Recent TOUR Reports
TOFS TRIP 758
Thursday 11th July 2024
KOKODA TRACK PRESENTATION
Penrith RSL
(Organised by TOFS NM)
TOFS (23): JP (27), John W (43), Ken H (48), Terry O (147), Phil G (154), Peter M (155) Rex M (179), Graham L (185), Ray H (191), Chas H (203), Jim McD (209), Rod K (226), Ron O (231), Keith H (266), David M (271) Les H (272,) Peter McK (288) Paul E (380) Lyle W (386,) Bill R (389), Don N (400), Rob E (431), Craig McD (445), and Graeme L (392) joined us for lunch.
23 TOFs reported for duty at the Penrith RSL, on a beautiful winter’s morning.
Our speaker Ronnie Moore from the 2/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion Association was ready to go when we arrived. Ronnie is also Vice President of the Cabra-Vale Diggers at Cabramatta. We heard many personal histories of the men who had served at Kokoda and Ronnie has interviewed many who were there.
Some photographs and a collection of medals were passed around for us to look at. Some of our group thought that a map would have been helpful. Ronnie confessed that he had only walked part of the Kokoda Track, having had health issues.
He related many tales from his father who had served there and obviously through his RSL connections, he has accumulated a vast knowledge of this campaign, fought in what was then the Australian Territory of Papua during 1942.
It was primarily a land battle between the Japanese forces and the Australian and Papuan forces, the Japanese objective being to seize Port Moresby through an overland advance from the north following the Kokoda Track.
Ronnie spoke extensively of horrific battles fought at Mission Ridge, Templeton’s Crossing and Eora. Operations were also compromised by tropical diseases such as malaria, and horrible conditions.
Despite some stories being very sad and depressing, it was good to have contributions and questions from TOFS members, many with knowledge of the Kokoda experiences learned from family members.
There is a huge amount of material on the Internet available to TOFS members who may wish to learn more of Kokoda, and of course there are many publications also available.
What we had from Ronnie was only a short break-down of this subject, but it really brought home to all of us the horrors of war.
We concluded with a group photograph, a vote of thanks to our speaker and a donation to the Battalion Association.
Everyone was ready for lunch by 12.30 and I’m sure that all meals were enjoyed over the usual convivial conversation.
Thanks to Charles for organizing the group photo.
David M (271)
TOFS TOUR 756
Thursday 4th July 2024
A CHATSWOOD SEA SHANTY
(Organised by TOFS KO)
TOFS (28): Graham L (185), Paul E (380), Peter O (348), Don N (400), Lyle W (386), Terry O (147), Jim M (209), Ken H (48), Keith R (283), Ron O (231), Robert E (431), David W (434), Phil B (345), JP (27), Stuart P (264), James B (214), Bruce K (68), Paul T (233), Ted A (306), Peter M (155), Gary H (366), Daryl H (65), Bobby T (448), Chris R (251), Rex M (179), Gregg B (365), Kenn W (243), Richard M (219).
On a brisk winter’s day, the group gathered for the mysteriously named “Chatswood Sea Shanty” tour. This tour included three attractions - a new wildlife exhibit with focus on the local area, and then the opportunity to see inside two individual houses built by seafarers on the high land of Chatswood, and to hear the history and tales of each one.
Willoughby Historical Society Museum
TOFS have visited this museum before, but the exhibits have rotated and been updated so it was interesting to see it again. The house was gifted to the society by a generous benefactor. Our tour guide Paul Storm was there to greet us and introduce the tour. A key point was that each of the houses on view had the same Victorian layout – front door, then two rooms on either side.
Iroquois
One of the houses was built by Frank Coffee, a reporter for the New York Herald. He built the house and named it Iroquois after an American battleship in port at the time. He made 40 to 50 trips around the Pacific and published his record of travel. It is rumoured Coffee had an anchor tattoo upon his chest. In the garden was a column pine, a tall stately tree that is known to always lean to the north-east (so used to determine direction when encountered in the wild). Iroquois is now the Windsor Gardens Retirement Village, and we were kindly provided with tea and biscuits in the lounge area.
The Anchorage
The third house on show for us was built by Captain Peebles, a sea captain. The seafaring nature of the owners of Iroquois and the Anchorage formed the “Sea Shanty” theme of our tour. The Anchorage is a time capsule of many historic treasures, including items from demolition sites in Strathfield and some rare acid-etched glass produced under licence.
