Bronte Beach Heritage Society
Newsletter No. 1
24 June 2004
Welcome!
Welcome to our first newsletter. We expect to be emailing this newsletter to you on a fairly regular basis in future, possibly after each BBHS meeting. So let’s begin number one with some heartening news:
The Land and Environment Court seems at last to be doing something about streamlining its decision making processes. The Chief Judge of the L & E Court Peter McClellan outlined some major changes at a recent speech in Newcastle. One proposal is that future hearings begin with on site inspections on the first day of the hearing. Objectors would be able to put their views direct to the Court in an informal manner. But perhaps the most important change is the setting up of court appointed experts. This is to replace the plethora of witnesses and parties called to add weight to each side of a case. Let’s hope that these proposed changes go some way toward improving the effective operations of the Court. For more information see Justice McClellan’s speech, available here
What's on in the oral history project?
Maureen McGee has completed our first oral history interview, talking with Frank Norton. More have been lined up. Here is a summary of Maureen's interview.
Frank Norton AM BEM by Maureen McGee
Frank Conrad Norton, OAM BEM, Patron Bronte SLSC 1976 – 2003, has an association with Bronte Surf Club that goes back almost 70 years, and he can still be found there most mornings. As many of the Club records were lost in the 1972 Clubhouse fire, Frank’s main interest these days is in documenting and recording Club history; he also keeps handwritten records of present Club members and events.
His earliest memory of Bronte was when he was persuaded by a mate to join Bronte Surf Club in 1936. On arrival he was amazed to see fifty or more men aged in their twenties and thirties sitting on the steps outside the Clubhouse. They called themselves the Sunshine Club and talked together on all topics – mainly football and politics. The country was still in the grip of the Depression so many spent mornings looking for work and the rest of the day at the beach. Aged just 16 and working for an automotive spare parts company, Frank thought it was marvellous to be accepted as one of the group. The numbers dwindled as the men enlisted in the services at the beginning of WW11 – many were excited purely at the opportunity to work at last!
Surf patrols started at 6am on Sundays, so Frank had to rise at 5am to walk from Edgecliff to Waverley Depot in time to catch a Bronte tram. If late he would be penalised. Soon after joining, he attended his first Surf Carnival at Newcastle – he had never ventured so far from Sydney before. In those days competitors travelled to Surf Carnivals outside Sydney by train and slept on the beach.
There have been many changes in techniques and rescue equipment used by lifesavers at Bronte over the years. The short boards of the 1960’s were much easier than the earlier long boards. Rubber duckies of today make surf rescues a simpler task and surf lifesavers have better training in first aid. The majority of rescues are a result of surfers disregarding the flag signs. Since 1907 the Club records only seven drownings. In the 40’s, club member Dave Brown (well known international footballer) and his sisters ran a popular hire service for inflated rubber surfoplanes, which were occasionally used in rescues. Sun protection was never a consideration; coconut oil was applied to the skin, identification caps had no brims and there were no covers over the patrol area. Frank and many of his peers suffer the consequences of skin cancers today.
Most people came to Bronte Beach by tram to picnic in early years, attracted by the well-kept park area and numerous picnic sheds. The beach was not considered as ideal for inexperienced surfers due to dangerous rips on the south end; swimming in the baths run by the Bond family was far more popular. A bandstand built on the promenade brought big crowds on Sunday afternoons to listen to local bands. Leisure activities in 1930s and 40’s for young adults in the area were centred around dances at St Charles Hall, the cinema at Charing Cross (at present an equipment hire company) and professional fights at the Boxing Stadium alongside.
During the war, searchlights were erected on the north corner of the beach, machine guns in the baths area and barbed wire was set up on the sand. Surfers had to zig zag through the wire to enter the surf. Patrols continued to operate on restricted membership throughout the war years. Frank served in the Army for 5 years in 3 campaigns – New Guinea, Tarakan and Balikpapan. On his return he married his sweetheart Gwendolene Cubitt and rented a flat above one of the shops at Bronte Beach – woken each morning by the first tram of the day rattling through the cutting. One of the shops was a Chinese restaurant run by Mrs Lowe and another was Bill and Mary Foster’s milkbar and newsagency. A third shop at the northern end sold mixed smallgoods.
