Cabarita Park and Breakfast Point ... - City of Canada Bay

Stage 2 Education Pack – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park

Page 1 of 33 Last Revised: 25/06/2013



Table of Contents

1.0 Syllabus links ............................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 National Curriculum – syllabus implementation ..................................................................... 3

1.2 Human Society in its Environment ......................................................................................... 4

1.3 Science and Technology ........................................................................................................ 5

2.0 Additional resources ................................................................................................................. 6

2.1 Wangal People....................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Images ................................................................................................................................... 4

2.3 General Information ............................................................................................................... 4

3.0 Traditional owners – the Wangal People ................................................................................. 8

3.1 Aboriginal people of the Wangal ............................................................................................ 8

3.2 Woollarawarre Bennelong ...................................................................................................... 8

4.0 Commemorations .................................................................................................................... 10

4.1 Federation – the Pavilion ..................................................................................................... 10

4.2 World War 2 – Victory Coppice ............................................................................................ 11

4.3 Sports Hero - William Beach ................................................................................................ 11

5.0 Changes over time ................................................................................................................... 12

5.1 Transport ............................................................................................................................. 12

5.2 Recreation ........................................................................................................................... 14

5.3 Industry ................................................................................................................................ 17

6.0 Student Activities..................................................................................................................... 18

7.0 Excursion ................................................................................................................................. 20

7.1 Notes for leaders ................................................................................................................. 21

7.2 Student worksheet .............................................................................................................. 31



1.0 Syllabus Links Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park are an ideal educational resource for the students of the City of Canada Bay and

surrounding areas. Not only is it rich in history, it provides a fascinating study of a community and how it changes over

time. Within a small geographic area students can study the local aboriginal people, industry, transport, recreation, culture

and how a community celebrates its history through commemorations.

This education pack has been designed for Stage 2 as an integrated HSIE/History and Science unit of work. The

information packs provides background information and learning activities including a walking tour to the area – an ideal

excursion to bring the content to life. Many of the student tasks also have a strong literacy focus with activities requiring

students to write using text types - recounts, narrative, exposition and general communications as well as present a speech

to their classmates.

This education pack has been designed to cover both the current syllabi and the new national syllabi being introduced

during 2013 – 2016. See below for the implementation timetable of the NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum for

Kindergarten – Year 6

1.1 National Curriculum - syllabus implementation

Implementation timetable - NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum

2013 Familiarisation and planning

2014 English – start teaching

Mathematics – optional to start teaching

Science and Technology – optional to start teaching

2015 Mathematics – start teaching

Science and Technology – start teaching

History – optional to start teaching

2016 History – start teaching



1.2 Human Society in its Environment/History

Current NSW Syllabus (Human Society in its Environment)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Change and Continuity

CCS2.2

Explains changes in the environment and family life and evaluates the effects of these on different individuals, groups and

environments.

Environments

ENS2.5

Describes places in the local area and other parts of Australia and explains their significance.

ENS2.6

Describes people‟s interactions with environments and identifies responsible ways of interacting with environments.

New NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum (History)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Community and Remembrance

HT2-1

Identifies celebrations and commemorations of significance in Australia and the world.

HT2-2

Describes and explains how significant individuals, groups and events contributed to changes in the local community over

time.

HT2-5

Applies skills of historical inquiry and communication.

Key Inquiry Questions

Who lived here first and how do we know?

How has our community changed?

What features have been lost and what features have been retained?

What is the nature of the contribution make by different groups and the individuals in the community.



1.3 Science and Technology

Current NSW Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Built Environments

People create specialised environments to meet specific needs.

Structures are built from natural and processed materials and components.

Environments are sometimes modified to fulfil new and different requirements.

New NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Built Environments

ST2-14BE

Describes how people interact within built environments and the factors considered in their design and construction.



