St Finbar’s Roman Catholic Church, primary school and convent
St Finbar’s Roman Catholic Church, primary school and convent21 Broughton Street and 120 The PromenadeLots 19–21, Section 3, DP 3896; Lots A–C, DP 313815; SP 80453St Finbar’s RC Church is on the corner of The Promenade and Broughton Street, Sans Souci. The school-church opened on 21 March 1926.[1] The architect was Austin McKay, who also worked on St Mary’s RC Church at Manly.[2] Patrick and Sons were the contractors.The church, school and convent 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.The convent was opened in 1939 by Archbishop Gilroy, at a cost of £12,500. The architect of the convent was Bolton Millane of Kogarah.[3]Redevelopment of the convent was proposed in 2002; a proposal considered by Kogarah Council was for 24 units to be inserted into the site using existing buildings.[4][1] Catholic Press 25 March 1926, p20.[2] Freeman’s Journal 25 March 1926, p17.[3] Propeller 21 December 1939, p3.[4] St George Leader 16 July 2002, p7.
House and garden, “Torwood”
House and garden, “Torwood”12 Dalkeith StreetLot 1, DP 21753Torwood, no 12 Dalkeith Street, Sans Souci, was listed under the NSW Heritage Act on the State Heritage Register.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.Earnshaw identifies it as the home built by Thomas Wilson [some time prior to 1882] for his son-in-law John McCall (1820-1907), who was born at Dalkeith, Scotland.[1] Thomas Wilson was from Burntisland, Fife, Scotland; his wife Margaret (nee Dow) was from Kirkcaldy, Fife. Their daughter Betsy married John McCall circa 1856. Thomas Wilson was buried in St Paul’s Anglican Church graveyard in 1881.The McCalls’ land was subdivided to form the Targo Estate in 1894. Dalkeith Street took its name from John McCall’s birthplace.The foundations are of quarry stone, and the house is in Victorian filigree style. A fanlight above the door is embossed with the name Torwood. Torwood is a village in Scotland.[1] Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage p56-57.
House
House12 Harris StreetLot 15, Section 1, DP 975493No 12 Harris Street is locally significant as it represents an intact example of a Federation house and garden circa 1920. It represents a later overlay of the St Kilda Estate subdivision.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 2 Ref Item 28.The house was advertised for sale in February 2021 as a four bedroom property, stated to be circa 1899.[1]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.In the 1938 Kogarah rates book, the owner was James Marx. It occupied part 12 of section 1 of the St Kilda Estate, DP 49L.[1] St George Leader Real Estate View, 3 February 2021.
St Andrew’s Church—church only, excluding rectory
St Andrew’s Church—church only, excluding rectory323–329 Rocky Point RoadLots 48 and 49, DP 4277St Andrew’s Church of England was erected by voluntary labour and dedicated by the Archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop Saumerez Smith on 3 May 1902.[1] It was on a site on Rocky Point Road near Sandringham Street.In 1920 Rev A J Gardner was appointed Curate in Charge. He became the first Rector of Sans Souci with Langlea in 1925, when the status of Parish was attained.The church obtained four lots, lots 47-50 of an estate which had been part of the original Crown Grant to George Alfred Lloyd in 1854. On this site a new church was built. The architects were Burcham, Clamp and Finch. The foundation stone was laid on 2 March 1929 by Bishop D’Arcy Irvine.The building was of face brick inside and out with exterior joints ornamented with tuckpointing and a tiled roof. The nave was designed to seat 240 people. A distinctive feature was the wooden bell-housing ten feet high on the ridge of the roof. The internal furnishings were of oak. Including furnishings, the church cost some £5,000 to construct.The church was formally dedicated on 25 September 1929 by the Archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop Wright[2]. The wooden church across the road then became the parish hall, and the site was subsequently sold to Mobil Oil in the 1960s.The church was consecrated on 30 September 1944 by Archbishop Mowll.[3]The Rectory was completed in 1951, designed by Lindsay Little, architect.St Andrews Christian Education Centre was opened on 12 March 1967 by Archbishop Loane, Archbishop of Sydney. The architects were Brown, Brewer and Gregory.A booklet was published in 1952 to mark the golden jubilee of the church (see below), and in 2002 a centenary booklet by Beverley Earnshaw was published.Rev Harry Ctercteko was Rector for 23 years from 1960 onwards. Under his leadership, the St Andrews Parish Centre was built, and many welfare and community outreach projects were started.[4]The church 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 rectory is not listed.[1] Sydney Morning Herald 3 May 1902, p12.[2] St George Call 20 September 1929, p5.[3] St George Call 6 October 1944, p2[4] Kogarah’s Volunteer Heroes p13-14.
