Anecdotal History of Annandale: 1890-1900 Depression & Politics

"The Building Society movement grew quickly in Australia but many Societies collapsed in the 1888 depression combined and the ongoing post- depression distrust left a gap, which was filled by the "alternative" Starr-Bowkett Society. The Leichhardt, Petersham and Annandale Starr-Bowkett Society, registered in 1898 heralded the growth of surburban Building Societies" - The Alternative Building Society- Starr-Bowkett Societies

Annandale Resident builds Australia's first Internal Combustion Car

Following up on a lead from Peter Marosz: In 1894, Annandale resident Charles Highland built a three-wheeled car and fitted it with a Daimler petrol engine. Probably the first car driven by an internal combustion engine in Australia, it was prone to burst into flames and never progressed further than the length of a single street. Two years, later he was more successful with a car he built with a De-Dion engine. Source: The First Holden "1948 - The FX" TOWARDS AN ALL AUSTRALIAN CAR

The Thistle Club will give a concert and social at the Protestant Hall on Monday night in aid of the Widow and Orphan fund, and in celebration of Halloween. The auld Scottish customs of Halloween will be revived, and there will be ballad singing, piping, and dancing.
Mr Wiegand will give a recital upon the organ of the Hunter-Baille Memorial Church, Annandale, on Mondav, when Mendelssohn's sonata in F minor, an improvisation upon scottish melodies, and other pieces will be given. The Misses Marion and Clara Llewellyn will sing on the occasion. 1892 'AMUSEMENTS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 29 October, p. 5, viewed 2 March, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13884183

"The Trades and Labor Council of NSW (TLC) resolved in November 1890 to establish Labour Electoral Leagues (LELs) 'in every electorate where practicable throughout the colony'.⁵ In the 1891 elections, 35 members of the newly formed LEL (later to be known as the Labor Party) entered the NSW Parliament although they split almost immediately over the protection-free trade issue" - The History of the Master Builders Association of NSW: The First Hundred Years (Elder, John) Chapter 4

John Young, who had been an Alderman and Mayor on Leichhardt Council, subsequently lead a secession movement which resulted in the creation of the Borough of Annandale. More about John Young at The Abbey.

The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 2 March 1894 page 7 http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28258470 FIRST-CLASS detached HOUSE, 7 rooms, hall, bath and dressing room, cedar fittings, finished in superior style, every modern convenience, balcony (front and side), marble verandah and steps, land 33 x 178 ; £950 ; stables, &c., back entrance. A. GREEN, Trafalgar-street, near Collins-street, Annandale

FIRST-CLASS detached HOUSE, 7 rooms, hall, bath and dressing room, cedar fittings, finished in superior style, every modern convenience, balcony (front and side), marble verandah and steps, land 33 x 178 ; £950 ; stables, &c., back entrance. A. GREEN, Trafalgar-street, near Collins-street, Annandale - The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 2 March 1894 page 7

"After 1893, recovery in the building industry and the survival of many architectural practices dependend to a great extent on domestic architecture, not wholly at a stand still. There was little support for speculative building of any kind, least of all for cheap terrace housing, no longer apopular form for suburban dwellings. Those with capital built sem detatched houses and ocaasionally short terraces. The work designed for the most part by builders rather than architects, was interesting because it carried the varied and exotic styles of the Boom period. 17 Trafalgar, 1 & 3 Piper Street and Edwinville at 39 Trafalgar street attribtued to GA Mansfield were examples - (page 229 Architecture in NSW 1840-1900). 3 Collins Street constructed in 1993, was also probably Builder Designed.

In 1894, 360 acres known as the East Ward of Leichhardt between Johnston's Creek and White's Creek, from Parramatta Road to Rozelle Bay, became the Municipality of Annandale. - Leichhardt timeline.

Photo of Whites Creek Aqueduct by Tom Worthington

The Whites Creek Johnstons Creek Sewer Aqueduct, built in 1895, was the first reinforced concrete structure to be built in Australia - A brief History of Concrete in Australia (PDF). See Early Photograph of the Aqueduct and St Brendan's.

Annandale Methodist Church

galah carved from sandstone The facade of the Annandale Methodist (now Uniting) Church (built 1890) features a parrot, koala, gumnuts and a kookaburra eating a snake. This was recycled from Bull's warehouse, on the corner of Pitt St and Martin Place, which had been gutted by fire. - Annandale Uniting Church - Local Heritage at a Glance (PDF)

"the ruins of the [fire ravaged head office of the City Bank and Henry Bull Warehouse] became a quarry for all enterprising builders but particularly for the Annandale Methodists who bought the remains of Bulls premises and arranged for the demolition contractor - a Mr Newlands to transport the fire blackened stones to Johnston Street where, it is said, he erected them without charge. (ref: Church Records Miss Ridge Source: page 184 Architecture in New South Wales, 1840 to 1900

