Architectural historian Maisy Stapleton described Alexander Stewart Jolly’s ‘Loggan Rock’ cabin as “a retreat from the banalities of suburban life. It is the ultimate escapists fantasy, an exuberant whimsy, the hideaway of a Boys Own adventure story . . . . . with an inherent youthfulness and playful quality”. It is an extraordinary structure, very […]

This photo shows the official opening of the first surf club building, including the dressing sheds, in early 1934 by the Hon. J.M.Dunningham. Designed by architect Bertram Ford, it cost around 2,000 pounds (4,000 dollars). Note the generous volume of sand at the time, compared with later years, as the conditions continue to fluctuate. Note […]

Many rumours have abounded over the years on the origins and occupants of the studio which hangs precariously onto the cliff edge on top of North Avalon. The truth is that William Lumsden, an engineer from Maroubra, built both the house on Marine Parade and the studio up top in 1938. He used it as […]

This is photo number 2 and shows the view Bert Cowell captured in 1940 from Bangalley Headland. In the middle of the photo is the new section of Barrenjoey Road leading to Palm Beach, replacing the old (visible) dirt road which led down to the crossing (originally a forde) of Careel Creek. The old road […]

This excellent photo is actually 1 of 2, both taken by Bert Cowell, Avalon Beach’s mobile green-grocer (see previous entry on website) in 1940. Bert’s daughter is Nina who is the Society’s secretary! Taken from the climb up to Bangalley Headland, note the vehicle parked approximately where you enter the reserve these days. The road […]

Titled ‘Historical artefacts decorating Bungan Castle in 1928’. Geoff visited the castle as a member of the Avalon Cub Pack in the 1950s and clearly remembers the great array of antiques and memorabilia. Sadly, visits in later years were curtailed because of the continual theft of some of these historical items.

The harnessed horse strains to raise some stone to the construction site urged on by his handler. Note the construction stage on the castle behind.

In 1928 Bungan Head Road winds its way out to a rather lonely and forlorn looking castle.