Community disengagement

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Lachlan Wetherall

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.

List of community consultation engagements, from page 19 of the Scoping Report.

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.

Parch marks in a 2014 aerial photo show hints of the two southern gun emplacements. Google Earth.

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

Posted on September 2, 2024 by Lachlan Wetherall

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.

Lambton Drill Hall

This month marks 125 years since the Drill Hall in De Vitre Street Lambton was formally opened in 1899.

In 1885 the government authorised the formation of a Volunteer Infantry Corp in the town of Lambton, to be part of the 4^th Infantry Regiment of the northern district. The regiment was expanded in response to the threat of war between England and Russia, with the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate noting that “when Russia is ready for war she will easily find an excuse for making it.”

Initially the volunteers had no permanent base and they performed parade drills in Lambton Park and shooting practice at a rifle range in North Lambton. In October 1898 the Government reserved a block of land in De Vitre Street, and contracted Mr Reffshaw of Sydney to erect a large drill hall with adjoining offices. The official opening was celebrated with a military social on Saturday 3 June 1899.

The hall became the training depot for the Lambton volunteers, and its importance increased with the outbreak of World War 1. On 8 December 1915 a recruiting campaign march began in Narrabri, with 43 men setting off to walk 300 miles to Newcastle. Nicknamed the “Wallabies”, the marchers held meetings in each town along the way to persuade young men to enlist and join the march. On 7 January 1916, the “Wallabies”, now numbering over 200, reached Lambton and were accommodated in the drill hall. Meetings held that evening added fifteen recruits to their number. In World War 2 the drill hall once again played a crucial role, and was used for recruiting, medical examinations, and training of new enlistments. After the war it was leased for various purposes, including a gymnasium for the National Fitness Committee, and headquarters for the Forestry Commission. The army began using the hall again in 1955, and later the site was used as a Telecom depot. The drill hall was demolished in 1990 and replaced with townhouses.

Lambton Drill Hall in De Vitre Street. Photo from “The March of the Wallabies” by David H Dial.

Site of the former Lambton Drill Hall, 2024.

The article above was first published in the June 2024 edition of The Local.

Additional Information

The article above speaks of the establishment of a volunteer infantry corp in Lambton in 1885. However there was an earlier volunteer rifle corp that existed for a a short time. Just a few years after Lambton was established as a mining town, some residents organised a public meeting in September 1866 to form a volunteer rifle corp. Mentions of this group in Trove seem to disappear in 1870. In April 1878 the inhabitants of Lambton again organise a public meeting “for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of forming a Volunteer Corps for the defence of the port, in the event of war taking place.” Nothing seems to have come of this meeting, for there are no further mentions of a volunteer corp at Lambton until the establishment of the infantry corp in March 1884.

Parish map showing location of Lambton Drill Hall on portions 844 and 845, reserved “for Military Purposes. Notified 22 Oct 1898.” Historical Land Records Viewer

Tender for erection of Lambton Drill Hall. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 24 December 1898.

Mr. Reffshaw of Sydney, the contractor for the drill hall to be erected in De Vitre-street, has commenced operations, and the men are now at work laying the concrete foundations. The building will be a large and costly one, and will be for the exclusive use of the Military Department. The material used in the structure is to be wood and iron. The main hall will measure 60ft x 30ft. Adjoining the same there are to be three offices, measuring 11ft x 11ft each. The site is an elevated one, only a few yards from the courthouse, and is very central and suitable for the purpose. The block of land is a portion of the Newcastle Pasturage Reserve, having an area of 200ft by 100ft, the whole to be enclosed with a picket fence. The contract price was £530, the work to be completed in eight weeks.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 13 February 1899.

Infantry Volunteers, Lambton Drill Hall, 28 September 1907. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle University, Living Histories.

There are not many photos of the old Lambton Drill Hall. However given the size of the building it often appears in the background of general photos of Lambton.

Lambton Drill Hall, 1900. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle University, Living Histories.

Lambton Drill Hall, 1904. Photo by George Henry Dawkins. Newcastle University, Living Histories.

Lambton Drill Hall, 1908. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle University, Living Histories.

Lambton Drill Hall, 1909. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle University, Living Histories.

Lambton Drill Hall, 1912. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle University, Living Histories.

A number of additions and alterations were made to the Lambton drill hall over the years. The Fort Scratchley archives has a plan showing “the “Proposed Additions & Improvements”. It is hard to tell with the quality of the scan, but the date adjacent to the signature appears to be “20.12.25”. If so then this plan relates to the “erection of additional offices” for which five tenders were received in July 1926. The successful tenderer, announced on 11 August 1926, was H B Sudlow of New Lambton, with a price of £284.

Plan drawing for “Proposed Additions & Improvements” to Lambton Drill Hall. Fort Scratchley archives.

Voluntary helpers, mainly school teachers, at Lambton Drill Hall, checking and sorting enrolment forms and compiling records of men who were called up to enrol for military service in Classes 2 and 3. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 30 January 1942.

Aerial photographs show that the drill hall was still standing in 1987, but by 1993 townhouses had been built on the site.

