Sydney’s past is still visible beneath the facade of today if you look close enough.
Past/Lives seeks to uncover the secrets, reveal the hidden sides and tell the forgotten stories of Sydney using the clues that have been left behind through the years.
Past/Lives chronicles those instances of poorly reconstituted Pizza Huts, lazily retooled milk bars and forgotten former points of significance we pass by or even notice every day, but never really stop to look at.
Hopefully, this site will remain home to these oddities long after the buildings have been razed (or competently reconditioned).
All photographs used are created by the author unless noted. If images are pinched from anywhere, those sources will also be credited.
Contributions and suggestions are more than welcome. If any of the info or pictures here have helped you in your research or sparked some long dormant memories, feel free to share via the comment section, and while you’re there, be sure to check out the wonderful memories and anecdotes other readers have left.
All enquiries: to.michael.wayne@gmail.com
Past/Lives of the Near Future 
Hi Michael,
Love the pics mate, good to see the past come ‘back to life’.
If you have the chance to go to Balmain, go down Colgate St(?)…at the end you’ll see the old Colgate-Palmolive factory that’s been converted to apartments….pity they didn’t do that to the old Lever and Kitchen site.
Also, Big Sister foods used to be in Barr St, not sure if the building’s still there though as it’s been years since I was down in Sydney.
Cheer’s,
John
Hi John
I have the main boiler gauge from Levers, its huge, a friend worked there and it found a place to live.
Cheers
Andy
This is really great stuff-great choice of pics, places and above all really funny and engaging writing. Who writes this blog? I stumbled upon it accidently and am ever so glad I did. keep up the great work.
An awesome site Michael. Looking forward to your work on Deno’s Diner -Tempe.
Keep up the good work.
Love this concept, it’s quite fun.
Thank you for documenting the suburbs of Sydney that never get documented. Sadly most people’s experience of ‘heritage’ begins and ends in the eastern suburbs and The Rocks. But there are other stories out there…
So as someone who grew up in Enfield I thank you for capturing my neighborhood and her surrounding suburbs. Every photo has sparked a ‘I remember when…’ moment.
I look forward to following your blog.
Hey mate you should check out the old Pizza Hut at Liverpool on the Hume Hwy. Building still remains and only opens as a Christmas decorations shop for a couple of months a year. (complete with snow covered roof and a rose shaped sign!)
Thanks for creating such a wonderful website. You should look at the Ace Ceramics/Doors 4 Doors at 600 Canterbury Road, Campsie. Near Canterbury hospital.
I stumbled upon your website (looking up state bank) and I am so impressed!! I’m always looking at this kind of thing , my hobby being ex banks. It’s amazing what you can find when you look hard enough fr tell tale signs (often banks have to have an agreement to keep an ATM presence in the suburb they are closing a branch in….) I found an excellent example of an ex westpac branch at Swansea in Newcastle. Still looks like a branch! We also had an advance bank revisit us in kings grove when the florist moved out and replaced the awning sign with the old advance sign. The tiles banks like that used also give it away as to what was there before!
The ex pizza huts are sad BUT I have photos of an original pizza hut at lake haven old school style!!! It’s like the closures never happened and they just recently updated the restaurant – yep – still all you can eat!!! There are still heaps around regionally, Sydney lost all of theirs. There used to still be one at merry lands but that closed too.
If you would like to see what I have let me know via email!
Catherine
There is still an old style Pizza Hut at Campbelltown
Indian Hut at Penshurst shops still has Chinese Take Away written on the building above the awning.
It sure does: https://pastlivesofthenearfuture.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/australian-chinese-take-awayindian-hut-penshurst-nsw/
really enjoying this site – a friend who also used to live in Beverly HIlls gave me the link. My parents both spent their childhood in Kingsgrowve, and bought a house on Stoney Creek Rd Beverly HIlls in 1952.
