Then & Now:  Heritage

Our 'Then & Now' page celebrates the heritage of Weston, NSW, preserving the buildings and memories that shape our community’s identity. Our history connects us—through photographs, narratives, and landmarks—to the generations who came before us and to those still to come. Preserving our heritage is a solemn duty, rooted in its role in shaping identity, fostering cultural connections, and deepening our understanding of the past.

Over time, some of Weston’s early buildings have been lost or transformed, with shop fronts removed and turned into homes, or replaced entirely. Yet many historic structures still stand, some listed on the NSW State Heritage Inventory.  We’ll highlight these treasures and showcase others that deserve recognition, keeping Weston’s legacy alive for future generations.

The Aberdare Hotel at Weston, NSW, was built by Englishman, John Champion who came to Australia at the age of 21 in 1876. In 1905, he was the first licensee of the hotel. The Aberdare Hotel was designed by James Warren Scobie, a Maitland-based architect, and cost about £3000 to build.  [Time Gents - Australian Pub Project, est. 2013; Ed Tonks]

'At the age of 48, Champion started building a grand hotel on what was then the corner of Hall and Aberdare streets at Weston. Champion completed the Aberdare Hotel at a cost about £2000- [?  £3000], opening for business in March in 1905.'  [Time Gents - Australian Pub Project, est. 2013]  

The licensee from 27 Mar 1906 until 27 Mar 1914 was Alexander George Jewell [Ed Tonks].   

See further information: Aberdare Hotel .  Also  Daring Weston Safe Robbery  and  Middies & Memories

'...Sadly, the Aberdare Hotel closed for business in January 2016, during major renovations.'  [Time Gents - Australian Pub Project, est. 2013]   See further information: Aberdare Hotel

2024 saw those extensive renovations to the Aberdare Hotel building completed and a new era begin!  This wonderful old pub with new owners re-opened in October 2024.  

BUILDING ESTABLISHMENT:

Mena Vartholomaios, who immigrated to Australia from the Greek island of Kasos in 1898. He was the builder of the 'Weston Palace Refreshment Rooms' that opened in 1911 .  He changed his surname to Casos when he became an Australian citizen some years later.  'Mena Casos' operated these premises as the Weston Palace Refreshment Rooms until he sold out to the Zantiotis brothers in about 1916. The Zantiotis brothers were Peter, Jack and Tony.   They immigrated to Australia from the Greek island of Kythera at different times in the preceding years.  Peter Zantiotis bought out his brothers in 1922, and in 1928, Stephen Zantiotis was born at the back of the shop. 

Directly next door to the shop at No.52, is a building initially on record as a fish shop  but during the Zantiotis years it became their billiard saloon . (This single storey building was to later become the Weston RSL Hall.) The Zantiotis brothers  also owned a gymnasium nearby that was possibly the Loft that was once at 85 Cessnock Road.  In 1925,  the Zantiotis brothers built the three shops at 31-35 Station Street.  Their name is still on the parapet wall.  In early 1930, during the Depression years, Peter Zantiotis and his family left Weston to live in Dapto.  [Barbara Zantiotis]

See also:  Our Community Halls

On 21 Dec 1903, the Maitland Daily Mercury wrote that James Jones had obtained a publican’s licence.  He later constructed the Criterion Hotel (above) on his land in Weston for the sum of £1000-0-0 ($2000.00). The Criterion Hotel is recognised as one of Weston's most important architectural features. 

James Jones was a pioneer of Weston, having built the Criterion along with several stores and cottages nearby.  He died in 1908.

See:  Middies & Memories

Today, the historic Criterion Hotel on the corner of Cessnock Road and Station Streets  Weston is still going strong.  The Criterion has accomodation, a bar, and a bistro that offers fine dining. They also have a beer garden and live entertainment.   

 Connect with the Criterion Hotel on their Facebook page.  

Hebburn Colliery Dam - always an important part of Weston's History and Heritage.  

 See:  Hebburn Collieries and A Weston Surf Carnival

‘At that time, in 1902, Oaks Creek, a small stream flowed through the property. Right from the outset an immense dam was built across this creek for the purpose of water conservation, an essential item for those steam-powered days.  It was estimated that a lake comprising 5,000,000 gallons would be formed by the holding back of the creek... ‘ [Brian Andrews, The Birth of Weston]

‘In 1917 Hebburn Limited commenced the construction of a large dam on mining lease No. 79.’

