Volume 3467 Folio 211;
GOLF 4
Millions Club
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The 'new' Barrenjoey Road appears among advertisement for Avalon Beach Land sales towards the end of 1927 and includes those famous panoramas made by EB Studios that show us how the golf links looked then:
Advertising (1927, December 4). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 37. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222741251
Curators - Caretakers
The greenskeepers/managers residence soon after construction in 1930. Photo: ABHS
The original ticket office in early 1930s. Photo: ABHS
One example from during the 1940's:
Avalon Fire Brigade
MOONLIGHT GOLF.
AVALON PAR EQUALLED.
'Ted' Hock was responsible for a wonderful performance at Avalon links on Sunday night. When playing in the moonlight, he equalled par for the nine holes. The four-ball match in which he took part started at 8 p.m., and finished at 10. Hock's card for the nine holes with a par of 32 read: 2, 4, 4, 5, 4, 3, 4. 3. 3. The yardage was 2080, with the seventh hole the longest at 405 yards, and the eighth (90 yards); the shortest.
Another of the party, P. J. Small, despite an 8 and a 6, had a score of 41. An astonishing feature was that only one ball was lost by the fourball, but four others were found. There have been other cases of moonlight golf in Australia. Rufus Stewart played an exhibition at Koonyonga course, Adelaide, at night, without losing a ball. He was round in 77. C. Campbell, the former Leura professional, was also in the seventies in a round at night on the Leura course, while more recently the younger professionals, R. Shadforth and A. Keane, met C. Byrne and C. Gaffney, in a moonlight match at the Manly district public course. MOONLIGHT GOLF. (1937, May 26- Wednesday ). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 19. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17371166
Golf history made a night series: Cremin and Hock at Avalon, 17th of December 1937
photographed by Ray Olson – courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy ACP Magazines Ltd.
Avalon Beach Golf Links Clubhouse
1937 drawing by architect E. Lindsay Thompson showing the outline of the ticket office incorporated into the new 1938 build. Plan: ABHS
Arthur Jabez Small and the Old Girl, pre-1954 - photos courtesy ABHS - Geoff Searl OAM
The larger clubhouse probably with the original creosote paint job “to blend in with the environment”. Photo: ABHS
A road through the course? - The Land and Course are sold to council
1968 - from golf course PRIMARY school on left, part of golf course in foreground. Shops in centre, looking north of course. Photos: Gary Clist
1968 - from golf course - looking northwest
Avalon in 1970, distant views this time. Photos; Gary Clist
21st Century: Bushcare & Art Space
A team of volunteer Bushcarers have continued to maintain the perimeter of the golf links, gradually ridding this area of weeds. This 2019 Profile gives you an insight:
The designs were:
Avalon Golf Club, Proposed Ground
Avalon Golf Club, Proposed Basement Plan
VIEW LOOKING FROM GOLF COURSE INTO EXHIBITION, TEACHING AND COMMUNAL SPACES
On the 17th of March 2019 the council stated:
We received 214 submissions from the community during the public exhibition period on the two options: Avalon Annexe, Dunbar Park and Avalon Golf Club House.
Following the exhibition period, the submissions were reviewed and further internal investigations of the sites were conducted. It was clear from community feedback that the Annexe was not the preferred option, with the main concern being loss of a multiuse centre to accommodate an exclusive use art space.
The Avalon Golf Clubhouse, whilst considered a suitable option for creation of work through artist studios and teaching space, was not considered as a viable exhibition space with very limited passing traffic.
During the investigation period an opportunity arose from a recent decision regarding the relocation of Council staff, to consider the Mona Vale Civic Centre as another potential site. This location met all the essential location criteria and user requirements established through the Advisory Group workshops.
In addition, the lower ground of Avalon Golf Club House is proposed to be refurbished into artist studios and a teaching space, creating more studio access and learning opportunities whilst activating an underutilised space.
As a result, at a Council meeting on 26 February 2019, Council resolved to support:
- the refurbishment of the Avalon Golf Club House lower ground floor, within the existing footprint, to include artist’s studios and teaching space
- the repurposing of the Mona Vale Civic Centre into a creative arts space, including exhibition, artists’ studios and teaching space.
Construction commenced late in 2019 and an Open Weekend for the new facility took place on 6 – 7 March 2021.
The lower ground level of the Avalon Golf Club had been transformed into two multi-use workshops, a studio and a communal kitchen, providing a low-key local creative space for Avalon called the 'Avalon Creative Workshop'.
Avalon Creative Workshop - exterior and interior:
Royal Avalon Golf Club House entrance.
The Avalon Golf Links clubhouse has lent itself to numerous community celebrations over the years, not all of them directly associated with the mens and womens clubs.
