Property Advert of the Week: Fairfield Land release (1977)

Below is a 1977 newspaper advertisement promoting a land release near Fairfield. Based on the map provided, the land release was in St Johns Park, near the Bonnyrigg Town Centre. Stocks and Holdings were advertising the lots on sale from $12,800, equivalent to around $90,000 today (RBA Inflation Calculator).

Source: Stocks and Holdings Projects. 1977. "Land for Sale: Fairfield" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, January 15: 53.

Technology Issues

You may be wondering why today there is no regular entry and why there wasn't one last Monday.

Unfortunately, I have had issues with my Desktop PC at home, which have affected my access to the folders where I keep my collection of newspaper clippings.

It has meant that I have had to back up the hard drive that hosts the collection and troubleshoot the issue, which has also led me to restore the PC to its factory settings.  

Fortunately, nothing was lost, as I always back up my data and files. 

It has meant that I have been unable to produce new entries or do any editing work on my PC related to the clippings themselves. For example, I tried to save a clipping, but it caused the computer to crash while writing to the drive hosting the files. 

I do not know how long it will take to have everything back to normal, but I will need time to set up my PC and have the backup systems fully in place before I resume.

This doesn't affect Property Advert of the Week, as I have organised the material over time into a gallery that I can access at any time. That will continue as usual. Tune in each Saturday for that.

In the meantime, feel free to explore the blog; there are 12.5 years of entries that should keep you occupied for a while. 

Property Advert of the Week: St John's Wood, Gordon (1992)

Below is a 1992 newspaper advertisement promoting "St John's Wood" at Gordon. The development comprised townhouses and apartments. In addition, residents received 24-hour security, and facilities including a swimming pool, tennis courts and a clubhouse.

Source: Australian Housing & Land. 1992 "St John's Wood" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, December 5: 83. 

Property Advert of the Week: Windsor Country Village (1988)

Below is a 1988 newspaper advertisement for Windsor Country Village at Vineyard. Villas were on offer from just $49,950. It is not explicitly stated but the village itself is a retirement village catering to those over fifty-five. On their website, indicative prices for villas start at around $260,000 today. 

 

Source: Windsor Country Village. 1988. "Windsor Country Village" (Advertisement). The Daily Mirror, August 26: 71. 

MILESTONE: Westfield Burwood turns 60 – More from its 1966 opening

Sourced from: Anon. 1966. "Keynote is functional elegance". The Sydney Morning Herald, October 11: 21. Aerial photograph; photographer uncredited.

Westfield Burwood celebrates its 60th anniversary on 11 October 2026. Ten years ago, we explored the opening of the shopping centre in 1966. To mark this milestone, we're taking another look at its opening and sharing additional newspaper articles and advertisements from the time that have not previously been featured on this blog.

Official Opening

Source: Anon. 1966. "Shopping Town Open". The Daily Telegraph, October 11: 7. 

NSW Premier Robert Askin performed the official opening on 10 October 1966 in a private ceremony inside the shopping centre attended by 1000 people in evening dress.

Source: Anon. 1966. "Gowns Modelled at  Opening". The Sydney Morning Herald, October 11: 5. 

Farmers Advertisements

Below are three newspaper advertisements from Farmers that were not featured in the 2016 entry.

Source: Farmer's. 1966. "Farmer's Comes to Burwood with a New Concept in Service, Comfort and Variety" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, October 11: 23.

Source: Farmer's. 1966. "Tomorrow...All Sydney Will Join In" (Advertisement). The Sun, October 10: 15.

Source: Farmer's. 1966. "Ten Day Celebrations to Introduce Our Beautiful New Store at Burwood" (Advertisement). The Sun, October 10: 16–17.

Construction Feature

Below is a feature article from The Sydney Morning Herald, published on 7 June 1966, as construction of the centre was progressing towards opening.

Source: Anon. 1966. "Burwood $8m drive-in centre well advanced". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 7: 14.

And finally, a leasing advertisement that was published in The Sydney Morning Herald on 7 June 1966.

Source: Westfield Development Corporation. 1966. "Westfield Development Corporation Has Plans for You" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 7: 14.