Great Northern Hotel
Opened in 1870 The Great Northern Hotel was the first hotel in the Willoughby Municipality. It was built by Henry Russell, an Alderman of Willoughby Council. The hotel was used as a staging stop and was briefly called the Artarmon Hotel around 1915, before being renamed The Great Northern Hotel once again. It was rebuilt in the 1930s. An iconic venue for a memorable TOFS lunch that was enjoyed by all.
Our thanks to Paul Storm, the Willoughby Historical Society and the Windsor Gardens Retirement Village for a great day out. Music for this tour set the tone of grand buildings and stately pretensions - 'Chateau Lobby # 4' by Father John Misty (2015).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6NuYJ0RzRg
Graham L (185)
More pics at "Where have we been slideshow"
TOFS Tour 755
Friday 28 June 2024
Bago Maze & Winery, Bago
(Organised by TOFS MC)
TOFS MC (20):
Dave T (351), John M (70), Malc S (359), Alan M (228), Norm MS (307), Kevin H (324), Vic N (329), Bob K (334), John W (338), Bill L (367), Peter W (354), Ian C (376), Graham S (377), Tom H (393), Peter B (399), Alan B (402), Albert K (403), Kit C (415), Bob H (427), Tony P (443).
Guest (1) Nigel P.
Twenty members plus 1 guest set out at 9am from Halliday Shores on their express coach bound for Bago, with driver Dave T (351) at the helm. Before departure, a couple of members thought they would entertain those on board with some new tales. Regrettably, neither the identities of the members involved, nor the content of the jokes can be revealed!
The hour-long journey north to Bago Maze & Winery passed without incident in brilliant sunshine. Upon arrival, and after passing a large stand of now dormant grape vines, coffee and cake (for some) was the order of the day. With one lady making the coffees and one taking the orders, meant that the lineup was quite remarkable, to such an extent that those who already had their beverages felt the need to photograph those still in the queue (sadism at its best)!
Next stop was the remarkable maze. All but two members were brave enough to tackle this challenging network. Information freely available informs that the maze is a stunning architecturally designed native Lilly Pilly hedge, one of the world’s largest with over 2000m of pathways, bridges and hedges. Those who engaged in the activity emerged at the exit at various stages to the cheers (and jeers) of those who had already completed the task.
Wine tasting was the next challenge on the day’s agenda, with several members partaking, with Whites, Rosés, Reds and Fortified Wines among the choices available. Some of the samples must have hit the spot as several were observed purchasing bottles to take home.
An essential requirement for each trip of Tour Organiser, Malcolm S (359), is a group photo. This was accomplished at the cellar’s main entrance prior to boarding the coach destined for Wauchope. The historic Hastings Hotel was the venue for lunch and the group’s annual general meeting (AGM). Everyone felt that the lunch was above-average for pub food and there was a favourite beer available for all to enjoy.
Liaison Officer and Chairperson, John M (70), called the group to order for the AGM following lunch. The primary items of business were reports from officers for the past year and the election of officers for the forthcoming year. On completion of the reports, Chairman John invited Ian C (376) to assume the role of Returning Officer to conduct the elections, the outcome of which was that Malc S (359) was returned as Tour Organiser, Norm MS (307) was elected cashier and John M (70) was returned as Liaison Officer.
The group arrived back at home base at around 3:45pm fully refreshed as many were observed snoozing during the return journey, except driver Dave T (351) of course, who was thanked for his efforts by way of acclamation from those present.
Cheers,
Ian C (376)
TOFS TRIP 754
Tuesday 25 June 2024
Purified Recycled Water (PRW) Discovery Centre
(Organised by TOFS WW Sub-group)
TOFS [23]: JP(27), John W (43), Bruce K (68), Phil G (154), Dennis W (177), Rex M (179), Greg O’H (200), Paul C (207), Richard McD (219), Ron O’H (231), Bill K (232), Stuart P (264), Peter M (288), Richard B (296), Phil B (345), Peter O (348), Gary H (366), Paul E (380), Lyle W (386), Peter C (391), Rob E (431), David W (434), Dave F (441)
With most of our touring party assembled at Blacktown Bus Interchange, and to ensure that he would feel part of TOFS for the rest of our trip to Quakers Hill, a warm welcome was extended to Dave F (441) along with the presentation of his TOFS cap and badge. Welcome Dave, and we hope to see you on lots more trips.
I have sent an email to Sydney Water, by way of my most recent contact Katrina (Community Education Coordinator):
“Hello Kristina,
Thanks for your part in facilitating our visit yesterday to the Discovery Centre.
