Pittwater Online News

Pittwater Beach Reserves have been dedicated for public use since 1887 - no 1.: avalon beach reserve- Bequeathed by john Therry

The only beach and adjacent area that had been given from the outset was that today known as Avalon Beach Reserve, which was given by Rev. Therry, via his will, for a Garden and recreation area from at least the outset of his plans for the valley of Avalon and dedicated in 1887, although it would be until 1912 before the then Warringah Shire Council would be in charge of the reserve.

Newport Beach, or sections of it, was resumed at the same time, 1910 and formalised in 1911, and that too, alike Avalon Beach, would be enlarged over the coming decades when sections were resumed by the council from those developers carving up the paddocks to sell.

The Farrell family, after whom the beach was called for many years, had to be persuaded to allow it to become so. The papers recorded:

Proposed Resumption of Newport Beach. 

At a public meeting held at Newport resolutions were carried urging the Government to have the Newport beach resumed by the Warringah shire council as a public reserve. Speakers representing local residents, tourists to the district, and the Newport Surf Club pointed out that resumption would been easier matter at present than later on, when the beach would probably come under private ownership. The proposal is to resume the whole of the beach from low water-mark to Barranjoey-road, and it was decided to ask the council to arrange a deputation to the Minister for Lands on the subject. EMPIRE FORESTS. (1910, March 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15133762

Newport Beach,1910. Item: FL11281664, courtesy NSW State Records and Archives

NEWPORT BEACH OPENED.
The Newport Beach, which was recently resumed by the Lands Department and Warringah Shire Council, was dedicated on Saturday before a large gathering. The ceremony was performed by Mrs. Nielson (wife of the Minister for Lands). Councillor Ralston, (president of Warringah Shire) in presenting Mrs. Nielson with a pair of silver scissors with which to sever the blue ribbon, said they could well call it a red-letter day in the annals of the shire. The council had recognized the necessity of securing the beaches for the people, and a few more would be resumed later on.

Mrs Nielson, in cutting the ribbon, said “I hereby declare the Newport beach open for the public.”
Alderman C. D. Paterson and Dr Arthur, M.L.A. also spoke and congratulated the shire on securing such a fine beach.
During the afternoon the members of the North Steyne Surf Club and Newport Surf Club gave exhibitions in the surf and refreshments were supplied by a committee of local ladies and gentlemen. The Warringah Shire Band rendered a programme of music. NEWPORT BEACH OPENED. (1911, April 10). Evening News(Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114136984

Palm Beach's beachfront was bequeathed to the council by the then Barrenjoey Land company in 1912, and they gave the whole of the beach and a reserve alongside it, as well as current day named 'Hordern Park'. Although the newspapers of the past tell us this was dedicated from the first land sales, even though this was not formalised until 1921:

Volume - Folio 3229-66, 1921 - Beachfront and current day Hordern Park :

Mona Vale Beach Reserve was not resumed until most of the Lots had been sold through the Rickards land sales after the earlier failures to sell under Mr. Brock - by then it was the 1920's.

Similarly, Bungan Beach, whose first real land sales took place under the Mona Vale Land company from the early 1900's on, would be a late comer to the Beach reserves, although not as late as the 1930's resumption for Bilgola Beach, which in turn was before the Strand and adjacent lands coming under council at Whale Beach during the 1930's to 1950's.

In fact Warringah Shire Council became well-known for its acquisition of beachfront sites, all of this paid for by the ratepayers or through allocations by the state government - which had also commenced at a state government level in 1911 (see under Extras):

SHIRE OF WARRINGAH.
Proposed Special. Loan of £2,000.
NOTICE is hereby given that it is the intention of the Warringah Shire Council to apply for authority under section 180, Local Government Act, 1919, to borrow the sum tjf £2,000 for the purpose of acquiring certain lands to extend the Public Reserve at Deewhy Beach, The lands referred to are lots 3/4, section 11, Oaks Estate, d.p. 6,953, and arrangements have been made to purchase -these, with the improvements thereon, for the sum of £2,000.
The interest payable on such loan shall not exceed six per cpnt. (6%) per annum,saiyi it is proposed to arrange the loan on terms which shall provide for the repayment of principal and the payment of interest, combined, in half-yearly instalments, extending over a period of twenty -five years. The amount of each such instalment, if the late of interest be 6%, will be £77 14s. 7d.
It is proposed to pay such instalments from the general fund of the Shire, and to make them a charge against B Riding's quota of general fund revenue.
' Should any ratepayer desire further information it will be freely furnished at the Shire Hall, Brookvale, during office hours.
Within one month of the publication of this notice, any number, not less than 2& per cent, of the ratepayers enrolled for the Shire, may petition the Council to take a poll of ratepayers as to whether such ratepayers approve of the loan. The number of ratepavers enrolled for the Shire is 12,827.
— R. G. JAMIESON, Shjre Clerk. Shire Hall, Brookvale, 24th December, 1920. 2601 £1 17s. SHIRE OF WARRINGAH. (1926, December 31). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 5517. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223001781

Expenditure on Reserves in Warringah Shire 

Warringah Shire Council has acquired land valued at £36, 247 for public recreation purposes, during the past ten years. Of this amount, the sum of £31,267 was incurred for the purpose of establishing beach reserves, with the exception of £6000 which the crown contributed towards the cost of Collaroy Beach resumption. £25,542 has been incurred in the last four years. Now an additional sum of £30,200 is to be raised by two loans for the purpose of making further acquisitions of foreshores for the public, and for liquidating some of the liabilities included in the above list to a total of£6600. The balance of £23,600 will be spent in enlarging the ocean beach reserve at Newport, providing reserve for recreation and access to Pittwater, Newport, enlarging ocean beach reserve Mona Vale, enlarging Lake Park on northern shores of Narrabeen Lake and extension to Dee Why beach reserve. Some 40 acres of reserves have been acquired through subdivisions of large estates, and Manly and Warringah Shire Councils are under joint agreement to acquire 130 acres of land for a district park at a cost of approximately £15,000, this being an internal reserve mainly for residents of Manly and the Shire, which is not included in the above list of expenditure. Local Government. (1927, May 25). Construction and Local Government Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1913 - 1930), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108990996 

THE FORESHORES. RESUMPTIONS BY WARRINGAH. SPLENDID RECORD.

During the past five years the ratepayers of Warringah Shire have paid £50,790 of the £68,956 authorised for the purchase of fore-shores and reserves.

The principal resumptions and their costs are:- Newport Beach reserve, £9600; Newport reserve, for access to Pittwater, £2200; Mona Vale Beach, £2800; Palm Beach, £4500; Lake Park extension, Narrabeen, £1900; Collaroy Beach reserve, £18,050, Deewhy Beach reserve extension, £2000; district park, £9500, Manly Municipal Council contributing a similar amount in respect of the last-mentioned purchase.

The matter was referred to the council meeting by the shire clerk (Mr. R. G. Jamie-son), who stated that probably no other council in New South Wales could show such a fine record.

The president (Councillor Corkery) said that they could not be expected to go on burdening the ratepayers in that way indefinitely. The beaches were used by people who came in their thousands from all parts, and the acquisition of places of access, in his opinion, should be a national work. THE FORESHORES. (1929, August 9). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16574253 

THE COUNCILS. WARRINGAH. Figures supplied by the Warringah shire clerk (Mr. Jamieson) showed continued advancement during the past 10 years. The unimproved capital value in 1923 was £2,317,618, in 1927 it was £4,370,669, and in 1933 it was £3,514,976. The value of buildings erected in the shire during the past three years was £40,106 in 1931, £59,427 in 1932, and £71,594 in 1933. Outstanding rates at the end of 1933 totalled £65,000. Collection is difficult, because two-thirds of the ratepayers of the shire live elsewhere. Within the shire are 13 beaches patrolled by surf clubs. Last year a surf pavilion was erected at Newport at a cost of £2000, and another at Avalon Beach at a cost of £750. Rock baths were built at North Narrabeen Headland at a cost of £494. This is the tenth rock bath built by the council. A sum of £6700 was spent on a bridge and approaches over Harbord Lagoon, between North Curl Curl and South Curl Curl. This forms the connecting link in a marine drive from Harbord to Deewhy. Other important works carried out were the reclamation of a swamp area and the formation of a public reserve at Newport, at a cost of £5500; construction of drainage works on Barrenjoey-road at the entrance to Palm Beach, £695; construction of brick wall and an iron fence round Brookvale Park, £634; and drainage works at Deewhy and Mona Vale Flat. After years of agitation, land fronting Harbord Beach has been acquired at a cost of £4000, and extensive improvements will be carried out. THE COUNCILS. (1934, January 9). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17038853

Avalon Beach Reserve

To commence a series looking into the changes in the landscape ensuring these Beach Reserves still exist for this and future generations, a look into the first section of land given and then enlarged - at Avalon Beach.

Today the sand area of Avalon Beach is vacant Crown Land reserved from sale or lease as contained in Regional Crown Reserve R1012329 (RCR). The RCR also contains the intertidal zone, rock pool (and submerged lands to the three nautical miles State territorial limits). Land for which Council is custodian of is described as:-

• - Lot 202 DP 1107408
• - Lot 2 DP 607010
• - Lot 3 DP 322514 (part of)
• - Road Reserve (part of) – Avalon Parade

Avalon Beach environs were also originally known as part of 'Priest's Flat' and 'Collins Beach' and 'Burnes' Beach. This was one of the earliest beach sites to be dedicated for all for all time in Pittwater, a dedication due solely to the vision and aspirations of a gentleman, the Rev. John Joseph Therry, who had received 1200 acres, including the valley of Avalon, in 1832 - formalised in 1833. 

The fact that he did so means this is one of the few beaches right along the peninsula that does not have structures such as homes built as 'waterfronts' along the beach reserve area and in the wave and sand tidal zones. Newport would be the same, when the moves to resume that commenced in 1910, and sections of Mona Vale Beach Reserve, from 1921 'gifts' from a founding member Freddy Lane, along with the sharp slopes above Bungan, Warriewood and Turimetta beaches would ensure they too remained relatively free of houses being built right on the edge of the sand - or built in sand.

Further south, over the Narrabeen bridges, Long Reef has remained as it was, but that stretch of Narrabeen to Collaroy beach, Dee Why and all points south to Manly, have been developed, despite sections being resumed for Beach Reserves for the public and for recreation.

Catholic Priest John Joseph Therry's setting aside land for the people goes back to the 1870s, although not formalised until 1887, and was the first land given by a private individual, unlike those lands encompassed in The Black Swamp, classified as 'Crown Land', bequeathed by the state government.

Born in Cork and educated at St Patrick’s, Carlow, Therry was ordained in 1815 and did parochial work in Dublin and Cork before sailing to Sydney in May of 1820 aboard the Janus, a transportation ship carrying over 100 Irish men and women convicts. He had seen these fellow Hibernians being dragged to the docks in chains for transportation, and hearing they had no priest, applied for and was accepted as a missionary.

His early life would have made him a witness to those dispossessed of their lands in Ireland, and their subsequent treatment in the new colony as 'the Irish problem', would have made ensuring a public 'commons' area for all people for all time a priority of his.

... In 1880 the advertisement for the sale of the estate states that on one subdivision there is 'The Coal Bore, which Is 400 feet deep.' The coal mine proved a failure. At the end of 1862 Father Therry contemplated selling the Pittwater Estate, The scheme of sub division was again ambitious. Mr. Elyard, the Surveyor, recommended that 'a sufficient portion may be reserved near the water, and possessing the sea breeze, for public gardens and games, and also sites for a school of arts, library, courts of justice, and Christian churches .. .

" The plan of subdivision was to be called Josephton, and the township Brighton. ...EARLY HUNTER HISTORY. (1922, April 29). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140991124

The initial 12 acres beside the beach itself, had been aside as a reserve under the terms of Therry's will:

Panorama of Avalon Beach, New South Wales, circa. 1923-25 [picture] / EB Studios. PIC P865/212/2 PIC P865 LOC photographs in Hurley Stack 52/4-Enemark collection of panoramic photographs and sections from enlarged - nla.obj-162503612-1. Courtesy National Library of Australia

Palmgrove Estate, Avalon Beach, new seaside resort between Newport and Palm Beach - December 1921 auction. Item No.: c027560016, [Avalon Subdivision Plans], courtesy State Library of NSW

As this was first discussed back in the early 1920's, it should come as no surprise that the acquisition of the Avalon Beach Reserve acreage also took a fair amount of time - Warringah Shire Council records provide:

June 28th, 1922 The Engineer's Report was read and dealt with as follows- 10 Resolved, - (Crs, Quirk, Campbell) That in regard to A. J. Small’s plan of 1st' subdivision of Avalon Estate, the Council disapprove of the fronting of lots to the beach reserve; require that Lot 71 be marked as "reserved for road purposes’’, and enquire what drainage improvements it is proposed to make in the lane.

July 24th, 1922: Arthur J. Small 12/7/ 22; his northern subdivisions and contending that a road exists on the Dedicated boundary, between his land and the public reserve and that the Engineer should go into the matter with Mr. Small (Avalon Estate) and look up plans at the Land Titles Office

..MATTERS- Avalon Reserve; The Council solicitors' letter of 12/l0/22, Beach in regard to Mr. Smalls’ application to bring land adjoining Avalon Beach Reserve Under the Real Property was read and received

Minutes of Meeting of 5th February, 1923 – A J Small 21/1/1923, submitting amended plan of Avalon Estate No 1 to conform to Council’s requirements Resolved, - (Crs. Hewitt, Hitchcock) That the plan be approved when the Engineer certifies that the drainage improvements, previously specified have been carried out 11. A. J. Small, 3/2/23, stating willingness of land-owners concerned at Avalon Beach, to construct drains through their properties to take this water from Barrenjoey Road, if the Council will put in the necessary culverts: Resolved, (Crs. Hitchcock Hewitt) That the engineer supply whatever pipes he finds necessary for the purpose

12. Arthur Small, 24/11/23, giving reason for not providing reserves in No. 2 subdivision of Avalon Beach: Resolved, - .(Crs. Hewitt; Hitchcock) That he be informed of the Council’s rule requiring provision for reserves when an estate is being subdivided in Sections, and again asking what provision he is making in regard to this Estate.

December 3rd, 1923 meeting:

 21. Arthur Small. 24/11/23, re road at Avalon Beach, adhering to his proposal Of 26th ult., and agreeing to pay half of total cost of B. and C. Sections of Road ,and 22. Linda Dorph, .26/11/23, agreeing, with certain reservations: to the Council's proposal for the construction of the road at Avalon in three sections : Resolved, - (Crs-Parr, Hewitt) That they both be written to suggesting that they equally share in the cost of construction B. and C. sections, otherwise the Council adheres to 'its original suggestion as aet out 'in its letters already sent to them

Whatley Watson, Ltd., will hold the first seaside subdivision sale of the season on Monday at Avalon Beach, when they will submit about 60 allotments of the Park Estate.

All these allotments are handy to the surf, and command magnificent views of the new golf links and ocean. Judging by the demand for lithographs a large attendance is anticipated. REAL ESTATE. (1924, October 4). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 20. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16169775

AVALON BEACH. 