One of the most memorable Surf Club characters was Pee Wee Wilson who also lived above the shops. Some days heading for school, he would wave to his parents as he got onto the tram at the terminus, then jump off the other side and tear down to the beach to spend the day surfing. A talented singer, he recruited a few mates to practise singing in the Club shower room, ribbed by other members. While on patrol, he was mobbed by young girls and boys calling "We want Pee Wee". Frank suggested the group give a concert to make a few ‘bob’ for the Club. They went on to become the legendary Delltones.
Frank was awarded a BEM in 1978 and OAM in 2002 for services to Bronte SLSC. He considers his lifelong involvement with the club has given him great satisfaction and friendships formed over the years have meant a great deal to him. He felt humbled but proud to be part of the Club’s Centenary celebrations this year.
(Some of Frank’s Bronte memories from his oral history interview with Maureen McGee 27th Oct 2003)
Frank kindly lent us some photographs of early Bronte. We thought that you might like to see this rare glimpse of the baths taken around the beginning of last century.
Are Garages Ruining Bronte?
A number of sandstone walls around Bronte are under siege, and through views to the beach and valley are being walled out, both due to the poor effect of garages insensitively placed, built too large and positioned too much to the street frontage. Waverley's DCP2 with its Bronte Character Study is the only planning instrument we have which acts to discourage this bad practice. Unfortunately there is no culture within Council that really acts to conserve this essential aspect of Bronte - its public views from streets and footpaths. The Character Study is mostly honoured in the breach.
Council should be encouraged to better enforce the powers it has to protect view corridors.
407-409 Bronte Road
BBHS wrote to Council objecting to the unsympathetic development proposed for this site. The approval granted by Council aims to mitigate the poor effects on neighbouring heritage assets Rocky Mount and Bronte House and, in support of our suggestion, Council has also required photographic recording and archiving (in Waverley Library) of the existing cottage before it is demolished.
Locarno
Council considered the heritage listing of Locarno, 499 Bronte Road (cnr Pacific Street), as well as a DA for a second storey extension submitted by its previous owner, at the Saturday June 5th meeting. The house came from the high profile and very well reputed firm of Ancher Mortlock Woolley, architects, in 1953 and has graced the Bronte foreshores in unaltered form for fifty years. Although the property has a "Sold" sign on it, the seller lobbied Council to defer its decision on the current DA until after settlement expected in a few weeks time. Whether due to the lobbying or not Council has deferred the decision. We appreciate the support the new Council has shown for this landmark property, with a large majority on Saturday stating they would be opposed to the second storey addition which would clearly detract from the values of lightness and space that characterize Locarno as it stands today.
"Interim Heritage" website listings
A contribution by Cr George Newhouse to the heritage conservation of Waverley. Do take a look through the properties already recorded there. What else should be up on this website?
Heritage Walks
Brooke Thomson has mapped out two heritage walks. And Virginia Milson has signed up three (3!) experienced and qualified guides for three proposed routes: Route 1 Led by June Moore (Randwick Historical Society)
Cemetery - McPherson St.(129-131) - Yanko Ave (Yanko House) - Evans
St (Ellsmore and other fine houses) - Brae St (workers cottages) - Lugar St - McPherson St (Fruitgasm, Wet Paint Cafe) - Leichhardt St (Lugar Brae church, afternoon tea)
Route 2Led By Colin Brady (Council Heritage Officer and Architect)
Cemetery - McPherson St and Bronte Rd (Locarno) - Bronte Baths - Bronte Rd (Bronte House) - Bronte
Rd and Evans St (Ellesmore) - Bronte Rd - Leichhardt St - Lugar Brae church.
Route 3 led By Ian Stapleton (Heritage Landscape Architect and Consultant Planner)
Cemetery - Trafalgar St (weatherboard house) - Tram cutting - Pacific St (55a and 57
Gardyne) - Bronte Rd (Rocky Mount weatherboard) - Bronte Rd (back of the nursing
home) - Gipps St - Brown St (weatherboard houses) Or perhaps this order could be reversed to
finish at the cemetery, say, for a drink.It is also hoped that the owners of a few of the grander houses in the area can be persuaded to come to the party in some way. The Handbury's at Bronte House and their functions manager Tom have kindly offered us access to the Bronte House gardens in December, for instance.
Dates and times for these fantastic walks ...... coming soon!
Bronte Surf Club
A report prepared by Surf Life Saving Australia’s honorary historian, Ed Jaggard concludes that Bondi was formed in February 1907. He finds that Bronte was formed a few weeks later, in March or April 1907 – not in 1903 as the club has always claimed. Is this the end of the dispute? You'd have to be joking!
