Bald Face Point Reserve
Bald Face Point Reserve227 Stuart StreetLot 1, DP 921050; Lot 1, DP 984057; Lot 7038, DP 93516The name Bald Face Point Reserve was assigned in 1972. It is a recreation reserve on the northern shores of Georges River at Bald Face Point.[1]Prior to 1938 the area at Bald Face Point was a quarry operated by the Public Works Department. In February 1938 the quarry was reserved for public recreation.[2]In 1940 the Government purchased from Alfred Parsons an additional acre of land adjoining the quarry reserve and vested it in Kogarah Council to further develop the reserve.[3]Beverley Earnshaw states that the point was resumed by the Government some time prior to 1885 to exploit the deposits of stone found there. She quotes May Grieve, born 1901, who remembered a group of Maltese quarrymen working at the quarry in the 1910s. It is thought that the stone was transported by drogher on the Georges River into Botany Bay to Shea’s Creek.A proposal when the reserve was established in 1972 was to name it after Dr William McBride. This did not transpire, since Geographical Names Board prohibited features being named after living persons.[4][1] Government Gazette 7 July 1972, p2788.[2] St George Call 4 February 1938, p2.[3] Propeller 30 May 1940, p3.[4] St George Leader 12 January 1972.
Connells Point Reserve
Connells Point Reserve290 Connells Point RoadLots 12–14, Section 1, DP 3362Connells Point Reserve is named after early landowner John Connell, who died in 1849. It is at 290 Connells Point Road.The necessity of having a Reserve at Connells Point was referred to in 1928 by a delegation from the Connells Point Progress Association to Kogarah Council[1]. The land forming the reserve was transferred to Kogarah Council on 23 April 1928 from William Broadhurst of Stanmore for £1,000. It comprised 3 roods 17 perches and was Lot 14, Section 1 of R R Terry’s Estate. There were two weatherboard cottages on the land.There were complaints in 1938 about football being played there on a Sunday.The St George Navy League ‘Sirius’ held its inaugural parade there on 12 May 1945[2]. Kogarah Municipal Band occasionally used to play there on Sundays.The reserve contains many mature native and introduced species including bunya pine, Norfolk Island pine, Phoenix canariensis, Cupressus, casuarina and others.Land parcels in 2010 were[3]:Lot 12 Sec 1 DP 3362; Lot 13 Sec 1 DP 3362; Lot 14 Sec 1 DP 3362.[1] St George Call 17 February 1928, p5.[2] Propeller 17 May 1945, p1.[3] Kogarah Council, Local Parks and Reserves Draft Generic Plan of Management, 2010.
Inter-War Functionalist House and garden
House and garden116 Connells Point RoadLot 219, DP 6202House and Garden116 Connells Point RoadLot 219, DP 6202No. 116 Connells Point Road, Connells Point, is a rare and well-preserved example of Inter-War Functionalist architecture, dating from around 1930.Functionalism is one of the movements of Modernism, which emerged in the wake of World War I. In the post war era, Modern architecture developed from a wave of technological innovation (particularly in the use of glass, steel, and reinforced concrete) and was guided by the principle "form should follow function”- where a building’s form was shaped by its intended purpose. It embraced minimalism, favouring clean lines and open spaces, and deliberately rejected traditional ornamentation in favour of structural clarity and simplicity. Modernist architects sought to create a better world for humanity. Other Modernist movements include Bauhaus and the International Style. [1]Inter-War Functionalism gained popularity in Australia during the 1920s and 1930s, and is characterised by its emphasis on clean lines, geometric forms, and minimal ornamentation. Inspired by aerodynamic design, the style emphasised curving forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements. The curved forms and horizontal lines, as well as minimal ornamentation, can all be seen on 116 Connells Point Road.The house’s horizontal emphasis, flat roof, and streamlined detailing reflect the Functionalist ideal of “form follows function.” Even the garden beds and front fence echo the linearity of the building, reinforcing the architectural unity between the house and its landscape.Occupying corner block 219 of the Homedale Estate, the property was owned in 1938 by James Alfred Birkett, who also held the neighbouring lot at No. 114 Connells Point Road.(Vol 2714 Fol 126 DP6202)No. 116 is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register under the NSW Heritage Act, and is also a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021, having previously been listed in the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012. Its architectural significance and intact condition make it a valuable example of early modernist residential design in the Georges River area.1. Modern Architecture, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_architecture
House and garden, “Jacma”
House and garden, “Jacma”222 Connells Point RoadLot D, DP 414623No 222 Connells Point Road is locally significant as it represents a good example of an inter-war bungalow residence of circa 1920. It reflects the continued growth and development of the surrounding circa 1920 subdivisions.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 3 Ref Item 122.It is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and was previously listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012.