Whatley Watson, Ltd., will sell by public auction on the grounds, Park Estate, Avalon Beach tomorrow. Avalon Beach is 14 miles north of Manly, between Newport and Palm Beach. It is reached by tram from Manly to Narrabeen, thence by motor bus, which runs to a regular timetable to Palm Beach. It can easily be reached by car from Sydney in about an hour and a quarter, and in much less time from the Northern Suburbs, and now the Roseville and Spit bridges are almost completed the journey will soon be considerably shortened.  There is also a steamer service from Clareville wharf (handy to the estate) to the Hawkesbury River railway station, which is a very pleasant journey, passing en route through glorious scenery all the time, tennis courts are now available, and excellent golf links are nearly completed. These links have been laid out by one of Sydney's leading professionals, and comprise golfing country equal to, if not better than, any links in the metropolitan area. A club house is shortly to be erected. It is expected that these links will form an immense boon and attraction to golfers, owing to the badly congested state of all seaside links at the present time. FINANCE-COMMENCE-REAL ESTATE. (1924, October 5).Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128144077

Avalon Beach, circa 1923-24 - a Rex Hazlewood photo, courtesy State Library of NSW

Avalon Beach, 1928

It's worth noting that in 1929 A J Small wrote to the Council regarding:

A. J. Small 19/4/29. Inquiring if the Council Beach desires to purchase any of the allotments in his recent subdivision in Avalon Parade for the purpose of obtaining better access to the beach. Resolved that a letter be sent to Mr. Small suggesting that in view of the benefit he derives from the deviation of Barrenjoey Road, he might give a little land for access to Avalon Beach  52. Same. 19/4/29. Requesting that steps be taken to convey to him portion of an old Government road in exchange for similar land adjoining, which he conveyed to the Council. 

The Council Resolved that; Mr. Small pay the expenses of the exchange of the land, unless he gives the desired access to Avalon Beach.

Part of this Council's problem, as stated in one newspaper report above, was the collection of rates to fund infrastructure, maintenance and services due to many landholders living out of the are and having only bought a block of land, with no structures on it, as an investment or site for a future holiday home. Those who lived here permanently, or spent time here all year round in these simple beach cottages began to call out a perception that all the spending on $ in Warringah and neglecting Pittwater was part of the culture of the Council, so much so that the Avalon Progress Association was among the first to enquire how they could set up their own council, just for Pittwater, six decades before this was won.

One example of what's in those old council records from the Meeting held on 29/4/1929: 

38. Avalon Beach Progress Assoc. 15/4/29. Contending that Avalon does not get the share of works expenditure it is entitled to, and drawing particular attention to the condition of Avalon Parade and Central Road. Resolved (Crs. Hitchcock, Austin) - That the Engineer prepare an estimate for the improvement of Central Road and Hudson Parade with a view to the inclusion of these two roads in a loan proposal for A. Riding. Same: 15/4/29. Drawing attention to (i) a danger at the Avalon rock bath; and suggesting that a chain be placed across the corner as a safe guard, and (2) a traffic danger at the "Six Ways" between Bilgola and Avalon Beaches, and suggesting a warning sign or notices be erected there. Resolved: (1) to be dealt with before the next swimming season, (2) referred to Works Committee.

Succeeding discussions, as documented below, would infer this council was also trying to push Mr. Small around - the attitude comes through, even between the formalised recorded  lines, to take, not give a fair exchange, and treat him with contempt, even though the Council benefitted from his supplying water to people who would camp on their part of the Reserve, bequeathed by Therry, from which they made money, and his installation of, and paying for, conveniences such as toilets and change sheds which everyone used, and as required by the council.

All the while this 1928-1942 discussion was going on about resuming more land to extend Avalon Beach Reserve, and then actually paying for it,  A J Small was developing holiday features on his acreage for those purchasing lots along with Seasonal visitors to the valley of Avalon Beach - the tennis courts and shop were followed by:

AVALON BEACH.

Improvements being made at Avalon Beach include the improvement of a miniature golf course in conjunction with the erection of tea gardens, the main feature of which will be a semi-open air pavilion. Mr. Bertram W. Ford, architect, has accepted the tender of Mr. J. A. Carter, contractor, Manly, for this work. The walls of the pavilion will be lined externally with shingles, and the roof of colour-blended tiles. AVALON BEACH. (1931, December 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16799986 

Avalon Camping Reserve, circa 1929-1934. Image: PON records/Editor's old Postcards collection/Family photos and records - this may have been a Monte Luke photo originally - see:

LE "MOTOR CAMPING OUT.'

Monte Luke, le célèbre artiste photographe de Sydney, Madame Monte Luke et leur famille à Avalon Beach, près Sydney. LE "MOTOR CAMPING OUT." (1928, October 26). Le Courrier Australien (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 2011), , p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161724364 

This ABHS postcard from the later 1920s shows the site in the immediate foreground where the surf club was built in 1934. Car parking in those days was really a ‘free-for-all’ and when necessary spilled up the hill (now the eastern extension of Avalon Parade before it bends south and becomes Surfside Avenue). Note the absence of houses around the top of what was to become (New) Barrenjoey Road. The recently planted Norfolk Island Pines have yet to show their heads above the white picket planter boxes

May 14th 1935 – Arthur Jabez Small to the Warringah Shire Council, lanes and a reserve in DP915122, produced June 11th, 1935 and entered February 22nd, 1937 – Vol/Fol: 4829-95 for those lands – Dunbar Park, originally called 'Avalon Park':

To pay for lands being acquired:

SHIRE OF WARRINGAH.
Special Loan, £21,000—"A'' Riding.
WARRINGAH Shire Council hereby gives notice, in accordance with the provisions of Local Government Act, 1919, that:—
1. The Council proposes to raise a Special Loan of twenty-one thousand founds (£21,000) for the purpose of carrying but in Biding "A" of the Shire certain public works, the acquisition of certain lands for public recreation purposes, and the acquisition of certain lands for road purposes; and for the purpose of paying expenses incidental to the carrying out of such works and acquisitions.
2. The Council proposes to expend the loan money as follows, but reserves the right to utilise the surplus or saving on any one item in paying the excess cost of any other:—
(a) In Palm Beach-Whale Beach District: £
Public Reserve on shore of Pittwater, Palm Beach — Filling, levelling, and construction of retaining wall 1,000
Ocean Beach Reserve, Palm Beach—Making parking area and constructing pipe-line in southern portion 250
Governor Phillip Park — Erection of public lavatories 500
New Wharf—Construction of, at Palm Beach, Pittwater side 500
Improvements to roads, viz.—Florida-road, £1,000; Pacific-road, £405; Palm Beach road, £500; road from Barrenjoey-road to Whale Beach, £500; road from Whale Beach to Palm Beach, £500
Total: 2,905 
(b) In Avalon-Bilgola-Clareville District:
Public rock-bath at Avalon Beach—Enlargement of 250
Avalon Flat Drainage—Construction of concrete culverts 700 
Avalon Beach Reserve, Extension, etc.— Acquisition of Lot 26, Pittwater Estate, with exception of small portion at south western corner 2,750
Bilgola Beach Reserve—Construction of retaining wall 100 
Improvements to roads, viz.—Central-road, £600; George-street, £300 900
(c) In Newport District:
Newport Ocean Beach Reserve — Levelling sand, and top-dressing, on northern portion 700
Newport Recreation and Sports Ground— Fencing and other improvements BOO Queen's-parade drainage % 300
Improvements to roads, viz.—Ocean-avenue, £400; Foam Crest avenue, £220; Myola-road, £270; Bungan Head road, £400; Beaconsfield-street, £200; Karloo-parade, £200; Robertson-road, £150; Bardo-road, £300; King-street* £150; Queen's-parade and Stuart-street, £250 2,540 
(d) In Mona Valc-Warriewood District:
Mona Vale Park—Culvert across park from Park-street to Newport-road 200 Drainage works, Bassett-street, at eastern end 600
Footpath formation—Gravelling footpath on Pittwater-road, Mona Vale 100 Improvements to roads, viz. — Darley-street, £400; Bassett-street, £220; Noble-strfeet, £100; Bungan-street, £320; Allen-street, £160; Rickard-avenue, £100; Mona-street and Waterview-street, £250; Vineyard-street, £150; Seaview-street, £126, Foamcrest-avenue, £200 : 1,826
(e) At Bay View—Church Point:
Bay View Park Construction of pavilion and boat-shed 750
Church Point-—Reclamation and parking area near public wharf 200
(f) In North Narrabeen District:
Lake Park Extension, and new road—Acquisition of land for enlargement of Lake Park and for new road connecting Narrabeen Park parade and Collins-street ... 1,075
Improvements to roads, viz. — Kobado and Elanora Estate roads, £750; Powderworks-road, £200; Deep Creek road, £200;- Warraba-road, £120; Garden-street, £200; Taiyul-road, £200; Collins avenue and Walsh-street, £250 1,920 

(g) Incidental and contingent expenses - 634

Total £21,000
3. The Council proposes to carry out most of the abovementioned works under the Government's Emergency Relief Scheme. The proposed allocations to those works as set out above, are consequently allocations of loan money only and do not include the wages of the relief workers payable from grants receivable from the Government.
4. Plans and full details of the works to be carried out and of the lands to be acquired by means of the loan money may be inspected at the Council's office during the ordinary office hours.
5. The rate of interest on the loan will not exceed four per centum (4%) per annum, and the loan will be issued at par.
6. It is proposed to repay the loan over a period of twelve (12) years by 24 equal half-yearly instalments of principal and interest combined. The amount of each such instalment will be £1,110 os. 10d., or thereabouts.
7. For the purpose of repaying the loan and paying the interest on the loan the Council proposes to levy a rate of two-fifths of a penny (2/5d.) in the £ on the unimproved capital value of all ratable lands in the "A'' Biding of the Shire. (Total u.c.v., £1,326,723.) Should the proposed rate not provide sufficient for the purpose the deficiency will be paid from the General Fund of the Shire and charged to "A" Hiding's portion of that fund. (Nom—The loans of £28,200 and £3,500 raised ten years ago or thereabouts for the carrying out of public works in "A" Biding will be entirely repaid this year, and the present loan rate of 4/5d. in the £ levied in respect of them will not be levied after this year, but will be replaced by the proposed rate of 2/5d.).
8. Within one month of the date of the publication of this notice any number not less than twenty-five per centum (25%) of the ratepayers enrolled for "A" Riding may petition the Council to take a poll of the ratepayers, either as to whether the ratepayers approve of the loan or as to whether the loan rate shall be on the unimproved capital value or improved capital value, or on both questions. The number of ratepayers on the Roll of Electors for "A"' Riding is 5,421.
A. H. HUGHES, President. R. G. Jamieson, Shire Clerk.
Shire Hall, Brookvale, 20th July, 1936.
358 £7 10s. SHIRE OF WARRINGAH. (1936, July 24). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 3236. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223038435

Current day Dunbar Park forms what was originally a reserve stretching from part of a corridor of open space stretching from Avalon Beach westward through the Avalon valley to the still existing Toongarie Reserve. This corridor has been cut by residential development at its western end and cut again by Barrenjoey and Old Barrenjoey Roads. The eastern section of Dunbar Park (called 'Avalon Community Gardens') was created when Barrenjoey Road was constructed and land resumed from 1934 on for the purpose of this build, which divided the connection of Dunbar Park through to Avalon Beach Reserve. [NRS-14468-2-[19/9162]-B.45/1518 - Title: Shire of Warringah Main Road No [number] 164 resumption from sale of land to A J Small. Contents Date Range: 11-05-1934 to 11-09-1945].

The acquisition of further land to add to the acreage bequeathed by Therry sprang from the community. Warringah Shire Council Minutes of Meetings record:

SPECIAL MEETING:OF WARRINGAH SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON AVALON BEACH RESERVE ON MONDAY,  21st AUGUST, 1933. ATTENDANCE: Cr. Shaw (President), Crs.-Austin, Hitchcock, Hughes,-Fox, Nicholas, Sterland, Barber and Waal. The Minutes were taken by the Shire Clerk (R.G.Jamieson). The Engineer and Inspector were-in attendance. Purpose of: Select a site-for proposed surf buildings at Avalon Beach, and to consider Avalon Beach Progress Association’s request for resumption of about 12 acres of land adjacent to the Beach Reserve. 1. Site for New Building: Inspections were made of the site previously selected by A. Riding Councillors and the Building Inspector, and of the site suggested Small and the Architect for the building-Mr.B.W.Ford). Avalon The matter was discussed with interested persons present, and opinions,as to the most suitable site were expressed by Mr. A.J. Small, owner of adjoining land and of Avalon golf links, Mr.Paddon, an old-resident and member of the local Surf Club and also the local Progress Association, Mr. Bartlett, a member of the local Surf Club, and Life Saver on the beach, Mr. S. Wickham, Hon. Secretary of the Progress Association, Mr. Doyle, Vice President of the Surf Life Saving Association of NSW, B W Ford Architect for the building, Mr. S. O'Brien, Secretary of Careel Ocean Beach Estate Ltd., and Sir Sulman, Past President of the Town Planning Association of N.S.W. After hearing the views of the various speakers, Councillors withdrew for the purpose of coming to a decision, and a site between the two suggested Sites was decided at. Cr. Nicholas moved that the northern end of the proposed building be in line with the northern end of the existing public lavatories, provided that the contract price be not exceeded. Cr.: Hitchcock seconded. Cr. Barber moved as an amendment,-:that the southern end of the building be in line with the northern wall of the lavatories, and extend northwards, provided that the contract price be not exceeded. Cr. Sterland seconded. 'The amendment was carried. The motion as amended was thereupon put and carried. Specifications for the construction Of the building was then considered. The Council's Building Inspector suggested certain alterations and amendments. Resolved: That the specification be amended to the satisfaction of the Inspector. (Crs. Barber, Sterland) 2. Avalon Progress Association's-request for the resumption Avalon of land adjacent to the beach reserve: Resolved- That before consideration is given to this matter the Valuer Reserve General be asked to make a special valuation of the land. The meeting thereupon terminated. 

Arthur Jabez Small was the developer whose land the council wished to acquire - both at the South Avalon Beach headland and that situated around the then on the corner of Old Barrenjoey road and Avalon Parade shop, initially run by S. Wickham. In 1932, Avalon Beach pioneer A.J. Small, erected a kiosk on the south Avalon headland. The kiosk catered for the day-trippers who were flocking to the northern beaches on weekends. In particular, in these early days of settlement in Avalon, the kiosk provided a source of boiling water for tea. People were also using this land for camping:

5/12/1932: 59. A J Small drawing attention to the out-of-date dressing accommodation on Avalon Beach; (b), on the necessity for filling up, levelling off and turfing certain portions of the beach reserve, and the making of a solid pathway to the public lavatories, stating he is prepared to supply the buffalo turf free of charge, and would like to discuss several suggestions with the Works Committee on the spot. Referred to the Works Committee and A. Riding Councillors: 

19/12/1932: Two letters from; A . J Small (a) explaining his failure to meet the Works Committee at Avalon Beach Reserve: On 12th inst., and (b) re permits to erect tents on his camping ground at Avalon Beach were read. Resolved, That Mr Small be given a further opportunity of discussing with the Works Committee the subject matter of the previous letter:.(Crs. Austin, Barber) Resolved - That Mr. Small be requested to erect sanitary conveniences on his camping ground, one for each sex, and the Council's fixed charge for permits to erect tents be adhered to refer to letter to apper – fees for camping on private grounds.

8/5/1933: . 31 A. J. Small, 29/4/33, re Council's proposal for acquisition of part of his lane for access to Avalon Beach Reserve, requesting an appointment with the Works Committee to discuss the matter before going into the question of price. Referred to the Works-Committee and A. Riding Councillors to meet Mr. Small on the ground in a month's time.

22/5/1933:  5 5/33.:A J Small re, tents on private land at Avalon Beach, pointing out that notwithstanding the Tents restrictions placed on him, four holiday camps, without lavatories, were established on lot:3; Avalon NO'1. Estate during the Easter holidays. That the letter be ."received".

(1930). [Motor cars, some with tarpaulins attached, parked adjacent to Avalon Beach, New South Wales, 1930, 1] Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147290036 - and enlarged section from to show the Central Avalon Village Recreation Reserve as it was then.

