Allawah Hotel
Allawah Hotel470 Railway ParadeLots 263 and 264, DP 7182When the Allawah Hotel first opened its doors in March 1929, it was heralded as a new landmark opposite the railway station. The Propellor reported that the hotel, under the management of Jack Shaw (formerly of the Hurstville Hotel), offered “commanding views over Botany Bay and the Georges River” and was “an elaborate residential hotel, replete with all the latest appurtenances and conveniences.” Guests could enjoy a spacious, modern bar described as both large and hygienic, with every facility provided for patrons.Behind the enterprise was The Allawah Hotel Ltd, established in June 1929 with a capital of £4000 in £1 shares. The directors included Jack W Shaw, Sarah Shaw, A Shroog and J Brogan.[1] The hotel’s design had been prepared two years earlier, in 1927, by the architectural firm Rudder and Grout, who would later work on the 1937 revision of the Hurstville Hotel.Over the decades, the Allawah Hotel became a fixture of the local landscape. A 1949 feature in Pix magazine praised its beer garden as “one of the pleasantest spots in Sydney.” In more recent years, the property changed hands for substantial sums — selling in 2017 to White and Partners for around $30 million, and then again in 2019 to the Merivale Group for a reported $34 million.[2] At the time of its most recent sale, development approval had been granted for renovations to the gaming room.[1] The Sun 8 March 1929, p8.[2] St George Leader 16 October 2019, p15.
Former Woids Avenue Congregational Church—St George Christian School
Former Woids Avenue Congregational Church—St George Christian School51–69 Woids AvenueLot 1, DP 1172012St George Christian School is an Independent co-educational K-12 Christian school on two campuses, founded in 1981.In 2018 the school lodged plans for a $14 million expansion. The school planned a four-storey classroom building at its campus at Woids Avenue, Allawah, which would give the school a new increase of seven classrooms. Local residents raised objections to the proposed development.[1]The youngest students from K-Year 2 attend the campus at 2 Hillview Street, Sans Souci. The site was formerly occupied by the Baptist Home Mission.[2][1] St George Leader 28 February 2018, p1.[2] Kogarah Council Rates Book (north ward) 1938.
Carss Cottage
Carss Cottage 72 Carwar Avenue Part of Lot 376, DP 1118749 Carss Cottage has looked out over Kogarah Bay for more than 160 years. Built soon after Scottish-born craftsman William Carss purchased the land in 1863, it was constructed by skilled Scottish stonemasons fresh from working on the sandstone buildings of Sydney University. The result was a solid mid-Victorian stone homestead, accompanied by two outbuildings for laundry and stables, and perfectly sited to take in the water views. Carss lived here until his death in 1878. The property stayed in the family until 1917, when the last surviving Carss child left it, along with the surrounding estate, to the Sydney Sailors’ Home. Kogarah Council later bought the land, reserving the waterfront as parkland and housing the park ranger in the cottage. By the late 1920s the building was in poor condition. Although the stone walls were as sound as the day they were built, the interior timber was riddled with rot and white ants. The Council engineer, unimpressed, valued it at just £150 — a fraction of the £600–£800 price for a new brick home — and recommended demolition. Thankfully, the Council instead chose to restore it.