"Yesterday morning a deputation, introduced by Mr Mahony, M L A waited upon the Minister for Works to protest against a proposed sale of land at Rozelle Bay ..."The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 20 August 1897

In 1897, Artist and Naval officer Narcissus George Arguimbau was living at Clivenden and his 5th daughter married in St Aiden's, Annandale. Dictionary of Australian Artists Online

LECTURE AT ANNANDALE
Last evening a lantern lecture-the first of a series on "Church History" - was delivered by tho Primate in St. Aidan'a Anglican Church, Annandale. The lecture opened with a description of tho rise aud progress of Christianity. A large number of views of the exterior and interior of churches erected in different periods were shown bv means of a limelight lantern, manipulated by the Rev, F. W, Reeve, incumbent of the parish. The lecture throughout was interesting aud instructive. - The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 9 January 1895 page 7

According to Annals from AIDAN's in Annandale (p24), Reverand Reeve along attended "a Federal Banquet held in the hall on 1 July 1899 to celebrate the triumph of Federalism". The book notes that Edmond Barton, Joseph Cook and BR Wise were at this banquet. However, the previous year, the Parish Council had refused to invite a Politician to open a Sale of Works.

Henry Parkes - The Father of Federation

" FEDERATION MOVEMENT.
ADDRESS BY SIR HENRY PARKES.
Sir Henry Parkes delivered, at the School Hall Trafalgar Street, Annandale, last evening, an address on the federation of the Australian colonies and the fiscal policy of tho future. Tho chair waa occuppied by Alderman John Young (the Mayor). There were also amongst the gentlemen, on tho platform Messrs Molesworth, W. Pritchard, Mahony. E. Dowling.
Sir Henry Parkes (who was received with much enthusiasm) said that he had come there to bring undr their notice the grandes subject that they could ever engage the attention of the Australian people (Applause). And he wished to perform his part quite free from any political bias or political passion....the six colonies, with Tasmania, possessed a population of nearly four millions. That population was equal to the population of several of the monarchies of Europe, and was larger than the population Canada posessed when she founded the Dominion....He urged the colonies ought to become federated for purposed of defence, and to guard against invation by countless hordes of inferior races....The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 29 June 1894 Page 3

Henry Parkes, Premier of NSW 1872 - 1892 and "Father of Federation" lived at "Kenilworth" in Annandale until his death in 1896.

"THE LATE SIR HENRY PARKES,THE FUNERAL CORTEGE. LARGE AND DISTINGUISHED GATHERING
...The funeral cortege left Kenilworth, Kir Henry Parkes's late residence at Annandale, the hearse being followed Iby two carriages laden with flowers, and then the mourning carriages..." - The Brisbane Courier Thursday 30 April 1896

"FEDERATION ENABLING BILL IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. THE NEW SOUTH WALES CAMPAIGN.(By Telegraph from Our Correspondent) SYDNEY, Speaking at Annandale to-night, the Minister for Mines said the battle so far as federation went was not yet quite won." - The Brisbane Courier Thursday 29 June 1899

Henry Parkes is credited with introducing Camphor Laurel's to Australia, in the hope of creating an industry from their oil - unfortunately that industry did not eventuate and the legacy is the introduction of a weed species.

Signor Sani

Sani lived at 120 Trafalgar Street, Annandale between 1894-1900. Other Italians in the neighbourhood were Thomas Riccardi, a singing teacher,lived in Young Street and Signwriter Ramacciotti, lived at 48 Wells Street in 1898. Francesco Sceusa, a draftsman, at 103 Young Street in 1905. Arthur Sarina was a greengrocer at 59 Booth Street in 1897 and at 187 Catherine Street, Leichhardt in 1902. A. Palise a fruiterer at 91 Parramatta Road, Madame Morelli's was a costumière at 189 Parramatta Road in 1909 - www.virtualtour.com.au/melocco (viewed 2 March 2012)

Tommao Sani, was commissioned by James Barnet, to carve the Spandrel Sculptures for the second phase of the GPO, in Martin Place in 1883. Sani's sculptures satired Archibald Liversidge, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Sydney, Post Master Francis Wright, delivering a letter to a servant girl who is flirting with him and a Barnet as a Michelangelsque God dreaming of his combined museum, gallery and library building, Sir James Martin as 'the Judge' - General Post Office (www.sydneyarchitecture.com viewed 3 March 2012)

"The sculptor of the statuette was Signor Sani, of Booth-street, Annandale..." - 1896 'Statuette of Sir Henry Parkes.', Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907), 30 May, p. 27, viewed 2 March, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71246332