Like Sandra, whom I gave the link to, I’m totally enthralled by your site. My mother still lives in the same house that I was born in at the Beverly Hills end of Hurstville. She’s now been there over 50 years and the area has certainly changed so much. I long ago left the St. George area and now reside in idyllic SE Qld, however I’m still drawn to the history of my childhood home. Would you be able to do something on what was known in the 70’s as the Mecca cinemas in Hurstville and Kogarah? I’d also be interested to learn a little about the cinema that was at Roselands – I remember seeing the Love Bug there. More posts on Forest Road, Hurstville would be greatly appreciated. I’ve been told that West End Shoes is closing down after 80 years in business. I’m pretty certain that it was the last remaining business on Forest Road that was there in my younger days.
Cheers
Vivien.
Hi Michael
Brilliant!!! Came across your site whilst looking for history on old abandoned buildings around the city of Sydney. I came backpacking 24 yrs ago & have noticed a huge change. I am now living in Sydney & still exploring.
If anybody knows of any places empty or abandoned please let me know. I’m trying to do a collection of photos of present sites & there history alongside original pics.
Thanks
Jules
Hi Jules,
Consider checking out the empty shop fronts at the current beginning (2013) of the M4 at Concord. Start off at the former independent Hardware Store – TC Davis – It has laid abandoned and in state since it closed down about 10 years ago.
Hi there
Starting going to TC Davis in 1982, stopped around 1999.
Was throwing out old paint cans today with the TC labling, what a classic.
Thats how I found this site, I googled TC Davis
thank you so much for the effort you put into this site! love the concept. you’ve gained a regular reader today, I can promise you that!
Michael, like so many other readers I found your site by accident – i was looking for the Bankstown bunker (as you do…). Totally brilliant site, have read every page tonight – couldn’t stop! Any chance of you covering the old Coles story at the top of Bankstown station? It has a lot of the old cafeteria intact (every Coles had one), the kitchens are still there complete, even pricing and menus on the walls. Well worth a trip. Robyn
Robyn, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised sometime soon. I’ll be looking at that Coles, but not in the way you might think.
Hi Michael, great site. Thanks for overing the Padstow star cinema. I saw many movies there back in the day. Re the Dick Smith Powerhouse at Bankstown on old girlfriend of mine used to work there, on Thursday nights, when she locked up and went outside, you could see and hear all the local hookers (Canterbury Rd was sin city back then) in the cars with their clients…. Was a terrible place for a Dick Smith store
Re chicken express at Enfield, I lived a block or so down from here and used to go to the Chicken Express a couple of times a week. This was back in 96 -97
Re Goulds books former site on George and Bathurst st. In the pic you show it being demolished… Sydney Water, back then known as the Metropolitan Sewerage and drainage Board, bought the entire site next to their (at the time) head office next door on the cnr of Pitt/Bathurst. They razed it and built an enormous office tower (the one with the red little tower things at the top – directly opposite St Andrews and KFC) and was sold or leased to C&L. Eventually Sydney Water sold it off. My sister worked at Sydney Water back then, thats how i know the story. RIP original Goulds bldg.
I too worked at the Water Board 1977 -1982 and remember Goulds. Having discovered this website It’s bringing back wonderful memories!
Re Gottleib Electrics. Sibercom indeed. I went to that building , an ex gf used to work there (the same one that worked at the previously mentioned Dick Smith) this was back in around 2000/01. They were importers for electronics of some kind. Its as though you have lived my life through these pages. So many connections.
Am thinking of opening old pizza hut at Revesby as a Choc Bar Cafe and renovating it but the thought of it being a funeral parlour is a bit scarey, would love feed back. We had Choc Bar in Liverpool and it was done out in style that our valued customers thought decor should be in somewhere like the city and we would be doing it in the same style. Just a gamble whether it would work, what are you opinions please…..
Read with interest items about Griffiths teas. Coincidence maybe but my great grandfather William Powell Griffiths had a grocery/tea business in London until the 1930’s trading as W Griffiths & Co. He spent some time in Sydney on business so I was wondering if there is a connection with James Griffiths?
Adore this blog of yours, I’ve had similar thoughts myself while travelling around sydney! I actually did a series of illustrations last year based around the decaying remains of the former Glory of the Double Bay shopping district.
I have some photos somewhere of them tearing down Sonic World at Darling Harbour by the way!
Love this blog! Stumbled across searching up the Midnight Star after the squatter incident… Have you seen the ‘Truckies Milk Bar’ in Lidcombe, on Joseph Street/Olympic Drive? It’s fascinated me for a while now.