[Delaney, J. A HISTORY OF THE GRETA COAL MEASURES:  Hebburn No. 2 Colliery]

The Maitland Weekly Mercury (NSW: 1894-1931) / Sat 14 Nov 1914

WESTON.

There are speculators who are not deterred by the local industrial trouble Mr. Phil. Jenkins, licensee of the Criterion Hotel, Weston is evidently one of this class. He has speculated about £2000 in the construction of a large public hall on a site near the hotel, and having a frontage to Station-street.  The hall, which is known as the "Olympia," is up-to-date in every particular.  Its dimensions are 130 x 40 with 18 feet walls, and a stage 22 x 40. A gallery the full width of the hall extends over the front entrance, on which is installed an up-to-date picture projecting apparatus. On the exterior frontage is a small balcony, built specially for band performances. There are dressing rooms and other convenient apartments. Features of the building are electric lighting and ventilating fans, while special attention has been paid to acoustics. The building is of handsome design, and it adds considerably to the appearance of that part of the town…

There's a lot of local sentiment attached to the former Weston Post Office building and one hopes that it will always be preserved and respected. The following extracts are from John McCulloch's Blogspot where additional details on Weston Post Office can be found:

'The Weston Post Office has a rather unique claim to fame, it was one of the last of three Post Office's to be constructed by the NSW Government in 1916, the others were at Warren and Delungra. It is also interesting to note that while the Australian Postmaster-Generals Department was established at Federation, full control of the postal powers and operations  were not handed over to the Commonwealth till 1917 in NSW.

The quaint Federation Bungalow style was the chosen design for country Post Offices of the period and this is the style that was chosen for Weston. There was no hint of the 'Italianate' beauty that was a hallmark of the James Barnett period, nor neither the 'baroque' elegance of  the Walter Vernon's period, by this stage Post Office design had become standardised and functional. The halcyon days of Post Office design faded during the tenure of George McRae, as responsibility and costs were slowly transferred to the Commonwealth...

...This fine building survived in the Australia Post property portfolio for the next 80 years, becoming part of community, living through economic Depression, various wars and mine closures (Hebburn No.1 closed in 1972). As the population drifted, so did the requirement for a dedicated Post Office and so in 1996, as with many Post Offices around that time, the building was sold off and the operations transferred to LPO status.' 

See:  Services & Establishments

The Weston branch of the Kurri Kurri Co-op Society opened in 1912. 

See detailed history:  Weston Co-op Store

After the Co-op left to continue trading on the corner of Station and First Streets in Weston, several businesses later occupied these premises. Recollections may vary on the order of occupation but the following all worked from this building over time:  Casey's clothing factory made men's football shorts, swimwear and jackets. Following Casey's, Water Lily operated their swimwear factory here in the 1970s and then Depict Fashions worked from these premises for a period along with their other factories at Weston and Kurri Kurri. World of Curtains also operated from this building and last came  Millers Sales Store, a factory outlet that remained for several decades. The former Weston Co-op Store building at 96 Cessnock Rd. Weston has been fully restored and is now operating  as Foodworks.   Contact details Here. 

On the left (above) is the former Capitol Theatre situated on the corner of Station and Second Streets in Weston.  While Weston at one time had three picture theatres, many seniors still living today fondly recall the days of 'going to the pictures' at the Capitol and seeing two films, news reels and cartoons for the price of a ticket. In particular, Saturday aftenoon matinees were popular with the young folk. Unfortunately, the era of the Capitol Theatre came to a sudden end when it was severely damaged by fire in 1965.

See also: Services & Establishments.   &   Our Community Halls

On the right (above), the ruins were rebuilt and today, sections of the former Capitol Theatre and School of Arts walls live on in the Weston Civic Centre.  Over the years, many activities have been held here including receptions, meetings, discos, karate lessons etc.  Today, this community hall is as busy as ever with dance classes, weddings, concerts, parties and other functions.

On Pension Thursdays,  the Weston Seniors Group meet in the smaller section through the right side doorway.  This 'over 55s' group have monthly bus trips provided there are sufficient numbers, and also lunches. They welcome all 'over 55s' to join them. 

