Pittwater Online News

February 2 - 8, 2020: Issue 436

Dorothy Hawkins

a new film by John Illingsworth

Dorothy Hawkins shares some wonderful local history of Bayview and Mona Vale in this new film by John Illingsworth.

Dorothy Hawkins family ran a dairy near Winnererremy Bay at Mona Vale from 1936. Mona Street is in the foreground of the painting shown in the film, Bassett Street with the ocean beyond in the far distance. Brock’s Folly (La Corniche) is on the hill to the right of the ocean. 

Dorothy, still 14, lived in this house and worked in these fields. Her father, Joseph Homer, later purchased all the land seen here bounded by Bassett and Mona Streets, including the buildings on the hill. 98 year old Dorothy’s story as told here is a case study of a young woman living a semi-rural life at Mona Vale prior to WWII through to the late 1960s. 

Dorothy was the last person to live on what is now Winnererremy Bay Park. Her account of eviction from the home she loved, following a brutal forced resumption, is wrenching. This was a private development by Warringah Shire Council in partnership with developer ‘Pacific Paradise’. After examining numerous documents and newspaper clippings and listening to Dorothy and her children, it seems doubtful due process was followed. A significant injustice may have been perpetrated against Dorothy and her sister, co-inheritors of the Centenary Estate Land which 32 years later became Winnerrremy Bay Park.

Extras

County of Cumberland Planning Scheme
by Dictionary of Sydney staff writer  2008
CC BY-SA 2.0

The County of Cumberland Planning Scheme was arguably New South Wales's first attempt at a comprehensive and coordinated town plan for metropolitan Sydney, and, after a short and troubled history, it was ultimately a failure.

Aware that postwar growth would put pressure on Sydney's existing footprint, in July 1944 the Labor Premier William McKell announced that he intended to introduce legislation concerning both

the extension of the boundaries of the City of Sydney, and the Union of Areas in the County of Cumberland.

The second proposal was a most radical innovation in metropolitan governance, in that it created a tier of government intermediate between local and state governments – the Cumberland County Council – to oversee preparation and implementation of metropolitan Sydney's first statutory plan. The Cumberland County Council was established under the provisions of the Local Government (Town and Country Planning) Amendment Act 1945, which enabled local councils to prepare comprehensive local planning schemes for the first time. The process was overseen by a new Town Planning Branch in the Department of Local Government, with another new creation, the Town and Country Planning Advisory Committee, providing high-level ministerial advice. 

Released in 1948 but not legally gazetted until 1951, the County of Cumberland Planning Scheme has been described as

the most definitive expression of a public policy on the form and content of an Australian metropolitan area ever attempted.

It drew inspiration from the London plans of Patrick Abercrombie, and introduced land use zoning, suburban employment zones, open space acquisitions, and the idea of a 'green belt' for greater Sydney. The Main Roads Department supplied plans for an expressway network. The scheme tied in with the Commonwealth Government's strategy to prepare for predicted rapid postwar growth, and in June 1947 the Cumberland County Council was inaugurated by state parliament, to prepare 'for the guidance and control of growth in the County' – ultimately the future direction of growth for metropolitan Sydney.

Opposition to the plan

The cornerstone of the Cumberland County Council Scheme was a 'green belt' around the existing urban footprint, designed to restrict urban sprawl, while satellite towns beyond the belt would take care of future growth. But from the outset, the Cumberland County Council was in a precarious position, particularly with its constituent councils, which were uneasy about its new powers: only four suburban municipalities had worked to develop comprehensive town planning schemes by the time of the Cumberland County Council's formal demise. It also faced hostility from more entrenched state government agencies, such as the Sydney Water Board and the Department of Housing. It met strenuous opposition from property owners, and by the mid-1950s had 22,000 claims against it for 'injurious affectation' arising from county zoning. A further blow came when anticipated Commonwealth funding never eventuated. 