Yep, I’ve seen that stop. About 15 years ago it was still open (Dad bought me a drink there!) but it always seemed to me like an absolutely ridiculous place for truckers to stop. Where’s the parking? Naomie, feel free to share your fascination.
Great site. It’s fascinating to know about how Sydney changes over the years.
Would be great if you could highlight the history of the now ‘old’ Vaucluse High School closed down in 2006. It’s been rotting away since at the end of Old South Head Road, Vaucluse. They are planning to demolish it soon to build a retirement home.
It’s a shame to see it go after so many good memories.
P.S. I was one of the graduates in 2001.
Thanks
Peter
I WAS A STUDENT THE SECOND YEAR OF THE SCHOOL OPENING. SAD TO SEE ITTHE WAY IT IS NOW
Hi Michael. Just fell across your blog while finalising research on a post on Florence Taylor for Now and Then. It’s great to see your online ‘conservation’ work to retain what’s gone before. Cheers. Lynn Walsh
just read your article on oatley village video and unfortunately there are some corrections would you be surprised to learn that the video shop was sabotaged to the point of failure by 3 separate elements some still evident by the comment attached to the article , i knew phil he was a firefighter and saved a customers life one night i really couldnt see him saying that to a customer , one element is a former employee who they suspected left several fake complaint letters claiming some funny things im guessing it was probably him who left the comment , the second element was a customer nobody really wants to have ,and the third is the cafa next door oh boy they told some whoppers and he walked all over nick and forced him out for the carpark plane and simple the cafe guy was really rotton to nick he really didnt deserve that he couldnt even sell the business now hes flat broke i dont know what happened to phil i think he went back to africa i lost touch shortly after the closure , i was a loyal customer till the end and i got to see things from both sides the other elements never knew they were wasting their time on me and i kept nick and phil in the loop and they were letting me in on what they had learned , this is not a joke or hoax this is actually what happened i cant go in to it more in public on the risk of defamation but i can even name names if you like ive been dieing to set the record straight for a while now i didnt think they would take it laying down but i guess with the solicitor in on it too they were buggered and then the whole town turned on him and never bothered to ask if any of the stories were true ,im actually ashamed to admit i ever lived there , feel free to contact me back
Hi Michael,
I’ve really enjoyed reading your website. I have a suggestion for an article topic – Eastlakes Shopping Centre. The place is out of the ark – there’s a former standalone McDonalds (closed 2007?) being used as a foreign food supermarket, as well as a 40 year old shopping centre that hasn’t been renovated once in its lifetime, complete with old shopping centre features like narrow passages, pebblecrete staircases and ramps and vintage ’70s seating. The NSW Planning Department just approved a redevelopment plan, so I’d suggest getting right onto it while you can.
I spent a lot of time in this old shopping Center as my Nanna used to do her grocery shopping there at Woolies. They also had a Record store, a Rockmans dept store and a awesome donut shop that made their own donuts among all the cool little stores plus a MASSIVE !!! Darrell Lea section in the huge chemist that used to reside inside.
Hey Michael,
Found your awesome blog this morning through reddit.
There’s 2 things that I’d love to see some photos of and hear a bit about their history: the old underground McDonald’s outside Hoyts on George St and Henry’s burger place at Kogarah opposite St George TAFE. Just a couple of suggestions for the future!
Look forward to reading all your future posts!
Henry’s is one of those places I know existed (because I went there), but is so impossibly hard to dig anything up on that you start to question your own memories. At this stage, if a photo of Henry’s (or perhaps Henry himself) appeared, it’d be cause for some kind of parade or state holiday.
Henry’s did indeed exist, they were the home of the “Foot long Hotdog” I was lucky enough to visit their Charring Cross store before it closed for good in 1999. I ordered a Cheeseburger which was foul with soggy fries with no taste and a Strawberry milkshake that had ice cubes in it all made by an old Chinese couple. I wish my last memories where better : ( but the memories of the Kogarah store are still warm and fuzzy ; )
I just came across your blog when I was doing a google search for Henry’s in Kogarah. My dad owned Henry’s and me and my brothers and sister grew up there. Until this day, we are still trying to get him to make us burgers the way he used to make them!
