Pages 48 to 59 - City of Gold Coast

Transcription

Another dangerous encounter was at a rocky reef off Lands End, where
I saw a small octopus in a pool at low tide. I was about to pick it up and
when it’s colour changed, I changed my mind. It was a deadly blue ringed
octopus.
Most boats were made of marine ply or wood and small hire boats were
equipped with inboard 2 stroke engines cooled with a water jacket and
started with a strap around the flywheel.
During the second World War all essentials were rationed. Ration tickets
were issued.
End of Barney Street, Southport)
Image courtesy of Jim and Colleen Yuke
As petrol was heavily rationed, we used the steam train frequently from Brisbane to Southport. Many American soldiers on leave
would use the train.
Now there was an imaginary line drawn from Brisbane East to Southport and West of Brisbane. This line was heavily defended and
invaders would be stopped at this line. General McArthur’s headquarters were at Lennons Hotel. Brisbane and there were large
infantry camps West of Tamborine Mountain. Fortunately the invasion of the Philippines by McArthur and us end any threat. The
strategic headquarters in Southport closed and all American defences were disbanded.
Gold Coast City Council Southport stories
48
Community tales submitted for the Southport Heritage Walk 2009
Place
: Southport Hotel
Theme : History and Development
Author : Peg Hillier
I was employed as a Receptionist at Southport Hotel (run by the Fitzgibbons
family of Brisbane) in 1958, where Sundale was eventually built on the site
and opened, I think, in 1960. When the hotel was in “full swing” they had
Saturday night “Variety Shows” and we Receptionists collected the entry fee
and worked (without pay) to collect same! It was “the place” to go for a
great night of entertainment, with such artists as Barry Crocker (wonderful
voice), Johnny O’Keefe. Many “stand up comics” started their career there.
Southport Hotel, circa 1918
Image courtesy of Gold Coast City Council Local Studies Library
49
Place
: Benowa Post Office
Theme : Pioneers, Identities and Family Stories – War years
Author : Nola Hollindale
The first post office for Benowa had Mr Robert Muir as Postmaster back in the
late 1800’s. The last post office was located in our old home with my mother,
Mrs Jessie James, a Postmaster from 1939 to 1972. All through the war
years the post office was a hive of activity as there were thousands of army,
artillery and airforce men camped in the surrounding bushland. Cups of tea,
crab sandwiches, and sponge cakes filled with whipped cream were freely
available as they frequently came to make phone calls home. As we lived near
Boobigan Creek, crabs were plentiful and cream from our dairy.
Sing songs around the piano at night were also very popular. When our home
finally came up for sale in the 1990’s, the Gold Coast Council wished to buy
it, remove it to the Heritage Centre next to our old one teacher school and
restore it for historical reasons.
Gary Baildon, Nola Hollindale and John Elliott on the
stairs of the last Post Office in Benowa
Image courtesy of Nola Hollindale
The Council arranged a lovely celebration party inviting my family and many
of the old residents of Benowa, including Gene Rosser who is now Treasurer
of the Historical Society.
50
Place
: Southport Stories
Theme : History and Development – Pioneers, Identities and Family Stories
Author : Nola Hollindale (nee James)
I am one of that vanishing breed they call “a native of the Gold Coast” or “an Old
Timer”. My story begins back in 1892 when my Grandparents – Eli and Mary Gill –
having sailed from the Old Country some years earlier, came to settle in Benowa.
They had one son and six daughters; one was named Jessie and she married
my father – Charles James – in the little Congregational Church in White Street,
Southport in 1920. Charles had recently returned from the 1914-1918 Great War
where he had been fighting in the trenches in France. He had lost an eye in a
skirmish with the enemy and was later awarded the Military Medal for bravery.
Jessie and Charles had four children – Darcy, Nola, Marjorie and Keith.
Benowa was only four miles (six kilometres) from Southport and in those days
most of the land was used for dairy farming and growing crops. There was a little
one teacher school next to our house and further up the street a large hall where
meetings, concerts and dances were held.
Tragedy struck our home in 1932 when my brother, Darcy, became one of
the victims of the polio epidemic. He was paralysed from the waist down and