The green belt to prevent sprawl was the most contentious element, and it was continually attacked by developers, who saw it as an impediment to future profits. In response to these mounting pressures, the Cumberland County Council was dissolved on 19 December 1963 and replaced by a State Planning Authority, in accordance with the State Planning Authority Act, 1963. With the advent of the conservative Askin state government in 1965, the Cumberland County Council Plan's grand objectives were finally put to rest, with the result that thousands of hectares of farmland were 'released' for housing, incrementally whittling the green belt away to accommodate ongoing population increases from both immigration and the long term results of the postwar 'baby boom'. The pressure of increasing demand for land also affected the Department of Main Roads' proposed 'County Roads': the state government requested that the Department eliminate the least necessary road reservations within the county. Thus raw new suburbs sprang up, devoid of vital infrastructure. An eventual compromise led to developers making contributions to help fund infrastructure in new release areas.

Dictionary of Sydney staff writer, County of Cumberland Planning Scheme, Dictionary of Sydney, 2008, http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/county_of_cumberland_planning_scheme

During the interim between coming into law and being made defunct, that green space we now know as Winnemerey Reserve, among others, was part of what was 'resumed':

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1919 

Warringah Shire Council: Proposed Resumption of Land at Bayview

HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, and in pursuance of the Local Government Act, 1919, has approved of the Warringah Shire Council's causing a notice of resumption of the land together with all mines or deposits of coal, ironstone, kerosene shale, limestone, slate or other minerals under the said land (excepting any such mines or deposits as were reserved to the Crown in the original Grant of the said land) described in the Schedule hereto, together with a description of such land, to be published in the Government Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in the area in which the land is located, such land being required by the Warringah Shire Council for the purpose of the improvement and embellishment of the area and selling or leasing the whole or any portion of such land in one or more lots. (S. 60-622)

P. D. HILLS, Minister for Local Government. Department of Local Government,

Sydney, 5th August, 1960.

Schedule

All that piece or parcel of land situate in the Shire of Warringah, parish of Narrabeen and county of Cumberland, being lots 29, 30 and 31, section B, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L), and being also the whole of the land described in the Second Schedule to Deed Registered Book 2,365, No. 755,—having an area of 1 rood 4 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Halvorsen Boats Pty. Ltd.

Also all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid being lot 33, section B, of the Centenary Estate shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also part of the land described in Deed Registered Book 378, No. 573,—having an area of 16 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of the estate of Clara Fowler, deceased.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 41 to 44 inclusive, section B, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land described in the Second Schedule to Deed Registered Book 403, No. 729,—having an area of 1 rood 35 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Robert J. Amaral.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 1 to 6 inclusive, section C, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land described in the Third Schedule to Deed Registered Book 2,348, No. 385,—having an area of 2 roods 20 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Halvorsen Boats Pty. Ltd.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 19, 20 and 21, section C, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land described in the First Schedule to Deed Registered Book 2,365, No. 755,—having an area of 39 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Halvorsen Boats Pty. Ltd.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lot 1, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land described in Deed Registered Book 2,060, No. 534,— having an area of 19 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Joseph J. Homer.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land, situate as aforesaid, being lot 2, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land comprised in Certificate of Title, Volume 3,308, folio 132,—having an area of 16 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Joseph J. Homer.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 3, 4, 5 and 7, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land described in the Second Schedule to Deed Registered Book 2,348, No. 385,—having an area of 1 rood 20 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Halvorsen Boats Pty. Ltd.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lot 6, section D, of the Centertary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land described in Deed Registered Book 2,365, No. 756,—having an area of 23 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Halvorsen Boats Pty. Ltd.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 8, 9 and 48, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land described in Deed Registered Book 2,060, No. 535,—having an area of 39 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Joseph J. Homer.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lot 10, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land comprised in Certificate of Title, Volume 6,403, folio 222,—having an area of 13 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Jack M. Kirby. 

