Pittwater Online News

HORNING - Suddenly (23rd instant), at Risingholme, Pittwater, Frederick Arnold, youngest surviving son of the late William Horning, of Sydney, and Mrs. Henry Allan, Kelvin, Ridge street, North Sydney. Family Notices (1912, January 26). The Sydney Morning Herald(NSW : 1842 - 1954), , p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15305288 

PITTWATER.
By Order of the Trustees in the Deceased Estate of Frederick Arnold Horning on the Property known as Risingholme Clareville via Newport
SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY AT 2.3O SHARP
Motor Launch will leave Newport day of Sale at ...
UNRESERVED SALE
Of all Stock Plant, and Building Material on the Property Comprising -
Powerful heavy Grey Heavy Draught horse 7 years Tip Dray and Harness Hogskin Saddle and Bridle 2 well bred Jersey Cows in full milk Roan Bull (selected for breeding and soundness) 
Plough Scantier Harness Sundry Farming Implements about 2 tons Lucerne Hay Quantity of
Bran Chaff and Pollard.
Full Set Carpenter's Tools.
Highest Grade Building Material for a 4-roomed cottage (just landed for erection) comprising Galvanised Iron Hardwood  flooring and Weatherboards Fibro Cement Sheets Doors and Window Sashes Bolts, Nails, and Screws 2 G L Tanks 800 and 1000 gallons *
Sundry Household Furniture and Kitchen Utensils Incubator Grindstone Fodder Cases tin lined etc.
DJ MCINTYRE and CO Auctioneers, 20 Castlereagh street, city have been instructed by the
Trustees of the Estate of Frederick Arnold Horning (deceased) to hold an Unreserved Auction
Sale of the whole of the Personal Estate on the Property
AS ABOVE. TERMS CASH
The auctioneers can personally vouch for the absolutely genuine character of this Sale the Plant, Holding Materials Tools etc. having only been purchased a month or two and must be cleared off the land
The Property known as "Risingholme " Clareville via Newport comprising 101 acres, the pick of the whole district for soil and beauty- of situation will also be offered by Auction on the Ground prior to Sale of Effects.
See Property Auction Advts.
THE KOHINOOR* OF PITTWATER.
Practically "The Gem of the Pacific Ocean.
On the Property known as "RISINGHOLME” Clareville, via Newport
SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY, at 2.30 sharp. Motor Launch will leave Newport day of Sale at 1.45 pm. ,
101 ACRES THE PICK of the whole district for soil and beauty of situation. An old identity states that nothing in the district can be compared with it for subdivision purposes or as an ideal
MARINE HOME
DJ M INTYRE and CO Auctioneers ...have been instructed by the Trustees of Frederick Arnold Horning deceased to
hold an Auction Sale on the Ground of the above described Valuable Property. Advertising (1912, January 26). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), , p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15305262 

Geoff provides:

This holding had been brought under the Real Property Act by a Margaret Allan prior to her selling it in 1912 to George Crowley

No. 13,259. County of Cumberland, parish of Narrabeen, 101 acres 1 rood 381 perches, situated on Clareville Wharf Road, Clareville,—is Block No. 3, South Subdivision, Pittwater Estate, and is part of 1,200 acres (portion No. 20 of parish) granted to John Joseph Therry; adjoining the properties of F. Burne, J. Robertson, S. Smith, and G. A. Smith, Trustees of Mrs. Evans, or J. G. Cousins, G. Holland, The London Bank of Australia, and J. H. Parry. – Applicant: Margaret Allan, Mosman. Day until which Caveats may be lodged: 17th February, 1905. NOTICE UNDER REAL PROPERTY ACT. (1904, December 30). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 9437. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226488010 

From HRLV:

George Crowley put some of this land up for sale in September 1912 (Block III, Portion 20) and then onsold what was left to Arthur Jabez Small in 1915 - the State Library of NSW Avalon subdivisions folder and the HRLV provides

Avalon subdivision plans, September 16, 1912. Image No.: c027560011h, courtesy State Library of New South Wales

Arthur Jabez Small began selling blocks of land in 1915, with the first one sold on October 15, 1915 to Frederick William Tyrer - HRLV provides those who these blocks sold to between 1915 and 1920, showing that some people came back and bought more blocks - many of these were acreage size:

One of the earlier land sales advertised by Arthur Jabez Small of the land acquired precedes the name of 'Avalon' itself. 

