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SHOPPING

Early shops would have been simple timber buildings like Edward Sander’s grocery store 27 which stood on the corner of Burwood Road and Livingstone Street in the 1870s. Nearby, Thomas Murray opened Murray and Company department store 28 in 1906 opposite the Post Office 9 . Like many large regional and country stores, it prided itself on being a ‘universal provider’ with an extensive range of stock.

Burwood Plaza 23 stands on the site of Burwood’s first theatre which opened in 1910 as a galvanised tin enclosure protecting the projection equipment and screen; and wooden benches in the open air for patrons to sit on. It was replaced by the Palatial Theatre which opened on 16 December 1921 and featured the first Christie pipe organ in a local

theatre. During the 1950s, Paul Cullen, the resident singing organist provided a ladies’ shoppers’ session every afternoon. The Palatial closed in 1971 and the space was used by the Royal Blind Society, then as a carpet showroom. It was demolished in 1978 and the modern sophisticated shopping village, Burwood Plaza, opened its doors.

TRAINS AND TRAMS

Burwood retains some interesting rail heritage in Railway Parade which relates to its importance as a centralised freight handling depot. In 1855, Burwood was one of only four stations between Sydney and Parramatta on the newly opened railway line, but with its easy access north and south, it quickly became a hub for transport and communications. The station was originally located west of its current position and also served as Burwood’s first post office. Due to its convenient location, Burwood became an important mail and freight handling centre on the main southern and western lines and in 1886, the Railway Department built a Post & Telegraph Office 22 . It was equipped with a pillar crane to lift goods from rail cars onto adjoining tracks or waiting lorries; and a weighbridge which measured the weight of goods so that freight costs could be calculated.

Not long after Burwood Road was opened up to through traffic, trams were introduced providing important cross suburban links. The original steam trams were phased out and replaced with electrified tramcars, until the service was dismantled in 1948.

RICHARD WYNNE

Richard Wynne had the distinction of being the first elected mayor of Burwood, but he is perhaps more famous in artistic rather than political circles. Following his death in 1895, funds from his bequest were used to establish the Wynne Art prize for the best landscape painting of Australian scenery in oils or watercolours or for the best example of figure sculpture by an Australian artist.

The Wynne Prize was first awarded in 1897, in honour of the official opening of the Art Gallery of New South Wales on its present site and many winning paintings by artists of the calibre of Hans Heysen and Russell Drysdale have become icons in Australian landscape painting.

WILLIAM PAISLEY

The Paisleys operated a successful seed and produce store adjacent to the railway from which they also sold fuel. 25

In 1894, Burwood’s newly elected mayor William Paisley, took drastic action to combat a financial crisis during a state-wide economic downturn.

His decision to reduce expenditure enraged Council clerk, William Redfearn, who took his £25 wage cut as a personal slight. Armed with three revolvers, Redfearn confronted Paisley in the Council Chambers

1 and fired several shots at Paisley, before turning the weapon on himself. Although seriously wounded, Paisley managed to flee the building and take refuge in the nearby house of fellow alderman, William Archer. He died the following day. To honour their departed mayor, local residents contributed to the acquisition of a fountain in Paisley’s memory. The base of it survives in Burwood Park 14 .

PATRONAGE

Burwood’s early residents placed great importance on building a good community. With the help of prominent local businessmen, funds were raised to build a School of Arts 2

where religious services, musical society performances, dances, and public meetings were held. The building continued as an important community venue, used for a short time as an emergency recording studio by the ABC and for the first rehearsal of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in April 1942. Burwood Public School 3 which subsequently acquired the building as a library was also established after the petition of local citizens who purchased the present site and partly funded the construction of the brick schoolroom and master’s residence in 1871. As Burwood’s population expanded so too did the school and by 1927, new premises were built in Queen Street for the secondary section.

JOHN HENNESSEY

Architect John Hennessey was a progressive alderman in Burwood, serving a term as mayor in 1892. Prior to arriving in Sydney he had trained in London as an architect. Hennessey, who designed Burwood’s Council Chambers

1 built in 1887, is highly respected for his designs for the Council Chambers and Centennial Hall in Sydney Town Hall, St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill and St Patrick’s Seminary, Manly.

Although significantly altered, Hennessey’s design for the Council Chambers provided for the requisite offices and meeting rooms to be on the ground floor, a concept that was altered during refurbishment in 1953 when the first floor was added.