House and garden, “Whitevale”
House and garden, “Whitevale”55 Greenacre RoadLot 2, DP 214059‘Whitevale’, 55 Greenacre Road, Connells Point is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and was previously listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012. It was also listed under the NSW Heritage Act on the State Heritage Register.Whitevale was advertised in 1925 as a “suburban residence on 3.5 acres, very suitable for poultry, 6 large rooms, bathroom washhouse, 6ft verandahs on 3 sides, gas cooking, electric light available, well-built sheds, poultry houses, all kinds fruit trees. £1650.In 1938 rates book, owner of 55-59 Greenacre Road was Percy Charles Young, no house name given. The property was located on the Homedale Estate, DP 6282.A second storey addition dates from circa 2008.
House and garden
House and garden8 Loch Maree CrescentLot 10, DP 29352No 8 Loch Maree Crescent, Connells Point, was listed under the NSW Heritage Act on the State Heritage Register. It is a single-storey residence dating from 1923, built for ‘Professor’ Stewart. It was apparently the first house in the area. D Henry Stewart was a pianist and composer of numerous popular pianoforte solos who was musical editor for Paling and Co.[1]The owners of ‘Loch Maree, Terry Street’, in the 1938 rates book were David Stewart and George Towle. It was on lots 7, 8, and 9 of section 5 of the Williams Estate. Vol 3622 Fol 2, DP9592.It is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and was previously listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012.[1] Photo in Daily Telegraph 21 January 1924, p4.
House and garden, “Braeside Castle”
House and garden, “Braeside Castle”4 Marie Dodd CrescentLot A, DP 29102Nestled in the leafy suburb of Blakehurst, Braeside Castle stands as a rare and evocative example of late Victorian residential architecture in southern Sydney. Built circa 1897, this two-storey stone mansion was originally known as ‘Tanasari’, a name believed to reference the Tanasari Diamond Mine in the Transvaal, which its first owner, Captain John William James, once managed [1].Captain James, a Canadian civil engineer, commissioned the home as a gentleman’s residence, and by 1902 it was advertised as having twelve spacious rooms set within seven acres of landscaped grounds [2]. The estate featured a grand carriage drive, herbaceous plantings, and commanding views—hallmarks of Victorian-era prestige and domestic grandeur.Following Captain James’s death in 1903 [3], the property changed hands and was renamed Braeside in 1935 by D.E. Dodd, a cinema organ manufacturer, and his wife Marie Dodd, a well-known charity worker [4]. The Dodds purchased the estate as a deceased property for £2,500, acquiring over six acres of land.Architectural Significance Braeside Castle was originally built in the Victorian Italianate style, popular in Australia from the 1870s to early 1900s. This style conveyed wealth and sophistication, and were often adapted to suit the Australian climate and materials [5].War and Transformation During World War II, Braeside Castle was commandeered by the Australian Army in 1942, giving the Dodd family just one week to vacate. The house was repurposed as the Headquarters for the 103 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment and the NSW Line of Communication Area HQ, with its address listed at the time as Townson Street [6]. According to local accounts, the military occupation left the house “totally vandalised,” rendering it uninhabitable.Post-War Redesign and Modernist Influence After the war, the building underwent a significant redesign by Bruce Furse, an architect known for his European Modernist aesthetic. [7] Furse, in partnership with Guy Crick, was renowned for designing theatres and public buildings that embraced clean lines, functional