprised several leases. The condition and improvements of the leases appear to be indicative of the general development of the area on and surrounding the future rifle range.

T~e first, described as Lot 1, included two acres leased for ninety-nine years, the lease dating from 1882. It was rented at 24 pounds per annum and was, in 1887, unimproved. Lot 8 encompassed a little over two acres also leased for ninety-nine years for twenty-three pounds per annum. It had been improved to the value of 290 pounds with a brick cottage, fencing and some land had been cleared. Lot 9 was a little over two acres, leased for ninety-nine years at twenty-three pounds per annum. It was not improved. Lot 14 had been transferred for forty pounds and Lot 2, which comprised a little over one acre, was leased at nineteen pounds per

WendyThorp Page 6



annum from 1882 and was so in arrears as to be nearly forfeit to the tenant (2). As late as 1882 it could be reported that,

'Handwick ... for several reasons has not advanced in population in ratio with the other boroughs. The chief reason has been the absence of speedy communication by rail with the metropolis .... " (3).

The Church and School Lands Act was passed in 1897 whereby all lands belonging to the former Corporation were transferred to the Crown (4). It enabled the land in Randwick, which still remained generally undeveloped, to be taken up by the public under more favourable terms. It also required the definition of the boundaries of the Rifle Range which had come into being some years earlier.

WendyThorp Page 7



SECTION 4.0 EARLY MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS: THE RIFLE RANGE

From the 1850s, as international politics began to cause concern that Australia might be the subject of a foreign invasion, a Volunteer movement was organised which was intended to provide troops to protect the various colonies. It was an important movement; the several Australian colonies did not possess standing armies of any great strength and in the event of invasion the majority of military strength would be provided by the Volunteers. It was perhaps, fortunate, that the country was not threatened; the Volunteer movement was, in its early years, at best an ad hoc arrangement. Each Volunteer Brigade could choose its own area of expertise (cavalry, musketry etc) with no overall plan as to need or strengths; many changed their affiliations several times. They chose their own uniforms, their own officers and many other aspects of organisation and drill. The movement would later be organised into civilian militia that would form the basis of Australia's defence until the formation of a regular Army in the later twentieth century.

Most towns and municipalities had Volunteer Brigades and rifle or musketry units were the most popular. Rifle Clubs were affiliated with the Volunteer movement and these provided a favourite civilian activity. Rifle matches were first held at Randwick in 1861 but the location of the range is unknown (1). Annual matches continued at Randwick until 1865 at which time they were transferred to Paddington.

Possibly this early use of the area for target practice influenced the decision during the later 1880s to found a formal military rifle range at Randwick. The decision had come about most directly as the result of a need to abandon the rifle range at Paddington due to the creation of Centennial Park. The dangers of maintaining a rifle range next to a public recreational space were fully appreciated and, as it was considered "essential for efficiency of military forces that there should be a rifle range within a short distance of Sydney", requests were made to survey part of the vacant Church and School Lands at Randwick for the purpose (2). The decision for this step having been made in July 1887 application was made in the following month to the Secretary for Lands for a surveyor to commence the work (3).

By September an area had been tentatively set aside for the purpose. It comprised approximately 460 acres of the Church and School Estate and included several leases, some of which had improvements (4). After some consideration of this . proposal, principally the cost involved in resumption being 92,000 pounds, it was decided that the area of the proposed range could be reduced to approximately 250 acres. This would exclude those blocks already leased and which were more expensive to resume because of their improvements. The land was generally considered to be poor and, if leased by the Church and School Corporation, would only fetch approximately four pounds per annum (5).

WendyThorp Page 8



The plan was not without its detractors principally the Agent for the Church and School Lands, Mr Brownrigg. His objection to the plan stemmed from his estimate that the three hundred acres proposed for the site embraced some of the best and most valuable of the Estate. Furthermore, the placement of a rifle range in the area was anticipated to have a poor effect on the sale of the land for residential purposes. He noted that an extensive subdivision for villa sites had already been made and would have to be altered because of the proposed range. Mostly Mr Brownrigg was put out because no-one had told him and the Education Department about the proposed development; he had found out by accident (6).

One of the major problems with the plan was the legal issue of whether a resumption could be made of the Church and School Lands. This question arose because of the terms of the original incorporation and alienation of lands to the Corporation. For this reason, as early as 1887, suggestions were made that rather than resume the land it might be leased on a ninety-nine year term (7). The Agent was not happy with this alternative either, wishing to provide a lease of only two years. In turn the military authorities were concerned that, if this was the case, after spending money to develop the site it could be lost if the lease was not renegotiated after the two year term (8).

Essentially no other course could be seen than for the land to be put to a public auction. It was recognised that, ordinarily, the military would not be guaranteed of achieving a sale, particularly as land in the area was eagerly sought for residential purposes. However, it was suggested that if the terms of the sale included certain provisions such as a stipulation for no subdivision or sub-letting it was more certain that only a military purpose would be accommodated on the site (9). However, other stipulations were not attractive to the Army; these included the erection only of temporary target butts. The essential problem remained for them, however, that with an urgent need to create a new rifle range on land close to the city, which was becoming increasingly rare to find in sufficient vacant areas, Randwick provided the best offer.

The matter appears to have been insoluble for the various parties and it lapsed for some time. Despite the concerns of maintaining a rifle range next to Centennial Park, apparently out of necessity, the two co-existed for some time although not without incident. In 1889 one local resident complained of the dangers of picnicking in the park. His concerns were aired in Parliament. Considering the circumstances he informed the Principal Under Secretary with remarkable calm that" on Saturday afternoon last bullets were flying all over the Park in a most extraordinary manner" (10). It was later stated that, in its thirty years of operation, "millions of rounds" of ammunition had been fired on the range (11).

By 1890 it is clear that the limits had been reached of hazarding a Saturday afternoon's recreation in the park. In May notice was given that Paddington Rifle Range would close at the end of the month "to prevent the possibility of further accident recurring from rifle practice" (12).

Wendy Thorp Page 9

I ·1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


The closure of the Paddington Range brought Randwick to the fore. Complaints and concerns regarding the closure came from both civilian devotees and military authorities. The Council of the NSW Rifle Association stated that the closure would be "a death blow" to rifle shooting in the metropolitan area. It was claimed that Rifle Reserve Companies formed in the area would need to disband when they were left with no place to practice and Defence Force Rifle Clubs also would cease to exist for the same reason. It was further argued that the closure of these various companies would have a prejudicial effect on rifle shooting in the military forces (13). The association argued that the Paddington Rife Range should be maintained with modifications.

In contrast to this generally negative reception the Musketry Office considered that the formation of a new range at Randwick could have positive benefits. It was claimed that a new facility could be formed that would better accommodate the needs of both experienced and inexperienced men. The only concern expressed was that work should be hastened to make the site ready for the annual prize shoot (14).

By the middle of 1890 a firm decision had been made regarding Randwick as a site for a future range. In July the Musketry Office requested that a survey be made of the proposed site and that a sum of 4000 pounds be set aside as a first step in forming it. An additional 5000 pounds was to be placed on Estimates to provide for later improvements (15). A Board was formed in August to consider the specifics of targets to be erected on the site (16). By October, however, the Commander of the Military Forces was asking what steps had been taken to reserve land at Randwick for the purpose. By this time there was an urgency about the matter. It was stated that,

"it is highly important that no unnecessary delay occur as regards the settlement of this matter as the work connected with the formation of the range and the erection of the requisite buildings should be commenced at once so as to be completed for the approaching annual rifle meet" (17).

A request was made for the immediate preparation of plans for the site (18). By mid November, however, the work was still stalled; plans for the range had been approved by the Colonial Secretary (19) but a detailed survey was still required and dedication of the land for military purposes was delayed until the completion of this work (20). However, the Military Works Branch had established a small camp on the site by this month for the purpose of beginning construction of the range. It was claimed that they could could complete all works by the end of January 1891 if the other matters could be resolved quickly (21).