Campers and cars at Avalon Beach, circa 1931

At the Meeting held on 4th December 1933: BUILDING SUB-COMMITTEE'S REPORT) Cr. Austin, Chair of the Committee, verbally reported, and it resolved that A J Small’s plan for a tea and refreshment kiosk at Avalon Beach and for pergola extensions to existing kiosk in Avalon Beach Reserve be approved

The 'New Inn' Avalon Beach, circa 1937, corner of Avalon Parade and Avalon Beach reserve

The first Avalon Beach SLSC Clubhouse

In January 1934 the first Avalon Beach SLSC Clubhouse was officially opened. This too had been worked towards for many years, with long discussions between experts and lobbyists on where on the beach reserve it should be placed. A few extracts from Warringah Shire Council Minutes of Meetings record the Avalon Beach SLSC, and a reel and line on the beach, existed long before a clubhouse. Warringah Shire Council's Minutes of Meetings: 17/12/1923:  Resolved, - That maintenance Han Oliver be instructed to return to Mr. Small the life line which he holds, and the surf reel at Avalon Beach, and return the other line to station. 

Mr Small and Mr Wickham and others then became more organised; please note that it should be an 'A' instead of H for Mr. Small's initials:

A CLUB FOR AVALON. A surf life-saving club has been formed at Avalon, the spot rendered famous by the song, or vice-versa. A meeting was held on Sunday at the residence of Mr. H. J .Small, who was appointed president. Mr. Stan Wickham the Rugby Union International, is hon. secretary-treasurer of the new club. THE SURFERS. (1925, March 13 - Friday). Arrow (Sydney, NSW : 1916 - 1933), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103545114

The foundation meeting at A J Small's Bellevue Avenue 'Avalon' residence - on the steps stand Sydney dentist, Dr. Arthur Cecil Hanson with A J Small (second from left in white trousers) on his right, Stan Wickham (3.) and Bert Paddon (also white trousers - born 1906) to his left.  Also among these founders of Avalon Beach is A G (Tom) Hanson - verandah, and Small’s son Geoff is on the far right of the verandah, who was also in the first squad. To the far right among the younger boys are members of the Fox family of the end of Central road/Clareville, who married with Williams (Bayview) family - all 1st Class rowers of NSW.

Holiday group on front of house named Avalon - photo by Rex Hazlewood, Image Courtesy The Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, No.: c046220007h - includes Mr. Small and his family outside 'Avalon' in Bellevue Avenue.

In choosing a site for he clubhouse:

3/7/1933: At this stage the Council went Into COMMITTEE of the while for the purpose of dealing with the matters stated hereunder. 1., Proposed surf buildings at Avalon Beach Proposed Surf Building at Avalon Beach Reserve: Mr B W Ford, Architect, submitted in person two Plans the lesser being a cutting down of the major proposal to bring the estimated cost within the limit, of tenders for the two proposals alternatively: the reduced propose' the lowest' tender was that of H. Cardow £749.10.0, and for the major proposal the lowest was £941.5.0. He explained the difference between the two proposals. Resolved,- That H. Cardow's tender be accepted with the addition of £10 for the water-proof flooring, subject to the contract being suitable to the Council. (Crs. Austin, Barber) Messrs. Stevenson, Jolly and Wickham, representatives of the Avalon Progress Association, and a Mr. McNeil were admitted and informed of The Council's decision. Mr McNeil addressed the Council, stated he represented the biggest selling organisation in the Shire, and pressed for the adoption of the major proposal Mr. Stevenson said his Association desired him to affirm that the expenditure of £750 was adequate for the time being. He further said that it was the Association's ambition to repay to the Council the whole £750. It was decided that the two lowest tenders be forwarded to the Local Government Department, and also the plans and specifications on which they were based for adoption by the Department in lieu of those previously approved. The representatives from Avalon thereupon left the meeting. 

31/7/1933: … from the Avalon Beach  Progress Association, advising that the Association was of the opinion that the new surf buildings for Avalon Beach should be erected on the site originally selected, was called for. Mr. Ford, Architect, and Mr. A.J.Small, who were present, addressed the Council, and contended that it should be removed to a position further north: Mr. Jolly, on behalf of the Progress Association, protested against this. Mr. Small stated that if the building were erected in a central position, as suggested by him, he would be prepared to turf about one acre of the area with Buffalo sods, and carry out improvements that would cost him £100. Cr. Barber moved that if Mr. Small will give in writing that he is prepared to turf about one acre at his own expense, as offered by him, and also that he is prepared to bear any cost of the building in excess of £750, the site recommended by his be accepted. Cr. Austin seconded. The motion was not carried. It was resolved that the Councillors for A.Riding meet:Mr A J. Small and the Progress Association for the purpose of finally selecting a site.

14/8/1933: Surf-Life Saving Assoc.s.,-2/8/33.-stating that in the opinion of members of the Avalon Surf Life Saving Club, and also of members of the Association who, know Avalon Beach, the proposed location for the new surf buildings would not be the most suitable, and that the best location would be towards the centre of the beach. 10a. Coast Lands Ltd., 10/8/33, contending the surf buildings should be erected as near the centre of the beach as possible.:-10b. Building Relief Committee, 9/8/33, advising that the amended plan and specification of the surf building at Avalon are approved; 10c. Careel Ocean Beach Estate Ltd., 11/8/33, contending that the buildings should be erected Avalon as near the centre of the beach as possible. 10d. B.W. Ford, Architect 14/8/33, suggesting the Works Committee make an Buildings inspection, and finally settle the matter of a site. Cr. Hitchcock Moved that the surf building be erected on the site elected by-A. Riding Councillors, the Inspector-and the Progress Association. Cr. McPaul seconded. Cr: Sterland moved, as an amendment, Cr. Fox seconding, that the whole Council visit the site on next Monday for the purpose of deciding the matter, that the Surf Club, the Progress Association and Mr. Small be invited to be present. The amendment was Carried. The motion as amended, was thereupon put and carried. It was decided that the meeting be a Special Meeting of the Council, and commence at Avalon Beach  at 4 p.m. Council hold on Monday, 14th August, 1931. - 55.  Avalon Beach. Progress-Assoc., 5/8/33, on-advisability of acquiring land immediately adjacent to Avalon Beach,  approximately 12 acres, exclusive of tea rooms,tennis courts: Reserve and miniature golf links, for recreation and parking Extension purposes. Resolved, 1-That this matter be, considered at the Special Meeting of the Council, to beheld on Monday next at Avalon.

SPECIAL MEETING:OF WARRINGAH SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON AVALON BEACH RESERVE ON MONDAY,  21st AUGUST, 1933. ATTENDANCE: Cr. Shaw rd (President), Crs.-Austin, Hitchcock, Hughes,-Fox, Nicholas, Sterland, Barber and Waal. The Minutes were taken by the Shire Clerk (R.G.Jamieson). The Engineer and Inspector were-in attendance. Purpose of: Select a site-for proposed surf buildings at Avalon Beach, and to consider Avalon Beach Progress Association’s request for resumption of about 12 acres of land adjacent to the Beach Reserve. 1. Site for New Building: Inspections were made of the site previously selected by A. Riding Councillors and the Building Inspector, and of the site suggested Small and the Architect for the building-Mr.B.W.Ford). Avalon The matter was discussed with interested persons present, and opinions as to the most suitable site were expressed by Mr .H.J. Small, owner of adjoining land and of Avalon golf links, Mr.Paddon, an old-resident and member of the local Surf Club and also the local Progress Association, Mr. Bartlett, a member of the local Surf Club, and Life Saver on the beach, Mr. S. Wickham, Hon. Secretary Of the Progress Association, Mr. Doyle, Vice President of the Surf Life Saving Association of NSW, B W Ford Architect for the building, Mr. S. O'Brien, Secretary of Careel Ocean Beach Estate Ltd., and Sir Sulman, Past President of the Town Planning Association of N.S.W., After hearing the views of the various speakers, Councillors withdrew for the purpose of coming to a decision, and a site between the two suggested Sites was decided at. Cr. Nicholas moved that the northern end of the proposed building be in line with the northern end of the existing public lavatories, provided that the contract price be not exceeded. Cr.: Hitchcock seconded. Cr. Barber moved as an amendment,-:that the southern end of the building be, in line with the northern wall Of the lavatories, and extend northwards, provided that the contract price be not exceeded. Cr. Sterland seconded. 'The amendment was carried. The motion as amended Was thereupon put and carried. Specifications for the construction Of the building was then considered. The Council's Building Inspector suggested certain alterations and amendments. Resolved: That the specification be amended to the satisfaction of the Inspector. (Crs. Barber, Sterland) 2. Avalon Progress Association's-request for the resumption Avalon of land adjacent to the beach reserve: Resolved- That before consideration is given to this matter the Valuer Reserve General be asked to make a special valuation of the land. The meeting thereupon terminated. 

The next Meetings Minutes confirm the building works are finally underway and that friction has developed between the newly elected President of the Town Planning Association of NSW :

25/9/1933: AVALON SURF BUILDING: The President reported that in compliance with the instruction given at last meeting, he and the Building Inspector, in company with the Contractor, had made an inspection of  Avalon Beach, that after a careful inspection, it was found that the only suitable site upon which the building could be erected without extra expense to the Council was within a few feet of the site originally selected, and that he and the Inspector had thereupon fixed upon that site, and the building was at present being erected upon it. Resolved, - Building That the action of the President and Inspector be endorsed. (Crs. Nicholas, McPaul) A letter from the Architect, Mr. B.W. Ford, 22/9/33, dealing with this matter, was read. A letter from the Shire Solicitors, 23/9/33, furnishing advice as to what action the Council might take in view of the attitude adopted by the Architect, was also read. Resolved, - That Mr. Ford's services be dispensed with forthwith, that the building be constructed under the joint supervision of the Council's Engineer and Building Inspector, and that Mr. Ford be paid for his services in the preparation of plans and specifications upon his handing over to the Council the Contract and the plans and specifications relating thereto. (Crs.Barber,McPaul) Resolved, - That Cr. Hitchcock also give his attention to the building, as far as he possibly van. (Crs. Hughes, Austin) The HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT was read and dealt with as follows:- 1. Reporting on selection of site for surf building at Avalon Beach by President and himself under the instruction given by Council at the last meeting: "Received". Resolved, - That the sum of £30 be voted towards the levelling of the land around the new building when necessary. (Crs. Austin, Hitchcock) 31. Surf Life Saving asoc., 18/9/33, re alteration of site of proposed surf building at  Avalon Beach, and requesting that site fixed at the Special Meeting held at Avalon be adhered to. "Received" 32 Received" 11. Avalon Beach Progress Assoc., 20/9/33, thanking Council for the repairs effected to Park Road, and for bringing to finality the matter of the site for the new surf building on Avalon Beach . "Received"

The imperious 'Received', dismissing any objections, leaves a lot to be desired in local, state and federal government.

Science, logic, bearing eye-witness and hindsight, records over and over the known quality of beaches is that they are not static piles of sand. Ocean currents cause beaches to move constantly. Beach sand is primarily a product of the weathering of the land (such as natural erosion of coastal bluffs). 

When natural processes are interfered with, the natural supply of sand is interrupted and the beach changes shape or can disappear completely. Sand production stops when coral reefs die from pollution, when coastal bluffs are "armoured" by sea walls and when rivers are dammed or channelized (lined with concrete) upstream for flood control and reservoir construction. The sand that collects behind upstream dams and reservoirs is often "mined" and sold for concrete production. It then never makes it to the beach. A public resource essential for our beaches is instead sold for private profit.

Further, in the face of eroding beaches, owners of beachfront property will use their political influence to demand that "something be done." The intelligent and obvious action would be to move the building away from the ocean. Unfortunately, what has often been done in the past has been to armour the coastline with rocks, concrete and steel. This does not protect or maintain the beach - it only protects the buildings, and only temporarily.

Millions of taxpayer and now rate[payers dollars have been wasted subsidising beachfront building/s. Expensive projects have done very little to make oceanfront buildings safe and have, in fact, hastened beach erosion. In many cases, it would be more cost-effective for the environment and the ratepayers and tax payers to have the government buy the coastal property, condemn the buildings and allow the area to act as a buffer between the ocean and the remaining buildings. In urbanised areas with expensive real estate, a more cost effective and environmentally sound alternative to shoreline structures has been to periodically "nourish" the beach with sand.

Seawalls built of concrete, wood, steel or boulders that run parallel to the beach at the land/water interface have also been built to 'protect the beachfront properties'. These are also  called bulkheads or revetments. They are designed to protect structures by stopping the natural movement of sand by the waves. If the walls are maintained they may hold back the ocean, but again only temporarily. 

What occurs is the construction of a seawall usually displaces the open beach that it is built upon. They also prevent the natural landward migration of an eroding beach. When waves hit a smooth, solid seawall, the wave is reflected back towards the ocean. This can make matters worse. The reflected wave (the backwash) takes beach sand with it. Both the beach and the surf may disappear altogether.

Seawalls can cause increased erosion in adjacent areas of the beach that do not have seawalls. This so-called "flanking erosion" takes place at the ends of seawalls. Wave energy can be reflected from a seawall sideways along the shore, causing coastal bluffs without protection to erode faster. When it is necessary to build a seawall, it should have a sloped (not vertical) face. Seawalls should also have pockets and grooves in them that will use up the energy of the waves instead of reflecting it.

Usually the most cost-effective, environmental solution is to move the building away from danger. Building seawalls will buy time against natural processes, but it will not "solve the problem" of erosion by waves, and will, over time, change the beach and cause more and more it it to erode - eventually leaving the structure, built on sand, not only the cause of th problem but at risk of eventually being undermined by the tides, currents, and seasonal processes of a dynamic, not static, beach.

The first clubhouse on Avalon Beach Reserve officially opened on January 23rd, 1934:

Above: Official opening of Avalon Beach SLS Clubhouse - picture courtesy Avalon Beach Historical Society. 

Days later the Warringah Shire Council Minutes of the Meeting held on 29/1/1934 record: 2. Re new surf building on Avalon Beach  Reserve. Avalon Beach That the pine tree in front of the building, which was recently ring-barked, without authority, be removed altogether. _(Crs. -Hughes Sterland).

More Norfolk Pines would be planted, through the work of A J Small, to honour the fallen of World War Two - a record available in: Avalon Beach Norfolk Pines: To Honour Those Who Served – Anzac Day 2023 History Precursors

Other Items in Council records, particularly those by Councillor Dunbar, after whom Dunbar Park was named, called for greater protection of all the trees on the Beach Reserve and heading westwards - although at the same calling for the underscrub, the supporting ecosystem, to be removed, leading to all of the vegetation that held the land together eventually disappearing and subsequent problems.

A boathouse would subsequently be added onto the structure and further clubhouses built. Altogether, including the current one opened in 2014, four clubhouses to support the volunteer work of Avalon Beach SLSC have been constructed. Details of these progressions ran in earlier pages, all listed under References below.

The same Council Meeting records: 

52. Avalon Beach Progress Assoc., 24/1/34, requesting Council to move immediately in the matter of resuming approximately 6 acres of land adjacent to Avalon Beach Reserve, and stating Association would finance the purchase (special rate var.). Resolved, - That the Valuer General's special valuation of the land be awaited.

However, there were other elements going on - a letter to the Council from A.J.Small, dated 7/2/34, was claiming compensation for damage by stormwater in Avalon Parade at his new Service Station, and for loss of business on this account;. (b) expressing opinion that the method proposed by the Engineer to deal with this matter is neither adequate nor satisfactory, that the open cuts would in time scour into large holes; (c) pointing out the large amount of rates paid by himself and Avalon Beach Estates. 