NB Bronte pool was opened in 1886, and hosted State swimming titles in years (which years?) before the turn of the 20th Century.
Why Heritage List?
We have up on the website a summary of the reasons for heritage listing some houses, what to look for, and other insights. See here
The usual threats to the preservation of our heritage arise from development proposals and, occasionally, from neglect. The Society is active in working for its constitutional aims and objectives. Expressions of interest are invited from members who would like to help with the work of the Society in pursuit of its objectives, defending our heritage The usual avenues for the advocacy work of the Society are submission of written comments and recommendations to Council and other relevant bodies, and the occasional delivery of verbal addresses. Recent examples would be written submissions on Development Applications (DAs) lodged for Sonoma, Locarno and the Gardyne St hillside, and Paula and Virginia have both represented the Society by speaking at Council meetings recently.
If you think you would like to contribute on these fronts, if you would like some help or some coaching to develop your own abilities in the writing of effective submissions or in public speaking, please feel welcome to contact your executive members to find out about having a go!
A summary of Maureen's interview of Frank Norton appears above - well done Maureen! Rebecca has recorded Alan Freeman, ex-Delltones bass player and high profile Bronte resident and has several more interviews booked in. (At some stage we may be making transcripts and other media available on the website, by the way). Brooke has recorded at least one interview, Erica has interviewed our own member and certifiable Bronte Legend, Alma Jarvis. Great work! Please let us know if you have interviewed, are planning to interview, or could use any guidance or assistance from those with the experience and the contacts. Feedback from interviewers and interviewees has so far been highly enthusiastic, we're delighted to report.
Paula and Virginia met with Clare Strang (Handbury) last week. Clare and husband Matt are the new
residents at Bronte House.
They report "We were very well received and Clare is happy to offer us Bronte House for
our launch. She has suggested Oct / Nov as this sees the garden at its
best. Clare is also renovating (in close consultation with Colin Brady) and
these should be finished by then. They will get back to us with a confirmed
date shortly so we can get on with the business of planning and getting
sponsors for the event."
We have our first heritage walk on Sunday (27th.June) morning at 10am.This is the first one in a Series and we will be meeting at the corner of Gibson and Murray Sts. at 10am.It is due to take about two hours and finish at 59 Gardyne St. for light refreshments.
Hoping you can join us, I'm sure that you would find it most interesting, Ian Stapleton, heritage architect and author has agreed to lead the walk.
A tentative program has been put together for the next 6 months so please make a note in your diaries. We will confirm shortly.
AGM and Robert Mills lecture on Hurley's photos of Bronte - 31 August
Lecture on Bronte House and Graden - October
Launch and fundraiser at Bronte House - Nov
After a protracted campaign by many people including our Society, it appears that Sonoma (369 Bronte Rd) has been saved.
In order to save Sonoma however, the building of 4 x 2 bedroom flats at the rear of Sonoma was agreed to by Council and unhappily supported by the Society. We recognised this as the best option given the potential for an "approval to demolish" to be issued by the Land and Environment Court.
At a recent meeting, where the BBHS spoke on behalf of the motion before Council (a copy is at our web site), it was resolved that the Deed of Agreement be issued subject to some 66 conditions.
Prior to this Agreement proceeding however, Council has requested the plans delete the proposed on-site basement car park, provide details of the treatment of the eastern sidewall where the proposed garage door was mooted and to detail compliance methods with the Building Code of Australia.
The Deed of Agreement is (verbatim) as follows:
The Occupation Certificate for any part of the residential flat building may not be issued and the Strata Subdivision Certificate will not be released until after the occupation Certificate for the heritage item (Sonoma), is issued. The Occupation Certificate for the heritage item is not to issue until the approved heritage works to Sonoma are carried out to the satisfaction of an experienced heritage architect, listed with and approved by the NSW Heritage Office and with the agreement of Council’s heritage advisor, and in accordance with the Conservation Management Plan indicated in Condition 5 of consent.
Heard around the traps the owners of Sonoma are committed to fully restoring Sonoma to its former glory and that we will be invited to the unveiling. In commending the owner’s wishes to save this important heritage landmark, The Society has promised to bring the lamingtons! We’ll keep you posted as restoration unfolds.
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That's all for newsletter 1! Please submit your comments, articles, questions, or anything else to:
Paula: xeni_35@hotmail.com
Virginia: vmilson@bigpond.com or
Rob: robsharpe@optusnet.com.au
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© Bronte Beach Heritage Society 2004