Monday, 20 July 2026

1965: The end of Bebarfalds City Store

On August 31 1965, Bebarfalds closed its city store (at the corner of Park and George Streets, directly opposite Sydney Town Hall), which was located in what is now the Woolworths Building, home to Australia's busiest Woolworths Supermarket and a small-format BigW store. The closure was due to losses at its city store and the decision to concentrate on its profitable suburban and regional stores.

Bebarfalds to Close July 24 1965 SMH 4
Source: Anonymous. 1965. "Bebarfalds Ltd. to close city store on August 31". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 24: 4.  

The reason for its closure was increasing losses at the city store. Suburban stores traded under the Bebarfelds name until 1973, when they became part of Macy's Emporium Pty. Ltd. 

The current tenant (Woolworths) would lease the space shortly following Bebarfalds closure Woolworths would open its Town Hall store the following year. 2026 is sixty years of Woolworths at its present city location. 

Bebarfalds Closure September 3 1965 SMH 11

Source: Anonymous. 1965. "Mr Theo Kelly at Lovers' Corner". The Sydney Morning Herald, September 3: 11.

Saturday, 18 July 2026

Property Advert of the Week: 2 Ian Street, Rose Bay (2006)

Below is a 2006 newspaper advertisement promoting apartments for sale at 2 Ian Street, Rose Bay. The complex comprises only six units.

2 Ian Street Rose Bay Ad July 1 2006 SMH Domain 23A

Source: Joycrest. 2006. "2 ian street" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, July 1: 23A (Domain Apartments Liftout).

Monday, 13 July 2026

Remember This? Sydney Harbour Bridge Painter at Work (1961)

Around a decade before Paul Hogan posed for his famous photograph while at work as a Sydney Harbour Bridge Rigger, The Sunday Mirror captured this image of a harbour bridge painter at work.

Back in 1961, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was the tallest structure in Sydney at 134 metres which justifies the headline He's as high as he can go. The man in the photograph is Sam Scheffer, a painter who had been employed since 1959.

Harbour Bridge Painter September 17 1961 Daily Mirror 5
Source: Anonymous. 1961. "He's as high as he can go". The Sunday Mirror, September 17: 5. 

Saturday, 11 July 2026

Property Advert of the Week: Waterpoint, Shepherds Bay [Meadowbank] (2004)

Below is a 2004 newspaper advertisement promoting apartments for sale in the Waterpoint complex at Shepherds Bay (Meadowbank). It is directly opposite the Meadowbank Ferry Wharf, enabling residents an easy ferry commute into the city and a short walk to Meadowbank Railway Station.

Waterpoint Meadowbank Ad April 4 2004 Sunday Telegraph Homeowner 12


Source: Anonymous. 2004. "Waterfront Shepherds Bay" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, April 4: 12 (homeowner liftout).

Monday, 6 July 2026

Remember This? $1.25 Superpie and Hot Chips meal at Coles Restaurants (1981)

Coles Restaurants Ad August 31 1981 Daily Telegraph 27

Source: Coles. 1981. "Pie & Chips" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, August 31: 27. 

In 1981, Coles Restaurants were offering for $1.25 a Superpie and hot chips

According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, the offer would be equivalent to a person spending about $6.17 today. Fantastic offer.

For soft drinks, there was a special offer during the school holiday period: refills cost just 30 cents. It would be equivalent to spending $1.48 today, which, depending on your view, may be a good value for money or not worth it. Typically, if you want another drink at a fast food outlet or a fast casual restaurant, you would pay full price, e.g. a large drink at McDonald's costs $6.00.

Saturday, 4 July 2026

Property Advert of the Week: Cranebrook House and Land Packages (1987)

In 1987, Stockland Homes was offering 18 sites at Cranebrook with house-and-land packages from just $ 50,990. Only five lots remained for sale after the previous weekend, when they were released.

  Stockland Homes Ad April 3 1987 The Sun 60
Source: Stockland Homes. 1987. "House and Land from $50,900" (Advertisement). The Sun, April 3: 60.