House and garden, “McWilliam House”
House and garden, “McWilliam House” or "Sunnyside"188 Princes HighwayLots 5 and 6, DP 17522Nestled along the Princes Highway in Carlton, Sunnyside stands as a majestic reminder of the St George region’s early European settlement and architectural grandeur. This heritage-listed Victorian sandstone residence, built circa 1870, was commissioned by Matthew Carroll, an Irish immigrant and early settler in the area [1]. The sandstone used in its construction is believed to have been sourced from Blake’s Quarry, operated by William George Blake, a prominent landholder and quarryman whose legacy lives on in the suburb name Blakehurst [2] [3]. The house’s architectural features—slate roofing, bull-nosed verandahs, stone chimneys, French doors, and leadlight glass panels—reflect the craftsmanship and elegance of the Victorian era [4]. Following Matthew Carroll, the property passed to his son John B. Carroll, who served as one of Kogarah’s earliest mayors. In 1884, it was sold to Patrick Lacey, a land dealer who also became mayor in 1892 [1]. In 1906, the estate was acquired by the McWilliam family, known for their pioneering role in Australia’s wine industry. At the time, Frederick McWilliam, an accountant, transformed Sunnyside into a genteel family estate. A contemporary description paints a vivid picture: “Set back from the road on three acres, Sunnyside was encircled by a picket fence. A semicircular carriage drive led to the entrance. The grounds featured a tennis court, croquet lawn, plant nursery, and an equestrian field where the McWilliam daughters trained for show jumping, all maintained by two full-time gardeners” [1]. The McWilliam name is synonymous with innovation in Australian winemaking. Their original Sunnyside vineyard in Corowa, NSW, laid the foundation for a six-generation legacy that helped shape the wine industry [5]. In the 1930s, Sunnyside was converted into two flats, reflecting the changing housing needs of the era. Then in 1943, Miss Elkington purchased the property and established Sherwood School, a private kindergarten and primary school. This educational chapter lasted until 1959, after which the house became a rooming house, suffering from unsympathetic alterations that enclosed its verandahs and added incongruent wings [1]. Recognising its architectural and historical significance, the National Trust listed Sunnyside in 1986, citing its distinctive features as worthy of preservation [1]. A pivotal moment came in 1993, when a development application proposed partial demolition to make way for a McDonald’s restaurant. The local community rallied in opposition, successfully preserving the site. It was then purchased by Neil Brown, who undertook an 18-year restoration, returning Sunnyside to its former glory [1]. In 2014, the property sold for over $2 million, and in 2017, it was included in a lot of five homes, further cementing its status as a prized historical asset [4]. Today, Sunnyside remains a stately and enduring symbol of Carlton’s rich heritage—its sandstone walls echoing stories of civic leadership, family life, and community resilience. References: Georges River Libraries. Sunnyside – 186 Princes Highway, Carlton. Local History Collection. Domain. (2014). Carlton heritage home Sunnyside sells for over $2 million. Retrieved from domain.com.au Blakehurst Heritage Society. William George Blake and the Blakehurst Quarries. Community Archives. NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. Blakehurst Suburb Profile. Retrieved from environment.nsw.gov.au McWilliam’s Wines. Our History. Retrieved from mcwilliamswines.com.au
Californian House and garden
House and Garden 177 Rocky Point Road Lot 11, DP 1087596 No. 177 Rocky Point Road, Sans Souci, is locally significant as a grand example of the Inter-War Californian Bungalow style. Listed in the 1993 Kogarah Heritage Study, the house reflects the continued residential growth along Rocky Point Road during the early 20th century, particularly within the Targo Estate subdivision. The Californian Bungalow style, popular in Australia from the 1910s to the 1930s, was known for its low-pitched roofs, wide verandahs, exposed rafters, and use of natural materials. These homes were designed to be informal, comfortable, and well-integrated with their gardens—ideals that suited the Australian climate and lifestyle. Grander examples, like No. 177, often featured more substantial proportions, decorative brickwork, and generous setbacks. While the house was previously believed to date from circa 1929, research suggests it may be more recent. A 1943 aerial photograph appears to show the block as vacant, indicating construction may have occurred later. (See vertical file Historic Buildings – Kogarah) No. 177 Rocky Point Road 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, recognising its architectural contribution to the streetscape and its reflection of inter-war suburban development. References See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 3 Ref Item 1. See vertical file Historic Buildings – Kogarah.
Former Ramsgate Methodist Church—Ramsgate Community Church
The Uniting Church at 181 Rocky Point Road is now known as Ramsgate Community Church. It is locally significant as it represents a good example of an inter-war Romanesque Church. The foundation stone was laid on 19 January 1924[1] and the building opened on 3 May 1924.[2]The architect was A Lanyon Clarke and the contractors were Messrs Kent and Driver. The building cost some £1,300 to erect.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 3 Ref Item 24.A heritage study of the church was carried out by John Oultram Heritage and Design in 2000 and a copy is deposited in Kogarah Library at 287.93099441 RAM.[1] St George Call 25 January 1924, p1.[2] St George Call 16 May 1924, p1.
Residential flat building, “Roma”
Residential flat building, “Roma”70 Ramsgate RoadSP 55373Standing proudly along Ramsgate Road, Roma Flats at No. 70 is a fine and locally significant example of Inter-War Art Deco residential architecture, reflecting the stylistic optimism and urban growth of the 1920s and 1930s. Constructed as part of the Targo Estate development, the building contributes to the historical narrative of Ramsgate’s transformation into a vibrant suburban centre during the inter-war period [1]. Art Deco architecture in Australia during this era was marked by geometric ornamentation, stepped parapets, curved balconies, and streamlined forms that echoed the glamour and progress of the machine age [2]. Roma Flats embodies these features with its symmetrical façade, decorative brickwork, and stylised vertical elements that draw the eye upward, creating a sense of grandeur and modernity. Though some original features have been altered—such as infilled balconies and replaced leadlight windows—the building retains its architectural integrity and continues to make a strong streetscape contribution [1]. The flats were developed by the Pittorino Brothers, notable local builders who played a key role in shaping the Ramsgate shopping precinct and surrounding residential blocks [1]. Their work at Roma Flats and nearby shops at 211–219 Rocky Point Road forms a cohesive architectural ensemble that is rare within the Kogarah LGA. A poignant historical note: Alfred Erickson, a resident of Flat 1, passed away at Roma Flats in 1940, marking the building’s early role as a home for local families [3]. Roma Flats 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, recognising its aesthetic, historic, and social value to the community [1]. References 1: Planning Proposal Heritage Impact Statement, Edwards Heritage Consultants, 2024. 2: Canberra House, “Inter-war Art Deco Architecture,” accessed September 2025. 3: Sydney Morning Herald, 17 May 1940.
Shops
Shops211–219 Rocky Point RoadSP 55373No 219 Rocky Point Road is locally significant as it is a good example of an inter-war Art Deco-style corner shop. It indicates the continued development of the Targo Estate circa 1920.In 2018 it is configured to accommodate three shop fronts: French Cargo interior décor; Begin Bright St George tutoring; and Buff, hair nails and beauty.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 2 Ref Item 36.Nos 211-219 Rocky Point Road are listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and were previously listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012.