Related Entries

• MILESTONE: Westfield Burwood opens (1966) - The original 2016 entry that looks at the opening of the centre, including key facts.
• 1964: Westfield Burwood Plans released 
• 2000: Westfield Burwood Redevelopment

Property Advert of the Week: Macquarie Green, Macquarie Park (1974)

Below is a 1974 newspaper advertisement promoting the Macquarie Green development at Macquarie Park (advertised as Ryde at the time). The estate comprising of cottages, townhouses and apartments was marked by Hooker Home Units.

 

Source: Hooker Home Units. 1974."Macquarie Green" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, May 29: 31. 

1988: Pymble Interchange opens

The original proposal for the Pymble Interchange. Full Citation below.

The Pymble Interchange is the intersection of the Pacific Highway with Mona Vale and Ryde Roads at Pymble. Mona Vale Road and Ryde Road intersect beneath a short road tunnel that carries the Pacific Highway above. It was completed in 1988. 

Prior to 1988, it was a typical intersection, but by the early 1970's it had created traffic problems for North Shore motorists.

The intersection of the Pacific Highway, Ryde Road and Mona Vale Road in 1973. Full Citiation below.

In 1973, the NSW Government proposed a three-level interchange. The first level would carry traffic for Mona Vale Road and Ryde Road. The second level would serve as on- and off-ramps for traffic approaching or exiting the Pacific Highway, and the Pacific Highway would be raised to form the third level. Under the scheme, through traffic on the Pacific Highway would be signal-free as they cross the intersection. 

The rail bridge crossing Mona Vale Road, which carries the North Shore Railway line, had to be realigned and shifted eastwards to accommodate the interchange. 

Source: Anonymous. 1973. "Plans for first 3-level interchange in Sydney". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 4: 3. 

The interchange was not completed until 1988. It was opened to traffic on December 21 1988. 

Source: Silverman, N. 1988. "$21m present for motorists". The Daily Mirror, December 20: 7. 

The same article also described an earlier scheme in which an overpass would carry through traffic on the Pacific Highway, as in the original 1973 scheme, but traffic signals would be placed to manage traffic entering or exiting the Pacific Highway at the same level as Mona Vale Road and Ryde Road. I've enlarged it for your viewing.

Property Advert of the Week: Hallmark Estates, Leumeah (1960)

Below is a 1960 newspaper advertisement for Hallmark Estates at Leumeah. Blocks of land were available for £600 ($1200), which is equivalent to just $13 000 in today's money (RBA Inflation Calculator). There was a home display village on-site as well, centred on Homann Avenue.

 

Source: Stewardson, Stubbs & Collett Pty. Ltd. 1960. "Hallmark Estates Leumeah" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, August 6: 53. 

1995: Challenging times at Darling Harbour

Source: Skelsey, M. 1995. "Yesterday's darling". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 6: 11. 

For over a decade, Darling Harbour has undergone a redevelopment phase. Precinct by Precinct, dating as far back as 1983, have been demolished and rebuilt.

Some precincts, such as Tumbalong Park, have had their own upgrades to reflect the changes occurring around them. 

Renovations, redevelopments and construction can take their toll on any precinct, while the work has occurred. I have had to adjust to the fact that at present there is one precinct undergoing work on any visit. This may keep visitors away and lead to a downturn in business trade, but Darling Harbour has shown resilience. Many still trek there on a weekend. 

In 2026, the focus is on the site of the former Harbourside Shopping Centre. It closed early in 2023 to make way for a new retail complex and, rising above it, a luxury apartment tower. It is due to be completed next year.

In 1995, The Daily Telegraph Mirror reported that Darling Harbour was undergoing a slump and the Harbourside Shopping Centre was struggling most. 

It is not surprising that the centre had struggled throughout its first incarnation. Apart from the restaurants that lined the space facing the waterfront, the general retail space did not offer anything that could make it stand out. There were tacky souvenir stores selling overpriced items, some chain fashion stores, and even lolly shops selling overpriced lollies that could be found cheaper elsewhere.

Just before its closure in 2023, it even had a convenience store selling overpriced USA candies, drinks, and snacks. 

Harbourside was also fortunate to be the only retail centre that could trade every night until late, and that was still not enough to pull them in.