hospitalised in Brisbane for many years. He became a patient of Sister Elizabeth
Kenny, who helped him quite a lot.
Southport Congregational Church, circa 1910
When finally he was allowed to come back home, and because he was limited in
what he could do on crutches, our favourite pastime was boating on the Nerang
51
continued
Place
: Southport Stories
Author : Nola Hollindale (nee James)
River. On weekends we would hire a row-boat from Barney’s Jetty which was
close to the old Jubilee Bridge, and we took turns at towing up the river to Nerang
where we would anchor and have our picnic lunch under a tree. Late afternoon
found us heading back – usually rowing against the tide – as another happy day
came to an end.
The Legacy Club was anxious to help my parents find suitable employment for
Darcy and when the position of telephonist became vacant at the old Southport
Town Council, they encouraged
him to apply. When he retired in his
sixties he was the longest serving
Council employee at the time.
I was employed as a Rates Clerk
for the Council in the days when
Mr. George Jackman was Acting
Town Clerk and Mr. Bill Serisier
was appointed as a new Town
Opening of Southport Town Hall, 1935
Clerk. I resigned in 1942 to join the
A.A.M.S.W.S. and was stationed at
Redbank. Wounded soldiers were
sent home from active service to the
hospital there to be treated and rehabilitated.
52
Boating on the Nerang River
Image courtesy of Nola Hollindale
Place
: The Broadwater, Southport
Theme : Heritage Places - Swimming
Author : Joan Lethlean
I arrived in Southport in April, 1952 as an English migrant to attend St. Hilda’s
school as a boarder. I remember going to see a film at the Pier baths, sitting
in the canvas chairs with the water lapping below. At 6am we (St. Hilda’s
girls) used to walk in a “crocodile” to Loder Creek to swim. On long
weekends we went to the Broadwater to fish, buying our lines and bait from
the shop there. Lots of fish were caught in those days, bream, whiting and
flathead.
Southport Pier Theatre, circa 1950
53
Place
: Southport Story
Author : Anne Littlejohn
My favourite recollection of Southport as it was: As a young girl in the early
60’s I remember the absolute treat, as a family, was going to the Pier Theatre
in Southport. You would walk out along the long jetty like entrance looking
at the billboards for upcoming movies on the way. Once inside you would sit
in long slung canvas seats to watch the movies.
In the hot summer months it was fabulous as they would open up all the
doors along the sides of the building and you could gaze out onto the water.
Because I was young, sometimes if the movie was not holding my attention, I
would look down through the slats in the floor boards and look at the water
below. This experience was particularly enthralling at night.
Southport Pier Theatre, circa 1950
54
Place
: Businesses
Theme : History and Development - Businesses
Author : Bev Lloyd
Congregational Church, White St. Southport Church building is still
there. It has been converted into a Backpackers.
Pier Theatre (opposite Star of the Sea) In the 1950’s I loved
attending the Saturday matinees at the Pier Theatre. Fixed seats were in
the balcony, removable canvas chairs downstairs. Each year the chairs
were stacked to expose a beautiful polished wooden floor upon which all
Southport State School children danced and performed a grand march for
our Fancy Dress Ball. The lifesavers also used the Pier for midnight to dawn
dances.
Congregational Church, circa 1898
mage courtesy of Gold Coast City Council Local Studies Library
Theodore’s Café Theodore’s was a very long building divided into 3 parts
– a milk bar at the Nerang St. entrance, behind this was a sit down café and
behind that was a function room. My sister had her wedding reception there.
Overhead were wall to wall material fans.
New Year’s Eve Concerts Each New Year’s Eve Scarborough St. was
blocked between Cecil Hotel and Carey’s Corner Store by a truck and tray,
upon which a stage was set up for a free concert. I think they were organised
by a Brisbane radio station, 4BH or 4BC? Stalls were set up in the east side
of Nerang Street selling cupie dolls, balloons, hats and whistles. Each year my
mother made us crepe paper hats to wear. Quite often it rained and we had
to dodge kids with water pistols.
55
New Years Eve at Careys Corner, circa 1954
Nerang, Scarborough, Hicks, Davenport St. block
2nd Post Office was on the corner of Nerang and Scarborough
Sts. Behind, on Scarborough and Hicks Sts. Were the Police and
Court House. On Hicks & Davenport corner was the Fire Station.
