High Among the Trees

Considering it was built by young boys, this treehouse at Leumeah was considered an inspired work of construction. It was built 60 feet (18 metres) in the air and must have been a challenge to climb, if not a terrifying one for those boys not thrilled about heights. The treehouse was built on a public reserve near the Scout Hall at Leumeah by a group of local boys and it was even furnished. Unfortunately, in April 1969, Leumeah Progress Association received complaints about misbehaviour at the treehouse. These complaints weren't caused by the builders but by other people. The association complained to Campbelltown Council who inspected it and then gave an order for its demolition.

There are claims that this treehouse was built by either the Nash or Fetterplace family and that it stood on Narellan Road between Campbelltown and Narellan. The discovery of this newspaper article and accompanying photograph would prove this incorrect however.

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

Campbelltown-Ingleburn News, April 8 1969

Campbelltown Council Minutes April 1 1969

Demolished Schoolhouse

It stood on its own in a paddock for 135 years. Then, one day in 1973 this notable landmark fell victim to progress, after resisting demolition for many years. St Peter's Church Schoolhouse was demolished to make way for the construction of Moore-Oxley Bypass.

Tenders were called for the erection of the Church of England Schoolhouse in 1837 with the building completed the following year. It replaced and stood next to where an earlier school was built in 1823 and conducted by Thomas Robinson, who also taught in the new building, until 1839.

The building was regular tuck-pointed red brick with four windows along each side, small paned, in four sections, with a stone lintel and sill. Inside was a large stage that was used for many different performances and over many years. The schoolhouse had an outside toilet nearby, that undoubtedly created trepidation on a dark moonless night as approached.

Besides a schoolhouse, the building was also used for corrective purposes with magistrates regularly meeting to dispense justice. In later years it was used as a parish hall and in the 1950s as a pre-school run by Mrs King. Scouts also used the school and paddock for activities in the 1960s.

The location of the schoolhouse was Moore Street between Reddall and Cordeaux Street in Campbelltown. Today the south-bound side of Moore-Oxley Bypass would run straight over the site. Sandstone bricks from the school were used in a feature wall in the nearby new rectory.

(All photographs are from the Bagley Collection, Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society Collection)

Written by Andrew Allen

Source:

ALLEN, Andrew 2018
More than Bricks and Mortar: Remembering Campbelltown's Lost Buildings
Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society: Campbelltown

A Father Figure

Few public figures have left their mark on Campbelltown like Clive Tregear. As Mayor from 1964 to 1972, Clive became one of the most respected figures in Macarthur politics and would not retire from council until 1980. He was involved in a huge range of community, health and planning bodies. He was devoted to the job and devoted to his beloved Campbelltown.

Clive Tregear was born at Wagga Wagga in 1918. During World War Two he served at Darwin during the attacks there, before being transferred to Ingleburn Army Camp's convalescent depot for medical reasons. He married an Ingleburn girl named Genevieve Kayless.

Clive began his service to council in 1956. Jeff McGill wrote that "he was viewed by many as little more than a left-wing ratbag when he was first elected as an alderman to Campbelltown Council." It didn't take long however for people to start respecting him. Through the early stages of Campbelltown's development, Clive's qualities of leadership were recognised by his fellow alderman who returned him as Mayor for eight successive years from 1964 to 1972. He was enlisted by the ALP and joined Alderman Frank Ward under the Labor Party banner.

Clive wasn't afraid to stand up for what he believed in. This would sometimes get him offside with developers, local press and some of his colleagues. It was his staunch opposition to rate rises however, that kept him onside with the public.

He was also, in some ways, a man ahead of his time. An example of this was how he saved the magnificent colonial terraces at the southern end of Queen Street from being demolished. This action wasn't popular with everyone at the time, but today his stance is looked on with admiration and relief.

Clive is pictured at council's Civic Centre with Harley Daley at the receiving of the new lamp standard in 1966

One of his other qualities was his public speaking prowess. His words were constantly sought at everything from civic events to local school fetes. Some recordings of his voice are kept at the library and from listening to these it is obvious what a great orator he was.

Clive wasn't always in control of things though. One day his dentist, Peter Benson, put him under hypnosis to attempt to ease his pain. Peter told Clive that he Captain Scott down in the Antarctic. Clive immediately went blue with cold and began to shiver uncontrollably. When his dog walked past he told him to get that husky out of here!

Some of his other notable achievements included the opening of the new and prestigious housing development of Sherwood Hills (now Bradbury), construction of a new swimming pool and the opening of a new library service. However, it was the declaration of Campbelltown as a city that was probably the biggest highlight of his term in office. This was celebrated on May 4 1968 and saw Clive at his best, making a number of speeches and decked out in his finest mayoral robes. Two years later he was prominent again when Campbelltown celebrated the Bicentenary of Captain Cook's discovery. A highlight was the opening of Glenalvon in Lithgow Street as a museum.

It came as a huge shock when Alderman Tregear lost the 1972 ballot to Cec Mulholland. Clive served as an alderman for the following eight years. In 1977 he was awarded the MBE for his outstanding record in public affairs. It was a sad day when Clive announced his retirement from local government in 1980.

Clive Tregear passed away on 5 August 2001 at his home in Ingleburn. His wife Genevieve died in 1996.

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

Leader, 2.2.1977, p2

Mayoral Minute, City of Campbelltown, 14.1.1977

Macarthur Advertiser, August 15 2001, p2

McGill Jeff 1996
First Citizen: mayors of Campbelltown since 1882