Avalon Subdivisions - Clareville Estate Pittwater - Arnold Road, Central Road, Item No.:  c027560007h, courtesy State Library of N.S.W. - Arnold Road was possibly named for the owner Frederick ARNOLD Horning.

Pittwater Clareville Ocean Beach Estate - Central Rd, Seaview Avenue, Clareville Road, Bellevue Avenue, Barrenjoey road - A J Small. Item No.: c027560009 [Avalon subdivision plans] - courtesy State Library of New South Wales. And sections from to show residences and name for Avalon Beach.

The above is interesting as it shows what we now call 'Avalon Parade' was originally called 'Clareville Road'  - as in the road to Clareville and that the name 'Seaview' has been changed too and was changed to 'Elouera', an aboriginal word meaning 'a pleasant place' in 1939. The name swap from 'Seaview' to something more in keeping with the original custodians wasn't the only Seaview to go in 1939 - Elimatta is an Aboriginal word meaning 'my home'.

This is also worth noting:

Mr.  Arthur J. Small, of Royston Park, Asquith, takes exception to the statement last week that Palm Beach Estate, Barrenjoey where land brought £4 per foot, ls Inaccessible to the public, and practically can only be reached as a residential area by persons owning their own car. He draws attention to the fact that there is an hourly service of motor cars from the present tram terminus at Narrabeen to Newport, and a regular ferry service thence to Clareville and Palm Beach of two trips each way daily. This service was Inaugurated by the Palm Beach Co. when they first opened up the estate some five or six years ago. REAL ESTATE. NOTES OF THE WEEK. (1917, March 31). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28101228

The Canty lands - courtesy of the NSW Historical Land Records Viewer (HRLV):

My great grandparents clearing the land at Gunjulla Pittwater. Now called Gunjulla Road. 1919 Their grandson Geoffrey aged 4 is keen to lend a hand. - photo and information courtesy Helen Grant

Below - view towards Gunjulla 1919/1920:

Gunjulla view, circa 1919, Catherine at left of photo

'Clareville Road', Pittwater between 1922/1925 and 1930'. My great grandfather's photo Albert Henry Grace. Image courtesy Helen Grant. 

Albert Henry Grace at Gunjulla in 1920

Pittwater Online News recently spoke to Helen Grant, whose mum Deborah, was the youngest child of Henry Albert and Deborah Grace.

''From what I know, my grandparents purchase of the land of Gunjulla occurred in or around 1919 – they were clearing the block in 1919. The family were well off and had land in Wollongong and Willoughby (as well as at Surry Hills). 

Albert Henry Grace and his wife Catherine cleared the land. His son, Henry Albert Grace and his young family loved going there; Millicent, Gwendolyn, Geoffrey, Myra, and Deborah (my mother). 

Mum, Deborah, was the last kid to be born in 1926 to Henry Albert Grace and Deborah Watling Grace. The other children were much old or in their teens. My mum's memory of the place is very good, however, the time spent there was just following the older sibling around or keeping away from their antics.

Your first question was how much land was attached to the property. Mum can’t tell you that as she never knew.  The primary use of the property was a place to get away from the city and be with their grandparents. 

Deborah Grace Snr. and Catherine Grace 1940

Gunjulla: Deborah Grace Jnr. by The Tree 1940

Gunjulla: Albert Grace with Gwendolyn and Millicent, 1940

Gunjulla: Joyce and Millicent Grace by The Tree, 1940

Gunjulla: Geoffrey Grace by The Tree, 1940

Albert Henry Grace and his wife Catherine Ruth Grace were well off. Catherine was originally from Moree and Albert worked as a solicitor there. He moved his family to Wollongong, then to Willoughby, 9 Chiltern Road Willoughby. I have photos of the house there. They owned a Dort car. Quite an expensive car which was imported from America. This is the car in the photos. 