What happened to it though??
It closed in around 1994/1995. I think the St George Hospital bought the site, knocked it down and turned it into the carpark for the hospital. I just showed my dad this blog. His name isn’t Henry – it’s Ricky. The name was carried over from the old Charing Cross site.
I really love your blog- I googled Lidcombe Train Station and happily stumbled across your post on the Rockwood Necropolis etc. Your commentary is witty and has elicited many a laugh already. It is so fascinating to be able to see the past in the surrounds we live in and manage to ignore every day. It really brings a new perspective to the environment. I am looking forward to reading through all your previous posts and all the future posts too!
Old Lithgow Dine-in Pizza Hut still there (vacant) on Google Street View. Now it’s the “Country Organic Coffee & Bakery”. I remember having a meal or two there in the halcyon days of the mid 90s.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.490407,150.133582,3a,75y,325.5h,82.99t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sSS__W8ifBw02R8X5zBkLSg!2e0
And here’s how it looks today:
Hey Michael,
I sent you an email, check to see you got it as I have a ton of info for you
Hey Michael, I was born and raised in Lidcombe and can remember the railway station at Rookwood.Was great to read your article on the Milton Hotel and the history of the area.
Hi Michael, just read your story on Homebush Bay, excellently written and researched. I can see that I have a bit of reading to do, going through the rest of your PastLives site and comments. cheers Terry
Solastalgia — “a form of homesickness one gets when one is still at home,” according to Australian philosopher Glenn Albrecht; in essence, it’s pining for a lost environment. It’s the mashup of the roots solacium (comfort) and algia (pain), which, when combined, forms a term (and an idea) reminiscent of nostalgia.
http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/jargon-watch-solastalgia.html
Lovin this site! I remember the Hartees store in Canterbury! Thankfully my parents were migrants and fast food for them just wasn’t done so we never tried it. Please see if you can find some pics or info about the theme park on top of Roselands shopping centre in the 70s!
On the subject of Pizza Hut, the old one that used to be on Pennant Hills rd in Thornleigh, which closed years ago, was used as offices until just a couple of years ago. Sadly, it has now been completely demolished and an Aldi has been built in its place. Many happy times were spent there as a kid colouring in those paper placemats they used to have, whilst enjoying a ham and pineapple pan fry crust!
hI Michael
Just read your article on Jonathon’s disco. Well written and funny but a bit cruel on Sherbet. Wasted so much time at these venues but I would do it again if I could.
Have you done any work on the other dives I used to frequent – Chequers, The Bowl, UpTight, Rhubarbs, Adams Apple, Beethovens? Any info or sources would be great
Just stumbled across your page, and finding the stories absolutely fascinating! Looking forward to reading more!
Came across your page whilst seeking information about a lost relative. He was a WWI veteran who suffered shell shock and disappeared from his Tasmanian family about 1925. I found him living at 20 Cooper Street Surry Hills (1943-63) according to the electoral rolls and nothing more, probably ended up in Surry Hills General Cemetery. Do you know anything about 20 Cooper street 1903-60? Boarding house perhaps? Great page BTW and wonderful images.
Dear Mr Wayne,
I found more photos of the Metro Twin Drive in at Chullora at Powerhouse Museum site, http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/insidethecollection/2016/02/remembering-australias-drive-ins/. The archived version is at https://web.archive.org/web/20160213132702/http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/insidethecollection/2016/02/remembering-australias-drive-ins/ . With the exception photos from Clayton Victoria aerial photo and the speaker photo from Shepparton Victoria, the photos show Chullora’s “Field 1” with projection booth in daylight and photos of the Diner which was located between “Field 1” and “Field 2”. “Field 2″‘s screen was on the Norfolk St side of the drive-in cinema. You can see a photo of “Field 2″‘s screen with a picture of a scene from the Walt Disney’s “The Love Bug” about 1/3 down this web page at https://joesimiana.wordpress.com/2010/06/04/history-of-the-panania-star-cinema/ or the archived version at https://web.archive.org/web/20120111173733/http://joesimiana.wordpress.com/2010/06/04/history-of-the-panania-star-cinema/ . What was not clear in the photo was that the bottom of “Field 2″‘s screen had a large green border underneath the screen, as I remember going there as a child. I speculate that the large green border under “Field 2″‘s screen was to stop extraneous light from the projector beams reaching the residents in Norfolk Rd. Also just below the photo of “Field 2” is the photo of the entrance to the drive in at Waterloo Rd.