Newspaper articles

Article Date Event Date	Notes
Lambton Volunteer Rifle Corps - 1866 to 1870
8 Sep 1866	"On Thursday evening next, a meeting will be held at Mr. Dent's, Northumberland Hotel, for the purpose of forming a Volunteer Rifle Corps to act in conjunction with Waratah."
15 Sep 1866	Public meeting resolves "that the inhabitants of Lambton join those of Waratah in forming a volunteer rifle corps, to be named the Waratah and Lambton volunteer rifle corps."
22 Sep 1866	"The volunteers held their committee meetingin the large room of the Northumberland Hotel … a sub-committee to draw up a memorial tendering their services to the Government as a Volunteer Rifle Corps. The corps now numbers at Waratah, fifty-four, and Lambton 31 ; total, 85 strong."
7 Nov 1866	"There is some prospect, we understand, of a company of sappers and miners, in connection with the volunteer movement, being formed at Waratah and Lambton. The new corps would take the place of the rifle corps recently established, and would certainly be more in character and better adapted, we should fancy, to the major portion of the population. The suggestion, we are informed, originated with Mr. M. W. Lewis, Esq., who has kindly offered to instruct the corps, should one be formed, in the science of fortifications."
1 Nov 1870	Review of Hunter District rifle corps, with Lambton included in list.
16 Apr 1878	"A public meeting of the inhabitants of Lambton and neighbourhood was held in the Druids' Hall, Lambton, on Monday evening, for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of forming a Volunteer Corps for the defence of the port, in the event of war taking place." In the period 1871 to 1884, there appears to be no other mentions of a volunteer corp at Lambton until the establishment of the Infantry corp in March 1884.
Lambton Volunteer Infantry Corp, H company of 4th Regiment - 1884 to 1914
7 Mar 1884	"His Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to approve of the Infantry in the Northern District, at present consisting of four companies, with head quarters at Newcastle, West Maitland, Singleton, and East Maitland respectively, forming an Administrative Regiment, to be styled the "4th Regiment of New South Wales Volunteer Infantry."
7 Feb 1885	"His Excellency, with the advice of the Executive Council, has given authority for the formation of a Volunteer Infantry corps in the town of Lambton, with a captain, first and second lieutenants, colour-sergeant, three sergeants, four corporals, two buglers, and fifty-three privates."
7 May 1885	"THE fact of a meeting having been held in the Protestant Hall on Tuesday evening to inaugurate a new Volunteer Infantry Corps, reflects great credit upon those citizens who were present. The probabilities of an immediate war between Russia and England do not appear so imminent as they were a short time back, but it cannot for one moment be supposed that the matters in dispute are finally disposed of." " … when Russia is ready for war she will easily find an excuse for making it." "There were 1000 or 1100 volunteers enrolled in and around Newcastle, Lambton, Wallsend, Maitland, etc., which he believed were to defend Newcastle in case of any outbreak."
19 Aug 1885	William Francis Xavier Byrne gazetted first lieutenant of the Lambton corps of volunteer infantry.
26 Nov 1887	"The Lambton corps of the Volunteer Infantry will parade on the Reserve at 4.30 o'clock this afternoon, for practice in the march-past competition at December 1st."
19 Jul 1888	First mention of "H company" of the volunteer force at Lambton.
25 May 1892	"The H Company 4th Regiment Infantry enlivened matters considerably in the town by parading the principal streets. The men were commanded by Captain J. B. Nash and Lieutenant S. Williams, and presented a fine appearance. They afterwards were put through several manoeuvres on the parade ground in the park, and at noon fired three volleys in succession in honour of her Majesty. The men in the afternoon again mustered at the shooting range, North Lambton, when the rifle corps match, already in progress, was continued."
16 Feb 1895	Request to council "From Dr. J. B. Nash, captain 4th Regiment Infantry, asking for the electric lights to be put on in the rotunda from the 1st instant until further notice, for the purpose of holding recruit drill on the park."
22 Oct 1898	"RESERVES FROM SALE FOR MILITARY PURPOSES … County of Northumberland, parish of Newcastle, containing an area of 1 rood 27 perches. The Crown Lands within the boundaries of measured portions 844 and 845 of 1 rood 4¾ perches, and 22¼ perches respectively."
24 Dec 1898	Invitation to tender for erection of Lambton drill hall.
13 Feb 1899	"Mr. Reffshaw of Sydney, the contractor for the drill hall to be erected in De Vitre-street, has commenced operations, and the men are now at work laying the concrete foundations."
2 Jun 1899	"THE Adjourned MILITARY SOCIAL in connection with the Opening of the Lambton Drill Hall will be held THIS FRIDAY NIGHT."
3 Jun 1899 2 Jun 1899	"A military social under the auspices of the Lambton Company, 4th Infantry Regiment, was held to-night in celebration of the opening of the new drill hall at Lambton Major Nash presided."
28 Sep 1903 26 Sep 1903	"A successful social promoted by the members of the Lambton Company, 4th Regiment, was held in the drill hall on Saturday evening."
March of the "Wallabies" - December 1915 to January 1916
24 Dec 1915	"The Sergeant Major outlined the programme, and said that the Wallabies now numbered 130, and he hoped they would enter Cessnock on New Years Day about 160 or 170 strong, and number 400 when they reached Newcastle. Offers were accepted of the drill halls at Lambton and Newcastle for the accommodation of the men."
8 Jan 1916 7 Jan 1916	"The arrival of the Wallabies at Lambton was the occasion of great rejoicings among the residents, and will long be remembered as an event that will prove to be historical." "On their entry into Elder-street they were greeted with cheers by a large crowd of residents. The march proceeded to the drill hall, where the men indulged in a wash. Fifteen recruits were obtained during the evening, and among the volunteers was Mr. T. Pease, a former delegate of the Colliery Employees' Federation.”
8 Jan 1916	"The 'Wallabies' nearly 200 strong, this afternoon completed the Newcastle section of their long and successful recruiting march from Narrabri to Sydney. They left Lambton after breakfast this morning and marched through New Lambton and Broadmeadow to Hamilton … After lunch they completed the two miles to town."
10 Jan 1916 8 Jan 1916	The "Wallabies" march from Lambton to Newcastle.
8 Mar 1916 7 Mar 1916	March of the "Wallabies" from Wallsend to Lambton.
Between WW1 and WW2 - 1919 to 1939
21 Jun 1926	"Lambton Drill Hall.—Erection of additional offices. Five tenders received and referred to Works Director."
11 Aug 1926	Successful tenderer for additions to Lambton drill hall, H. B. Sudlow, New Lambton, £284/15/-.
19 Aug 1926 17 Aug 1926	Lambton council meeting, letter from "Defence Department (per D. Watkins, M.H.R), with regard to the erection of a miniature rifle range in the drill hall ground, Lambton. It was pointed out that similar ranges were erected through out the Commonwealth, and that few complaints had been received. The department would, however, be glad to receive any suggestion which would adjust the matter, provided that any such proposal would not interfere with military training requirements. Alderman Smith moved that the department be asked to remove the range to the western side of the drill hall."
5 Oct 1927 9 Oct 1927	Lambton Drill Hall used for polling place in NSW State election.
26 Jan 1933 28 Jan 1933	"The official opening of the Sergeants' Mess, of the 35/33rd Battalion at Lambton Drill Hall will be observed by the mess members' on Saturday night."
27 Jan 1937	Tenders for repairs and re-roofing of Lambton Drill Hall. Lowest tender received, S. Gabriel, £309/17/6.
World War 2 - 1939 to 1945
2 Jul 1940	"In view of the number of dispatch riders who have left the regiment to enlist with either the A.I.F. or R.A.A.F., a number of vacancies exist for motor-cyclists with their machines. Interested motor-cyclists should also apply at the Lambton Drill Hall next Saturday."
3 Sep 1940	"Vacancies still exist for trained cooks, preferably with military experience, also batmen and drivers. Applicants must be between 18 and 20, or between 25 and 45, and should apply at the Drill Hall, Lambton, on Tuesday nights at 7.30 o'clock."
1 Aug 1941	"There will be a full-day parade of the Newcastle troops of the 16th Machine-gun Regiment at Lambton Drill Hall to-morrow."
7 Jan 1942	Medical examinations of Class 2 call-ups to take place at Lambton Drill Hall.
Post World War 2
10 Jan 1946	"The first gymnasium organised by a National Fitness Committee in the Newcastle district is to be opened in the Lambton Drill Hall. Secretary of Lambton National Fitness Committee (Mr. R. Hitchcock) said it had been decided this week that the gymnasium would be open two nights a week for boys and youths, and two nights for young women and girls."
10 Apr 1946	"Hamilton Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade had offered to conduct first-aid classes at Lambton Drill Hall. Members of the division will be asked to attend a meeting on April 29 to outline arrangements for the classes. The gymnasium classes will be under Mr. and Mrs. W. Hinton. The gymnasium is open for boys on Monday and Thursday nights and for girls on Tuesday and Friday nights."
25 Sep 1947	"Newcastle has no more 'drill halls.' In future they will be known as training depots for members of Australia's Citizen Army. The new name is part of a drive to brighten the training of the citizen soldier. Added facilities to make training depots attractive for young men included the provision of messes and recreational amenities, the Newcastle Area Brigade Major (Major A. C. McInnes) said yesterday."
28 Apr 1949	"Offers are invited for the leasing of the Drill Hall property situated in De Vitre-street, Lambton, New South Wales, for a period of three years."
5 Jan 1950	Request made "to the G.O.C. Eastern Command (Lieut.-General Berryman) to have the Lambton Drill Hall made available to the council for use as a distribution centre for the [Lambton branch] library. The Lord Mayor said the drill hall could be used to house books and provide room for the staff to catalogue and repair them."
10 Feb 1951	The Forestry Commission seeking a site for its headquarters in Lambton.
6 Mar 1953	"Lambton Drill Hall, which has been used for some time by the Forestry Commission, was returned to the Army this week. It will be used as headquarters of a City of Newcastle Regiment company."
30 Jun 1955 27 Jun 1955	"Thieves stole three sub-machineguns and five .303 rifles from an army drill hall at Lambton (Newcastle) on Monday night."

