My article for the November 2024 edition of “The Local” is now out. This month marking on the YY Aerated Water Company (YY Cordials).
Wallarah Oval basketball stadium submission period is now open
Featured
The exhibition period for the proposed new basketball stadium on Wallarah and Blackley ovals is now open.
Now is the time to formally submit your opposition to this project going ahead on this site, that will result in the loss of vital green space and existing sporting facilities.
Submissions must be made by Monday 11 November 2024, at the NSW government planning portal, on the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre project page.
Update, 4 November 2024: I have completed my opposing submission on the project planning portal. In summary I have three principal objections:
- Loss of green space.
- Significant negative impacts on traffic and parking.
- Unfairness to existing users of the site.
You can read a PDF of my full submission.
Croudace Road, Elermore Vale
A friend recently asked me about the naming of Croudace Road in Elermore Vale.
There is a Croudace Street in Lambton, named after Thomas Croudace, the first manager of the Lambton colliery. Thomas was also the reason for the naming of Croudace Bay, as he bought land and built a house in that locality. Presumably Croudace Road in Tingira Heights has a similar connection, being a road leading towards Croudace Bay. But what was the connection that led to the naming of Croudace Road in the Wallsend area? The answer turns out to be not Thomas, but his son Sydney.
Sydney Croudace was born in Lambton about 1874, the third son of Thomas and Christina Croudace. He was educated at The King’s School, Parramatta, and then followed his father into a coal mining career. At a comparatively early age he became manager of the Scottish Australian Mining Company’s B pit (also known as the Durham or Lambton B pit) at Redhead. In February 1913 he was appointed manager of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company’s pit at Wallsend.
In August 1915, while he was manager, the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company registered a subdivision of a large area of their land with Deposited Plan 8479.
The subdivision, of approximately 1500 acres, covered the area between Wallsend, New Lambton and Cardiff. An area of about 50 acres was excluded from the middle of the subdivision, as this was the location of the Jubilee Shaft of the coal company. (More on this shaft later in this article.) The first land sale in DP8479 was to Henry Hancock for Lot 60 on 24 July 1916.
Just a few months after registering the subdivision, Sydney Croudace resigned as manager of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company in December 1915 due to ill-health. The employees of the mine held a farewell dinner for Sydney Croudace, with both the office staff and the miners bestowing effusive praise upon him. By 1921 Croudace’s health had recovered sufficiently that he was able to resume the position of manager in February 1921.
By this time about 40 of the 94 lots in the subdivision had been sold. In July 1921 the residents in the northern part of the subdivision, known as Chinaman’s Flat, lobbied Wallsend Council to change the the name of their suburb, and to also set names for their as yet unlabelled streets.
Chinaman’s Flat is by no means a high-sounding title for a progressive suburb. The residents of No. 2 subdivision, which is situated on the Lake road, near Wallsend, think it should be changed to something more Australian. They have asked Wallsend Council, through the Lake-road and Cardiff Progress Association, to erase the name of Chinaman’s Flat from all official records, and that the streets be named according to a list they supplied. South Wallsend was suggested as more appropriate. Alderman England said that the name certainly acted to the detriment of the place, and visitors were not favorably impressed who might otherwise have entertained the idea of purchasing land there. The names suggested are: Jubilee-street, Cardiff-road, Scott-street, Lake-road, Croudace-road, Smith-street and Watkin-street. The council agreed to all of the requests on condition that they be called roads.
The Newcastle Sun, 29 July 1921.
- Jubilee Road would have been named after the Jubilee shaft of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company. The shaft was sunk in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. The section of the road north of Croudace Road was originally called Lundy (Lundie) Street. In December 1953, at the request of the Lake Road Progress Association, Newcastle Council renamed that section to be an extension of Jubilee Road.
- Cardiff Road is obviously named as for being the road from Wallsend to Cardiff. Although the residents requested this name, interestingly it was not formally granted at this time. As late as 1946 the road appears unnamed in land titles (e.g. Vol-Fol 5579-214.) Newspaper reports as late as December 1935 refer to the road as “Chinaman’s Flat Road”. By 1957 a Shell street map shows “Cardiff Road”, and land titles in 1959 (Vol-Fol 7753-30) now show “Cardiff Road”.
- Scott Road – the inspiration for this name is unknown. It was later renamed to Grandview Road.
- Lake Road was a name that was already used for that road further south in the Lake Macquarie Shire. The request by the residents here appears to be just an extension of that name further north into the Wallsend Council area.
- Croudace Road was almost certainly named in honour of Sydney Croudace, who was manager of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company when the subdivision was created in 1915 and the streets named in 1921.
- Watkins Road is probably named after John Thomas Watkins, who purchased Lot 35 on that road in 1917.
Ministerial approval for the naming of Croudace, Smith, Watkin, Jubilee, and Scott Roads was received in December 1921.
Sydney Croudace finished as manager of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company in October 1928, and moved to a property in Brighton Avenue, Toronto where he lived until his death on 3 February 1935 at the age of 61. Co-incidentally, his death came just one week after shareholders of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company voted to cease operations at the Wallsend Colliery that Croudace had managed for ten years.
In the ensuing years the suburb adjacent to his namesake road was variously called “South Wallsend” and “Wallsend South” in equal measure.
On 14 November 1975, the suburb name was officially changed to “Elermore Vale”, probably in reference to the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company’s “A pit” that opened in Wallsend in 1859, which was also known as the “Elermore Vale Colliery”.
Jubilee Shaft
In 1887 in the year of Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company sunk a new shaft to assist with ventilation of their mine, and named it the Jubilee Shaft. It was located inside the area that was later subdivided in 1915 as DP8479, and thus was excluded from that subdivision.
In the early 1930s the Wallsend Colliery struggled to be profitable, and in November 1934 the owners advertised the colliery for sale or lease. When no acceptable offers eventuated, the shareholders voted in January 1935 to close the mine and sell off the colliery plant, machinery, waggons and railway. Surplus equipment from the Jubilee shaft was sold at auction in May 1935. The land in the vicinity of the shaft then began to be subdivided and sold off, however a smaller parcel of land around the shaft was retained by the coal company.
