Wednesday, March 9, 2011
More on World War Two: Norman Hewitt Banfield
Norman Hewitt Banfield: Service number N347673, was born 16.9.1906 at Dudley New South Wales. He enlisted for World War Two at Springwood. His next of kin was Amy Banfield.
More on World War Two: Harold James Anderson
Harold James Anderson: Service number N388497, was born in Springwood 15.6.1885 but enlisted for World War Two at Paddington. His next of kin was Irene Anderson.
More on World War Two: Patrick Lancelot Allen
Patrick Lancelot Allen: Service Number NX48669, was born in Springwood but enlisted for World War Two at Paddington. His next of kin was Ella Allen.
More on World War Two: Ernest Henry Bishop
Ernest Henry Bishop: Service Number N471815, was born in Shrewsbury England 25.3.1904. His place of enlistment was Springwood. John Bishop was given as his next of kin. It is unclear if they were related to S.W. Bishop who took over the license of the 'Oriental Hotel' in 1908.
More on World War Two: Brothers in Arms - Edwin Harold Bennett, Percy Bennett, Ronald Alan Bennett
Edwin Harold Bennett: Service Number N346385, was born at Eskinville New South Wales 4.1.1904. His parents were Edwin & Phoebe Bennett and Phoebe was named his next of kin. The Bennett family resided in the cottage 'Barangah' situated on the corner of Paterson and Hawkesbury Roads. Edwin (Ted) is thought to have been a one time Deputy Registrar General.
Percy Steven Bennett: Service Number N347355, was born 2.6.1908 at Hurlstone New South Wales. Percy lived in the cottage 'Weona' located in Paterson Road, Springwood. He was the local ice man before the introduction of modern refrigerators. He married Elsie Jean McPhee in 1937.
Ronald Alan Bennett: Service Number N190753, was born at Springwood in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales 15.3.1914 to Edwin and Phoebe Bennett. His next of kin was also mother Phoebe. Ronald (Ron) was a milkman in the area.
Percy Steven Bennett: Service Number N347355, was born 2.6.1908 at Hurlstone New South Wales. Percy lived in the cottage 'Weona' located in Paterson Road, Springwood. He was the local ice man before the introduction of modern refrigerators. He married Elsie Jean McPhee in 1937.
Ronald Alan Bennett: Service Number N190753, was born at Springwood in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales 15.3.1914 to Edwin and Phoebe Bennett. His next of kin was also mother Phoebe. Ronald (Ron) was a milkman in the area.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Springwood School of Arts - a short history
In the early years of the 20th century Mechanic’s Institutes or a School of Arts building was a common feature in most villages in the Blue Mountains. However, as a “movement” their history is much older. The first was established in Scotland in 1821, with the aim of improving the intellect of its members through the “diffusion of useful knowledge,” and to nurture “literature, science and art.”[i] It was not too long before these “civilising institutes” appeared in the new Colony and with a land grant - courtesy of Governor Richard Bourke - the Sydney Mechanic’s School of Arts opened its doors in 1833. It still exists to this day, and their a web site indicates the institute has moved along with new technology being available on Facebook and Twitter.
Springwood was not so fortunate because even though a committee formed in 1901, fund raising activities and the promise of a block of land by James Hunter Lawson (owner of Braemar & the Oriental Hotel) came to nought.[ii] In fact one of the members of that early committee is thought to have absconded with the funds.
The Springwood School of Arts finally opened its doors in 1913, with Mr. Brinsley Hall MP officiating. A commemorative booklet published for the event stated the committee overcame “great difficulties” and “discouragement” to bring about the end result.[iii] The graceful Federation style building was well-ventilated and lit with Benzoli Air Gas lights. As well as a well stocked library, the building contained reading and committee rooms, and a “fine billiard room” - lined in Australian timber - containing two excellent billiard tables.[iv]
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| School of Arts & Coo-ee March |
When barely twelve months old the building provided overnight accommodation and comfort for men who took part in the Co-ee March. Later, the institute became the scene of World War One commemorations when captured enemy machine guns and the Honor Roll were placed in their keeping. A newspaper article in 1919 suggested the Springwood Schools of Arts was “indispensable” and a fine institution “for our young men” because no signs of gambling or objectionable behaviour were tolerated within the “cosy comfort” of its walls. Indeed, mothers and wives were being asked to encourage their sons and husbands to join.