The lack of a completed survey was the principal issue. It was stated that "although the natural adaptability of the site for a range is apparent from the most casual visual inspection" the final parameters could only be determined by survey (22). Dedication for the purpose could not continue until this task was completed and the reason for its delay is unclear. However, what was to be encompassed within the range was made explicit. It was to provide for current and future public

Wendy Thorp Page 10

I I !I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


safety, for ordinary shooting, for field and experimental firing and field battery practice. As well, it was likely to be used for the annual Easter manoeuvres of the militia groups. By this time the Agent for the Church and School Lands had become more amenable; he claimed that his Department would offer no objection if the land was cleared and occupied before it was formally handed over to the Army (23).

The project continued to drag; in February 1891 requests were made to the Colonial Secretary to obtain 4000 pounds for the construction of the Rifle Range (24). This was after a request had been made in the previous month for an additional 2000 pounds to be made available for completing the mantlets and providing targets and form ing the roads of the new range. The moneys were to come from the Military Works Vote (25).

The problems appear to have all related to the remaining questionable legal status of the site. Apparently neither leased nor bought, in 1891 it was declared that occupation of the land was "to be on sufferance" there being legal objections to it being formally dedicated or otherwise alienated by Gazette Notice (26). By May 1891, however, it was reported by the officer responsible for the construction of the range that it was approaching completion as was "the range for cadets" (27).

Those responsible for form ing the range had to take into account several issues; the use of the land surrounding it (with the example of Paddington still clear in mind), the quality of the land being used and the accessibility of the site. The need to fence the site, with a six feet high ten strand barbed wire fence, provided the first opportunity to address these several issues. Some land was considered surplus and it was recommended that the Education Department sell several lots. This would allow for the completion of Rainbow Street and for measures to be taken to deal with sand dunes in the area. The recommendation that the Education Department deal with the surplus land demonstrates that ownership still rested with that department rather than the military authorities (28).

Areas that were found to be marshy were to be selectively fenced and the area that was to be enclosed would have to be capable of accommodating additional buildings. The position of future roads and a tramway connection also had to be taken into consideration (29).The latter was particularly important in the planning of the military authorities as members of volunteer or militia units would need to find their own way to the site.

It is clear that some shooting had commenced at the site during 1891 because, by November of that year, orders were given for the activity to cease until further improvements could be made to the range to increase its safety and its suitability for its purpose. The chief problems were considered to be that the targets were both inconvenient and not functioning properly, that the firing mounds were unsuitable and that the land enclosed was insufficient. It was recommended that the cadet range be removed, the targets moved, the range extended, the target

Wendy Thorp Page 11

I I I I I I I

1I

I I I I .1 I I I I I I I I


types changed, the firing mounds be changed and all the buildings that were necessary to the site be erected upon it (30).

Nothing had been done by May 1892. The Commanding Engineer then recommended as a measure to minimise the danger to locals when shooting recommenced that a further portion of land be included in the range. He concluded that an additional 2000 pounds was needed to implement most of the recommendations (31).

Specific documentation for the development of the site ceases between 1892 and 1898 but it is clear from references when it resumes that the range was actively used throughout that time, still on its uncertain legal basis. Certainly during this time a proposal were made to create a tram line running from Kensington Racecourse to the Rifle Range. The first proposal was rejected in 1892 because the Commissioners for the trams considered that the rifle range was in walking distance of the Coogee line. It was not until 1899 that approval was given for a tramline to connect to the rifle range. The steam powered tram service commenced operation in October 1900. The line was electrified soon after. Trams continued to run to this destination until the 1960s.

Measures finally were taken to formalise the legal standing of the site in 1898. In October of that year the Army was informed that Lots 334-340 of the Church and School Lands were to be reserved from public sale to ensure the integrity of the rifle range (32) which was to be used for musketry training (33). What this actually entailed was additional land, both to the north and the south of that already encompassed within the range, which was to be set aside pending determination of the final boundaries of the rifle range. It was to be included in the formally gazetted area of the range if it was considered necessary to its proper function (34). The final area comprised about 348 acres. It included several of the cancelled subdivisions. On 12 November 1898 the site was formally reserved for military purposes (35).

By 1-899 a similar situation to that which had forced the closure 0f the Paddington Rifle Range had arisen at Randwick. Numerous complaints were made by the residents living close by concerning the damage to their property caused by stray bullets escaping from the range. Bullets had been found in fences,water tanks and bush houses (36). The Army tried to minimise the gravity of the issue. It was claimed that the range had been in use for many years and over six million rounds of ammunition had been fired "without incident". The real issue for the Army, however, that Randwick afforded one of the few remaining places near Sydney for this activity and needed to be preserved for this reason;

"I understand that some 30,000 pounds have already been expended on the Rifle range and consequently, ceasing Musketry practice there seems out of the question the more so as there is no possible place near Sydney to obtain in lieu ... " (37).

WendyThorp Page 12



To address the problem barriers were erected around the range in 1900 and those barriers was constantly extended after that time. As well every twelve months the scrub was cleared off the terraces and men were employed all year round to keep the range in repair (38). The crisis was passed, temporarily, although in April 1899 pressure of another kind was brought to bear on the Army. Council wished to alienate some portion of the range for residential purposes. Again the military authorities noted the expense already spent on the range and the loss of capabilities if land was alienated from it (39). The requests were withdrawn at that time.

The involvement of Australian soldiers in overseas conflicts at the end of the nineteenth century introduced new demands on the rifle range. In May 1900 the Commander of the NSW Military Forces described his intention of using the site for the purpose of a military exercise and training ground. It was not proposed to erect buildings on the land at that time,

"it will be left to a large extent in its natural condition with the exception that perhaps certain portions may be cleared of scrub and turfed over for parade ground and camping purposes" (40).

It is possible that an undated estimate for works relates to this use. The work, which was to be carried out by labourers supplied by the Unemployed Labour Bureau, encompassed the construction of 6520 yards of paling fence and 660 yards of mounds in front of targets as well as 80 acres of clearing and, where required, the construction and levelling and building of mounds. There was also a provision for building a pavilion and cottages which might suggest a later date for the work. The estimate for the programme was 9000 pounds. There was also a requirement to repair some sheds (41). A survey plan of the site prepared in February 1900 shows only a very small number of targets in the north-western portion of the site and fencing to the south and north. There was no indication of any fencing beyond the targets to the west (42).

The question of the legal status of the land continued to be a problem. In 1900, following a proposal by the Army to formally dedicate all military reserves including that at Randwick for the purpose, those authorities were informed that they should trust the Minister for Lands to preserve all reserves for military purposes without the need for declaration. It was a statement, possibly, which would have increased fears rather than allied them (43).

As the new century progressed fears continued to be voiced for the safety of the surrounding residents. The problem had escalated because of the intensive use made of the rifle range. It was reported that at the end of the 1890s and early 1900s between five and six hundred men were shooting there every Saturday and the range was also open on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (44). Annually it was recorded that 750,000 to one million rounds were shot each year, on average, 764,266 rounds per annum (45).

WendyThorp Page 13



By October 1901 additional measures had been implemented to ensure greater safety. These included the construction of a wooden barrier twelve feet high which ran across a saddle at the rear of the targets (46). It was not enough to solve the problem and additional measures were suggested including increasing the width and height of embankments (47). However, due to the use of the site for practising the Lighthorsemen of the South African contingents, the range could not be altered in this fashion or closed which is what was desired by most of the residents (48). Complaints continued to flood in, for example, from a nearby house named Rose Cottage whose owner found bullets lodged in its wall (49).