Davenport and Nerang St. corner was the Council Chambers.
Between the Council and Post Office in Nerang St. were the
ambulance and mothercraft clinic.
Methodist Church The Methodist Church was on the corner
of Scarborough and Short Sts. It was moved to Short St. where it
still is, to make way for the new Uniting Church.
Presbyterian Church The Presbyterian church was where
Southport Ambulance Brigade, circa 1920s
the Masonic Temple is. The hall belonging to the church is still
behind the temple.
Country Women’s’ Association The C.W.A. was on the corner of Young and Garden Sts.
Gold Coast City Band Shell Started as a small round wooden building in Recreation Reserve, then moved to the White St. side,
behind the R.S.L. Band shell then moved to Macintosh Park (now puppet theatre) and finally to their present position in Owen Park.
Salvation Army Temple Started in Scarborough Street on the north side of the milk factory. Shifted around the corner into
Young St beside the C.W.A. New temple was built in Nerang Street near Queen Street corner and from here they moved to their
present position on Wardoo and Nerang Sts. Corner.
56
continued
Place
: Businesses
Author : Bev Lloyd
Marabell’s Bakery (now Gold Coast Bakery) Bakery started in Scarborough Street (approximately 1965 – 67).
Kret’s Softdrinks This building still at the northern end of Davenport Street.
Drill Hall The Drill Hall was in Lawson Street, behind the School of Arts. Moved, when new R.S.L. hall was built, to Owen Park
(I think).
Carey’s Corner Shop Very popular grocery store on the corner of Scarborough and Nerang Sts. The owners also owned a store
and warehouse at the southern end of Scarborough Street (next to Westpac). From this store they did home deliveries and with each
order was a packet of boiled lollies.
Bunkers My brother, Neville Smith, said that during the War there were 2 Bunkers in Nerang Street. One near the Savoy Theatre
and one near the Regent Theatre. There were also a number of ditches dug in the school grounds.
Southport State School When I started at Southport State School in 1949, the primary school and high school were both
present there. There was a tennis court on the Scarborough and Lawson Sts. Corner. The Headmaster’s house was on the opposite
corner of Scarborough Street. All the buildings were from the tennis court ¾ the length of Lawson. Toilet blocks were behind
the Headmaster’s house and between the toilets and buildings were basketball courts. I was a member of the Fife Band started
by Mr. Roy Rose in the early 1950’s. We marched in Anzac and Spring Parades and performed at Gold Coast shows. We had a
Christmas break-up Picnic at Owen Park each year catered for by the Mothers Auxiliary.
Akes Plumbing – Nind Street
57
Netafit Clothing Factory (Mr. Pickering) Started in small building in
Garden St. between Owen Lane and White Street. He built a new 2 storey
building in Young Street. This building has not long been demolished.
Savoy Theatre Southport’s 3rd movie theatre, half way between
Scarborough St. and Marine Parade on the north side of Nerang Street.
Meitchy Saddlery Garden St. east side near Nerang St. corner.
Blacksmith Owen Lane, opposite Congregational Church Mance. Dave Louie
was also Scout Leader (Woodroffe Park).
Krouth’s Bakery Waverley St. near Queen St. corner. Not long been
demolished. Supplied bread and pies to businesses.
Tyles Shoes Scarborough St. next to Cecil Hotel. Building is still there.
Regent Theatre (Thams family) Southern side of Nerang Street, west of
Davenport Street. Davenport Street south did not exist when the Regent Theatre
was there.
Usher’s Café Next to the Regent Theatre. Best milk shakes in Southport.
Thams Picture Theatre, circa 1917
Image courtesy of John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Made with day old milk, slightly iced.
Barney’s Jetty and Swim Hole Nerang River near the start of the Rock Wall.
58
continued
Place
: Businesses
Author : Bev Lloyd
40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s – old Southport Businesses
E.M.D. Symons Book Shop
Martin’s Corner Chemist
Yarads Clothing Shop
Pilgrims Shoe Shop and Repairs
Arnold Anders Furniture
Grocery store in Queen Street (original store still there)
Miss E.A. Gregg – Books & Stationery
Birkbeck’s Jewellery
Lloyds Cake Shop, 57 Nerang St. (TAB building)
Two Bathing Pavilions, Spring Parade, Clock (built with Public donations – is stored somewhere I’ve been told)
59
Community tales submitted for the Southport Heritage Walk 2009 9

Pages 48 to 59 - City of Gold Coast

Transcription

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