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 11 and 12, section D, of the Centenary' Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land comprised in Certificate of Title, Volume 6,071, folio 220,—having an area of 26 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Nora Barker.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 13 to 16 inclusive, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L),—having an area of 1 rood 12 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Cyril D. Duer.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 17, 18, 39 and 40, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L),—having an area of 1 rood 12 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of the estate of Alfred Ingram, deceased.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lots 41 to 44 inclusive, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L),—having an area of 1 rood 12 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of the estate of C. H. Ingram, deceased.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lot 47, section D,: of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land comprised in Certificate of Title, Volume 3,321, folio 198,—having an area of 13 1/2 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Violet C. Kirby. 

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being lot 49, section D, of the Centenary Estate, shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and being also the whole of the land described in the First Schedule to Deed Registered Book 2,348, No. 385,—having an area of 13 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Halvorsen Boats Pty. Ltd.

Also, all that piece or parcel of land situate as aforesaid, being the sites of Darwin-street, Huxley-street, Spencer-street and the Esplanade, as shown on plan catalogued 4,390 (L) and that part of the site of the street 60 links wide shown on that plan lying to the south-west of the south-easterly prolongation of the north-eastern boundaries of lots 4 to 20 inclusive, section B, of the Centenary Estate, shown on the said plan catalogued 4,390 (L) 3—and having an area of about 4 acres 1 rood 9 perches.

All such pieces or parcels of land are shown on plan with the Department of Local Government, Sydney. (9827) 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1919 (1960, August 5). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 2409. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220314811

The Scheme needs a tad more:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1919
Cumberland County Council: Proposed Resumption of Land at Bayview

HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, and in pursuance of the Local Government Act, 1919, has approved of the Cumberland County Council's causing a notice of resumption of the land together with all mines or deposits of coal, ironstone, kerosene shale, limestone, slate or other minerals under the said land (excepting any such mines or deposits as were reserved to the Crown in the original Grant of the said land) described in the Schedule hereto, together with a description of such land, to be published in the Government Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in the area in which the land is located, such land being required by the Cumberland County Council for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the County of Cumberland Planning Scheme. (S. 61-4,236)

P. D. HILLS, Minister for Local Government Department of Local Government, Sydney, 23rd March, 1962.

Schedule

All that piece or parcel of land situate in the Shire of Warringah, parish of Narrabeen and county of Cumberland, being lot 20, deposited plan No. 9,606, containing an area of perches, having a frontage to Pittwater-road, (late Bay view-road) and being the whole of the land comprised in Certificate of Title, volume 4,463, folio 41, said to be in the possession of Henry James Brown and shown on the plan with the Department of Local Government, Sydney. (2537). LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1919 (1962, March 23). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 785. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220248205

Koalas Found In Bush At Mona Vale

Residents of the Mona Vale district declare that if a thorough search were made of their area many koalas would be found.

On one property, Homer's dairy, Mr. J. Homer says that they are to be found in the gum trees. When a "Sun" representative visited the property to-day, one koala was quickly located on a tea-tree, but he left it, ran across the ground and then mounted a large grey gum. The koala showed smart climbing prowess and was soon as high as lie possibly could get in the tree. There, he quietly munched away at the surrounding leaves. Another resident of Mona Vale, Mr. F. Mason, who has a tropical garden, also says that koalas are in the district. He said that it was difficult to find them readily, but he and his wife had often seen them in gum trees around their home. Mr. W. Brewer who has lived in the district for more than 40 years, said that, although koalas were not as plentiful as they had been, probably because of the cutting down of trees, he believed that if a thorough search were made, many would be found. Koalas Found In Bush At Mona Vale (1936, September 30). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 18 (COUNTRY EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230019965 

Diary farm at Mona Vale. Circa 1940. Courtesy Olwyn Johnstone, Pittwater Historical Image Library; Mona Vale Library.