I have one further request. To save me finding individual email addresses, please convey my thanks to Liana and Ben who handled the presentation of Sydney Water's proposals about PRW so professionally.
The interest that they generated in the processes was evidenced by the number of questions that were put to them by our members, and the responses by Liana and Ben showed their great understanding of PRW and the whole philosophy of Sydney Water into the future.
I feel that you should also be aware of the endorsement by our members of the decision by Sydney Water to establish such a Discovery Centre to demonstrate how our dollars are being spent and your determined efforts to ensure sufficient water supplies for our expanding population.
This email will form part of our Tour Report for the day, and I hope that it will encourage more of our TOFS members to book in for either individual tours, or indeed another team visit.”
This was, indeed, a most enlightening tour.
Sydney Water is committed to providing a water supply sufficient to meet the needs of Greater Sydney into the future.
Purified Recycled Water (PRW) will be a crucial part of the process, and it is anticipated that PRW will contribute up to 25% of that supply by about 2056.
The purpose-built Discovery Centre displays some of the treatment technology used to produce PRW. Although a ‘demonstration plant’, this installation produces 0.5 megalitres of PRW a day (or about five or six litres per second). This water does not contribute to Sydney’s drinking water supply at the moment, being piped back to the tertiary filters at the nearby Water Resource Recovery Facility. A future decision about including PRW in our drinking water (which already occurs in Singapore and parts of California, the United Kingdom and elsewhere) will be subject to community consultation and strict Government approvals.
The four-stage process leading to PRW is:
1. Ultrafiltration which pushes water through membranes with tiny pores 1/10000 of a millimetre in size, removing any particles and suspended solids that are too big to fit through the holes.
2. Reverse Osmosis (RO) which uses high pressure and more membranes with pores 100 times smaller than in the previous stage to remove most of the salts, chemicals and micro-organisms, such as viruses, from the water.
3. Advanced Oxidation. Ultraviolet light combined with a chemical oxidant (in this case chlorine) breaks down chemicals that can pass through the RO process. This occurs via two mechanisms: UV-Photolysis (where UV light destroys contaminants by breaking apart chemical bonds) and UV-Oxidation (where UV light in conjunction with sodium hypochlorite oxidises any remaining chemicals).
4. Chlorination. Lastly, as is done for our drinking water, chlorination ensures both the water and pipes are free from any remaining microorganisms.
Each of these processes is, of course, continuously monitored online to ensure that the end product meets the Australian Standard for Water Recycling.
Our guides, Liana and Ben, provided an excellent description of each of these processes including the progressive flow through each of the pieces of hardware on site.
Such was the interest shown by our TOFS members that our tour extended well beyond the allotted time (hey, thanks Sydney Water for that!) and threatened to impact upon our lunch booking. It was with reluctance that we had to leave the Discovery Centre, as Liana and Ben seemed well-prepared to carry on for a while.
I recommend that interested TOFS members book online for a visit/revisit to this innovative facility. Go to Sydney Water website for PRW Bookings.
An interesting observation during lunch at the Quakers Inn was about the apparently endless number of hotel bistros around Greater Sydney that offer very good meals at reasonable prices. Quakers Inn was no exception and put forward a comprehensive a-la-carte menu as well as a full page of lunch specials. Many were the favourable comments.
Capping off the day, and creating a precedent that Tour Organisers of TOFS Trips during winter will ignore at their peril, was the opportunity to consume “afters” in front of a blazing fire. Not only did it ‘warm the cockles’ of many members, but strangely it prolonged the afternoon well past the suggested train times for the journey home. Oh well.
Where to next time?
Rex M (179)
Another pic at "Where have we been slideshow"
TOFS TOUR 753
Monday 17th June 2024
HARBORD DIGGERS RSL - LUNCH
(Organised by TOFS SS)
TOFS (18): John P (27), Jim McD (209), Terry O’H (147), Phil G (154), Peter M (155), Jim O’H (170), Rex M (179), Ron O’H (231), Kenn W (243), Peter McK (288), Richard B (296), Peter O (348), Gary H (366), Paul E (380), Lyle W (386), Graeme L (392), Don N (400), Rob E (431).
Eighteen eager TOFS members gathered at the City Extra café from 10.30 am for a morning coffee and a chin wag. Due to rough seas at the heads the ferry timetable had been re-arranged so a vote was taken to decide on which ferry to catch and the majority opted for the “BIG “ferry leaving at 11.50. The trip across the heads was rough enough to satisfy the majority with JP being the exception stating the seas were not much more than a mill pond.