Carss Bush Park
Carss Bush Park 72–82 Carwar Avenue Part of Lot 1, DP 89019; Part of Lot 376, DP 1118749; Lots 5–8, DP 10791; Lot 4, DP 668319; Lot 1, DP 1109360; Lot 1, DP 177114; Lot 1, DP 125981; Lot 511, DP 752056 The story of Carss Bush Park begins in 1853, when Jonathan Croft purchased 119 acres of land from the Crown for £1 an acre[1]. Over the next decade, the property changed hands several times before being acquired by Scottish-born craftsman and builder William Carss in 1863. Carss lived here until his death in 1878, and the estate remained in the family until 1916, when the last of his children bequeathed it to the Sydney Sailors’ Home. [2]In 1921, the Blakehurst Progress Association began lobbying to secure the estate as public parkland. When approaches to the State Government failed, they suggested that Kogarah Council buy the land. That too was unsuccessful until the Association joined forces with the Kogarah Reform League, whose candidates swept into Council in the 1922 municipal elections. The new Council quickly began negotiations with the trustees of the Sydney Sailors’ Home and secured the 119-acre Carss Estate for £12,000 (just over £100 per acre). The trustees favoured the sale to Council over land development syndicates because of its pledge to set aside part of the estate as parkland, name it Carss Park, and preserve the Carss family tomb. On 25 January 1924, Anniversary Day (now Australia Day), the park was officially dedicated to public use by the Hon. T J Ley, Minister for Justice. Celebrations included music by the Carlton Citizens’ Band and an auction of 374 building allotments. The event was a financial triumph: 243 lots sold on the day, raising £32,000, more than covering the purchase cost. At the time, The Propeller praised Council’s determination, noting that “until four months ago, Carss’ Bush, a 70-acre tract of bush, remained practically as it was when Captain Cook landed at Kurnell”[3]. The newspaper described the high plateau overlooking Kogarah Bay, laid out “in amphitheatre style” around a circular park preserved in its natural state. The park’s original area of 43 acres has since been expanded through reclamation, purchase, and resumption to include playing fields and large picnic areas. In January 1924, Council appointed a park ranger at £5 a week, offering the historic stone cottage at Carss Point, “quite the oldest building in Kogarah” as his residence for 35 shillings rent per week, along with the exclusive right to sell refreshments in the park. [4] Over the decades, Carss Bush Park has been home to a variety of facilities and attractions. In 1935, a shark-proof bathing enclosure measuring 650 feet long, 400 feet wide, and 12 feet deep at high tide was built at a cost of £2000 [5], with a diving pontoon installed later that year. [6] By 1950, The Sunday Sun reported holes in the nets, suggesting sharks could swim into the pool. The park has also featured in Australian cinema. Bush Christmas was partly filmed here in 1946 at the end of Bunyala Street [7], and Sons of Matthew followed in 1948. Long-serving ranger W J Hodgkinson, who worked at the park for thirty years, was presented with a gold watch by Kogarah Council in January 1978. [8]In 2018, Georges River Council committed $2 million to the Carss Park Foreshore naturalisation project. [9] That year, the park offered a wide range of sports facilities, including a soccer pitch, three cricket practice nets, three cricket wickets, and two rugby league fields. On 30 November 2022, a tree was planted in the reserve by Scott Morrison, Federal Member for Cook, to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. [10]From its days as a bush-covered estate to its transformation into one of southern Sydney’s most significant public reserves, Carss Bush Park continues to reflect the 1920s vision of a space where nature, heritage, and recreation come together for the community. [1] NSW Government Gazette 21 October 1853, p1847. The price was £1 an acre, and the day of sale was 25 August 1853.[2] Fletcher, Jim (ed), River, Road and Rail: A History of Kogarah Municipality, Kogarah, NSW: Kogarah Municipality Council, 1985, p76-77[3] Propeller 21 December 1923, p8.[4] Propeller 11 January 1924, p4.[5] Daily Telegraph 26 October 1935, p5.[6] St George Call 13 December 1935, p1.[7] Kogarah Historical Society Newsletter September-October 2012, p3.[8] St George Leader 18 January 1978.[9] St George Leader 2 May 2018, p2.[10] St George Leader 30 November 2022, p14.