In August 1901, in a report to the Department of External Affairs, it was claimed that the only way to improve the unsafe condition of the rifle range was for the Commonwealth Government to resume it and spend considerably more money on it than could be afforded by local authorities. It was estimated that this resumption would cost approximately 7-8000 pounds. To this end the site was inspected by several military authorities. At the same time a Board of Officers reported on the dangers of the site. These were estimated to arise principally from the result of ricochets coming from the range (50). Several cases were noted of the results of this danger. A Mr Stockdale complained that his horse had been injured in this way and another complainant stated that his house had been struck several times (51). Several legal actions were brought against the Army including one by a Mrs Evans in 1902 who sought compensation for damages caused by flying bullets. Originally awarded 1750 pounds this was finally reduced to two hundred pounds (52).

The recommendation arising from the inspection of the site was for more improvements to be made to the mantlets and firing mounds at a cost of 168 pounds. The Minister for Home Affairs wanted immediate action to be taken on these recommendations as this work would be less expensive than the cost of resumption (53). However the senior military personnel considered that this WOUld, at best, be a stop-gap measure and that there was no long-term alternative than to resume the land behind the targets for 7-8000 pounds. The real cost of this action, however, was thought to be closer to 20,000 pounds (54). The only immediate action though was the cessation of volley firing in this year.

With the formation of a Commonwealth Government in 1900 defence and defence sites became the responsibility of a Federal authority. It was a gradual process and part of the handover included an inspection and valuation of all military sites in the country. At that time Randwick Rifle Range, land and improvements, was valued at 41 ,240 pounds (55).

A detailed inventory of the site described its improvements as follows:

School of Musketry, Offices and Committee Room - Brick Building, tiled roof, with verandah all round.................................................................................. 1050-0-0 Magazine - Brick with tiled roof, enclosed by dwarf wall and iron fence... 577-10-0 Two shelter sheds, with latrines ........................................ :...................... 126-0-0 Latrine....................................................................................................... 42-0-0

Wendy Thorp Page 14

i I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


Testing Ammunition Store........................................................................ 42-0-0 Warrant Officer's Quarters - weatherboard, iron roof with picket fence.... 525-0-0 Office and Store Room - Corrugated Iron....................... ........... ................ 210-0-0 Large Store Shed, with concrete floor........................................................ 63-0-0 Pistol Shed.................................................................................................. 52-10-0 Caretaker's Quarters..................... .............................................................. 210-0-0 Target Shed ................................................................................................. 262-20-0 Canteen ........................................................................................................ 126-0-0 Caretakers Cottage at gate .......................................................................... 157 -10-0 Signal Mast. ................................................................................................. 31-10-0 Cost of .clearing and levelling land, forming mounds, excavating and building target pits, terracing hills at back, erecting screens on same and fencing in land ... 7003-10-0

Some changes to the site for the military were made as a matter of urgency during mid-1905 (56). In the same year the civilian rifle club requested that a former canteen be converted for use as a magazine. This was necessary because the range was then used by ninety separate rifle clubs in the metropolitan area. It was noted that the military forces had a magazine which was not available to the civilians; safe storage of shells was a growing problem (57).

A portion of land was added to the range in 1905 (58) but its full size was reduced in the following year (59). The situation appears to have remained in stasis for several years as both State and Commonwealth governments made claims on the land. In 1910 another area of a little over an acre was transferred back from the Commonwealth to the State (60). In the same year legal proceedings were initiated by the State of NSW with respect to the reservation of minerals on the site. This continued to delay the compulsory acquisition of the site by the Commonwealth, a move which had commenced prior to 1906 (61).

. Despite these issues a substantial programme of works was initiated at the School of Musketry during 1912-1913. This encompassed the reticulation of water to part of the site and gas to others, construction of a new target shed, machine gun shed arid repairs to almost all the buildings and facilities (62).

As the legal debate continued over the ownership and status of the range the development of the municipality around it led to some encroachments. A bore was sunk on the southern boundary of the range in 1912 in connection with a proposal by the Public Works Department of NSW to open a sandstone quarry (63). The move was opposed by the Department of Defence. A few years later, in 1915, Randwick Council requested the use of two acres at the corner of Storey Street and Broad Road as the site of a municipal depot. The condition of the land, which was described as practically a swamp, influenced the decision by the Army to allow the Council a lease for fifty years at a rate of ten pounds per annum (64). The extension of streets, as well, influenced the way in which the site was used; long range shooting next to the extension of Avoca Street, for example, had to be reconsidered because of the implications for overshooting a new pedestrian way (and the pedestrians 65).

Wendy Thorp Page 15

I ,I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


From this time the military use of the site began to assume precedence although civilian use continued to be an important aspect. However, as settlement around the site became more intensive the civilian use of the range came under greater criticism and cause for complaint. More incidents occured and from 1922 shooting was reduced to a range of 600 yards and under (66). Despite these restrictions the rifle range was in constant use; every one of the forty-eight targets was fully booked every Saturday (67).

More bullets found their way into nearby houses. One resident described "the menace to life which we endure while firing is going on this range". The final straw, however, was brought about by an inquiry into an incident whereby a 303 service bullet ricocheted into a fence of a house in Napper Street. The resident of the house described his living conditions and expressed his frustration with the excuses made to him;

"Flying bullets ripping overhead is a constant experience. This of course would be imagination and dangerless from a military point of view but this time we have an actual Lee-Enfield nickel bullet piercing a hardwood fence at the side of the cottage sticking in a third of its length at an angle of about 45 degrees" (68).

Anger was directed at the local Council which appeared to be impotent or unwilling to act. Demands were made to Council to provide some protection or,

"if you cannot do anything please accept my invitation to all, come and live down here yourselves and that will get you going ... come down here and get some of our excitement." (69).

An additional area of approximately nine acres was handed back to the State in 1923 (70) and some consideration was given during early 1924 to sell the site (71). By the end of the year, however, the decision had been made to close it for civilian use (72).

It was not a popular decision except with those living close to the range. It was claimed that the closure would cause hardship for those civilians wishing to continue their sport. Long Bay, for example, was already worked to capacity (73). The Council of the National Rifle Association was outraged by the decision and sent a strong representation to the Minister for Defence. It was even suggested that the Army were trying to stifle the civilian movement (74). Despite these protests the range closed permanently to civilian use.

WendyThorp Page 16


--------~---------------------------


SECTION 5.0 THE SMALL ARMS SCHOOL: ARMY USES

The Randwick Rifle Range had always been a military site; it was designed and partially built by military personnel and was paid for out of the defence budget. It was used to train contingents fighting abroad and the several improvements made to the site during the later years of the nineteenth and early years of the twentieth century were principally for military use. These were described in the Commonwealth assets report of 1903 as Offices and Committee Room for the School of Musketry, a brick-built Magazine, two shelter sheds with latrines, a Testing Ammunition Store, Warrant Officer's Quarters, office and store room, a large store shed, pistol shed, caretaker's quarters, target shed and canteen, caretaker's cottage at the gate, a signal mast and the various targets and earthworks (1).

By the early years of the twentieth century, however, it appears that some of the buildings had fallen out of use or into disrepair; the request by the civilian club to convert the former canteen for a magazine in 1905 suggests as much (2). Some improvements were made during 1912 to stabilise the situation. This work included reticulation of some services to a few of the buildings, the extension of one building to provide more accommodation and the erection of new sheds, for example, one for machine guns. General repairs were made to most of the buildings at the same time. Despite this remedial work the condition and quality of some of the buildings certainly left something to be desired by 1915.

These factors, along with changes in the organisation of the Army, no doubt influenced the decision to design and erect new buildings for the School of Musketry at Randwick. Specifications for the work were prepared in 1916. They encompassed the construction of several new buildings including mess rooms, a kitchen block, meat house, coal bin, covered ways between buildings, the addition of verandahs to some buildings, the introduction of water and gas and surface and sub-surface drainage. The new buildings were to be constructed from brick, with damp courses and were to have wooden floors (3). The focus of these new works was to be located in the north-western corner of the site.

