1990: The Jetcats enter service

In 1990, the Greiner Government introduced the Jetcat ferries into operation on Sydney Harbour. This stemmed from the decision of NSW Transport Minister Bruce Baird in 1988 to replace the aging
hydrofoils.

  

Source: Nicholson, L. 1988. "Costly hydrofoils will be scrapped". The Daily Telegraph, August 22: 9.

The Jetcats promised a modern and more reliable service for Ferry Commuters. For the government, the costs of servicing the Jetcats would be lower. In addition, there was the promise of more comfort for commuters. There were plans to eventually expand the service to Gladesville but also operate as far as Port Kembla and Newcastle.

Source: Morris, L. 1990. "Jetcat to oust the hydrofoils". The Daily Telegraph, April 30: 15. 

The first Jetcat to enter service was The Blue Fin. It ended up with its name after the public was asked to name the new ferry.

Source: Anon. 1990. "Blue Fin slices time to Manly". The Sunday Telegraph, April 29: page unknown.

Source: State Transit. 1990. "Name Your Own $5m. Catamaran" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, March 21: page unknown. 

The Blue Fin commenced operation on July 16, 1990, after three months of trials. Below is a preview article from The Daily Telegraph.

Source: Riddell, A. 1990. "Anchors away for new Jetcat". The Daily Telegraph, July 16: 12. 

 The hydrofoils after 26 years of service ran their last service in March 1991 after another two Jetcats - Sir David Martin and Sea Eagle were bought into service. During their first decade of service, The Jetcats were actively used. In fact, they were seen as a fifth ferry on the Manly run, replacing the regular ferries late at night and early in the morning. It was argued that with fewer crew required (and commuter demand), operating late night services would keep costs of operating the broader Manly Ferry service down. If existing ferries broke down, the Jetcat fleet would act as a substitute (as a trio), like in 2004 when two Manly Ferries - Collaroy and Queenscliff were out of service for maintenance. In the final years of service, Jetcats were restricted to peak hour operations only.

Sadly, The Jetcat fleet had a shorter life than their predecessors. Jetcats were withdrawn from service on December 31, 2008. It was argued that costs had increased along with declines in revenue. They were lucky not to have been pulled out of service earlier, when the Carr Government (1995-2005) introduced Supercats to the Sydney Ferries Fleet but had struggled to cope with the swells at the Heads of Sydney Harbour. Manly Fast Ferries (2009) currently operate High-speed services between Manly and Circular Quay, but have expanded to provide services from Manly to North Sydney, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont Bay, and the Eastern Suburbs. Sydney Fast Ferries also operated services between 2010 and 2015, when they were the tender to operate the high-speed service.

Property Advert of the Week: Wimpey Homes (1966)

This week I share a Wimpey Homes advertisement from 1966, promoting new house and land packages at Castle Hill and Fairfield West. 

Source: Wimpey Homes. 1966. Untitled (Advertisement). The Sun, October 21: 64. 

1968: The Lady Class Ferries debut on Sydney Harbour

Back in 2015, I shared a 1966 newspaper clipping on the Lady Class Ferries that were due to enter into service by the end of 1967.

On September 19, 1968, the first of six Lady Class Ferries - Lady Cutler, entered service. It was named after the wife of the current NSW Governor, Sir Roden Cutler who was there in person to see her namesake. Another five ferries would enter service over the next decade. Lady Northcott and Lady Herron still operate today.

Source: Anon. 1968. "New Lady Takes Harbour". The Daily Telegraph, September 20: 3. 

The ferry operated until 1991. In 1998, it sailed down to Melbourne. After refurbishment works, it returned to service in 2007 as the Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat and does chartered cruises along the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.

Property Advert of the Week: C.A. Sanders & Co. (1971)

Here is a classic advertisement as promoting homes for sale by southern Sydney real estate agent - C.A. Sanders & Co from 1971.

 

Source: C.A. Sanders & Co. (1971). Untitled (Advertisement). The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, November 17: Page Unknown.

1970: The 747 arrives in Sydney

Source: Anonymous. 1970. Untitled (photograph). The Sydney Morning Herald, October 5: 1. 

On October 4, 1970, the first 747 jumbo jet landed at Sydney Airport before a crowd of 10 000 people.  It was the first 747 jet to land in Australia.