Fundraiser fairs have been held by Avalon Public School, book launches have been a feature, as have family celebrations.
In March 2024 Sue Heins, Mayor Northern Beaches Council shared:
''If you use the golf course at Avalon, you will have noticed a dramatic change to the fairways and greens over the past 18 months.
Shannon and John have both transformed the golf course into something the whole community are proud of, they regularly break attendance records for golfers and have raised the quality and standard of turf surfaces beyond anything previously seen here.''
Sue Heins, Mayor Northern Beaches Council with Shannon and John
Next time you feel like playing on a 9-hole course, with a few small hills to stretch those back of leg muscles, amid shady straits and birdsong, you could do worse then a visit to what locals call the 'Royal Av'.
Extras - Notes
DAN SOUTAR DEAD. Famous Golf Pro.
GOLFERS in all parts of the Commonwealth will learn with regret that Dan Soutar, famous Sydney golf professional, died on Tuesday.
MR. SOUTAR was a product of famous Canoustie course, and his charming manner and knowledge of the etiquette of the game soon made him a warm favorite in golf circles of Australia. He arrived in this country at the top of his form and was for many years a difficult man to beat in the best company. He won a number of first class competitions, and put thousands of players who went to him for instructions on the right track. Mr. Soutar will always be remembered for the prominent part he played in the formation of the Professional Golfers' Association. Among the many titles he won during the 20 years he was a resident of Australia were the Australian championship, 1903, the N.S.W. championship, 1903 and 1904, the Open the following year, the Victorian championship in 1922, and the Dunlop Cup in 1931. He was runner-up in the Open on several occasions. Mr. Soutar will long be remembered as the architect for many leading clubs of New South Wales and other States. For ten years he served as professional at Manly and for some time he had Joe Kirkwood as his assistant.
AN APPRECIATION
THE passing of Dan Soutar is a distinct personal loss to those who knew him well. To them he was more than a noted golfer — one of the greatest figures in Australian golf — he was a man of high principles, with nothing mean in his make-up, one who did much to place the golf professional on the plane he enjoys to-day.
ONE talk with him would bring home the fact that he was not a "glorified caddie boy," as professionals were once described and treated in Great Britain. A strong personality, he did not demand respect. It went out to him naturally. In his job he did not obtrude his views, giving them only when they were asked for. Then he stuck to them.
RETAINED by one club as an adviser to the green committee, he clashed with the captain of the club. Neither would give way. The job meant bread and butter to Soutar at the time, but he did not hesitate.
THE prospect of getting another job was not bright— there were not so many golfers as there are to-day — and he resigned, to the amazement and regret of the man with whom he differed. The captain tried to get him back. Soutar remained adamant.
AS a teacher of golf he had no com- peer in Australia. An illustration: I am sure Colonel Arnott will not mind me telling this story. The Colonel had a long course of instruction from one of Australia's best known professionals, and was still unable to break 100. Regretfully, the pro. told him that he was afraid that taking any more money from him for lessons was an imposition.
ARNOTT went to Soutar, and telling him about his previous experience, asked him if he could do anything. "My trouble," said. Arnott, "is that I have a stiff, left wrist. Is there any way of getting over that?" "I'll let you know in a week," said Soutar.
Later Soutar rang Arnott. "I'll have a go," he said. Under Soutar's tuition Arnott was down to 3 against bogey at Royal Sydney inside a year. THEREAFTER for years Arnott had a round with Soutar once a week at Manly. And at the end of the round Soutar was £1 the richer.
SOUTAR was thorough, as indicated in this case. To be able to instruct Arnott how to play decently, notwithstanding a stiff wrist, he had placed his own left arm in splints, as if it were broken, and went laboriously through swings for hours on end, so that he could properly instruct, his pupil. WE hope for Dan that the courses are good on the other side.— H.S.T. DAN SOUTAR DEAD (1937, December 2).Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127614146
Overdue rates. Shire of Warringah. Land to be Sold for default.
THE following persons are required to take notice that the Council of the Shire of Warringah has applied to the Public Trustee to sell the land specified below against their names, of which they appear to be the owners or in which they appear to he interested, for overdue rates amounting to the sums mentioned in each case; an that in default of payment forthwith to the Public Trustee of the said rates and all interest, charges and expenses in connection with the said applications and proceedings by the Public Trustee, the said land will be offered for sale by the Public Trustee at public auction:—
Frank Lee Alexander, of Granville, John W. Bailey, of North Sidney; overdue rates, £43 IBs. lid.; land^ lot 49, King street, Mona Vale.
