The Minto Monster

Minto has a long history of strange sightings and weird noises that have defied explanation. Many locals believe they all relate to the Minto Monster- a creature that has been terrorising residents since 1932.

In that year farmers were looking for a cow in the moonlight and were shocked to see a 'bellowing' unknown creature which seemed to glide above the ground. Other reports described it as a "dark object gliding through space, 18 inches off the ground." Locals believe this apparition relates to a drowning of a convict that occurred on a dam built by Thomas Rose. This dam was on the corner of Pembroke and Ben Lomond Road. A plaque outlining the origins of the dam and the story of the drowned convict can be found on this corner.

A handwritten letter was unearthed in 1984 from the files of the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society by historian and former resident Verlie Fowler. It describes the story of what happened that night in 1932. I won't give the full version here as it's too long, but this is part of it:

"It was full moon and my brother Jack, who was staying with us, was standing on the verandah scanning the paddock by the aid of the moon, watching for the return of our family cow which had strayed away early that morning.

Suddenly from the far distance, came the sound of a bellowing cow, and presently down the valley came the vision of an object which Jack at once thought to be the cow returning home.

He stepped off the verandah and walked toward our side fence which was only approx. 100ft. away from the line in which the "cow" was travelling.

As he approached the object, he realised it was neither walking nor running but just gliding through space, approx. 18 inches off the ground.

Unable to distinguish this dark object approaching, he called our small dog and sent him towards the object which, by then, was almost opposite him.

The dog made a rush, and instantly stopped, arched his back and retreated to my brother with his bristles standing straight up and stiff as though terrified."

The letter went on to say how "nothing more was seen of our 'Ghost' for about three years. Then my wife and I witnessed a similar experience to the one Jack had had. It is now over twenty years since this happening and we often wonder if this spirit has found rest."

The convict dam site in 1975 at corner of Pembroke Road and Ben Lomond Road, Minto with Minto Public School in left background
The Minto Monster was back in the news again in 1973 when claims that a mysterious creature had been 'terrorising' East Minto residents with its blood curdling screams. The monster's screams, according to one local resident, were like "a woeful cough that goes on and on, like a human being on their death bed". One bounty hunter suggested it was a lost species of extinct Tasmanian Tiger. The Campbelltown-Ingleburn News of the day quoted the hunter about his warnings about approaching the tiger "otherwise someone is going to finish up inside the animal's stomach." A group of residents conducted an armed search of Myrtle Creek but found nothing. (surprise surprise)

As recently as 1987, a Derby Street resident reported seeing a strange creature moving through the trees, making a terrible screeching noise. He described it as having "pointed ears and was a rust colour with three dark brown stripes." The resident told the local paper "If I saw him again, I'd start a discussion with him and entice him to wait for a photographer to come."

No reported sightings have been made since this last one in 1987. The mystery lives on.

Written by Andrew Allen

Harry and Vic Chivers

The Chivers family of Ingleburn were much loved and respected. Harry is best remembered as the former Ingleburn Council's longest serving mayor from 1921 to 1931. His son Vic had a distinguished war record and played a prominent role in early Ingleburn's commercial life.

Harry Chivers as mayor (on the extreme left) is on the platform with 3 other unidentified men

Thomas Henry Chivers, better known as Harry, was born in New Zealand in 1871. He came to Ingleburn around 1907 and joined Ingleburn Council in 1913 before becoming mayor in 1921 and for the next 10 years. He had endless energy and achieved much for the Ingleburn community. Water from the city was connected to Ingleburn homes during his term but his crowning glory came in 1930 when electricity was first switched on in Ingleburn. Harry was listed as a farmer but also had a shop in Ingleburn. The family home was a beautiful old house known as "Dunrobin" in Sackville Street. He lost his first wife Sarah in 1918 and re-married in 1919 to Alice Smith. Harry died in 1935.

Chivers family outside their shop in Oxford Road, Ingleburn 1925-1925. Harry is on the left with 2 unidentified girls. (Verlie Fowler Collection)

Albert Victor Chivers, better known as Vic, was one of two sons of Harry that served in the First World War. He was born in 1897 and was working as a printer when he enlisted in 1915. He served at the Somme but in February 1917 was sent to England with bad trench foot and did not rejoin until August. He served at Ypres and in April 1918 was admitted to hospital ill.    

