Pittwater Online News

August 16 - 22, 2020: Issue 462

photos of Avalon beach and Surrounds from 1968 and 1970 - taken by Gary Clist

Gary Clist:

I grew up in Avalon from about 1955 to the end of 1967, when my family moved to Noosa, near where I still reside.

Thanks to John Stone and Ken Meadley from the 1960's (plus) record and photo shop I got interested in photography, and even went back in 1970 to work there for a year, and I still have most of my old photos. I thought it was about time to share some of the ones I took of Avalon in 1968, and more to come from 1970. The following are just a few. In no particular order, of the many I have. Hope you like them.

1958, Class 1M (for Mrs Donaldson) with lots of other bright-eyed and bushy-tailed kids.. Unfortunately I don't remember all the names, (my apologies. Please feel free to add any you know that I don't.) but those that I do are.....

Reg Anthill, Beverley Meek, John Witchard, Greg Williams, Nick Robinson, Janice Aitken, Vicki Whitehead, Lyn Archbold, Diane Searle, Lyn Hendrickson, Peta Barnes, Margaret Schulz, Michelle Murch, Jenny James, Elizabeth Uren, Darcy Bonnet, Chris Walsh, Peter Holmes, John Lilley, and Tim Litchfield.

Land was resumed by the state government in 1948 for a public school at Avalon Beach and in 1950 the school opened. Visit: Avalon Beach Public School - A History

1968

1968 - Avalon beach showing both 1st and 2nd clubhouses.

I remember people having skiing instructions on the sandhills when they looked like this. We girls on our horses galloping across the top to the tree'd area to the north. Yeehaa it was fun!! - Judy Z.

Visit:

1968 Avalon beach

1968 when you didnt have to pay for parking

Avalon beach and surf lifesaving clubhouse, view towards south end and pool - 1968

1968 - Avalon Looking north west and showing original kiosk structure in reserve (at left side of photo).

Kiosk on Avalon Beach Reserve during 1930's (Avalon Beach Historical Society photo):

During 1940's:

Thieves broke into the Red Cross kiosk on the reserve at Avalon Beach late on Saturday night and set fire to the building. At 12.15 a.m. Mr. Ted Hock, of the Avalon Fire Brigade, who was on his way home, saw the fire, which was quickly checked. POLICE WATCH STREETS (1946, August 26). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17991099

Avalon Fire Brigade

Standing in their fire-fighting gear in front of the 1936 Dennis Ace are the first seven members of the Avalon Fire Brigade (begun in 1940). From left to right are Captain Ted Hock, Tom Chegwyn, Harry Wright, Lambert-Smith, Ron Edwards, Fred Wilson and Wal Ward. The garage which housed the fire engine stood on the site now occupied by the red-brick Casa Carlos building at 50 Old Barrenjoey Road. In the background is the heritage-listed two-storey ‘Avalon Centre’ on the corner of Avalon Parade and Old Barrenjoey Road. Photo and information courtesy Geoff Searl OAM, President Avalon Beach Historical

Society.

Visit: Pittwater Roads II: Where The Streets Have Your Name - Avalon Beach

Avalon beach and clubhouse -View of both surf clubs from reserve looking north - 1968

Gary; Little Avalon. One of my most favourite places to surf. Mid-late sixties it was only available to body surfers and bellyboarders. Too gnarly for the longboards of the day.

photo taken from Surfside Avenue looking northwest

1968 Avalon beach from south

Avalon Beach ocean pools, 1968

Ray Cosgrove memories;

Ann G.; I learnt to swim in the Avalon surf pool. Every Saturday morning at the pool with Mr Ray Cosgrove as our coach.

Mid 60's - Brian Friend; Jimmy Carruthers wife (Margaret I think) used to coach as well as Jean Feehely (who was the first President of the Womens Auxiliary of the SLSC)
Roland L; Ray Cosgrove also taught children to swim in the pool for many years...It was a large family with Ray having lots of offspring...
Joan Johnson; Ray Cosgrave taught our family to swim.

View north from top of Surfside avenue front yard

Barefoot Boulevarde Building not long after opening

Avalon Beach Primary School, 1968 (over rooves)

1968 avalon PS Assembly Hall

1968 Avalon PS

1968 Bottle shop opposite Avalon Tyres

The then NSW Premier Bob Askin opened it. Clipping from when Bob Askin opened the Bottle Shop opposite Avalon Tyre Service. That's me holding the Club Pennant. - Brian Friend OAM

I remember that day! Great excitement. My kids think it’s hilarious that there was a marching band for the opening of a bottle-o. - Maureen P.