Army Encampment, 1897

Prior to Federation in 1901, each Australian state was responsible for its own military defence. In NSW, volunteer forces were formed and trained in various localities, and they held annual encampments where multiple units gathered for extended training and drills.

In 1897 a camp was held in the flat area of Hamilton South known as Blackburn’s Oval. This was located near the Merewether Hotel (now the Mary Ellen) operated by Edward Blackburn. Over 60 tents were erected to accommodate 550 men, comprising the 4th Infantry Regiment from Newcastle, a field artillery unit from Sydney, and the mounted No. 3 Lancers Squadron from Singleton and Maitland. The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate reported that “the four days’ military encampment commenced on Friday night under most unfavourable weather auspices, a strong southerly gale, with pouring rain, rendering the condition of the men under canvas far from pleasant.”

Each day was filled with drills and parades, with the main exercise held on Monday. Woken at 3:30am, the troops formed up on the parade ground and were told of an ‘enemy’ force having landed at Belmont and heading to Newcastle. The infantry, cavalry and artillery proceeded to Charlestown and engaged in a 90-minute mock battle that repulsed the ‘invaders’ in time for breakfast at 8.30am.

Returning to camp and a few hours rest, the soldiers held another exercise in the afternoon. Upwards of 7000 spectators crowded onto the Glebe Hill and the spoil heap of the old Hamilton colliery to watch “the troops rushing to and fro, the cavalry galloping around, with the air thick with smoke as the big guns reverberated.”

The camp ended on Tuesday with general satisfaction at its success, apart from the departing troops’ complaints of “insufficient and commonplace” food rations. Newcastle continued to host annual military encampments in the vicinity, with the last held in September 1914. Blackburn’s Oval was used for sport up until 1923, after which the area was developed for housing.

Army Camp Blackburn Oval, Hamilton South, NSW, 23 May 1897. Photo by Ralph Snowball. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

Pacific Highway, Hamilton South. Motorists now drive where the military once drilled.

The article above was first published in the May 2024 edition of The Local.

Additional Photos

Newcastle Libraries Hunter Photobank has a number of photos of army encampments held in the inner city area. The photograph below is undated in their collection, but it is almost certainly the encampment of 1897.

Army camp (Blackburns Oval), May 1897. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Hunter Photobank, accession number 001 000171

The collection has one photograph of an earlier encampment held in 1895 …

Military camp at Newcastle, 8 November 1895. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Hunter Photobank, accession number 001 001463

… and multiple photographs of the encampment held on the old racecourse in April 1903.

Army encampment at Old Racecourse, Newcastle, 13 April 1903. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Hunter Photobank, accession number 001 001618

Army encampment at Old Racecourse, Newcastle, 13 April 1903. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Hunter Photobank, accession number 001 001620

Troops at Old Racecourse, Newcastle, 14 April 1903. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Hunter Photobank, accession number 001 001619

Troops at Old Racecourse, Newcastle, 14 April 1903. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Hunter Photobank, accession number 0001 001621.

Lancers at Old Racecourse, Newcastle, 14 April 1903. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Hunter Photobank, accession number 001 001616

Portion of Parrott’s 1893 map of Newcastle, annotated with the position of the 1897 encampment on Blackburns Oval adjacent to the Hamilton Pit, and the 1903 encampment on the old racecourse. National Library of Australia.

Blackburns Oval/Ground

The Lost Football Ground Newcastle website has a good summary of Blackburn’s Oval/Ground. Edward Blackburn became the licensee of the Merewether Hotel in August 1893, and continued until September 1907 when his licence was cancelled after receiving three convictions in three years. The first mention I can find in Trove to Blackburn’s Oval/Ground is 4 Apr 1900, and the last mention on 10 September 1923.

Overlaying old Water Board maps into Google Earth, we can see that the Hamilton Pit slack (spoils) heap from which Snowball’s photo was taken, was located in the vicinity of where Thomas St is today. Thus the army encampment was in the area where the Pacific Highway passes through today.

Note that reports of the army encampment of 1897 variously describe it as being in Hamilton or Merewether. Edward Blackburn’s hotel was located on Glebe Rd on the northern edge of the Merewether municipality. Thus across the road, the sporting ground known as Blackburn’s Oval was located in the Hamilton municipality.

Craigies map with the municipal districts of Newcastle (red borders) that shows Blackburn’s hotel (blue star) was in Merewether, while Blackburn’s Oval across the road (red star) was in Hamilton. National Library of Australia.

Appendix – Date of the Snowball photograph

The Ralph Snowball photograph of the army encampment from the Living Histories site used in this article, originally had a date of 23 May 1899. After researching for this the article I am certain that the correct date is 23 May 1897, for the following reasons.

Searching Trove for information about army encampments in May 1899 reveals no results.
Searching Trove for information about army encampments in May 1897 reveals lots of articles, with details that align with the photograph – its location next to the spoil heap of the Hamilton Pit, the number of tents, the presence of infantry and cavalry.
The listing for Box 137 of Snowball’s glass plates that commences on 22 May 1897, shows four photographs taken of “Encampment, Merewether”.

Ralph Snowball Box 137 listing. Newcastle University, Living Histories.

I have subsequently corrected the date in the Living Histories site.