CHRISTMAS WAITS.
The large choir of the Hunter-Baillie Memorial Church, Annandale, assembled at a little after 12 o'clock on Christmas morning, on tho lawn in front of the manse, and serenaded the Rev. P. F. and Mrs. Mackenzie. Each member of tho choir carried a coloured Chinese lantern, and carols were effectively rendered under tho direction of Mr. G. T. Cross. Mr. Mackenzie in a few appropriate remarks thanked the choir, who then entered the manse and sang " Auld Lang Syne " over a glass of wine. The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 28 December 1895 Page 10

First Annandale Borough Elections 1894

Small Church with car in foreground The Primitive Methodist School Hall in Trafalgar Street, appears to have been the Northern neighbour of 108 Trafalgar Street (with attick window). The site, 110 Trafalgar Street, is now the site of a larger building, constructed as a Masonic Hall, but now the home of Annandale Galleries. The house at 112 Trafalgar Street with a Chiminey in the middle of the roof, is also recognisable in the 1894 photograph of elections taking place - most likely at the School Hall. The original church fronting onto Johnston's Lane, still remains at the rear of 110 Trafalgar Street.

1892 Sands Directory (3/11 Local History, Leichhardt Library) shows at Trafalgar Street, between Albion and Collins: 58 Simons George, Piano Tuner; and betweem Collins and Booth: 78..; 80 Emery Edward, Saddler; 82 Leadley Rev JW (Primitive Methodist); 86 Lovell Johnn, electrical engineer; 108 Nicolson Jon, Prim Methodist Chapel Rev GW Leadley.

The Rose of Annandale Lodge, UAUD held its half yearly meeting in the lodge room Trafalgar Street North Annandale on the 9th instant. The members attended in large number and there was a fair sprinkling of visitors present. After routine business had been disposed of, the balanc sheet which showed a credit of &poind;85 10s 7d was read, and the auditors report received and adopted. The grand president Bro Wood assisted by Bro Abernathy PP and Bro Wilson B of D installed the officers elected in an impressive manner. Bro G Skinner AD Bro WJ Hall VAD, Bro LT Steve...Excitement ran high during the election and the various officers were keenly contested the ballot being carried out in a true Druidic spirit. The grand president spoke of the unprecedented progress made by the Rose of Annandale Lodge, having enrolled 126 members in the nine months which considering the hard times 117 were returned financial. During the evening a purse of sovereigns was presented to the retiring Arch Druid, showing the esteem in which that brother is held by the members. Bro. Leach suitably responded. The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 16 January 1893 page 7

"GARDEN PARTY AT ANNANANDALE
WELCOME TO THE REV. B. MOORHEAD
LEGATE.
On Saturday afternoon a large and representative gathering assembled in the spacious manse grounds attached to the Hunter-Baillie Memorial Presbyterian Church, Johnston Street, Annandale, on tho occasion of a garden party to formally welcome the Reverand B. Moorhead Legate as the colleague and successor of the Rev. P. Falconer Mackenzie to the pastorate of the church. The afternoon was a delightful one for such a purpose, and there was a generous response to the invitations that had been issued. The grounds afford a pleasant means for social intercourse...the Mayor and Mayoress of Annandale (Alderman aud Mrs. Allen Taylor). - The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 17 October 1898 (page 9)

WESTERN SUBURBS.
Tenders are being invited by the Minister for Public Works" for the construction of a main sewer to drain an area comprising the northern portion of Marrickville, the municipality of Petersham as far west as Crystal street, the municipality of Leichhardt west-ward to the Balmain road and as far north as Piper Street, a small portion of the Glebe adjoining the Parramatta road and the Orphan School Creek and the north-west corner of tho municipality of Camperdown. The work will be a continuation of the sewer in construction by Messrs Carter, Gummow, and Co , from tho main western outfall at Arncliffe to Emily-street, Marrickville Commencing at the head of that contract the new sewer will run under the Stanmore road near Merchant-street, and will proceed thence under Cavendish and Cambridge streets, Trafalgar, Crescent, and the suburban railway, whicn will be tunnelled under a short distance on the Sydney side of the Stanmore railway station The locality of Percival-road, Annandale Estate will then be traversed, and crossing under the Parramatta-road, Albion, Ferris and Mayes streets, the sewer will terminate at Collins street in Annandale. With inlets to this main sewer will be constructed three branches or submains. The routes taken by these are as follows -1 Leaving the main sewer near the Parramatta-road and running under that thoroughfare to near the Missendon-road, whence it is deflected towards the Old Parramatta-road, which the sewer follows to its termination near the Orphan School Creek. 2 A sewer discharging into branch No. 1, and running along Nelson-street as far as Booth street. 3.Leaving the main sewer near the suburban railway line this branch drain will traverse the boundary of the Annandale Estate...£30,000 - The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 19 January 1895 page 5

pencil portrait of a woman standing in formal 1909 dress

Wife of Alderman Allen Arthur Taylor (Lady Mayoress of Annandale 1897-1902 of Sydney 1905-06, 1909-12). Photograph taken in Commemoration of her efforts for the enlargement of the nurses home, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. City of Sydney Archives. More about the Taylor