1968 Total Petrol station

Depending on the year. Phil used to own that and then I think the Hessinks did before Tom. Tom was still at the Avalon Tyre service across the road. Later on it became Totally Toms (Tom Gilbert). - Brian Friend OAM

Eatons Timber yard was across the road too, near Avalon Tyres. - Eric Gumley

1968 Old Barrenjoey road from outside Avalon Public School looking north

1968 Old Barrenjoey road from top of hill

1968 - from golf course PRIMARY school on left, part of golf course in foreground. Shops in centre, looking north of course.

1968 - from golf course - looking northwest

Overview of Avalon, from Plateau Rd. ( I think )1968

1968 Catholic School on left, Central Ave and Kevin Ave.

1968 North Avalon - photo taken from end of Kevin Ave - shows first buildings of Barrenjoey High School in background

1968 - first buildings of Barrenjoey High School

The first intake for BHS was in 1968.

Sir Harold Wyndham CBE (27 June 1903 – 22 April 1988) was Director-General of Education in New South Wales between 1952 and 1968. In 1954 Dr. Wyndham was appointed to chair a committee tasked to completely review the Secondary education system in New South Wales and make recommendations for improvements. The committee's report, popularly referred to as "The Wyndham Report", was presented to the Minister in October 1957 and gave rise to the Public Education Act of 1961 which was brought into effect in 1962. Key amongst the changes was the objective of presenting all students with the opportunity to experience a wide range of subjects, including visual arts, industrial arts, music and drama, and a wide range of languages. The Five-year Secondary School system was abandoned in favour of adding another year to the course, with major state-wide external examinations at the end of the Tenth (School Certificate) and the twelfth (Higher School Certificate) year of schooling.

What this really meant was "The Wyndham Scheme" created changes to the curriculum which had a more student-centred approach.

When Dr Wyndham was appointed as Director-General of Education there were 455,000 students in the NSW Education system, of whom 100,000 were in Secondary schools. By 1968 there were over 244,000 students in secondary school of whom 64% could be expected to complete the then brand new Higher School Certificate.

The NSW Government Architect’s Branch met this demand by innovating new designs for high schools which could be built quickly and cheaply. These included the so-called ‘doughnut schools’, designed by Michael Dysart.

‘The Dysart schools from this period were innovative in two main ways. As with leading European and North American architects who designed innovative schools in the period such as Arne Jacobsen, Hans Scharoun, Denys Lasdun and Caudill Rowlett Scott (CRS), Dysart moved away from simple linear blocks or finger planned schools, which were typical in the postwar years. In their place he employed a series of square doughnuts in a sort of pinwheel configuration around a large central space. He usually placed a rostrum and bell tower – which sometimes also doubled as an incinerator – in that central space, which could then be used as an all-of-school gathering area. The scheme did away with indoor hallways and replaced them with covered walkways and cloisters. The second innovation was a novel construction process which enabled the erection of a structurally independent roof very early in the process. This allowed work to go on regardless of weather and proved to be a significant efficiency. By these means Dysart provided a new sense of refuge and place definition in the school environment while also devising an efficient system for delivering school buildings. While there was a general move towards ‘demonumentalizing’ school buildings in the post-war decades, the Dysart-designed schools introduced a different set of spatial relationships, one which recalled the deeper traditions of communities of learning.’ - First published in Architecture Bulletin Nov/Dec 2012.

Some of the first Dysart schools were built at Turramurra, Ryde and Pendle Hill. One Dysart doughnut school was also built in Pittwater and originally referred to as Avalon High School during Tender/build stages. We now know this school as Barrenjoey High School.

NOTIFICATION OF RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER
THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912, AS AMENDED

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 described in the Schedule hereto as is Crown land is hereby appropriated, and so much of the said land as is private property is hereby resumed, under the Public Works Act, 1912, as amended, for the following public purpose, namely, a High School at AVALON, and that the said land is vested in the Minister for Education as Constructing Authority on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

Dated this twenty-second day of June, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-six.

