The hand-written caption by Nan Henry says it all – ‘Paradise Beach where we spent many happy holidays 1915’. Difficult to recognise if it weren’t for the caption, the site has changed dramatically since these[…]
Author: Geoff Searl
Angophora Reserve, Palmgrove Road
This photo from 1968 shows members of the newly-formed Avalon Preservation Trust and some locals, putting the finishing touches to the gateway at the Palmgrove Road entrance to Angophora Reserve. Familiar faces (L-R) are Margaret[…]
This Can’t Happen Here
This poster from the late 1960s was contributed to by the Avalon Preservation Trust (APT), several other like-minded organisations and many locals concerned at the threat of ‘out-of-control’ building by developers and speculators.The threat to[…]
Video of Stewart Towers – Barranjoey Headland up to 1881
Jervis Sparks used the spelling ‘Barranjoey’ for the headland because that was the spelling used during the period of manned occupation. We chose to respect that decision.
‘Ava-Putt’ invitation
This is a copy of the invitation from Mr and Mrs A.J.Small to attend the official opening of the Avalon Beach Miniature Golf Links in 1930. Unfortunately it was built during the Depression and it[…]
‘Ava-Putt’ mini-golf ‘Mt Vesuvius’
This amazing photograph is actually a ‘frame grab’ from footage shot by Mr Small in the very early 1930s. It shows the fascinating hole called ‘Mount Vesuvius’ and it was the job of an early[…]
‘AVA-PUTT’ mini golf links
This shows the plan view of the ‘Ava-Putt’ miniature golf course which architect Alexander Stewart Jolly designed (and most likely built) for A.J.Small. The left hand side fronted Avalon Parade – the rectangle indicating the[…]
Avalon Beach Car Park
No worries about getting close to the action in the car at Avalon Beach in 1935. Rather than carry a marquee-style tent to the beach just for the day, some families chose a ‘lean-to’ and[…]
1925 Part Panorama
This photo is a detail from a much longer panorama taken from the high ground above the path (to the right) which led down to the pool. The two furtherest planter boxes stand on the[…]
Early Dressing Sheds
This view in 1920 shows the recently constructed dressing sheds and the freshly white-painted tree guards waiting for the planting of the Norfolk Island Pine trees. The shed directly behind the group of 3 people[…]