Mr Frank Grimley, hon treasurer of the Hospital Saturday Fund, addressed the meeting and gave a short history of the rise of similar movements in England, and the establishment of the association in Sydney...initiated for the purpose of assisting ...large hospitals to keep open at a time when commercial depression threatened its close....It was unanimously decided on the motion of Alderman RF Curies That the Mayoress of Annandale (Mrs Allen Taylor) be appointed hon. Sec for the Annanale sub-committee and delegate to the board. -1898 'HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 8 December, p. 8, viewed 7 November, 2011, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14189248

A complimentary welcome home social was tendered on Wednesday night at the Colonnade Hall, Annandale, to Alderman Allen and Mrs Taylor and son, Master Foster Taylor, who have just returned from a trip to Europe - 1902 'WELCOME TO ALDERMAN AND MRS. TAYLOR.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), 18 October, p. 9, viewed 12 April, 2011, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14501119

FEDERATION.THE REFERENDUM IN NEW SOUTH WALES. GREAT VICTORY FOR FEDERATION AN IMMENSE FEDERAL MAJORITY GREAT ENTHUSIASM IN SYDNEY DETAILS OF THE POLLING. - The Brisbane Courier Wednesday 21 June 1899

CAMMARA LABOUR LEAGUE.
A public meeting in connection with the Cammara Labour League was held in tha Primitive Methodist school hall, Trafalgar Street, Annandale, on Monday night, for the purpose of organising the labour forces of that portion of the Cammara electorate for the federal elections....The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 31 October 1900 page 8

Queen Victoria Maternity Home (Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and Babies) 1895-1976

Chapter 2 - Attitudes towards adoption:Early twentieth century: adoption as an alternative to institutionalisation, Post-war period: clean break theory, Post-war period: adoption practicesCommonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices 29 February 2012...more

The social work records for the hospital are held by the Department of Community Services Family Information Service...Records Managed by Department of Community Services (1992 - 2009), Royal Hospital for Women (1905 - ), Confinement books, Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and Babies (1910 - 1978), Medical Records, Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and Babies (1957 - 1976)..www.findandconnect.gov.au

The Queen Victoria Maternity home once operated out of 61 Albion Street, Annandale. It opened in 1895 for unmarried mothers for whom no charge was made. Matron Attenborough took charge in 1896 and remained their until 1924....localnotes.net.au(viewed 26 Nov 2011)

George Lewis founded the Hospital for unmarried mothers in 1898. Henrietta Attenborough arrived in Australia in 1887 and was Matron 1898-1924. On her death the hospital was bequeath to the Presbyterian Church...trove.nla.gov.au

"Mr. George Lewis, the first chief electoral officer of the Commonwealth, one of the founders of the Boys' Brigade, a worker for the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches, and a man who devoted tho best years of his life in the cause of the poor and the unfortunate, has passed away...
Twenty nine years ago Mr. Lewis was instrumental in the establishment of the Queen Victoria Maternity Home, at Annandale, and from his own pocket purchased property, which is now valued at £2000." - 1925 'MR. GEORGE LEWIS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 2 June, p. 8, viewed 22 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16223437

My 2 boys were born there in 1965-1966. The unwed mothers attended the others until they were due to have their babies. When the children were born to the unwed mothers they were taken away and put for adoption. We, the married mothers expressed milk every day and it was picked up by the"milk wagon" and taken to Camperdown hospital where the babies had been taken....Jean (viewed 26 November 2011)

She taught at a Catholic school and then became a child welfare worker at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Annandale, assisting in the adoption of children of unmarried mothers. ...Joan Papayanni, 1939-2011 (SMH viewed 26 Nov 2011)

James White

Having arrived in Sydney about 1884, White worked for Achille Simonetti in 1888-90 on Governor Phillip's monument, Botanic Gardens. In 1892 White won the competition for an allegorical group on the pediment of the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage building; he was paid £252 for the completed stone figures..

Mr James White's successful bronze bust of Sir Edwin T.Smith, KCMG, has especial claims to attention, in asmuch as it was cast at the sculptor's Annandale foundry by the " lost wax " process, and is believed to be tho first autograph bronze executed in the colony by this system... 1899 'THE ART EXHIBITIONS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 22 August, p. 3, viewed 2 March, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14251756

"The memorial was executed by Mr. James White at his Annandale studio, the trachyte pedestal... Both the statue and memorial at Watson's Bay were designed by Mr. J. Horbury Hunt, who personally supervised the carrying out of both memorials. - 1904 'Statue of Sir John Robertson.', Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907), 28 September, p. 37, viewed 2 March, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71514848

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