Lady mayoress Hennessey laid the foundation stone for Burwood Post Office 9 , which has become a major landmark. Designed by government architect, Walter Liberty Vernon, the four storey Italian Romanesque Revival style campanile tower is clearly visible from many parts of Burwood. The post office ceased trading in 1996.

Former mayor John Hennessey’s most important contribution to Burwood was undoubtedly his support for elevating the railway lines 20 over Burwood Road, which reduced the number of accidents at the level crossing and unified the north and south sections of Burwood Road.

If you would like to learn more about Burwood, please read:

Harvest of the Years: The Story of Burwood by Eric Dunlop, 1974

Or contact:

Burwood Council9911 9911

www.burwood.nsw.gov.auemail: council@burwood.nsw.gov.au

Burwood Library9911 9999

email.library@burwood.nsw.gov.au

If you have enjoyed this walking tour, you might like to follow the Heritage Trail around some of Burwood’s landmark sites

south of the railway line. Copies of the Heritage Trail are available at the Council

or at www.burwood.nsw.gov.au

Walking through Burwood’s Town Centre

This walk through Burwood’s Town Centre will reveal the heart of Burwood, home to a diverse multicultural community. Once a colonial food bowl, this area is now a thriving business, retail and residential centre. Explore some of our historic landmarks as you wander through the fascinating precincts which make up the Town Centre.

Please allow 1-2 hours to complete this walk. It is advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen. And don’t forget, there are many cafes and places to take a break and enjoy some of Burwood’s fine multicultural food and hospitality.

Burwood - from the beginning

The first settlers in Burwood occupied land associated with the Wangal clan of the Eora nation. Here, they superimposed English farming traditions on the indigenous landscape, replacing stands of turpentine and brush box with orchards, crops and livestock to feed the growing colony. With the introduction of the railway in 1855 and the creation of a station between Sydney and Parramatta, Burwood’s future took another direction.

Rapid transport to the city meant that Burwood offered attractive real estate for the wealthy elite who built grand houses on large blocks of land and created mini enclaves like Appian Way. Many residents were prominent in business and commerce, including the Penfolds, the Lloyd Joneses, the Anthony Horderns and the Hornes. Advertisements for Burwood suggested one could ‘save the imposition of monstrous rents of Sydney landlords and taxes..(and have the) opportunity of enjoying all the luxury of country life’. Not content with quiet living, they garnered patronage for free and secular education, social interaction, sporting activities and civic improvement. In 1874 Burwood became a municipality, well endowed with a strong sense of community.

Since then, Burwood’s identity has been defined by its residents and the demographic shift over time from a Euro-centric population to a wider multicultural mix which reflects the outcome of Australia’s post-war immigration policies. For many new arrivals, their stay in Woodstock in Burwood, used for a time as a Commonwealth Migrant Hostel, was their first taste of Australian life. Today, Burwood is a vibrant suburb deeply proud of its colonial past and equally proud of its Global connectivity.

Steam tram on Burwood Road, c 1920. William Paisley’s store in centre. 25

The original Burwood Railway Station, with its wooden platform.

Richard Wynne.

Wynne Avenue 24 formerly named Regent Street.

Burwood School of Arts built in 1879 on land donated by philanthropist Thomas Walker of ‘Yarralla’.

Council Chambers, circa 1910, where Mayor was shot.

Interior of Murray and Company, c1910.

Burwood Public School; the original schoolroom built in 1871 in the foreground.

Edward Sanders’ general grocery store and servants registered office, circa 1870.

John Hennessey, architect of Burwood’s Council Chambers.

Burwood Post Office, left, newly constructed 1893.

The Palatial Theatre used for a time as Burwood Public Library was demolished for Burwood Plaza.

William Paisley died at William Archer’s residence at 44 Railway Parade 26 following the assassination. The house survived until the mid 20th century when it was demolished to eventually make way for Burwood Plaza.

The memorial to William Paisley in Burwood Park.

William Archer served Council as an alderman close to 50 years and as mayor for 6 terms, and represented Burwood in the Legislative Assembly between 1898 and 1906.

In the 1880s following spirited campaigns and ratepayer support for a public park, Council established Burwood Park. For over a century it has been the heart of Burwood’s community activity, gatherings and celebrations.

The original layout of paths was based on the square, diagonal and cross lines of the Union Jack and former mayor R V Hardie donated 500 shrubs, palms and trees to help establish its early form.

The Sandakan Memorial honours the 2,428 Australian and British prisoners of war, only 6 of whom survived, who were interned at Sandakan in North Borneo (Sabah) during World War II. Nearby are memorials dedicated to Australian National Servicemen and the International Day of Mourning, unveiled in 2007.