MILK SAMPLE WAS DEFICIENT IN FAT

Through her husband, Gladys Homer, a dairy proprietor, of Mona Vale, pleaded guilty today in Manly Court and was fined 2s 6d with 8s costs for having sold milk which was stated to have been deficient in milk fat to the extent of 15.6 per cent. Inspector Patton said that only one of five samples taken showed any deficiency, and he had been informed that the deficient milk was bought from another company. There was no added water and the deficiency could nave come about through the milk being improperly handled or some cans having got more fat than others. If companies delivered to the dairies Instead of "dropping the milk about the streets," and the milk was stirred before being used, such difficulties might not occur. MILK SAMPLE WAS DEFICIENT IN FAT (1939, March 2). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 36 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231104710 

FORMER MUR-BAH MAN'S DEATH FROM HEART FAILURE

Three minutes after he had been heard whistling merrily at Homer's dairy, Mona Vale, on February 8, Robert Jesse Johnson (20) collapsed at a wash basin and fell forward, dead, with his face in a few inches of water. Dr. Belli, of Mona Vale, was called by Joseph Homer, proprietor of the dairy, and Sergeant Cook, of Narrabeen, took Johnson's body to the morgue. Examination revealed that death was due to heart failure. Johnson, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Johnson, of Ewing Street, Murwillumbah. He also is survived by three sisters and two brothers, one serving overseas with the A.I.F. Johnson was a member of the AIF and was discharged. He was at one time employed by the Tweed Butchering Coy., Murwillumbah. FORMER MUR-BAH MAN'S DEATH FROM HEART FAILURE (1942, February 17).Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 - 1949), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194546233 

Willy-willy hit's Mona Vale; roofs torn off

Roofs were torn away, a chimney knocked down and buildings damaged when a willy-willy struck Mona Vale early this afternoon .

A dairy owned by Mr. J. Homer, of Bassett Street, Mona Vale, received the full force of the wind and eight other buildings were damaged. Mr. Reg Homer, son of the owner of the dairy, said: "A strong breeze sprang up shortly after noon. Suddenly we heard a "whishing" noise and saw a cloud of dust sweeping across the paddocks. "We didn't have time to do anything. When the whirlwind hit us it tore the roof off the main section of the dairy, and hurled it against the house. 

"It knocked down one of the chimneys and as that fell I saw another roof lifted from a building just as if it were a piece of paper." 

Weather Bureau officials said wind in some suburbs had reached 47 mph. They did not expect it to get any worse, they added. A cool change tonight is forecast. Today's 1 pm temperature reading of 83.8 degrees was steadily climbing towards yesterday's maximum of 84.5, which was the highest reading since last April. . Despite a flat surf, surf clubs today reported biggest attendances since last summer. "Thousands Thousands flocked to Bondi and Manly to escape the heat.

Willy-willy hits Mona Vale; roofs torn off (1949, October 13). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229224418

Willy Willy Strikes Mona Vale 

SYDNEY, Thursday. - Several buildings were badly damaged when a willy-willy struck Mona Vale to-day. One resident said: "A strong breeze sprang up shortly after noon. Suddenly we heard a whishing noise and saw a cloud of dust sweeping across the paddocks." A dairy owned by Mr. J. Homer, of Bassett-street. Mona Vale, received the full force of the wind. Eight other buildings were damaged. Willy-Willy Strikes Mona Vale (1949, October 14). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134172237 

DAIRY FARMERS' CO-OP. MILK CO. LTD.

50th ANNUAL REPORT.

The annual meeting of the Company was held on Friday last. The report discloses: — The total quantity of milk handled was forty-one and one-half million gallons, exceeding the quantity handled in the previous year by approximately two million gallons. Following the removal of the ban on the sale of sweet cream greatly increased quantities of milk will be required. The turnover for the whole of the Society's operations was £6,090,000. The profits, after providing for depreciation and Taxation totals £22,992, a dividend of 5 per cent, will be made. The disastrous floods during June in the Hunter River district and in the North Coast River districts necessitated the imposition of a rationing of supplies to consumers more severe than ever before. The Directors offer their sympathy to those suppliers who suffered loss due to the floods. Machinery, plant and equipment continue in good order and condition. The construction of the new Western Suburbs unit is progressing despite the shortage of labour and materials, and the completed 'work-shop buildings are now being used by the Society. 