forms, and minimal ornamentation—an approach that contrasted sharply with the home’s original Victorian character [8].Heritage Recognition and Later Developments Braeside Castle is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021, and was previously listed under the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012. The Kogarah Heritage Study (1994) noted its local significance, particularly its connection to the Georgetown subdivision established before 1885, and its wartime role ([Kogarah Heritage Study, Tropman & Tropman, 1994]).Despite its heritage status, the property has faced development pressures. A 2001 proposal to convert the building into seven townhouses was rejected by Kogarah Council [9]. Nevertheless, units within the Braeside Castle complex were advertised for sale as recently as June 2023 [10].References: Name origin: Tanasari Diamond Mine, Transvaal Sydney Morning Herald, 23 October 1902, p.3 Evening News, 24 August 1903, p.4 Sydney Morning Herald, 19 January 1935, p.12 https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/publications/assessing-heritage-significance Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage, pp. 25–27 https://dictionaryofsydney.org/person/furse_bruce https://architectureau.com/articles/the-majestic/ St George Leader, 5 April 2001, p.8 St George Leader, 21 June 2023, pp. 24–25
P&O House and garden
House and garden701 Princes HighwayLot 5, DP 14570Perched on a dramatic, elevated site shaped by broad-scale cut and fill, 701 Princes Highway stands as a striking example of Inter-war Functionalist architecture, constructed around 1930 as part of the later Woniora Estate subdivision. The house cleverly utilises the natural rock outcrop as its foundation, giving it a commanding presence in the landscape. 1This residence is locally significant for its embodiment of the Inter-war Functionalist style, a movement influenced by European modernism of the 1920s and 1930s. Hallmarks of this style include simple geometric forms, asymmetrical massing, flat or parapeted roofs, and large steel-framed windows that often wrap around corners. The design philosophy emphasised function, technology, and the elimination of unnecessary ornamentation, resulting in streamlined, horizontal architecture that was considered radical and progressive for its time. 2 3701 Princes Highway is also notable for its ‘P&O’ style—a uniquely Australian take on Functionalism inspired by the sleek lines and nautical motifs of ocean liners. Features typical of the P&O style include porthole windows, curved walls, smooth rendered surfaces, and ship-like railings, all evoking the glamour of 1930s cruise ships. 4 5This style was especially popular in Sydney’s harbourside suburbs, and its influence can be seen in the home’s sweeping lines and minimalist detailing.Commissioned by Mr. George Thorburn and built by J.R. Cole in 1940, the house was celebrated in the pages of Decoration and Glass (Vol. 6, No. 4, August 1940), which showcased both its interior and exterior as exemplars of contemporary design 6. The magazine, a leading authority on Australian home design of the era, highlighted the home’s innovative use of glass and modern materials.Recognising its architectural and historical value, 701 Princes Highway is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021, and was previously listed under the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012. 