Other features to see in Burwood Park include ‘Awakening’ the Bicentennial sculpture created by Inge King, which was awarded the biennial Royal Blind Society’s Sculpture Award in 1987, the sculpture of Chinese philosopher Confucius presented by the Overseas Chinese Friendship Association in 2007 and a plaque commemorating the passage of the Athens Olympic Torch relay through the Park in 2004.

Burwood Road

Despite the construction of two large indoor shopping centres, Burwood Road continues to be a vibrant main street and cultural melting pot. Successive waves of immigrants have made their mark on the types of commercial activity which cater to the local community and have ensured that Burwood Road continues to be an active street front for retail and social life, just as it was a century ago.

Wise’s Directory entry for Burwood Road in 1950 lists 10 boot and shoe retailers, 4 outfitters, 6 drapers, 6 mercers, 17 frock retail stores and manufacturers, 8 milliners, 3 lingerie stores and 1 furrier. When retail therapy was done, shoppers could be revived at their choice of 10 cake shops, 10 confectioners, 2 milk bars, 3 restaurant and refreshment rooms. Today, while some retail

fashion is still evident, the street is dominated by speciality stores, commercial businesses, mixed grocery shops, cafes and restaurants. Over time, the Victorian shops and businesses with their wide verandahs have been replaced by smaller Edwardian and Federation style shops with simple cantilevered awnings. Many of these later structures survive today along Burwood Road.

Rail bridge

Until 1892 Burwood Road was divided by a level crossing. With the introduction of an elevated rail bridge 21 , Burwood Road become an important spine connecting Parramatta Road and Liverpool Road and an important interchange between rail, bus and tram, with trams and buses providing important cross city link. While some regard the rail bridge as an eyesore, it has been recognised on the NSW State Heritage Register as a rare example of a mainline single span triple girder bridge and carries hundreds of rail movements every day.

Westfield Burwood

In 1966 Westfield Burwood 13 announced the ‘birth of a shopping town’. Then the largest of its developments in Australia, the centre created a new retail experience for shoppers, appealing to residents in neighbouring suburbs. With inclined malls and individual internal

shopfronts, it boasted compact scale, aimed at reducing the walking that shopping necessarily entailed. Since then, the development was demolished and rebuilt double in size in 2000.

WALKING TOUR

Start the walk at the historic Council Chambers 1 , the scene of a startling civic dispute in 1894. Across the road are two fine examples of the patronage of some of Burwood’s early founding families, the School of Arts 2 and Burwood Public School

3 . Proceed south along Conder Street and turn left into Belmore Street, passing the imposing Classical Revival style Freemason’s Masonic Temple 4 , built in 1924 for Lodge 143 (founded in 1886) on the left. Almost opposite is St James Presbyterian Church 5 erected in 1882. Previously, parishioners had used the School of Arts for religious services.

Walk along Belmore Street, which before 1886 was two streets – Chick (between Condor Street and Burwood Road) and Walliam (between Burwood Road and Shaftesbury Road). Its present name honours the Earl of Belmore, the 13th governor of NSW. Some of Burwood’s early medical practitioners had rooms in this street. Note the many blocks of fashionable flats built in the 1930’s.

Turn right into Burwood Road and proceed south to Clarence Street. Along this stretch you can see some good examples of Federation-style first floor shop facades 6 .

Turn left into Clarence Street, named after England’s Duke of Clarence, and proceed east to Shaftesbury Road, named after the Earl of Shaftesbury, a noted 19th century social reformer. In this precinct are some interesting late 19th and early 20th century residences that have retained their architectural character. Look at late Victorian mansion (1898) “Cranbrook” at number 8 as well as two outstanding Federation dwellings: “Dobroyde” c.1913 at number 6 and “Lynton” (c.1906) at number 4 7 .

Continue north along Shaftesbury Road then turn left into Belmore Street and proceed along. On the corner of Burleigh Street is Burwood Police Station built in 1900 in Federation-style 8 . Until it was completed, Burwood had the services of one police constable and the nearest police headquarters were in Newtown. Court hearings were held in the Council Chambers until 1907, before the local courthouse was erected.

Look down Burleigh Street to see an interesting row of Victorian terrace houses. Number 4 further down was home to AC/DC band members Angus and Malcolm Young in the 1960s. Continue along Belmore Street back to Burwood Road, turn right and walk north towards the railway station. Before you cross Railway Parade, you will see Burwood Post Office 9 .