2.0 Additional Resources

2.1 Wangal People

Detailed information is available from the Cadigal Wangal website developed by Marrickville Council that tells the

Indigenous history of the Cadigal and Wangal peoples. http://cadigalwangal.org.au/clientsite/

The Australian Encyclopaedia. Sydney, Australian Geographic, 1996 (Entry for Bennelong vol. 2 pp. 440-441)

Coupe, Sheena Concord, a centenary history. Concord, NSW: Council of the Municipality of Concord, 1983. (Contains

useful information although it incorrectly identifies the local Aboriginals as being part of the Kuringai tribe instead of the

Darug)

Guider, Michael Aboriginal history of the City of Canada Bay. The Author, 2003

Smith, Keith. Bennelong. Kangaroo Press, 2001

Turbet, Peter The Aborigines of the Sydney district before 1788. Kangaroo Press, 2001

Willey, Keith When the sky fell down. Collins, 1979

2.2 Images

Dedicated libraries relevant to the content of this education pack have been created in Flickr:

AGL http://tinyurl.com/cs9m64a Cabarita Park http://tinyurl.com/cazzhgx Correy’s Pleasure Gardens http://tinyurl.com/a43huha

For a comprehensive library of historial images of the City of Canada Bay visit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/canadabayconnections/

Further images are available from a larger image library that can only be accessed from within Concord and Five Dock

libraries. Refer to the link under Canada Bay Connections

http://www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au/your_local_library/local_studies_pg.html

2.3 General Information

Canada Bay Local History Blog

http://canadabayconnections.wordpress.com/

The Local Studies Librarian

[email protected]

Concord Library, 60 Flavelle St, Concord NSW 2137,

Five Dock Library, Level 1, 4-12 Garfield St, Five Dock NSW 2046

Tel 9911 6210 (Concord) or 9911 6310 (Five Dock) Fax 9911 6550 www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au

http://cadigalwangal.org.au/clientsite/

http://tinyurl.com/cs9m64a

http://tinyurl.com/cazzhgx

http://tinyurl.com/a43huha

http://www.flickr.com/photos/canadabayconnections/

http://www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au/your_local_library/local_studies_pg.html

http://canadabayconnections.wordpress.com/



1890. AGL site, Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park



3.0 Traditional Owners – the Wangal People The Canada Bay area was part of the traditional

lands of the Aboriginal people of the Wangal

clan (also spelt „Wann-gal‟), whose name was

derived from the word for their country.

3.1 Aboriginal people of the Wangal

The Wangal were a clan of the Darug

(sometimes spelt Dharug) tribe or language

group. They called themselves the Eora,

meaning „the people‟. The Wangal clan‟s

territory is thought to have originally extended

from Darling Harbour, around the Balmain

Peninsula (including Goat Island (called Me-mel

or Memill) almost to Parramatta in the west, the

Parramatta River formed the northern boundary

although it is uncertain how far south their land

extended. The Wangal are believed to have

occupied the area for over 20,000 years.

First contact was made with local Aboriginals of

the Wangal Clan by Captain John Hunter who

led an exploration of the Parramatta River. On 5

February 1788 while having breakfast he was

met by Wangal at the location now referred to as Breakfast Point. William Bradley, First Lieutenant on board HMS Sirius,

recorded the following entry in the log:

We landed to cook breakfast on the opposite shore to them (Breakfast Pt.). We made signs to them to come over and waved

green boughs. Soon after which 7 of them came over in 2 canoes and landed near our boats. They left their spears in the

canoes and came to us. We tied beads etc. about them and left them our fire to dress their muscles which they went about as

soon as our boats put off.

During the summer months, the Wangal gathered much of their food from along the Parramatta River. The food consisted

mainly of fish and shellfish and the remains of these meals, known as shell middens, may still be seen on the foreshore.

The Wangal called the area Booridiow-o-gule. The name Cabarita is an Aboriginal word which is though to mean „by the

water‟.

3.2 Woollarawarre Bennelong

One of the best known members of the Wangal was

Woollarawarre Bennelong, who had a special

relationship with Goat Island for which he had

custodial or ownership responsibilities.

Bennelong was initially captured in November 1788

along with Colby, of the Cadigal clan, under the

instructions of Governor Arthur Phillip so he could

learn more about the local Aboriginal people.

Although some sources give the impression that

Bennelong was a willing collaborator, more recent

sources suggest that Bennelong was a far more

complex person in his dealings with the British. While

he and Phillip formed cordial relations it is

nevertheless thought that he probably instigated the

spearing of Phillip in 1790 at Manly as a payback for

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Sirius



his earlier abduction. Bennelong had escaped in May 1790 but by September he was leading negotiations with Phillip for

peaceful Aboriginal-European contact following the Governor‟s spearing. Soon he was living at Government House eating

at Phillip‟s table and calling him beanga (father) while Phillip called him dooroow (son).

Bennelong was quick to learn English and adopted many British ways. A brick hut was built for him at Tubowgule (believed

to mean „white-clay headland‟) now known as Bennelong Point, the site of the Sydney Opera House.