Council Resolved, - That this matter be referred back to the Shire Engineer to go into thoroughly, and to furnish a report to next meeting, (Crs. Hughes)

A J Small's Avalon Petrol Station, circa 1934-1935 -= this was on the corner of Avalon Parade and Barrenjoey road - the same site one exists today - to the left you can just see the tennis courts framing

A place of creeks & Flooding Drains

As soon as structures such as homes and shops began to appear on the Avalon valley floor the fact that the place is threaded with creeks created problems every time it rained and drainage problems featured in the then Warringah Shire Council Notices and warranted the state government getting involved in 'unhealthy land' at Avalon due to poor drainage. The removal of the vegetation exacerbated this.

Earlier lithographs for the Therry land sales also showed this land as saltmarsh and mangroves. A picnic held at Avalon Beach by Therry, with those attending landing via steamer at Careel Bay wharf, records people 'dancing on the green flat' as well as visiting St Michaels cave.

Charles de Boos, in his 1861 published 'My Holiday' account of walking from Manly to Barrenjoey Headland records of 'Priests' Flat' (Avalon Beach Village area from the Bilgola Kamakazee Corner and golf course to Careel Bay):

Once through this jungle of a gully, and we had a gently rising road, creeping steadily up the face of the range, by easy graduation until at last it had gained the crest. Then we had a monotonous walk along the top of the ridge, in full view of the vast Pacific to our right, whose waves were now beating almost lazily along the beach at our feet and whose waters had barely swell enough on them to keel over the tiny fleet of coasters that had put out from different ports of shelter on the coast with the first slant of the favouring wind, and were now lying almost motionless, with scarce wind enough to lift their sails. To the left, the hills, covered with the low close scrub common to our coast ranges, bounded our view, the inland ridges, with their heavily timbered sides being hidden from our sight. Suddenly, however, the road took a curve round to the left, crossed a knoll of the range, and then swept down, in some fifty different tracks, on to a broad swampy plain, or flat, which seemed to us to be inundated, for we could see the water sparkling and glistening in the sun over its whole face. I pulled up short here.

" It won't do to go down there, Tom," said I.

"Oh, but we must," he replied. "This is the Priest's Flat, and there, where you see those shears erected, with the two tents alongside of them, is where they are boring for coal. We must go and report progress."

I looked ruefully at Nat, who made no reply, but, grinning viciously, bent down and turned up his trousers to the knees.     

“Do you think there are any leeches there ?” I asked. Nat's trousers were instantly turned down again, and this time he didn't grin,

"Oh, no," Tom answered, "there's too much water there for them, and not enough shelter.

I was easier in my mind, though I had my misgivings; but as these Antipodean leeches seemed to be ruled by laws, and to have amongst themselves habits and customs totally at variance with those of leeches in civilised communities, possibly Tom might be correct; so, tucking up my trousers, I prepared to descend. And, after all, when we got down to the flat it was not so bad as it had appeared to us from the hill. The ground was somewhat honeycombed and the water lay in pools, between which however, we managed to find sufficient footing without actually walking in water.

Arrived at the tents, warning of our approach was given by a solitary dejected bark, ending in a melancholy and prolonged howl, from some unseen dog, that was evidently too broken down and low-spirited to repeat the challenge and it was only after we had approached the shears, and had commenced our examination of the boring, which, to tell truth, none of us could make head or tail of, that a tall sailor looking man, who appeared as if he had but just that instant been uncoiled full-rigged from between the blankets, came out to the entrance of one of the tents, and regarded us with an air of blank and sleepy astonishment. Just after him followed his watchful canine guardian, whose short bark and long ululation had effected his master's awakening, but so far behind as not to be within kicking distance; his cowering watchful look, and his tail hard down between his legs, evidently saying as plain as could be said, " I  don't know whether I have done right, so I must stand by for squalls."

It took a good deal to waken up our friend to a full sense of the information we required from him, and it was only by the casual mention of Farrell's name that he was brought to his full mental perceptions. A grin spread over his countenance when we said where we had just come from.

“Did you go candling with him ?" he asked.   We explained how it was that we had not done so.'

“Oh, isn't it prime fun !" He was fast getting lively. 

He had been of the party the night before our arrival, had got wet through, had disported himself like a grampus in the pool, and had got home with an exulted notion of the sport. Of course we did not undeceive him; but having now got him up to the proper communicative pitch, we proceeded to worm out of him, by dint of much questioning, and much labour in bringing him back to the subject in hand for he would insist upon darting off from it at a tangent to give us collateral evidence upon matters in which we had not the slightest interest-all that he knew of the boring.

From the information thus acquired, as well as from enquiries subsequently made, I learnt that the spot now being bored was about the centre of a very fine property of some 1200 acres in area, granted many years ago to the Rev. Father Therry, and extending across the Barranjuee peninsula from the shores of the Atlantic to those of Creel Bay; the one being its eastern, the other its western boundary. Hence the plain had been christened the Priest's Flat. It had been for some time surmised, taking into account the dip of the coal basin, which crops up to the north at Newcastle, and to the south at Wollongong, that at this spot, which lies so near the northern cropping point, the coal seam might be struck at such a medium depth as would allow of payable working. Somewhere about twelve months ago, the reverend proprietor determined upon trying the experiment, and he has continued perseveringly at the work in spite of every discouragement that has beset him; and certainly he has had in this matter to bear up against contrarieties sufficient to have wearied out the majority of ordinary persons.

At no time have the men employed ever injured themselves by hard work, for the testimony of the natives goes to show that they hung it on most amazingly, and when obliged to do something for their money, rather than sink deeper they would break the auger. On another, occasion, an overseer that was employed bolted with the month's pay of the men, and, not satisfied with that, took also the reverend father's horse, though this was subsequently recovered, but only after paying a pretty Bullish sum for stabling expenses. Just as we visited the spot the 'works were again at a stand-still by the breakage of the apparatus, and the newly-appointed overseer was away in Sydney getting it repaired, whilst the hands were scattered hither and thither. They had at that time got to a depth of 186 feet, but had come upon no indications of coal, if we except the passage of the auger through a 6-inch pipe of coal at a depth of 123 feet. (Since these articles were commenced, I have learnt that the boring has reached a depth of 220 feet), when the work was suddenly brought to a close by the breaking of the auger, and, what was   worse, by the cutting portion of it being left firmly embedded in the rock that was then being pierced.  

Whilst upon this subject, it may-not be out of place to mention that I visited, though somewhat subsequently to the time now alluded to, the bluff headland almost in an easterly line with the boring, and named by the reverend proprietor St. Michael's Head; and there, at about eight feet above high water mark, and quite open to view, is a thin seam, or, as miners term it, pipe of coal, scarcely an inch in thickness. On examination I found also that very much of the shale, both above and below the seam, bore carboniferous indications-leaves, ferns, &c, being distinctly traceable on the face of the cleavages. Another great discouragement that must have operated very strongly upon the rev. owner has been the expense that the work has entailed on him, in consequence of the bungling inexperience and roguery of the persons who have, until lately, been entrusted with it. On this point I speak only on hearsay, and my information is consequently liable to correction ; but I was told with an air of authority that the cost of sinking had, up to that time, reached very nearly £800, being at the rate of rather more than £4 per foot, whilst the time occupied in sinking had been over nine months, or about twenty feet per month not a foot per diem ! If this was not enough to put an extinguisher upon ordinary enterprise, I can't conceive anything that would be. Under the present management I am informed that the work promises to progress more favourably.

We were not very long in pumping perfectly dry the maritime-looking individual who had charge of the works pro tem ; and, by the way, I would here ask how it is that nearly all the males we have encountered in our tracks have so decidedly nautical an appearance? Can it be that, like the islands in the Pacific have been said to have been, this particular portion of the territory of New South Wales has been peopled by the sole survivors of awful wrecks, by men supposed by anxious friends to have been drowned years ago, and who now turn up mysteriously in this unknown land? or, are the inhabitants of the Peninsula like the Arabs on the African coast, and do they seize and treat as slaves the shipwrecked mariners that are cast amongst them by the Pacific, in its un-pacific moods? or have they fled to these wilds to escape the too fond and anxious enquiries, through the water police, of disappointed shipmasters or deluded agents ? The question is one that perhaps some future Australian physiologist may be tempted to solve.

We parted with our friend with but scant ceremony, he turning on his heel and walking into his tent when we told him, "that was all;" whilst we shouldered our loads and walked ahead. Pushing along the edge of the flat, we crossed the foot of the hill we had not long previously descended, and, passing along an inner one of well-grassed sandbanks, that formed the landmost barrier against any encroachment of the waves, we came after a walk of half a mile to a paddock fence, through a slip panel of which the road evidently ran. Entering the paddock we found the upper part overgrown with young timber, principally wattles, that had sprang up since the cultivation of the toil had been discontinued, whilst about half-way across it we encountered a beautiful stream of running water, bright and clear as crystal, and crossed by a very rustic, and at the same time, very dilapidated-looking bridge. Nat was in the van at the moment, and I was astonished to see him, when he reached the brook, throw down his load and descend the bank to the water. Arrived there, he began hastily selecting some of the darkest leaves of a plant which I now observed grew very thickly on the margin of, and even in the water.

"What's the row ?" said I.

" Watercresses," replied he. "Stunning!"

" I'm there," cried Tom; whilst I made no answer, but slipped my shoulders out of my load, and commenced an attack upon this favourite pungent water plant. We amused ourselves for some five minutes over them, and then, filling our billy with the choicest stems we could find, once more made tracks.

After crossing the creek, we came in sight of a homestead, small but neat, having evidently been only recently whitewashed. The paddock was now clear of all undergrowth, and, as a goodly cluster of large trees, the remnants of the former occupants of the soil, had been left standing round the house, it had an exceedingly pretty and picturesque appearance, its white sides gleaming out markedly from amongst the bright green of the shrubs around it, and the dark and sombre verdure of the forest monarchs that overshadowed it.

"This," said Tom, "is Tom Collins, and he's the man that will show us the cave."

“The cave ?" asked I. "What cave ?".

" You'll see," he answered, "a rum 'un; such a one as you won't find anywhere else within a day's ride of Sydney, I can tell you."

Here was a surprise indeed. I had never, during the whole of my lengthened sojourn in Sydney, heard of this cave, and I don't believe that fifty persons in the metropolis are to this day cognisant of its existence; thus, with a feeling something near akin to that of a first discoverer, I hastened up to Collins domicile. 

(To be continued.)

MY HOLIDAY. (1861, August 26). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13059581

Sir Thomas Mitchell sketchbook - Careel Bay 1828 (flat area leading north towards; where present day Careel Creek is) - Item c03082_0024_m, courtesy State Library of NSW

......

Having thanked Collins for his kindness and attention, we once more pushed ahead, the road now leading us across a long level piece of country that intervened between the sea and the waters of Creel Bay, until it brought us down to the margin of the latter. Arrived here, we had before us as pretty a marine picture as ever painter sketched, and as directly opposite to the one we had but so recently left as could be well conceived. The flat level land had here narrowed to some sixty rods in width, being backed by a heavily wooded range, the base of which was here and there encumbered by large masses of rock, from which the incumbent soil had been washed, and which now protruded in huge boulders, or lay out bare and detached from their native beds. On the margin of the bay were three little whitewashed slab huts with bark roofs, the passionate squalling of an infant that proceeded from one of them would have given evidence of their being inhabited, even if we had not seen two or three barelegged and barefooted children peering at us round the corner of the house.

Through the narrow belt of low swamp oaks that edged the margin of the bay, the clear smooth waters of Creel glistened in the sun, as the gentle breeze swept over its face and slightly ruffled its surface. On the sands, midway between the shore and the retreating water, for it was nearly low tide, two boys were busied collecting shells, by filling an old basket with the sand, and then agitating it in a water-hole, made for the purpose, until the sand was washed away, and nothing was left but the shells that had been mingled with it. These, when washed clean, were thrown into a boat that lay down helplessly on its side close to them. Out on the waters of the bay, floated a smart little cutter, which, though probably only a shell boat, looked from the clear atmosphere, and perhaps also from the fact that she was the only vessel in view, smart and dapper as a yacht, the red shirt and striped cap of the one man on board, adding still farther to the picturesque appearance of the vessel. Behind her again stretched out the waters of the bay, until they encountered the ranges of the other side, which coming down in many a ridge and gully, and forming many a deep indentation or projecting point, gave a gorgeous variety of tints and lights to a background that under a less brilliant sun or less pure atmosphere would have been sombre and monotonous.

Manly to Broken Bay. (1893, November 11). Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 19. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71191632

We halted here just long enough to admire the scene, and to have a shot at one of a number of blue cranes, that were stalking about most consequentially and at the same time most warily upon the sands. It was only by dint of a good deal of manoeuvring and dodging that Nat was enabled to get even within possible shooting distance of the rearmost of the lot; and after all, when he fired, he didn't kill his bird. He however succeeded in frightening it, and not only it but all its companions, for they one and all took to flight with a wild cry. But if he had in one quarter caused a fright and a cry he had in another caused a fright and quietness for the report of the gun had stilled the squalling in the hut so effectually that it was not resumed, so long at least as we remained within hearing.

The track, a mere bridle path, now led along the flat, then across a dank luxuriant gully, down which a little stream roared and brattled and foamed with as much fuss and bother as would have been sufficient for a volume of water twenty times its quantity; afterwards, up a wet sloppy hill from which the water exuded in every direction, round the point of the range, down a correspondingly wet and sloppy descent on the other side; and then on to another flat the very counterpart of the one we had just quitted. Another luxuriant and overgrown gully, another wet hill teeming with springs, and then we come down, upon a somewhat broader flat, at the extremity of which we see two tents a short distance apart that we at once recognise, from the description we had received of them, as being the Chinamen's place.
(To be continued.)
MY HOLIDAY. (1861, September 2). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13057913

In 1860 the valley we now call 'Avalon Beach' look like this:

f.110 Mount Saint Patrick road to Broken Bay, December 11 1860.: Image No.: a5894118h all three from album: Volume 1: Sketches of N. S. [New South] Wales, 1857-1888 / by H. Grant Lloyd, courtesy Dixson Library, State Library of New South Wales - 'Mount Saint Patrick' was the name for what we now call Bangalley Head - 'Mount Saint Mary', opposite, is where Stapelton park now sits atop this hill/'mount'. Visit John Collins of Avalon and Careel Bay Jetty and Boatshed

Earlier Warringah Shire council's Minutes of Meetings record an insight into a problem that still hadn't been fixed:

30/4/1928: 40.,Garland, Seaborn & Abbott 13/4/28 Suggesting certain drainage improvements at Avalon Beach to prevent damage to A J Small's property. Resolved Crs. Hitchcock, That the Engineer furnish an estimate of the cost, and the work of cutting the drain be put in hand immediately the transfer is finalised. 

62. Garland. Seaborn & Abbott. 29/6/28. Again requesting that the Shire Engineer confer with the green-keeper of Avalon Beach golf links in regard to defective drainage. Referred to the Overseer for attention. 

18. Main Roads Board. 16/7/28. Advising that the length of Barrenjoey Road which is proposed to be proclaimed a main road is that extending from Newport to the end of the last at deviation at Avalon. Resolved: (Crs. Hitchcock, Atkins) - That an application be made to have the whole length of Barrenjoey Road proclaimed a main road. 20. H.E. Fry. 12/7/28. Requesting a garage approach to 57, Avalon Beach Estate. Referred to the Overseer for report. 