Sans Souci Public School, being original 2 storey school building
Sans Souci Public School (Sandringham Public School) (413-415 Rocky Point Road) began with the appointment of William Ross in April 1885. He was followed by Montague Wyatt who was headmaster from 1894-1922.The original wooden schoolroom was replaced in 1899 by a two-roomed brick building. There were additions in 1911. This building eventually became the infants department when a two-storey building was erected in 1919 for the primary departments. It was opened on 8 November 1919 by Mr Board, Director of Education.[1] A two-storey building is shown in the photo above, suggesting a date from 1919 onwards.By 1919 the school could accommodate 750 pupils, but was still not big enough, and some classes had to be held on verandahs and in the sheds.Mr Wyatt retired in July 1922, and was succeeded by Mr Lydon, from Dubbo.[2]The early two-storey school building 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] Propeller 7 November 1919, p2.[2] Propeller 7 July 1922, p2.
Stables
Stables489 Rocky Point RoadSP 76105
House and garden, “Blanche Cottage”
House and garden, “Blanche Cottage”493 Rocky Point RoadLot 71, DP 1162043No 493 Rocky Point Road is locally significant as it represents the early development circa 1885 of the St Kilda Estate subdivision. It is a large circa 1890s Victorian cottage, set on a large quarter-acre block with a mature established garden.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 2 Ref Item 25.Earnshaw identifies the house as Blanche Cottage, the former home of coach proprietor Amos Selmon, among the earliest residents of Sans Souci. He commissioned local builder George Hughes to build Blanche Cottage, named after his youngest daughter [Edith Blanche Selmon, 1875-1946], and moved in in 1888.[1] Selmon laid the brick path, and planted the camellias. An old hand pump survives. The house passed through the Selmon family to 2006.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] Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage p52-53.
Sans Souci Park, public baths and bathers pavilion
Sans Souci Park, public baths and bathers pavilion521 Rocky Point Road and 10 Water StreetLot 7046, DP 93515; Lot 519, DP 752056Sans Souci Park Draft Plan of Management was published by Kogarah Council in March 2011. Sans Souci Park includes Crown land owned by the State of NSW, land owned by RTA, and a small piece of community land owned by Council.Sans Souci Park was a popular venue for daytrips by the mid-1880s, and visitors were attracted to the Sans Souci Hotel.Sans Souci swimming baths began operation in 1897 as a tidal pool.The park was dedicated on 16 January 1920; the area gazetted covered 2 roods 25 perches; a further area was dedicated on 4 January 1924 covering 2 acres 1 rood 24 perches; and a third portion covering 2 acres was later resumed.In the early 1930s, material dredged from the Georges River was used to reclaim an area of Sans Souci Park, which was bounded by a sea wall.The tidal pool was demolished and rebuilt with a shark-proof swimming enclosure in 1930-31. An Art Deco pavilion was constructed in 1933.Land reclamation carried out in 1933 led to the construction of a promenade, sea wall, retaining walls and steps in the vicinity of the swimming pavilion.In 1965, the tidal swimming enclosure was replaced by an Olympic swimming pool.[1]The Captain Cook Bridge opened in 1965. A footway under the Captain Cook Bridge was completed in 1968 linking Sans Souci Park with foreshore parkland east of the bridge.Bass and Flinders Cruises entered into a lease of the tourist cruise facility in 1990. Kogarah Council approved a DA from Bass and Flinders to construct a marina for berthing vessels, including a restaurant and office facilities in 2010.[1] See fact-sheet on Sans Souci Baths.