In 1792 he travelled with Phillip to England where he met King George III, returning to his country in 1795. He resumed a

traditional Aboriginal lifestyle, fathering one son Dickie (c.1803-1823) by his third wife. Bennelong however found himself at

variance both with his own people and the British settlers. In January 1813 he died at the age of about 50 at Kissing Point,

Sydney, as a result of a tribal fight.

3.3 The Wangal at Canada Bay today

Today few traces of Aboriginal occupation survive in the Canada Bay area other than a few cave painting sites, rock

shelters and middens. It is believed that Parramatta Road was built upon an Aboriginal pathway which had been in use for

centuries.

The Wangal today are remembered by the Wangal Bushland Reserve (Mortlake) and Wangal Place (Five Dock).

Bennelong‟s name has been perpetuated in numerous street names throughout Sydney and is also the name of a Federal

Electorate. In nearby Sydney Olympic Park an area has been named the Wangal Woodland.

Illustrations of the Wangal People and Bennelong are from the Waiting Collection at the Natural History Museum, London.



4.0 Commemorations

Cabarita Park is home to many memorials and commemorations to our past including the Federation of Australia, the

Second World War and even a local sports hero!

4.1 Federation – The Pavilion

Located in Cabarita Park is the Pavilion which had

been used for the signing of the Federation

documents and the proclamation of the

Commonwealth of Australia at Centennial Park in

1901. Concord Council bought the Pavilion for £60

and re-erected in Cabarita Park in 1903.

In 1901 it was a highly decorated pavilion. Now it is

a simple wooden structure.

In 1951, the Jubilee (50th birthday) of Federation

was celebrated at Cabarita Park at the Federation

Pavilion. A memorial tablet and plaque at the

rotunda was unveiled by the Honourable K.W. Street,

Lieutenant Governor and Chief Justice of NSW on 9

May. 10,000 people attended the unveiling

ceremony. The ceremony also included exhibitions

of gymnastics, waterskiing and speedboat racing.

1951. Jubilee of Federation at the Federation Pavilion, Cabarita Park.

1901. Signing of the Federation documents and the proclamation of the

Commonwealth of Australia at Centennial Park.



4.2 World War 2 Memorial – Victory Coppice

A small memorial was placed in Cabarita Park in 1945 to

commemorate those men and women from the Concord area who

served and died in World War 2,

A row of trees forming a “Victory Coppice“ was also planted in a

ceremony on Arbor Day (25 August).

Unusually, the plantings are all native Australian plants. A similar

planting ceremony was held the following year on Arbor Day.

4.3 Sports Hero - William Beach

In 1938 a monument to William Beach was erected on the northern

shoreline of the park.

William Beach (1850 – 1935) was one of Australia‟s great international

scullers and undefeated world champion. In 1884 he defeated the

word champion Edward Hanlon on the sculling course on the

Parramatta River between Ryde Bridge and Henley Point.

Beach went on to defend his world title successfully six times before

his retirement in 1887.

1880. William Beach.



5.0 Changes Over Time

5.1 Transport

Tram

In 1907 the steam tramway between Enfield and

Mortlake was extended to Cabarita. In February

1912 electric tram services replaced steam ones.

The tram ran until August 1948.

Bus

Today a bus service links Cabarita Park to

Ashfield Railway Station via Burwood Railway

Station, Enfield and Croydon Park.

Circa 1910. Steam Tram.

1912. Tram turning area now the bus turning area.



1920. Correy’s Jetty.

Ferry

Public transport access to Cabarita Park was

first provided by steamers from the 1850‟s.

The first ferry wharf at Cabarita Point was built

in 1880. It was a publicly owned ferry stop,

providing access to the park and Correy‟s

Pleasure Gardens. With the introduction of

the steam tram the ferry wharf became less

important and as a result it was closed (date

unknown).

A ferry service was reinstated in 2000 with the

opening of the Rivercat Wharf on 20 January,

and operates today on the Parramatta River

service. It is one of the fastest growing ferry

wharfs on the ferry network.

Boats

2006. Cabarita Wharf.

In 1906 a boatshed was established in

Cabarita by Charles Sanders, son of a

Mortlake gas lamplighter. It was known as

Sanders Marina. It was destroyed by strong

winds in 1920 and was rebuilt.