 Chivers family outside their home Dunrobin, Ingleburn (Verlie Fowler Collection)

After the war Vic worked as a shop assistant. He married Hilda McIlveen, the daughter of a local shop owner. He joined the 4th Battalion in World War 2 and was discharged in January 1945. Vic Chivers lived with his family at 34 Chester Road, Ingleburn. He died in 1976.


L. to r.: "Wac" Allan, Victor Chivers and Bill Hilder at the opening of Ingleburn RSL in Chester Road, Ingleburn (Enid Lowsby Collection)

"Bullah" Vardy

It's difficult to imagine the horror that William Carroll Vardy, better known as "Bullah", went through during the First World War. Like many that joined up from Campbelltown, the young man would never return the same person who first left the town.

William Carroll Vardy was born in Campbelltown in 1891 to Michael and Mary Ellen Vardy. He was the youngest of 12 children. "Bullah" was 24 and working as a bank officer when he decided to answer the call to join the war. His older brother Joe had served in the Boer War.

"Bullah" joined the 13th Reinforcements, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade in August 1915. He would eventually leave from Western Australia bound initially for Egypt and then to France where he was involved in action at Poizieres and later Ypres in Belgium.

Fortunately, "Bullah" kept a diary of his experiences on the Western Front. They provide us with an insight into what conditions he would've experienced in the trenches. One passage reads:

"Last night was hell . . . our boys again attacking and the casualties were heavy. Was buried by a big shell in my dugout.  Men close by killed . . . a sniper shot at me and only missed by a few inches, but got poor chap behind me. Trenches full of dead and wounded."

"Bullah" survived the war but was released on medical grounds and he returned to Australia in 1919. He rejoined the bank, married a local girl named Rita and settled at "Carmel" in Patrick Street. He and Rita produced four children. Sadly, and understandably, the horrors of the war seemed to affect him for the rest of his life. He died in 1971.

I will be speaking about "Bullah" Vardy on ANZAC Day at 1.30pm at the meeting of the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society at Glenalvon at 8 Lithgow Street, Campbelltown. Visitors are welcome.

 

 

"Bullah" and his wife Rita in later years (Photo courtesy of Chris Thomson)

 

 

Around Blair Athol in 1947

Campbelltown Library was the recipient recently of a number of photographs of land surrounding the historic Blair Athol precinct. The images were taken in 1947 and were provided by local Tom Reeve. They show how much has changed in the years since. In fact the scenes have changed so much that attempting to take comparison photographs was mostly a futile exercise. Trees grow, houses block out previous views and even land formations change.

I have included 4 of the photographs and used one of my modern shots that does provide a useful then and now view. Remember to click on the images for a larger view.

This was taken from near Blair Athol House and looks out towards the town of Campbelltown. Blaxland Road now runs through the middle of the photograph.

Taken from a point looking north towards the Stone Cottage, Blair Athol House (obscured by trees) and The Kraal (also obscured by trees).

Looking up to Blair Athol House (left), The Kraal (centre) and Mt Erin homestead on the right. Aldi supermarket would be on the far left of the photograph at the bottom of the hill below Blair Athol House and Blaxland Road now runs past it.

Taken from a similar position to the first photograph. The view looks east to Campbelltown. In the distance you can make out buildings such as (from left to right) Fisher's Ghost Restaurant, The Commonwealth Hotel, Campbelltown Theatre, old Bradbury House and the Good Intent Hotel.

Year of the Bulldozer

The year 1970 saw a spate of demolitions of historical buildings in Campbelltown. It started with the beautiful home "Rosangeles" in January, followed in March by the police sergeant's residence in Railway Street and the old St John's Presbytery in July. The rapid population expansion of the city resulted in a need for more car parking spaces. Unfortunately these wonderful old buildings paid the price for this demand.

The following is a little bit about each building that felt the full force of the bulldozer that year:

Rosangeles

This house stood at the south west corner of Oxley and Cordeaux Street. It was built in 1923 by Andrew Lysaght who, at that time, was the State Member of parliament for this area. The house had from all accounts been built to last by Lysaght. The verandah posts were cut from the bush at Appin at the time and all of the fine maple panelling in the house was cut from one tree by the Sydney firm of George Hudson. The house was surrounded by a fine garden and a number of tall palm trees.