The Weston Civic Centre is also a polling booth for Elections and the venue of choice whenever Council or Governments call public meetings.  The Civic Centre has an Accessible toilet and on-street parking, a stage and a kitchen. It has a capacity of 450 persons in the main hall and 70 in the Pensioners section. 

For enquiries, please contact Weston Civic Centre:  Phone 02 4937 1400.

From Peter Williams via the I Grew Up In Weston  Facebook group:

Wine for Weston, July 1921

'On 9 July 1921, a report in the Newcastle Morning Herald stated that "a proposal to make application to the West Maitland Licensing Court for the transfer of the wine license on the Ellalong-road to premises at Weston, is responsible for much controversy". It was reported that a suitable building would be erected in Aberdare-street (now Cessnock Road), and that a petition against the proposal was being circulated.

On 12 July 1921, newspapers reported on the hearing held at the Maitland Licensing Court on the previous day, in relation to the application, by William Victor ALLEN, "for the removal of his colonial wine licence from Ellalong to premises at the corner of First-street and Sawyer's Gully-road, Weston". It seems that this report referred to today's Government Road as "Sawyer's Gully-road". It was also stated that "there was a level railway crossing near the proposed licensed premises".

At the hearing, evidence was given by those in favour and those against the proposal.

Some Weston residents and the local police objected on the grounds "that the reasonable requirements of the neighbourhood did not justify the removal, and the peace and good order of the neighbourhood were likely to be disturbed".

Evidence was given by the applicant; Albert BURNS; Ralph HUMBLE junior, miner; Mr ATKIN, Police Magistrate; Charles Edward EDWARDS, commercial traveller, who supplied between 3,000 and 4,000 gallons of wine a year in the mining town, and who was the owner of "the premises on which it was proposed to carry on the licence"; John RUTHERFORD, miner of Weston; William Ellis FINLAY or FINDLAY, shop assistant of Weston; William THURLING, bootmaker of Kurri; William HOLMES, fireman of Kurri;

Richard JARVIS, shire council employee, of Weston; John Grant WILSON, miner of Kurri;

Arthur BERRY, machineman of Kurri; Martin LONDON, sawyer of Weston; Sergeant STEIN of Kurri Kurri; W S BROMHEAD, clerk of petty sessions; Edward H HAWLEY, auctioneer, of Kurri Kurri; Edward AUBIN, checkweighman at Hebburn Colliery; Inspector PARKER; George REED, colliery waste examiner; William FOSTER, carpenter of Weston; and David WETHERALL, Methodist minister.

ALLEN stated that, if successful, he would "dispose of the business to Mr Chas EDWARDS if he got a certain price. He wanted 200 pounds."

The case was adjourned until 21 July, and adjourned again until 25 July. On the last day of the hearing, "the bench was of the opinion that the requirements of the neighbourhood did not justify the granting of the license. The application was refused."

As we know from the dates on the building, the Old Edwards Wine Saloon eventually got going between 1923 and 1931.'

The two photographs above were taken of the same site:  the corner of Station and First Streets, Weston NSW.   Ferenbachs were already operating here by 1930 as shown on the1930 Electoral Roll.  Fire Brigade records show that 'George Ferenbach's Self-Service Store' in Weston was severely damaged by fire in 1934. The Weston Brigade had recently received their new motorised pumper, (No.210 Dennis Tamini, 250 g.p.m) when this fire occurred.  The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate  reported on an Inquiry into the fire  on Friday, 14 June 1935 which stated there were no suspicious circumstances.  John C. White, husband of the owner of the premises at that time, said that the premises were insured for £1300 and he estimated damage at £350.   South British Insurance Company settled at £325.  

Conways later established their store at this same site (frequently referred to as 'Conways Corner' and operated for many years.  It is not known whether it was Ferenbachs or Conways who updated the building to its present form.

Eventually, Conways were followed into these premises by the Weston Co-op Store after the closure of their historic  premises in Cessnock Road, Weston.  Following the demise of the Co-op movement, several enterprises have occupied these buildings. See also: Services & Establishments.

Today these premises operate as the Ministry Hub for the Kingdom Community Church, with an Op Shop and Foodcare sections. 

Considerable change has taken place on the corner above since the days of Mark, Murdoch's emporium in the early 1900s.  Mark, Murdoch's original store was  further north in Station Street in the vicinity of the 'The Green Shop'.

