Georges River Council’s Historical Markers Program launched in 2018. The program recognises people and places of historical and cultural importance, as recommended by the local community. Each year Council will fund and install up to five new historical markers. 

Council receives many such requests throughout the year and they will be managed through this program to ensure a consistent and accurate approach.

Explore Historical Markers in Georges River
 

2024 Historical Markers Program - Applications now open!

Is there a historic person, or place in Georges River you would like to nominate? We welcome nominations that highlight and recognise people and places of historical and cultural importance to the Georges River area.

Applications for the 2024 Historical Markers Program are now open and will close Sunday 19 May 2024. 

If you would like to learn more about the program, join us for an information session:

Date	Time	Location	Booking
Monday 22 April 2024	10.00am - 12.00pm	Hurstville Library	Book Now
Tuesday 23 April 2024	10.00am - 12.00pm	Clive James Library, Kogarah	Book Now

 

How do I apply?

1. Download and read the Historical Markers Policy (PDF 134 KB).
2. Think of a person or place of historical and cultural importance to Georges River.
3. Check the existing Historical Markers.
4. Research your nominated person / place.
5. Fill in the application form before Sunday 19 May 2024.
    

Timeline

• Applications open Wednesday 6 March 2024.
• Applications close Sunday 19 May 2024.
• 2024 Historical Markers Announcement & Launch event – Thursday 12 September 2024.
   

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the program, or application process, please contact Georges River Libraries Local Studies.

 

2023 Historical Markers Program

Federal Brick Company 1906 - 1957	The company manufactured bricks and earthenware products for the local building trade at this location for more than 50 years until closing in 1957. The marker will be located at the former brickworks site at Kempt Field, Hurstville.
Jack Napier Davenport DSO, DFC & Bar, GM, MID 1920 - 1996	RAAF Wing Commander 455 Squadron (1941-1946), recipient of the Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross. Awarded the George Medal in1945 for outstanding bravery after saving crew from a burning plane. The marker will be located outside of Jack's childhood family home, 51 Kyle Parade, Kyle Bay.
John Radecki 1865 - 1955	A Polish immigrant and former coal miner who became the first stained glass artist to be trained in NSW. His work can be found across NSW including at the Mitchell Library and here at St Raphael’s Church. The marker will be located outside St Raphael's, George Street, South Hurstville
Ruth Staples 1930 -2020	A founding member of the Lime Kiln Bay Preservation Committee that protected nearby natural places including the wetlands and Dairy Creek. The marker is located along the walking track in Lime Kiln Bay Reserve.
Silvester's Castle	Henry C Silvester tried to build a castle here during WWI but abandoned construction in the 1920s. Children played in the ruins and traces of stonework can be found nearby. The marker is located on the corner of Yarran Road and Southern Street, Oatley.

 

2022 Historical Markers Program

Oatley Amatuer Swimming Club	Oatley Amateur Swimming Club began in 1927 and celebrated it's 95 year in 2022. The Club has held events continuously over 95 years from its Clubhouse at Sandy Beach in Oatley Park. The location of the marker is on the grass verge adjacent to the clubhouse and pedestrian path.
Sir Jack Brabham (1926 - 2014)	Sir Jack Arthur Brabham (AO OBE) had a distinguished motor racing career, including becoming Formula One World Champion in 1959, 1960 and 1966. He was knighted in 1979 and awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2008. He was recognised as a National Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) in 2012. The road Jack Brabham Drive in Hurstville is named after him. Location: The marker will be installed at the historic site of Brabham's childhood home, 101 Queens Road, Hurstville, formerly 12 Macquarie Street, Hurstville.
Amy Bertha York (1894 - 1971)	Amy York helped establish the first Council provided childcare centre in Hurstville. The Hurstville Child Care Kindergarten Centre (the Mary Alice Evatt Child Centre) was created by volunteer fund-raising which was led by Amy York. She later became president of the centre in 1947. The location of the marker is on the corner of Humphrey Lane and Cross Street, Hurstville
St Clair Recording Studio 1965 - 1966	The St Clair Recording Studio was set up by Ossie Byrne and was located behind a butcher’s shop at 56 Queens Road Hurstville. The studio was keenly sought by bands as it operated with two mono recorders, the leading technology of the time. The Bee Gees, recorded their early work at the studio, including their breakthrough hit “Spicks and Specks” in 1966. This was also the location where popular Australian TV show “Bandstand” recorded backing tracks in 1966. Other artists to record at St Clair included The Twilights, MPD ltd and Ronnie Burns. The buildings were demolished in the 1970s. Location: The marker will be installed outside of the historic site at 56 Queens Road, Hurstville
Shipwrights Bay	This site holds two strands of Australian history. It was occupied by the traditional owners of the land, the Bidjigal people, and contains rock shelters, shell middens and carvings. These items are listed in the Shipwrights Bay Plan of Management and are heritage items listed in the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS). The site was later used for ship building activities by the colonists. The location of the marker is at the entrance to Shipwrights Bay Reserve at Woodlands Ave, Blakehurst