Blakehurst Primary School, including original 1881 weatherboard demountable classrooms and 1920–1930 administration and library buildings
Blakehurst Public School294A Princes HighwayLot 1, DP 128058; Lot 1, DP 126885Blakehurst Public School has served its community for more than 140 years. The site, purchased from William Blake, was described in 1881 as “a sandstone plateau lightly timbered and commanding a pleasant prospect of the country to the north.” That same year, builder James Graham completed the stone schoolhouse and adjoining teacher’s residence for £1366. Access for pupils could be tricky as it wasn’t until 1888 that a proper pathway was formed.Teaching began in January 1882 under Harvey Murray, the school’s first head teacher. He was succeeded by William Davis in 1883, John Leeman in 1891, and Charles Beardow, who served from 1892 to 1902. Known locally as “the bush school” for its proximity to Carss’ Bush, it quickly grew and by 1904 more than eighty pupils were crammed into a room designed for sixty. A second classroom was added between 1917 and 1918.A Parents and Citizens Association formed in 1929, and a photograph from around 1930 shows the original stone building with the 1918 additions (see Fletcher, River, Road and Rail, p139). Headmaster in the 1930s, Mr T Dunlop, lived with his family in the teacher’s residence. However, not all was well. In 1935, Kogarah Council’s Building Inspector reported unfavourably on the state of the buildings. [1]The original schoolhouse was demolished to make way for new brick buildings, officially opened on 30 October 1937 by the Minister for Education, D H Drummond. [2] The foundation stone from 1881 was reset into the new building’s brickwork, preserving the inscription “Public School 1881.”Post-war growth saw enrolments surpass 500 in the 1950s, boosted by the nearby William Currey Housing Estate. The Parents and Citizens Association raised funds for a new school hall, designed by architect A K Eady and opened in 1961. A centenary history, The Bush School: its first century, written by J J Fletcher in 1982, remains available in the Kogarah Local Studies collection (LHP 371.01 BLA).In 2002, a $3 million redevelopment was approved. [3] Stage one, including new classrooms on the eastern side, was opened in 2003 by Kogarah MP Cherie Burton.[4] Today, the school blends modern facilities with heritage significance, and the site still contains its 1920s–1930s brick administration and library buildings, as well as original weatherboard demountable classrooms from 1881 which are rare survivors of its earliest days.[1] Propeller 4 April 1935.[2] Sydney Morning Herald 26 October 1937; Propeller 4 November 1937, p3.[3] St George Leader 18 June 2002, p13.[4] St George Leader 2 September 2003, p9.
House and front garden, “Bayview”
House and Front Garden, “Bayview”28A Carlton CrescentLot 21, Section 15, DP 1963Overlooking the water at Carlton Crescent, “Bayview” is a single-storey Federation Californian bungalow built around 1920. This style blended Australian Federation design with influences from the Californian bungalow movement, which had become popular in the years after World War I. Hallmarks include low-pitched tiled roofs, wide verandahs for shade and outdoor living, gabled ends often treated with decorative stucco, and the use of local materials such as face brick. “Bayview” incorporates all of these features, giving it a warm, welcoming presence on its generous waterfront site.The property was purchased by the Rowe family in 1920, with Frederick Ernest Rowe, a builder, as the owner. [1]By the late 1940s the house was making an impression for more than just its architecture. When it was offered for sale in November 1949, it was promoted as suitable for conversion into a private hospital. The St George Call described a 24-by-25-foot ballroom, large verandahs on two fronts, a self-contained cottage, and palm trees gracing the garden. [2] It was purchased by taxi-cab proprietor Mervyn Vollmer.In 1953–54, the property was advertised under the name “Bay Vista” as an ideal venue for wedding receptions, complete with ballroom, bride’s room, and space for an orchestra. [3] For nearly three decades it remained a celebrated reception venue, hosting countless weddings until 1982.Today, “Bayview” retains much of its early character and setting. It is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021, and was also recognised in the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012. The 1938 Rates Book records Mrs Elizabeth Rowe as the owner of Lot 21, Section 15, Carlton Park Estate, DP 1963.[1] St George Call 7 May 1936, p5.[2] Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage p43.[3] St George Call 16 September 1954, p1.