After the closure in 1935, the coal seams were worked by various tribute collieries until 1968, when the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company resumed operations at Wallsend under the new name of “Gretley Colliery”. The name was a combination of two coal seams the company was mining – the Greta Seam in their Pelton and Ellalong mines, and the Dudley seam they were working at Wallsend. In November 1996 tragedy struck at Gretley mine when four miners were drowned by a sudden inrush of water when they inadvertently broke through to flooded abandoned workings adjacent to the Gretley workings. The error was due to the mine having been supplied with incorrect plans of the old workings by the Department of Mineral Resources. Work at Gretley was immediately suspended. In 1999 Gretley was bought by New Wallsend Coal Pty Ltd, who operated the workings as “New Wallsend No. 2 Colliery.”
A partial history of the Jubilee Shaft site can be seen in the photo below, the sign on the enclosing fence shows “Gretley Colliery” overstamped with “New Wallsend Coal Pty Ltd, New Wallsend No. 2 Colliery.” At the bottom of the sign, the words “Mine Ventilation Shaft” are just visible.
In 2021 Newcastle Council approved a development application for the construction of a 50 lot Community Title subdivision on the former Jubilee Shaft site. The development will retain some of the remnant Jubilee Shaft sandstone building walls in a community area
Croudace Road in Edgeworth
In the original iteration of this blog post I posed the question of why there is a Croudace Street in Edgeworth? Thanks to a note on page 138 of Ed Tonks’ 1990 book “Wallsend and Pelton Collieries. A Chronology of The Newcastle Wallsend Coal Company”, I have the answer.
That area of Edgeworth has five north-south streets, all named after prominent colliery managers of the Newcastle district when that subdivision was created in 1885.
- Thomas Street – named after James Thomas, manager of the New Lambton Colliery.
- Turnbull Street – named after William Turnbull, manager of the Australian Agricultural Company’s collieries.
- Croudace Street – named after Thomas Croudace, manager of Lambton Colliery.
- Fletcher Street – named after James Fletcher, manager of the Co-operative Colliery at Wallsend.
- Neilson Street – named after John Young Neilson, manager of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company.
Edgeworth was originally called “Young Wallsend”, and the subdivision created by John Charles Bonarius was described by the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate on 16 May 1885 …
The subdivision has been laid out by Mr. Percy Hodgkinson, of this city, whose abilities in laying a township are well known to everyone in the district, and is under the supervision of Mr. John C. Bonarius, our oldest and well-esteemed auctioneer, who will wield the hammer at the sale. The streets are plainly seen. Large posts, with the names Neilson, Fletcher, Croudace, Turnbull, Thomas, and other notables connected with the coal trade of Northumberland are seen.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 16 May 1885.
A real estate poster advertising the sale of the subdivision was produced, but with Neilson and Johnson spelled incorrectly.
The naming of Johnson St is uncertain. It possibly refers to R Johnson who was the manager of the Glebe colliery.
Unanswered questions
- When exactly did Cardiff Road get its official name?
Newspaper articles
Article Date Event Date | Notes |
---|---|
7 Feb 1913 | Sydney Croudace appointed manager of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company's Wallsend Colliery. |
6 Dec 1915 4 Dec 1915 | Retirement due to ill-health of Sydney Croudace as manager of Wallsend colliery. "There was a large attendance at the Masonic Hall, Wallsend, on Saturday evening, when Mr. S. Croudace, who for the last three years has occupied the position of manager of the Wallsend Colliery, was entertained by the employees of the colliery, and presented with marks of their esteem and appreciation." |
2 Feb 1921 | "Mr. S. Croudace will succeed Mr. N. J. Clark as colliery manager of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company." (Croudace returns to the position he previously resigned from due to ill-health.) |
29 Jul 1921 | Residents of "Chinaman's Flat" request that their suburb be renamed to "South Wallsend", and suggest names for a number of their roads. |
17 Dec 1921 | "Ministerial approval having now been received, it is notified for public information that the un-named roads in the South Wallsend subdivision, otherwise known as Chinaman Flat Subdivision, will be designated as follows: Croudace-road, Smith-road, Watkin-road, Jubilee-road, Scott-road." |
13 Oct 1928 10 Oct 1928 | "Mr. Sydney Croudace on Wednesday terminated his second period of service with Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company as manager of Wallsend colliery." |
23 Nov 1934 | Advertisement for sale or lease of Wallsend Colliery. |
25 Jan 1935 24 Jan 1935 | "At the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company held yesterday it was decided to cease operations at the company's Wallsend colliery owing to heavy losses incurred during the past six years and the uncertainty of the future." |
4 Feb 1935 3 Feb 1935 | Death of Sydney Croudace, in Toronto, aged 61. |
16 Feb 1935 | "Hopes of a reopening of Wallsend Colliery, commonly known as Wallsend C Pit, have been shattered … dismantling and removal to the surface of the underground appliances and plant of the colliery. … The mine is to be abandoned." |
18 Feb 1935 | "Wallsend citizens who have been hoping for an 11th-hour sale of the colliery property, or for a lease which would allow a resumption of operations, are beginning to despair as they realise the latest definite steps Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company has adopted to seal the doom of Wallsend C pit. For three-quarters of a century the coal company has been operating at one or another of the branches of its Wallsend mine. Wallsend without a Wallsend colliery is to many people almost unthinkable." |
2 May 1935 | Sale of equipment from the closed Jubilee Shaft in Wallsend. |
16 Dec 1953 | "Newcastle Council Works Committee recommended last night that the council alter the name of Lundy-street, Wallsend, between Lake-road and Croudace-street, to Jubilee-road. The City Engineer (Mr. Baddeley) said a month had passed since the council proposed to alter the name. It had been publicised and no objection had been received." |
14 Nov 1975 | The suburb name "Elermore Vale" is officially gazetted. |
Community disengagement
The project to build a new basketball stadium on Wallarah and Blackley Ovals has now been listed on the NSW government’s Major Projects Planning Portal. I had a quick skim through the available documents, and two things stuck out.
Firstly, the Scoping Report has a section on Community Engagement, that has a list of stakeholders that Newcastle Basketball has “undertaken consultation with to inform the project planning.” Conspicuously missing from this list are the two groups that will be most negatively impacted by the project.
- The sporting groups who currently use the ovals.
- The local residents who will have to suffer the traffic and parking chaos the development will cause.
I am at a loss to decide whether these omissions are due to incompetence, error, conflict avoidance, or deliberate action to keep the community in the dark.
The second item that caught my eye, was in the “Heritage NSW Advice on SEARs” document, which states that “the site does not contain any known historical archeological relics.” During World War 2, the site of Wallarah Oval contained four gun emplacements, as shown in the 1944 aerial photograph below.
