Robert Deacon’s YouTube Channel.
Greedy Smith – “Live it up”
Aussie music legend and Mental As Anything member, Greedy Smith, Living it Up at The Bombie Bar, Coalcliff.
The Bombie Bar Coalcliff SLSC Saturday the 15th of June 2013.
Helensburgh New South Wales 2508
By Ian
Robert Deacon’s YouTube Channel.
Greedy Smith – “Live it up”
Aussie music legend and Mental As Anything member, Greedy Smith, Living it Up at The Bombie Bar, Coalcliff.
The Bombie Bar Coalcliff SLSC Saturday the 15th of June 2013.
By Ian
I had a magnificent time this evening attending the Inaugural Illawarra News Awards 2013. Held at the University of Wollongong, the SMART building was packed to capacity (and them some), when proceedings kicked off around 6pm.
Opening presentation by top students about media ownership/monopolisation was exposing and blunt, but highly entertaining and informative. Many in the crowd were nodding heads and in agreement with points raised in the presentation.
The MC was President, Bob Wheway who did a great job on the microphone and in carrying the event along.
Soon enough the first 3 awards were presented:
People’s Choice Award – Winner: Barbara Cattunar
Community Advocate Award – Winner: Adam Bonner
Award for Journalism & Media Advocacy – Winner: Graeme Gibson
Next up was a Keynote Presentation by Walkley Award winner Debra Jopson, who gave us a great insight of the plight of indigenous Australia’s lack of voice and representation in the Australian media.
Soon to follow were the remaining awards:
Award for Outstanding Elected Councillor – Winner: Cr Peter Moran
Panel’s Commendation for Community Democracy & Leadership in Local Government – Winner: Cr Greg Petty
Congratulations to the winners on your well deserved award.
I met many kind and friendly people tonight and I just wish I could have met more. It was a great turn out so thank you to those who said kind words to me, and for your time.
On a personal note I’d like to thank Robert Carr for a nomination that I received for the category of Journalism & Media Advocacy. It was an honour to be included with such amazing people. Thank you.
Images/Photos, and Article © Ian Piggott 2013 – all rights reserved,
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By Ian
What remains of Helensburgh’s first Railway Station and the 1st Metropolitan Tunnel
Tunnels on the Illawarra line in and around the Helensburgh area late 1880′s:
No.1 tunnel – Waterfall tunnel 221m (Daylighted – demolished during Duplication)
No.2 tunnel – Cawley tunnel 381m
No.3 tunnel – Helensburgh tunnel 80m
No.4 tunnel – Metropolitan tunne) 624m
No.5 tunnel – Lilyvale No.1 tunnel 80m
No.6 tunnel – Lilyvale No.2 tunnel 322m
No.7 tunnel – Otford tunnel 1550m
No.8 tunnel – Clifton tunnel 1000m (still in use)
By Ian
A petition from residents of Camp Creek was forwarded in June 1886, seeking the establishment of a post office at a point on the “Illawarra Railway near the 28 mile”, known as Camp Creek.
The request was unsuccessful. Camp Creek was described as being midway between Cawley’s Creek and Otford, being about 3 miles from each.
In another letter, Cawley’s Creek Post Office was described as being about 2 miles from Waterfall. In the same letter it is stated that Gibson’s saddle (horseback) mail ran between Clifton and Otford.
Repeated efforts were made to obtain a post office at Camp Creek but only about three letters a day were being sent there.
In a letter to the Postmaster-General in August 1886, C. Harper asked again for a post office and added, “Helensburgh is the name desired by inhabitants”.
Harper gave his address in the letter as Helensburgh Waterfall.
Post Office
Eventually approval was given for a post office at Helensburgh, with Thomas Horan, storekeeper, as postmaster.
The office was opened on 1st December 1886. In conjunction with this some alterations were made in the local mail timetables. The mail which served Helensburgh left Waterfall at 10.30am, then: arrived [at] Cawley’s Creek 11am, Helensburgh 11.30am, Otford 1pm.
Money Order facilities were extended to Helensburgh on 2nd May 1887.
In March 1887, Thomas Horan was given the contract for running a mail service from Waterfall to Helensburgh via Cawley’s Creek by means of a horse drawn chaise cart, and to and from Helensburgh and Otford by horseback, six times a week for £80 per annum.
During 1889 the Metropolitan Coal Company who owned all the land on which the town was built gave notice to the postmaster that they required the land on which his store and post office was built. Accordingly, Horan arranged for the erection of a new building about 12 chains from the old one.
On 1st October 1889 a branch of the Government Savings Bank was opened at the Post Office.