23/7/1928: 45. Garland. Seaborn & Abbott. 10/7/28. Suggesting, as a temporary measure to relieve the drainage trouble at Avalon Beach, that a drain be cut from the junction of Barrenjoey Road deviation and Avalon Parade to the 25-ft.easement opposite the tennis courts. Left with the Engineer to deal with

By May 1934 the following ran in the NSW Gazette:

Department of Public Health,
Sydney, 23rd May, 1934.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACT; 1902, SECTION 55.
Unhealthy building land at Avalon, fronting Barrenjoey-road, Old Barrenjoey road, Avalon-parade and Central-road, Shire of Warringah.

THE Board of Health have reported that after due inquiry, they are of opinion that it would be prejudicial to health it certain land situated in the Shire of Warringah, and described in Schedules hereunder, were built upon in its present condition.

The Board of Health hare further reported that in order to render such land fit to be built upon it is necessary that:—

(a) the land be drained by properly constructed stormwater channels of capacity sufficient to carry off all water passing over the area; 

(b) The surface of the land comprised in Schedule 1 be raised with clean soil or sand to conform to the following grades—

1. at Barrenjoey-road and Old Barrenjoey road to the height of the adjacent crown of those roads, rising therefrom on a grade of one in 100;

2. at the drainage easement or lane to a height 3 inches above the natural surface of the land, rising therefrom on a grade of one in 100;

(c) the surface of the land comprised in Schedule 2 be raised with clean soil or sand at the watercourse to a height 3 inches above the natural surface, rising therefrom on a grade of one in 100;

(d) all floors be laid 011 joists, the undersides of which shall be not less than 18 inches above the surface of the land when raised;

(e) the whole of the work be done to the satisfaction of the Board of Health.

Now, therefore, in pursuance of the power and authority vested in me by section 55 (1) of the Public Health Act, 1902, I hereby declare that such land shall not be built upon until the measures above referred to which are also specified in a document deposited in the office of the Local Authority (the Council of the Shire of Warringah) and open to, the inspection of any person, have been complied with, or until this notice has been revoked by me.

R. W. D. WEAVER, Minister for Health.

Schedule No. 1.

Commencing at a point 011 the north-western side of Old Barrenjoey road, being the southernmost corner of lot 10, d.p. 9,151; and bounded thence 011 the south-west by the south-western boundary of Jot 10 north-westerly to lane; thence by that lane north-easterly to Avalon-parade; thence by a line north-easterly to the westernmost corner of lot 13; thenee by lane north-easterly to the northernmost corner of lot 20; thence by part of the north-eastern boundary of lot 20 south-easterly to a point 135 feet along that boundary north-westerly from Barrenjoey-road; thence by a line north-easterly to a point on the south-western boundary of lot 22, being 70 feet along that boundary from Barrenjoey-road thence by that boundary south-easterly to Barrenjoey Road; thence by lines bearing consecutively 37 degrees 185 feet, 47 degrees 310 feet, 122 degrees 125 feet, 189 degrees 250 feet, 196 degrees 0*50 feet; thence by a line southwesterly to the easternmost corner of lot*8, d.p. 13,975; thence by the south-eastern and south-western boundaries of lot 8 to the westernmost corner of lot 8; thence by a line south-westerly to the southernmost corner of lot 13, d.p. 12,047; thence by lane south-westerly to the*southernmost corner of lot "21; thence by the south-western boundary of lot 21 north-westerly' to Old Barrenjoey road; thence by Old Barren joey road north-easterly to the westernmost corner of lot 13; thence by a line northwesterly, to the point of commencement.

Schedule No. 2.

Commencing at a point on the north-eastern side of Avalon-parade, being the westernmost corner of lot 33, d.p. 9,151; and bounded thence on the soutli-west by Avalon-parade north-westerly to the westernmost corner of lot 52; thence by the north-western boundary of lot 52 north-easterly 80 feet; thence by a line parallel to Avalon-parade north-westerly to the south-eastern boundary of lot 60; thence by a line north-westerly to the north-western boundary of lot 66, beings point 190 feet north-easterly along that boundary from Avalon-parade; thence by that boundary north-easterly 430 feet; thence by a line south-easterly to the south-eastern boundary of lot 37, being a point 30 feet north-easterly from the southernmost corner of lot 37; thence by a line parallel to the south-western boundary of lot 36 south-easterly to the south-eastern boundary of lot 34; thence by a line south-easterly to the southernmost corner of lot 33; thence by a line bearing 116 degrees 160 feet; and by a line north-easterly to the northernmost corner of lot 20; thence by lane south-westerly, to the point of commencement. PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, 1902, SECTION 55. (1934, May 25). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 2030. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223060059

This state of flooding still persists today, even with the creeks that thread through the valley placed in pipes, and Careel Creek in the most noticeable open drain that still runs alongside the Reserve, that will still overflow into the green areas alongside it, and even onto the homes built backing on to the same. 

When the reserve was used for camping people living there permanently during the 1930's, due to the economic depression, and after World War Two, due to a lack of materials to build new homes with. Permanent residents recalled their possessions and even the people being washed right along Careel creek; some even stating they were washed out into Careel Bay. 

A few examples:

THEY SUFFERED DISCOMFORT FROM THE RAIN: Mr. Syd Forrester, of Leichhardt, digging a trench during heavy rain in an effort to prevent the flooding of his tent at the Avalon camping ground yesterday. 

The occupants of six of the 90 tents on the reserve left for home. THEY SUFFERED DISCOMFORT FROM THE RAIN. (1948, January 15). The Sydney Morning Herald, p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18057497

Freak Storm Hits Avalon: Drives Out Tent Dwellers

A freak hailstorm yesterday flooded many parts of Avalon, doing hundreds of pounds' worth of damage. Scores of people living in the camping area at Avalon were forced to leave their bornes. Tents were torn to-shreds and the roofs of caravans severely damaged. Several tents and the furniture inside them were washed out to sea by floodwaters. Most of the families living in the camping area were given shelter for the night in the Avalon surf shed.

Mrs. Joyce Andries, of the Avalon Fire Station, said last night that immediately residents realised the floodwaters were rising, volunteers raced to the camping area to help to evacuate the children. The children were carried to safety through the racing water. Most of them were taken to the Avalon surf sheds, and the remainder were taken to the homes of relatives and friends.

Among the worst sufferers in the camping area were Mr. and Mrs. V. Harrington, who estimated their losses at about £.250. Their tent was not washed away, but damage to the roofing, sides and floor coverings was "enormous," said Mr. Harrington. The roof of Harrington’s tent was torn to shreds by the hailstones while water roared over the floor, destroying floor coverings and food supplies. Mr. Harrington had to use a suction pump to clear the water from the tent. He said he had only just cleaned up and repaired the damage done by last Saturday morning's floods. The storm began shortly after 2 p.m. and lasted for nearly three and a half hours.

Hailstones, measuring almost two and a half inches across, rained on the shopping and camping centres. Stormwater, in places three feet deep, raced through the shopping centre, flooding shops and homes. Hundreds of pounds' worth of stock in the shops was destroyed. Road traffic from Palm Beach and Sydney was dislocated. Vehicles were unable to pass Avalon.

The tent on the left, owned by Mr D. Needham, was completely capsized by the rushing waters. 

One of the shops which suffered most damage was Le Clercq's general merchandise store in Avalon Parade. Mr. Le Clercq, the owner, bored holes in the floorboards in an attempt to drain away the two feet of water which was damaging his goods. 

He said he had only just cleaned up the debris from a flood which occurred on Friday. He had suffered more than £250 worth of damage in that flood. 

The rush of water through Avalon Parade was so great at one stage that several cars were almost submerged. The swirling flood carried one car almost 200 yards before dumping it on the pavement. 

Freak Storm Hits Avalon: Drives Out Tent Dwellers. (1953, May 7). The Sydney Morning Herald, p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18372783

Careel Creek alongside Avalon Beach Reserve in March 8, 2022:

At the same time the Council's was fixed on:

At the first Meeting for May, 1934 - 7/5/1934: 5. Re conference with Mr. A.J. Small, respecting proposed acquisition of his land adjacent to the beach reserve, Avalon Beach, and his request for improvements to Avalon Parade: Avalon Resolved, - That the question of improvements to Avalon Parade be deferred until the matter of the main road deviation proposal is finalised. Resolved, - That it be left to the President and Shire Clerk to negotiate with Mr. Small on the matters on the lines recommended by the Works Committee, and as to whether he will give a certain portion of his land on the eastern side of the proposed road. 5. Re Water supply for  Avalon Beach surf buildings: Resolved That the Inspector go further into the matter, and make tests to ascertain where he can get the flow of water. (Crs. Hitchcock, Sterland).

At the Meeting held on 21/5/1934: 40.  Avalon Beach Progress Assoc., 10/5/34, inquiring what further action has been taken towards acquiring land adjacent Reserve to Avalon Beach Reserve, and with what results, if any. Extension Resolved, - They be informed the Council has done nothing further on account of the negotiations between the Main Roads Department and Mr. Small respecting deviation of the road through Mr. Small's property. (Crs. Hitchcock, Hughes) Proposal for extension of Avalon Beach Reserve: Resolved. That a copy of the report on the interview which the President and the Shire Clerk had with Mr. A.J.Small regarding this matter be sent to the Avalon Progress Association. (Crs. Hitchcock, Sterland)  67— Postmaster General’s;15/5/34, inquiring whether Public Council has any objections to the erection of an improved telephone cabinet at Mr. S. Wickham's Store & Post Office, Avalon Beach, in position showing a accompanying sketch. Resolved, - That the Council offer no objection. Mr A J Small 4/5/34, drawing attention to the fact that some one has enclosed, within a fence a lane batmen Lots 21 Closing of and 22, Clareville Ocean Beach Estate, Avalon Beach, thereby Lane preventing public access, requesting Council to take immediate steps to have the obstructions removed and the thoroughfare re-opened. Absolved, - That consideration be deferred until next meeting. - (deferred for a further three meetings in fact).

6.  Avalon Beach Progress Committee., 29/5/34, drawing attention to the state of Central Road, Park Road and Careel Head Road. suggesting the Works Committee permit a member of the Association to point out parts complained of; (b) requesting that a street light be placed at the junction of Park Road on Kevin Avenue. Referred to the Engineer for report. 57.  29/5/34, re proposed addition to Avalon Beach Reserve, opposing any proposal for resumption unless the who Reserve of the "island block" be included, contending that the Council should meet the wishes of the signatories to the earlier extension petition, and requesting that the Valuer General be asked to give a valuation of the "island block". Resolved - That the Engineer prepare a plan of the "island block" and the 80-ft. strip adjoining for submission to the Valuer-General for valuation. (Ore. Hitchcock, Hughes)

Meeting held on 5/11/1934: 25. A. J. Small 26/10/34, stating he is repeatedly receiving requests for permission to camp on his property at Avalon Beach, suggesting the Council make a flat charge of, say, up to £5 per annum, for camping on Lot 26 and Lots 3 and 4, Avalon Beach, he being prepared to erect sanitary accommodation to any reasonable extent, and have the camping area properly run and supervised; that N.R.M.A. officials have inspected the camping area, and are prepared to support the proposal; inquiring whether if such camp be established, the Council would prevent the indiscriminate camping on adjacent public roads and reserves, and by trespassers on private property. Resolved, - That the proposal be approved on the condition suggested by the Inspector, viz - that three earth closets be provided for men, and three for ladies, and Mr. Small arrange direct with the sanitary Contractor for adequate sanitary services, and pay him direct for same; that a notice be erected in a suitable position prohibiting camping on the roads and reserves. (Crs. Hitchcock, Hughes)

Meeting held on 19/11/1934: Avalon Surf Building:  2. Re water supply-to Avalon Beach  Reserve: Resolved, - That authority be given for the purchase of a 1,000-gallon tank and for the removal of the existing tank to Building the Council's depot, to be later used on Bilgola Reserve. (Crs. Hughes, Hitchcock) offer of Mr. A.J.Small to allow Council to obtain water from a well on his land adjoining Avalon Beach Reserve: Resolved, - That the matter be left in the hands of the "A" Riding Councillors.

Monday 17th of December, 1934

4. Bilgola Beach Lavatories: The report was adopted, and it was resolved that no camping be allowed on the reserve after Reserve 31st,January. (Crs. Hewitt, Campbell) 5. Avalon Beach Water Supply: Resolved, That the report be adopted, and the draft Agreement with Mr. A. J. Small be accepted. (Crs. Hughes, Sheppard) Water 6. Extension of Water Supply and Sewerage: Recommendation Supply that the water extension be carried to Avalon and Palm Beach, was adopted, (Crs. Austin, Sheppard) 

Meeting held on 22/1/1935: 5. Submitting License re obtaining water from Mr. A.J.Small for public use on  Avalon Beach  Reserve: Resolved - That the Seal of the Council be affixed to the Licence. 24. A.S.Small, 9/1/35, pointing out that although the Council towards the end of last year resolved that no camping be permitted on the reserve and adjoining roads at Avalon  Beach, there are six or seven camps there now, and the Council has accepted fees from the occupants; also pointing out that three Banksia trees on the reserve have been cut down. Already dealt with in Inspector's report.11. Re: complaint by Mr A. J. Small of camping on roads and Camping reserves at Avalon Beach: Referred to A. Riding Councillors for consideration.

Meeting held on 5/2/1935: 34. G. K. Dunbar, 25/1/35, re: lack of public parklands adjacent to Avalon Beach, and the fencing off of private land adjoining the Beach reserve, and contending the latter land should be resumed by the Council before the owner puts more improvements on it. Received.  A.E. Felton, 28/1/35, contending that camping on the Bilgola reserve at Bilgola Beach should not be prohibited, agreeing that the area becomes congested, suggesting there be on one line of tents permitted, with a 3-ft. space between them:  Resolved, - That the Council's previous decision to prohibit camping on the reserve be agreed, and the Inspector see that it is carried out. (Crs. Hewitt, Hughes)

Meeting held on 19/2/1935: Cr. Hyghan moved as an amendment that the council purchase an 80-ft. strip for access to the beach Avalon Beach reserve from the proposed main road through Mr. Small's land for the sum of £600, the full amount to be set off against Mr. Small's rates indebtedness, provided the proposed main road is established by the Main Roads Department without cost to the Council. Cr. Hewitt seconded. The amendment was defeated. The original motion was thereupon put and carried. Clareville Wharf: Cost of demolition of Clareville Wharf: Resolved, the expenditure of £99 on the demolition be confirmed, (Crs. Hughes, Sheppard)

Meeting held on 5/3/1935: Avalon Surf Building: E. Lloyd Sanders M.L.A., 18/2/35, on necessity of cubicles in the surf building at Avalon Beach, suggesting these could be provided without cost to the Council, and the users be granted a Permissive Occupancy. Resolved, - That the proposal be approved, it being understood there will be no expense to the Council. (Crs. Hewitt,' Hughes) National Roads & Motorists Assoc., 21/2/35, pointing but that persons camping on the public reserve at Avalon Beach pass through the section of Mr. Small’s ground used by N.R.M.A. members, requesting the Council to give its attention to this matter before the Easter holidays. Resolved, -That the matter be left to A. Riding Councillors. 63. A.J.Small, 2712/35, re camping on Avalon Beach Reserve, taking exception to a recent report by the Inspector on the matter, explaining the position, and requesting a definite statement of the Council's intention in regard to allowing camping on the beach reserve. Cr. Hughes moved, Cr. Hewitt seconding, that the Inspector should not have made the remarks concerning Mr. Small which he made in recent report to the Council. Cr. Campbell moved an amendment, Cr. Bello seconding, that consideration of the letter be deferred until the Inspector returns from holidays. The amendment was carried. Fred Holmes, 26/2/35, re proposed resumptions at Avalon Beach, inquiring whether it is intended to levy a local rate, and whether in such case, the local ratepayers of Avalon Beach may demand a poll. 70a. Avalon Beach Progress Association. Resumption 27/2/35, thanking Council for its decision to effect this resumption. 70b. G. K. Dunbar, 28/2/35, contending that the whole of Mr. Small's land between the beach reserve and Barrenjoey Road should be resumed. Resolved, - That these letters be considered by the Finance Committee. (Crs. Hewitt, Hughes)

A letter from A.J.Small, dated 15/4/35, to the Council stated his intention to enclose with a fence his land adjoining Avalon Beach  Reserve, requesting Council's approval to the type of fence proposed, and to pay its proportion of the cost when completed. The Council Resolved,- That the matter be left to "A" Riding Councillors to confer upon, and to report in a month's time. (Crs. Hughes, Nicholas)

Aerial picture shows the open pavilions of the Clubhouse - circa 1935. Photo courtesy ABHS

29. ' Local Government Dept., 9/9/37, re: resumption of land for extension of Avalon beach Reserve, inviting expression of opinion regarding an objection which the Department received from A. J. Small to the effect that adjoining properties and tenancies--will be injuriously affected if road access is not provided for under the resumption and extension and that an excessive amount of land is being taken. Resolved, - That the matter be deferred, pending a reply from the Department. re the Shire Clerk's letter.'