Visitors to the nearby Correy‟s Garden were

attracted to the boatshed to try their hand at

fishing or rowing. During the Depression

Sanders ran a „ferry‟ service taking gas

workers in a rowing boat from the wharf at

Looking Glass Point to Mortlake. The

boatshed was destroyed by fire in 1992.

D‟Albora Marina continues today in this

location and now offers restaurants, a

maritime training school, berthing for private

boats, private cruises and a boat selling

agent.

D’Albora Marina.



5.2 Recreation

Before the arrival of settlers, Cabarita Park was a typical rocky outcrop along the shores of the Parramatta River. It was

first sighted by the new settlers in 1788.

The Park was reserved as a recreation area in 1856 and was accessible by steamer in the 1850‟s.

In the 1900‟s Cabarita Park was popular for picnics, swimming and watching boating races on the river. The park was

dedicated for public use in 1880.

Today over 2,000 Sydneysiders enjoy walking, cycling, swimming and running around the park every week.

Music, dancing and picnics

Music, dancing and picnics have always been

enjoyed at Cabarita Park.

From the 1880‟s until World War 1, a focus of

the park was Correy‟s Pleasure Gardens

operated on land adjacent to Cabarita Park.

The pleasure ground was established by

Thomas Obed Correy, who had previously

owned gardens at Botany in the 1870s.

Correy brought plants, flowers, shrubs and

trees to Cabarita and provided swings, merry-

go-rounds, a cricket field, a running track,

summer houses, and from 1887, a dance

pavilion, which was a great attraction for the

many social and sporting clubs that held their

annual picnics at the grounds.

The dance pavilion could accommodate up to

900 people who would be entertained by a ten-

piece string orchestra. Daytime dances were

popular until gas replaced the kerosene lamps

and evening dinners and dances became

increasingly popular making the pleasure

gardens one of Sydney‟s leading recreational

resorts.

During the World War One, Correy‟s Pleasure

Gardens declined in popularity and was

eventually sold in 1918.

1910. Correy’s Pleasure Gardens.

25 May 1897. Sydney Morning Herald http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14105363?searchTerm=correys pleasure gardens steamer amusements&searchLimits=. Retrieved 12/02/13.



Picnics continue to be popular at the park and today visitors can

enjoy art installed in the park in 2012 as part of the Reclamation

Art Project funded by Arts NSW..

Called the Observatory the artwork was inspired by the local

history of Correy‟s Pleasure Garden, weather observation from

the 18th century and the style of the 18th century. It is made up

of three pieces:

I. Storm Glass Hut features a barometer and weather

vane (pictured right)

II. Sundial Windflute features a listening device to hear the

sound of the prevailing wind and to tell the time using a

sundial.

III. Chaise Lounge Observatory provides a place to rest and

observe the area and includes a wind turbine to show

the speed of the wind.

2013. Google maps.

Approximate location of Correy’s Pleasure Gardens



Swimming

Swimming has always been popular at Cabarita Park.

In the 1920‟s Concord Council netted in a shark proof swimming pool at the northern end o f Cabarita Park. It was a

segregated pool with one half for men and boys, the other half for women and girls. A popular place to meet was the

dividing fence and many romances bloomed! On busy days between 400 and 500 people visited the baths.

In 1930, work began on the Concord-Cabarita

Coronation Baths. It was built to provide employment

for the local community during the Depression. The

baths officially opened in November 1937. The baths

were named to commemorate the coronation of King

George IV. The baths cost £10,230 to build and uses

water pumped from Parramatta River.

About 3000 people turned up for the pool opening and

in the first month 30,000 people visited the baths. The

baths were remodelled in 1961 and again in 2008 and

remains a popular swimming spot.

It is open from September to April each year.

Cabarita Baths website:

http://www.cabaritaswimmingcentre.com.au/

1923. Cabarita Baths.

2009. Cabarita Baths.

http://www.cabaritaswimmingcentre.com.au/



5.3 Industry – Australian Gaslight Company (AGL)

1893. Australian Gaslight Company.

Australian Gaslight Company (AGL) established the

Mortlake Gas Works in 1886 and occupied most of

the area now known as Breakfast Point. For many

companies involved in heavy industry, the

Parramatta River provided easy access for

transportation and, unfortunately, a means of

dumping the waste products from production. Today

the Parramatta River remains polluted.

The coal needed at AGL was transported from

Newcastle and a jetty was built to allow its delivery.