Newspaper articles

Article Date Event Date	Notes
28 Apr 1894 26 Apr 1894	"On Thursday 38 men were inspected by Warrant-officer Thompson and passed into the ranks of the Singleton Half-Squadron of Lancers, which is now, therefore, duly formed."
4 May 1897	"A communication was read from the officer commanding the 4th Infantry Regiment, asking in the event of an encampment for between 500 and 600 men being held at Merewether, on the 22nd to the 25th instant, if arrangements could be made for supplying water at a spot indicated on a plan which accompanied the letter. Under the circumstances it was decided to grant a free supply of water, and also lend a meter to check the consumption; but all the required pipes and connections would have to be supplied by the military authorities, and the work carried out at their expense by a licensed plumber."
11 May 1897	"The military encampment to be held in Newcastle this month is being looked forward to with considerable interest."
18 May 1897	"Captain Hilliard, the military staff officer for Newcastle, having completed the surveying in connection with the encampment for the No. 3 Squadron New South Wales Lancers and the 4th Infantry Regiment, to be held at Merewether on 22nd, 24th, and 26th inst., Captain Luscombe yesterday had a fatigue party at work putting up the tents. It is expected that the whole of the arrangements will be completed by to-morrow evening."
19 May 1897	"In view of the contemplated encampment of the volunteer forces of the northern district, to be held during this and part of next week, the scene of operations, adjoining the A.A. Co.'s Hamilton pit, has undergone a complete transformation. Upwards of 60 tents have been erected, giving the place a very picturesque appearance."
22 May 1897 21 May 1897	"The officers and troops from Morpeth West Maitland, and East Maitland who are to take part in the military encampment arrived at Honeysuckle Point station by special train at 8.37 last evening, and marched off at once to Merewether to camp under canvas for the night, with the elements anything but favourable to camping out."
22 May 1897 21 May 1897	"The military encampment at Merewether commenced last night, and despite the unpropitious state of the weather it was expected that 550 men of all ranks would be under canvas. These consist of the A B D E and H Companies, who will be reinforced by two guns from A Battery Field Artillery, who will arrive here by special train today from Sydney. The Maitland and Singleton Lancers will arrive by train to-day to take part in the proceedings."
24 May 1897	"The four days' military encampment at Merewether commenced on Friday night under most unfavourable weather auspices, a strong southerly gale, with pouring rain, rendering the condition of the men under canvas far from pleasant."
24 May 1897	"The military encampment at Merewether attracted a large number of visitors yesterday. The particularly fine specimens of horseflesh to be seen in the Lancers' lines excited considerable admiration among the visitors.” At Fort Scratchley and Shepherd's Hill "there will be shot practice by the No. 6 Company at a target to be moored at sea. Residents in the neighbourhood are reminded to open their windows, to avoid them being broken by the force of the concussion."
25 May 1897 24 May 1897	Detailed description of the sham fight and mock battles undertaken by the encamped soldiers.
25 May 1897 24 May 1897	"Those who considered that a military encampment would have no attraction for the general public must, after yesterday's experience, admit that they are very bad judges of the public taste. From an early hour in the morning, crowds began to gather at the Merewether camp, comprising men, women, and children of all ages and sizes, and, as the day wore on the numbers increased rapidly. After 2 o'clock, when the grand attack was commenced in the direction, of Hamilton, the Glebe Hill and the slack heap of the old Hamilton pit were literally black with people. There could not have been less than 7000 spectators, and though few, if any, really knew what was going on to cause the troops to be rushing to and fro and the cavalry to be galloping around the outskirts of the attack formations." "The air at one time was thick with smoke, and still the reports of the big guns reverberated."
26 May 1897 25 May 1897	"The encampment at Merewether was broken up yesterday afternoon, the whole of the troops, headed by the 4th Regiment Band, marching out shortly after half-past 4 o'clock, fairly tired out after their few days' continuous training."< /br> "There would, however, need to be better commissariat arrangements. The rations allowed to the men during this camp have been insufficient … The meals, though wholesome, were of a common-place description, and those who required drinks - other than tea and water - had to pay for them. On the whole the camp was run with more than a due regard to economy, and it would not be out of place if an effort were made before next year to stretch the Government purse strings in this matter."
26 May 1897	"The troops who have just come out of the encampment hope that arrangements will be made by which they shall get more liberal rations when they next go under canvas."
27 May 1897 26 May 1897	"All the paraphernalia used in connection with the late encampment was brought into the city yesterday and stored in the drill hall of the military buildings in Hunter street."
4 Sep 1914	Last reported army encampment in the inner Newcastle suburbs.
4 Nov 1915	"An immediate, and strong protest should be made against the determination of the military authorities to abolish the Newcastle encampment, and to centre the large number of recruits from Newcastle and the northern district in Sydney."

Blackley and Wallarah Ovals

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Lachlan Wetherall

A reader of this blog recently asked me about the history of the land where Wallarah and Blackley Ovals are located in New Lambton on Turton Rd. This is of relevance because of the current proposal to build a new basketball stadium on the site, resulting in the loss of two sporting fields. While there appears to be overwhelming consensus that a new basketball stadium is needed for Newcastle, there are many who are opposed to the Turton Rd site. (For my own view, read on to the end of this article.)

Wallarah and Blackley Ovals in New Lambton. SIX Maps

The area where the ovals are located was originally part of the Newcastle Pasturage Reserve, also known as the Commonage. As the name suggests, it was intended for the pasturing of livestock. Although many people illegally built houses on the commonage land, virtually no housing was built on low level ground near waterways, because of flooding. From 1889 the NSW government began to sell off Commonage land.

The government legally dedicated (gazetted) various bits of land for particular purposes at various times. The first reference I can find to the Blackley Oval land was in 1899, when on 26 Apr 1899 Homestead Selection Area 585 was gazetted. This consisted of multiple portions of land within the Newcastle Pasturage Reserve, including portions 2376 to 2380. But curiously just a few months later on 19 Jul 1899, Homestead Selection Area 585 was revoked, and the government retained ownership of the land.

Parish map showing revocation of Homestead selection area of portions 2376 to 2380 on 19 July 1899. Historical Land Records Viewer

Although sale of Commonage land into private hands had been happening since 1889, a 1910 map shows almost no houses alongside the waterway – but mainly parks and pastures. The area of Blackley/Wallarah ovals is marked with the symbol for “Pasture and Furze”.

Barrett’s 1910 map shows very few buildings in the land adjoining the waterway. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

On 28 June 1935 Portions 2379 and 2380 were legally reserved for public recreation.

Parish map from Historical Land Records Viewer

A 1938 aerial photograph shows a sporting field at the location of Blackley Oval.

1938 aerial photograph showing a sports field at the site of Blackley Oval. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

A 1944 aerial photograph shows a sporting oval (Blackley) and WW2 gun emplacements (possibly decoy guns) where Wallarah Oval is today.

1944 aerial photograph, NSW Historical Aerial Imagery.

In 1948, Newcastle Council approved the naming of “Blackley Oval” …

An application by Newcastle Police and Citizens’ Boys’ Club to have land at District Park known as Quinlan and Blackley Ovals (previously Nos. 9 and 10 ovals) vested in the club was granted by Greater Newcastle Council last night.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 17 March 1948.

This snippet indicates that Blackley Oval originally had the unimaginative name of “No. 10 Oval”. Was the No. 9 oval (renamed to Quinlan oval) the field to the west of Blackley Oval? If so when and why was it renamed to Wallarah Oval? I suspect it was not, as a 1954 aerial photograph shows that the only field north of the drain is Blackley Oval.

1954 aerial photograph, NSW Historical Aerial Imagery.

A 1966 aerial photograph shows new fields at Ford Oval and Arthur Edden Oval, but still no field at the location of Wallarah Oval.

1966 aerial photograph, NSW Historical Aerial Imagery.

By 1974 there are sports fields at the location of Wallarah Oval, and Lambton High School has been built.

1974 aerial photograph, NSW Historical Aerial Imagery.

The Geographical Names Board assigned the name “Wallarah Ovals” to the sporting reserve in December 1977.

My view on the proposed location

Like most people, I agree that a new basketball stadium is needed. But I strongly disagree with the currently proposed location on Turton Rd, for three main reasons.

Green space is precious. Once green space is lost to development, it is never regained. With global temperatures rising, if we are to have cities that are pleasant to live in we must be super vigilant and protective of green space.
The proposal benefits one sporting code at the expense of other sporting codes who currently use those fields. The proposal is a “rob Peter to pay Paul” scenario.
Parking and traffic in the area is already problematic when there is a big event on at Hunter Stadium. If the basketball stadium was built across the road, and both venues had an event at the same time the traffic situation would be a nightmare.