Joseph Baker and, Glavinda Baker, both of Newport, George Lea Wilson, estate Mrs. E. C. Baker, of Murwillumbah; overdue rates, £89 5s. 9d.; land, lot 22, Beaconsfield-street Newport.
Estate Samuel B Banfield, of Sydney, Annie Rebecca Cocks, of Randwick; overdue rates, £61 Is, Id*; land, lot part 11, Hillcrest- venue, Bungan Beach, Mona Yale.
George Henry Bartlett, of Seaforth and Camperdown; overdue rates, £35 13s. 9d. land lot 388, Harveystreet, Seaforth.
'Garfield E.. J. Banvicfi, of Sydney; overdue rates, £231 8s. 10cL; land, lot Cf, off Pittwater road, Norlfi Narrabeen.
Richard peters Slundell, 6$ §ydney, Ada B. Slct'ieman, of Strawberry Hill$; overdue rate!) £122 3s. 5cL> land, lots 3S/40, Martin-stJeet, Harbord.
Lilian F. II. Brady of Sydney, estate of A- H. Brady, of North Sydney^ Hugh Raymond G. Poate, of Sydney; overdue rates, £39 18d. 99,; land, tots 12/13, .Oceana-strefet, Dee Why West.
Lilian P. M. Brady, of Sydney, .estate B. Albert J. H. Brady, ,©f North Sydney,. Hugh Raymond 6. Poate, of Sydney; overdue rates, £33^ 15s. 93.; land, lots 76/7Wliaddon-avenue, Dee Why West,
Henry Doidge Braund and Thomas Waft, both lesubdmsion of lots 1 and 13, section 5, Warringah Estate, Queenscliffe-road, North Manly,
William Munay Bufrell, W. H. Berrfell, both of Sidney; overdue rates, £47 5s. 2d.; land, lot 21, tenner street, Seaforth.
William Murray Burrell, W* H-, Burrel, both of Sydney; overdue rates, £60 6s. id.; land, lot 22, Jenner street, Seaforth.
William Munay Burrell. W. H. Burrell both of Sydney; overdue rat^s, £70 166. 9d.; land, lots 50/51, Harvey street, Seaforth.
William Murray BurrqJL W. H. Burrell, both of Sydney, overdue rates, £50 &s. 8d.; land, lot 5, Harveystreet, Seaforth.
William Murray BurreH, W. H. Burrell, both of Sydney overdue rates, £88 5s. 8cL; land, lots 16/17, Abernetliy-street, Seaforth.
Esca Roy Chambers, of Greenwich, estate Michael ?inn, of Canojvindr overdue rates £62 7s,- 2d;; land, lot 21, Darley-street, Mona Vale.
Estate William Carnegie Clegg, of Sydney; overdue rates, £38 4s. Id.; land, lot 48, Wyndora-avenue, Harbord.
Estate Francis Collins, of Bay view; overdue rates, £44 9s. lOd.; land, lot 7, George-street, Careel. Estate Francis Collins, of Bay view; overdue rates, £52 17s. 5d.; land, lots 1/2, George-street, Careel.
Elizabeth J. Cowling, of Darlinghurst, The Mortgage Loan & Finance Company of Australia Limited; overdue rates, £58 4s. 10d.; land, lot 23, Grandview parade, Mona Yale.
Sarah M. Crawley, of Burwood and Darlinghurst, Lilian Tompsitt, of Wollstonecraft, Arthur Charles L. Palmer and Linden Genge Langley, executors of the will of Charles Palmer, deceased; overdue rates, £173 14s, 7d.; land, lots 6/27, McCarrs Creek and Reserve, near Church Point.
Sarah M. Crawley, of Burwood and Darlinghurst, Lilian Tompsitt, of Wollstonecraft, Arthur diaries L. Palmer, and Linden Genge Langley, executors of the will of Charles Palmer, deceased; overdue rates, £85 7s. lOd.; land, lots 28/38, Government-road and Access Reserve, McCarrs Creek, near Church Point.
Boyston Darling, John Jeremiah Leahy, both of Sydney, Norman Cyril Jackson, of Darlinghurst or Sydney; overdue rates, £17 18s. 9d.; land, lot 11, Bix-road, Dee Why West.
Boyston Darling, John Jeremiah Leahy, both of Sydney, Norman Cyril Jackson, of Darlinghurst or Sydney; overdue rates, £12 Os. 3d.; land, lot 17, Bix-road, Dee Why West,
Walter Doust and Albert Doust, both of Camden, Matilda Ellen Lipscombe, of Pieton; overdue rates, £40 9s. 3d.; land, lots 2/3, South Creek road West, Dee Why West.