Rosangeles at the time of its demolition in January 1970 (From the Campbelltown Ingleburn News February 3, 1970)



Police Sergeant's Residence

This building was located next to the police station in Railway Street. It was demolished to make way for extensions to Hurley Street and eventual traffic access improvements around the adjacent station. The sandstock bricks in the old residence were used in the footpath in front of "Glenalvon" in Lithgow Street.


St John's Presbytery

Land was purchased in 1839 in which a presbytery was to be eventually erected. A log belfry stood on this land until it was replaced by this building. It stood in Cordeaux Street. The two-storey brick building with shingled roof, shuttered windows and wooden columns also housed the Appin priest. The presbytery was located not far from the current presbytery where a car park now occupies the site.

The Presbytery taken around 1900 by Percy Marlow (Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society)


Do you have a photograph that shows the police sergeant's residence in Railway Street? The Campbelltown Ingleburn News contains a grainy image unsuitable for this blog. We'd love to see a clearer image.

Sources:

Campbelltown Ingleburn News Feb 3, 1970; Mar 24, 1970; Jul 14, 1970
St John The Evangelist Parish Campbelltown- 150 Years

Former Fisher's Ghost Restaurant Building Update

The declining condition of the former Fisher's Ghost Restaurant in Queen Street was discussed at a meeting of the Heritage Protection Sub Committee meeting held at the end of last year. The declining condition of the 1845 building, damaged by fire in 2005, has been an ongoing frustration for Council over recent years, with Council having no legal ability to compel a private owner to appropriately maintain a local listed heritage item. Council has previously written to the State Government requesting that the Heritage Act 1977 be amended to require a minimum standard of maintenance for local heritage listed items, similar to that required for State listed heritage items. No changes have occured to suitably address these concerns raised by council.

As such, Council's enforcement action for the building has been limited to ensuring a minimum standard of public health and safety under the Local Government Act 1993. Consequently, this has only resulted in a basic level of maintenance being undertaken.

It was agreed by the committee that the deteriorating condition of the building needed to be addressed. It was requested that council write to the State Member for Campbelltown requesting that representations be made to appropriate authorities on Council's behalf to arrange for required restoration works for the building, and if possible assistance with listing the item on the State Heritage Register.

Let's hope something can be done to save this much loved local icon.

One Missing

These days Campbelltown is immensely proud of the row of colonial terraces opposite the Queen Street entrance to Campbelltown Mall. They add so much character to a street that has unfortunately seen too many demolitions in the name of progress over the years. We owe a lot to former mayor Clive Tregear for saving these three wonderful old buildings through his defiant stance in the 1960s. It might come as a surprise to you that one of the group didn't survive the bulldozer however. It was known as Ealing Cottage.

Ealing Cottage stood where the vacant block of land now is between the former Legacy House to the north and Coaching House to the south. It's address was 296 Queen Street. According to historian Carol Liston, the building was possibly built in the 1850s. The portion of land was purchased from the Bradbury Park Estate in 1844 by Samuel Lovely, conveyed to him by Patrick McMahon in 1853, who may have built the cottage to carry out his business as a wheelwright.

The cottage was already standing by the early 1870s. The image above shows the building in 1871 taken by the photographer William Boag. It looked similar to this right throughout its existence. The cottage passed through a number of hands until 1884 when it was used as a shop and residence and occupied by G Lindsay. The 1891 census shows that the householder for this portion was William Rose and the building was occupied by four men and two women. An Ellen Rose Wilkinson owned it from 1912 to 1956 and she then sold it to Berty Richard Rixon and his wife. They then sold it to the Cumberland County Council in 1962 for 6,100 pounds.

Ealing House is on the far right of this photograph taken in 1950 by Ivor Thomas (Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society)

The brick cottage became known as Ealing House in its later years. It was described as a single story cottage with verandah. Unfortunately it was deemed to have "no architectural or historical significance" and was demolished shortly after the land was acquired by the Cumberland County Council.

Do you have memories of this building? Please share them with us.

Source:

LISTON, Carol 1990
Queen Street Terraces, Campbelltown: Historical Investigation