A fair few years after that extension Avalon Beach Reserve was formalised:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1919, AS AMENDED.

PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912, AS AMENDED.

Warringah Shire Council: Acquisition of Land for the Purposes of Public Recreation.

APPLICATION by the Council of the Shire of Warringah having been made that the land described in the Schedule hereto be appropriated and resumed for the purposes of public recreation, it is hereby notified and declared by His Excellency the Governor, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, and by the Minister for Public Works, that so much of the land described in the said Schedule hereto as is Crown land is hereby appropriated, and so much of the said land as is private property is hereby resumed, under Division 1 of Part V of the Public Works Act, 1912, as amended, for the purposes aforesaid; and the Minister for Public Works hereby further notifies that the land described in the said Schedule is vested in the Council of the Shire of Warringah. 

Dated at Sydney, this thirtieth day of March, 1938.

WAKEHURST, Governor. E. S. SPOONER, Minister for Public Works.

Schedule.

All that piece or parcel of land situate in the Shire of Warringah, parish of Narrabeen, county of Cumberland and State of New South Wales, being part of lot 26 of the South Subdivision of Pittwater Estate, and being also 'part of portion 20 (of parish) : Commencing on the south-eastern side of Central-road at the northernmost corner of the land comprised in Real Property Application No. 17,128; and bounded thence on the south-east by the south-eastern boundary of that land bearing 189 degrees 28 minutes 30 seconds 1,615 feet 8 1/2 inches; on the south-west by the north-eastern side of Avalon-parade bearing 286 degrees 218 feet 11 3/4 inches; on the north-west by the south-eastern boundary of the land comprised in Certificate of Title, registered volume 4,605, folio 143, and its prolongation north-easterly, bearing 36 degrees 240 feet; again on the south-west by a line bearing 286 degrees 261 feet 10 1/2 inches to the south-eastern side of Barrenjoey-road; and again on the north-west by that side of that road and the aforesaid south-eastern side of Central-road bearing 16 degrees 946 feet 8 inches and 51 degrees 23 minutes .513 feet 5 1/2 inches respectively, to the point of commencement, but excluding thereout the land comprised in Certificate of Title, registered volume 4,197, folio 83,—having an area of 10 acres 3 roods 6 3/4 perches or thereabouts, and said to be in the possession of Arthur Jabez Small. (Sh. 38-1,114) * (1375) LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1919, AS AMENDED. PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912, AS AMENDED. (1938, April 8). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 1442. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225071613

Certificate of Title, registered volume 4,197, folio 83 shows this was, once again, a 10+ years work, which then had to be paid for - which became a case of 'off to court we go':

December 20th, 1938: 20- Re-erection of Mona Vale band-stand as a kiosk at Mona Vale Beach: Resolved (Crs. Nicholas, Latham) - That the Mona Vale kiosk be charged for at the same rate as the kiosk at Deewhy Beach Reserve, 16. Avalon Beach Parking & Camping: Consideration of the appointment of a collector was deferred for consideration with the Inspector's report in regard to this matter.

24th of January 1939 Meeting:

Avalon Beach Resumption 56. Department of Works & Local Government, 17/1/39, re resumption of land at Avalon Beach for public recreation purposes, and stating that a claim for a total of £18569.14.9 has been received from A. J. Small, and a claim for £81 from Mr. W. Richards. 'Received'.

On 9/10/1945:

Avalon District Ratepayers' Assoc., 21/9/45, drawing attention to the entire absence of seating accommodation on Avalon Beach Reserve, and suggesting that concrete seats with Seats wooden slats, similar to the seat in front of the Shire Hall, be on provided. Resolved, - That twelve seats be provided for the Roads&c reserve at Avalon at the Engineer's estimate of 35/- per seat, and the necessary money, £21, be voted. (Crs. Green, Forster)

28/5/1946:

(7) Avalon Beach Reserve, - Resolved, (Crs. Forster, Dunbar) That £200 as estimated be voted for the provision of a Children's  playground, the situation of a site to be left in the hands of the A Riding Councillors and the Shire Engineer, and the cost to be charged against the Reserves Fund. (8) Resolved, This matter be taken In Committee. 

The Avalon Beach camping grounds were finally closed due to complaints from residents - Warringah Shire Council Minutes of Meetings record:

16/2/1953 Meeting: 

Avalon Beach and District Progress Association, 23/1/1953, Re: Avalon Camping Area - Referring to previous correspondence dating back many years wherein the Association has requested the removal of the Avalon Camping Area stating that the following robberies breaking and entering occurred around the fringe of such area during the recent Christmas-New Year holidays: Le Clerc’s Store - £30 reported stolen. Walroys' Beach Kiosk - £5 goods stolen. Grantleys, Bellevue Avenue - £17 goods stolen., Franklands Barrenjoey Road - Telephone money stolen. The Chalet, George Street - Thieves disturbed. Gonsalves Kiosk - £25 stolen. McDonald's Store -Thieves disturbed, Adding that the ratepayers of Avalon are incensed that this blot on the community should be allowed to exist, despite the Association's repeated representations to have this public reserve closed to campers. Further stating that drinking parties on the area are frequent, sanitary-arrangements are a menace to public health, and unless the camp is closed or removed this year-‘’they’’ will be-unable to support the present Councillors in the future.

Moved by Cr. Beach, seconded: Cr. Quinlan-that-this letter be received and no action ordered thereon. 

An amendment was moved by Cr..Mckay seconded by Cr. Berry; that the Avalon Camping Area be abolished from the cessation of "this season’’, or the 30 June next, whichever first occurs and that camping sites be provided at Hitchcock Park with necessary facilities. Such sites to be occupied by campers for a Period not exceeding one(1).month.. 48: The amendment was LOST then the motion-was then put and carried.

A few weeks later:

Avalon Camp To Be Closed; 

The Warringah Shire Council decided on Monday night to close the Avalon camping area in three months' time. The shire president, Councillor J. L. Fisher, said the council considered the camp an eyesore and not in the best interests of the district.  Forty-three families are living at the camp. Hundreds of people camp on the area during holidays. Councillor Fisher said accommodation would be found for Avalon campers who wished to transfer their camps to other camping areas in the shire. Avalon Camp To Be Closed. (1953, May 27). The Sydney Morning Herald, p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18372351

At the 6/9/1953 Meeting:

Union of Australian Women, Collaroy Plateau Group, 22/6/53, stating that the decision of the Council to clear the Avalon camping area of permanent campers by 31st August will make it extremely difficult for these people to find alternative accommodation and requesting that the Council grant then an Camping extension until 1st January, 1954. 15. Resolved, - That they be informed the Council regrets it cannot comply with this request, and that arrangements have peen made for alternative accommodation at the Lake Park camping area. (Crs. McKay, Berry) 

Avalon Beach Village and Beach Reserve - western view, 1952, from Surfview/Avalon Parade aspect

A lease to mine sand from Avalon Beach was granted by the Warringah Shire Council in 1952 which saw masses of sand carted away for profit and problems that occurred as a result. 

The papers of then would indicate everyone was invited to cart away Avalon's sand dunes:

AVALON SAND PITS PTY. LTD.

Builders up the North Shore line and in the Warringah and Manly areas will be interested to know that a new sand pit has been opened at Avalon. Lorries may be sent there with an assurance that sand will be available. Mechanical loading apparatus will help to speed up the process of loading. The Avalon Sand Pits Pty. Ltd. will be a welcome acquisition to the district. AVALON SAND PITS PTY. LTD. (1952, January 16). Construction (Sydney, NSW : 1938 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved  from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223546980 

For most of the 1950's and even into the late 1960s, commercial interests had been removing tons of sand from the northern dune, which included a huge spur buttressing this dune. Repeated requests from the Avalon Preservation Trust for a court injunction from Warringah Shire Council to stop this destructive activity were constantly ignored. 

The corner of Tasman Road and Marine Parade Avalon during the sanding mining. Photo: John Stone

 ‘The Avalon News’ article on same - photo by John Stone - six cars were parked along the front of where the photographer has stood to take this photo - this stopped access to the site by the sand miners.

1968 - Avalon beach showing both 1st and 2nd clubhouses. Photo: Gary Clist

photo taken from Surfside Avenue looking northwest. Photo: Gary Clist

Today this work is carried forward and maintained by the volunteers in the Avalon Dunes Bushcare group. In 1989 volunteer works commenced under the Friends of Avalon Dunes Dune-Care Group to remove Bitou - this now covered 80% of the dunes.

In a 2013 interview with Marita Macrae, who had just received the Ruth Readford Award for Lifetime Achievement, Marita shared an insight into the beginnings of this group.

The restoration and maintenance of the Avalon sand dunes has been a long term and quite big project – how did that start?

It had various beginnings. I was always interested in gardening and when I had the opportunity to do Horticulture in the late 1980s, part of this was a Bush Regeneration course. While doing this I learnt about Bitou bush. Also, Warringah Council as it was at this time, around 1989, started on the dunes as they were about 80% Bitou. 

The dunes are divided into paddocks, and you can see tracks between these. Warringah Council started in the one nearest to the surf club. They had a grant and got a tractor in there and pulled out lots and lots of Bitou. They then planted some natives – Coastal teatree, some Beach Spinifex and Coastal Banksias and that was it. The idea of those plants was to stabilise the sand after they’d pulled out the Bitou. 

Unfortunately Bitou is a terrible seeder, producing thousands and thousands of seedlings. In 1989 I used to watch what was happening. I had a young Labrador, Toby, which I used to take for walks behind dunes and watch the Bitou bush seedlings there.  The area to the north was still mostly Bitou. You can’t just start a job like that and walk away from it or the project would be a waste of money.

At the beginning of 1990 there two people, myself and a man who left Avalon a couple of years later, approached the Council and suggested we form a volunteer group to maintain what had been started and to continue it. That’s how it really began. 

What was the name of this volunteer group?

We called it Friends of Avalon Dunes Dune-Care Group, which was a bit of a mouthful. But in those days, the early 1990’s, it was part of a lot of work to control Bitou right along the NSW coastline, mainly on dunes, and also in the forests behind dunes. There were lots and lots of groups working at this – mainly north up the coast but also as far down as Tathra on the south coast There were lots of very good volunteer groups working along the coast and we just became one of those.

Ruth Readford I met when we got started in the early 1990s soon after we’d got started. I hadn’t known her before but she lived at this time at Ballina. She was a very good leader and organiser. She initiated telephone link ups and Dune Care conferences. We would meet in small groups and talk about our projects. She has written a book about community dune care at Ballina.

The restoration works which began in 1990 have an ongoing maintenance though – you have just reformed the group?

We were working on the Avalon dunes for about 20 years and during that time we’d had quite a few different grants. The Catchment Management Authority grant in the early 1990’s, a State Government grant, NSW Environment Trust grant and several Coastcare grants. I cannot take credit for receiving those grants.  I helped write them but I had a great deal of help from Pittwater Council staff, particularly Paul Hardie.  He always worked as a volunteer as well, right from the very start, despite having a young family. Eventually the Council, after our grants projects were completed,  took on maintenance and engaged bushcare contractors to work on the dunes. 

We thought everything was going well – the fact is that Bitou is a very obvious weed and people like to do big obvious weeds; they’re satisfying to do because you can see what you’ve done when the work is done. 

There are a lot of other weeds there though that benefited from the disappearance of the Bitou, Morning Glory in particular.

About a year ago I noticed that the dunes were still looking pretty weedy so I suggested about September 2012 we reform the group. We’ve been working one morning a month ever since.

Avalon Dunes - weeding with a view in 2013 - Weeding Spinifex grass - not much else grows in this windy salty place.

When and where does this group meet?

On the first Sunday of each month at 8.30am. We’re only working on a small section at this stage and have been meeting at the back of the dunes near the little bridge over Careel creek. Out major weed that we’ve been tackling is Morning Glory, which we’ve been doing for years. It’s a very time consuming insidious weed.

Although the Council still has contractors working here, I think this one is best tackled by volunteers who don’t mind doing the fiddly work that you need to do to try and control it. This is not so easy for contractors that need to be able to show where they’ve been working to their employers. If they have a team of six people working a whole day on Morning Glory, you will not be able to see much difference. I think this is a weed better tackled by us volunteers. Many are happy to do this, others would rather find Asparagus Fern, Turkey Rhubarb or Bitou and tackle that.

In the mid 1950's more of the Avalon Beach Reserve land was excised as the Barrenjoey Road was further widened at the Avalon Beach village shops sites - Warringah Shire Council records state:

21. Dr. J.V. Sanders 21/3/56 regarding the proposed new main road at Avalon Beach, pointing out that the Avalon Progress Association represents only a very small proportion of the local residents, and on behalf of some of the others, expressing their views; stating that at a meeting held at Avalon some time ago the great majority of those present voted the proposed closing of this portion of the road and the continuation of New Barrenjoey Road from the garage through the Reserve as a very suitable scheme and one which would leave the shopping area and bus stops where children meet for school, free of the main portion of through traffic; adding that there is still a large proportion of people who do not wish the idea to he changed. On the motion of Cr. McKay, seconded by Cr. Hewitt, that Dr. Sanders' view-point be forwarded along to the Minister, in conjunction with the objections which had been received, and that he be thanked for his interest In the matter. 

Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach circa 1945-1955 - showing old service station as it was then on corner

It's worth noting that the northernmost section of Old Barrenjoey Road was closed off at one stage to provide a thoroughfare from Dunbar park through to the Avalon Beach Reserve:

Members of the Avalon Beach Beautification Scheme, (letter dated 21.11.61) were advising Council the Committee ''views with alarm the decision forced upon the Council by a Court decision to open Old Barrenjoey Road at the north section of Old & New Barrenjoey Roads opposite the Fire Station, as the planning of the layout of amenities and beautification of this area was on both beauty and safety for adults and Children and it is felt that the opening of this-road has produced a safety hazard, as this area contains a Village Green, Scouts, Hall, Girl Guides, Kiddies Playground and proposed Baby Health Centre and public tenets. They added the Committee trusts that every effort will be made by Council to have this decision rescinded.''

Sydney, 15th December, 1961.
APPLICATION FOR THE CLOSING AND PURCHASE OF ROAD

NOTICE is hereby given that application has been made under the Public Roads Act, 1902, for the closing and purchase of the road described hereunder, and that it is intended to close same, unless valid objections are found to exist. Any person desiring to lodge objections should forward them in writing addressed to the Minister for Lands within one month from the date of this notice.