As recently as 2014, aerial photographs show parch marks that hint that some remnant of these gun emplacements may still be under the surface. The extent and significance of these remains is uncertain.
Update, November 2024: After the initial writing of this blog post, additional documents were made available on the project portal, including “Appendix HH – Historical Archaeological Assessment” which does include details of the WW2 gun emplacements, which apparently were dummy guns.
The gathering storm clouds of war
I recently listened to an excellent ten part series on The Rest Is History podcast by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, on the lead-up to the outbreak of World War 1. It consisted of two sections – four episodes on The Murder of Franz Ferdinand, followed by six episodes on The Road to The Great War.
One of the things that intrigued me in listening to the podcast, is the one month gap between the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife on 28 June 1914, and Britain entering the war at midnight on 4 August 1914. I wondered what it would have been like for someone living in Newcastle in 1914, reading news of the European situation in the pages of the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate each day, how the build-up to war would have been perceived.
Using Trove I read all the assassination/war related articles in the Newcastle Morning Herald, and tabulated a count of the number stories each day. It is interesting to note that after the initial flourish of articles in the wake of the assassination news from Europe subsided to almost nothing, until 27 July 1914 when hostilities between Austria and Serbia commenced. From that date there was a rapid escalation of tensions and the number of daily newspaper reports rose rapidly to 69 articles in the 6 August edition where Britain’s joining the war was reported.
I find it somewhat sobering to see how in the space of just over a week, the news went from nothing to a world wide conflagration. Sobering also to see that one commentator at the time of the outbreak clearly foresaw the dire consequences …
“Anathema on the people responsible for this awful war, whoever they are. To avenge the murder of two people they have plunged the continents into mourning. Innocent hundreds of thousands have got to lay down their lives. Innocent millions have got to lose their little all. Innocent families, too many to estimate, have got to face self denial and sorrow.”
Newcastle Morning herald and miners’ advocate,, 6 August 1914
A note on the title of this blog post: The “gathering storm clouds of war” is a homage to the long running riff that Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook have in their podcast, poking fun at this cliched phrase. It was with some interest then, that I found a near match to this phrase used in a report at the time …
“It has all come so suddenly that the main body of the people fail for the time to realise what it all means. The gathering of the war clouds excited a feeling of nervousness and people were inclined to do things which they a week ago would not have thought of.”
Newcastle Morning herald and miners’ advocate, 6 August 1914.
List of WW1 related articles in the Newcastle Morning Herald
Date | Headline |
30/06/1914 | ASSASSINATED. THE AUSTRIAN HEIR. A DASTARDLY CRIME. |
30/06/1914 | THE VICTIMS’ MOVEMENTS. |
30/06/1914 | THE FIRST ATTEMPT. SHORT LIVED JOY. |
30/06/1914 | STATEMENT BY ASSASSIN. AN OLD INTENTION. |
30/06/1914 | ARCHDUKE FOREWARNED. |
30/06/1914 | WIDESPREAD GRIEF |
30/06/1914 | WHEN THE BOMB WAS THROWN. |
30/06/1914 | THE FATAL SHOTS. |
30/06/1914 | IN THE THROES OF DEATH. |
30/06/1914 | THE AGED EMPEROR. |
30/06/1914 | BOSNIAN DIET’S GRIEF. |
30/06/1914 | THE NEWS IN ROME. |
30/06/1914 | KAISER GRAVELY SILENT. |
30/06/1914 | NEW HEIR APPARENT. |
1/07/1914 | THE ASSASSINATIONS, “THE PEACE OF EUROPE.” MARTIAL LAW AT SERAJEVO. |
1/07/1914 | THE ARCHDUKE’S JOKE. |
1/07/1914 | WHEN THE SHOTS WERE FIRED. |
1/07/1914 | VICTIMS’ LAST MOMENTS. |
1/07/1914 | MORE BOMB THROWING. |
1/07/1914 | THE ASSASSIN. |
1/07/1914 | VICTORIA’S REGRETS. |
1/07/1914 | EYE-WITNESSES’ ACCOUNT. PATHETIC MOMENTS. |
2/07/1914 | THE ASSASSINATIONS. WIDESPREAD MOURNING. GREAT BRITAIN’S TRIBUTE. |
2/07/1914 | SCENES AT SERAJEVO. PREPARING FOR THE OBSEQUIES. |
2/07/1914 | STAND BY THE THRONE. |