Opposite is the original Burwood Hotel 10 built close to the railway station for the benefit of travellers. Continue along Burwood Road, a colourful and vibrant multicultural precinct that reflects the contemporary demography of Burwood.

Just passed the bridge to your right at the end of Deane Street is Burwood Library 11 , which opened in 1952. Cross Deane Street and proceed along Burwood Road. Burwood Uniting Church 12 was consecrated as a Congregational Church in 1869, but fire destroyed the first building in 1879. With the support of prominent parishioners a new church, designed by John Rowe, was built on the same site in 1880.

Westfield occupies a site where Astor Cinema, Victoria Hall, many shops, businesses and residential dwellings, once stood.

Cross Burwood Road and enter Burwood Park 14 . You may wish to spend a little time here to explore the monuments including the Memorial Arch 15 , the obelisk commemorating Burwood Villa 16 and enjoy the garden features including the Rotunda 17 .

Continue through Burwood Park and proceed left along Park Road. Tulloona, 18 (later Rossmoyne) at 48-50 Park Road is evidence of one of Burwood’s grander houses and has retained some original garden planting. The 1930s bungalows which dominate this street were built after the subdivisions of Tulloona and Ilfracombe House Estates.

Continue along Park Road to George Street and turn left. George Street retains rows of late Victorian terrace housing including Lochiel Terrace 19 . While turning right into Burwood Road look at Burwood Club on the corner 20 . It opened in 1878 as Freemanson’s Hotel. Head up to the rail bridge 21 . Turn right into Railway Parade. On your right is an interesting group of railway heritage items 22 . The area to the west along Railway Parade was named Burwood’s Avenue of Nations in 2006, celebrating over 40 different nationalities, which make up Burwood’s vibrant community today. Adjacent is Burwood Plaza 23 , which stands on the site of the former Palatial Theatre.

Cross Railway Parade at Wynne Avenue 24 named after Burwood’s first elected mayor. It was Richard Wynne who successfully initiated a petition that resulted in the incorporation of Burwood as a municipality.

Walk towards Conder Street to return to the Council Chambers 1 where this walk commenced.

We hope you have enjoyed this tour around the neighbourhood and the glimpse into Burwood’s past and its colourful present.

Burwood Hotel

Burwood Family Hotel 10 at the corner of Burwood Road and Railway Parade, opened in 1862 by Richard Hawkins, was owned and operated by William Clarke for many years. It was one of the first hotels built for railway travellers, replacing the old coaching inns which offered a respite on the long road journey between Sydney and beyond.

Tulloona

Tulloona 18 was built in 1875 for John R Bubb, a successful ironmonger, whose many commissions included the distinctive red pillar-style letterboxes and domestic wrought iron railing and decorative ironwork. It was subsequently owned by former mayor of Sydney, Alban Riley, who was inspired to add the Classical-style façade following a trip to Italy. More recently the house, which was converted to a nursing home, has been acquired and restored as a family home. Tulloona’s land originally extended from George to Victoria Streets, Park Road and Gloucester Avenue.

Burwood Park

Burwood Park 14 is on land which was granted to Captain Thomas Rowley of the NSW Corps in 1799. Rowley established Burwood Farm, named after a property in Cornwall. In 1824, convict artist Joseph Lycett described Burwood Farm as

‘a garden of 4 acres in full cultivation, containing upwards of three hundred Trees, bearing the following choice fruits, viz. The Orange, Citron, Lemon, Pomegranate, Loquat, Guava,

Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Apples, Pears, the Cherry, Plums, Figs, Chestnuts, Almonds, Medlars, Quinces; with abundance of Raspberries, Strawberries, and the finest Melons. ‘

Burwood Villa, the house built by Alexander Riley after 1814 on the site of Rowley’s farm and adopted as one of Burwood’s civic symbols, was demolished in 1937, but is marked by an obelisk in the park 16 .

Burwood Villa, by Joseph Lycett, 1824. Tulloona.

Burwood Family Hotel.

Burwood Road looking south, circa 1910.

Murray & Company’s department store on Burwood Road, 1948 28 .

The single span triple girder underbridge, installed in 1893 made Burwood Road an important thoroughfare.

Westfield Shopping Centre, Burwood, 1978.

In 1902, a rotunda 17 was erected to mark the coronation of King Edward VII.

The large memorial arch 15 commemorating the sacrifice of 937 servicemen and 4 nurses in Great War (1914-1918), designed by R E Grant, was unveiled by Governor-General Lord Forster on Anzac Day in 1923.