The broader precinct at the time was also under scrutiny, though the IMAX theatre opened the following year. Cockle Bay Wharf on the opposite side of Cockle Bay was opened in 1998. Sega World opened in 1997, but closed in 2000, with the space remaining dormant until demolished in 2008 for the Darling Quarter complex. 

At the time of the article (1995), Ron Finlay, who was a former member of the Darling Harbour Authority Board, felt that Darling Harbour needed to evolve to continue attracting visitors.

Fast forward three decades, and those redevelopment works, renovation and construction work. That represents evolution and fulfils Finlay's concerns. 

There has been controversy, especially the demolition of the Sydney Entertainment Centre and the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre. Both were combined to form the International Convention Centre on the Exhibition and Convention Centre site.

The redevelopment of the Exhibition and Convention Centre Site was necessary because it had become a victim of its own success. Over the years, Sydney had gained a reputation globally for hosting exhibitions and conventions, and they were popular in themselves for hosting major events. The NSW Coalition Government (2011-2023) wanted to maintain the competitive edge and ensure that Sydney's Exhibition and Convention Centre could continue hosting major global events. Architecturally, they were fine examples of 1980s architecture in Sydney, but consider that in the 1980s, no one foresaw the success that they would experience. 

Darling Square, which was built on the former Sydney Entertainment Centre site, has been a success, notably for its dining and public spaces, while also acting as a residential neighbourhood within central Sydney. It enabled Darling Harbour to become a place that could call home, and not merely be a place to just visit. Pre-development, it was seen that the area surrounding the Entertainment Centre was an underutilised area, except when concerts and events were on, and that mixed-use development (residential and commercial) and then mixed with dining, public spaces and even a public library could allow the area to have activity at all hours of the day. This was used to justify the redevelopment.

The redevelopment of the Harbourside Shopping Centre is part of the evolution. It was overdue for redevelopment at any scale. The restaurants lining the waterfront will return, and hopefully a retail offering that caters to locals and visitors. It will also need to cater for the office workers who will work above the complex and those who will reside in the apartment tower rising above it. 

Its challenge, though, is how to stand out from other city retail complexes. Do extended trading hours provide that answer, as with the original centre? Should it be more neighbourhood based? Does focusing on dining (its strong point in the original centre) and specialising in it make it the focus? Do the tacky souvenir stores and fast food chains have their place or belong elsewhere?

Property Advert of the Week: Oakdale Estate, Old Toongabbie (1965)

Below is a 1965 newspaper advertisement promoting the Oakdale Estate at Old Toongabbie. The estate, located along Old Windsor Road near Fitzwilliam Road, offered house-and-land packages from £4850 ($9700). According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this was equivalent to spending around $165,150 today.  

Source: G. L. H. Young Pty. Ltd. 1965. "Brand New Homes" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 5: 28.

2003: World Tower Tour

In November 2003, I had the opportunity to go on a tour of World Tower organised for members of the Ozscrapers Forum. At the time, it was moderated by Richard Braddish (Model Maker, City of Sydney Council), who was able to organise it for the Sydney-based members at the time. 

World Tower was still under construction at the time, with the tower topped out, but residents in the "Low Rise" section could start moving in.

For this entry, it should be noted that floor numbers are not a true indication of how high above the ground a location is. The ground floor in World Tower is level 10. Level 76 in reality is 66 levels above ground. 

Below are some photos from level 76, which was still under construction at the time. The top third of the building (including level 76) was originally destined to be sold as private apartments at a then-to-be-determined time, but functions as serviced apartments under the Meriton Suites brand. The Two-Bedroom Horizon Suite and Three-Bedroom Penthouses are on this floor.

At the time of completion in 2004, it was not just the tallest skyscraper (to roof) in Sydney at 230 metres; it was also the tallest residential tower in Sydney, Australia, and the Southern Hemisphere. 

The records it held at the time are gone. Crown Towers (271 metres tall) is the tallest tower in Sydney World Tower is currently the fourth tallest apartment tower in Sydney, behind Towers 1 and 2 of One Sydney Harbour (247 and 230 metres respectively) and the Greenland Sydney Centre at 237 metres. Australia 108 in Melbourne is the tallest residential tower in Australia, at 317 metres, with 100 levels. 