These improvements appear to have sufficed for some time although several proposals were made in the following years for changes or additions to be made to the site including the construction of a drill hall during 1922 (4). There were even proposals to subdivide the site and the firm of Richardson and Wrench were retained to provide a valuation for this purpose. Their estimate, in 1923, was that the land was worth 551,000 pounds after subdivision while the cost of subdivision would be 168,000 pounds leaving a retail value of 175,000 pounds (5). After some consideration of this estimate during early 1924 (6) the decision had been made to close the rifle range for civilian purposes by the end of the year. From the first of December 1924 the range was closed for shooting with the exception of short range practice (thirty yards) by the Small Arms School (7).

Wendy Thorp Page 17



This hiatus allowed thought to be given to the future use of the site and its improvements. Consideration was given to the disposal of what surplus land might arise from the reuse of the site; the land was to be offered to the State at a mutually agreed price (8). Some of the existing buildings were to be redistributed and requests were made to hand over keys to the appropriate authorities with speed; "thieves are at work" (9).

As part of the change in direction for solely military purposes several of the existing buildings were to be converted or handed to the Small Arms School. For example, the magazine building was to be used to store explosives for the school and a locker shed was to be used as a drill hall (10). Stores were to be sent to Long Bay Rifle Range (11). A number of the sheds were demolished during 1925 (12) and many buildings were sent to Long Bay including shelter sheds, the testing shed, latrines, the range office, pistol sheds, workshops and several other structures (13).

An assessment was made of the remaining assets on the site at the end of 1925 as a means of determining what additional buildings and services were required by the Small Arms School and in what order of urgency. It was estimated that, as a basic figure, sixty students should be considered for accommodation and one hundred for seating in the lecture rooms (14). At that time the buildings then present on the site comprised the main school building (which was required for administrative purposes), the school store and two adjoining buildings which had recently been constructed from old materials, two wooden huts which were removed from Victoria Barracks and a kitchen. It was proposed to add to these old and generally poor buildings four separate married quarters, sleeping quarters, two mess rooms and ante-rooms, a kitchen, latrines, a lecture room, a recreation hall, six shelter sheds, a miniature rifle range and quarters for service staff. As well general improvements were to be made that included new roads, fencing and the extension of the electric lighting (15).

By mid 1926, however, little or nothing had been done to improve the site. In July another report prepared on the remaining assets described the condition of the buildings. The various quarters were crude huts often unlined and poorly ventilated and, in some cases, they were said to be unfit for human habitation. Services were inadequate and unhealthy. Generally it was said that the buildings could only be considered to be temporary and should be scrapped. An improved sewerage and drainage system was urgently required (16). In this year an agreement was reached between the Commonwealth and'State Governments whereby the Commonwealth agreed to transfer to the State 249 acres of the southern part of the property in exchange for an area of about 482 acres at Long Bay. This reduced the rifle range to its present area of about 200 acres.

In September 1927 approval was given by the Minister for Defence for the erection of officers' accommodation and kitchen facilities (17). Two schemes for the buildings were proposed and for each consideration was given to the cost of building in brick or wood. In both schemes construction in brick was estimated to cost approximately 13,000 pounds and building in wood approximately 11,500

WendyThorp Page 18



pounds. Brick-work was favoured and the scheme was to be initiated in phases (18).

During 1928 a number of specifications were prepared for the buildings that were to be erected for the new school. In June 1928 one was detailed for the erection and completion of a brick building (use unspecified) and the installation of water, gas, electric light and sewerage services (19). The work appears to relate to service buildings. Additional work, for the construction of "a cottage at the Tank Park", was prepared in April 1929 (20). In July 1929 another specification provided details for retiling the roof of the main building (21).

After these improvements were made the site appears to have operated without any major changes for several years. By the early 1930s, however, suggestions were made by the Premier that a portion of the site be handed over for local recreational purposes. The idea was met with great antipathy by the military; "the retention of the area is of primary importance to the training of both Permanent and Militia Units in the Sydney area and of instructors for the whole of the Australian Army" (22).

It was noted that it was the only reasonably large area belonging to the Commonwealth within two or three miles of Sydney in which troops could be trained from the Victoria Barracks and the many drill halls of Sydney. It was consistently used by the Small Arms School, the Tank Section of the Australian Tank Corps, the Royal Military College, the First Field cadre and a variety of militia units including Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Infantry, particularly on the week-ends. Most of the units had been stopped from using the numerous parks around Sydney which had been available to them in previous years. Nearly all these places had been covered with playing fields or leased to Clubs making it impossible to use them for drill practice. If the latter was decreased, it was argued, Metropolitan troops wou!d be severely set back in their training (23). The idea was abandoned but during the 1930s several easements were granted within the site. For example, in 1934, the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board was granted one for a drainage line (24).

Despite these threats to its existence and long term use, from the m id 1930s, the Small Arms School expanded its facilities at Randwick over the area of the former targets on the rifle range, possibly in anticipation of the large conflict that would soon engulf the world. These new works, generally completed during 1935-1936, encompassed the demolition of some older buildings and their replacement with a miniature rifle range (25), the extension of electric power (26), the construction of an experimental and testing gas chamber (27) and the erection of a live grenade emplacement and control post (28). The first plan of the site prepared after this work was completed, in 1938, shows all of the buildings to be grouped in the north-western corner of the site with the tramway embankment from Avoca Street entering just south of this group. Only the administration, tankadrome and gas chamber were isolated from this group (29).

Wendy Thorp Page 19

I I I I I I I

i I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I


Despite the money spent on the site for these purposes, within a few years serious consideration was being given to removing the Small Arms School to Liverpool as part of a centralisation of Army resources and training. It was noted, in 1938, that Randwick inevitably would have to move because of the expansion of the suburbs around it and, even at that time, the range was considered to be too small for some requirements such as light mortar practice. A move to Liverpool would provide more space particularly for explosives, arms and tactical training. It was concluded that Long Bay Rifle Range could be used for some field exercises. The principal concern to maintaining the site, from the Council's view point, appears to be that the undeveloped land provided a barrier to development between north and south Randwick (30).

It was concluded that, if the proposal was accepted, the site currently occupied by the majority of the army buildings, in the north-western corner of the site fronting Bundock Street, would be given over to a civilian drill hall (31).

The proposal went so far as to have a valuation of the site commissioned; this report concluded that the replacement value of buildings was approximately 39,380 pounds. The total area of the site was estimated at 201 acres of which the buildings occupied thirty-five acres (the latter was to be used as the site for the proposed new drill hall). 166 acres were available for disposal (32). Council, sensing some change in the air at this time in 1939, applied to the Military authorities for alienation of some of the land fronting Avoca Street for home building sites but the Army, still undecided about the move vetoed the proposal (33).

The matter was put on hold as war became more certain and the whole complexion of the site changed during the middle years of World War 11 as half of it was required for Naval Stores from 1943. At first a proposal was made to cede a portion of the School at the intersection of Holmes and Avoca Street for this purpose but this soon changed to the entire eastern portion. The loss of this land required some re-organisation of the services which were housed on the portion to be alienated from Army control. Apart from targets this involved the bomb range, gas chamber ( which had been adapted as a washroom in 1942), a workshop, hut and cottage (34). J

The removal of these buildings during 1944 caused some concern for the neighbours. In particular the demolition of the old gas chamber, a solid concrete building, was particularly troublesome. Elected to serve as a training exercise for the explosives squadron the problem was caused by the officer in charge who used "a pressure charge, rather excessive in size" (35). The concussion wave from the explosion caused minor damage in several nearby houses that included broken glass bowls, light shades and windows. Compensation ranged in value from ten shillings to twenty-one pounds (36).

