Remember This? Sydney's "Golden Mile" for car dealers (1969)

In 1969, car dealers along the Princes Highway from Arncliffe down to Rockdale were boasting of being Sydney's "Golden Mile" or "Auto Alley". claiming they had an even more diverse range of cars on offer to buyers. This stretch is not as prominent as it once was, as car dealers have gravitated down the highway to Kirrawee.

The advertisement below was published in The Daily Mirror on December 19, 1969 (page 8). 

Property Advert of the Week: Eastlakes Townhouses (1966)

Below is a Parkes Developments newspaper advertisement to promote the sale of three and four bedroom townhouses at Eastlakes dating from 1966.

The map doesn't show the exact location clearly, but based on  Google Maps, I believe it is 20 Evans Avenue, Eastlakes that is featured as the site contains Townhouses and a Swimming pool. 

Source: Parkes Developments. Pty. Ltd. 1966. "Step Up Now" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, April 9: 33.

You may wish to see other newspaper advertisements relating to the sales of properties in Eastlakes by Parkes Developments.

Property Advert of the Week: The Gables, Mascot (1995)

Below is a 1995 newspaper advertisement for The Gables in Mascot.

 

Source: Ray White & Raine & Horne. 1995. ""The Gables" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 24: 86.

Property Advert of the Week: Plaza Apartments Rockdale (1998)

Below is a 1998 newspaper advertisement promoting apartments in Tower A of the Plaza Apartments Complex at Rockdale. It is part of a three tower development that was built in the late 1990's. Residents are located above Rockdale Plaza Shopping Centre and is one of the very first shopping centre developments to incorporate highrise towers above the retail complex.

Source: Colliers Jardine & Richard Ellis. 1998. "Life's on Display: Plaza Apartments" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald. June 11: 33RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

Property Advert of the Week: Eastlakes (1965)

I have posted two entries featuring advertisements for homes and apartments at Eastlakes, but recently unearthed this one from 1965.

Source: Parkes Developments Pty. Ltd. 1965. "New Home Units Open for Inspection" The Sun Herald, December 19: 23.

Remember This? Gerry Harvey returns to Arncliffe (1992)

In 1961, Gerry Harvey and his business partner Ian Norman opened an electrical and furniture store on the Princes Highway at Arncliffe that would evolve into the now defunct Norman Ross Discounts.

Through Norman Ross, Harvey remained connected with the Arncliffe Store until he was sacked in 1982 following its takeover from Bond-Waltons.

His sacking led to him starting a new chain of electrical and furniture stores - Harvey Norman and evolved to become one of the biggest retailers in Australia.

In 1992, Norman Ross collapsed. For Harvey it presented an opportunity to acquire some of the former Norman Ross stores and convert them into Harvey Norman stores including Arncliffe.

For Harvey, it meant that the site that began his career in retailing was back in his hands and could reconnect with the people of the St George region that he had served for decades. It was also where he would experiment with extended trading hours on Saturdays and Sundays. He identified loopholes in legislation and risked prosecution for breaching trading laws.  However, he would set a precedent for the trading hours that shape shopping in 21st Century Sydney.

Harvey Norman would trade at Arncliffe for several years before it was closed (along with their Westfield Miranda store) when a new store at Caringbah opened.

Below is an advertisement for Harvey Norman at Arncliffe as published in the March 26, 1992 edition of The St George and Sutherland Leader.

Remember this?: AMOCO Petrol Station at Sans Souci opens (1962)

Remember This? is back for the Summer.

The corner of Rocky Point Road and Russell Street in Sans Souci is occupied by a BP Petrol Station. Its origins date back to 1962 when it opened as an AMOCO petrol station. Below is a full page advertisement to promote its opening.

Source: Anon. 1962. "Untitled" (Advertisement). The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, November 7: 8.

For the next two weeks, we will publish on Tuesday with Christmas Eve and New Years' Eve falling on those days. You will be able to find out how Sydney marked Christmas in 1994 and welcomed in 1995.

1974: Ansett Terminal Upgrade Advertisement

I've decided to turn last weeks entry on Miranda Fair/Westfield Miranda into a series on Westfield as it motivated me to go a "little further" into the evolution of the shopping centre.

In the mid 1970's, Ansett Airlines undertook an upgrade of their terminal (now T2). In 1974, they published a two page spread in The Daily Telegraph to inform travelers of the construction. The scan below is from the edition published on September 2.

The upgrades made it possible for a person to be dropped off in the carpark and go to the gate without venturing outdoors through using a skybridge linked in the carpark. All gates would have aerobridges and facilities would use the latest technology.