2/07/1914 | THE VICTIMS’ CHILDREN. BREAKING THE NEWS. |
2/07/1914 | THE ASSASSINS. ACTED IN CONCERT. |
2/07/1914 | AUSTRALIAN SYMPATHY. |
3/07/1914 | THE ASSASSINATIONS. WIDESPREAD PLOT. |
3/07/1914 | WHERE THE PLOT WAS HATCHED. |
4/07/1914 | THE HAPSBURGS. |
4/07/1914 | THE ASSASSINATIONS. BODIES SENT TO VIENNA. IMPOSING CEREMONIES. |
4/07/1914 | THE FUNERAL. THE EMPEROR’S WISHES. |
4/07/1914 | STATEMENTS BY ASSASSINS. ACCOMPLICES IMPLICATED. |
6/07/1914 | THE SERVIAN MURDERS. RIOTS IN VIENNA. FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS. |
7/07/1914 | THE SERVIAN MURDERS. CONSPIRATORS ARRESTED. THE FUNERAL. |
8/07/1914 | n/a |
9/07/1914 | THE BALKANS. |
10/07/1914 | RUSSIA AND BRITAIN. REVISION OF RELATIONS. |
11/07/1914 | M. POINCARE. INTENDED ASSASSINATION. |
13/07/1914 | GERMANY’S NAVY. A GREAT ACCESSION. |
14/07/1914 | n/a |
15/07/1914 | A TRAGIC DEATH IN EUROPE. |
16/07/1914 | n/a |
17/07/1914 | n/a |
18/07/1914 | n/a |
20/07/1914 | n/a |
21/07/1914 | BULGARIA AND ROUMANIA. FRONTIER CONFLICTS. |
22/07/1914 | NAVAL AGREEEMENT |
23/07/1914 | n/a |
24/07/1914 | n/a |
25/07/1914 | n/a |
27/07/1914 | WAR BREAKS OUT. AUSTRIA AND SERVIA. THREAT FROM RUSSIA. COUNTERBLAST BY GERMANY. |
27/07/1914 | AN ULTIMATUM. |
27/07/1914 | GERMANY’S ATTITUDE. WILL SUPPORT AUSTRIA IF OTHER POWERS INTERVENE. |
27/07/1914 | EXCITEMENT IN SERVIA. THE REPLY INDEFINITE. |
27/07/1914 | BRITAIN SEEKS PEACE. THE SITUATION GRAVE. |
27/07/1914 | SERVIA DECLINES. ULTIMATUM REJECTED. EXCITEMENT IN EUROPE. |
27/07/1914 | SERVIA PREPARES. KING LEAVES BELGRADE. CROWN PRINCE IN COMMAND. |
27/07/1914 | AUSTRIA ENTHUSIASTIC. DOWN WITH SERVIA. |
27/07/1914 | BERLIN EXCITED. GERMAN FLEET SAILS. |
27/07/1914 | RUSSIA READY. ARMY CORPS MOBILISING. |
27/07/1914 | EFFECT ON MARKETS. GLOOMIEST TONE. |
27/07/1914 | AMERICAN WHEAT. WILD TRADING. |
27/07/1914 | GIGANTIC STRUGGLE. SLAV v. TEUTON. |
28/07/1914 | EUROPE’S DANGER. |
28/07/1914 | HOPES OF PEACE. RUSSIA AND AUSTRIA. ENGAGED IN CONFERENCE. |
28/07/1914 | DECLARATION OF WAR. REPORT NOT CONFIRMED. SITUATION ALARMING. |
28/07/1914 | AUSTRIA’S INTENTION. A SHARP CAMPAIGN. TO FORESTALL RUSSIA. |
28/07/1914 | AUSTRIA PREPARING. MARTIAL LAW DECREED. PARLIAMENTS CLOSED. |
28/07/1914 | SERVIA MOBILISING. QUITTING THE CAPITAL. SACKING OF SHOPS. |
28/07/1914 | ARREST OF A GENERAL. LIBERATED BY THE EMPEROR. |
28/07/1914 | GERMANY EXCITED. GREAT DEMONSTRATION. |
28/07/1914 | RUSSIA’S ATTITUDE. PREPARING FOR WAR. SERVIA NOT TO STAND ALONE. |
28/07/1914 | SLAVS IN PARIS. DOWN WITH AUSTRIA. |
28/07/1914 | MONTENEGRIN SYMPATHY. AUSTRIAN TROOPS MOVING. |
28/07/1914 | BELGIUM WATCHING. |
EUROPE HOPEFUL. BRITAIN’S INFLUENCE. MAKING FOR PEACE. FOREIGN POWERS APPROVE | |
29/07/1914 | THE BRITISH PROPOSALS. POWERS TO CO-OPERATE. TO CONFINE THE DISPUTE. |
29/07/1914 | HOSTILITIES BEGUN. REPORT CONFIRMED. SERVIANS OPEN FIRE. |
29/07/1914 | GERMAN EXCITEMENT. CHEERS FOR ENGLAND. |
30/07/1914 | WAR BEGINS. TROOPS ON FRONTIERS. MEDIATION DECLINED. AUSTRIA DETERMINED. |
30/07/1914 | EFFECT IN EUROPE. FEARS INCREASED. A GENERAL CATASTROPHE. |
30/07/1914 | RUSSIA PREPARED. BLACKNESS ON THE COAST. SEVASTOPOL CLOSED. |
30/07/1914 | HUNGARY EXCITED. WILD ENTHUSIASM. |
30/07/1914 | BELGRADE IN PERIL. AUSTRIAN TROOPS AT HAND. |
30/07/1914 | GERMAN SILENCE. THE WORST OMEN. RUSSIA READY FOR WAR. |
30/07/1914 | FRANCE CALM. READY FOR EMERGENCY. |
30/07/1914 | BRITISH NAVAL ACTIVITY. GUARDING THE ARSENALS. |
30/07/1914 | AUSTRIA’S OBJECT. NOT OCCUPATION. |
30/07/1914 | AUSTRIA’S ATTACK. THREE ARMY LINES. WILL ENTER SERVIA. |
30/07/1914 | FIGHTING ON THE DRINA. SERVIANS PRESSING ONWARD. |
30/07/1914 | GERMAN PRECAUTIONS. MOVEMENT OF TROOPS. |
30/07/1914 | STRENGTH OF FRANCE. A GREAT FORCE. |
30/07/1914 | MIGRATION FROM CANADA. PATRIOTIC AUSTRIANS. |
30/07/1914 | TRADE EXCITEMENT. IN AMERICA AND CANADA. |
30/07/1914 | EFFECT IN AUSTRALIA. |
31/07/1914 | THE DIE IS CAST. IN RUSSIAN EYES ONLY A MIRACLE CAN AVERT EUROPEAN WAR. GERMANY IS HOPEFUL. |
31/07/1914 | AUSTRIA’S EMPEROR DESIROUS OF PEACE. COMPELLED TO FIGHT. |
31/07/1914 | GERMAN QUIETUDE. SUSPICION OF RUSSIA. MOBILISATION URGED. |
31/07/1914 | BRITAIN’S VIEW. SITUATION GRAVE. |
31/07/1914 | RUSSIA RESOLUTE. WILL DEFEND SERVIA. |
31/07/1914 | BRITISH FLEET SAILS. SCENE AT PORTLAND. |
31/07/1914 | FRANCE’S PRESIDENT. RECEPTION IN PARIS. |