Despite the area of Army operations contracting the facility was immensely active during the war as training became imperative. During 1943 a lecture hut and other training services were erected within the School (37) and the LT A.A. Wing of the

WendyThorp Page 20

I I I I I I I ,I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I


LHQ School of Artillery was moved to Randwick from Clarendon in the same year. This transfer necessitated the construction of more facilities including a Sergeants Mess and Sleeping Huts (38). Several storage buildings and facilities including a transmitter and workshop were built at the same time (39).

By 1944 14,630 pounds had been expended on improving the Small Arms School site as it then existed although now known as the Randwick LHQ School of Artillery; an additional 1995 pounds was intended to be spent (40). As well as new buildings the Army made use of existing buildings transferred from other camps. In particular several were transferred from the Clarendon racecourse which was then used as a camp. These buildings included mess buildings, sleeping huts, a store, meat house and ablution blocks. Their construction required some demolition of existing structures (41). More buildings were added during the later part of 1944 including another lecture hut in July, other timber framed buildings in September and by December the cost of additional accommodation had been estimated at a little over 3815 pounds (42).

After the war, however, numbers of the buildings erected for the Army were found to be surplus to their needs and many were disposed of, for example, three huts facing Bundock Street were removed in 1947 (43).

The Army continued in occupation of the site in the post-war years and, in the early 1980s, recovered some of the land lost to the Naval Stores during the 1940s. The Army Transport Squadron acquired a portion of the southern section of the site and were responsible for demolishing nine of the former stores buildings. In their place facilities for that Squadron have been constructed including vehicle compound areas and an office building.

WendyThorp Page 21



SECTION 6.0 THE NAVAL STORES

As the war in the Pacific became the principal arena of World War 11 during the 1940s Australia assumed a fundamental role as a supply and repair base for the several fleets that were engaged in the conflict. The Americans and British required large areas for supply depots and many of the depots around Sydney were either founded or significantly expanded at this time including the Newington Armament Depot, Rydalmere Naval Stores and Garden Island. Numerous race courses, parks and terminals such as Glebe Island were given over to war- time needs.

At the beginning of May 1943 requests were made from Command Head-Quarters in Melbourne for a site close to Sydney that was to be used for the construction of two naval stores of approximately 100,000 square feet each for the Royal Australian Navy and United States Marines (1). First preference for a new site was Harold Park, which was unavailable, then Kensington and Victoria Park Racecourses both of which were already occupied by the Army. The showground buildings were also considered but were unavailable at the time. Randwick Rifle Range was considered to be an adequate alternative (2). Later in that month it was confirmed that twenty acres at the Small Arms School could be used for this purpose. The site proposed was in the south-western corner of the site at the intersection of Holmes and Avoca Streets (3).

By early June the proposed area of the site had been expanded to fifty -four acres and requests were made for the urgent preparation of plans for the stores (4). Very soon after the site for the proposed store at Randwick was changed following a conference devoted to determining the needs of the new establishment. The decision to turn over half the site to this purpose was made in June 1943 and it was not without a small amount of friction on the part of the Army regarding its loss (5). Later correspondence suggested that the arrangement between the Army and Navy was one of war time expediency and was probably verbal; certainly there now remains no formal record of transfer.

The new site was described as the eastern portion of the range with the dividing line approximately half way across the site. The area was described as larger than previously intended and required the removal of several Army buildings including those of the bomb range, gas chamber, a workshop, hut and cottage (6). These were to be re-erected by the Navy at sites selected by Army if required to do so (7). The most outstanding feature of the land was the very large swamp that occupied the south-eastern corner of the portion (8).

Almost immediately a surveyor was dispatched to the site to determine levels for the proposed Naval Stores buildings. The survey continued throughout June and July 1943 and by January 1944 all was ready to erect the stores despite some aggravation caused by Council which claimed it required a plan of the works. Council was informed that the matter was one of National Security and plans could

Wendy Thorp Page 22

I I I I I I I I

:1 I I I I I I I I I I I I


not be forwarded for that reason (9). The original proposal was for thirteen stores of a standard igloo type. Later this figure was amended to twelve.

Almost immediately, in February 1944, changes were made to the originql scope of the project due to the altered needs of the United States Marines. In the original project eight storehouses were to be erected at Randwick for Naval Stores. Two of these were intended for the Royal Australian Navy and the six for use by the USM which in fact would use the buildings to hold stores intended for the Royal Navy. As a result of the reduction of American activities in Sydney the USM found that it could make storage available for the bulk of Royal Navy stores in two stores buildings (10).

Despite this change in logistics it was decided that the original programme of building should be continued and that three of the stores not then required by the USM could be taken over by the RAN. In doing so this would ease an increasingly critical problem whereby stores were housed all over Sydney in a variety of rented premises. This was was considered not only a poor economic proposition but one open to theft and vandalism. At that time the Navy used storage space in the Yellow Cab Building and Winns Ltd Building both at Darlinghurst, Abraham's Building at Alexandria, DalgeUys store at Woolloomoolo, the Yellow Express Building at Pyrmont, one of the Harbour Bridge pylons, two buildings at Ultimo, Carlton Stadium, the Marcus Clarke Building at Central, a store at Croydon and the Knock and Kirby Building in George Street (11).

A further consideration for maintaining the original building programme at Randwick was that of post-war needs. It was anticipated that the owners of the civilian buildings would require that space back after the war and the Navy would still need storage space. Randwick could provide this warehouse service.

In fact the programme was rapidly expanded; by August 1944 eighteen sheds had been built complete with guardhouses at the entrance, administration and amenity buildings. As well, by that time, a start had been made on erecting two brick inflammable stores each 90 x 112 feet in the south-western corner of the Navy site. At the same time the ground was being levelled on the eastern side for the erection of a parachute store, garage, tarmac etc (12).

By September 1944 surveyors were establishing levels for a series of new stores, numbered 19 to 28 (13) as well as four new flammable stores. This required the demolition of several Army buildings; the operation was managed by explosives teams from the Army. The estimate for the new work, which included site preparation, new roads and drainage was 102,000 pounds. Not included in the estimate was a need to include the sewerage of the site (14). It is clear from correspondence of the time that some consideration was given to an even greater expansion of the site to the west but the Army was adamant that no further land could be ceded to Navy from the Artillery School site (15).

Wendy Thorp Page 23

I I I I I I I

:1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I


The heavy use to which the site was almost immediately put created a serious problem; fire risk. A report on the hazards of the site noted the problems of accumulated trade wastes such as cardboard boxes, the overstacking of the stores with virtually no passages between them and the inadequacy of the existing fire system (16). When estimates were prepared for the second phase of building recommendations were made for improving the fire system for an additional sum of 33,500 pounds (17).

Despite these additions even more storage space was requested in November 1944 particularly for general stores, inflammable stores, victualling stores and a medical store (18) contingent upon the basing of the British Naval forces in Australia. Generally thirteen woolshed type storehouses were to be built; the situation had arisen from the fact that the Americans were no longer able to release surplus storage space as had been anticipated (19). Funding was to be supplied by the British Government.

The decision to choose Randwick as the site for these additional stores had been made on the basis of an inspection during September by a British Admiral who had come to the conclusion that the site was underutilised for stores (20). He was soon convinced otherwise although correspondence continued throughout December regarding the potential sites for medical and other stores (21).

During November 1944 a decision was endorsed in principal to provide twelve additional woolstore type stores and four brick stores at Randwick at a cost of 350,000 pounds. However, in February 1945, it was considered that the space available at Randwick was too limited for the project and it should be confined to six stores only with the remainder transferred to Bunnerong Park (22).