Property Advert of the Week: Parkes Home Units at Eastlakes (1966)

Below is a 1966 advertisement for home units at Eastlakes. These were built by Parkes Developments. The 4750 pounds would equate to $9 500. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, the price of the units would cost approximately $122 500 in today's money.

While decimal currency had been introduced around three weeks before publication of the advertisement, prices were still advertised in pounds.

Source: Parkes Developments. 1966. "Anyone can afford a Parkes home unit" (advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, March 5: 31. 

1990: Highrise apartment scheme for the Hotel Sans Souci (Mick Moylan's) site - Sans Souci

I have developed an interest of the former Hotel Sans Souci which was owned by Mick Moylan and the former Prince of Wales Hotel.

Karen Pentland wrote The Pub on the Point for the 2013 Ron Rathbone History Prize organised by the former Rockdale City Council. It is recommended and contains some great oral accounts, especially from its final years.

However, I am curious as to what led to its closure and conversion into a residential estate.

My memories of Mick Moylans (as the locals refer) go back to my days as an infant. I attended the Sans Souci Community Pre School (1989-90) which was a short walk up Clareville Avenue at Sandringham.

In the late 1980's Mick Moylan's had opened an outlet of the Billabong Family Bistro's which from my understanding were a national chain of fast casual dining restaurants. This was posted recently (below) to the St George District Memories and Old Shops Australia Facebook Groups. The newspaper advertisement was published in the December 22, 1988 edition of The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. 

Source: Billabong Family Bistro. 1988. "Untitled" (Advertisement). The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, December 22: 27. 

I recall going to birthday parties there during my pre school days and even had my sixth birthday there in 1990. Bill & Bindy were dressed in a more professional koala costume than the advertisement shows. My brother also had his sixth birthday there in 1992. I remember going to the beach outside Mick Moylans in January 1993, and recall seeing fences around the site. Mick Moylan's was gone forever; to be replaced with a residential estate.

Source: Murphy, R. 1990. "Development plans submitted to council for San [Sans] Souci site". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, April 12, 31.

The earliest source that suggested residential development on the site was from 1986 when The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reported that the owner Laurie Beaumont was exploring options for housing including three storey unit blocks or single homes. Under planning guidelines, Rockdale Council would permit construction of free standing dwellings. However, there would be a loss of parking for beach users and a road would be required for access to the boat ramp.

Source: Anon. 1986. "Homes plan for hotel landmark". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, February 6, 11.

In 1990, plans ramped up when proposals for two six level buildings were unveiled to maximise public access. Norfolk pines and the famous Moreton Bay fig trees would be retained. A bistro or restaurant would be also be included. Mick Moylans would still have a presence of some sort on the site.

Source: Anon. 1990. "Developer wants to turn hotel into flats". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, August 21: 5. 

This plan didn't proceed and Rockdale Council approved the construction of 15 luxury townhouses to form The Sandringham estate. It is a gated development. Public beachfront access was retained with a path running along the beachfront.

The boat ramp was also lost.

I have not yet found further details as to how the scheme was scaled back and why. Neither have I found as to when in 1992 did Mick Moylan's close. Was it even announced?

The What if question comes into mind had the council approved the twin six storey apartment towers?

• We would still have "Mick Moylans" in some form even if under another name.
• The Beach Kiosk may have been converted into a cafe going by the conversion of Kiosks at Brighton-Le-Sands and Dolls Point in recent years into cafes. Ramsgate Beach ended up with a restaurant.
• The Moreton Bay fig would probably still be on the beachfront.
• The Norfolk pines and Cook Pine that were knocked down may have removed irrespective, whether it was in 1990's or more recent years. 
• The public would have possibly more access to the beachfront with the boat ramp retained. 

Below are photos of the former Sans Souci Hotel site as seen from Dolls Point (2017). Photos taken by the author. 

Property Advert of the Week: Sandringham on the Beach, Sandringham (1993)

In 1993, construction began on the Sandringham on the Beach estate at Sandringham. The estate is built on the former site of the Hotel Sans Souci or to the locals - Mick Moylans (He was the owner).

It was a controversial development for locals, most notably for the loss of Moreton Bay figs and Norfolk Pine trees but also the loss of access to the beachfront.

As construction began, the advertisements to promote the new estate began in earnest. 

Source: John Greig First National. 1993. "Sandringham on the Beach" (Advertisement). The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, April 6: 46.

Why were the (1928) Brighton Baths demolished?

In May, The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader published a Flashback Friday Feature on the demolition of the 1928 swimming enclosure at Brighton-Le-Sands in 1980.

While the article was based on the content available within the archives of the newspaper, I felt that it didn't provide an explanation as to why or how its fate was determined.