Of course, many seniors will still remember this in the 1950s era as 'Mrs Hales's corner'.  The original shop owned by Mrs Hales was at 40 Aberdare St./Cessnock Rd. and was where the initial meetings were held in 1908 to form the Soccer clubs.   Mrs Hales, formerly Miss Mary Griffiths, married Anty Hales at Wickham in 1906. They had seven known children: Mary H. (1906); Anty D.J. (1908); William R. (1910-1992); Anty (1913-1991); David J.A. (d.1910); David G. (b.1916); Sarah (d.1920). Anty Hales Sr. died in 1952 and Mrs Mary Hales in 1967.   (Ean Smith)

See also: Services & Establishments.

Haggartys were also in these same premises for many years and outside in Station Street, there used to be a taxi rank. Today, facing Station Street, is the Weston Discount Pharmacy and Post Office agency, and  through the door on Cessnock Road, is Dragonfly Cakes. 

Connect with Weston Discount Pharmacy & Post Office via Facebook. 

Connect with Dragonfly Cakes via Facebook.

An older photograph has not yet been located for this wonderful old building in Cessnock Road, Weston NSW.  It is situated near the Criterion Hotel and was possibly built during the 1950s.  The beautiful stained glass transom light above the door and windows is still intact.  This was the site of a former building referred to as 'The Loft' - a gymnasium and venue for boxing in bygone days.   

Locals have recalled numerous establishments working from this current building  over the years including  it being a mower shop, planning service, real estate agent and printing service.  However, in about the 1930s, Olive Mather lived there and ran a dressmakers shop [Lynne Kermode]. Many older folk still remember it being a  hairdressers salon back in the 1950-60s; first with Miss Madsen and later, Mrs Margaret Farnham.

Today,  Tempest Bicycles operate from these premises.  They advertise bicycle retail, repair and coffee shop.  They also have a custom frame building workshop and frame-building school.

Connect with Tempest Bicycles via their Facebook.

On 24 Apr 1926, the Newcastle Morning Herald reported:

WESTON

'The Police Department has purchased the vacant allotment near the post office, in First Street as a site for a new police station. The present police quarters, on the corner of Aberdare [Cessnock Rd.] and Station streets, have been placed on the market by the executors of the estate of the late Mr. Joseph Garrett.'

 Some of the former officers based at Weston included (among others): Reid, Head, Jenkins, Brown, Lewis, Peterson and Clark.

 Three shops were already in existence on this site by c.1910. From left to right they were: a Fruiterer & Confectioner; a Draper and a Butcher.  Refreshment rooms were also once in the left-side building.

E. Wilkinson was likely the first butcher in these premises and was followed by Hectors who remained there for many decades.  See also: Services & Establishments.

By about the 1960s, the three shops from L-R were: Tindalls Sports Shop; Margaret Foster's Fish & Chip Shop (previously Dick Innes's Barber shop) and Hectors Butchery.  Hadfields later followed Tindalls into the sporting goods store; Rickards Fruit & Veg (later Marie Walker (Evans) replaced the Fish & Chip shop and Ferguson's Butchery followed Hectors.

In 2024, this solid old building still stands but is now without a full awning across the front of the shops.  

The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW: 1894 - 1939) / Fri 2 June 1922

Masonic Hall at Weston.

The Masonic Hall, in the course of erection in Second-street, Weston, the foundation stone of which was laid by Very Wor. Bro. C. B. Worden, D.G.I.W., of West Maitland, on May 6, is expected to be completed by September 1. The building is brick structure, 70ft x 30ft.  The lodge-room will be 50ft. X 30ft., the entry room 30ft. x 20ft., kitchen and preparation room: 8ft. x 10ft, and the vestibule will be 8ft. wide. The front of the building is to be tuck-pointed red brick, and the interior will be plastered throughout, with fibrous plaster ceilings. The roof will be of iron, and of lantern design. The contract price of the building is £1575, but before it is completed will cost approximately £1800. Messrs. Orrett Bros, of Mayfield are the contractors, and Mr. T. J. Popper, of Newcastle, is the architect.

Construction of the double fronted building above was possibly sometime during the early 1940s. Thus far, the original owner has not been determined.  The photograph (left) above was taken about 1970s-80s. 

From January 1946, prior to moving to Station Street, Weston in March 1949, the Commonwealth Bank had an Agency here in rented premises at 74 Cessnock Road Weston, which was attached to its parent branch, the Commonwealth Bank at Kurri Kurri.  McIntosh's Pharmacy later occupied No.74 Cessnock Road prior to them moving around to Station Street, Weston.