If you are interested inauguration of the drive-in, there is an advertorial/article on page 7 of the SMH, 23rd October, 1956 at this link, https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19561023&id=-NRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1uQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4546,1887794&hl=en, or the archived link at https://web.archive.org/web/20160213133540/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19561023&id=-NRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1uQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4546,1887794&hl=en , copy from “https:” to “&hl=en” and paste in browser. Most of the pictures are “artist’s impressions” with one photo of the screen tower. Quite interesting to find that the drive in’s screens were made from asbestos sheeting and measured 116 feet by 51 feet, an aspect ratio of 2.20:1.
Hope you all enjoy this,
Anthony P of Belfield
After several months, the Powerhouse Museum finally published my reminiscences of the Chullora Metro Twin Drive-In at https://maas.museum/inside-the-collection/2016/02/09/remembering-australias-drive-ins/ (copy from “https” to “-ins”/ and paste in browser.
Regards
Anthony of Belfield
Just came across your website via searches in the wake of the imminent closure of Dick Smith. It is fantastic to see so many entries, anecdotes, observations and general hilarity over the years.
Do you have any entries about Bankstown Town Hall? I believe I went there as part of a school trip in the late 80’s, but now it seems to have been completely renovated and modernized.
Is there any collective wisdom on an iconic burger joint that used to be on Parramatta Road in Granville called “Big Chiefs” ?
As a kid I used to think of it as Sydney’s answer to Arnolds from Happy Days.
Anyone remember going to Brickies on a Sunday night?
Photo by Michael Hickey
Explore Michael Hickey’s photos on Photobucket.
s207.photobucket.com
24 Comments1 Share
Tone, here a cut and paste on this topic from the “Memories of Putney FB group.
22Allen Bowley and 21 others
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Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley yep…..spent many a weekend night there…..usually resulting in a broken axle or diff in my old ’63 holden…early 1970s
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 05:03
Trevor Luscombe
Trevor Luscombe Snuk out of the house when I was sixteen to go down to see “The drags” with a mate, was amazed with how many people could fill the end of Underwood Rd at One in the morning! Got so busted by my ” radar eared Mum” grounded for a month….
Like · Reply · 2 · 24 October 2015 at 05:15
Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley These are the only photos I have of my time at the brickies….dilapidated little polaroid pics….you for one will remember this car Stephen Lane……
Allen Bowley’s photo.
Like · Reply · 3 · 24 October 2015 at 05:25
Stephen Lane
Stephen Lane I remember Allen ,they were good days, double stromberg carb’s 138 gray and a blown up banjo. i think we should have had a 9 inch smile emoticon .I may have taken that photo Allen.
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 07:34
Terry Hulme
Write a reply…
Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley Trevor Luscombe….did you live in Spencer St. Gladesville ?
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 05:53
Trevor Luscombe
Trevor Luscombe Struth, it’s early on a Saturday morning to get busted again Al, come to think of it I was 14… Yup we were number 32 mate and before that we rented in Phillip Rd, I remember horses being stabled behind us…
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 06:06
Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley Thanks Trevor Luscombe…..I sometimes look up surnames on electoral rolls in bennelong to find out where people lived…..a stalker?….lol
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 06:10
Trevor Luscombe
Trevor Luscombe Ha, a good one too, you might have been at Meadowbank with my older bro Geoff.., I think he was there for a couple of years. Dad was RAAF and we had moved back to Sydney in the 70’s.