Former South Hurstville Methodist Church—South Hurstville Uniting Church
Former South Hurstville Methodist Church – South Hurstville Uniting Church37 and 38 Culwulla StreetLots 21 and 22, DP 4607Standing prominently at the corner of King Georges Road and Culwulla Street, the former South Hurstville Methodist Church has been part of the local streetscape since 1924. Designed by Sydney architects McCredie and Anderson[1] and built by local contractor Mr Hayter of Hurstville, the building is a fine example of an inter-war church, reflecting the growth and consolidation of the surrounding Railway Estate in the early twentieth century.Inter-war church architecture often combined traditional ecclesiastical forms with simpler, more modern detailing. At South Hurstville, the symmetrical façade, gabled rooflines, and pointed-arch windows evoke the Gothic Revival style, while the restrained ornamentation and brick construction reflect the design trends of the 1920s. The building’s corner position makes it a landmark in the suburb.The foundation stone was laid on 18 October 1924 by Reverend Joseph Walker. [2] Beneath it, a sealed jar containing documents was placed for future generations. Construction was estimated at £2,000, a significant investment for the growing congregation.The church opened on 14 February 1925, with Reverend J C Hill officiating. [3] Its interior provided a dignified setting for worship and community gatherings. During the Second World War, the second section of the church’s Honour Roll was unveiled on 22 February 1942, commemorating members who had served. [4]In the post-war period the church expanded. On 24 April 1954, a new kindergarten hall opened. Designed by church architect W C Brown and built by W H Varley, it featured two main rooms for up to 100 children. Mrs Storrie, former kindergarten superintendent, cut the ribbon, and plaques inside honoured Miss A Haslett, P W Baker, and Mr A E Tasker. [5]Today, the church is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and was also listed under the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012. Its architectural form, historical role, and enduring presence continue to tell the story of South Hurstville’s development.[1] Sydney Morning Herald 10 September 1924, p8.[2] Propeller 17 October 1924, p6.[3] Propeller 20 February 1925, p2 has a description of the new church.[4] Propeller 19 February 1942, p5.[5] Propeller 29 April 1954, p1.
House and garden, “Pine Villa”
House and Garden, “Pine Villa”1 Derwent Street, now part of SP 65185, 824–828 King Georges RoadSP 65185“Pine Villa” is a well-preserved example of the early Victorian homes built during the establishment of the Railway Estate Subdivision of 1886. The property’s original sandstone and decorative iron palisade front fence still survives, with the name “Pine Villa” carved proudly into the gateposts.According to Beverley Earnshaw, the single-storey brick cottage, with its slate roof and decorative terracotta ridge, was built in 1897 for city jeweller Martin Simmat. [1] Simmat, originally from Germany, arrived in New South Wales in 1879 and made his home here until his death on 26 January 1926. [2] In the 1928 Sands’ Directory he was still listed as the householder, and by 1938 the property had passed to Mrs Ethel Stone of Halleys Avenue, Bexley.Architecturally, “Pine Villa” displays the restrained elegance of the late Victorian period. The symmetrical façade, tall sash windows, and fine slate roof convey a sense of proportion and craftsmanship, while the terracotta ridge detailing adds a touch of ornament. The survival of its original fence and gateposts offers a rare glimpse into the presentation and formality of period gardens in suburban Sydney.Today, “Pine Villa” is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and was previously listed in the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012. It remains a tangible link to the late nineteenth-century development of the area, representing both the growth of the Railway Estate and the aspirations of its early residents.[1] Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage, p131.[2] Sydney Morning Herald 28 January 1926, p10.