A. R. CUTLER, Governor. By His Excellency's Command,

C. B. CUTLER, Minister for Education.

The Schedule

All that piece or parcel of land situate in the Shire of Warringah, parish of Narrabeen and county of Cumberland, being lots 1 and 2, section 4, Deposited Plan 13,811, and being also the whole of the land comprised in Certificates of Title, volume 9,994, folios 134 and 135,—having an area of 2 roods 11 perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of Avalon Developments Pty Ltd and Northbridge Constructions Pty Ltd. NOTIFICATION OF RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912, AS AMENDED (1966, July 8). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 2703. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220022810

Department of Public Works—Tenders for Works

TENDERS will be received up to 2 p.m. on the dates specified for the undermentioned works. Envelopes containing tenders must be addressed to the President, Tender Board, Department of Public Works, Box 44, G.P.O., Sydney, and have legibly endorsed upon the face thereof the name of the work for which the tender is submitted. The Government does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Specifications and plans for all works may be seen in Contractor's Room, Department of Public Works, Sydney, in addition to the other places mentioned. Plans and specifications for works other than architectural works and building engineering services and excluding also those plans and specifications issued in respect of quotations and minor contracts, issued from the Postal and Contractor's Room of the Department, must be purchased at the rates of 50c for the plan with a maximum of $8.40 and $1 for the specification. Where the total cost of the plans and specifications is more than $1 and provided the plans and specifications are returned to the Department prior to the closing date in good order and condition a refund of the purchase money may be made:

Avalon High School—Stage I. (Bills of Quantity, $8 each.) Avalon High School—Electrical Services. (Sub-contract.) Department of Public Works—Tenders for Works (1966, November 4). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 4524. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220020370

NOTIFICATION OF RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER
THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912, AS AMENDED

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 described in the Schedule hereto as is crown land is hereby appropriated, and so much of the said land as is private property is hereby resumed, under the Public Works Act, 1912, as amended, for the following public purpose, namely a High School at AVALON, and that the said land is vested in the Minister for Education as Constructing Authority on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

Dated this sixth day of December, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven.

A. R. CUTLER, Governor. By His Excellency's Command,

C. B. CUTLER, Minister for Education.

The Schedule

All that piece or parcel of land situated in the Shire of Warringah, Parish of Narrabeen and County of Cumberland, being lot 3, section 4, Deposited Plan 13811, containing an area of 1 rood 0 ¾ perches or thereabouts and said to be in the possession of the Department of Education.

NOTIFICATION OF RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912, AS AMENDED (1967, December 22). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 4846. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220059551

1968 - first buildings of Barrenjoey High School

1968 Barrenjoey High School, looking southwest.

1968 - Bilgola Bends

Craig F-; That’s when we all thought they were trying to straighten the bends Massive protests
Dave T- ; They found the green tree frogs or something when they tried to straighten the bends and that was that. They took a few bends out but not the big ones in the gully.
Nick M- ; Just off centre to the left in this pic there were several rocks which were exposed at the side of the road. One had "JUST FREEFORM ADVERTISING" boldly painted on it. I have always thought this was a reference to Freeform Surfing.
Tom Gilbert (2013 interview): What I hated was when they built Roseville bridge and they brought all the fill and all the crap in it and dumped it at Bilgola Bends which spoilt that whole area. You used to be able to drive around Bilgola Bends and look out over the lovely scenery and they dumped that there at the south end of it, they were going to widen Bilgola bends, and nothing ever happened. And now we’ve got all that crap that’s there; it’s environmentally just bad I reckon.
On April 2nd 1966 the Liberal Premier Robin Askin, the then Member for Collaroy at that time, later the seat became the Member for Pittwater, opened the second and current six-lane, high-level Roseville bridge. Along with the bridge, a significant upgrade of the approach roads was completed, which became the six-lane Warringah Road. This upgraded section of road is approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long.
New Roseville bridge ready in April
Seventeen thousand tons of concre and 19 miles of high tensile steel and three miles of high tensile steel rods will go into the construction of the new Roseville Bridge in Sydney.
The general manager and director of John Holland (Constructions) Pty Ltd, j Mr T. I. McCreery, said this in a statement late last week.
He said nine and a' half miles of high tensile steel strand and 1,000 tons of mild steel reinforcement would also be used.
The bridge has six lanes - three in each direction with a median strip separating them - and is 1,299 feet long.
The contract was awarded to Hollands, the same company which built the Captain Cook bridge at Taren Point, following the submission of a tender price of £819,111.
Mr McCreery .said . the bridge would be opened on April 2.
"This is four months late, but in a number of the bored piles we had to drill four times deeper into rock than We had expccted," he said.
"We had bargained on ;only having to drill six feet into the rock for foundations but when we started the' job we found in many eases we had to go as deep as 24 feet.
"Naturally this caused a tremendous delay and we have been working at peak capacity to get the job completed by April."
Old- bridge
The new bridge replaces a low-level concrete two lane bridge that was built in 1925 and is now totally inadequate.
The new bridge will be 78 feet wide and will have a footpath six feet wide on the upstream side.
It is founded on Sydney sandstone and high-quality shale by means of spread footing on the shore and bored piles in the harbour area.
The bored piles are constructed by driving steel tube casings to the rock level, excavating the soft marine mud and drilling the appropriate distance into the rock to form a socket. The longest pile is 110 feet below water level.
The bridge piers arc formed of three ' slender columns, the highest being 75 feet.
Reinforced concrete abutment walls run skew to the line of the bridge. On the Roseville end, the wall is tied back by the counterforts. to an anchor beam under filling 24 feet back from the abutment face.
On the Forestville side, the sill is tied to the rock formation by 28-feet high tensile steel, bars of 7/8" diameter with a total anchoring force of 750 tons.
The superstructure is essentially a prestressed concrete cellular slab formed of precast post-tensioned girders seated' directly on top of the abutments and girders.
The slab is continuous between the abutments with expansion provided for by a single joint at the centre span towards the bottom of the vertical curve.
Between the piers the individual top and bottom flanges of the girders are connccted by reinforced concrete to form a continuous flat cellular deck.
As an architectural feature the joining strips between flanges are cast in dark concrete. The underside plane of the deck is thus marked by alternate black and white strips flowing smoothly around the curve for the full length of the bridge.
The kerbs are fitted with steel crash rails on the traffic side, with low profile hand rails on the footpath and outer kerbs.
Overhead lighting is provided by mercury vapour lamps from tapered steel lamp standards. New Roseville bridge ready in April (1966, February 28). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105889041
NB: the opening of the first bridge actually took place in 1924 - visit: Roads To Pittwater: The Wakehurst Parkway Along Old Oxford Falls Track