We were also shown one of the apartments in the "Low Rise" section. 

Some of the facilities available to residents include a virtual golf driving range, cinema, gym and swimming pool.

Property Advert of the Week: Aspect Apartments Sydney (2002)

Below is a 2002 newspaper advertisement promoting Aspect, located in Cunningham Street in the city (adjacent to World Square). Apartments ranged from $295 000 to just under $1.1 million for three bedroom apartments.

Source: Jones Lang LaSalle. 2002. "Aspect: A smarter way of living". The Sunday Telegraph, October 27: 9 (Homeowner Liftout).

1986: Parramatta Stadium opened by Queen Elizabeth II

Above: The official opening of Parramatta Stadium on March 5, 1986. Full citation below.

 

The former Parramatta Stadium (1986-2016) was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on March 5 1986. 

It replaced Cumberland Oval, which by the early 1980's became run-down, and in 1981 the grandstand was burned to the ground as Parramatta fans celebrated their first NSWRL Premiership on September 27, 1981. 

Source: Jones, M. 1986. "35,000 Royalists: The Queen packs 'em in at Parramatta". The Daily Telegraph, March 6: 5. 

As for the opening itself, a crowd estimated at up to 35 000 gathered at the stadium. 

The Queen was accompanied by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. The Premier of NSW, Neville Wran and Federal Sports Minister (and local Federal Member) John Brown were among the political dignitaries present.

Source: Andrews, M. 1986. "But, says Sterling, little has changed:. The Daily Telegraph, March 17:2. 

The first event held at the stadium was a NSWRL (now NRL) round 2 fixture between Parramatta and St George on March 16, 1986. This featured a special pre-game ceremony. Below is a video containing highlights of the game and the pre-match ceremony, posted on the NRL's YouTube Channel. There are clippings at the start, with an overview of construction and the official opening by the Queen.  

Parramatta defeated the 1985 Grand Finalists 36-6. 

This year also marks 10 years since the stadium was closed, demolished, and rebuilt as Western Sydney Stadium. Its last event was on August 29 2016, when Parramatta and St George-Illawarra (originally St George) played in Round 25 of the regular season. These were the same teams who had played the first sporting fixture on the ground three decades earlier. Parramatta, as they did in 1986, beat St George-Illawarra 30-18.

Property Advert of the Week: Hamden Developments Ad (1973)

Below is a 1973 newspaper advertisement by Hamden Developments promoting various villa and apartment developments at Bexley, Campsie, Dee Why, Lakemba and Queenscliff.

Source: Hamden Developments Pty. Ltd. "Purchase same as rent" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, February 17: 48. 

Apartments could be sought for as $16 950 at Campsie, equivalent to around $201 200 today (RBA Inflation Calculator).

1987: Sydney Regional Centres Feature

Source: Pelly, M. 1987. "Suburbs that spawn cities within a city". The Daily Telegraph, August 1: 20. 

The Daily Telegraph in 1987 published a feature report on commercial development in three Sydney regional centres - Bondi Junction, Chatswood and Parramatta. The 1980s saw a boom in office development in these centres, already well established due to public transport (including being located on major rail lines), and also acting as established retail and entertainment centres. 

If we fast forward four decades, Parramatta has made the most progress. Even in the 1980s, it was a major growth centre and continues to be so. It is Sydney's Second Central Business District (CBD) and planning guidelines now allow development in central Parramatta to be treated as if it were being done in central Sydney.  Under the planning blueprint - The Sydney Plan (2018), Parramatta is regarded as one of three metropolises within Greater Sydney, alongside the Sydney CBD and Bradfield. Major skyscrapers that one would normally find in Sydney's CBD have made their presence felt. The tallest tower is the 225 metre/57 storey 6 & 8 Parramatta Square.

High-rise development continued into the 1990s for Bondi Junction and Chatswood, but the decade saw greater emphasis on residential towers, and both also continued to evolve as retail centres. 

Westfield expanded their retail complexes in both centres. The redevelopment of Westfield Bondi Junction (incorporating Bondi Junction Plaza, Carousel and the Grace Bros site) in the early 2000's into a single retail complex would make it a flagship centre for the Westfield Group upon completion in 2004. This cemented Bondi Junction as a retail destination for the Eastern Suburbs, attracting luxury labels from Double Bay or Oxford Street, Paddington. 