Albert Frederick Erickson, Veronica Maud Erickson, of Connells Point and Mongarlowe; overdue rates, £58 16s. 10d.; land, lot 15, Corniche-road, Bayview.
George Mitchell Gardner, of Bouchel and Camden. Adele Sophie Sullivan, of Sydney; overdue rates, £29 15s. 7d.; land, lots 37/38, Washington-avenue, Dee Why West.
Julius Frederick Grant, Theophilus Leo Grant, both of Manly and Wollongong; overdue rates, £27 17s. 3d.; land, lot 33, Innes-road, Manly Vale.
Henry William Hancock, Leonard Oswald Braund, both of Sydney, Arthur Austin Brunsden; overdue rates, £27 lis. 6d.; land, lot 69, Hudson-parade, Taylor's Point.
Hesseltine Tom Ivey, of Manly, Julius Frederick Grant, of Wollongong; overdue rates, £30 8s. lOd.; land, lot 9, Innes-road, Manly Vale.
William Charles Kerr, of Petersham, estate of Harry B. Kerr, of Vaucluse; overdue rates, £47 12s. 7d.; land, lot 25, Rednal-street, near Newport.
Estate of Charles Joseph Kevin, deceased, E. A. Lewis, of Crows Nest Wilfred A. Dance, of Hunter's Hill; overdue rates, £26 9s. 8d.; land, lot 10, Headland road, formerly Dee Why road, North Curl Curl.
Estate of Charles Joseph Kevin, deceased, E. A. Lewis, of Crows Nest, Wilfred A. Dance, of Hunter's Hill; overdue rates, £30 19s. 8d.; land, lot 33, Jocelyn street, North Curl Curl.
Estate of Charles Joseph Kevin, deceased, E. A. Lewis, of Crows Nest, Wilfred A. Dance, of Hunter's Hill; overdue rates, £40 lis. 7d.; land, lot 106, Pitt-road, North Curl Curl.
Charles de KQln£, of Sydney; overdue rates, £58 9s. 9d.; land, lot 8 and part lot 4, Irrubel-road, Newport.
Land Investment Company Limited, Christian Petersen, of Rosebery; overdue rates, £34 17s, 9d.; land, lot 14, Lawrence-street, Harbord.
Hilmer Alderton Magnusson, of Gladesville, Mary Johnston, of Paddington; overdue rates, £39 6s. 10d.-u land, lot 41 of resubdivision of lots 346/347, Ian avenue, North Curl Curl.
Valleck Cartwright Mallan, Montague Valney Quirk, both of Sydney, Walter George Hanson; overdue rates, £102 0s. 3d.; land, lots 11/12, Bardo-road, Newport.
Emily Mason, of Sydney, estate T. H. Green, of Manly, William James Bull; overdue rates, £120 15s. lid.; land, lots 1/2, Edgecliffe Boulevarde, Collaroy.
Ruth Muriel Maughan, of Woollahra, John Malbon Maughan, Alec Lloyd Bradshaw Johnson, both of Sydney, Stanley William Hume, Herbert, John ; Cooper, both of Wahroonga, Louis Albert Curtis, Emily Millar Brown, of, Edgecliff, Dudley Young, of Wollstonecraft; overdue rates, £35 9s. 3d,;'land, lot-56, Park-avenue, Avalon.
Laurence Edward Moss, of Sydney, Eleanor Bonarius, of Newcastle; overdue rates, £162 16s. Od.; land, lot 7, Queens-parade, Newport.
George Robert Mclntosh, of Hunter's Hill, Elizabeth Mcintosh, of Marrickville; overdue rates, £129 2s. 9d.; land, lot 13, Malcolm-street, Narrabeen.
Narrabeen Heights Estate Limited (In Liquidation), Leslie George Price, of Manly; overdue rates, £24 13s. 9d.; land, lot 95, Elanora-road, Elanora, North Narrabeen.
Arthur New, of Neutral Bay, Catherine Florence Anderson, of Mosman; overdue rates, £34 2s. 6d.; land, lot 43, Alleyne-avenue, Green Hills, North Narrabeen.
William O'Connor, of Reids Plat road, near Cowra and Pockley; overdue rates, £10 19s. Id.; land, lot 390, Birrima-street, Balgowlah.
Julia O'Neill, of Manly; overdue rates, £36 17s. 3d.; land, part lot 16, May-road, Dee Why.