We alighted at Manly and boarded the 167 bus for Harbord Diggers. The bus driver was apologetic for not being able to drop us off at the front door but was nevertheless amused by our title and on-board chatter. Most of us had never visited these premises and were impressed by the opulence of the place. On entry we were greeted by no less than four different food outlets within the dining precinct. Unfortunately, on this day only one outlet was open, which restricted our choice of food somewhat. We were all a little disappointed by this occurrence.
On a brighter note a schooner of “Carlton Draught” was special at $5 a glass. We had envisaged dining on the outside deck but were glad we didn’t as the day proved somewhat cold, showery and windy. Comments by members indicated a return to the venue would not be a priority.
We all drifted off at various stages to catch the bus back to Manly Wharf. Several of us elected to take the smaller “Fast” catamaran ferry back to the Quay and this proved to be an exhilarating ride as the ferry rose and dipped through the swells across the heads.
All in all, an enjoyable day was had by all. Perhaps next time we will choose a different lunch venue.
Cheers for now. See you all at the next SS trip to St. Stephens historic church.
Kenn W (243) Tour Organiser
TOFS TRIP 751
TUESDAY 11TH JUNE 2024
LUNCH THE GARDENS
NEW GOSFORD RSL
(Organised by TOFS-CC)
TOFS (33): Bill W 1, Peter W 149, Peter B 32, Anthony T 420, Eddie B 93, John P 27, Paul E 380, Rob E 431, C Mc D 445, James Mc C 118, R Merrick 179, Ron O’H 231, Ron B 446, Sean H 452, Jeff J 153, Bob S 444, Graham L 185, Bill B 116, Peter Mac 288, Terry W 137, Lloyd S 138, Dave E 94, Peter W 101, Graham G 346, Phil G 154, Rob B 440, Peter M 155, Terry O’H 147, Andrew M 16, Sam H 193, Stuart P 264, Hal M 6, Ted A 306.
I asked a few members if they could pick up about a dozen members from the train to take them to the RSL, the response was overwhelming with a fleet of cars arriving to pick up about 7 members, not knowing JP pick some up from Woy Woy. Thank you to all those who offered their vehicles.
After assembling at the RSL and doing a roll call, I welcomed 2 new members Sean H 452 and Craig Mc D 445 and presented them with their Caps and advised the members of the news of John W 1 passing and that Bill W 1 had agreed to give a talk on the beginning of TOFS and Lead a tribute to John W 1.
Bill W, spoke about the first trip he and John W and John N went on and how the idea of TOFS came to be and that they all agreed as the founding members they would all have hat No 1.
Bill described how John W 1 was the driving force behind the growth of TOFS and was the go-to man when things were meant to be and in the right way.
Mainly due to John W 1 ‘s dedication and vision TOFS grew so much that by 2012 members were finding it difficult to book into the once monthly Thursday trip arranged by John.
He was concerned about members dropping out, so came up with the idea of a subgroup to offer a second trip on another day. He approached 3 fellow Central Coast members to agree to form CC-TOFS, so that subgroup was born and conducted its first trip to the Museum of Newcastle in June 2012. So, then there were 2 groups HQ and CC
Since then, due to demand the other 5 subgroups were formed and at the time of his passing TOFS was conducting 7 trips a month in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and the Mid Coast of NSW.
Vale John W 1
Peter Bech JP 32 CC1
14 June 2024
More pics at "Where have we been slideshow"
TOFS TRIP 752
Thursday 13th June 2024
THE VAULT – South Eveleigh
(Organised by TOFS NM)
TOFS (26): JP (27), Ken H (48), Terry O (147), Phil G (154), Peter M (155) Graham L (185), Charles H (203), Jim McD (209), Richard McD (219) Rod K (226), Ron O (231), Bill K (232), Kenn W (243), Stuart P (264), David M (271), Peter McK (288), Phil B (345), Peter O (348) Paul E (380) Lyle W (386), Stephen B (390), Graeme L (392), Don N (400), David W (434), Craig McD (445), Ron B (446).
26 TOFS assembled at Redfern Station on a brisk cool morning ready for our tour.
The Vault is located within the Australian Technology Park at South Eveleigh, previously the site of Eveleigh Railway Workshops.
Covering a vast area, these workshops operated for over 100 years, and we were fortunate to have two TOFS members, who had served their apprenticeships there.
Steven was our guide at The Vault, and he proved to have a vast knowledge of Commonwealth Bank history.