Chatswood has benefited from the construction of the Metro North West, City and Bankstown Line and its predecessor Epping-Chatswood Rail Line. This has opened up access to those at North Ryde and North West and, in late 2026, Bankstown. 

The Metro West Line (Hunter Street, City to Westmead) will provide those travelling between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD with a faster service, relieving the existing T1 Western Line when completed in 2032. Major towers are planned for the blocks located directly above the proposed Parramatta Metro Station and will be easily connected to existing Light Rail and heavy rail lines. 

Property Advert of the Week: Elm Place, Woolooware home sales (1964)

Below is a 1964 newspaper advertisement promoting the sale of three homes located in Elm Place, Woolooware. Two of the three houses featured in the advertisement can be confirmed as still standing six decades later. The one on the left of the image is 21 Elm Place, while the house at the bottom is 19 Elm Place. 

 

Source: L.J. Hooker. 1964. "Cronulla: 3 new brick veneer homes open for inspection". The Sun, June 5: 63.

The homes were on sale from £8300 ($16 600), which would equate to approximately $235, 500 in today's money (RBA Inflation Calculator). 

1981: A long wait for the call from the AMP's minaret (Newspaper feature)

Sydney Tower is just weeks away from celebrating its 45th Birthday, but this 1981 newspaper feature focused on delays in its opening. 

It was not meant to open in September 1981, but plans had it opening early that year, except that it was too windy and rainy to warrant an opening. July was also considered as an opening date. 

For retailers in Centrepoint, it was frustrating that they wanted the tower to open as soon as possible to lure tourists to their shops, but they were still optimistic. Sydney Tower would open, and the hordes would come.

Fast forward 45 years, ownership has changed hands. AMP sold the centre and tower to Westfield in 2001, and it was rebranded as Westfield Centrepoint. In 2009, a major redevelopment project merged Westfield Centrepoint, Imperial Arcade and Skygarden into one retail complex. Westfield also acquired Sydney Central Plaza in 2003 and, in recent years, under the Scentre Group, purchased the former David Jones Market Street store, which is now a mixed-use retail, commercial, and residential complex, to expand its footprint in central Sydney. 

Westfield Sydney is regarded as a flagship retail complex within the Scentre Group and has been highly successful in attracting major labels and luxury brands into the centre. A total of 269 retailers trade in the complex

And, as in 1981, the overwhelming majority still have to reach the entrance to Sydney Tower through the centre and navigate the escalators and shops en route. 

Source: Lawson, L 1981. "A long wait for the call from the AMP's minaret". The Sydney Morning Herald, February 28:42. 

Property Advert of the Week: Horningsea Park (2000)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 2000 promoting a land release at Horningsea Park. The suburb is located between Hoxton Park and Edmondson Park.

 

Source: Anonymous. 2000. "Land Release Horningsea Park". The Daily Telegraph, October 28: 21. 

1969: Grace Bros Roselands Fire

Myer at Roselands Shopping Centre was meant to close in July, but will remain in the shopping centre until January next year, when its lease concludes. By its closure, it would have traded for 61 years, opening originally as Grace Bros, before rebranding in 2004 (alongside all Grace Bros Stores). Grace Bros was also the original owner of the centre.

During its decades of trade, its lowest moment was on June 13 1969, when a fire broke out at the store, estimated at $3 million. The top floor of the department store and roof caught fire. The roof also collapsed. There was water and smoke damage to the rest of the store and the shopping centre itself.

The fire began around 4:15 pm and was likely triggered by an electrical fault in the switchbaord.

Above: Coverage from The Daily Telegraph, June 14, 1969.

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "Roselands store wrecked by fire". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 14: 1 & 9. 

"The smaller shops on the lower floors" (The Sun, June 14 1969) were reported to have reopened the next day, while Grace Bros was able to resume trading exactly one week after, even if it was a partial reopening.

Source: Davis, G. 1969. Sprinklers off as fire raged. The Sun, June 14: 2. 

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "Back to Business". The Daily Telegraph, June 17: 3

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader (June 18 1969) also featured good coverage of the fire along with photographs.