When AGL‟s plant was in full operation it used nearly

460,000 tonnes of coal per year. The last delivery of

coal was in 1971.

AGL began developing the site from 1883. By 1900

nearly 300 workers were employed at the site and

new shops, transport services, churches and

housing were developed to serve the workers.

During both World War 1 and World War 2, demand

for gas was high, so AGL expanded its operations.

By the 1960‟s the number of workers had increased

to 2,000 and included carpenters, plumbers,

machinists, fitters and blacksmiths.

In the 1990‟s operations wound down and when it

closed it was the largest gas manufacturing plant in

the southern hemisphere. In 2000 AGL sold the land

to a property developer and it was then turned into a

new suburb called Breakfast Point.

In 2000, AGL sold the land to property developer -

Rose Group. The Rose Group is owned by the Rose

Family, direct descendents of Thomas Rose who

came to Australia in 1793 as a free settler on board

HMS Bellona. In the same year, Thomas Rose was

given farming land at Liberty Plains, an area which

borders Breakfast Point.

The Rose Group then turned the old AGL site into a

new suburb called Breakfast Point.

These days Breakfast Point is a residential suburb

with a small town centre featuring a supermarket,

restaurants, shops, dentist and optometrists and is

home to nearly 2,000 people. Heavy industry has

left the Cabarita area.

Video of Breakfast Point residential estate from

Breakfast Point Realty:

http://www.breakfastpointrealty.com.au/index.cfm?pagecall=misc&pagemode=breakfastPointSuburbs

1960. Mortlake Bank at the AGL Wharf.

2008. Breakfast Point.





6.0 Student Activities

These activities address:

Key enquiry questions from the History Syllabus (NSW Syllabus for Australian curriculum)

Who lived here first and how do we know?

How has our community changed?

What features have been lost and what features have been retained?

What is the nature of the contribution made by different groups and the individuals in the community

Learning outcomes for the Built Environments component of the NSW Syllabus and the NSW Syllabus for Australian

curriculum

Describe how people interact within built environments and the factors considered in their design and construction.

Activities

1. Research the local clan, the Wangal people, and its most famous member, Bennelong. Prepare a poster showing

your findings. What was the name for the area the Wangal people used?

2. The year is 1895. Imagine you are Mr Thomas Obed Correy, owner of Correy‟s Pleasure Gardens. You are

currently planning your summer programme of activities and need to create advertising showing the program of

activities for visitors to your Pleasure Gardens. Using Microsoft Word or Powerpoint, create either a brochure or a

presentation of what you are offering visitors. Use the Flickr accounts to access images:


3. Create a timeline of Breakfast Point showing the events listed below. Include interesting facts and images:

Consider creating a class timeline with each child being responsible for gathering facts and images on a particular

event to add to the timeline. Encourage them to go and visit the area taking a camera to capture images of

remaining AGL buildings, the new residential development etc. The walking tour is a great excursion and is a

valuable source of information in the creation of the timeline.

Original inhabitants

First visit by a white person

Australian Gas Light establishment

Other buildings built due to AGL

Closure of the AGL plant

Breakfast Point residential development

4. Interview your parents, grandparents and/or neighbours and have them share their memories of Breakfast Point

and Cabarita Park. Ask them how things have changed and what activities they have enjoyed in the park over

their lives. See what they remember about AGL. Do they think Breakfast Point was better when AGL was there,

or now as a suburb of houses. Share your findings with the class in the form of a speech.

5. Prepare a list of pros and cons about closing an industrial site and turning it into a residential suburb.




6. After the excursion: Have the students take on the role as Town Planner for the City of Canada Bay. Each Town

Planner has responsibility for one of these areas – transport, recreation and housing. Write a report to the Mayor

of Canada Bay about the current facilities provided and what improvements they would recommend. Think about

things such as needs for disabled people, families, older people, workers and residents. As a class write a letter to

the Mayor of Canada Bay with your recommendations.

7. After the excursion: Compare swimming at Cabarita Park today with what it would have been like in 1923. What

are the differences and the similarities? Do you think the baths are better today than in 1923? Why?

8. After the excursion: Prepare a diary entry recording a day out to Cabarita from either the viewpoint of 1912 or

2012. Describe what public transport you used to get there and what you did when you were there.



7.0 Excursion

Explore Cabarita and Breakfast Point with a walking tour. The walk will take approximately 2-3 hours and can be concluded

with a lunch stop at Cabarita Park.