So if not Turton Rd, then where could a new basketball stadium be built? Looking at the map I wonder about the old gasworks site in Hamilton North. It’s close to the sporting/entertainment precinct at Broadmeadow, is close to public transport, does not take away green space, and has oodles of room for parking. There may be good reasons why this location is not practical (cost, availability, engineering limitations), but it would be worth considering.

Proposed site of new basketball stadium in Turton Rd. (Yellow outline). Possible location in Hamilton North? (Green outline). Google Earth.

WAAAF Hostel, New Lambton

During World War 2, New Lambton Public School was commandeered by the RAAF. But not just men served there, but also a large contingent from the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF).

Previously the role of women in the armed services was restricted to mainly nursing and kitchen work. With the outbreak of war in 1939 there were many discussions, but no decisions, about enlisting women. In February 1941 a severe shortage of signals personnel prompted the air force to form the WAAAF, with an enrolment of 250 women to be trained as wireless and teleprinter operators. This was intended as a temporary arrangement, but when Japan entered the war in December 1941 the role of air defence increased, as did the need for the WAAAF.

In March 1942, No. 2 Fighter Sector headquarters commenced at New Lambton with 134 personnel, including 69 WAAAF servicewomen performing roles in telecommunications and plotting aircraft movements.

To assist the WAAAF, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), aided by volunteers and donations from the public, opened a hostel in a shop and residence at the corner of Hobart and Rugby Roads. The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate report of the opening ceremony on 5 May 1942 noted that “The hostel has sleeping accommodation for nine, an attractive bathroom, a lounge-room where the girls can entertain their friends or write letters home, a piano, sewing machine, and a cheery kitchen where they can cook a meal.” In the first four months, 351 WAAAFs were accommodated at nights.

In December 1942 the YWCA closed the hostel when they opened a larger facility in Hunter Street Newcastle. This proved unsatisfactory for the WAAAF in New Lambton, and on 24 July 1943 the Church Army re-opened the Hobart Road site. The hostel finally closed in September 1944, when the RAAF transferred their operations at the school to new headquarters on Ash Island. After the war, the WAAAF was disbanded, having had 27000 women serve in 72 different trades.

Servicewomen at the official opening of the WAAAF hostel in New Lambton, 5 May 1942. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate.

The former WAAAF hostel building in 2022.

The article above was first published in the September 2022 edition of The Local.

Additional Information

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate reported on the opening of the WAAAF Hostel at New Lambton on 5 May 1942.

“REAL SHEETS on the bed … and mattresses, too,” cried members of the W.A.A.A.F. excitedly when they inspected the service women’s hostel yesterday for the first time. “Can’t we have a bath now?” suggested another. The hostel was officially opened yesterday by the Mayor of Greater Newcastle (Ald. Young). Members of the W.A.A.A.F. formed a guard of honour. The Australian army nursing service was also represented. The hostel, which is at New Lambton, has many facilities that will be appreciated by service women. It has sleeping accommodation for nine, an attractive bathroom, a lounge-room where the girls can entertain their friends or write letters home, a piano, sewing machine, and a cheery kitchen where they can cook a meal. The hostel has been opened by the Y.W.C.A. to serve all women in uniform.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 6 May 1942

Aerial photograph, New Lambton, 3 September 1944.

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate reported on 24 September 1942 that

Three upper floors of the Hunter street building once occupied by John’s Silk Store are being converted into a leave-house for women of the services. The room will be equipped with 50 beds, bathrooms with hot and cold water, a dance-floor and recreation rooms where the girls can entertain friends. A resident fully trained Y.W.C.A. matron will be in attendance to look after the girls’ needs.

The opening of the City hostel in December 1942, led to the closure of the New Lambton W.A.A.A.F. Hostel, the YWCA explaining that …

New Lambton hostel was closed because, with the opening of the leave house in the city, it was felt that the needs of service women in the district would be adequately met.
Newcastle Morning herald and Miners’ Advocate, 20 January 1943.

The John’s Silk store building still exists today at 200 Hunter Street, Newcastle.

John’s Silk store building at 200 Hunter St, Newcastle. 21 April 2023.

The name “SILKHOUSE” above the entrance door.

Newspaper articles

Article Date Event Date	Notes
22 Apr 1942	"Members of the public who are interested in the establishment of the leave hostel for uniformed women, which will be opened shortly at New Lambton, are invited by the Y.W.C.A. Board of Directors to attend a meeting in the Y.W.C.A. lounge next Tuesday ... It was decided at a meeting yesterday to appeal for gifts of linen, such as sheets, tea towels and tablecloths. Gifts of china would also be appreciated. Uniformed women will be able to sleep at the hostel, also to do laundry and ironing there. Baths, which have been a problem for the W.A.A.A.F. will be available."
24 Apr 1942	"Property at the corner of Hobart and Rugby Roads, New Lambton (a shop and residence), has been selected for the establishment of a leave hostel for the convenience of W.A.A.A.Fs and other service women. The scheme is in the hands of the Y.W.C.A. Board of Directors. There are hopes that the hostel will be officially opened on May 5."
5 May 1942	"The hostel for servicewomen, controlled by the Y.W.C.A., will be opened at New Lambton at 3 o'clock this afternoon by the Mayor (Ald. Young). The building has been transformed into a cheery and comfortable centre where servicewomen can sleep, eat and do their laundry. A lounge room has been provided."
6 May 1942 5 May 1942	Report of the opening of the servicewomen's hostel at New Lambton.
25 Aug 1942	The Australian Comforts Fund last night decided to finance the establishment of an hostel for women of the Services. The hostel, which is estimated to cost £1500, will be on the upper floors of John's store. A request to the A.C.F. to advance the £1500 was made by Mrs. Cockburn and Mrs. Penny on behalf of the Y.W.C.A. Mrs. W Neve said that as hundreds of uniformed girls were expected to be sent to the district, a leave centre was urgently needed. The Mayor (Ald. Young) said this was a wonderful opportunity for the A.C.F. to show its appreciation of the patriotic efforts of hundreds of women war workers in Newcastle.
11 Sep 1942	Report on the first four months of operation of the hostel. "It was reported that some of the service girls had particularly expressed their appreciation of the amenities provided by the hostel, and their anxiety that it should not he closed when the larger leave house in the city is opened. The committee decided that unless the hostel should prove definitely not to be needed every effort should be made to continue it. Since the opening of the hostel, 351 W.A.A.A.F.S. had been accommodated for nights, and many more had used it for rest and recreation during the day."
24 Sep 1942	"Three upper floors of the Hunter street building once occupied by John's Silk Store are being converted into a leave-house for women of the services. The room will be equipped with 50 beds, bathrooms with hot and cold water, a dance-floor and recreation rooms where the girls can entertain friends. A resident fully trained Y.W.C.A. matron will be in attendance to look after the girls' needs."
4 Dec 1942	Mrs Dunkley, Newcastle's new Mayoress, opens the Hunter Street servicewomen's hostel.
30 Dec 1942	"With the tremendous increase in women's service, the Leave House, maintained jointly by the Y.W.C.A. and A.C.F,. was established over John's Building in Hunter-street. The whole place is delightfully furnished, and shows how much work went into it. Mrs. Douglas is in charge at the hostel."
20 Jan 1943	"New Lambton hostel was closed because, with the opening of the leave house in the city, it was felt that the needs of service women in the district would be adequately met."
23 Jan 1943	"Referring yesterday to the closing of the hostel formerly conducted by the Y.W.C.A. at New Lambton, Captain J. S. Cowland, of the Church Army, said that the Church Army took the view, and for that it had official support, that a women's hostel at New Lambton was necessary. It was prepared to reopen the hostel without delay if arrangements could be made."
22 Jun 1943	A PUBLIC MEETING will be held in ALL SAINTS' CHURCH HALL, CROMWELL-ROAD, NEW LAMBTON, on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30th, at 2.30 p.m. All those interested in the establishment of a SERVICE WOMEN'S HOSTEL in NEW LAMBTON are heartily invited to attend.
25 Jun 1943	"THE CHURCH ARMY has opened a hostel for service women at 92 Hobart-road, New Lambton. It provides sleeping accommodation and light meals, following the custom of the parent society, which has several hostels in England."
13 Jul 1943	"A successful meeting and screening of film strips on the progress of Soviet Russia was held in the New Lambton Parish Hall. Half the proceeds were given to the Church Army to assist in setting up a service women's hostel at New Lambton."
15 Jul 1943 24 Jul 1943	"Mrs. F. de Witt Batty, wife of the Bishop of Newcastle, will open the Church Army Service Women's Hostel, at 92 Hobart-road, New Lambton, on July 24, at 3 p.m. This hostel will cater for service women during their recreation periods. At present the hostel has sleeping accommodation for 10 nightly, but it is hoped to enlarge the building as finances permit."
27 Jul 1943 24 Jul 1943	The Church Army servicewomen's hostel in Hobart-road, New Lambton, was officially opened by Mrs. F. De Witt Batty."
9 Dec 1943	"An appeal for a radio set for the servicewomen's hostel at New Lambton has been made by the Church Army Women's Auxiliary. The hostel was proving a 'home away from home' for women in uniform. Girls were able to go in and out of the hostel at any time. Washing and ironing facilities were provided as well as free writing paper and a good library service."
20 Sep 1944	"The small hostel in New Lambton for girls stationed at New Lambton R.A.A.F. centre would close at the end of the month. The school has been handed back to the Education Department. This hostel was originally run by the Y.W.C.A. Later. It was taken over by the Church Army."