The official opening took place on Saturday September 20th, 1924:

MIDDLE HARBOUR.

New Bridge Opened.

LOCAL BODIES CONGRATULATED.

Several thousand people attended the official opening on Saturday afternoon of the Middle Harbour bridge, between French's Forest and Roseville. After the opening ceremony, which was performed by the Premier (Sir George Fuller), hundreds of motor cars passed in procession over the bridge. The new structure was crowded, and large numbers of people occupied the vantage spots overlooking the bridge. There were many picnic parties in Davidson Park, which embraces both sides of Middle Harbour adjacent to the bridge, and with the beautiful spring day the scene was a picturesque one.

Councillor A. G. Parr (president of Warringah Shire Council) presided, and a feature of the gathering was the presence of five Cabinet Ministers in addition to the Premier, Sir George Fuller, being accompanied by Messrs. W. E. Wearne (Minister tor Lands), R. T Hall (Minister for Works), T. R. Bavin (Attorney-General), E. H. Farrar (Minister for Labour), and J. C. L. Fitzpatrick (Minister for Local Government). Others present Included Dr. Arthur, and Messrs. R. W. D. Weaver, W. Scott Fell, and C. Murphy, M.L.A., Sir Austin Chapman, M.P., Councillor J. G. Lockey (president Kuring-gai Shire Council), and Messrs. H. W. Clarke (Mayor Willoughby), P. Burrows (Mayor of Mosman), and A. C. Samuels (Mayor Manly).

Councillor Parr reviewed the history of the bridge, stating that the negotiations took practical shape on September 17, 1921, when a bridge league was formed at a meeting hold on the banks of the Middle Harbour, overlooking the spot where the bridge now stands. The result was that three councils Warringah, Kuring-gai, and Willoughby decided to jointly build the bridge. The men of French's Forest had been the mainspring of the movement.

Sir George Fuller, in declaring the bridge open, said that he was glad to know that returned soldiers had played a part in the construction of the approaches to the bridge, for In thus helping the soldiers the Government at the same time helped the community generally. The new bridge would prove an important link between the northern suburbs and the important beaches on the northern side of Sydney Harbour, besides relatively assisting the settlers in French's Forest. The bridge was the result of true co-operation between local governing bodies, and he trusted that the fine example set by the Warringah, Kuring-gai, and Willoughby councils would be followed in other parts of the State. While he remained at the head of the Government he would be pleased to give all the co-operation possible in enabling local governing bodies to carry out similar works.