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 06:15
Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley yeah me born ’55 Trevor Luscombe…..went to Meadowbank ’67 -’69
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 06:17
Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley I knew Malcolm Antees…about 4 doors up from you looks like in Spencer
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 06:19
Keith McKeown
Keith McKeown The Antees were next to the Mahers I think Allen Bowley
Like · Reply · 2 · 24 October 2015 at 07:41
Vicki Davis
Vicki Davis I remember you i think Trevor , i was Vicki Ray at school
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 10:00
Terry Hulme
Write a reply…
Stephen Lane
Stephen Lane Looking at the main photo i think that is me in mums Morris .
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 07:40
Stephen Lane
Stephen Lane I am shore that was me because i was the only one that drag a Morris at that time .
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 07:46
Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley I looked up the origin of the picture…..not you Stephen Lane…..one of the guys went on to become a fine policeman actually !….lol
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 07:54
Stephen Lane
Stephen Lane Cool mate
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 07:55
Jim Hahn
Jim Hahn I remember a fellow, I can;t remember his name, he had a Morris Minor with a side valve Ford V8 in it. I think he did his apprenticeship at BMC.
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 08:37
Jim Hahn
Jim Hahn That was back in the sixties.
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 08:48
Jim Hahn
Jim Hahn There was another chap with a Morris Minor powered by a Fiat 1500 engine that was unbeatable in those days.
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 08:54
Ray Fairall
Ray Fairall There was a family in west Ryde who had a business putting larger engines into Morris Minors.Can’t remember their surname. About early ’60s.
Like · Reply · 31 October 2015 at 20:37
Terry Hulme
Write a reply…
Royleen Collins
Royleen Collins I remember watching the drags .
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 October 2015 at 09:08
Dorne Butler Remley
Dorne Butler Remley Sure do, and race to your car and get the hell out of there when you heard ” COPS “.
Like · Reply · 2 · 24 October 2015 at 10:11
Alana Klepzig
Alana Klepzig YES LOL
Like · Reply · 24 October 2015 at 10:50
Owen Gill
Owen Gill Many a night there, mainly midweek in the Hillman Hunter GT. Then it was off to Beefys Diner down Auburn way.
Like · Reply · 2 · 24 October 2015 at 12:56
Wendy Stevens
Wendy Stevens Used to love this place – great place to all meet. Nowadays it would be classed as hoons getting together but we didn’t hurt anyone and just enjoyed ourselves. Imagine if a place like brickies was open now – there would be trouble galore. Then you would get together at beefies and have fun. Those were the days.
Like · Reply · 4 · 25 October 2015 at 12:38 · Edited
Stephen Lane
Stephen Lane Yes Beefy’s it was good food.
Like · Reply · 1 · 25 October 2015 at 18:50
Terry Hulme
Terry Hulme Here’a mention of Beefies, “It should be mentioned that during the 60s, 70s and 80s, the Brickworks was known by a different name to young hoons and petrolheads looking to blow off some steam on a Friday or Saturday night. ‘Brickies’ was a hot destin…See more
Posts about Big Chief’s hamburgers on Past/Lives
pastlivesofthenearfuture.com
Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 2 · 26 October 2015 at 16:37
Terry Hulme
Terry Hulme The DVD of FJ Holden is available from Fishpond , an Oz company for $12.90 postage paid!!!! http://www.fishpond.com.au/…/FJ-Holden…/3000000060339 And a bit more on brickies and Beefies…..”Date: 20/03/03 4:03:45 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Fr…See more
The F.J. Holden by UMBRE – Shop Online for Movies, DVDs in Australia
fishpond.com.au
Like · Reply · Remove Preview · 5 · 26 October 2015 at 16:46
Terry Hulme
Terry Hulme Just watching FJ holden dvd now. Postman brought it today. Loving the 70’s stuff…
Like · Reply · 1 · 29 October 2015 at 22:41
Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley No academy awards for it but it was very true to our way of life back then Terry Hulme
Like · Reply · 1 · 30 October 2015 at 05:59
Terry Hulme
Terry Hulme Yes Allen, it lacked all the stunts and smashes that you would see in a modern film but I think you are right, true to the way of life then. Loved the moment at the garage when they asked the pump attendent for $4’s worth of gas…
Like · Reply · 1 · 31 October 2015 at 20:10
Allen Bowley
Allen Bowley yeah 5 bux used to fill my old holden
Like · Reply · 31 October 2015 at 20:26
Peter Muhm
Peter Muhm think my beetle was bout $2
Like · Reply · 1 · 1 November 2015 at 21:50
Can you check out the history of Top Ryde City Shopping Centre. Top Ryde has a long history from when it opened in 1957 and was demolished in 2007. It reopened in 2009. Could you please do Top Ryde?