Estate Henry John Paskin or Henry J. Paskin, of Narrabeen, Kara May Paskin, Sydney William Rodd, Stanley Darval Wynne, of Dulwich Hill; overdue rates, £68 16s. 8d.; land, part of section 26 of Mount Ramsay Estate, Goodwin-street, Narrabeen. Estate Henry John Paskin or Henry J. Paskin, of Narrabeen, Kara May Paskin, Sydney William Rodd, Stanley Darval Wynne, of Dulwich Hill; overdue rates, £38 19s. 9d.; land, part portion 1,217, Goodwin-street, Narrabeen.
John Charles Peat, of Rockdale; overdue rates, £39 9s. 7d.; land, lot 23, Whale Beach road, Whale Beach. Estate Ruby Sylvester Dunn and Ruby Puckeridge, both of Sydney and Edgeeliff, Newport Land Company Limited (in Liquidation); overdue rates, £46 2s. 2d.; land, lots 8/9, King-street, Newport.
John Putre or Putrie, of Paddington and Bondi Beach; overdue rates, £55 8s. Id.; land, lots 1/4, Lynwoodavenue, Dee Why West.
Nellie Crudge Rickard, of Sydney, William A. Ellis, of Naremburn; overdue rates, £26 16s. 6d.; land, part lot 2, Newport-road (Barrenjoey-road), Mona Yale. Susie Ridge, of Harbord, Leslie Arthur Herbert Drinan, of Manly, Stanley Livingstone Ridge, of Harbord; overdue rates, £i44 10s. 10d.; land, portion 554, Lawrence-street, Harbord.
Katherine Mary Roche, of Mosman, May Wicks, of Kingsdale, V. G. Wicks; overdue rates, £44 14s. Od.; land, lots 17/18, Barrenjoey-road, Careel Bay, south of Palm Beach.
William Rummell, of Mosman and Sydney, Howard Melbourne Sheffer; overdue rates, £113 19s. 3d.; land, lot 1 and parts 2/3, Pittwater Waterfront, Pittwater.
Arthur Jabez Small, of Sydney, Avalon Beach Estates Limited, Ada Ireland, of Mosman; overdue rates, £57 13s. lOd. land, lot 78, The Serpentine, Avalon. Arthur Jabez Small, of Sydney, Avalon Beach Estates Limited, Mary Agnes Kenny, of Glebe; overdue rates, £37 18s. Id.; land, lot 126, New Barrenjoey road. Avalon.
Arthur Jabez Small, of Sydney, Avalon Beach Estates Limited, Walter Leonard Viant, of Wollongong; overdue rates, £42 16s. 5d.; land, lots 231/232, The Outlook, Avalon.
Martha Elizabeth Smith, of Sydney and Waverley ; overdue rates, £25 10s. lid.; land, lot 8, Surrey avenue, Dee Why.
Sydney Subdivisions Limited (In Liquidation), Lillie Harris, of Moore Park; overdue rates, £69 3s. lid.; land, lot 66, Soldiers-avenue, Harbord.
Norman Sydney Turner, of Mosman and Manly; overdue rates, £33 19s. 5d.; land, lot 15, Heath-street, Mona Vale.
Leslie Wallace, of Sydney and Blackheath, Elizabeth Jane Rothery, of Sydney; overdue rates, £923 12s. 9d.; land, portions 66/67 and 89, Gordon-road, parish of Narrabeen.
Amy Isabel McEwan Watson, of Middle Harbour, Annie Esther Rutherford, of Castle Hill and Balgowlah; overdue rates,„£46 8s. 2d.; land, lots 10/11, Harveystreet, Seaforth.
Rupert Cecil Westerland, of Naremburn and Crows Nest; overdue rates, £42 7s. 9d.; land, lot 9, Murray-road, Harbord.
Estate Joseph Thomas White, of Randwick and Croydon; overdue rates, £42 12s. 0d.; land, lots 12/13, Harbord-road, Harbord.
Amy Wilhelmina Wilcox, of Mona Vale, Amy Sinclair, of Leura; overdue rates, £61 13s. 6d.; land, part lot 5, Newport-road (Barrenjoey-road), Mona Vale.
W. B. GEDDES, Public Trustee. Savings Bank Building, 21-23, Elizabeth-street, Sydney. OVERDUE RATES. (1941, February 14).Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 687. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220095450
Mr. John Agar Scarr died at his residence, Manly, on Sunday. Mr. Scarr acted as handicapper to the Australian Jockey Club, Tattersall's, Sydney Turf, Hawkesbury, Moorefield, Rosehill, Warwick Farm, and Canterbury Park Clubs for a number of years, and also sat as a steward with most of them, and it is only repeating what everyone knows to say that during his lengthy career he discharged his duties with great ability and perfect honesty. Mr. Scarr first complained of being very unwell in November last, and after returning from the V.R.C. Spring meeting, stated that the trip by train had shaken, him to such an extent that he considered nothing but a long rest would work the necessary repair.. His resignation as handicapper to the Associated Clubs followed soon after, and subsequently, only temporarily it was thought, he asked to be- relieved of his Hawkesbury and Jockey Club duties. For a long term he filled, the position of Parliamentary shorthand writer in the New South Wales Assembly, and retired a few years ago on a pension. DEATH OF MR J. A. SCARR. (1895, April 6). Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111106559
DEATH OF MR. J. A. SCARR.