The Government, Sir George Fuller continued, realised the importance of pushing on with developmental works in the country, and ho Instanced the agreement with the Victorian Government for the construction of bridges over the Murray. These works would assist in developing south-western Riverina, and while is was true that a good deal of the trade of that part of the State would go to Victoria, the result would he more potential taxpayers to New South Wales.

Councillor J. G. Lockley (president of Ku-ring-gai Shire Council) moved a vote of thanks to the Premier, which was seconded by Alderman H. W. Clarke (Mayor of Willoughby).

The Premier and party travelled to the bridge by way of the Spit and French's Forest. At the Soldiers' Memorial Hall in French's Forest Sir George Fuller was welcomed by the soldiers and other settlers, and in the evening a ball was held to commemorate the opening of the bridge.

MIDDLE HARBOUR. (1924, September 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16174126

Above: OPENING OF THE BRIDGE ACROSS MIDDLE HARBOUR. THE CEREMONY NEAR ROSEVILLE ON SATURDAY, AFTERNOON. OPENING OF THE BRIDGE ACROSS MIDDLE HARBOUR. (1924, September 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16174040

Below: OPENING OF THE MIDDLE HARBOUR BRIDGE. Several thousand people attended the official opening on Saturday afternoon of the –Middle Harbour Bridge between French's Forest and Roseville. After the opening ceremony, which was performed by the Premier, Sir George Fuller, hundreds of motor cars passed in procession over the bridge. Sir George Fuller said the new bridge would prove an important link between the northern suburbs and the important beaches on the northern side of Sydney Harbour, besides substantially assisting settlers in French’s Forest. OPENING OF THE MIDDLE HARBOUR BRIDGE. (1924, September 24). Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169149144

The name of John Gilmour Lockley, President of Ku-ring-gai Shire Council from 7 December 1923 – 5 December 1924 has been made bold as this gentleman had a long affiliation with Narrabeen and wrote numerous articles promoting an area he clearly loved as well as having at least two holiday cottages he rented out during the colder months.

Mr. Lockley wrote several gardening books and, using the pseudonym 'Redgum', wrote about gardening at the Sydney Morning Herald and also had a very popular radio program on gardening up until he passed away. His brother Robert Lockley also had a long association with Narrabeen and Collaroy, as did Robert's son of the same name, being a member of south Narrabeen SLSC.

1970

Gary Clist:

Next batch, this time from 1970 when I was working for John Stone and boarding with our old family friend, Mrs Flatt, in Wollstonecraft Rd. She had the tennis court where I'm sure many of you older ones learnt to play. Her children were Susan, David and Janet.

Myself at age 19 trying to look cool ( complete with my first beard ). Not much choice of glasses frames in those days.

always a good range of guitars and accessories at John Stone's.

Ken Meadley (Centre), senior shop assistant.

Lots more people in these shots. Hopefully some will be recognised. I was doing a photography course at the time, and was no doubt trying for some interesting compositions.

July 1970. A couple of old friends from Avalon Baptist Youth Group, at a Gospel Concert. Jim Murdoch & Sue Wales

1970 Sports Day in dunbar park

The next few batches were taken at a school sports day at Dunbar Park ( hope I remembered correctly...the name .just popped into my head. ). Hopefully many of you will be able to see your younger selves, or your friends. Enjoy reminiscing about younger and less stressful times.

1970s sports day – Brian Friend; The old Avalon Police Station on the left at the back.

Nick M. - that little Police Station was a temporary building and was not always manned. I remember sharing a cigarette on the steps....Old Sarg arrived only moments after we got up and walked away. We were 11 or 12.)

1970s sports day Scout Hall in background

1970’s sports day Sports day, 1970. Julia B; The Teacher looks like Mr Rogers, he had the comb over! And I remember those sports uniforms and groups

Judy Z; I was in Persius - Maureen P; I was in Achilles - Sue N; I was in Hercules. Mr Rogers was my teacher too.

Nick M; Yes. I am thinking Mr Rogers. I remember watching Neil Armstrong walk on the Moon on a 26 inch TV live in his classroom. They crammed just about the whole school in there two rooms had a retractable divider which provided more space....it was jam packed.

1970s Sports day – Avalon Beach RSL in background

Skipping race at 1970 Sorts Day. Dunbar Park

1970s skipping race 2: Sports Day skipping race, 1970 – no Woolworths carpark in sight; see how the reserve runs all the way to beach

Between races, 1970 sports day, Dunbar Park. Note all the Globite school cases. No back-packs then.