31/07/1914 | THE WAR STARTING. AUSTRIA’S OPERATIONS. BOMBARDMENT OF BELGRADE. |
31/07/1914 | BELGRADE OCCUPIED. STEAMERS CAPTURED. AUSTRIAN ENTHUSIASM. |
31/07/1914 | RUSSIA’S MOBILISATION. A GREAT FORCE. |
31/07/1914 | THE PINCH OF WAR. FOOD PRICES IN VIENNA. |
31/07/1914 | EFFECT ON COMMERCE. STOCK EXCHANGES IDLE. FAILURES OCCURRING. |
31/07/1914 | POSITION IN AMERICA. |
31/07/1914 | PATRIOTS RETURNING. HASTENING HOMEWARDS. |
31/07/1914 | PEACE CONGRESS SETTLED. |
31/07/1914 | AUSTRALIAN ATTACHE. |
31/07/1914 | FALL IN STOCKS. |
31/07/1914 | WAR RISKS ON VESSELS. |
1/08/1914 | PEN-NOTES AND PENCILLINGS |
1/08/1914 | THE ARMIES. |
1/08/1914 | THE ALLIANCES. |
1/08/1914 | THE COST THAT WAS. |
1/08/1914 | THE COST TO BE. |
1/08/1914 | PEACE OF EUROPE MAY BE MAINTAINED. POWERS STILL CONFERRING. BRITAIN’S GREAT INFLUENCE. NO ACTUAL CHALLENGE. |
1/08/1914 | REPORTS DENIED. NO GERMAN DEMAND. |
1/08/1914 | TENSION IN BRITAIN. PARTY ISSUES DROPPED. A UNITED FRONT. |
1/08/1914 | PRECAUTIONS IN ENGLAND. PROTECTING THE COAST. |
1/08/1914 | BRITAIN’S DUTY. NO SPLENDID ISOLATION. STAND BY HER FRIENDS. |
1/08/1914 | CHANCES OF PEACE. DEPEND ON GERMANY. PESSIMISTIC FEELING. |
1/08/1914 | FRANCE HOPEFUL. GOOD NEWS RECEIVED. |
1/08/1914 | POSITION IN GERMANY. RECALLING OF OFFICERS. MOBILISATION NOT ORDERED. |
1/08/1914 | KAISER OPPOSED TO WAR. JINGOES FORCE HIS HAND. |
1/08/1914 | PATRIOTIC AUSTRIA. FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE. LOYALTY OF THE EMPIRE. |
1/08/1914 | RUSSIA MOBILISING. PREPARING FOR WAR. CZAR GOES TO MOSCOW. |
1/08/1914 | CANADA’S LOYALTY. OFFER OF TROOPS. |
1/08/1914 | WAR OPERATIONS. STORMING OF BELGRADE. FIRES IN THE CITY. |
1/08/1914 | AUSTRIAN INVASION. THE THREE COLUMNS. |
1/08/1914 | STOCK EXCHANGES LIFELESS. WHEAT PIT WHIRLWIND. |
1/08/1914 | PRECAUTIONS AT THE CAPE. MANOEUVRES STOPPED. |
1/08/1914 | MARINE WAR RISKS. |
1/08/1914 | ARMING MERCHANT SHIPS. |
1/08/1914 | MELBOURNE WHEAT MARKET. |
1/08/1914 | GERMANY’S ULTIMATUM. |
1/08/1914 | UNITED PRAYERS. APPEAL BY THE CHURCHES. |
1/08/1914 | DECLINE ON STOCK EXCHANGES. |
1/08/1914 | FALL IN ADELAIDE. |
1/08/1914 | DEFENCES OF SCANDINAVIA |
3/08/1914 | THE STORM BREAKS. |
3/08/1914 | WAR AGAINST RUSSIA DECLARED BY GERMANY. WILL FRANCE JOIN? ENGLAND REMAINS CALM. INTENSE EUROPEAN EXCITEMENT. |
3/08/1914 | WILL FRANCE FIGHT? GERMANY INQUIRES. CONVERSATIONS PROCEEDING. |
3/08/1914 | GERMANY’S REASONS FOR DECLARING WAR. IT WAS FORCED ON HER. |
3/08/1914 | ITALY NEUTRAL. NOT BOUND TO FIGHT EXCEPT FOR DEFENCE. |
3/08/1914 | RUSSIAN PATROL CROSSES THE FRONTIER. SKIRMISH WITH GERMANY. |
3/08/1914 | GERMANY’S DARK DAY. FORCED TO FIGHT. SPEECH BY THE EMPEROR. |
3/08/1914 | SHALL BRITAIN JOIN. OPPOSING VIEWS. FEELING AGAINST WAR. |
3/08/1914 | RUSSIAN FUNDS. A GREAT BALANCE. |
3/08/1914 | FRANCE AND GERMANY. TROOPS ON THE FRONTIER. GERMAN PATROLS CROSS. |
3/08/1914 | AUSTRIA’S ATTITUDE. WILL DEAL WITH SERVIA. |
3/08/1914 | WAR AGAINST GERMANY. SIN AGAINST CIVILISATION. |
3/08/1914 | ATTITUDE OF JAPAN. WILL STAND BY BRITAIN. |
3/08/1914 | AFRICA EXCITED. SHIPPING NO GOLD. |
3/08/1914 | CONTINENTAL FEARS. EXCITED TRAVELLERS. |
3/08/1914 | RUSSIA WAR MAD. GREAT DEMONSTRATIONS. |
3/08/1914 | AMERICA READY TO MAKE PEACE. |
3/08/1914 | APPEAL TO AMERICA TO ASSUME EMBASSIES. |
3/08/1914 | CLOSING BRITISH PORTS. |
3/08/1914 | FINANCIAL CRISIS. RESULTS IN ENGLAND. LONDON FAIRLY CALM. |
3/08/1914 | THE BANK BESIEGED, PAPER CURRENCY DOUBTED. |
3/08/1914 | EFFECT IN EUROPE. SUICIDE OF FINANCIERS. SEVERAL GERMAN FAILURES. |
3/08/1914 | THE KAISER. A FRIEND OF PEACE. |
3/08/1914 | GERMAN ACTIVITY. TEARING UP RAILROADS. |
3/08/1914 | GERMAN VESSELS. APPREHENSIVE OF CAPTURE. |
3/08/1914 | NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER. CANADA’S EULOGY. |
3/08/1914 | CANADA’S OFFER. TROOPS FOR BRITAIN. WILL SEIZE SHIPPING. |
3/08/1914 | AUSTRIA AND SERVIA. OUTPOST FIGHTING. USE OF AEROPLANES. |
3/08/1914 | BATTLE AT LANITZA. |
3/08/1914 | BOMBARDMENT OF BELGRADE. |
3/08/1914 | FRENCH SOCIALISTS. SUPPORT THEIR COUNTRY. |
3/08/1914 | ULSTERMEN READY. TO FIGHT FOR BRITAIN. |
3/08/1914 | BAVARIA EXCITED. RALLY ROUND THE EMPIRE. |
3/08/1914 | THE DOMINIONS. LOYALTY TO THE EMPIRE. |
3/08/1914 | BRITAIN’S CALMNESS. ADMIRED IN AMERICA. |
3/08/1914 | SERVIA CHEERED BY SPANISH STUDENTS. |
3/08/1914 | TROUBLE IN AMERICA. BUSINESS FIRMS FAIL. |