It was quite a shock to the sporting community when the death was announced on Sunday last of the veteran handicapper, Mr. J. A. Scarr. Although Mr. Scarr was known to be ill, no warning that his end was approaching had been made public, and the sad news was received with profound regret in Sydney. Throughout the country and the other colonies where the deceased gentleman was known, his rather sudden end will be heard of as a sad and regretted event, for, through a long career of honorable work for the racing public, Mr. Scarr earned a name for capacity as a handicapper and high character as a man that will not soon be forgotten. His last trip to Melbourne to witness the racing of the V.R.C. seems to have been responsible for the beginning of an illness which in the end proved fatal. He complained of severe shock from the train journey, but it was expected that rest and treatment would effect a restoration to health. Feeling too unwell to make the Doncaster and Sydney Cup handicaps, Mr. Scarr apprised the A.J.C. Committee of his condition, and the work was given to Mr. F. Wilkinson, who was also engaged to frame the minor handicaps for the coming meeting. But meanwhile, instead of getting better, Mr. Scarr gradually grew worse, and finally developed diabetes, to which his death in attributed. He passed away at his residence, "Kalimua," Manly Beach, on Sunday morning at 5 o'clock, his age being 65 years. Mr. John Agar Scarr was born at Campbelltown in 1830, and entered the New South Wales Civil Service as a lad of 17, eventually taking up a position as Parliamentary shorthand writer, in which he labored for about forty years, until in 1887 he retired on a pension. During those years he was an esteemed worker in his professional sphere of action, and popular with his associates in the public service, a fact testified to by a farewell demonstration made in his honor when he retired. He took a keen interest in racing in the days when the almighty dollar was not such an important factor as it now is, and proved his devotion to the sport by giving his time and talents without pecuniary reward to furthering its interests. He rapidly made his mark as an adjuster of weights, and proved his qualifications as an authority on the sport in many ways, notably through his articles in the Press. He was first (in 1869) one of the handicappears for the A.J.C., his colleagues being Messrs. Stephen Brown and Archibald Thompson ; but in 1881 the sole control of the handicapping was entrusted to him, with what success the sporting community is well aware. The other principal race clubs sought Mr. Scarr's services also to make their handicaps, and he has acted for the Newcastle J. Club, Murrumbidgee J.C., Liverpool, Tattersall's Club, Sydney Turf Club, Hawkesbury R.C., as well as the Rosehill, Canterbury Park, Moorefield, and Warwick Farm Clubs. Quite recently he gave up the work for the four latter, but retained the position of handicapper for the A.J.C. and other clubs racing at Randwick, as well as for the Hawkesbury Club. At times fault has been found with his work, but in the main it was generally agreed that none of the colonies have ever possessed a more masterfull weight adjuster, and therefore when a petition was recently got up by a section of owners, trainers, and others to have him relieved of the handicapping for the proprietary clubs, it will be readily understood that the clubs did not desire to fall in with the request of the petitioners. Mr. Scarr was an active steward—one of the few who did not bet — and he employed his keen insight into the ways of the racing world and his judgment of racing for the benefit of keeping the sport at a proper standard. Slow to form opinions about dishonest running, he was equally slow in giving up an idea when he had reason to form one, and was careful not to allow himself to be made use of by the unscrupulous. His strong point was his honesty of purpose and undoubted integrity, and any errors of under-estimation or overrating of horses was usually forgiven in view of these indelible characteristics. As far back as 1873 Mr. Scarr compiled a useful stud book in association with the late E. K. Cox, and latterly was a member of the Manly Municipal Council. In the latter capacity he was a useful and energetic citizen, and in private life a kindly, respected gentleman, whose record from first to last is singularly unblemished. It may be some time before the sporting community get such a zealous and capable worker for the trusted position of handicapper and steward as the veteran who has just passed out into the great unknown, where, we are taught to believe, "the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." The remains were interred in the Randwick Cemetery on Monday last, and were followed to the grave by a large number of mourners. DEATH OF MR. J. A. SCARR. (1895, April 3). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121356290
The Late Mr. J. A. Scarr.