2021 Historical Markers 

Lugarno Market Gardens	The place now known as H.V. Evatt Park was initially developed to produce food by the Webb family, who established a citrus orchard and built a dam on the site during the 1920s. Lee Wun, who had arrived in Australia to work as a market gardener in Botany, took over the lease in the 1950s. Along with family members, Lee turned it into a Chinese market garden, producing carrots, pumpkins, and tomatoes. This was one of the last operating market gardens in the Georges River area. As early as 1951 a section of Webbs Garden was reserved for recreational purposes, under the County of Cumberland Planning Scheme. In 1965 the area was made public land. The combined efforts of the Lugarno Progress Association and Hurstville Council resulted in a park of around 25 acres being established. The location of the marker is near the historic dam at the bottom of the reserve.
John O'Grady	Author John O’Grady (1907-1981) used the pseudonym Nino Culotta and wrote the famous book “They’re a Weird Mob”. He lived in Algernon Street Oatley from 1958 till his death in 1981. He was asked why he lived in Oatley and his reply was that it was “the best place to live”. He was described by locals as “an elderly delinquent” as he used to wander the local streets in sandals or thongs and wore flamboyant shirts. His book “They’re a Weird Mob” was not his only publication but was his most successful. The location of the marker is in the Oatley Memorial Gardens opposite the Oatley Hotel.
Ruby Payne-Scott	Ruby Payne-Scott (1912-1981) was a scientist and pioneer in radio physics and radio astronomy. She is believed to be the first female radio astronomer. She taught at Danebank School in Hurstville from 1963-1974. She died at Oatley in 1981. Her key role in science and the development of equal rights for women is well recognised by the CSIRO, the National Archives and internationally. The location of the marker is in the footpath in front of Danebank School on Park Road, Hurstville.
Carss Park Football Club	Soccer has a long association with the vicinity of Kogarah Bay. The Carss Park Football Club (previously known as the Carss Park Soccer Club) has been associated with the area since 1953. The club has a proud history in football and a long association with supporting community recreation in the area, including the recent establishment of a special needs program in 2014. The location of the marker is on the corner of Parkside Drive and Carlton Cresent, Kogarah Bay.

Markers for restoration

Mortdale Fire Station	This existing marker recounts the history of the building and the volunteer fire brigade in the early 1900s. The text on the marker is worn and hard to read. It is located at 38 Morts Road, Mortdale and is attached to the fire station building.
Site of Ithiel	This existing marker is for the home of Daniel James a prominent tailor in the late 1800s. The text is extensively faded, discoloured and hard to read. The marker is located at 55 Inverness Avenue, Penshurst and is attached to a freestanding concrete plinth next to the footpath outside the property.
Penshurst Presbyterian Church	This existing marker relates to the establishment of the church at this site more than 100 years ago. The text is faded and hard to read. It is located at 118 Penshurst Street, Penshurst and is attached to a freestanding concrete plinth outside the property.

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2020 Historical Markers

No.52 Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Battery c.1942-1945 Location: Corner Baker Street, Oatley	During WWII, the Australian Women’s Army Service operated an anti-aircraft searchlight located in this park which was intended to detect and illuminate enemy aircraft. Find more stories about the searchlight on the Local Studies Blog.
Isaac Peake’s Farm Location: Olds Park, Penshurst	The homestead of Isaac Peake (1838-1920), after whose family the suburb of Peakhurst was named, was located in this vicinity, with the farm occupying the north-west part of what is now Olds Park. Find more stories about Isaac Peake on the Local Studies Blog.
Edith Blake 1885-1918 Location: Edith Blake Reserve, Kogarah	The only Australian nurse to die in WWI as a direct result of enemy action, when the hospital ship HMHS Glenart Castle was torpedoed off the English coast on 26 February 1918. Find more stories about Edith Blake on the Local Studies Blog.
The Nethery Family Location: Anglo Square, Carlton	The family has lived in the vicinity of this park for more than 100 years since the arrival of Edward and Mary Ann Nethery in 1917. Their eight children made outstanding contributions to the community through sport, education and the service of seven sons during WWII. Find more stories about the Nethery Family on the Local Studies Blog.
Steam Tram Terminus 1887-1937  Location: Kogarah Station	The service ran from Kogarah Station to Sans Souci along Rocky Point Road, providing access to the beach and Moorefield Racecourse. Find more stories about the Steam Tram on the Local Studies Blog.

2019 Historical Markers

• Collaroy House, Peakhurst – 764 Forest Road, Peakhurst.

• “Ellesmere” camp, Sans Souci - Endeavour Street Reserve, Sans Souci.

• Edmond & Elizabeth English - corner of English Street and Princes Highway, Kogarah.

• Paramount/Hoyts Cinema, Mortdale - 126 Railway Parade, Mortdale.

• William Currey VC MLA - 4 Regent Street, Kogarah (site of William Currey’s office while he was Member for Kogarah).

2018 Historical Markers

• Sans Souci Hotel - Sans Souci Park, Sans Souci.

• Michael Gannon - Forest Road, Hurstville (near Kenwyn Street/ Croydon Road).

• Robert Kyle - Merriman Reserve, Kyle Bay.

• Joe Anderson (King Burraga) - Ogilvy Street, Peakhurst.

• Mervyn ‘Merv’ Lynch - Penshurst Park, Penshurst.

Please see Georges River Council’s Historical Markers Policy (PDF 134 KB) for more details.

For more information please contact the Cultural Engagement and Library Services team: library@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.