St Raphael’s Church and School
St Raphael’s Church and School88 George StreetLots 13–16, Section 7, DP 5453On 23 December 1928, Archbishop Kelly blessed and opened the Roman Catholic Church of St Raphael in George Street, South Hurstville. [1] The occasion was tinged with sadness, coming only days after the death of the parish priest, Father Morris. At the time, the church’s debts stood at £3,440, and a collection taken that day raised £200 toward repayment.Designed by architect Clement Glancey, [2] the church-school building draws on the inter-war Romanesque style with subtle Spanish Mission influence. The red brick façade is symmetrical, with a steeply pitched gable and distinctive decorative brick corbelling along the roofline. The central porch projection frames twin arched doorways, while sets of round-arched windows provide rhythm to the design. Unlike the more elaborate render and curvilinear parapets seen in many Spanish Mission buildings, St Raphael’s uses brick detailing to achieve its ornament, giving it a robust yet inviting presence.An inscription on the foundation stone records that it was laid by His Excellency the Most Reverend B Cattaneo, Apostolic Delegate, on 21 October 1928. Over the years, the church became an important centre for the local Catholic community. In 1940, parish priest Father W H McDonald was honoured for the 25th anniversary of his ordination, having served at St Raphael’s for seven years. [3]Today, St Raphael’s is locally significant for its architectural style and as a reflection of South Hurstville’s Catholic heritage during a period of suburban growth. It is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021, and was previously listed in the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012.[1] St George Call 28 December 1928, p6.[2] Freeman’s Journal 25 October 1928, p29.[3] Propeller 5 December 1940, p2.
Former South Hurstville Bowling Club—Club Hurstville Sports
Former South Hurstville Bowling Club – Club Hurstville Sports29 Greenacre RoadLot 40, DP 1241815The South Hurstville Bowling Club was established in 1934, becoming a new focal point for sport and social life in the suburb. Less than a year later, on 18 May 1935, the club celebrated the opening of its first green, [1] with Mr A. Davis as president.In the late 1930s, the club was valued as a substantial community asset. The 1938 rates assessment recorded an improved value of £800, with annual rates of £58. That same year, members paid tribute to one of their own when the ashes of Alfred Staples, a former member, were scattered on the club’s green. [2]Growth continued into the early 1940s. A second green was opened in April 1941, [3] and by the ninth annual meeting in July 1943, J A Murphy was serving as president. The club’s early decades were marked by steady membership and the important role it played as a local gathering place.The greens and clubhouse would have seen decades of matches, tournaments, and post-game camaraderie. Bowling greens are usually laid with fine couch or bent grass and kept to exacting standards, requiring constant rolling, mowing, and watering — a sign of the dedication of both members and greenkeepers.By the late twentieth century, however, changing leisure trends and declining membership affected many local bowling clubs. The South Hurstville club was eventually converted into the Marist Catholic School Penshurst, bringing new life to the site in an educational capacity while closing the chapter on its sporting past.[1] Propeller 23 May 1935, p7.[2] Daily Telegraph 19 July 1938.[3] Sydney Morning Herald 18 April 1941, p13.
House and garden, “Yamba”
House and garden, “Yamba”11 Cecil StreetLot 27, Section 2, DP 1650No 11 Cecil Street is locally significant as it represents an early timber Victorian cottage, a remnant from the circa 1890 Hurstville Grove Estate subdivision.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 3 Ref Item 80.Earnshaw states that the house was bought in 1898 in a mortgagee sale by Mark Toomey, a clerk, who lived there until 1907.[1]The house is notable for its garden, which won the St George Area Garden Competition in 1999.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 2012.1938 rates book, owner Mrs Rachel Sellenger, house name ‘Yamba’. Lot 27 of section 2 of Hurstville Grove Estate. Vol 1266 Fol 225 DP1650.[1] Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage, p135.
House and garden, “Aintree”
House and garden, “Aintree”41 Hillcrest AvenueLot 2, DP 980293
Victorian House and garden
House and garden115 Hillcrest AvenueLot 20, Section 4, DP 1650No. 115 Hillcrest Avenue, Hurstville Grove, is a charming single-storey residence that reflects the Victorian residential development of the late 19th century. Built in 1887 by W. Delanty on Lot 20 of Section 4 of the Hurstville Grove Estate, the home is notable for its decorative quoining— the use of contrasting stonework at the corners of the building, which adds visual strength and elegance to the façade.[1] The house is representative of the architectural style and suburban expansion that followed the subdivision of Hurstville Grove in the 1890s, as Sydney’s rail-connected suburbs began to flourish. Its modest scale and detailing reflect the aspirations of middle-class homeowners during this period. In the 1938 rates book, the property was listed under the ownership of Henry S. Billingham of Smiths Avenue, Hurstville. From 1947, the house became home to the Rollo family, who lived there for over fifty years, contributing to the continuity and character of the neighbourhood. No. 115 Hillcrest Avenue 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 Hurstville Local Environmental Plan 2012. References:[1] Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage, p. 134.