The walking tour commences at the Palace Hotel, Tennyson Road, Mortlake, proceeds through the former AGL site, now

known as Breakfast Point and concludes in Cabarita Park at the Federation Pavilion and picnic shed – an ideal spot for a

well earned lunch.

Length and time needed

The walk is approximately 3kms in length and is a relatively flat path. Allow approximately 90-120 minutes for the walk. As

the walk concludes in Cabarita Park, it is an ideal location for the group to enjoy a lunch before heading back to the school.

Access

The walk from Breakfast Point to Cabarita Park is on enclosed walkways and roads. Within Cabarita Park parts of the walk

are across grassed and sandy land. Due to this small stretch of grassed and sandy land, it is not suitable for students with

disabilities that impair their walking.

Recommended structure

The walk takes students on some roads, although the majority of the walk is on pedestrian pathways.

Care is needed when the students will cross Tennyson Road into the Breakfast Point Estate as there is no pedestrian

crossing.

Students will walk and cross some roads within the Breakfast Point Estate, however there is very little traffic on these roads.

It is recommended dividing the class into small groups accompanied by at least one adult.

What to bring

Students need to bring a pen and clipboard to complete the worksheet. All walkers will also need their hat and water bottle.

Children must also wear sunscreen.

Parramatta River

Students should not swim or paddle in the Parramatta River due to pollution.

Toilets

Toilets are located at the end of the walk at the Federation Pavilion at Cabarita Park but no where else on the walk.

Bus Parking

It is recommended that buses park on Tennyson Road, near the Palace Hotel to allow the students to disembark. Breakfast

Point estate does not have bus parking facilities.

Courtesy

Breakfast Point is a quiet residential area with many older residents and as such ask that the students ensure appropriate

behaviour.



7.1 Notes for Leaders – Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park Walking Tour Excursion

The focus of the excursion is to address the following learning outcomes derived from the History and Science syllabi.

History

Gain an understanding of the traditional owners and the nature of their first contact with white settlers in the local area.

Understand how the areas of Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park have changed over the past 150 years with a

particular focus on transport, recreation and industry. Understand who made these changes and why they occurred.

Gain an understanding of how we celebrate and commemorate local history and events.

Science and Technology

View the nature of the foreshore of Parramatta River identifying natural features (i.e. mangroves, beaches) and

manmade features (i.e. wharves and swimming pools)

Observe how people use the area i.e. living, recreation, work, transport and how the area has been designed to meet

their needs such as access, parking, aesthetic and environmental needs.

Have students consider improvements that could be made to the area i.e. disabled access, needs of young families.





1. Palace Hotel

The original Palace Hotel was opened in 1886, the

same year as the opening of the AGL gasworks and

catered for the gasworkers nearer the river end.

First known as Montgomery‟s Palace, it was a

distinctive building with verandas and a tower and

was a popular spot for viewing of rowing events.

This hotel was demolished in the mid 1920s and a

new hotel, still named the Palace was built further

up Tennyson Road, nearly opposite the entrance to

the gasworks.

The AGL entrance was also the Mortlake tram

terminus. The hotel became a very popular watering

hole for the thirsty workers and was one of the few

of Sydney‟s early-opener hotels. This variation to

the normal hotel trading hours was to accommodate

workers coming off night shift.

2. Tennyson Road Shops

The establishment of the Australian Gas Light

Company‟s works at Mortlake in 1886 meant lots of

people coming into the area, which saw new

transport services, shops, churches open.

Mortlake became a thriving suburb. The shops on

the corner of Tennyson Road and MacDonald Street

date from the 1890s and the corner shop appears to

have been the area‟s first Post Office.



3. AGL Gasworks – Fence and Entry

Destined to be the largest gas manufacturing plant in the

southern hemisphere, the Australian Gas Light Company‟s

(AGL) works at Mortlake opened in 1886. The site offered

easy access to Sydney by both land and water.

AGL began developing the site from 1883. By 1900 nearly

300 workers were employed at the site. During both World

War 1 and 2, demand for gas was high, so AGL expanded

its operations.

By the 1960‟s the number of workers had increased to 2,000

and included carpenters, plumbers, machinists, fitters and

blacksmiths.

In the 1990‟s operations wound down and when it closed it

was the largest gas manufacturing plant in the southern

hemisphere. In 2000, AGL sold the land to property

developer - Rose Group. The Rose Group is owned by the

Rose Family, direct descendents of Thomas Rose who came

to Australia in 1793 as a free settler on board HMS Bellona.