Followers of the Australian turf will read with regret the announcement of the death of Mr. J. A. Scarr, which occurred on March 31, at his residence, Kalimna, Manly Beach. The immediate cause of death was diabetes, but for some time past he had been in falling health. Mr. Scarr was born at Campbelltown, in 1830, and entered the public service in May, 1847. During his career in the .public service he occupied the position of shorthand writer (the art of which he was taught by Mr. Palmer) in Parliament up to May, 1887 (just forty years), when he retired on a well-earned pension. That, during his career in the public service he was held in the highest esteem by his fellow-officers, was shown upon his retirement, by their inviting him to a friendly gathering, at which the best of wishes were expressed by them for his future welfare. It was, however, as a handicapper of racehorses that Mr. Scarr made his name famous. His first effort in this direction was made about 1869, in conjunction with Messrs. Stephen Brown and Archie Thompson. In 1881 he was appointed sole handicapper to the Australian Jockey Club, and adjusted the weights for all the handicaps of the A.J.C. autumn meeting of that year, with the exception of the Sydney Cup, the weights for which were made by the trio. From that time up to the time he fell ill, about a month back, he has been sole handicapper to the Jockey Club, and how well he performed the duties it is only necessary to turn over the pages of the "Turf Register." In addition to the A.J.C, Mr. Scarr for years fixed the weights in connection with the leading handicaps of the Murrumbidgee and Newcastle race clubs, and also for the race meetings held by the Hawkesbury, Rosehill, Warwick Farm, Tattersall's, Canterbury Park, Moorefield, Liverpool, and Sydney Turf Clubs. Failing health a short time back brought about his resignation. from all the clubs except those racing over the Randwick course, but his position to the A.J.C. he retained to the end.
Mr. Scarr first came into notice as an authority on racing matters by writing a series of articles under the pen-name of "Pundit" on the Derby of 1868, when the nominations were yearlings. As a result of his breeding theory, he selected Eli as the winner of that event, and the crack 3-year-old of the year, but the Derby fell to Florence. Eli, whose stable companion Lady Clifton, won the Leger of her year, was a very speedy animal, and such a thorough knowledge did Mr. Scarr show in these articles that he at once took a leading position in the turf world. He was a keen judge of racing. It has been said that he did not believe that horses ran "stiff," but no greater mistake was ever made. Mr. Scarr, however, did not credit every horse with being a non-trier which did not win, but he made a special note of those that he picked out, and rarely was he wrong. Many owners and trainers tried to hoodwink him, but it was of no avail. Another good thing that Mr. Scarr was interested in was the compiling of a Stud Book in conjunction with the late E. K. Cox. That was in 1873, and a useful and reliable work it is.
Since his retirement from the public service Mr. Scarr resided at Manly Beach, and was elected a member of the local borough council. As in the sporting world, he did good work for the municipality, always taking a lively interest in any matter of importance, so that taken all through we have lost the services of a most prominent public man, whose whole life was of a most unblemished character! The Late Mr. J. A. Scarr. (1895, April 6).Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 22. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71227845
MARRIED.
By special licence, at Liverpool, on Thursday last, the 18th instant, by the Rev. ROBERT CART-WRIGHT, Assistant Chaplain, Mr. JOHN SCARR, of Agar Cottage, Campbell Town, to Miss ANNE CAMPBELL, of Liverpool. Family Notices (1830, March 23). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2194760
In the Old Pioneering Days.—-No. 47. The Master of Marengo: The Story of John Scarr and his Three Sons
By Wonga.
IN three distinct grounds John Scarr can be regarded as one of our pioneer settlers, helping to fulfil the prophecy of our patriot Wentworth, where he says:—
May this—thy last-born infant— then arise,
To glad thy heart, and greet thy parent eyes;
And Australasia float, with flag unfurl'd,
A new Britannia in another world.
Scarr held an official connection with the primitive conditions of the then fashionable town of Campbelltown for sixteen years immediately following his arrival in the Colony about the year 1823. Secondly, he owned the squattage of Marengo (now usually spelt Murringo) for fourteen years. And lastly, on account of sons and daughters having placed the Scarr impress upon so many families of the State to-day in the pastoral, commercial, and professional world.
John Scarr came from a very old Kentish family, descendants of which are traceable in the official and banking world of London, and—in its collateral branches—in the Earl of Normanton's family, the original name of which is Agar, a name that is to-day largely traceable amongst John Scarr's descendants in our metropolis and in the country districts of New South Wales.
The Scarr family-bible—now a valued possession of Herbert Agar Scarr, who lives in retirement at Pittwater —presents fascinating and accurately recorded data of this estimable pioneer-colonist. From it the writer has been privileged to extract particulars that have enabled him to piece together some missing points in a life-history of which he previously had only a general knowledge.