With the additional stores and the consequent increase in staff it became necessary to increase the number of amenities available to them. During March 1945 representations were made to the Allied Works Council for increased lavatory accommodation (23). In April it was estimated that nine new lavatory blocks would need to be constructed to provide for the 1125 personnel working there (24). The work was estimated to cost 4500 pounds. Later in the same year a large welfare block was required by staff at an estimated cost of 7500 pounds. This was to house a cafeteria. Industrial action was threatened if work on this building did not proceed (25). A muster station housing time clocks was built in July 1945 (26).

In the following month estimates were prepared for more works to expand the capacity of the stores. These included a parachute store, preserving store, vehicle shelter and parking and washing areas (27). The work also encompassed preparation of the site, new roads, services and fire systems. As well several of the existing buildings required partitions and No.13 shed required racks for the storage of oilskins (28). The major works of this programme were cancelled because of the extensive site preparation required; it was decided that no further construction should take place in that area (29) although the Public Works Department had already undertaken some site preparation to the value of 1051

Wendy Thorp Page 24

I I I I I I I

1I I I I I I I I I I I I I I


pounds (30). A plan prepared at the time shows the proposed location of these additional buildings had been to the north-west beside Stores 19-24 (31).

Throughout this same period some changes were made to those stores which had been built to make the system more efficient. In addition to those changes made in shed 13, for example, during November 1944 changes were made to stores 23 and 24 to enable the construction of offices, lavatories, a PA and telephone system (32). During January 1945 additional storage racks and pallets were introduced to the buildings (33).

As the war progressed greater demands were made on the stores and at times the space inside them was found to be inadequate; several references were made to stores arranged outside the buildings and covered with tarpaulins (34). At the same time the clients of those sheds changed several times as the USM required less space and, in October 1945, it was reported that the Royal Navy was leaving its seven stores. These were to be taken over by the Royal Australian Navy (35).

By the end of the war the Navy began to consider the future for its holding at Randwick. It noted that stores 7 - 10 had already been appropriated for an RAN Air store depot and would continue to be so for some time; the airforce had assumed a much greater importance during, particularly, the later years of the war and their needs for storage had increased at the same time (36). For several years after the conclusion of the war there was a considerable amount of jockeying between the Airforce and Navy in terms of distribution of space. The Royal Navy also continued to occupy some of the facility although there were moves to divest the British of their space so that the Air Arm could use it. At least one store was temporarily occupied by the Department of Commerce and Agriculture which was involved in the disposal of stores (37). The Royal Navy finally vacated the site in 1949 (38).

Space in fact was critical. In a memorandum of August 1947 it was noted that surplus stores were being sold by the Ministry for Munitions but it was a slow process and Randwick was still fully stocked (39). At the same time considerable pressure was being brought to bear to vacate all rented prem ises and concentrate all storage activities at Randwick (40) although a variety of stores including tobacco, clothing, blankets and footwear were being moved from Randwick to other stores (41). After the vacation of the stores by the Royal Navy in 1949 the space was reallocated between the Australian Navy, the Naval Air stores and several were provided for miscellaneous equipment and gunnery parts (42).

In the post-war years Randwick continued to serve as an important Naval facility and several buildings were added to the site to facilitate this use. A new office block was constructed being completed in November 1953 at a cost of 95722 pounds. It was built by Polden and Wilson Pty (43). Elsewhere improvements were made to the existing stores including the installation of sprinkler systems. This was particularly urgent after one, Number 11, had been partially destroyed by fire during 1953 (44).

Wendy Thorp Page 25



By this time Randwick had become the largest of the Naval Stores; others were located at Pyrmont, Rydalmere, Woolloomooloo, Leichhardt, Bunnerong and Garden Island. It was stated that "The Randwick depot is becoming the main Naval Stores Depot and as the Naval Authorities are satisfied with the locality .... administration costs will be cut if this site is further developed .... " (46). At that time the stores were used by Navy and the Naval Air Arm for storing timber, engineering equipment, armament stores, medical and dental stores and victualling and clothing (47). All stores were operating at capacity. The pressure was so great that consideration was given to expanding the site;

"If the pond be filled in, as it can from the nearby sand hills, there is space in the Randwick area for a further 800,000 square feet of floor space and already 100,000 square feet is ear marked for the Fleet Air Arm Stores" (48).

In 1961 -2 provision was made for the construction of a new office building to accommodate thirty-four staff for the machinery spares department (49). Several other buildings were added during the later 1960s and a few minor sheds in the 1970s.

In 1984 the Army Transport Squadron took over the southern portion of the site and by 1986 Stores 3,5,6,7,8,9, 10, 11 and 12 had been demolished and the area partially rebuilt for Army purposes. After that time, in the later part of the 1980s, Stores 1, 2 and 4 were qlso removed from the site.

T

Wendy Thorp Page 26


SECTION 7.0

SUPPLlMENTARY DOCUMENTATION

7.1 Endnotes to the Text

Section 2.0

1. Quoted in W. B. Lynch and F.A:Larcombe, Randwick 1859 -1959.,13-15.

2. NSW Calender and Post Office Directory 1832.

3. Survey of proposed rifle range 21 September 1887. SAONSW 4/965.1.

4. Request for land for Council depot 26 August 1915. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series A 2023/0 Item B223/257.

5. Report on Small Arms School Site 30 July, 1926. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/220.

6. Allied Works Council re. additional storage building 19 October, 1944. AWM File 124.

7. Report of site 23 May 1947, Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/310 Item 194311454 Part 1.

8. Memo Department of Interior re. sand mining 5 September, 1946. Ibid.

9. Request from MWSDB re. sand for graving dock. Ibid.

10. Memo re. sand mining 29 August, 1946. Ibid.

11. Memo from Department of Interior to Surveyor General 11 February, 1947. Ibid.

12. Memo Department of Interior 11 February, 1947. Ibid.

13. Instructions re. planting 23 May, 1943. Ibid.

14. Ibid.

15. Styles to Surveyors Department 21 January, 1948. Ibid.

16. Styles to Supply Officer 15 February, 1951. Ibid.

17. Contour Plan of Randwick Rifle Range NO. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3 Item PC 451 Part 1.


18. Conotur Plan of Part of Randwick Rifle Range 1943. Ibid.

19. Garden Island to Chief Property Officer 26 October, 1954. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3/0 Item PC 1943/1954 Part 1.

20. Allied Works Council re. additional storage building 19 October, 1944. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3/0 Item PC 1943/1954 Part 1. . 21. Memo re. planting. AWM File 124/5/21.

22. Memo of Eastern Military Command 14 September, 1950. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3/0 Item 1943/454 Part 1.

23. Request for forming bowling greens and tennis courts; Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3/0 Item PC 1949/889.

24. Relocation of northern boundary 25 February, 1955. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3/0 Item PC 1950/895.

25. Army to Department of Interior 18 April, 1950. Ibid.

26. Memo re. proposed married quarters 10 May, 1950. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3/0 Item PC 1947/816.

27. Survey Department to Property Officer 16 August, 1950. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/4/0.

28. CT Volume 9865 Folio 28.

Section 3.0

1. Memo of the Crown Solicitor 19 December 1905, Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 51759. Also SAONSW AO Map 6202.