At Gunjulla: Henry and Catherine Grace with young Geoffrey Grace in the Dort - 1922

At Gunjulla: Deborah Grace with the Dort

Albert and Catherine purchased the land and called it Gunjulla, which is Aboriginal for a “peaceful place”. 

My great grandparents drove from Willoughby to Pittwater. There was only one road into the property called 'Clareville Road'. I think it has been changed now. My grandparents and their children lived at South Hurstville. They used public transport to get to Pittwater. They caught the train to Wynyard then a bus to the “corner store”. Mum says there was only one corner store and from there they walked to the property.

The house had 2 bedrooms a kitchen and a large dining area. There was no bathroom, however, there were washing facilities under the house and an outhouse “dunny”. The older people had the bedrooms while everyone else slept on the large veranda on old army beds. The house had no electricity. Kerosene lamps were used. 

Gunjulla - 1920

Gunjulla - 1920

Gunjulla - 1920

Gunjulla - 1920

Gunjulla driveway

Gunjulla driveway

Upon arrival, Great grandfather would light the cast iron stove and it would stay lit until the last day. Mum said that as soon as the smoke came out of the chimney, the birds would come. Great grandfather Albert had a meat chopping board nailed to the veranda post. He would feed the kookaburras and butcherbirds. There was a large basin in the kitchen and mum was bathed in it as a baby. 

Gunjulla: kookaburra on the verandah

At Gunjulla: Geoffrey feeding the kookaburra 1940

Grandfather Henry would light a “billy” fire outside. Mum said her father had a passion for the smoke that burning gum leaves made. Each tree had its own fragrance.  A cup of tea made on a smoking fire outside tasted better than one made inside. I can vouch for this as the utensils my grandfather made came to our house in Caringbah and my mother encouraged us to do the same.  All these were hand-made by Henry from old kerosene and cam tins.

Gunjulla: Henry making smoke 

Gunjulla: Henry making smoke by the tree

Gunjulla: making smoke by the tree

Mum said the property had koalas. She didn’t elaborate on it, she just said there was plenty of them.  

My great-grandmother Catherine was a golf enthusiast. The “green” was basic, but all managed to have a go. It is unknown how many holes the green had or if it was taken seriously.

At Gunjulla: the Palms and creek and golf grounds

Bushwalking was the favourite pastime for everyone. Yes, they went to the beach, but mum seldom went swimming.  Her father, Henry had a boat and he would take mum out to look at the rocks. She said she never saw any neighbours, it was all bush. 

Her fondest memories of the place were of the family being together. Everyone loved the outdoors and a chance to escape their busy lives. This passion for the outdoor was enjoyed by all the families right up till their deaths.

On their walk to the property they all collected mushrooms. Catherine Grace fried them in butter for breakfast. There were mushrooms on the property and they ate them every morning. They bought meats and vegetables from the corner store at Avalon or they brought favourite foods with them. they had no fridge. Every night they ate well and mum remembered the stews were delicious.  

After dinner they played parlour style games such was cards or Chinese checkers. Catherine was in charge of card games and Albert was keen on Chinese checkers and draughts. Albert always won. Half way through the game Albert took his teeth and secretly put them in his pocket. 

During the day Catherine would instruct everyone in craft. It was during the war and Catherine got her grandchildren to knit socks for soldiers.  Catherine would collect clay from the creek and make sculptures. We still have a sculpture she made. She was also keen on embroidery. My mum said she could look at clothing and make it without a pattern. She could see how things work. Millicent Grace inherited this skill.

During the day they would walk to the beach. No houses were there and flannel flowers grew everywhere. Mum remembered Ruskin Rowes’ house being " Cabbage Tree....something?" because of the property being covered in cabbage trees. He was a successful business man. This is all she knew. 