Adamstown Rifle Range

“Farcical.” That is how the Daily Telegraph described in February 1900 the situation where “the Government maintains four volunteer companies at Newcastle at considerable expense, and yet provides absolutely no opportunity for the members to learn the practical use of their principal weapon, the rifle.”

To rectify this deficiency, Newcastle District Commandant Lieutenant-Colonel Ranclaud proposed a new rifle range in a flat valley on the outskirts of Adamstown. It was surveyed in August 1900 and an 800-yard range constructed the following year. It was officially opened on 16 November 1901, with six targets situated at the southern end under the shelter of a large hill.

The range was also meant to be used by civilian gun clubs, but their access was extremely limited by the demands of military training. In 1903 the gun clubs agitated for greater availability, and the range was improved and expanded several times in the ensuing years.

As Adamstown grew and the range began to use newer and noisier rapid firing guns, the suitability of having a rifle range adjacent to residential areas was called in to question. There was also the issue of safety, with at least one incident of a ricocheting bullet striking a car on the road running along the ridge behind the range.

In 1938 a decision was made to relocate the rifle range to Stockton, but the move was put on hold with the outbreak of World War 2. After the war the push to relocate was renewed, and the last shot at the Adamstown range was fired on 21 March 1953.

There was much debate on how the rifle range land should then be used. Some thought it should be left as a ‘green belt’, others that it should be parks and sporting fields, while others wanted residential development. At one time the land was a proposed site for Newcastle University. In the end the Defence Department retained the site, and today it is Bullecourt Barracks, a multi user training depot.

Adamstown Rifle Range, early 1900s. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

The article above was first published in the September 2020 edition of The Local.

Additional Information

The increasing use of rapid fire weapons such as the Bren gun, and complaints about the noise was one of the driving factors in moving the Adamstown rifle range to a new site in Stockton.

Bren Gun Practice. Newcastle Morning Herald, Monday 4 December 1950.

Adamstown Rifle Range shown on 1911 map. National Library of Australia.

A real estate advertising poster from 1915, somewhat conveniently forgets to mention that the land for sale is adjacent to a rifle range. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

Area of Adamstown Rifle Range marked on 1920s map. University of Newcastle, Special Collections.

“Rifle Street” first appears as a street name in the newspaper on 23 June 1920, in an advertisement for the auction of a block of land.

Another land sale in 1925 conveniently omits any reference to the adjacent rifle range. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

A 1944 aerial photograph of Adamstown rifle range. NSW Historical Imagery.

Adamstown rifle range, 12 April 1909. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.