3/08/1914 | WARSHIPS RETURN TO SYDNEY. PREPARING FOR WAR. FEVERISH ACTIVITY. |
3/08/1914 | EXCITEMENT IN SYDNEY. |
3/08/1914 | PRAYERS FOR PEACE. |
3/08/1914 | INSURANCE AGAINST WAR RISKS. |
3/08/1914 | SIR WILLIAM IRVINE’S VIEWS. |
3/08/1914 | GERMAN SHIPPING IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS. |
3/08/1914 | GERMAN AUSTRALIAN LINE. |
3/08/1914 | GERMAN STEAMERS SAIL. THREE LEAVE NEWCASTLE. |
3/08/1914 | FEDERAL EXECUTIVE. TO MEET IN MELBOURNE. |
3/08/1914 | GOVERNMENT RECEIVES NEWS. |
3/08/1914 | JAPANESE FLEET. REPORTED MOVEMENT. |
3/08/1914 | AUSTRALIAN ARMY. REPORTED INSTRUCTIONS. |
3/08/1914 | GERMAN FLEET IN PACIFIC. |
3/08/1914 | SLAVS IN NEW ZEALAND. |
3/08/1914 | PORT REGULATIONS. EXAMINATION SERVICE IN FORCE. |
3/08/1914 | IN NEWCASTLE CHURCHES. |
3/08/1914 | SUBMARINES AND BATTLESHIPS. |
3/08/1914 | THE WAR. GERMAN ACTIVITY. LUXEMBOURG SEIZED. |
4/08/1914 | THE OUTLOOK DREARY. |
4/08/1914 | THE EUROPEAN CRISIS. GERMANS MARCH ON FRANCE. NO WAR DECLARATION. BRITAIN REMAINS SILENT. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO-DA |
4/08/1914 | FEELING IN LONDON. WILL BRITAIN JOIN OR STAND ALOOF. |
4/08/1914 | BRITAIN’S FLEET READY. A MIGHTY ARRAY. |
4/08/1914 | LONDON PATRIOTISM. CHEERS FOR THE KING. |
4/08/1914 | GERMANY AND RUSSIA. THE POURPARLERS. BROKEN BY RUSSIA. |
4/08/1914 | BREACH OF NEUTRALITY. GERMANS IN LUXEMBURG. FRANCE AND BELGIUM PROTEST. |
4/08/1914 | FRANCE AND GERMANY. WAR WITHOUT NOTICE. |
4/08/1914 | HASTENING TO SAFE PORTS. |
4/08/1914 | A BRITISH OPINION. FRANCE NOT BOUND. INTERVENTION UNNECESSARY. |
4/08/1914 | VIEWS OF “THE TIMES.” HOSTILE TO GERMANY. |
4/08/1914 | RETURNING ENGLISHMEN. FOODLESS FOR HOURS. |
4/08/1914 | WHEAT IN BRITAIN. ENOUGH FOR FOUR MONTHS. |
4/08/1914 | CANADIAN AID. ACCEPTED BY BRITAIN. |
4/08/1914 | SWEDEN AND NORWAY PROCLAIM NEUTRALITY. DENMARK PROTECTS HERSELF. |
4/08/1914 | AUSTRIA’S DESIRE. APPROVES OF CONFERENCE. |
4/08/1914 | EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA. IS MOVED TO TEARS. |
4/08/1914 | FOREIGNERS IN FRANCE. AUSTRIANS TO LEAVE. |
4/08/1914 | THE FIGHTING. GERMANS INVADE FRANCE. RUMOURED REPULSE. |
4/08/1914 | RUSSIAN MOVEMENTS. CROSSING THE FRONTIER. |
4/08/1914 | QUIET IN LONDON. A GERMAN DEMONSTRATION. |
4/08/1914 | LONDON BANKS. A QUASI-MORATORIUM. |
4/08/1914 | MATTERS IN CHINA. BRITISH ORDERED TO LEAVE. |
4/08/1914 | THE NETHERLANDS. GUARDING FOOD SUPPLY. |
4/08/1914 | WORKERS OF THE WORLD URGED TO REFUSE TO FIGHT. |
4/08/1914 | BULGARIAN RESERVISTS ORDERED TO BE READY. |
4/08/1914 | AUSTRALIAN VESSELS STOPPED. |
4/08/1914 | GERMAN VESSELS IN REFUGE. |
4/08/1914 | AUSTRALIA READY. OFFER TO BRITAIN. HER FLEET AND MEN. |
4/08/1914 | SYDNEY PREPARING. MANNING THE FORTS. CITIZEN SOLDIERS CALLED OUT. |
4/08/1914 | MEETING OF THE CABINET. HELPING THE COMMONWEALTH. |
4/08/1914 | CLEARANCES FOR NEWCASTLE BOATS. |
4/08/1914 | SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE. PROBABLE CLOSING. |
4/08/1914 | GERMAN BOAT DEPARTS. |
4/08/1914 | TO JOIN THE COLOURS. |
4/08/1914 | EFFECT IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSES. BARRIER MINES MAY CLOSE. |
4/08/1914 | VESSELS ON THE QUI VIVE. |
4/08/1914 | NEWCASTLE COAL FOR THE NAVY |
4/08/1914 | ACTION IN BRISBANE. |
4/08/1914 | NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER. |
4/08/1914 | PRECAUTIONS AT NEWCASTLE. CONTROL OF THE PORT. |
4/08/1914 | WESTFALEN LEAVES HURRIEDLY. |
4/08/1914 | EFFECT ON COAL TRADE. |
4/08/1914 | NEWCASTLE DEMONSTRATIONS. |
4/08/1914 | A COINCIDENCE. |
4/08/1914 | PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE. |
5/08/1914 | THE WAR CLOUDS. |
5/08/1914 | AUSTRALIA’S DUTY. |
5/08/1914 | GERMANS IN AUSTRALIA. WILL FIGHT FOR BRITAIN. |
5/08/1914 | PEN-NOTES AND PENCILLINGS. |
5/08/1914 | FRONTIERS. |
5/08/1914 | FOOD! |
5/08/1914 | THE SOURCE. |
5/08/1914 | 1912-13. |
5/08/1914 | BRITAIN’S PLAIN SPEECH. HER DUTY TO FRANCE. THE BELGIAN TREATY MUST BE PRESERVED. GERMANY’S REPLY AWAITED. |
5/08/1914 | BRITAIN’S DECISION. WARNING TO GERMANY. WILL PROTECT FRENCH COAST. BELGIAN TREATY UPHELD. |
5/08/1914 | BRITISH FLEET CLEARED FOR ACTION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. |
5/08/1914 | BELGIAN DIFFICULTY. GERMAN ULTIMATUM. WISH TO ENTER LIEGE. BELGIUM’S REFUSAL. |
5/08/1914 | PARIS ALERT. WATCHFUL FOR AEROPLANES. STREETS FILLED WITH TROOPS. |