A boy and his Globite. 1970 Sports day, Dunbar Park Avalon

Cheering on the runners. 1970 Sports day, Dunbar park. Guide Hall in background

1970s Sports day – Bowling Club in background and snippets of hills

1970s Sports day extra 11 - Nick M; - Could that be Teacher from Avalon primary Mr Armstrong in the coat and Rayban style sunnies?

1970 - Avalon Beach Street Scenes

Stapleton arcade to the right of the original Bank of NSW

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

Yvonne L; I worked at Plunkets pharmacy in 1965 for a few years was next door to the milk bar from memory.....used to buy heaps if lollies from milk bar ....

Jenny S-W; Got any photos of the old la fiesta - that was also a local hang out!! John S -; when I was friends with Boyd we hung at Jimmy’s . Later La fiesta was the hang being a grom playing space invader and pinnies . Surfing legends such as Ted Spencer Bommie and David Chidgey Russell Hughes and Brian Bariscool were the hangers drinking Cappuccinos . Great memories

La Fiesta Milk Bar in Old Barrnjoey Road - owned and run by Terry and Pam Papadis, they had three children; Theo, Nic, and Fay. - Alison G.

Karen D R; I worked in the CBC Bank around 1968-69 - Virginia L; For those who were querying what used to be across from the hostel, there it is Ampol

1970 - Corner of Avalon Pde Avalon shops, Old Barrenjoey Rd

1970 - Old Barrenjoey rd, Avalon

1970 - Avalon Newsagency Yvonne L;- What a surprise when I saw this Photo. very sure that is me as a new mum recognised the out fit and the shoes ..Looked back on some photos and hair the same as well. So thanks for the memories...

Outside the Newsagency

Outside the present day Avalon liquor Shop, 1970 when was shop

1970 – Avalon florist shop top sign

Simmonds Lane, Avalon Beach, 1970

Dear Pittwater Online,

Sunday August 16, 2020: 9.38am

Gary's photos in this week's Issue (462) of Avalon reminded me of this video from the National Film Australia Archives.

Joan and David Pitt bought the Newport agency from the guy featured so Joan told me when I first came across it.

Joan still proudly flies the Australian flag above Newport.

Regards Derek Morley

David Pitt purchased the Newsagency from Mr Don Tweedie in 1958. Prior to the purchase David managed the business while Mr and Mrs Tweedie had a holiday. He just loved running around in the Vauxhall Convertible. When he purchased the business he had a Morris Soft top to the delivery.

Paper Run

By NFSA Films - underneath 2011 Reprise by Pittwater Pathways (John Illingsworth)

Made by The Commonwealth Film Unit 1956. Directed by Malcolm Otton. A panorama of scenic beauty unfolds as the newspaper delivery man works his run along Sydney's northern beaches of Newport and the Palm Beach area. Commonwealth Film Unit 1956.

1970 Avalon Beach scenes

Avalon, high school girls 1970, Morris Minor in the middle of two VWs

Coastal apartments, Surfside Ave, Avalon, 1970 -

Avalon Beach, 1970 - Surfside Ave, Avalon.

1970 - beach steps

1970 Avalon Beach SLSC old arch

1970 - Horse on Avalon Beach, south end -

Avalon Beach scenes, 1970

Avalon Beach scenes, 1970 - young love

Avalon sandhills pre re-vegetation, 1970.

Avalon Beach obviously looking north from the surf club. Note the Pillow Fight pole bottom right hand corner. Who remembers the aptly nicknamed "Kegs" winning many a battle during surf carnivals here ? R

Roland L; - Real name....Doug Wells...a great member of Avalon Beach S L S C...sadly gone too soon...watching from above with Huey.... Karen DR; - Kegs was a round barrel and he did win a lot. Now watching many battles up high. Keith F; -Kegs and matches had some good 1st. I still think of Kegs every time did a swim. I saw them walk 16 laps when pool was empty Stephen S; - Also shows the Dune stabilisation started in 1970? Does anyone know the science on this?

One of the joys of the beach that won't have changed...playing in the rock pools.. Does this now 54-55 year old recognise himself? - Gary Clist

1970 on Pittwater

Last of my 1970's photos with a few of Pittwater included.

Beautiful Pittwater. I spent many happy days here out on the water in the boat LEONIE B ( A 46' Halvorsen twin diesel cruiser ) belonging to my father's boss. They were in the then named 'Volunteer Coastal Patrol' - now known as Marine Rescue Broken Bay;

Michael Cox and Christine Emery setting the scene. Part of a photo shoot I did for my tech course. They later married:

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