Telegraph Office
An agitation began for the establishment of a telegraph office apart from the one conducted by the Railway Department at the station. Several schemes were considered but eventually it was decided to appoint Horan who was a former Railway Department Telegraphist in Tasmania, to take charge of both the post office and telegraph office and a line was built from the post and telegraph office to the Colliery. The telegraph office was opened on 29th or 30th September, 1890. Horan became post and telegraph master, and his sister was appointed junior operator.
The post office building which was rented from the Coal Company for £1 per week was a most unsatisfactory one, being too small. No fence enclosed the property, and there were many other shortcomings. However, repairs were made in 1892 which made the building habitable.
Joseph Kershaw commenced duty as a temporary Letter Carrier (Postman) at the office on 1st February 1892. His salary was £39 Per annum which rose to £52 per annum in April 1893.
On 1st October 1896 Thomas Horan was appointed to the permanent staff of the Postal Department as official postmaster at Helensburgh, with a salary of £100 per annum. This was a deserving appointment, as he was a good citizen and was described as an asset to Helensburgh. It was mentioned in 1896 that a police station had just been built next door to the post office.
Post Office Building
In 1899 a request was made by a local resident for a post office to be built in the business centre, which he claimed was at the other end of the town.
It was decided to place £400 on the Estimates for a new post office at the south west corner of Cowper Street and Parkes Street, part of a recreation reserve. Tenders were called in July 1900 but the successful tenderer did not proceed with the job. Fresh tenders were called and George Rickett secured to contract for £615.
The new office was occupied on 25th February 1901. A public opening ceremony was held at which the Honourable John See represented the Government.
An interesting reference to Helensburgh appeared in a press cutting dated 16th May 1901, wherein it was reported that: “the Helensburgh postmaster has had his new office illuminated by acetylene gas. The street front of the office has been lighted in a similar manner and is much admired by the public.”
Telephone
A telephone was installed at the office during 1907, and public telephone facilities became available on 4th April of that year. The Helensburgh Telephone Exchange was opened either in December 1914, or in February 1915. The earliest list of subscribers available is that which appeared in the Directory for December 1915, as Follows: –
Also connecting with –
Dr. Cox
Drawing Officer and Delivery Officer
Manager’s Residence.”
Succeeding Postmasters
Thomas Horan was transferred to Woonona Post Office and the following postmasters succeeded him on the dates shown:-
J. W. Connolly 1.1.1908
C. Mc. Ireland 1.1.1909
S. W. Cambridge 2.1.1918
C. J. Mathews 50.8.1932
A. Edmundson 20.3.1938
R. B. Craig 9.4.1941
s. w. Wood 16.5.1944
R. S. Turner 17.5.1946
W. F. Cullen 27.9.1946
A. K. Blackwell 20.7.1950
H. H. Macey 8.12.1955
S. E. Davis 1.11.1960
J. K. Jones 2.3.1967
K. R. McDonald 11.5.1978
R. J. C. Eaton 1986
R. Newson 1987-1992
J. Collins 1993-2002
(Any of the information used must be acknowledged to the Historical Officer, Australia Post, G.P.I., SYDNEY 2000)
NSWPOA 351 70 R/A u.79
Thanks to Meryl O’Conner for supplying the article, which was produced by Pat McAuliffe.
Images, and Article © Ian Piggott 2013 – all rights reserved,
By Ian
THE LOVE LOCKS OF THE SEA CLIFF BRIDGE
The Sea Cliff Bridge Love Locks has attracted hundreds lovers who leave engraved padlocks, as a symbol of their love for each other. Being on Government property has prompted them to act as the padlocks are causing damage to the railings. They are all now being removed and catalogued. Wollongong City Council may provide facilities for lovers to attached their padlocks in the future.
Channel Nine’s Today show has produced a piece on the Sea Cliff Bridge’s Love Locks. Mike Dalton creates a touching, yet humorous piece on The Lock Love of the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Transcript
Well it’s not often that you’ll find government agencies bending over backwards to help celebrate the passion, the glory, the wonder of love.
But as Today’s Mike Dalton reports, this is indeed the case with the story of the Love Locks of the Illawarra.
Skirting the escarpment of the New South Wales South Coast is the beautiful Sea Cliff Bridge.
And it seems the beauty here has drawn thousands of lovers to this point.
To commit to each other, by locking an engraved padlock on the bridges railings
Chris & Susan, Grant & Viv, Shaun & Sarah have done so, as have Cookie & Macca, Yihan & Yuwel, Doug & Paul and Peas & Carrots
All declairing their love to the world, with a padlocked pledge.
But these padlocks are pledged on government property, and a call has been made for them to go.