5/08/1914 | VICTUALLING PARIS. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS. |
5/08/1914 | FRENCH PARTY SHOT. ATTEMPTED RAILWAY WRECK. |
5/08/1914 | AMERICA’S PRESIDENT. TALKS OF MEDIATION. DEPRECATES SCARE TELEGRAMS. |
5/08/1914 | THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA. REFUSED PASSAGE. |
5/08/1914 | AUSTRIA AND SERVIA. BATTLE ON THE DRINA. |
5/08/1914 | BRITISH FOOD SUPPLY. INSURANCE OF CARGOES. |
5/08/1914 | CANADIAN WAR ALARMS. CABINET IN SESSION. ANTICIPATED ATTACK. |
5/08/1914 | CANADIAN GOLD SUPPLY TO BE CONSERVED. |
5/08/1914 | PRECAUTIONS IN CANADA. CLOSING THE ST. LAWRENCE. |
5/08/1914 | NAVAL STEAMSHIPS FOR THE CARRYING TRADE. AMERICA’S PROPOSAL. |
5/08/1914 | QUIET IN BRITAIN. CALM PREPARATIONS. |
5/08/1914 | BRITAIN’S ACTION. A GERMAN OPINION. |
5/08/1914 | GERMAN GOLD. AN ATLANTIC LINER. |
5/08/1914 | TRADE RESTRICTIONS. AMERICA HARD HIT. |
5/08/1914 | A GERMAN LINER. MAY ATTACK GRAIN CARRIERS. |
5/08/1914 | DOMINIONS’ OFFERS. MANY VOLUNTEERS. |
5/08/1914 | CANADIAN ENLISTMENT. |
5/08/1914 | SWEDEN MOBILISING. |
5/08/1914 | ATTITUDE OF GREECE. |
5/08/1914 | RESTRICTIONS ON VESSELS. CAPETOWN. |
5/08/1914 | EXCITEMENT IN SYDNEY. RUN ON SAVINGS BANK. NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. |
5/08/1914 | POSITION AT NEWCASTLE. |
5/08/1914 | SAVINGS BANK SAFE. STATEMENT BY MR. HUGHES. |
5/08/1914 | CABLES AND CENSORSHIP. LINES INTERRUPTED. |
5/08/1914 | IN THE ASSEMBLY. DEMONSTRATION OF LOYALTY. THE HOUSE ADJOURNS. |
5/08/1914 | NEW SOUTH WALES DEFENCES. OFFICIAL INTIMATION. |
5/08/1914 | FLAGSHIP AUSTRALIA. GETTING READY FOR ACTION. |
5/08/1914 | THE FLAGSHIP SAILS. MELBOURNE FOLLOWS HER. |
5/08/1914 | STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. ENGLAND’S GOOD FAITH. |
5/08/1914 | THE CENSOR AT WORK. |
5/08/1914 | NORTHERN MOBILISATION. OFFICER RECALLED. |
5/08/1914 | THE STOCK EXCHANGE. NO BUSINESS TRANSACTED. |
5/08/1914 | DETAINED IN NEWCASTLE. |
5/08/1914 | TIBERIUS AT SYDNEY. |
5/08/1914 | EXPORT OF WHEAT AND FLOUR. PROHIBITION ADVOCATED. |
5/08/1914 | FOOTBALLERS CHEER THE KING. |
5/08/1914 | AUSTRALIAN MOBILISATION. |
5/08/1914 | FEELING IN MELBOURNE. PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS. REPORTED NAVAL BATTLE. |
5/08/1914 | GERMAN CRUISERS. OFF THURSDAY ISLAND. |
5/08/1914 | IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. VOLUNTEERS EAGER. |
5/08/1914 | MATTERS IN QUEENSLAND. |
5/08/1914 | PANIC DEPRECATED. |
5/08/1914 | VICTORIAN STATE MINE. COAL FOR WARSHIPS. |
5/08/1914 | SIR OLIVER LODGE’S REGRET. |
6/08/1914 | WAR DECLARED. |
6/08/1914 | THE DAY OF TRIAL. |
6/08/1914 | PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS. IN THE COUNCIL. CHEERS FOR KING AND EMPIRE. |
6/08/1914 | IN THE ASSEMBLY. APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE. |
6/08/1914 | MINING MATTERS. THE AFTERNOON SHIFT. GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION. |
6/08/1914 | BRITAIN DECLARES WAR. GERMANY REMAINS DEFIANT. TROOPS ENTER BELGIUM. RUSSIA FRANTIC WITH DELIGHT. ENTHUSIASM IN FRANCE. |
6/08/1914 | BRITISH STATEMENT. GERMANY’S THREAT. MADE WAR NECESSARY. |
6/08/1914 | THE DECLARATION. AUSTRALIA NOTIFIED. |
6/08/1914 | BELGIUM TO ARMS. RESIST THE INVADER. ANOTHER FOE TO GERMANY. |
6/08/1914 | THE CZAR’S MANIFESTO. FIGHT FOR THE FAITH. GERMANY’S INSOLENT ATTACK. |
6/08/1914 | ITALY REMAINS NEUTRAL. DESPITE GERMAN APPEAL. |
6/08/1914 | ULSTER VOLUNTEERS. YACHTS FOR HOSPITALS. |
6/08/1914 | POLICY OF BRITAIN. ITS FORCES READY. PREPARED TO SUFFER TO MAINTAIN RESPECT. |
6/08/1914 | BRITAIN’S FOOD SUPPLY. A WAR RISK SCHEME. |
6/08/1914 | FRANCE PREPARED. WILL DO ITS DUTY. ITALIAN SYMPATHY. |
6/08/1914 | IRELAND LOYAL. UNITED IN DEFENCE. |
6/08/1914 | UNITED STATES. NEUTRALITY DECLARED. |
6/08/1914 | THE FIGHTING. DETAILS MEAGRE. OWING TO CENSORSHIP. GERMANS IN THE ATLANTIC. |
6/08/1914 | GERMANY ADVANCE. |
6/08/1914 | BOMBARDMENT OF LIBAU. |
6/08/1914 | BONA ATTACKED. |
6/08/1914 | AUSTRIANS REPULSED. |
6/08/1914 | AUSTRIA LOOKS TO GALICIA. |
6/08/1914 | GERMANY AND RUSSIA. FRONTIER SKIRMISHES. |
6/08/1914 | MONTENEGRO ACTIVE. ATTACK ON CATTARO. |
6/08/1914 | GERMANY PRAYS. A SOLEMN CEREMONY. |
6/08/1914 | URUGUAY AND BRAZIL. THE BANKS CLOSE. |
6/08/1914 | NETHERLANDS PREPARING. WILL FLOOD THE COUNTRY. |
6/08/1914 | GERMAN GOLD. VESSEL OFF IRELAND. |
6/08/1914 | NORTH SEA DANGEROUS. |
6/08/1914 | BRITISH SHIPS DETAINED. |