The argument presented was that one storm in May 1968 all but sealed its fate, along with rising maintenance costs and declining patronage (access was via paid entry). The storm was reported to be one of the worst ever to impact on Botany Bay. The storm swells generated massive erosion of the beachfront at Brighton-Le-Sands, including the collapse of a number of Norfolk pine trees and a historic cannon. Homes were flooded at Kurnell, when waves crashed over Prince Charles Drive. Scans from the May 22, 1968, edition of The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader are included below including the editorial from page 2.

I wanted to also consider other sources as well. I consulted the local history collection of the former Rockdale City Council but also some of the scanned material that I have managed to obtain through my ongoing scans.

A search of the image collection through Bayside Council revealed images of significant storm damage to the baths as early as 1962. I found one image that had a concrete staircase overhanging from 1965. In addition, the beachfront at Brighton had been damaged in a number of storms in the lead up to 1968. The walkway on the perimeter of the baths had buckled during storms, forcing the baths to close

I found an article by former Rockdale Mayor and Alderman Ron Rathbone (date unknown) in a vertical file. Rathbone mentioned that council had prior to the 1960s faced difficulties in managing the baths. Patronage had declined as swimmers flocked to free enclosures located in nearby suburbs. Costs of maintenance had increased.

In 1970 the council struck an agreement with the Maritime Services Board and the Department of Lands and Planning to demolish the baths and replace it with a pier and floating net.The Seymour Pavillon was also to be demolished.

The former dressing sheds were converted into the Le Sands restaurant, opening in 1972. In 2017, the restaurant celebrates 45 years of trade.

A report in 1978, identified major structural concerns and it was recommended that the baths be demolished immediately. The following year, demolition took place.

Source: Anon. 1979. "Just a Rusting Ring of Mesh: Brighton baths may be rebuilt". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, February 14: 19. 

In mid 1980, the tender to construct the new floating net and pier was awarded by Rockdale Council. By the end of 1980, the new baths were completed at an estimated cost of $160 000. It was in fact bigger than the one that it had replaced. In the 2000's the council demolished the pier.

MILESTONE: Westfield Eastgardens turns 30 (1987)

Above: Two page spread from The Southern Courier in October 1987

Back in 2015, I provided an overview of the opening of Westfield Eastgardens in 1987.

To mark its 30th anniversary, I have managed to scan through copies of the Southern Courier which ran a series of features and advertisements to promote the opening of the centre. The centre was officially opened on October 19, 1987, with 1300 guests invited despite global share markets collapsing around them.

Sydney's "A" list stars were in attendance. NSW Governor Sir James Rowland, John Saunders and Frank Lowy (Westfield) presided over proceedings.  Interest in leasing the space was high with 750 applications made to lease retail space.

Above: Advertisement published in The Southern Courier on October 28, 1987, promoting transport options to the new centre. Some locals were initially unimpressed with transport options.

When the centre opened to the public on October 21, there were protests, but not about the centre itself. Fifty locals protested against changes to bus services in the area. Some services serving the area faced the axe while services to Eastgardens from nearby suburbs were inadequate.

Above: Two advertisements promoting the opening of the Super Kmart Store at Eastgardens as published in The Southern Courier in October 1987.

Super Kmart was unique to Eastgardens. It was a hypermart combining a discount department store and supermarket under one roof, modeled on hypermarts in the United States like Walmart, Target (USA) and Kmart (USA). In 1989, the Super Kmart brand was dropped by parent company Coles Myer. The space was divided into two, forming the current Coles and Kmart stores seen today.

Here were some of the opening specials at Super Kmart:

Below are advertisements for Target and David Jones:

Two years ago I had commented about the impact of the centre on Maroubra Junction retailers. Westfield was confident that normal trading conditions would return to the area, but did not eventuate. Not even the presence of Grace Bros at Marboura Junction helped. Grace Bros fell victim itself!!!

Recently, I went for a drive to Eastgardens. The 1987 signage is still visible today.

And another two advertisements that I found that were published in the lead up to Opening Day.

Property Advert of the Week: Greenwood, Botany (1998)

This week, we head to Botany with two bedroom apartments in a village style setting available for $210 500 in 1998.

 

Source: Colliers Jardine. 1998.  "Greenwood" (advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 2: 23 (Real Estate Liftout). 

Property Advert of the Week: Plaza Apartments Rockdale (1997)

Here is a treat for those in southern Sydney this week - An old advertisement for the first tower in the Plaza Apartments in Rockdale in 1997. For those of you not familiar with southern Sydney, the Plaza Apartment towers are located directly above Rockdale Plaza. It is actually one of the first shopping centres in Sydney where apartment blocks were built directly above the complex.