John Scarr was born in London, at Princess' Street Bank, in 1802. Shortly after coming of age he migrated to New South Wales, but evidently with no intention of engaging in pastoral work, as he is recorded as being Clerk to the Bench, Registrar, and Postmaster at Campbelltown in 1824. He occupied these positions until 1840.
In 1830 he had married, at Liverpool, a Miss Anne Campbell, and had become a town land-owner, erecting a home on part, naming it Agar Cottage. During his sixteen years' occupancy of the above official positions, there passed through his hands the records of many stirring criminal events. One of these was the outlawing of the colonial Dick Turpin, convict Jack Donohue, who escaped in 1828 while being escorted to Sydney, arid generally terrorised the district until shot by soldier-sergeant Maggleton in 1830.
Donohue was assisted in his depredations by some ten or twelve desperadoes, and the doggerel-song that subsequently idealised these scoundrels contained the following refrain, still remembered by old hands:—
And as he closed his struggling eyes,
He bid the world adieu! Saying: All good people, Pray for the soul Of Bold Jack Donohue.
On severing his official connection with Campbelltown, John Scarr was presented by the district with silverplate, now in the possession of his grand-daughter, wife of A. P. Cooper, formerly of Cullangrat Station in the Merriwa district, and also Trevallyn, in the Barraba district, and now of Wahroonga.
In 1841 John Scarr bought from Hazelton and McGee their Marengo Station of 40,000 acres on Willewang Creek, in the Young district, and ran cattle and horses, but chiefly sheep, there. He does not appear to have removed his family there—certainly not before the year 1846—as, with one exception, all his nine children are recorded as born at Agar Cottage in Campbelltown down to the year 1845.
Traditional history debits Scarr with misfortunes on Marengo, due chiefly to injudicious management, footrot and scab in his flocks, a serious drought that, on breaking in 1848, was immediately succeeded by devastating floods, all of which circumstances seem to have somewhat crippled him financially, and he died in 1855 at the comparatively early age of 53 years, having sold Marenga in that year to William Broughton, who, in 1856 married John Scarr's second daughter.
Turning now to the third phase of John Scarr's life-history, we cannot review the scions he left unto us without feelings of appreciation and admiration.
Of his nine children, three sons in particular stand out as helping to illumine the time in which they lived.
John Agar Scarr was born at Agar Cottage in Campbelltown in 1830, and had some preparatory schooling in that famous old town before passing to a Sydney college to be finished, when at seventeen years of age he entered the Public Service as a Parliamentary shorthand writer, holding the position until his retirement on a pension in 1887.
The great esteem in which he was held during his 40 years of service was recognised by a presentation-plate still held in the family.
During 1868/9, over the pen-name of Pundit, he contributed to Bell's Life a series of articles on "The Breeding of Thoroughbreds," which attracted considerable attention.
In 1887, in conjunction with E. K. Cox, he compiled an Australian Stud Book, and assisted in the adjustment of race weights for the A.J.C., assuming sole control later, when he also did similar work for all the metropolitan and the larger country race clubs. As a handicapper, John Agar Scarr is credited as being without a peer and his great integrity and ability in this was an outstanding feature in "The Sport of Kings."
He was an alderman of the Municipality of Manly for seven years prior to his death there in March, 1895, and was buried at Randwick within earshot of the sound of the galloping thoroughbred.
Percy Scarr, the third son of the original John, entered upon a career of civil-engineering, and was not in his life in any way associated with dogs, tar, ahd; shear-blades, the rush and rattle of looney-bullocks, nor the music of the thoroughbred's patter on the heath. But he made good in the life he chose, and rose to be principal engineer in the Public Works Department.
Frank Scarr, the youngest child of John, was born at Agar Cottage at Campbelltown in 1845, died at Neutral Bay in 1905, and was buried in St. Thomas' cemetery, North Sydney.
Frank also entered upon a professional career, as an architect and civil engineer, and for some years was prominently connected with railway construction in Queensland, being in turn a Gold, and a Crown Lands Commissioner.
In 1873 the call of the bush sought him out and, representing a syndicate, he set out for the northern part of South Australia to explore for grazing country, eventually settling there on his own account, but later returned to Sydney to live in quiet retirement until his death.
There is, I trust, some joy accruing to readers by my thus delving- into just these delightful things of a past age. From it we obtain a true estimation of our fellow-men and women of the back-beyond—all sorts and conditions—and the love of them. In the Old Pioneering Days.—No.47. The Master of Marengo: The Story of John Scarr and his Three Sons (1933, July 7).The Land (Sydney, NSW : 1911 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104241714