Newspaper articles

Article Date Event Date	Notes
17 Feb 1900	"There is a good deal that is farcical in the fact that the Government maintains four volunteer companies at Newcastle at considerable expense, and yet provides absolutely no opportunity for the members to learn the practical use of their principal weapon, the rifle. Since last June, the military rifle clubs of the city have been absolutely without target accommodation of their own. Through the courtesy of the civilian rifle men they have at odd times been able to shoot on the short range on Shepherd's-hill, and that is all."
14 Mar 1900	"For some considerable time past Lieut. Colonel Ranclaud has been working to secure a new rifle range for the use of the local military forces. A site on the Merewether Estate is now under consideration, and yesterday an officer of the Engineer Corps arrived in the city, for the purpose of inspecting and reporting on the proposed range."
6 Aug 1900	"The new rifle range for the Newcastle district, selected by Lieutenant-Colonel Ranclaud, has just been surveyed and laid out by Mr. A. F. Hall, and it is probable that the range may be available for target practice within three months from now. Tenders will at once be called for clearing the ground, which is situated near Adamstown, on the Burwood estate, and within easy access of the tram. Provision will be made for firing at a dis tance of 900 yards, and the shooting will take place from a point near where the Roman Catholic Church was blown down."
28 Sep 1901	"The new rifle range at the rear of the Catholic Church will be completed early next week. The work is of a substantial character, and has been carried out by the Government contractor, Mr. Robert Com ley. Six targets can be displayed at the one time, four being on pivots and two for long range will be run out on trolleys. The targets are of canvas and are situated at the southern end of the range under the shelter of a large hill. The mounds at the different distances up to 800 yards have already been made, and the contractor is waiting for iron plates to complete the work."
18 Nov 1901 16 Nov 1901	Official opening of Adamstown Rifle Range.
12 Mar 1902	"At the opening rifle competition, Colonel Ranclaud erected temporary telephone communication, which was found of great service, especially when a shot was challenged. The instruments were removed after the competition, and now, if any communication is needed with the marker, shooting is suspended, and someone has to walk up the range to the targets."
15 Jul 1903	Construction of new targets … "Under existing conditions, and in consequence of the unreasonable time allowed some military companies to complete their musketry, the range is practically closed to club shooting for the first six months in the year. During the last military year one company occupied the range for no less than 28 Saturdays."
20 Apr 1904	"Since the opening of Adamstown rifle range much dissatisfaction has existed amongst members of rifle clubs, those of Adamstown Club in particular, on account of the range being occupied the greater part of the Saturdays in the year by the Scottish and Irish Rifles going through musketry shooting."
26 Sep 1907	"improvements to the Adamstown rifle range is pushing on … the work in progress provides for the erection of seven target carriages … provision is made for the erection of a large shed, in which to keep the targets. "
28 Feb 1910	"The much-needed additions to the rifle range officer's residence are being carried out, and a storeroom is also being constructed. These improvements are greatly needed, and also is the extension of the rifle range."
27 Jun 1910	"The improvements to Adamstown rifle range were completed on Saturday. It is the first work done by the Commonwealth Government on the range, and consists of the construction of three new target mantlets."
4 Oct 1910	"Adamstown rifle range is one of the best in the State. It is well sheltered from heavy winds, and shooting can be done up to 1000 yards. Recently a sum of £244 was spent in erecting new targets, and in general improvements, and later a further sum of £27."
14 Apr 1913	"… the range at present is inadequate for the requirements of the district … the rifle clubs ... were debarred their weekly practice in consequence of the range being monopolised by the staff officers putting the different units of cadets through a course of musketry."
15 Aug 1914	"The work of extending the rifle range is proceeding satisfactorily. When the work in hand is completed there will be 37 targets available on the range."
8 May 1915	Real Estate poster advertising sale of housing lots along Union St, conveniently omitting any mention of the land being adjacent to a rifle range!
23 Jun 1920	First mention of "Rifle Street" in Trove, in an advertisement for the auction of a block of land.
28 Apr 1924	"An improperly locked rifle, which backfired, resulted in two men being injured at Adamstown range on Saturday."
24 Jul 1933	"On Saturday afternoon a bullet from one of the high velocity rifles ricocheted over the crest of the hill and, passing, through the door of a motor car, which was parked on the track, lodged in the upholstery on the other side."
21 Dec 1938	"A site for a new rifle range at North Stockton will be recommended to the Defence Department by the Greater Newcastle Council. The council wants the Adamstown range abandoned because of its proximity to the route of the proposed scenic highway, and because it is in an expanding residential area."
1 Jun 1939	Newcastle Council urges that the Defence Department remove Adamstown rifle range.
25 Jul 1939	"The Minister for Defence (Mr. G. A. Street), who is to visit Newcastle to morrow, will make a personal investigation of the Adamstown rifle range Tourist Highway problem. The question to be determined is whether the Tourist Highway can be made safe from bullets fired on the range, or whether it will be necessary to move the range to another part of the district. A site at Stockton has been suggested as an alternative."
5 Aug 1947	Letter to the editor … "The Adamstown rifle range is not only a menace to the public travelling between the Lake area and Newcastle, but we of Hillcrest must contend with gates which are locked whenever the club is shooting, and those who are fortunate enough to own cars cannot travel to and from their homes as they please. The gates were erected during the war years, and we were told they were not permanent, but they are still there."
14 Aug 1947	Letter to the editor from W. R. Rowcliff … "At one time it was my duty to lock the gates on the Scenic Highway when shooting was being carried out on the Adamstown rifle range, so I know only too well the inconvenience caused to the travelling public as well as the residents of Hillcrest. I am wholeheartedly behind O. C. Newton and E. Chapman that it is high time this menace to the community was removed to some other locality."
21 Aug 1947	"… if Adamstown Rifle Range site was transformed to parks, sports areas, building land and, above all, an ideal spot to house a new school, it would be more important and a far greater asset to Newcastle than a rifle range wanted by a minority"
13 Feb 1948	"The Lord Mayor (Ald. Quinlan) has asked the Minister for Education (Mr. Heffron) that the rifle range at Adamstown, which is to be closed, be used as a site for a Newcastle University."
6 Aug 1948	"… the Adamstown Rifle Range site, now proposed for a university … is low lying but there is a big area as far as the scenic drive that rises rather sharply and provides one of the few ready-made green belts in this district. It would be a pity to put the axe into it."
29 Nov 1950	"The rifle range at Adamstown is to be transferred to Stockton, under the Department of Works and Housing programme."
8 Dec 1950	IN THE "Newcastle Morning Herald on Monday an interesting picture showed two gunners with a Bren gun in action at Adamstown Rifle Range. Saturday's big shoot held no pleasure for residents of Brunker-road, particarly for people living in the closely built area opposite the Rifle Range. The terrific noise from these quick firing guns was kept up all day The concussion was so great that it rattled windows of nearby houses. It was a nerve-racking experience Surely the authorities concerned realise that it is not fair that residents concerned should be compelled to endure this noise. "
6 Feb 1953	"ADAMSTOWN rifle range would close on March 23, the Brigade Major of 14 Infantry Brigade (Major J. A. Sellars) said yesterday. All targets would be transferred to the new range at Stockton, which would be the only one in the Newcastle area."
19 Mar 1953 21 Mar 1953	"At Adamstown Civilian rifle clubs will shoot for the last time at Adamstown rifle range on Saturday. The area has been taken over by the Army. Civilian rifle clubs will transfer to North Stockton, which will be used for the first time on Saturday week."
23 Mar 1953 21 Mar 1953	"An 80-year-old rifleman, Mr. Jason Price, was one of the first marksmen to compete at Adamstown rifle range when it opened about 53 years ago. He was the last civilian to fire on the range when it was closed on Saturday."
14 Jun 1961	"A proposal by the Interior Department to sub-divide Newcastle's old Adamstown rifle range into 340 home sites has touched off a row in the north. Northumberland County Council opposes the subdivision. It wants to keep the land in the green belt. According to the Council's planning consultant, the proposal would rob Newcastle of "breathing space." The range includes picturesque timber country which should be preserved, the consultant urged."

No. 2 Fighter Sector, New Lambton Public School

When is a school not a school? When it’s a vital part of Australia’s wartime defence. When Japan entered World War 2 in December 1941 with the bombing of Pearl Harbour, Australia faced a real threat of aerial attack, and a radar defence system was urgently needed to monitor enemy aircraft movements. A radar commenced service at Shepherds Hill in Newcastle in January 1942, and with the establishment of many other radar stations including Ash Island in the Hunter River and Tomaree Head at Port Stephens, a central headquarters was needed to collate information and direct operations of allied aircraft interceptions.

Consequently, on 10 March 1942, the Minister for Education announced with deliberate vagueness that New Lambton Public School was required “to be used for other purposes” and that students would be distributed over Lambton, Adamstown, Hamilton, and Cardiff schools. The school became the site of RAAF No 2 Fighter Sector, the principal coordination and control unit for radar defence operations in the Williamtown and Newcastle area.

The RAAF occupied the three main school buildings, erected temporary buildings in the playground and converted the headmaster’s residence into the unit HQ. Twenty-four hour operations commenced on 29 March 1942 with 134 staff, including 69 from the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). The school also became the training base for other radar sector units and at its peak in August 1943 had a total of 268 personnel.