2. District Surveyor to Principal Under Secretary 14 September 1887. SAONSW 4/965.1.

3. Gibbs and Shallard, The Illustrated Guide to Sydney 1882, 75.

4. Memo of the Crown Solicitor 19 December 1905, Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 51759

Section 4.0


1. M.C.Perry, Randwick and Long Bay Rifle Ranges.

2. Major General to Principal Under Secretary 23 July 1887. SAONSW 4/965.1.

3. Principal Under Secretary to Major General 27 August 1887. Ibid.

4. District Surveyor to Principal Under Secretary 14 September 1887. Ibid.

5. Memo District Surveyor 21 September 1887. Ibid.

6. Brownrigg to Under Secretary of Public Instruction 13 September 1887. Ibid.

7. District Surveyor to Principal Under Secretary 14 September 1887. Ibid.

8. Brownrigg to Acting Secretary of Public Instruction 12 October 1887. Ibid.

9. Ibid.

10. G. Newcombe to Principal Under Secretary 8 July 1889. Ibid.

11. Correspondence of NSW Rifle Assication 1890. Ibid.

12. Extract from General Order No. 103 27 May 1890. Ibid.

13. Correspondence of the Council of NSW Rifle Association 180. Ibid.

14. Enclosure Musketry Office 10 July 1890. Ibid.

15. Enclosure Musketry Office 31 July 1890. Ibid.

16. Correspondence of the Military Command 26 August 1890. Ibid.

17. Commanding Officer to Principal Under Secretary 3 October 1890. Ibid.

18. Memo. re planning for rifle range 10 October 1890. Ibid.

19. Correspondence of the Military Works Branch 1 November 1890. Ibid.

20. Ibid.

21. Ibid.

22. Ibid.

23. Ibid.

24. Correspondence of the Military Works Branch 3 February 1891. Ibid.

I i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

25. Correspondence of theMilitary Works Branch 3 January 1891. Ibid.

26. Correspondence of the Military Works Branch 3 February 1891. Ibid.

27. Memo Military Works Branch 7 May 1891. Ibid.

28. Correspondence of the Engineering Branch 21 March 1891. Ibid.

29. Ibid.

30. Report of the Military Works Branch 13 November 1891. Ibid.

31. Defence Secretary to Under Secretary 25 May 1892. Ibid.

32. Principal Under Secretary to Major General Commanding Military Forces 6 October 1898. Ibid.

33. Principal Under Secretary to Major General Commanding Military Forces 17 October 1898. Ibid.

34. Major General Commanding Military Forces 19 January 1899. Ibid.

35. Notice re. reservation of military land Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394 Item NL 21/1884.

36. Complaints correspondence Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394 Item 02/920.

3T Major General Commanding Military Forces to Principal Under Secretary 15 December 1899, Ibid. .

38. "Rifle Range Shooting Safe" Evening News (Randwick Historical Society Collection).

39. Memo re. alienation of land 30 April, 1899. SAONSW 4/965.1.

40. Major General Commanding NSW Military Forces to Principal Under Secretary. 3 May, 1900. Ibid.

41. Ibid .

.42. Plan of Randwick Rifle Range Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 1414687.

43. Department of Lands to Major General Commanding NSW Military Forces 18 April 1900. SAONSW 4/965.1


44. Evening News 14 September 1906 (Randwick Historical Society Collection).

45. Memo. re use of range. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 2111884.

46. Minute paper re improvements 31 October 1901. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394 Item 02/920.

47. Memo re improvements 22 January, 1900. Ibid.

48. Ibid.

49. Correspondence re complaints. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394 Item 02/1162.

50. Memo. from Department of Home Affairs 3 December, 1902. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394 Item NL 4/4687.

51. Ibid.

52. Letter from Minister of Defence 3 August 1905. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 2111884.

53. Memo. from Department of Home Affairs 3 December, 1902. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394 Item NL 4/4687.

54. Ibid.

55. Report of the Committee on State Properties Transferred to the Commonwealth, 12.

56. Minute Paper 5 December, 1905. Comm. Archives (Vic) Series B168 Item 1902/20 Part 4.

57. Military HQ to Secretary for Defence 5 May, 1905. Ibid.

58. Memo re land additions. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 151759.

59. Memo Crown Solicitor 12 April, 1906 Ibid.

60. Department of Home Affairs Papers 17 September 1924. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 2111884.

61. Correspondence Crown Solicitor 1 February 1911. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 151759.

62. Register of Requisitions Engineers Staff Office 1912-13.

I I I I I I I

i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

63. Department of Defence to Department Home Affairs 29 August 1912. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 12/2639.

64. Memo. re Council lease 26 August 1915. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series A20223/0 Item 223/57.

65. Department of Defence to Randwick Council 1 March 1915. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 15/759.

66. 2nd District Base to Department of Defence 18 November 1924. Comm. Archives Series SP 1008/1/0 Item 538/14/34.

67. Ibid.

68. Correspondence to Randwick Council 9 August 1924 Comm. Archives Series SP 1008/1/0 Item 538/14/34.

69. Ibid.

70. Department of Home Affairs Papers 17 September 1924. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 21/1884.

71. Land and Survey Branch 4 February 1924. Ibid.

72. Memo to Superintendant of Rifle Range 11 December, 1924. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/1/0 Item 538/14/34.

73. Memo. 2nd District to Department of Defence 24 November 1924. Ibid.

74. "Randwick Rifle Range Closed Today" News Cuttings (unnsourced) Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 21/1884.

Section 5.0

1. Report of the Committee State Properties Transferred to the Commonwealth New South Wales 1903

2. Secretary Department of Defence 5 May 1905. Comm Archives (Vic). Series B168 Item 192/20 Part 4.

3. Specification of Work: erection and completion of accommodation School of Musketry Randwick 1916. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 155/94 Item 6407.

4. Memo Works Branch 14 August 1922. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/1/0 Item 538/14/220.


5. Memo Surveyor General from Director of Works 11 July 1923. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item 623/1114.

6. Lands and Survey Branch 4 February, 1924. Ibid.

7. Memo re closure of range 9 December 1924. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/34.

8. Memo to Commonwealth Surveyor 30 May, 1925. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item A25/3321.

9. Memo Superintendent of rifle range 11 December 1924.Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/34.

10. Memo re re-use of buildings, 6 December 19124. Ibid.

11. Memo re surplus stores 9 December 1924. Ibid.

12. Note re. completion of works 16 May 1925. Ibid.

13. Memo re removal of buildings 13 January 1925. Ibid.

14. Memo re proposed works November 1925. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 394 Item 338/14/220.

15. Ibid.

16. Report on Randwick 30 July 1926. Ibid.

17. Secretary Department of Works to Secretary Department of Defence 23 September 1927. Ibid.

18. Memo Secretary Department of Defence 1927 Ibid.

19. Specification of work 1 June 1928. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 155/95.

20. Specification of work 16 April 1929. Ibid.

21. Specification of work 24 July 1929. Ibid.

22. Memo Secretary of the Military Board 15 June 1933. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/354. •

23. Ibid.

24. Commonwealth Gazette No. 32, 31 May 1934.


25. Specification of work 9 October 1935. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 155/95.

26. Specification of work 31 August 1936. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 155/102.



29. Small Arms School Randwick Plan Showing Existing Buildings 1938. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series 1008/1 Item 538/14/528.

30. Memo Randwick Council 1 April 1938. Ibid.

31. Memo Vacation of Randwick Military Training School 1938. Ibid.

32. Memo Secretary of the Military Board 4 April, 1938. Ibid.

33. Memo to Military Board 6 November, 1938. Ibid.

34. Memo Rear Admiral Commanding Naval Establishments 4 June 1943. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/633.

35. Memo re. demolition works 22 August 1944. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 459/1/0 Item 434/1/1365.

36. Memo from Crown Solicitor 13 October 1944. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 459/1/0 Item 434/1/1365.

37. Allied Works Council 21 October 1943 Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/633.

38. Department of Defence 14 October 1943. Ibid.

39. Accommodation for AASL Company - Proposed use of part of range for storage huts 1943. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3 Item 538/14/683.

40. Undated specification.Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/633.

41. File note Allied Works Council 24 March 1944. Ibid.

42. Additions to the School of Artillery Ibid.

43. Disposal of surplus stock 12 September 1947. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/4/1 Item PD 253.

I I I I I I I I I I~

I I I I I I I I I I I

Section 6.0

1. Project Officer Department of Interior 5 May, 1943. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/4/0 Item PD 253.