 

Source: City Freeholds. 1997. "Plaza Apartments" (advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 24: 27RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

1972: The area with no name becomes Monterey

For eighteen years, I was raised in the suburb of Monterey (approximately 13km south of the city). Even in 2015, many Sydneysiders wouldn't have a clue of where it is nor its existence. The development of the area dates back to around a century ago when the area was subdivided into what it is today. My childhood home in Robinson Street (no 22) I believe dates back to this time. But for this area, there was the question to be asked, where did they belong?

For decades people were giving their address as either Brighton-Le-Sands, Kogarah or Ramsgate. The first edition of the Gregorys Street Directory in 1934 would list streets like Robinson (Annie Street as it was known) as being in Rockdale.

But there were signs of a possible name - Monterey. A section of the suburb when subdivided was referred to as the Monterey Estate. The streets within the estate had Californian names like Pasadena Street. A small shopping centre developed in Chuter Avenue between Scarborough and Monterey Street. This included a post office (now a Pizza Cafe) which was known as the Monterey Post Office
So Rockdale Council in 1972 had to put the matter to rest. It surveyed people in what would become Monterey but also Ramsgate. 250 submissions were made from residents and Rockdale Council at a meeting in February settled on what is now the current boundaries. There were proposals to include parts of Kogarah and Ramsgate.

   

Source: Anonymous. 1972. "Monterey Name for New Suburb of Rockdale".  The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, February 23: 15.

 In November, it was officially gazetted by the Geographical Names Board.

Source: Anonymous. 1972. "Area of No Name Will Now Become Monterey". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, November 8: 42. 

Monterey to this day still remains a quiet suburb, even as Sydney changes around it. Many of the older homes have been knocked down and replaced with large modern homes. Just this year, it attained a median house price of $1 000 000. It certainly has won favour with people, especially families and easy access to local shops, services, Sydney Airport, City and Botany Bay.

The suburb did achieve some fame in 1987 when Mental as Anything filmed the video clip He's Just No Good for You in Scarborough Street, in which the residents were invited to all take part.

 

Plus Solander Street is home to the first villa complex built in NSW back in 1967, even before the suburb got its name. 

Property Advert of the Week: Richelieu, Ramsgate (1965)

This weeks property advertisement takes us to Ramsgate where you could buy units in The Richelieu apartment complex in Florence Street. For 4750 pounds ($9500), you could have your own unit within a short walk of the shops and Lady Robinsons Beach. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, that is the equivalent of $117 000 today.

Source. E. L. Rostron & Co. 1965. "Presenting Beautiful "Richelieu (Advertisement)". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, November 10: Page Unknown. 

1965: Sydney Airport's International Terminal is conceived

Sydney Airport's current international terminal has loyally served the city since 1970. As the city has grown alongside that of air travel, it has been expanded several times. This week, I want to go back to when it was conceived. It was in 1965.

On April  1965, the Federal Government announced that a ten million pound (20 million dollars) international terminal would be built at Sydney Airport. The Federal Government had deemed as "Australia's major international airport" and the gateway to Australia. The new terminal would be capable of holding up to thirty-two jets. Twenty would be accommodated within a "loading finger", while twelve would fit in an apron area.

It was aimed to have the terminal opened by no later than "early 1970", which they met.

The terminal was designed with future extensions in mind. This has helped it to grow and cement it as Australia's leading international airport. In 2014, 25.5 million passengers had accessed the international terminal.

Source: Anonymous. 1965. "Sydney's Air Gateway to Australia; £10 million terminal by 1969". The Daily Telegraph, April 2: 3. 

In July 1965, renders were released to the public.

Source: Anonymous. 1965. "Exclusive: First Pictures; New jet terminal for city". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, July 7: 1-2. 

1972: Rare McDonalds Sans Souci opening advertisement

Source: McDonald's Australia. 1972. "Untitled” (Advertisement). The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, August 2: 14.

McDonald's marketing has come a long way in Australia over the decades. Quite interesting to note in this advertisement for the opening of the McDonald's store at Sans Souci isn't dominated by the golden arches themselves (featuring only in the illustrations.

McDonald's was the "new kid on the block" in those days. They even had to explain who they were and were already claiming to be the biggest fast food chain in Australia. 20 cents got you a Big Mac and you could get fish and chips.

No breakfast menu's just yet but they did open until late 11pm or midnight depending on the night of the week.

McDonald's has shared the site with KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). A decade ago they managed to merge the site with the adjoining site of the former Post Office on Rocky Point Road and redeveloped the site. This meant the demolition of the original stores. They also swapped locations within the site. The rebuilt McDonald's also included a drive-thru service, playground and McCafe which was not available in the original store.

The current McDonalds store at Sans Souci.

 

KFC Sans Souci stands in the original carpark for the original McDonald’s Sans Souci.

Photos taken by the Author (2005).

Updated November 2018.