Street trees
Street treesThe Boulevarde
House and garden, “Kellaton”
House and garden, “Kellaton”50 The BoulevardeLot 20, Section 2, DP 288No 50 The Boulevarde, including the garden and fence, although modified, represents an unusual circa 1900s residence within the Ellesmere Estate subdivision. Some of the sandstone appears to be formed earlier than circa 1900.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 3 Ref Item 66.Earnshaw states that the stone cottage was built circa 1912, and first occupied by Roland Hill, and that the house was originally named ‘Wimmera’.[1] In 1918 it was purchased by William Watson, a captain of the Taren Point ferry. In 1960 the name of the house changed to ‘Kellaton’ when the property was purchased by Bill Shute, a yachtsman. He constructed a large trimaran in the front yard; in attempting to sail it across the Pacific, the vessel capsized, and the Shute family and three crew were lost at sea.The house retains the name ‘Kellaton’.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] Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage p44-49.
Sandstone retaining wall
Sandstone retaining wallThe Promenade
House and garden
House and garden6 The PromenadeLot 138, DP 553879No 6 The Promenade is locally significant as it reflects the continued development of the Targo Estate subdivision circa 1890. It represents a good example of the circa 1930s inter-war Functionalist style.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 2 Ref Item 33.The owner in the 1938 Kogarah rates book was William Doab of Mascot. The house occupied corner lot 38 on the Torwood Estate, DP12373.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.
Semi-detached dwelling and garden
Semi-detached dwelling and garden133–135 The PromenadeLot 52, DP 793379; Lot 101, DP 1127650No 133-135 The Promenade is a semi-detached dwelling and garden 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 premises occupy Lot 52, DP793379 and Lot 101, DP1127650, a resubdivision of the Marks Grant Estate.The 1938 Kogarah rates book lists the owner of 133 and 135 as William Jagelman.
House and garden, “Cuzco”
House and garden, “Cuzco”169 The PromenadeLot A, DP 380694No 169 The Promenade is locally significant as it indicates the continued development of Marks Estate subdivision. It is a good example of a 1920s Californian bungalow with intact front fence (liver brick and metal infill) and sympathetic garage addition.See Tropman and Tropman, Kogarah Heritage Study, July 1994, Group 3 Ref Item 53.The 1938 Kogarah rates book listed the owner as William Carfoot, and the house had the name ‘Cuzco’. It occupied corner lot 1 on section 6 of the Marks Grant Estate.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, “Palmyra”
House, “Palmyra”17 Vista StreetLot 1, DP 216929Set on a prized waterfront block at 17 Vista Street, Sans Souci, the house known as Palmyra is a striking two-storey residence that reflects the elegance and character of early 20th-century domestic architecture. Listed in the 1993 Kogarah Heritage Study, Palmyra is recognised as a fine example of its type and a later overlay of development on the historic Ellesmere Estate subdivision. According to historian Beverley Earnshaw, Palmyra was built in 1924 for Lydia Fraser, a member of the Gormison family. [1] Lydia’s brother-in-law, Harold Fraser, was a pioneering aviator and a close friend of cricket legend Don Bradman. Harold Fraser also founded the St George Veterans’ Cricket Club, and his legacy is commemorated in the naming of Harold Fraser Oval. In 1938, the house was sold to Charles Owen, a local cinema proprietor who owned the Ramsgate Cinema and the Carlton Deluxe (later known as the Odeon). Owen famously used the upstairs ballroom at Palmyra as a private screening room, blending his professional life with the comforts of home. Palmyra also played a role in community life. A garden party held in 1927 raised funds for the Primrose House Auxiliary, showcasing the property’s social significance and its owners’ civic engagement. [2] Today, Palmyra is listed as a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021, [3] [4] continuing its protection under local planning instruments. Its architectural and historical value ensures that it remains a cherished part of Sans Souci’s cultural landscape. References Earnshaw, Beverley. Houses and Heritage, pp. 38–39. St George Call, 19 March 1927, p. 2. Georges River Council. Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 – Schedule 5 Heritage Items. Kogarah Council. Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012 – Schedule 5 Heritage Items.