7 Its significance is further documented in the Kogarah Heritage Study by Tropman and Tropman (July 1994, Group 3 Ref Item 110).References: Heritage NSW. (n.d.). State Heritage Inventory – 701 Princes Highway. Retrieved from https://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au Canberra House. (n.d.). Inter-war functionalist architecture in Australia. Retrieved from https://canberrahouse.com.au/functionalist.html [canberrahouse.com.au] Royal Australian Institute of Architects. (n.d.). Functionalist style houses. Retrieved from https://www.architecture.com.au Modern Heritage Matters. (2013, July 31). P&O and Art Deco architecture in Sydney. Retrieved from https://modernheritage.com.au/mhm/house_style/482/ [modernheri...age.com.au] Modern Heritage Matters. (2013, July 31). Ocean Liner and Streamlined Moderne styles (1925–1950). Retrieved from https://modernheritage.com.au/mhm/house_style/482/ [modernheri...age.com.au] Morley, S. (1935). Decoration and Glass Magazine. State Library of New South Wales. Retrieved from https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/decoration-and-glass-magazine [sl.nsw.gov.au] New South Wales Government. (2021). Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021. Retrieved from https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2021-0587 [legislatio...nsw.gov.au]
House and garden
House and garden139 Stuart StreetLot 102, DP 739163No 139 Stuart Street, Blakehurst, is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and was previously listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012.It is a stone cottage, built circa 1900 for Grace Stuart, wife of building contractor James Stuart of Annandale.[1] A photo of the cottage in 1904 appears in Earnshaw, p19. It was known as Braeside. It had slate roof and terra cotta ridging. Stone steps led to a stone boatshed on the waterline. Mrs Stuart sold the house on 29 October 1927, and it subsequently had several owners.In 1986 the house was bought by Sid and Marilyn Wang, who restored much of the original condition, removing false ceilings and exposing blocked off marble fireplaces. A new wing was built on the east side of the house, in sandstone.Trees on the property were poisoned in 2009 by unknown persons.[2][1] Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and heritage, p18-22.[2] St George Leader 17 March 2009, p9.
House and garden
House and Garden 145 Stuart Street Lots 1 and 2, DP 381985 No. 145 Stuart Street, Blakehurst, is a striking example of 1960s Australian modernist architecture, inspired by the work of renowned architect Harry Seidler. It is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021, recognising its architectural significance and contribution to the mid-century suburban landscape. Modernist homes of this era were defined by their clean lines, open-plan interiors, and integration with the surrounding landscape. Influenced by European modernism and the Bauhaus movement, Seidler’s designs introduced a new architectural language to Australia—one that embraced concrete, steel, and glass, and rejected ornamentation in favour of functional form. No. 145 Stuart Street reflects these principles through its geometric composition, minimalist detailing, and emphasis on light and space. Positioned on a generous block, the house exemplifies the post-war shift toward modern living, where architecture was used to express progress, innovation, and a connection to nature.
House and garden
House and garden219 Terry StreetLot B, DP 323295No 219 Terry Street is locally significant as it represents an example of an inter-war bungalow residence of circa 1920. It is a later development overlay to the Terry Estate of 1903. Note a phoenix Canariensis in focal location on the corner block [not visible in 1937 aerial photo], and matching fence and lychgate.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 3 Ref Item 123.It is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and was previously listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012.The property was advertised for sale in 1933.1938 rates book shows the property as no 161 Terry Street, house name ‘Palmwood’, owner Mrs Lena Winkworth.Marine View Estate Section 2 Lot 9 (Vol 2865, Fol 78, DP3362).