Quarry Reserve (North), including reserve and quarry
Quarry Reserve (North), including reserve and quarry29 and 29A Hurstville RoadLots 28–30, DP 6816; Lot 1, DP 191623; Lot B, DP 356551; Lot 1, DP 223497; Lot 29, DP 528848; Lot 27, DP 532296; Lot 1, DP 227641; Lot 25, DP 528014; Lot 3, DP 532756; Lot 23, DP 528997; Lot 5, DP 528677; Lot 21, DP 529848; Lot 7, DP 528727; Lot 19, DP 528678; Lot 9, DP 528998; Lot 17, DP 528726; Lot 2, DP 232384; Lot 15, DP 528999; Lot 13, DP 528704; Lot 11, DP 236321The Claremont Estate of 1912 included several lots acquired by Hurstville Council, which were exploited as a quarry. The lots are shown on the Kogarah Block Plan no 86. Quarry Reserve, Hurstville Road, was listed under the NSW Heritage Act on the State Heritage Register. It was a source of sandstone used in local developments. A section of the quarry has been reclaimed as grassed open space, and native plants are being regenerated.There was debate in Kogarah Council in 1975 as to whether the reserve should be the site for a Council waste disposal depot.[1]An amenities block was built in 1987.[2][1] St George Leader 29 October 1975.[2] Photo in Kogarah Council Annual Report 1987-88 p20.
House and garden
House and garden141 Lansdowne StreetLot 1, DP 847983No 141 Lansdowne Street is locally significant as it represents a turn of the century residence within the Hurstville Grove Estate subdivision (of 1886). Note, the adjacent vacant block was formerly the site of a church.[1]See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 2 Ref Item 49, which mis-identifies the street.See St George Leader 14 November 2000, describing house for sale as “Federation, circa 1907”. The property featured three double-sized bedrooms.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 Hurstville Local Environmental Plan 2012.
Moore Reserve
Moore ReserveWest Crescent, between Hurstville Road and Oatley BayLot 7047, DP 1127644; Lots A and C, DP 187857; Lot A, DP 187853; Lots 5–8, DP 449747; Lot A, DP 187855; Lot A, DP 187858; Lot 1, DP 359867; Lot 1, DP 360230; Lot 2, DP 450322; Lot 2, DP 379410; Lot 2, DP 360235; Lot 2, DP 360233; Lot 1, DP 361093; Lot 1, DP 361825; Lot 1, DP 360227; Lots A and B, DP 360226; Lot 1, DP 433374; Lot 1, DP 363870; Lot 1, DP 360232; Lot 3, DP 526583; Lot A, DP 359870; Lot A, DP 359869; Lot A, DP 433393; Lot 2, DP 364066; Lot 1, DP 360237; Lot 1, DP 362212; Lots 1 and 2, DP 1114945; Lot 2, DP 360437; Lots 37, 52 and 71, Section 56, DP 5023; Lot 1, DP 1176951; Lot 2, DP 515398; Lot 1, DP 360229; Lots 5 and 6, DP 11265; Lot C, DP 359868; Lot 2, DP 211618; Lot 1, DP 361096; Lot 1, DP 363289; Lot 1, DP 363288; Lot A, DP 385168; Lot 1, DP 360228; Lot D, DP 360231; Local I155 Lot E, DP 362296; Lot 1, DP 1115462; Lot B, DP 374610; Lot 4, DP 660911; Lot 1, DP 361675; Lot 1, DP 370329; Lot B, DP 338785; Lot 2, DP 362102; Lot 3, Section 9, DP 1604; Lot B, DP 342749; Lot B, DP 342706; Lot 2, DP 374842; Lot 3, DP 361092; Lot 2, DP 360549