Brad Turner is regional manager for the Roads and Maritime services
“Don’t you love, love Brad?” “Yes, I love Love”
But the problem I think is, while the sentiment might be lovely, they after a while maybe don’t look so lovely.
But in a somewhat surprising turn of bureaucratic wheels the removal of the padlocks is being done with the greatest of care.
Each padlock is measured, marked, and catalogued by “Watto” Watson and his crew.
“So you’re not willy-nilly tossing them over the bridge or anything, you’re cataloguing, you’re caring for them”, “We are, yes yes”, “Cupid with dirty hand”, “Thank you very much” “You big sweetie”.
Silvia & Neville Brown came down to grabs theirs back. “Give us the story of the lock” it was put on in 2009 for our 40th Wedding Anniversary, our daughter bought it for us.”
It’s obviously a place with a lot of love.
But for some, the colour of rust clouded their view of love in the air.
“Engineering wise, these locks are disgusting.”
“Ted what about love mate love?”
“Love? you take your wife, your take you them to a restaurant and that’s where it starts.”
So what did Ted’s wife Pam think? I thought I’d better ask her.
“I’d be so thrilled after 46 years of marriage, to think that we’ve got that everlasting memory but nope; he just doesn’t like them”.
“Hey Ted! you’re in trouble”
But lovers fear not, councillor Chris Conner from Wollongong City Council
“We could have an installation at some of these very important locations, like here at the Sea Cliff Bridge, so that people visiting, can attached their love locks there in total safety, knowing they’re not going to be interfered with. And they can come back into the future and see their love locks in place.” “Thanks”.
And the bridge bosses agree; “so the Roads and Maritime Services are still intending to foster love?” “We’re all about love” “Thanks big fella” “I can’t wait till my wife sees this.”
That’s a beautiful thing isn’t it?
“Yeah, and if you and the love of your life have left a lock on the bridge. You can claim it back; details are on the Roads and Maritime Services website.
If you or the person you’re having an affair with as well. hmm, supose that counts as well, yeah.
If you’d like to claim back your padlock, you can via the following websites.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects/projects/south_eastern_region/sea_cliff_bridge/index.html
By Ian
Mr Rex Frederick JACKSON (7 Oct 1928 – 31 December 2011)
by Ian Piggott – 21 April 2013 – originally appeared on http://helensburgh.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/otford-tunnel-closed/ – 02 January 2012
Rex Jackson, one of Australia’s most controversial politicians, has died on the New South Wales south coast at the age of 83 .
More news sources can be found:
The following is Copyright © State of New South Wales (NSW Parliament).
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Australian Labor Party (ALP). Foundation member of Helensburgh branch, delegate to Bulli state electorate council, secretary of parliamentary party. Resigned in August 1986.
Commissioned as a Justice of the Peace
Railway employee. Educated at Harefield Public School and Junee and Sutherland High Schools; clerk from 1953 was an assistant general manager at Marchants and Company, printers; member of Federated Clerks’ Union; trustee and president of the Bulli Pass Scenic Reserves; chairman of Royal National Park Advisory park committee; delegate to Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Trinidad in 1969; fire patrol officer, secretary of Waterfall Bushfire Brigade. Former professional boxer.
Eldest son of Patrick Penasus Jackson, railway fettler, and his wife Olive Griffith. Married Irene Sneyd on 5 November 1959 at Helensburgh, and had no issue. Church of England. In 1983 there were allegations that Jackson had accepted payments in return for granting early release to certain prisoners; in October of that year Jackson resigned from the Ministry for misleading Parliament over these allegations of corruption. A special commission of inquiry was set up which reported in July 1984 that Jackson be charged and he was subsequently convicted and imprisoned.
Images/Photos, and Article © Ian Piggott 2013 – all rights reserved, Resources and AcknowledgmentsBy Ian
For those who would like to see inside the Metropolitan Colliery (Australia’s oldest coal mine), then this video produced by the Nine Network is a great insight. Tours of the Ground Facilities happen during the Helensburgh Country Fair but it is far more difficult these days to get tours underground.
by Ian Piggott – 20 April 2013 – originally appeared on http://helensburgh.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/inside-the-metropolitan-colliery-nine-news-video/ – 05 March 2011
Images/Photos, and Article © Ian Piggott 2013 – all rights reserved,
By Ian
Robert Deacon’s YouTube Channel.
Rai Thistle Trio.
Featuring Rai Rai Thistlethwayte, Matt Smith, Lisa Permodh
The Bombie Bar Coalcliff SLSC Sunday the 17th of February 2013.
The small town of Helensburgh in New South Wales is known as the gateway between the cities of Sydney and Wollongong, as it is located roughly halfway between the two (45km south of Sydney’s CBD and 34km north of Wollongong).
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