Georges River (Tom Ugly’s) Bridge
Georges River (Tom Ugly’s) BridgePrinces HighwayPedr Davis states: “Work on Tom Ugly’s Bridge started in 1924 and ended five years later, the bridge being of the American steel truss design, as distinct from the lattice girder system used in the older Como bridge. It was built at a cost of £305,000, and a 6d toll was charged for its use until 31 May 1952.[1]The likely origin of the name is interesting. Prior to his death in 1894, James Huxley of the Hawkesbury district used to tell family and friends that his father, Tom Huxley, had owned a small peninsula of land adjacent to the George’s River at Kogarah. The local Aborigines still living in the area were not able to get their tongues around the word Huxley and called him Tom Ugly. In due course, the small peninsula became known as ‘Tom Ugly’s’. A hand-operated public punt began running from the Tom Ugly’s side of the river to Sylvania in late 1864.[2] It was operated by William Harris but financed by Thomas Holt who had extensive land holdings on that side of the river.”[3]An alternative explanation is illustrated by a quote from George French Angas, who was the author in 1847 of Savage Life and Scenes in Australia and New Zealand. A review of the work appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald 9 July 1847, p3, which quoted from the author’s description of the country around Lake Alexandrina in Victoria:“Whilst encamped in a pine forest we were approached by a droll-looking fellow: a tall, muscular native, perfectly naked, armed with a wirri and a spear, and having the hair of his beard, whiskers, and other parts of his body most carefully plucked out. From the crown of the head to the waist he was copiously plastered with red ochre and grease, which dripped from his long, matted ringlets; and his hair was ornamented with kangaroo teeth, fastened into it with clay, which hung down over his forehead. He had just passed through those ceremonies of his tribe which consist of initiatory rites into the state of manhood; and he held in one hand a branch of eucalyptus; the green bough being symbolic of his situation, according to the rainmakers or wise old men. This stately fellow came up to us in the most gentlemanly manner possible, stating that he was ‘berry good black fellow’, and as he had no card, gave us his name, ‘Tom Ugly’. Another young man, who had undergone similar rites, and rejoicing in the appellation ‘Jack Larkins’, also made his appearance.”From this quote, it appears that the name ‘Tom Ugly’ was in use prior to 1850 and it may have been a generic name for an Aboriginal man, in the way that ‘Tommy Tanna’ was later used for South Sea Islanders from Tanna and Vanuatu. The name appears to have had pejorative connotations.Tom Ugly’s Point in the Parish of St George is referred to in newspaper advertisements from 1855.[1] Main Roads June 1952, p110-111.[2] Empire 14 November 1864, p3.[3] Davis, Pedr, The Hurstville Story, p91-92.
Kyle Williams House and Reserve
Kyle Williams House and Reserve52 Waratah StreetLot 190, DP 1212712Kyle Williams House, the former Legacy House at Waratah Street, was described in the 1993 Kogarah Heritage Study as a single-storey residence in Victorian Italianate style, set in extensive grounds. It is a visual landmark from the water.It is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and was previously listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012.See Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage p124-126. Earnshaw states that the house and jetty were built in 1886 or 1887 for Robert Kyle and his son Alexander. In 1900, Alexander sold the proper ty to his sister Caroline (nee Kyle) Williams. On her death in 1939, she bequeathed the residence and grounds to a trust company and directed that it be used as a convalescent home for sick children.
International Style House and garden
House and garden7 Cross StreetLot 3, DP 209927No. 7 Cross Street is a notable example of Post-War International Style architecture, designed by J. S. Whitelock of the firm Hely and Whitelock. Listed in the 1993 Kogarah Heritage Study, the two-storey residence reflects the modernist design principles that gained prominence in Australia after World War I. The International Style, which emerged from European modernism in the 1920s and was popularised globally by architects such as Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe, emphasised functional design, clean lines, and the absence of ornament. [1] In the post-war Australian context, this style was adapted to suit suburban living, often incorporating flat or low-pitched roofs, large windows, and open-plan interiors. In post-war Australia, the style gained popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, particularly through flat-roofed, cubiform houses and curtain-walled office blocks. Architects like Harry Seidler and Sydney Ancher were instrumental in introducing the style to Sydney, often facing resistance from councils opposed to its radical departure from traditional domestic forms. [2] No. 7 Cross Street exemplifies this approach, with its geometric form, minimal detailing, and integration into the surrounding garden setting. The design reflects a shift toward simplicity, efficiency, and a new architectural language that responded to modern lifestyles and materials. References:See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 2 Ref Item 13. 1. International Style, Reserve Bank of Australia, https://museum.rba.gov.au/exhibitions/unreservedly-modern/international-style/ 2. Post-War International Architecture, https://www.canberrahouse.com.au/pw-international.html
Kyle Bay Bowling Club
Kyle Bay Bowling Club12A Merriman StreetLot 10, DP 21299; Lot 12, DP 650783; Lots 9–11 and 40, Section 1, DP 7641; Lot 7316, DP 1154446