In the same year, Thomas Rose was given farming land at

Liberty Plains, an area which borders Breakfast Point.

The Rose Group then turned the old AGL site into a new

suburb called Breakfast Point.

These days Breakfast Point is a residential suburb with a

small town centre featuring a supermarket, restaurants,

shops, dentist and optometrists and is home to nearly 2,000

people. Heavy industry has left the Cabarita area.

4. Main Office No. 1

The main office building was the main administrative centre

of the complex during a large part of the last century. Today

it operates as the Estate Office, a recreation space for

Breakfast Point residents and offices for local businesses.



5. Meter Readers‟ Office

This building is also known as the “Steel Mains Office”, “Pay

Office”, and “Telephone Room”. Available evidence suggests

that it was built in 1924 in its original form with three sections

separated by roofed walk- through bays. Today is a real

estate office for the Breakfast Point estate.

6. Fitters‟, machinists‟, carpenters‟ and plumbers‟

workshop

This building was built as part of the extensive building

program commenced in 1913. Furnished with a range of

machine tools, the workshops were described as being well-

equipped for all trades. By 1955 workshops on the site

accommodated 750 tradesmen. The building remains empty

today.

7. Blacksmith‟s Shop

The building now known as the Blacksmith‟s Shop was

erected as a general workshop in late 1891. It was

renovated in 1922 and is one of the few nineteenth century

structures which remain largely intact at the former AGL site.

Today the building is the display office for the Breakfast

Point Estate.



8. Powerhouse

The Powerhouse was built in 1910-11 to help provide power

to a major extension to the AGL plant. Today it remains

empty.

9. Breakfast Point

Breakfast Point was so named because it was here that

Captain John Hunter who led an exploration of the

Parramatta River stopped to have breakfast on the 5

February, 1788. On that occasion Hunter was met by

members of the Wangal clan.

Breakfast Point was one of the few place names

included on Hunter‟s chart of the expedition and the

name was in common use by 1799. The Wangal people

called the area Booridiow-o-gule.

Take the gravel path down to the foreshore and then

follow gravel path to the site of the original AGL wharf.

10. Site of the original AGL wharf

The Mortlake site offered easy access to Sydney by

both land and water. A jetty was built to allow the direct

delivery of coal. When AGL‟s plant was in full operation

it used nearly 460,000 tonnes of coal per year. This was

brought from Hexham on the Hunter River by colliers

known as the „Sixty Milers‟. The last collier brought coal

to Mortlake in 1971.



11. Mangroves

Throughout the 1800‟s and for the first half of the 20th

century, tidal mangroves and salt marsh flats were found at

the heads of many of the bays and inlets of the Parramatta

River. The mangroves depended on drainage and tides.

The shape of the foreshores and the recreation areas

around the bays are because of projects undertaken by

Concord Council from the 1920s to the 1980s to reclaim the

local environment.

12. Current ferry wharf

The wharf was opened on 20 January, 2000 and is serviced

by the Rivercat as part of the Parramatta River service.

Ferries have played an important role in how people have

used Cabarita Park. Today many people walk, cycle and

drive to the ferry wharf as they make their way to work or

social activities.

13. Site of the original baths (demolished)

Concord Council netted in a shark proof swimming pool at

the northern end of Cabarita Park in the early 1920s. The

pool was divided with one half for men and boys, the other

half for women and girls. A popular place to meet was the

dividing fence with many romances blooming! On busy days

between 400 and 500 people visited the baths.



14. William Beach monument

In 1938 the William Beach monument was erected on the

northern shoreline of the park. William Beach (1850-1935)

was one of Australia‟s great international scullers and

undefeated world champion. In 1884 he defeated world

champion Edward Hanlon on the sculling course on the

Parramatta River between Ryde Bridge and Henley Point.

Beach went on to defend his world title successfully six times

before his retirement in 1867.

15. Former Ferry Wharf

The wharf was constructed at Cabarita Point in 1880 and

was publicly owned. The construction of the wharf resulted

in the park becoming more popular with day trippers as it

provided easy access to the park and Correy‟s Pleasure

Gardens. Before the building of the wharf, Cabarita Park

was described as “undeveloped wilderness”.