K. C. COMPTON, Minister for Lands.

Description

Land District—Metropolitan; Shire—Warringah

Warringah Shire Council, about 1 rood 36 perches. Public road (part Old Barrenjoey road, Avalon) extending between the south-easterly prolongation of the north-eastern boundary of lot 19, deposited plan 9,151 and the north-westerly prolongation of the south-western boundary of lot 8 in plan on dealing D. 111,647 at Registrar-General's Department, parish Narrabeen, county Cumberland. R. 60-1,273. APPLICATION FOR THE CLOSING AND PURCHASE OF ROAD (1961, December 15). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 3991. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220287747

1970 Gary Clist photo: Milk Bar Craig F; That “shed” on the hill was also known by locals as Barney’s hut

Avalon Beach reserve, high school girls 1970, Morris Minor in the middle of two VWs. Photo: Gary Clist 

Surf Boat Carnival at Avalon Beach circa 1969-1971. Photo courtesy State Library of NSW

1970 view from Dunbar Park across to the Avalon Beach Reserve:

1971: views from Plateau road. Photos: Gary Clist

Community use of the Avalon Beach Reserve is always changing of course. 

Pittwater Council ensured the 'yellow brick road' became part of the Bicentennial Walk in 1988, installed a Skate Park for youngsters and hosted skate comps for Youth week, which opened in September 1998 (Pittwater Council's 'Pittwater Report', August 1998 courtesy Dave Murray);

A brand new clubhouse for Avalon Beach SLSC's Members and for the community to use as a hub, was officially opened on Sunday August 31st 2014;

Richard Cole, Architect for the building, shared a few insights into its structure at the opening:

The shape of the roof reflects the abstract form of the sand dunes, and the plane of the ceiling and eave echoes the plane of the ocean and broad horizontal of the horizon. We have created a robust building that will stand the test of time. The building is naturally ventilated, highly insulated, uses minimal energy and collects its own rainwater and solar power. Unlike some other clubs, we have created a facility that is welcoming and open to the general public. I hope the building will become a much used and loved facility by the community. I am confident that with its spectacular views, a table in the restaurant or a seat in the café will become much sought after.

this building has a host of environmental factors that add to its charm. There is a 10,000L rainwater tank that has been installed – which will be used to wash down the surf life saving equipment. A 5kW Solar PV System has been installed that will produce over 7,000kWh of free green power each year. 

Elements of the old were incorporated into the new building and have been painted a slightly different colour to identify the original structure. An example is in the Nippers canteen – the sill has been made from recycled oregon timber from the old building’s roof beams.

It is built to an all abilities design with the building incorporating ramps, a lift as well as tactile ground surface indicators and braille signs.

And shared further details in 2015 when opening the combined Pittwater Artists Trail Winter Exhibition in the building:

Robert and Chris Hopton started the ball rolling and approached Pittwater Council with the idea of a new building, and I was fortuitous enough to be on Robert's surf patrol. The rebuilding of the surf club was initiated in 2006 and will be completed in a couple of weeks with the fitout of the restaurant. It has been a long and difficult road from there to here, with funding challenges, planning hurdles, political intervention, arson attacks, AVO's, incompetent builders, litigation, critiques by media personalities and a surf club to keep operating in the meantime. I can assure you I am looking forward to that first meal and glass of wine in the restaurant.

The design of the surf club was necessarily pragmatic. We had to work to the existing footprint and we had to store a lot of equipment. The structural setout followed the lateral walls of the old club. Money was very tight and we had to create a very robust building that would withstand both coastal processes and enthusiastic clubbies. The choice of materials was limited, but that can work for you. I think the themes that are evident in the works around us today were also important to the design of this building:

The first is the Response to Landscape

• We took the approach of trying to enhance and complement the landscape. Limited means necessitated a big poetic gesture creating a strong sense of place. The roof with its low pitched leading edge to the east and steeper pitch to the west echoes the dune that runs right along the beach. The big horizontal plane of the ceiling and eave reflects the plane of the ocean extending out towards the horizon. People often say that buildings should blend in with their environment. I don't necessarily agree.

Some of the best buildings throughout history and in a contemporary context make no attempt to disguise themselves or disappear into the natural setting. That doesn't mean they should stand out like a sore thumb. I think buildings should complement the landscape. An architect needs to analyse, understand and draw inspiration from the landscape, and produce a building that responds in an appropriate way.

• Achieving beauty and clarity is difficult but important. Like all the other artworks here, architects aspire to beauty in their works. The more buildings I design the more important are things like proportion, scale, composition, texture, line and materiality. With every building I try to use a limited palette of materials in order to establish a particular character. Like different people and places, every building has a different character, and it was important to create a character that suited this place and the people who used it.

The second theme is The Surf Club Culture

• Buildings don't exist in a vacuum, they are necessarily useful and exist within a cultural context. I love the culture of Pittwater and Avalon and the Surf Club in particular.

The fact that everyone here is a volunteer, and the person next to you could be a brickie or a CEO. It is a culture of striving for the best, yet no one is allowed to be a tall poppy. It's about learning new skills, keeping active, teaching kids, saving lives and having a beer together at the end of the day. What could be more Australian than that.

The building had to reflect these values and as I have mentioned, introduce a new public accessibility. So we introduced a new circulation through the building from the entrance to the beach, and used this space to both connect and separate the two main function spaces. This enabled us the flexibility to hold one huge function or two concurrent large functions.

The restaurant was also an important part of the project. Not only did it enable the capital funding of the building, it will provide important recurrent funding both to the club and the Council for the continued maintenance and upgrading of the Avalon Beach Reserve. Most importantly it will bring the general public up to this level, and through the club, so that any separation is broken down. In this way we hope this will truly be a public building.

The third theme is the Response to the environment. We kept all environmental systems low tech.

The fourth theme was Craftsmanship

Unfortunately the builders we had were the worst in the world, so the quest for craftsmanship was a frustrating one, but we did find some tradies, such as the carpenters and steel fabricators who did embrace the project. It was a battle, but it is rare that when you are striving to achieve something worthwhile that you do not have to fight for it.

Work was halted on a  new stairs build in 2017 due to concerns sacred ochre, important to local indigenous custodians, was being disturbed.

The new surf clubhouse building is an ever-evolving dynamic response to what becomes available and making the best use of that - Avalon Beach SLSC Members continue to fundraise and apply for grants to make the building 100% carbon free by the installation of more solar panels, and to make it a heart of the community - a hub for all to be a part of.

Further to this, in 2015 Avalon Beach SLSC commenced hosting 'Carols by the Sea' a free community event which actually costs them many thousands to run, and only continues due to the generous sponsorship of local businesses and a small grant from council. Thousands of people attend this event annually, affirming Avalon Beach SLSC's ethos of 'everyone is welcome because everyone belongs' put into practice. A few photos from that first Carols by the Sea Christmas event in the Avalon Beach Reserve:

Avalon Beach SLSC's new clubhouse will have its 10th birthday this coming Winter and has, from the outset, and even today, become a year round facility for Members and for the community - an example of what happens there is available in: Avalon Beach SLSC Clubhouse's Is A Community Hub: 24 Hour Row 2023 Success - Festival Of Froth - New IRB, A Film, Music, Sustainability, Bangalley Bar Over Just One Weekend 

With the forced amalgamation of the Pittwater, Manly and Warringah councils only the presence of key people such as Sue Heins, formerly a Warringah Councillor, seemed attuned to the preference for looking after the environment of Pittwater in Pittwater people and not placing structures in sensitive environments for the sake of trying to make Pittwater look like Warringah; - treeless, check by jowl overly tall buildings blocking out the ocean and sky from porthole to gunwale, deeming every objection to trashing the joint as 'received' and to be ignored.

Ms Heins stepped in and stopped works, along with the staff of the Council, in response to residents concerns over the disturbing of Sacred Ochre at South Avalon as part of the installation of the coastal walkways and cycleways that are meant to be stretching from Manly to Palm Beach, but have currently run out of money for sections - such as that for Whale Beach:

Neil Evers, Aboriginal Support Group Manly Warringah Pittwater at South Avalon Beach on Wednesday October 25th, 2017

the newly dug in stairs and sandstone blocks placed in the reserve in 2022 and 2023:

In November 2019 'Trudie’s Whale Sculpture' was placed at South Avalon Beach this week, next to the path on the way to the pool. 

Later in 2019 a Plaque was Unveiled To Mark Phenomenal Surfing Revolution Commencement: Early Pittwater Surfers: Avalon Beach I -  1956 The Carnival That Introduced The Malibu Surfboard And Being Able To Surf Across A Wave Face + honouring the IRB - this too cam out of Avalon Beach SLSC's Members ideas:

In 2020 the northern beaches Council commenced using a section for a hard courts area. The Pittwater Online report from then:

Basketball half-court at Avalon Skate park is almost done and sandstone blocks have been placed along the 'yellow brick road' at the back of Avalon Beach dunes.

Visit: July 2020 Storm Swell  

Beach before Avalon Beach SLSC clubhouse after July 2020 storm:

Pittwater Online's follow up report:

September 20 - 26, 2020: Issue 467

 

Avalon Beach Hardcourts Already A Winner With Good Sports

The new hardcourts just completed at Avalon Beach Reserve this week were getting a good workout on Saturday afternoon.

The two specially coated courts are marked for netball, basketball and pickleball and are sure to be busy year-round with club games and training, school groups and recreational users.

Avalon Beach Reserve is now a hub for sports with the hard courts complementing the new grass netball court, half basketball court and the existing skate park that are right next door.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work on the netball courts was delayed. However in late May 2020 the work finally commenced with the contractors working even on Saturdays on the build.

Night matches and training will be possible within weeks once lighting is installed and more seating, a sheltered picnic table. Better connection via a bridge closer to the skate park and Avalon Beach SLSC are part and parcel of the plans.

This facility was made possible with $562,000 in grants from the NSW Government secured by MP for Pittwater, the Hon. Rob Stokes through the state government's Stronger Communities Fund and Community Building Partnership Program .

“This project will benefit the entire northern beaches community,” Rob Stokes said on announcing the grants.

The two hardcourts are the latest full-sized netball courts, and welcomed by 5,500 local active players.

Secretary of the Pittwater Peninsula Netball Club, Belinda Wearne welcomed the new courts this week.

“We are very excited to see these long-awaited courts open in beautiful Avalon. As one of the largest netball clubs in the Manly Warringah Netball Association, the 436 members of Pittwater Peninsula Netball Club will benefit immensely from the new courts,” Belinda said.

“Teams can now have equal access to local courts for training and practice matches, and it helps with space for NetSetGO! our introductory program for under 7, 8 and 9 players.”

The Avalon courts complement the six recently built at Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields and another six at Lionel Watts Reserve in Belrose, in 2018.

In the coming months, four new outdoor multipurpose courts will be completed on Boondah Rd in Warriewood. These will also feature lighting to allow for night-time training sessions through the busy winter season.

Before the next netball season, the new superhub of Northern Beaches netball at Abbott Road North Curl Curl will also get a huge upgrade, with 25 courts to be resurfaced.

In March 2021 a Historical Marker to point to the remnants of one of the earlier kiosks on Avalon Beach Reserve was installed:

L to r:  Peter Mayman, President of APA, Geoff Searl OAM, President of ABHS and Roger Sayers OAM with a heritage marker which offers the history of the footings of the Avalon Beach kiosk which can be seen to the right. 

The Avalon Beach Kiosk Heritage marker

In 2022 the Council installed artworks on the beachfront, which were subsequently moved over near the steps that now go up the reserve hill to south Avalon Headland due to being trip hazards where they had been placed:

Whale Songs, 2022 - Frances Belle Parker with Urban Art Projects

During March and April 2022 a series of flooding rains, strong winds and high tides has again eroded much of Avalon Beach and its dunes facing the west. These images, taken on April 2nd, 2022 show the extent of the erosion:

Today the Avalon Beach Reserves and environs provide a wonderful open space and beach habitat for wildlife - a wallaby having been witnessed hopping into the dunes recently, as well as the home base for NASA, Avalon Beach SLSC Members, skaters, dog walkers (an offleash space was provided for them in 2019 at one section) pickleball players and netball and basketball fans, as well as being the home to Carols on the Beach and many other community events.

This place remains a 'heart of the community' where all are welcome because all belong.

Des Creagh Reserve at North Avalon, dedicated on May 1st 1977 as a celebration of Pittwater Council's 5th Anniversary to honour the North Avalon resident many consider a 'father of Pittwater Council', runs as a future Beach Reserve of Pittwater. 

A few extra, more current photos of the Avalon Beach Reserve and Avalon Beach:

The 'two rows of Norfolk pines':

references - extras

• Avalon Beach Historical Society - and particular thanks to Geoff Searl OAM, President of ABHS
• Archpriest John Joseph Therry; 1790 - May 25, 1864
  
• Warringah Shire Council Minutes of Past Meetings - digitised by the former Warringah Council and still available in Northern Beaches Council's History Hub
• Avalon's Village Green: Avalon Park Becomes Dunbar Park - Some History + Toongari Reserve and Catalpa Reserve
• Pittwater Roads II: Where The Streets Have Your Name - Avalon Beach
  
• Avalon Camping Ground - Fields of Dreams series, 2012
  
• Avalon Beach Village Shops: Some History
  
• The Roads And Tracks Of Yesterday: How The Avalon Beach Subdivisions Changed The Green Valley Tracks
  
• Plaque Unveiled To Mark Phenomenal Surfing Revolution Commencement
  
• Avalon Beach Reserve Heritage Marker For Old Kiosk Installed
• Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club  - The First Clubhouse
  
• Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club  - The Second and Third Clubhouses
  
• Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club House - The Third Changes Into The Fourth
  
• Bilgola Beach - The Cabbage Tree Gardens & Camping Grounds + Bilgola The Story Of A Politician, A Pilot and An Epicure
  
• Avalon Beach Sand Dunes: Some History
  
• Photos Of Avalon Beach And Surrounds From 1968 And 1970 - Taken By Gary Clist 
  
• Avalon Beach Norfolk Pines: To Honour Those Who Served – Anzac Day 2023 History Precursors
  
• Angophora Reserve
• Motor Car Tours To And In Pittwater Show Us The Way This Place Once Was 
• Avalon Beach Public School: Some History For A 70th Birthday
  
• Photographers Of Early Pittwater: David 'Rex' Hazlewood +  Photographers Of Early Pittwater: David 'Rex' Hazlewood
• John Collins of Avalon - Pittwater Patriarchs Series I
• Maria Louisa Therry - Pittwater Matriarchs Series I
• Careel Bay Steamer Wharf And Boatshed
• The Mulhalls Of Broken Bay And Barrenjoey - Australian Champions
• Light Keepers of Barrenjoey Lightstation
• Captain Francis Hixson
• The Collaroy Paddle Steamer: New Ephemera Added To Public Accessible Records - Her Connections To Pittwater
• Albert Thomas Black
• John Black 
• Pittwater Reserves, The Green Ways: Clareville Wharf and Taylor's Point Jetty
• Early Pittwater Paddlers, Oarsmen, Rowers And Scullers: The Green Family
• Early Pittwater Paddlers, Oarsmen, Rowers And Scullers: The Fox Family
• Early Pittwater Paddlers, Oarsmen, Rowers And Scullers: The Paddon Family Of Clareville (Or Clairville)
• Hy-Brasil: Avalon Beach - Pittwater's Summer Houses
• Pittwater's Torpedo Wharf and Range
• The Roads And Tracks Of Yesterday: How The Avalon Beach Subdivisions Changed The Green Valley Tracks
• Roads In Pittwater: The Barrenjoey Road
• Avalon Beach In 1970-71 - More Great Photos By Gary Clist
  