6/08/1914 | REFUGEES FROM HOLLAND. |
6/08/1914 | INSURANCE AGAINST WAR. |
6/08/1914 | THE POPE’S GUARDS. |
6/08/1914 | UNEASINESS IN JAPAN. |
6/08/1914 | AUSTRALIA’S OFFER. THE KING’S THANKS. HIS MAJESTY’S REPLY. |
6/08/1914 | ADMIRALTY’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. |
6/08/1914 | TROOPS CALLED OUT. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. |
6/08/1914 | AUSTRALIA’S POSITION. MINIMISING DISTRESS. |
6/08/1914 | GERMAN STEAMER STOPPED. |
6/08/1914 | MATTERS IN SYDNEY. RUSH ON SAVINGS BANKS NOT SO PRONOUNCED. |
6/08/1914 | LONDON BANKS. |
6/08/1914 | EXCITEMENT IN SYDNEY. ORDERLY CROWDS. |
6/08/1914 | OVERSEA SHIPS NOT AFFECTED. |
6/08/1914 | GERMAN VESSELS IN SYDNEY. |
6/08/1914 | THE STEAMER SEYDLITZ. REPORTED CAPTURE. |
6/08/1914 | FEDERAL ELECTIONS. MR. HUGHES’ VIEWS. |
6/08/1914 | RUSH TO NATURALISE. |
6/08/1914 | NEW SOUTH WALES DEFENCES. PARTIAL MOBILISATION. |
6/08/1914 | ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. |
6/08/1914 | THE CABLE SERVICE. |
6/08/1914 | MEETING IN BRISBANE. PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION. |
6/08/1914 | QUEENSLAND WILL HELP. |
6/08/1914 | GUARDING CABLE STATION. RIFLEMEN CALLED OUT. |
6/08/1914 | IN WEST AUSTRALIA. |
6/08/1914 | NEW ZEALAND ALERT. COASTAL STEAMERS SURPRISE. |
6/08/1914 | THE EMPIRE’S WELFARE. MR. FISHER’S DECLARATION. |
6/08/1914 | THE NEWS AT NEWCASTLE. HOW IT WAS RECEIVED. |
6/08/1914 | NEWCASTLE SAVINGS BANKS. |
6/08/1914 | NEWCASTLE STEEL WORKS TO CLOSE DOWN. |
6/08/1914 | SAILING VESSEL DETAINED. HAS COAL FOR GERMANS. |
6/08/1914 | NAVAL RESERVES. “M” AND “0” ADULTS CALLED OUT. |
6/08/1914 | DISTURBANCE PREVENTED. |
6/08/1914 | AT THE GERMAN VICE-CONSULATE. |
6/08/1914 | WARNING TO SHIPPING. |
6/08/1914 | AUSTRALIAN BANKS. THEIR SOUND POSITION. |
6/08/1914 | PATRIOTIC SPIRIT. |
6/08/1914 | TRADE WITH GERMANY. EFFECT OF HOSTILITIES. |
6/08/1914 | OUR SYDNEY LETTER. PLENTY OF NEWS AND YET LITTLE. AWAITING ENGLAND’S FULL DECISION. THE EXCITEMENT IN THIS CITY. A SMALL RUN ON THE SAVINGS BANK. THE CALL FOR CALMNESS. TOO MANY “SENSATIONAL” REPORTS. |
Spring 2024
In what seemed a colder than usual August, the budding of my mulberry tree is significantly later this year compared to last year.
- Checking the weather data for Williamtown shows that average daily maximum temperatures for August 2024 is unchanged from last year, and the minimums are were on average 1.5 degrees warmer than last year. This is a good reminder that impressions/recollections about weather are not the same as data about weather.
- Data from my solar panel system however, shows that Lambton received 19% less sunshine in August this year compared with last year, so maybe that accounts for the later budding.
Australia Unposted
Sheesh! After closing down the Lambton Post Office in Elder St in 2023, I discovered today that Australia Post has removed my local mail posting box in Morehead St, leaving just a bare circle of dirt to commemorate an organisation hurtling towards non-existence.
Hamilton North Sports
For a number of years I used to cycle past the old Hamilton North gasworks site as I commuted to work. I watched as structures were demolished and the site rehabilitated, and wondered about its future use. Back in January 2016 I wrote the following in an e-mail to Mark MacLean …
My 14 year old son is obsessed with sport, and particularly with cricket at the moment and he reckons “they” (the mythical “they” who ought to do stuff) should build a cricket ground in Newcastle capable of hosting Test, ODI and T20 matches. I set him a little task of speculative urban planning, on thinking where “they” could build such a stadium, and I suggested the old gasworks site. As a little experiment, we grabbed an image of the Sydney Cricket Ground and laid it over the gasworks site in Google Earth at the same scale to see if it would fit. Not only did it fit, it looks like it belongs there!
Fast forward to 2024 when there are plans afoot to take away green space from the community and convert existing playing fields into a new basketball stadium on Wallarah and Blackley Ovals. Surely the old gasworks site is a better choice? Using the same technique I used back in 2016, how would the planned basketball stadium fit?
Answer: It fits easily and with oodles of room left over for parking, green space, and future expansion.