The first Governor of the bank Sir Denison Miller was appointed in 1911 and we were privileged to see his passbook and his desk, still looking in good condition.
We heard lots about the origins of the bank, takeovers, initiatives, logos, uniforms and technological advances over the years. This included a look at their “million dollar” robot, who it was thought at one time might replace bank employees.
Although it is a very small museum, we found lots of interesting banking artefacts in the display cases. There were also some relics from the past on display, typewriter, gold scales, adding machine, early computer, all of them now obsolete.
Behind the museum are kept thousands of documents, photographs, tapes, all relating to the bank’s history.
Our visit concluded with a question-and-answer session and our guide managed to diplomatically field some leading questions, from our group.
We made our way back to Redfern station, stopping for our group photograph on the way.
Lunch at the Royal Exhibition Hotel, opposite the Central Station, was enjoyable and good value.
During lunch we stopped to observe a minute’s silence in memory of John Wareham who sadly passed away just recently. Jim McDonald led the tribute to John.
David M (271)
More pics at "Where have we been slideshow"
TOFS Tour 747
Friday 24 May 2024
Ironwood Australia
Organised by TOFS MC)
TOFS (24): Dave T (351), John M (70), Don S (225), Ray M (229), Norm MS (307), Alan E (311), Peter H (315), Gary S (322), Kevin H (324), Doug F (333), Bob K (334), Peter T (352), Peter W (354), Malc S (359), Bill L (367), Ken L (368), Graham S (377), Alan B (402), Albert K (403), Ray L (407), Vic C (414), Alan J (416), Bob B (418) and Tony P (443).
Just before leaving Halliday Shores, and on a beautiful, if not cool autumn morning, Malc S (359) presented new member Tony P (443) with his TOFS cap and welcomed him to TOFS.
Our trip to Ironwood Australia, in Pampoolah, near Old Bar, was agreed by the 24 members who attended, as one of the best trips any of us have attended. Why, I hear you ask?
Well quite simply, Darron Compton, their Sales Manager, and the Ironwood Australia story. Darron has worked with timber all his working life and been with Ironwood 6 years. Not only did Darron spend over 90 minutes walking us around the huge site and explain their hardwood timber recycling processes, sawing huge logs, and laminating the huge numbers of offcuts into amazing panels, etc., but he was very engaging and knowledgeable about every aspect of this mega recycling business of Australian hardwoods, especially their Research & Development. We learnt about Australian hardwood species, which include;
Grey iron bark, Tallowwood, Blackbutt, Red bloodwood, Sydney blue gum, Grey gum,
Red mahogany, Spotted gum, Red cedar, and of course Australian Ironbark.
Darron explained that Ironwood Australian are Australia’s leading supplier of reclaimed, recycled and architectural Australian hardwood timbers, some up to 150 years old. We were gobsmacked as every log, and there are 1,000s and 1,000s of them, seemingly scattered throughout the huge site. Each log details are recorded thoroughly, and sized (diameter, length and cubic meters), and then tagged, with a QR or bar code. Each log has been reclaimed from wharfs, bridges, and factories, and has some incredible character that you won’t find anywhere else. These recycled timber products can be re-used to create unique effects in hardwood flooring, decking, beams, joists, trusses, posts, bollards, benchtops, furniture & cladding. Numerous Australian Government reports have extolled the virtues of the use of timber over other building materials as a more environmentally friendly choice. A major advantage of using recycled hardwood timbers, Darron explained, is the positive environmental effects, including conservation of old growth forests, increased carbon storage and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Ironwood Australia is an Australian, family owned company, formerly known as the Rozelle Recycled Building Centre, which was established in the mid-1990s, and their recycled hardwood timbers are sought after and specified by some of Australia’s most well-known and highly regarded architects, project managers, interior designers, property stylists, property developers, hoteliers and hospitality groups and restaurateurs as well as DIY renovators who want to add some character to their renovation project.
All in all, a wonderful experience.
Later we enjoyed a most enjoyable lunch at the Old Bar Tavern.
Cheers,
John M (70)
PS: For those interested in signing a petition/petitions to be forwarded to State Government MP’s please email; johnmead2430@gmail.com.
