On 17 December my family went on an expedition around western Sydney conducting research for a future publication with the working title ‘A Christmas Car Rally Mystery’. The route taken was Windsor Road, Londonderry Road, The Northern Road, Park Road, Silverdale Road and Marsh Road. Some of the rally ‘checkpoints’ checked out were the Battle of Vinegar Hill Memorial at Rouse Hill, the memorial to the legendary 19th c. racehorse Jorrocks at Hawkesbury racecourse, Richmond greyhounds course, Penrith Golf Club, Luddenham showground, the sites of the old Elizabeth Farm at Wallacia and African Lion Safari at Silverdale, and the Wallacia Hotel.
Battle of Vinegar Hill Memorial, Rouse Hill.
Long before American television’s ‘Amazing Race’ concept was ever thought of, back in the 1960s my Dad’s work social club used to conduct such ‘drive and checkpoint clue’ rallies around western Sydney. They were a lot of fun. Here is the draft prologue for the story. A few images from yesterday attached.
This is a story of when the hinterland of Sydney west of Liverpool, Fairfield and Parramatta and below the Blue Mountains consisted of market gardens, poultry farms, orchards, and roadside produce vendors selling snap-fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs from little sheds. There were also horse agistment yards and racing stables, pony rides, dog kennels, golf courses, cellar-door-sale-vineyards, slightly down-at-heel (yet strangely endearing) theme parks and most importantly, pubs your father and grandfather could drive to, leave a bogus home-town address in the guest book (‘Jack Peake from Boggy Creek’), and then enjoy a cold on-tap ale on a Sunday. This last blessing was the reason for the existence of many of the other attractions. A small number are still in operation, or their decaying remains – an abandoned amusement ride, or perhaps a few sheets of rusted corrugated iron and a rotting counter of an old stall – may be spotted in a roadside paddock by wayfarers. Most though have been lost forever under housing estates, the ever-expanding motorways or the emerging international airport. Those of us still around who were alive back in those days miss these outposts of old western Sydney culture very much.
Jorrocks Memorial, Hawkesbury racecourse.
To read more by Wayne Peake click here.
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – click HERE.
About Wayne Peake
Dr Wayne Peake was born in Sydney in 1960. He was educated at East Hills Boys High School, The University of Sydney and the University of Western Sydney. He began going to the Sydney races each Saturday in 1975, and on Wednesdays whenever he could sneak away from school sport. He was a successful punter (by his own estimation) until, co-incidentally, about the time he met his future wife, when his form began to taper off. He is still happily married to his 'first selection'. He says: 'there was never anywhere I would rather have been than at a racecourse, from Randwick to Murwillumbah and Broken Hill and anywhere in between. But I love a country race meeting best of all - the rougher the better. You can't beat an Australian 'picnic' bush meeting, especially one that has a race ball before or after it.'
- Web |
- More Posts
Leave a Comment