2. Note re. site of naval stores 11 May 1943. Ibid.

3. Memo Project Officer to Director Naval Works 13 May 1943. Ibid.

4. Telegram Allied Works Coupcil to Superintending Architect 10 June 1943. Ibid.

5. Correspondence re. HM Naval Establishments June 1943. AWM File 124.

6. Memo Rear Admiral Commanding HM Naval Establishments 4 June 1943. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/1/0 Item 538114/633.

7. Memo to General Officer Commanding 14 June 1943. Ibid.

8. Contour Plan Part of Randwick Rifle Range ND. Comm. Archives (NSV\f) Series SP 857/3 Item PC 451 Part 1.

9. Memo Property Officer to Surveyor General 25 January 1944. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/4/0 Item PD 253.

10. Minute Paper 7 February 1944. AWM File 124.

11. Ibid.

12. Report re. Fire Protection Bundock Stores 8 August 1944. Ibid.

13. Memo. re. New Stores 27 September 1944. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/4/0 Item PD 253.

14. Alied Works Council re. further stores 19 October 1944. AWM File 124.

15. Ibid.

16. Report re. Fire Protection Bundock Stores 8 August 1944. Ibid.

17. Allied Works Council re. further stores 19 October 1944. Ibid.

18. Minute Paper Department of Navy 23 November 1944. Comm. Archives (Vic) Series MP 1049/5 Item 2017/3/257.

19. Interim report urgent works requirements Randwick 6 Novemebr 1944. Ibid.

20. War Cabinet Agendas 20 Novemeber 194. AWM File 124.

'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

21. Memo re. sites for new stores 18 December 1944. Comm. Archives (Vic) Series MP 1049/5 Item 2017/3/257.

22. Board of Business Administration 20 February 1945. Ibid.

23. Memo Commander Australian Naval Board 31 March 1945. Ibid.

24. Minute Paper 10 April 1945. Ibid.

25. Memo re. proposed welfare block 20 June 1945. Ibid.

26. Minutes re additional buildings 4 July 1945. Ibid.

27. Estimate for new buildings 1945. Ibid.

28. Memo re stores 25 July 1945. Ibid.

29. Memo re stores 13 June 1945. Ibid.

30. Memo re. provision of parachute store January 1946. Ibid.

31. Naval Stores Depot Site Plan 1945. Ibid.

32. Memo re additional buildings 20 November 1944. AWM File 124.

33. Memo re storage racks 22 January 1945. Ibid.

34. Memo re. storage space 15 April 1946 AWM File 124/5/21.

35. Property Officer to Deputy Superintendant 22 October 1945. Comm. Archives (NSW) Series SP 8571410 Item PD 253.

36. Memo schedule RAN Stores 9 September 1947. AWM File 124/5/21.

37. Minute Paper Department of Navy 1 December 1947. Ibid.

38. Memo re vacation of site by RN 1949. Ibid.

39. Ibid.

40. Memo re rented premises 30 Apil 1946. Ibid.

41. Memo re allocation of stores December 1947. Ibid.

42. Allocation of stores 1940-50. Ibid.

43. Note re completion of new office block. Ibid.


7.2 Bibliography

7.2.1 Books, Reports

Report of the Committee State Properties Transferred to the Commonwealth New South Wales 1903

Chief Secretary's Office. 1903.

CMPS and F

Contamination Assessment Randwick Naval Stores Depot Phase I Historical Review and Work Plan

1995.

Gibbs, Shallard and Co.

The Illustrated Guide to Sydney. 1882.

Facs Edition Angus and Robertson 1981.

W. B. Lynch and F.A. Larcombe

Randwick 1859 - 1959

Council of the Municipality of Randwick. 1959.

Randwick Municipal Council

Randwick a Social History

University of NSW Press. 1989.

7.2.2 Manuscripts, Correspondence, Registers

M.C.Perry

Randwick and Long Bay Rifle Ranges

Unpublished MSS. Randwick Historical Society.

Randwick Rifle Range 1890-1901

Colonial Secretary Correspondence


SAONSW Col Sec Special Bundle 4/965.1

Randwick Rifle Range

Register of Requisitions Engineer Staff Office 1912 - 1913

Copy provided Randwick Historical Society.

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) SP 394/111tem 021920

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) SP 394/111tem 0211162

Commonwealth archives (NSW) SP 394/i1ltem NL 1414687

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) SP 394/111tem NL 2111884

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) SP 394/111tem NL 151759

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) SP 394/1 Item NL 1212639

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 459/1/0 Item 434/1/365

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series A2023/0 Item B223/1/257

Commonweath Archives (NSW) Series SP 155/94 Item 6407

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 155/95

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 155/102

Commonweatlh Archives (NSW) Series SP 155/94 Item 6407

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3/0 Item PC 19501918

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 85713/0 Item PC1950/895

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP857/3/0 Item PC 19471816

Commonweath Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/3/0 Item PC 194311454 Part 1

Comma.nweatlht Archives (NSW) Series SP 857/4/0 Item PD 253

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 100811/0 Item 538114/220

Commonweath Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/34

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP1008/1/0 Item 538/14/354

I I I il I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Cpmonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/1/0 Item 538114/528

Comonwealthg Archives (NSW) Series SP 1008/1/0 Item 538114/633

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 100811 Item 538/14/612

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item 623/1114

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 A25/3321

Comonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item 021920

Comonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item 0211162

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 151759

Commonweatlh Archives (NSW) Series SP 394/1 Item NL 1212639

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Series A2023/0 Item 8223/1/257

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) Specifications for Work Series SP 155195

Commonwealth Archives (NSW) PC 1950/1918

Commonwealth Archives (Victoria) 816811tem1902/20 Parts 4 and 5

Commonwealth Archives (Victoria) Series MP 104915 Item 2017/3/257

Register of Requisitions Engineer Staff Office HQ Melbourne 2nd Military District

(Copy held Randwick Histrocial Society).

AWM File 124/5/4

7.2.3 Land Record

L TO Primary Application 39805

L TO CT Volume 9865 Folio 28

L TO CT Volume 9958 Folio 126

7.2.4 News and Journal Articles

1I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

, "

"Rifle Range - Shooting Safe"

Evening News 14 September 1906

"Randwick Rifle Range: Closed From Today Danger of Ricochets"

(Unsourced news clippings Series SP 1008/110 Item 538/14/34

7.2.5 Maps and Plans

P1an Showing the Various Localities and works Referred to in the Report of the Special Water Committee on the Subject of Procuring a Permanent Supply of Water to the City of Sydney. 1852

SAONSW AO Map 6202.

Land Proposed for Rifle Range Purposes 1887

SAONSW Special Bundle 4/965.1

Plan of Rifle Range at Randwick 1900

Commonwealth Archives Series SP 394/1 Item NL 1414687.

Randwick NSW Plan Shewing Postion of Rifle Range 1907

Commonwealth Archives Series SP 394/1 Item N2 2111884.

rsmall Arms School Randwick Site Plan Showing Existing Buildings. 1938_

L£ommonwealth Archives Series SP 100811 Item 538/14/528.

Accommodation AASL Company HQ Randwick Rifle Range - Proposed Use of Part of old Rifle Range for Storage Huts 1943

Commonwealth Archives Series SP 857/3 Item 538/14/633

Contour Plan of Part of Randwick Rifle Range NO.

Commonwealth Archives Series SP 857/3 Item PC 451 Part 1.

Contours of Part of Randwick Rifle Range 1943

Commonwealth Archives SP 857/3 Item PC 451 Part 1


Naval Stores Depot Randwick Site Plan 1945

Commonwealth Archives (Victoria) Sries MP 104915 Item 2017131257

\ '

DaVince Tools Generated nswaol.library.usyd.edu.au/data/pdfs/13695_ID_Thorp1998... ·...

Documents

Transcript of DaVince Tools Generated nswaol.library.usyd.edu.au/data/pdfs/13695_ID_Thorp1998... ·...