On November 26th, 1926 Albert Henry Grace sold some of his land to Harry Ruskin Rowe - HRLV provides:

With World War Two erupting, and much of the Barrenjoey end of Pittwater cut off by tank traps at the Mona Vale-Bungan hilltop, Helen's Great Grandfather sold the rest of his land in 1941 to Lillie Marion Searle of Waverton, on October 9th, 1941 who sold the 3 acres to Harry Ruskin Rowe on December 19th, 1941, later that year and who allowed training camps to be held there during this conflict.

HRLV provides:

The home, Gunjulla, also featured in an advertisement for coffee in 1996. Grace family photo:

Gunjulla, 1990s

Henry Albert Grace is famous for being ‘’The Bird Man’’. Henry was an electrician and bird enthusiast. He was born on June 28th 1885 at Moree, New South Wales, eldest of five children of Albert Henry Grace, solicitor, and his wife Catherine Ruth, née Muirson. 

1890s -  Henry Albert Grace as a boy reciting poetry in Stuart Park Wollongong

Henry worked as an electrician on shift work for the New South Wales Government Railways and Tramways for forty-five years. 

In 1910 he was in England, as on August 2nd of that year in the parish church at Erdington, Warwickshire, he married Deborah Watling Carter, from Norfolk. Next year he worked as an electrical switchboard attendant at Wolverhampton. 

Back in Sydney the family lived at Willoughby; after World War II they moved to Jannali.

Henry had first taken up his hobby of bird watching in 1917, although clearly he had a passion for birds prior to then. Taking an old police bicycle given to him by his father in 1896, he would take the steam train south from Sydney to the Royal National Park, where he was an honorary ranger for twenty-seven years. 

Henry with his bike

Henry with his bike

During his working life he maintained a love for the bush and nature. After retiring, he devoted himself to bird watching or more precisely bird listening, for which purpose he designed his own whistles so that he might 'talk with the birds'.

From his backyard workshop, Grace painstakingly constructed a series of extraordinary instruments, fashioned from old brass tubing, wire and rubber bands. In the National Park he would test the whistles in the wild, using his own birdcall notation (said to be a cross between Morse code and shorthand) to record the songs he heard in reply. He could imitate some sixty native species with his whistles, often with such perfection that he would fool the birds themselves—they would imitate each other. 

At times he ranged further afield, catching the train to Otford or Thirroul loaded with bicycle, whistles, firewood and supplies and then riding into the bushland, often camping out overnight. His favourite sound was the dawn chorus: 

When his hearing became impaired, Henry built himself metal ear trumpets, which enabled him to hear the sounds he had cherished throughout his lifetime. As he aged and his memory became rusty, he would increasingly refer to his exercise books full of birdcall notations, to remind himself of the calls.

Henry Albert Grace with his hand made ear trumpets

Henry visited the Minimurra falls regularly until his eightieth year, travelling by train to Wollongong then pushing his bike thirty miles (48 km) to the reserve. 

1937 The Grace family on Christmas vacation Stuart Park Wollongong

He passed away on July  4th 1966 in hospital at Caringbah and was cremated with Anglican rites. His wife, four daughters and son survived him and went on to have children of their own. 

In 1999 Grace's whistles, notebooks, bicycle and a 16-mm film of him in the Royal National Park featured in an exhibition at the State Library of New South Wales, 'Sydney Eccentrics: A Celebration of Individuals in Society'.

At Gunjulla front gate: Joyce, Deborah, Gwendolyn and Henry with his bike

Henry with his bird whistles

Some extra Grace - Grant family photos - the community ios fortunate that Albert Henry Grace was a photographer and fortunate again in Helen and her mum Deborah have shared these images:

Avalon Beach 1920

Avalon Beach circa 1920

Avalon Beach circa 1930-35

Newport Beach circa 1930-35

Gunjulla: The Grace family's The Tree, 1930-50

Gunjulla driveway 1930-40

Avalon Beach - view down Avalon Parade, 1958

Ruskin Rowe - 1958-1960

Ruskin Rowe - 1958-1960

Ruskin Rowe - 1958-1960

Ruskin Rowe - 1958-1960

The Spit, 1960

Our HUGE thanks to Helen Grant and her mum Deborah for sharing these insights and family photos.