TOFS TOUR 750
Thursday 6th June 2024
ST GEORGES CRESCENT
(Organised by TOFS KO)
TOFS (27): Graham L (185), Peter O (348), Jim M (209), Ken H (48), David W (434), Paul E (380), JP (27), Ron O (231), Lyle W (386), Ted B (451), Daryl H (65), Don N (400), Peter M (288), Bill R (389), Phil G (154), Michael F (108), Jeff J (153), Peter M (155), Richard M (219), Ted A (306), John O (357), Jim B (293), Jeffrey H (373), Keith R (283), Gary H (366), Francis L (453), Gary C (75).
Despite violent threats from the weather bureau the resolute TOFS gathered to brave storm and tempest to get out on the harbour waters. As it turned out, umbrellas stayed crisp and dry, and after ferry stops at Barangaroo and Cockatoo Island, we docked at Drummoyne Wharf. Once on dry land our stroll down Saint Georges Crescent commenced – accompanied (to the relief of some members) by total silence from our knowledgeable tour guide.
The iconic figure of Saint George – patron saint of England, Georgia and no doubt a whole lot more worthy causes. But who was he in real life? Well, he did exist.
George of Lydda was a soldier in the Roman army of Cappadocian Greek origin. A heroic figure with (it is said) an anchor tattoo upon his chest, he reported for work with tales of his battles with the dragon. The cause of the problem legend has it was a belligerent mother-in-law. In fact, the crones of Lydda were renowned to be hard people, and CWA recruitment drives, Amway and the Avon Lady tended to avoid the Lydda area. But we move on.
On this threatening winter’s day (for winter was but 6 days old) it was ideal to find ourselves in this peaceful and scenic place. Located on the harbour foreshore with a desirable north-east aspect over Willyama Cove, Saint Georges Crescent is home to many wealthy residents, as well as (rumour has it) some suspect underworld characters. Nearby the magnificent Gladesville Bridge beckons TOFS for a future visit.
With the suburb located between Iron Cove and the Parramatta River, Drummoyne's population is wealthier than the Australian average, with a median weekly household income of $2,776, compared with $1,746 Australia-wide.
An excellent location is the Drummoyne Sailing Club with its north-facing outlook to Woolwich, Cockatoo Island, Balmain, Greenwich and North Sydney. Our tables were reserved, and a good lunch was enjoyed by all.
Music for this tour could not have been more appropriate - "St George and the Dragon" by Toto (1979).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGQ-XIg4c-4
Graham L (185)
TOFS TRIP 749
Wednesday 29 May 2024
Jacksons Landing
(Organised by TOFS WW)
TOFS (14): JP (27), Dennis S (60), Jim W (129), Terry O (147), Phil G (154), Graham L (185), Jim M (209), Ron O (231), Peter O (348), Gary H (366), Jeffrey H (373), Bill R (389), Don N (400), Bobby T (448).
Visitors (1): Francis L
The group met on one of the last days of autumn at Central Concourse, narrowly avoiding a tram strike and so luckily able to get to Pyrmont for our tour. A circuit path had been documented for our use by Rex M (179) taking in the best of the district.
Jacksons Landing is a real estate marketing term for the Pyrmont Ultimo Peninsula. The land mass formerly stood much higher than it does now, decades of quarrying have lowered the profile drastically.
The name Jackson commemorates Sir George Jackson, a friend and patron of Captain James Cook, after whom Cook named Port Jackson. A valiant naval figure with an anchor tattoo upon his chest, there is no historical evidence that Jackson ever actually landed at Jackson’s Landing.
Initial industry on the peninsula included ironworks and shipyards, and stonemasons began quarrying sandstone from the western slopes. Good transport connections were established via the Pyrmont and Glebe Island bridges, enabling the peninsula to host dirty activities with abattoirs, dairy effluent, and raw sewage, shrouded in smoke from the ironworks.
CSR began refining sugar in Pyrmont, supplied by its own ships from northern NSW, Queensland, and Fiji. Later a distillery was added, and raw alcohol and industrial chemicals produced. When war broke out, CSR skilfully turned to armaments production. After WW2 CSR diversified into building materials, making Caneite (softboard) from sugar cane residue, and later asbestos processing was added.
As industry moved out, the suburb became depressed, and the working class were replaced by distressed families. By 1995 CSR’s site was sold to Lend Lease to be redeveloped as Jacksons Landing. Lend Lease built a variety of housing, with apartment blocks bearing such names as Quarry, Distillery, Evolve, Stonecutters, Sugar dock and Silk.
Lunch was at the Terminus Hotel in Harris Street, and the group was seated outside in the courtyard. It was an excellent day for outdoor dining, warm and peaceful and perfect for the spinning of several unlikely yarns. A great day out.
Graham L (185)