House and garden, “Ellesmere”
House and garden, “Ellesmere”23 Vista StreetLot 2, DP 211561Set on a generous estate overlooking Botany Bay, Ellesmere is one of the most historically significant residences in southern Sydney. Built in 1883 for William Rust, proprietor of the Sir Joseph Banks Hotel in Botany, the home is a rare surviving example of Victorian Gothic and Victorian Classical architecture in the Georges River area [1].Constructed by George Hughes, the two-storey residence is built from sandstone and rendered brickwork, with castellated additions that lend it a romantic, castle-like silhouette. The architectural style blends the verticality and drama of Victorian Gothic—characterised by steeply pitched roofs, turrets, and ornate detailing—with the symmetry and grandeur of Victorian Classical design [2] [3]. These styles were popular during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), reflecting a society eager to express status and cultural refinement through architecture.A Home of Political and Social Significance In 1891, Ellesmere was occupied by Joseph Hector Carruthers, who would later become Premier of New South Wales (1904–1907). Carruthers purchased the home in 1897 for £2,000, and it became a hub of political and social activity. It was here that the first game of bowls in the St George district was played, leading to the founding of the St George Bowling and Recreation Club in 1900 [1]. Carruthers sold the property in 1907, and over the following decades, Ellesmere passed through the hands of several notable owners.In the 1930s, it was occupied by the owners of the Grainger Glass factory, who painted the house silver-grey with red accents and installed the elegant coloured glass front door still admired today [4]. Later, Joseph Brell renamed the house ‘Cadia’, living there until his death in 1944. From 1944, the property was owned by the Wolstenholme family, with Frank R. Wolstenholme serving as Mayor of Kogarah (1950–1953).Architectural Features and Landscape The house’s narrow fronted façade, cast iron balcony, and originally slate roof (since replaced with iron) are typical of Victorian terrace adaptations. The featureless side walls suggest a design influenced by inner-city terrace housing, yet its scale and setting elevate it to mansion status. The estate’s mature palms and fig trees may date back to the original construction period, adding to its heritage value.Inside, Ellesmere boasts a sprung ballroom floor, high ornate ceilings, and period fittings that have been sympathetically restored. The home’s grandeur is matched by its waterfront access, landscaped gardens, and private path to the bay, making it one of the most prestigious properties in the region [5].Ellesmere was listed in the 1993 Kogarah Heritage Study and is currently a Heritage Item in Schedule 5 of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021, having previously been listed under the Kogarah Local Environmental Plan 2012. Its architectural integrity, historical associations, and rare survival make it a cornerstone of the area’s built heritage.References:1: Realestate.com.au – Ellesmere Heritage Listing2: Architecture Lab – Victorian Architecture3: TradCo – Australian Victorian Architectural Styles4: Kogarah Historical Society Newsletter, Sept–Oct 1989; photo in Darby, Garry, Kogarah Public School 150, p.235: The Real Estate Conversation – Ellesmere Bayside Estate
House and garden, “St Kilda House”
House and garden, “St Kilda House”67 Vista StreetLot 2, DP 232626St Kilda House, 67 Vista Street, Sans Souci, was listed in the 1993 Kogarah Heritage Study.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.It is a two-storey residence dating from circa 1880s.[1] It is in Victorian Italianate style, and historically significant as one of the few estate houses within the Kogarah locality. It was the home of Mr William Pritchard, a Mayor of Kogarah, and the so-called ‘squire of Sans Souci’. He was a director of the Haymarket Permanent Land Building and Investment Company.St Kilda was designed by Melbourne architect Richard G Simpson, and was a replica of a home he had recently completed in St Kilda, Victoria. A sketch he made of the property is shown in Earnshaw, Beverley, Houses and Heritage p41.The original tower of the house was taken down.Blocks in the St Kilda Estate, Sans Souci were offered for sale in the 1900s.[1] William Pritchard wrote to the Sydney Morning Herald on 18 March 1887 from’ St Kilda’.