Research indicates however that despite these overtures to the general community the institution did not realise its primary objectives until the 1940s. Until then it functioned more like an elite men’s club catering to the upper-class demographics of the area at that time. But, by the 1940s all that had changed. In 1943 the Australian Labour Party held meetings there and Red Cross ladies conducted fund raising activities from the veranda of the building. During the 1940’s Horace Lindrum, Australia’s first professional snooker and billiards player was a regular visitor. Lindrum (who would go on to win the World Snooker Title in 1952) was featured in a competition to aid the Australian Comforts Fund in 1944. They raised £56.
In 1946 an essay competition held by the institution was judged by one-time resident, Supreme Court Judge and patron of the Arts, Rae Else Mitchell. Else Mitchell Park Springwood is named in his honour.
Over the ensuing years the building was used by a range of organisations like the local historical society, Boy Scouts & Guides, dance and musical groups, The Old Age Pensioners Association, Citizens Recruitment League, Red Cross and Children’s Library Group conducted by caricaturist, cartoonist and artist George Finey. During its lifetime it provided a venue for community celebrations and entertainments, as well as charitable and wartime efforts.
In the years following World War Two the institution, which had never been strongly supported, faced competition from new technology like the advent of television. Nevertheless, the building was used right up until its demolition in 1969. The Foundation Stone now graces the School of Arts Town Square.
* The photograph below suggests the use of a commercial premises in Springwood for the School of Arts prior to 1913. The location is thought to have been in one of the shops on the Western side of the Frazer Memorial Church.
Pamela Smith
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Buckland Hospital & Park
The Sydney Morning Herald announced in June 1934 that Harold Montague Buckland (youngest son of Sir Thomas and wife Mary Doris nee Kirkpatrick) and D. McPhee Smith, architects, were preparing plans for the erection of Buckland Hospital at Springwood.[1] The building of a hospital had largely been made possible by a generous gift of £100,000 from philanthropist, businessman, gold-miner, and pastoralist Sir Thomas Buckland.[2] The first trustees of the facility were Buckland (president), Bishop Kirby, Dr C.A. Hogg, Messrs R.W. Gillespie, D.W. Roxborough and A.J. Taylor and the secretary was Mr. H. Cowper.[3]
In January 1936, the same newspaper announced that Premier Mr Bertram Stevens would officiate at the opening of the hospital on the following Saturday.[4] It is significant, because of its present-day use, to note that originally it was intended to function as a ‘convalescent mental home for women.’ Today, although its convalescent facilities have been retained, the property is also a retirement home to both men and women. The hospital, situated on 130 acres of land (previously known as Euchora and owned by James Norton) was constructed by Kell & Rigby.
The Sydney Morning Herald went on to reveal that connection of hospital, and indeed the villages in the lower mountains to a permanent water supply - by the State Government - had been a condition imposed by Buckland on his endowment. It is also noteworthy that the name ‘Lyndhurst,’ the most recent addition of retirement units in the grounds of Buckland, was named for Sir Thomas Buckland’s Hunters Hill home.[5]
The photograph below illustrates the festive atmosphere in Springwood on the day that Sir Bertram Stevens turned the permanent water supply on. The ceremony was held in parkland purchased by the council from the Silva Plana estate of the then deceased John Frazer. The park was named in Buckland's honour, but only after a great deal of controversy, and today the, albeit reduced, is the site of the Springwood War Memorial and Baxter Memorial Gates.
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| Official ceremony in Buckland Park to mark turning on water supply |
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