The  shop on the right (No.76) was Bailey's Meats.   Butcher, William Harris 'Bill' Bailey, was already operating here by 1947. He died in Kurri Kurri in 1972 and his son Ron continued on in the butchery until his retirement.  

See also: Services & Establishments.

Today, (2024), as in recent decades, a hairdressers' salon has operated at No.74 while the butchery at No.76 became a bakery.  Today, the bakery is known as 'Simply Bliss Bakehouse'.

The image (above left) shows Kirkwood's Groceries and Produce operating from 52 Station Street, Weston in 1965. This is an old building possibly built sometime between the two world wars.  The Kirkwoods traded here for many years until the building was sold by auction in December 1973. It has changed hands several times since then.

Today (2025), the image (above right) shows that the former Kirkwoods Produce Store has been demolished.  The shop premises is now Paws Mobile Vet. 

This building at 37-39 Station Street is quite substantial and may have been built around the 1930s-1940s.  For decades, Mrs Phyllis Meadows operated these premises for ladieswear.  The small section on the left was once Ruygrok's famous Dutch Cake Shop before they moved to larger premises in High Street, Maitland.  Currently, May & Co. Pet Grooming is  operating in the large section of the building. In the small section is Thai Massage.  As can be noted, when the 2008 Google Map image was taken, the Weston Fruit & Vegetable Market was at the left facing First Street but now the Medical Centre has replaced it.

While not easily viewable on the white-painted parapet wall, it states: 'Zantiotis Brothers Buildings 1925'. This year (2025),  marks the 100th anniversary.  The Zantiotis brothers purchased 50 Cessnock Rd., Weston in 1916 when it was the Weston Fruit Palace. As noted above for 50 Cessnock Road:  In about 1916, this shop was purchased by the Zantiotis brothers: Peter, Jack and Tony, who immigrated to Australia from the Greek island of Kythera.  Peter Zantiotis bought out his brothers in 1922. Directly next to this shop was a billiard room also owned by the family and somewhere nearby, a gymnasium.   [Barbara Zantiotis]

It seems reasonable to consider that the gymnasium may have been the one at 85 Cessnock Road referred to as The Loft near the Criterion Hotel where training and boxing matches were held. That building seems to have disappeared during the 1950s and today Tempest Bicycles occupies the site.   An article relating to Stephen Zantiotis, born in Weston and the son of Peter Zantiotis, can be found here. 

Going back some decades, the three shops above in the Zantiotis Bros. Building were: 

 L-R: No.35, a Supermarket; No.33, Meadows Menswear, later a beauty salon; and No.31, McIntosh's Pharmacy.

2025:  L-R: No.35, Gleam Support Services;  No.33 was Cafe Ohana and more recently became the Soulful Cafe. No.31, Weston Tobacconist. 

On 17 Jun 1945, a meeting was held in the Weston School of Arts reading room for the purpose of starting a Workers Club in Weston. 

On 26 Aug 1947, the Minister for Lands advised Kearsley Council that he had granted an application from the Weston Workers Club for a special lease of land near the Weston railway bridge as a site for club premises. 

Those premises were built and became a favourite recreational centre for adults in the town. Over the decades, Weston Workers Club continued to grow and in 1970, members helped celebrate the club's 25th Anniversary.  

Weston Workers Club at 1 Government Road has a wonderful train mural. Well worth a visit!  

Also read the Weston Workers Club History.

The black and white photograph, above left,  was taken on the 14th May 1947. Geoffrey Powell the photographer accompanied Edgar Agent Ross the Amenities Officer of the Miners Federation on what was known as the Miners Federation Amenities Fact Finding Tour to the four main coal mining areas of the state.  It had this description: "The Geordie Log, a peculiarly Weston institution was situated in a small park in Aberdare Street now Cessnock Road just off the Station Road intersection: background of frame behind the seated figures and sheds". Vintage Print: Geoffrey Powell 1947

Weston's Geordie Log was relocated to Station Street for a time, possibly when the Weston Co-op Store Butchery was being built at that site.  On Station Street,  the Geordie Log sat between some Peppercorn trees on the then Newsagent's footpath.  Today it sits proudly back in its original location on Cessnock Rd., Weston..