I lived at 14 Watson Street Putney from 1948 to 1972. Spent much of my youth exploring in and around Putney. Used to swim in the Regent St Tidal Baths…climbed on the Dutch Submarine abandoned at Smalls Wharf which can still be seen running up to the shore line. There was also a Tidal Baths at Putney Point. It’s believed that the Aboriginal Bennalong is buried in the vicinity of Cleves Park. James Squire built Sydneys first brewery on the waters edge just east of Halvorsens Boat Shed. Opposite us was a Dairy (no cows) with horse drawn carts that delivered milk to our front porch in Milk Cans and they would laddle it out into billy cans.
Hi David – am curious about your comment – is it the submarine that can still be seen or the remains of Smalls Wharf ( and what is the exact location you are referring to?
The Remains of Smalls Wharf….referred to by their family as Smalls Way as it was a slipway for the Swan that was built there before they sailed it to Grafton and settled there. I believe it also doubled as a Wharf for Steamer…..the Dutch Sub has gone completely.
Thanks David – much appreciated – do you have a street address for the location of
Smalls Wharf? Many thanks
Brad
yes it is at the bottom of Osborne Street where the Dutch Sub was dumped in the early 50’s and it butted up against Ryde Baths which were demolished in 1930 not because of pollution but because or the cost to repair as it had weathered badly over 24 years. The Small Family built a 50 Ship there which they later used to sail to Grafton and establish a settlement. I have pictures of the Baths….you can still view the remnants at low tide of what the Small Family called Smalls Way. I also have 2 pics of Meadowbank Baths.
50 ton
Thanks David – this is really useful – would love to see the images if you are happy to share
Much appreciated
Brad
I have just stumbled on your site when doing research for my own site and am pleased to have done so. What lovely writing and pictures. It reminds me of Mirror Sydney which I think would interest you. When I have more time, I’ll look at your other posts. My site may interest you too – discovering suburbs of Sydney – search for Travel with Joanne
Thanks Joanne! I’m familiar with Mirror Sydney, but I’ll familiarise myself with your site as well. Btw, wasn’t that Tank Stream Tour a doozy?
Hi Michael – came across you again when researching Leichhardt.
as a result have included the Cyclops Toy Factory on my itinerary. Had to check the meaning of doozy – for me (a migrant from South Africa), it has negative meaning while perhaps you were saying the positive meaning – I loved the Tank Stream tour and as a volunteer Sydney Greeter have told many of my guests about snippets that I learnt on the tour.
Hi, are there any more photos from inside the compass centre shopping and office areas- it has been closed for a while and I regret not taking photos when I had the chance…
Love the site and the history lessons! Keep up the great work! My thing is old disused cinemas…already a website like yours regarding that subject.
You’re spoiled for choice in this town, Peter.
Please get a Twitter account!!!
Dear Michael Wayne,
I just want you to know that this is the best site I’ve ever been asked to suss out as part of a uni subject.
It’s just so good. I started chuckling immediately as I read about Toys R Us. You better believe that place was a staple of my childhood that I didn’t care about until I heard it was gone.
Added bonus is that I can now procrastinate here guilt-free, under the guise of studying Community Histories.
Many thanks!
Dear Peta,
I believe it.
quite surprised to find photo of Peter & Mary Doll Repair Shop on corner of Stoney Creek Rd & Kings place. I lived in Kings place as a child & remember Peter & Mary when this shop was a greengrocer. They lived upstairs with their family and Peter always gave me a lollie & pinch on the cheek whenever we went in there.
anyone know where I can get an Ecks Soft Drinks Tee shirt ? laughs…..
I have just stumbled across your website and I love it. Thanks for all the great work!
Regarding the comment on the dentist past life…
when I was in Vietnam a few years ago all national buses went to Saigon not to HCM city. (But the road side km posts always said how many km it was to get to HCM not Saigon… )