16. Sanders Marina (now D‟Albora Marina)

Charles Sanders, son of a Mortlake gas lamplighter,

established a boatshed in Cabarita in 1906, south of the

existing marina buildings. In 1920 strong winds wrecked the

boatshed and it was rebuilt at the point. Visitors to the

nearby Correy‟s Garden were attracted to the boatshed to try

their hand at fishing or rowing. During the Depression

Sanders ran a „ferry‟ service taking gas workers in a rowing

boat from the wharf at Looking Glass Point to Mortlake. The

boatshed was destroyed by fire in 1992. D‟Albora Marina

continues today in this location.



17. Cabarita Baths

Construction of the Concord-Cabarita Coronation Baths was

a project of the Depression years, providing employment for

the local community. Work on the project began in 1930 but

it was not until November 1937 that the saltwater baths were

opened. Named to commemorate the coronation of King

George VI the baths were constructed at a cost of ₤10,230

using water pumped from the Parramatta River. About 3,000

people turned up for the pool opening and in the first month

30,000 people visited the baths. The baths were remodeled

in 1961.

18. Reclamation Art Project – The Observatory

The featured art was installed in 2012 as part of the

Reclamation Art Project funded by Arts NSW.

Called the Observatory the artwork was inspired by the local

history of Correy‟s Pleasure Garden, weather observation

from the 18th century and the style of the same period. It is

made up of three pieces:

I. Storm Glass Hut features a barometer and weather

vane (pictured right)

II. Sundial Windflute features a listening device to

hear the sound of the prevailing wind and to tell the

time using a sundial

III. Chaise Lounge Observatory provides a place to

rest and observe the area and includes a wind

turbine to show the speed of the wind.

19. Victory Coppice

To commemorate those from the Concord area who

served and died during World War 2, a small memorial

was placed in Cabarita Park in 1945.

A row of trees forming a „Victory Coppice‟ was also

planted in a ceremony on Arbor Day (25 August) along

the southern road.

Unusually, the plantings are exclusively of species

native to Australia. A similar planting ceremony was

held the following year on Arbor Day.



20. Tram turning area

In 1907 the steam tramway between Enfield and

Mortlake was extended to Cabarita. The present bus

stop was the tram turning area. The tram made Correy‟s

Pleasure Gardens even more popular. The ferry wharf

became less important after the steam tram operated to

the park entrance.

21. Federation Pavilion

The pavilion which had been used for the signing of the

Federation documents and the proclamation of the

Commonwealth of Australia at Centennial Park in 1901.

Concord Council bought the pavilion for ₤60 and re-

erected in Cabarita Park in 1903. Much altered, the

simple wooden structure is scarcely recognisable as the

elaborately decorated pavilion of the Federation

ceremonies.

22. Site of former kiosk.

In 1923, a substantial kiosk was erected. The kiosk and

caretaker‟s cottage were damaged by fire in 1979 and

demolished in 1981.

In 1982, Concord Council constructed a large picnic

shed on the site of the former caretaker‟s residence and

kiosk.



Breakfast Point and Cabarita Park Walking Tour

7.2 Student worksheet



Mapping

Using the map mark label the locations using numbers of the following landmarks:

1. Palace Hotel

2. Tennyson Road Shops

3. Original entrance to Australian Gaslight Company (AGL)

4. Original main office of AGL (now the estate office)

5. Original meter readers‟ office (now a real estate office)

6. Fitters‟, machinists‟, carpenters‟ and plumbers‟ workshop

7. Blacksmiths‟ shop

8. Powerhouse

9. Breakfast Point

10. Site of the original AGL wharf

11. Mangroves

12. Current ferry wharf

13. Sit of the original baths (demolished)

14. William Beach monument

15. Former ferry wharf

16. D‟Albora Marina (former Sanders Marina)

17. Cabarita Baths

18. Reclamation Art Project

19. Victory Coppice

20. Bus/Tram turning circle

21. Federation Pavilion

22. Picnic shed (Site of the former kiosk)

The past

During your walk list all things that remind us of the past use of the area and the people that lived and worked in the area.

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Transport

List all the forms of transport you see during the walk. Why do you think people use these forms of transport?

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Man made structures. Choose one man made structure you see on your walk. Describe it and then think of three (3) improvements you would make:

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Natural Environment.

Recommend three (3) actions or changes to improve the quality of the natural environment i.e. foreshore, beaches,

Parramatta River, parks.

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Documents

Cabarita Park and Breakfast Point ... - City of Canada Bay