• Avalon Preservation Association - Profile
• This is Avalon - Winter Solstice Festival - Sunday 21st of June 2015
• Winter Solstice Festival Warms Avalon’s Heart by Jayne Denshire
• Avalon Art Carnival: THE GAME - November 2015
  
• Avalon Beach 100th – Centenary Celebrations - Centenary Art Exhibition Opening Night
  
• A Celebration Of Avalon Beach’s Uniqueness – Past, Present and Future by Jayne Denshire
  
• Avalon 100 - Avalon Centenary Celebrations Hosts Great Events This March: Avalon Sailing Club's  'Sail Of The Century' + Radio Northern Beaches Launches 'The Avalon Story' Series
  
• Avalon Beach 100 - Ray Henman's 100 Years Centenary Film Of The Family Of Arthur Jabez Small Talk On Their Grandfather + Extra A J Small Notes
  
• Avalon Beach Centenary Nature Of Avalon and Our Indigenous Culture Celebration At Avalon Art Gallery and Dunbar Park
  
• Pittwater's Torpedo Wharf - 2022
• Avalon Beach North Headland Indian Face 'Falls': An Everchanging Coastline - August 2017
• Avalon Beach North Headland: An Ever-Changing Coastline - Storm Swell Of July 2020
  
• Pittwater On Notice That Sea Level Rise and Coastal Erosion Threaten Local Beaches
  
• “They’ve Kerbed And Guttered Narrabeen Beach” by Sean Doherty, October 30, 2021, in Surfline
  
• Beaches In Retreat by Stu Nettle - Swellnet Analysis, Wednesday, 20 July 2022
  
• The Black Swamp Camping Reserve Becomes Kitchener Park, Beeby Park & Mona Vale Golf Course
  
• Freddie Lane's Granddaughter Visits Pittwater on Eve of Mona Vale SLSC's Centenary Celebrations
• Mona Vale Dunes and Avalon Beach Dunes Bushcare Groups - 2019 Profiles of the Week
• My Holiday By Charles De Boos – 1861
• Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club Opening - Sunday 31 August 2014
  
• Art News: September 2022
  
• Avalon Beach SLSC Clubhouse's Is A Community Hub: 24 Hour Row 2023 Success - Festival Of Froth - New IRB, A Film, Music, Sustainability, Bangalley Bar Over Just One Weekend 
  

A description of one of Therry's visits here:

PITT WATER.
Yesterday, being Easter Monday, a pleasant steam excursion took place in connection with the St Benedict's Young Men's Society. The commodious steamer the Collaroy, under the command of Captain Mulhall, had been chartered for the occasion, and left the Australasian Steam Navigation Company's Wharf, Sussex-street North, with about 260 persons on board, at ten o' clock a.m. Part of the band of H. M. S. 12th Regiment were in attendance, their cheerful and untiring efforts contributing not a little towards making the day pass harmoniously and agreeably away. 

Wreck of the S.S. Collaroy, 1881 / photographer unknown. State Library of NSW Image No: a1528938: A passenger steamer owned by the Australian Steam Navigation Company, built in 1853, went ashore on Collaroy Beach in 1881 and remained there for almost 3 years, giving her name to the stretch of sand and ocean. When refloated she went back into service plying between Sydney and the Hunter River. She was withdrawn from duty in 1886, converted to a schooner, sailed to San Francisco, where she again ran ashore and broke her back on the Californian Coast in 1889.

Working along through the ever changing scenery displayed on the shores of our harbour, the Collaroy at length rounded the Heads, and, taking a northerly course, rushed past that enormous barrier presented by the weather-worn cliffs which face the ocean between the Great North Head and the seaward aspect of Manly Beach. Following on the interesting coast line of Curl Curl, Dee why, Long Reef, and Narrabeen, &c, - varied succession of wooded eminences, long sandy reaches, towering precipices, and grassy park-like slopes, - the pleasure-seekers were at length abreast of the singular headland of Barrenjoey, forming the extreme south-eastern limit of the estuary which serves as a common outlet for the River Hawkesbury and the Pitt Water. Shortly after passing the Custom House station the course of the Collaroy then took a southerly direction, and so brought the holiday folks into the lake-like solitudes of Pitt Water, until wooded hills seemed to be rising on every side of the vessel.

The passengers were landed at a small, but commodious wharf, erected on the property of the Venerable J. J Therry, under whose especial patronage the excursion had been got up. Most of the visitors set off in quest of St. Michael's Cave, determined not to lose the opportunity of seeing so great a natural curiosity. The walk, it was found, lay through woods, a long flat, and a hilly scrub, until, facing to the east at the head of the inlet, the merry party, in a straggling Indian file, at length arrived in the vicinity of the cave, cautiously descending the rocks, and creeping carefully along a narrow path specially made for their convenience on the face of the cliffs, they were thus finally rewarded for their perseverance. Almost every body managed to scramble up into the cave, and not a few of the more adventurous explored its inmost recesses by candle-light. The effect of the gloomy inner arch looked down upon from the top of the second angle of the cave, was much admired; and so also was the wider arch at the entrance, as contemplated from the spot where the bright daylight again began to stream down upon the faces of the returning explorers. There was, for some time, a pleasant buzz of conversation and a discussion of food at the mouth of St Michael's Cave, and then the party set out on their way back to the steamer, where dinner had been prepared.

Some with sharpened appetites posted thither at once, but many remained with the band near the house on the flat, and amused themselves with dancing, playing cricket, and so on. There was some dancing also at the steamer after dinner was over. The Kembla steamer visited the wharf at an early hour, landed some passengers, and afterwards returned for them. The Collaroy left the wharf for Sydney at about five o'clock, and arrived safe at Sydney soon after eight. The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Sydney, the Mayoress, and other members of the family were on board. We also observed the Rev. Fathers Corish, Curtis, Hanson, and Powell, besides the Venerable J. J. Therry. The trip appeared to give general satisfaction, although a slight shower, soon after the arrival of the Collaroy at Pitt Water, interfered with some of the arrangements.
PITT WATER. (1862, April 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13227471

Previous names of the beaches from Palm to Mona Vale:

A J Small residue of Lands from Burnes shows Photographer David Hazlewood bought land here too; Lot 143 on July 15th, 1925 - Vol/Fol: 3754-20,in current day Elouera Avenue, then called Seaview Avenue. Muriel Annie Hazlewood bought Lot 79 on August 6th, 1926 (Vol/Fol: 3900-239.

Road Purchase Application by Arthur Jabez Small,  3 roods 22 1/2 perches. The unnecessary part of private subdivision road within portion 20 south and east of lot 1 of the Pittwater Estate, parish of Narrabeen, county of Cumberland, Metropolitan Land District, Shire of Warringah. APPLICATIONS FOR THE CLOSING AND PURCHASE OF ROADS, &c. (1930, March 28). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 1358. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223077759

SHIRE OF WARRINGAH,

Names of Roads.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Council has, in accordance with the provisions of section 249 (a), Local Government Act, 1919, and of Ordinance No. 30 thereunder, and with the approval of the Minister for Works and Local Government, given the undermentioned names to the roads described* hereunder:—

Situation, Old Name and New Name.

At Careel Bay, Pittwater, parish of Narrabeen—Bayview-road—Cabarita-road.

In Ocean Beach Estate, Avalon (deposited plan No. 9,151), parish of Narrabeen — Seaview-avenue— Elouera-road.

Connecting Ralston-road and Pacific-road, Palm Beach, as shown on deposited plan No. 13,780—Unnamed— Ebor-road.

In Brocks' Estate, Mona Vale, deposited plan 6,195— Rickard-road—Orana-road.

In Warriewood Estate, Warriewood (deposited plan 5,464), parish of Narrabeen—Sea view-street—Elimatta-road.

At Mona Vale, running easterly from Barrenjoey-road (Newport-road) to the Pacific Ocean—Allen-street— —Golf-avenue.

At Deewhy West, running north-easterly and northerly from the junction of Fisher-road and Lynwood-avenue along the western boundaries of portions 647, 646, 1,290, 643, 642 and 641, parish Manly Cove —Unnamed—Campbell-avenue.

At Manly Vale, parish Manly Cove, running easterly from Condamine-street to Stuart-road—Dalley-street —Koorala-street.

At South Curl Curl, parish Manly Cove, in Foamcrest Estate (deposited plan 6,260)—The Sands—Stewart avenue.

At South Curl Curl, parish Manly Cove, in Foamcrest Estate (deposited plan 6,260)—-The Waves—Travers-road. j 

At Manly Vale, parish Manly Cove—Osborne-road— Campbell-parade. r

At Belrose, running westerly from Secondary Road No. (2,023, westerly along the southern boundaries of : portions 1,667, 1,670, parish Manly Cove—Unnamed '—Everton-road.

R. G. JAMIESON, Shire Clerk.

Shire Hall, Brookvale, 26th June, 1939. 2028 £2 8s. SHIRE OF WARRINGAH. (1939, June 30). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 3373. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225078398 

Vol/Fol: 3742-82 - A J Small lands taken by Public Trustee ( sold per Warringah Council sales of others lands for outstanding Rates?):

Council Meeting 12/11/1940:

Roads Dept., 1/11/40, further in regard to the establishment of Main Road No. 397 from Seaforth to Narrabeen, stating that through Recreation Reserves Nos. 66080 and 7499, Iliadic Creek, the ultimate width of the road will be 110 ft. with an allowance for batters, that further to the north-east the road No.197 will run through Portion 55 Deep Creek, and then generally along a road reservation under the control of the Council, when the ultimate width will be 240 ft. plus an allowance for batters (the present construction to be confined to a width of 40 ft. with an addition for batters); that further advice concerning the proposed road work east of Portion 55 as it 'fleets any of Council's property will be forwarded in due course; requesting Council's consent to the Department's entering these lands for the purpose of constructing the road. Revolved, - That the Crk. Lands Department be asked to request compensation from the Main Dee Reserve Roads Department in respect to the resumption of part of Deep Creek Reserve, and that it apply any compensation moneys received towards purchasing a reserve along Deep Creek to the north. (Ors. Bathe, O'Reilly) . Resolved - That the Council has no objection to the Cedin Rea tment; entering the 1and mentioned in its letter for the purpose rt constructing the road. 2,' 25/10/40, oulaaitting copy bra -began made to the Department by Mr. Small tor-the improvement of the approach to that Clubhouse at Avalon Links, and a eonst the Barrenjoey Rd. Departments 'ropy .thereto attesting that the expenditure or Main Read funds are limited to provision of worso for through traffic, but that the Department have no objection to the work being carried out either by Mr. Small or the Council. 'Received'.

NOTIFICATION OF RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912.

IT is hereby notified and declared by His Excellency the Governor, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, that so much of the land hereunder described as is Crown Land has been appropriated, and so much thereof as is private property has been resumed under the Public Works Act, 1912, for the following public purpose, namely, for the establishment of a Public Recreation Ground at Palm Beach, and is vested in the Minister for Lands as Constructing Authority on behalf of His Majesty. P. 38-462.

Signed and sealed at Sydney, this 17th day of February-, 1938.

(L.s.) WAKEHURST, Governor. By His Excellency's Command,

COLIN A. SINCLAIR, Minister for Lands.

Description.

All that piece or parcel of land containing an area of 3 roods  1 1/2 perches, more or less, parish of Narrabeen, county of Cumberland, Shire Warringah, and being the whole of lots 348 to 351, inclusive, deposited plan No. 16,362, Palm Beach Estate: Commencing on the northeastern side of Rock Bath road at the south-western corner of lot 352, and bounded thence on the south-west by that road bearing 380 degrees 37 minutes 50 seconds 41 feet Hi inches, 312 degrees 31 minutes 40 seconds 59 feet 31§ inches, 302 degrees 27 minutes 40 seconds 39 feet 10 1/2 inches, and thence 295 degrees 7 minutes 20 feet 6 inches; on the north-west by the south-eastern boundary of lot 347 bearing 20 degrees 41 minutes 148 feet; on the north-east by a south-western boundary line of lot 333 and the south-western boundary of lot 332 in all bearing 100 degrees 7 minutes 117 feet 9J inches, and by the south-western boundary of lot 331 and part of the south-western boundary of lot 330 in all bearing 153 degrees 13 minutes 20 seconds 138 feet 3 inches; and on the south-east by the north-western boundary of lot 352 bearing 228 degrees 13 minutes 152 feet 4 1/2 inches to the point of commencement. (496). NOTIFICATION OF RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912. (1938, February 18). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 748. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228137843 

Avalon Subdivisions - The Avalon Estate, Avalon Beach, Item No c027560010h and section from to show Lot numbers courtesy State Library of NSW. Visit:  Avalon's Village Green: Avalon Park Becomes Dunbar Park - Some History + Toongari Reserve and Catalpa Reserve 

DP16902 - Avalon Beach Estate 1930 - per HRLV:

Avalon Beach Estate, Image No.: c027560001, courtesy State Library of New South Wales. Zoomable here

AT LAST. RELEASED AT LAST.
Bilgola Beautiful Bilgola
ON THE BILGOLA BEACH ESTATE,
Between Avalon and Newport.
CHOICE BUILDING. SITES WITH ABSOLUTE OCEAN BEACH FRONTAGES.
Under Instructions from the Executors of the Estate of the late Mrs. H. Maclurcan Lee.
MUST BE SOLD. MIJST BE SOLD.
Several Allotments only remain at prices from £145 per block.
Must be Inspected to be appreciated.
Phone or Call Agents for plans and prices of land and full particulars of ro.sldences. Cars leave City Office daily and Sunday.
Sole Selling Agents:
RICHARD STANTON AND SONS, LIMITED,
and
J. T. STAPLETON AND CO., LIMITED, Stanton House, 133 Pitt Street, Sydney, or inquire at LOCAL OFFICE, AVALON. Advertising (1937, January 27). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247379346

Bilgola Beach circa 1951, showing Mrs. Maclurcans' 'Bilgola House'. Item: FL281268, courtesy NSW Records and Archives

Des Creagh Reserve

STATE PLANNING AUTHORITY ACT, 1963
Notification Placing Land Under Care, Control and Management of the Council of the Shire of Warringah

IN pursuance of the provisions of clause 20 (2) of the Warringah Planning Scheme Ordinance and by virtue of the provisions of the State Planning Authority Act, 1963, the New South Wales Planning and Environment Commission by this notice places the land described in the Schedule hereto under the care, control and management of Warringah Shire Council for use only as a public park, public reserve or public recreation area for passive recreational purposes: Provided that the Council of the Shire of Warringah shall not erect or permit to be erected on the said land any building or structure without the prior consent of the Commission: Also provided Council shall demolish all existing improvements on the said land at the earliest possible date thereafter.

Dated at Sydney, this 22nd day of September, 1977.

G. H. COE, Acting Chief Administrative Officer.

Schedule

All that piece or parcel of land situate at Marine Parade, Avalon, in the Shire of Warringah, Parish of Narrabeen and County of Cumberland, being lot 1 in Deposited Plan 588436, containing approximately 561 square metres, and being part of the land in Certificate of Title, volume 12380, folio 133. (File No. 76-578) (410) STATE PLANNING AUTHORITY ACT, 1963 (1977, October 21). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 4631. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220125265

The Bathing Pool Avalon Beach  - photos by Rex Hazlewood, circa 1920-1929 Images Courtesy The Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, No.: c07771_0004_c and ' Swimming Pool' c07771_00043_c

Above: Saturday July 18, 2020 photos of North Avalon Beach headland

Above and below: Wednesday July 15, 2020 photos of South Avalon Beach

Pittwater Beach Reserves Have Been Dedicated For Public Use Since 1887 - No 1.: Avalon Beach Reserve- Bequeathed By John Therry - threads collected and collated by A J Guesdon, 2024.