The construction of the new Willoughby depot is progressing and it is intended to build a new depot at Manly. It is also intended to build a new depot at Canberra and to introduce a pasteurised bottled milk service in the capital city. The freehold of the Mosman depot premises has now been acquired. Following the purchase of a dairyman vendor's business at Mona Vale a new branch has been established in that district. During the year your Society acquired the business and property of the Taralga Co-operative Dairy Company Limited, Goulburn, and the Bathurst Dairy Company Limited, Bathurst. The factory suppliers are now shareholders in your Company and are voluntarily contributing for additional shares. Both of these acquisitions in these important and rapidly-growing centres will further consolidate the distribution of milk by co-operative enterprise. Increased costs generally in milk handling and distribution were again evident and were recognised in the Milk Board Prices Declarations operating from the 7th October, 1949, and the 24th March, 1950, and also by the State Prices Commissioner in respect of prices in areas outside the Milk Zone. This is the fiftieth year of your Society's operations and your Directors are issuing a commemorative booklet dealing with the history, achievements and plans for the future of your Society. .. Appreciation is again expressed to milk producers and country factory managements for their support during the year. The service of the many loyal employees of the Society is also appreciated. There are now 5,953 members in your Society. Following the alteration of Rule 94 by which the minimum number of Directors was increased, the vacancy created was filled by the appointment of Director A. R. Keith. . Directors, Messrs. A. G. Martin, E. H. K. Downes, J. S. Haddin, R. J. Alison, and A. R. Keith, retire but are eligible for re-election. DAIRY FARMERS' CO-OP. MILK CO. LTD. (1950, October 5). Camden News (NSW : 1895 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143972258 

Joseph James Homer kissing Annabela goodbye when he sold his dairy at Mona Vale in 1950. Photo courtesy Kevin Hawkins

Mona Vale milk ban is withdrawn

The Milk and Ice Carters' Union late today withdrew its ban on milk supplies to Mona Vale vendor J. Homer.

Justice de Baun announced this following a compulsory conference of the parties in the Industrial Commission. He said Mr. Homer's customers would be supplied with milk from tomorrow morning. A conference of all interested parties, including Dairy Farmers Ltd., and Fresh Food and Ice Co., would be held at 2.15 pm next Thursday. Justice de Baun added it appeared the dispute was a little wider than the issue in regard to Mr. Homer. The management committee of the union yesterday imposed the ban because it claimed Mr. Homer had been "filching" customers from other vendors.

3 am -.visit 

600 families were left without milk today, when, acting under union instructions, carters stopped supplies to Joseph Homer. Milk and Ice Carters' Union secretary A. W. Thompson and organiser W. Jackson went to Fresh Food and Ice Co's., Manly depot at 3 am today and ordered union members not to handle milk for Homer. The union officials told the company if milk was made available for Homer, the union's action would he extended to the whole of the North Shore. 

Vendor's stand 

Mr. Thompson said later, "We do not want the dispute to extend, but Homer will get no milk until he employs union labor, or the matter is settled by Health Minister O'Sullivan." Fresh Fresh Food and Ice Co.'s-general manager J. Agnew said company employees generally had been directed by the union not to handle milk for Homer. 

Homer, of Newport Rd., said, "My wife, sister and I run the business and employ nobody. I can't see where the non-union labor nonsense comes in. They say I have broken union zoning regulations, but the Milk Board does not recognise zoning and says it is illegal.” Mona Vale milk ban is withdrawn (1951, May 4). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 1 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230758723