In December 1944 the RAAF transferred operations from New Lambton to the radar station at Ash Island, and in January 1945 handed the school back to the Department of Education. The senior boys and girls returned to the school, but necessary restoration and repairs carried out during 1945 meant that the infants’ classes did not return until the following year. The resumption of all classes at the New Lambton site and remembrance of its important war time role was celebrated with a grand “Back-to-school” gala day on 27 April 1946.

Aerial photo from September 1944, showing a number of temporary buildings erected by the RAAF in the school playground.

Commemorative plaque installed in the foyer of the school office in 1995.

Because of the school’s unique association with the RAAF, the school was granted approval in May 1995 to use the RAAF ensign, on display here adjacent to the commemorative plaque.

The article above was first published in the March 2020 edition of The Local.

Acknowledgements

Much of the information for this article I sourced from Peter Muller and John Hutchison’s 1991 book “RAAF Base Williamtown, The First 50 Years”, a copy of which is in Newcastle Library Local Studies section.

Additional Information

Payne’s Paddock School

From March 1942, all students from New Lambton school were distributed to other schools around the area, with transport being provided by the Department of Education. There was much complaint from parents about this arrangement, who campaigned for the erection of temporary school buildings. The slow pace of fulfilling this request led the Parents and Citizens’ association in September 1943 to threaten a boycott, stating …

The matter has come to a stage that if there is no [new] school there will be no New Lambton children attending other schools.

A temporary infants’ school was subsequently constructed in “Payne’s Paddock” on St James Rd, consisting of 8 classrooms built of wood, and a separate administrative block. The temporary school opened for students on 18 April 1944.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 18 April 1944

A 1944 aerial photograph of the temporary Payne’s Paddock school, overlaid into Google Earth.

The infants attended the Payne’s Paddock temporary school until April 1946, when the completion of restorations and repairs to the New Lambton school allowed them to resume classes there. The temporary school on St James Rd was closed, but became the site of the New Lambton South Public School, opened on 31 Januuary 1950 with an enrolment of 360 students.

WAAAF Hostel

To assist in the accommodation of Womens Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) personnel working at No 2 Fighter Sector, the YMCA opened a hostel, converting a shop and residence on the corner of Hobart and Rugby Roads.

Newspaper articles

Article Date Event Date	Notes
10 Mar 1942	"Pupils from New Lambton Public School are to be distributed over Lambton, Adamstown, Hamilton, and Cardiff schools because their building is to be used for other purposes. This was announced tonight by the Minister for Education (Mr. Clive Evatt). Mr. Evatt said the necessary transport for the children to be picked up from selected points, and taken to their schools, was being arranged."
24 Apr 1942	"Property at the corner of Hobart and Rugby Roads, New Lambton (a shop and residence), has been selected for the establishment of a leave hostel for the convenience of 'W.A.A.A.Fs' and other service women."
27 Apr 1942	New Lambton Parents and Citizens' Association campaigning for "more satisfactory arrangements for the 900 school children of New Lambton, who are now distributed among the Hamilton, Adamstown, and Lambton schools. The association last week agreed that a forceful claim should be made for the erection of portable classrooms at New Lambton to accommodate the transferred children."
5 Oct 1942	"For several weeks, Mrs. W. E. Bramble and her daughter, Miss Mary Bramble, have entertained groups of W.A.A.A.F. and R.A.A.F. personnel at their home at Russell-road, New Lambton, on Sunday nights. The number of guests varies, but as many as 80 have attended for tea, and 115 for supper. Mrs. Bramble's chief worry is to secure sufficient tea and sugar to cope with the crowd."
25 Sep 1943	New Lambton Parents and citizens' Association stated "that the proposal to keep New Lambton children away from school was not bluff. The matter has come to a stage that if there is no school there will be no New Lambton children attending other schools." "The commonwealth Government had provided the funds for the erection of accommodation for an Infants' school at Payne's Estate. The Government Architect had completed plans and tenders for the work would be invited this week."
18 Apr 1944	Popularly known as Payne's paddock school, New Lambton, these buildings in St. James-road will be "taken over" by the children this morning. Many of the children who will now go to this school have been travelling by bus to Hamilton school since New Lambton Public School was closed.
19 Apr 1944 18 Apr 1944	"Opening yesterday of the temporary school for New Lambton infants in Payne's Paddock, St. James-road. The school has an enrolment of 320 pupils."
19 Jan 1945	"A letter Mr. R. Cameron, M.L.A., has received from the Minister for Education (Mr. Heffron) with reference to the department's repossession of New Lambton Public School from the R.A.A.F., indicates that action has been taken to enable two buildings to be re-occupied by classes after the vacation."
28 Feb 1945	"The Minister for Education, Mr. Heffron, complained yesterday of the way in which the R.A.A.F. had left New Lambton Public School after they had occupied it … the R.A.A.F. had made structural alterations inside and outside the school. After months of negotiation, he had been unable to get the R.A.A.F. to remove the alterations. Because of this, the infants' part of the school was still unusable."
18 Apr 1945	Demolition of RAAF huts proceeding. The old headmaster's residence to be demolished and the playground area enlarged. There are 222 boys at the school. Restoration of the girls' school yet to happen.
20 Feb 1946	"The painting of the interior of the infants' department was near completion … the girls were now back in their own department."
6 Apr 1946	"Plans are under way for a "Back-to-New Lambton" day, to mark the complete reunion of classes of New Lambton Public School at their old home. The Parents and Citizens' Association proposes to have a roll book completed withl the autographs of past and present pupils and to preserve it as an historical record of the school. "
27 Apr 1946	"Many former pupils returned today to participate in the Back to New Lambton School celebrations arranged by the P. and C. Association to mark the reopening of the school after military occupation." "The boys and girls returned to the school in February of last year, the boys using their own department and the girls the infants' department, while the girls' school was being renovated. The girls returned to their school at tthe end of last year, but the infants remained at Payne's Paddock until this week, when the renovations to the infants' department were completed."
29 Apr 1946 27 Apr 1946	"THE war role of New Lambton Public School was referred to by speakers at the 'Back-to-school' celebration on Saturday. Saturday's function ... marked the school's full reinstatement."
1 Feb 1950 31 Jan 1950	"The new primary school at New Lambton South (Payne's Paddock) ... was opened yesterday for the enrolment of pupils. The buildings, which are of brick, contain 16 class rooms, a special room for a school library, headmaster's and headmistress's offices, staff rooms, special sheds for luncheon for the children, bicycle racks and a separate brick tuck shop ... there was already an enrolment of 360 pupils."

A bit of this, a bit of that

Musings on life, technology, history and random stuff, handcrafted using the finest naturally occurring binary digits

Category Archives: War

Community disengagement

The gathering storm clouds of war

List of WW1 related articles in the Newcastle Morning Herald

Lambton Drill Hall

Additional Information

Newspaper articles

Army Encampment, 1897

Additional Photos

Blackburns Oval/Ground

Appendix – Date of the Snowball photograph

Newspaper articles

Blackley and Wallarah Ovals

My view on the proposed location

WAAAF Hostel, New Lambton

Additional Information

Newspaper articles

Adamstown Rifle Range

Additional Information

Newspaper articles

No. 2 Fighter Sector, New Lambton Public School

Acknowledgements

Additional Information

Payne’s Paddock School

WAAAF Hostel

Newspaper articles


1987	1993