The PAN-AM flight from Los Angeles, via Honolulu and Nadi arrived approximately 6:30pm, more than nine and a half hours late due to mechanical problems with the jet. Its arrival would inaugurate PAN-AM's twice-weekly 747 services between Sydney and Los Angeles.

Source: Anon. 1970. Untitled (photograph). The Daily Telegraph, October 5: 1. 

Below is coverage of the arrival as seen by The Daily Telegraph on October 5, 1970. 

Qantas commenced 747 services the following year. The Boeing 747 jet like the Boeing 707's that came into operation just a decade earlier transformed the way that Sydneysiders travel around the world. While the objective by airlines like PAN-AM was to reduce congestion at airports, it had cost benefits for airlines. It could carry up to twice the number of passengers that a 707 could carry. The cost of flying would fall opening up more opportunities for Sydneysiders to see the world, within their budgets.

Earlier in 1970, the International Terminal opened in its current location on the western side of the airport, and the design of the terminal accommodated for the new jets. It also led to the extension of the North-South Runway out into Botany Bay. 

Aircraft noise was already a huge issue in suburbs surrounding the airport, especially in Rockdale. The 747's were noted as being much quieter than 707's. However, the problem would not disappear but worsen as the airport grew in the decades to come and air traffic increased. Up to eighty planes land per hour at Sydney Airport today. 

Property Advert of the Week: Shepherd Meadows - Toongabbie (1973)

Here is one from Long Industries Homes (now Long Homes) from 1973 featuring the Australiana series which was on display at Toongabbie.



Source: Long Industries Homes. 1973. "Shepherd Meadows" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, April 7: 39. 

1997: Plans for the Eastern Distributor are unveiled

Source: Bissett, K. 1997. "Motorway sinks but toll will rise". The Daily Telegraph, April 10: 8. 

Did you know that it is 20 years ago this month that plans for the Eastern Distributor that we see today were unveiled?

While there had been calls for the entire road to be placed underground, attempts were made to make it appear more environmentally sensitive. This included sinking sections of the motorway under South Dowling Street and the landbridge connecting The Domain with the Royal Botanical Gardens. 

The opening was slated for 2000 (The Daily Telegraph) but was opened ahead of schedule in December 1999, sticking to the promised $3 toll.

Source: Morris, L. 1997. "New $1bn plan for eastern M-way". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 15: 4. 

Property Advert of the Week: Peninsula Apartments Pyrmont (1998)

Large week, it was split level townhouses that one could buy in 1998 on the north shore if you wanted compact without losing the bigness of a home, but if you wanted to be close to the city, you could choose a "super large" apartment in the Peninsula Apartment Complex at Pyrmont.

 

Source: Sydney Prime Realty. 1998. "Peninsula apartments; Living Large". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 11: 17RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

1965: The Royal Easter Show Official Opening + additional find from the 1992 show

On Saturday, the Royal Easter Show was officially opened by the Governor General of Australia - Sir Peter Cosgrove and is the pinnacle event of the show when the best of Australian agriculture is put on show with those assembled in the Main Arena treated to a spectacular procession. The Grand Parade has been held annually since 1907. In 1965, the Duke of Gloucester was on hand to officially open the show, making him the first member of the Royal Family to open a show since 1824. Here is a report from the April 15, 1965 edition The Daily Telegraph of the Official Opening. We are also treated a picture of the formations from the parade, one tradition that still holds to this very day.

 

I hope you enjoyed last weeks insights into the 1992 Royal Easter Show, but I felt this article should also be shared from 1992. The recession was still biting hard on peoples pockets. It was being reported that more people were passing through the gates, but spent less once inside the gates.

 

Source: Thorpe, D. 1992. "It's Showtime". The Sunday Telegraph, April 12: 7. 

But on a positive, people did their homework before buying their show bags. A very handy tip if you want to get bags with good stuff at a good price!!!

Property Advert of the Week: Pemberley Grove, St Ives (1998)

This week we head up to St Ives, where split level townhouses were on offer in 1998 at the Pemberley Grove complex in Shinfield Avenue.

Here is a Google Earth link to view the complex from the street. 

Source: AustLand. 1998. "Pemberley Grove" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 13: 10RE (Real Estate Liftout).