First Accident on the F5

The new section of the F5 freeway from Campbelltown to Yanderra opened on 15 December 1980. The new stretch was opened by Premier Neville Wran, with large queues of cars banked up for kilometres waiting for the opening. The new section reduced travel times greatly, but unfortunately accidents on the freeway still occur. Strangely however, the first accident on the freeway happened BEFORE the official opening. 

On the weekend before the opening, Sergeant Olivera and Constable Bailey were patrolling the new section at the request of the Department of Main Roads. The DMR had been concerned that people may have misused the freeway before its official opening. About 12 kilometres south of Campbelltown, a kangaroo appeared from the grass on the eastern side of the road directly in the path of the police car. Despite braking, the police car was unable to avoid hitting the kangaroo. It died instantly. Damage to the police car was minor and neither officer was injured.

Looking north from the bridge over construction of the F5 Freeway at Menangle Park in 1976. (Trevor Richardson Collection).

Written by Andrew Allen

Source: Campbelltown-Ingleburn News, 16 December 1980, p1

The night they blew the safe!

I recently opened a pamphlet file which contained a very old cheque book. My curiosity was piqued by the little note on the front of it – see photo below. 

The note on the front of the cheque book

Inside the cheque book - Police v Douglas

This led to an interesting tale of theft and forgery!
During the night of the 19th and 20th April 1933, Ingleburn Council premises were broken into. The safe was blown, and a number of items stolen. These included a pistol and cartridges, postage stamps, cash, some loose cheques, and a cheque book. Constable Best of Campbelltown attended the Ingleburn Council Chambers at 10.30 am on the 20th April, where he saw that the safe had been blown open, with the safe door off its hinges. There were books and papers strewn about, plus a quantity of putty (explosive) in a paper towel. Most importantly was a paper match case on the floor near the safe. The side window had been forced open.

Shockingly, another go was had at the Council Chambers on the 28th April, just 9 days after the first robbery. Not as competent as the first attempt, the robbers left a large amount of putty all over the Town Clerk’s office, to his considerable annoyance, and only escaped with a few pounds.

Ingleburn Council Chambers as they were in 1933

In the Campbelltown Police Court on the 19th May Mr John Charles Douglas was charged with breaking and entering the Ingleburn Council Chambers. Douglas had been questioned by Detective Surridge of the Parramatta Police. Douglas tried to explain away the cheque book he had in his possession by stating it had been given to him by another man, who, not surprisingly, was unable to be located. Douglas had passed two cheques on Gowing Bros and Hordern Bros, after forging the name of H.J. Daley on them.

Cheques in the stolen cheque book

Detective Surridge showed Douglas a cardboard match case bearing the words “Boomerang” 53 Market Street, Sydney – the same match case that had been left behind at the robbery. Douglas admitted to having one ‘similar’.

Douglas was remanded to stand trial at the Parramatta Quarter Sessions on the 6th June, which he did. He was charged with breaking and entering, and was convicted on an alternative charge of receiving. He was sentenced to 12 months hard labour.

The Council Chambers must have been seen as an easy target, as they were broken into yet again on the 21st June. The safe door withstood the charges, and nothing of value was taken. Bryan Chrystal recalls this incident as follows - "I think he (Harley Daley) got the job of Town Clerk in the 30s. This was right in the middle of the depression. Part of his job was handing out the dole and also if they did any relief work. They had a big strong room in the middle of the Council offices. This particular night, apparently they all knew that the money had come in and he had put it away to pay out the next day. These two characters must have come in and put gelignite on the door of the safe and they detonated it. They didn’t get the money because the building fell down all around the strong room. It made a real mess of the Council Chambers. He always told that story."

Written by Claire Lynch

Sources 

Trove

"Campbelltown Recollections"

 https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/ServicesandFacilities/Libraries/LocalStudies/CampbelltownRecollectionsStoriesFromOurPast

New Year 1921

Thought I'd take a look back to the Campbelltown-Ingleburn News of 7th January 1921 to see how our predecessors of a hundred years ago brought in the new year. Mayor Hannaford had had a tough year with the "influenza epidemic" still causing issues.

A quite prominent notice by T.H. Barnett, owner of the Mount Gilead Estate said he would impound any trespassing stock and prosecute anyone cutting timber there. Quite the new year's resolution! But it was the article about the Soldier's Settlement Social Committee which gave a great picture of life of the time. We know now there will be very rough years ahead for them but this new years' they gathered in the communal hall for songs, music and merriment, with the venue being "taxed by the large company present". The program began with a pianoforte solo by Miss Molly Menzies and continued with violins, cornet and Mrs Warner of the Hurstville Philharmonic's rendition of "Nocturne in F". The young Miss Eva Macintosh "gained the hearts of her audience singing "Here's to love and Laughter" later joining Mr Sidman in a duet. The happy group only dispersed at 2 am, to reassemble on new year's day for sports on the recreation reserve of the settlement.

One of the cottages in the soldier's settlement in Waminda Avenue

Sports Day

Delayed for an hour due to the extreme heat and with a tendency for the great majority to be "surf-bathing" the flat race for kids under-10 took place, followed by a potato race resulting in a dead-heat, a win eventually secured by Miss Cambourne over Miss Biehler. The article does not mention how many potatoes were collected for the win. 

Thirty-two entrants "stepped out" a 100 yards, with R.J Warby winning, after he was found to be only nine and a half inches off the mark. Miss Biehler triumphed however, in the egg and spoon race with several competitors losing their eggs entirely. Controversy was had in the men's heat though when the winner, Mr Hepher, it was alleged, GLUED his egg to the spoon! 

After the "Married ladies" heat, the pillow fight was hotly contested with Mr Hazel "knocking out" Mick Casey in the final. The extraordinary Miss Woods, after conceding two yards start to the other entrants, beat the field in the single women's race. Finally, after the "sweethearts race" was won and 39 contestants all "threw at wickets", the obstacle race took place. Involving climbing poles, tarpaulins and hurdles it caused much hilarity especially when everyone simultaneously went for the one "Big Barrel" 

What a day to remember!

Written by Andrew Allen