Why does the ornate boundary wall in front of Mareeba Flats (1928) in Harcourt St extend past the adjoining property on the high side?
ACCOLADES for the Historical Walk around Teneriffe led by Gerard Benjamin on Saturday 9 November 2013 were unanimous. “An extremely interesting morning which I thoroughly enjoyed and which has now renewed my interest in local history,” said one satisfied participant.
Looking up from Winchcombe Carson Woolstore’s magnificent atrium.
The weather was kind, and after an informal introduction with a backdrop slideshow of historic images, the band of walkers enjoyed a quick look inside the 102-year-old Winchcombe Carson Woolstore. Ben Pritchard, a WCW resident and prominent figure in the Teneriffe Progress Association, pointed out the structure’s key features.
The 1885-87 gas holder is the centrepiece of the new Gasworks Plaza.
Next, the group set out along Macquarie St, pausing at Nouvelle, site of an epic woolstore fire in January 1990. Not far away once stood the Newstead Gasworks now occupied by Mirvac’s prestigious Pier buildings. For some in the group, the next stop at Gasworks Plaza was their first visit to this recently opened shopping and dining hub. The precinct’s focus is the gas holder frame dating from 1885.
The trail led to higher ground and the accent changed from commercial and industrial, to residential. The group paused to take in the details of Mareeba Flats (1928), one of New Farm’s earliest such developments. While the thought of climbing all the way to Teneriffe Hill daunted some, a stop in front of historic Roseville in Chester Street inspired some walkers to recall once attending wedding receptions there.
The walk took participants past many of Teneriffe’s impressive wool stores.
What a surprise awaited the walkers in Ellis Street, but a stone’s throw from James Gibbon’s Teneriffe House (1866). Hilltop hospitality ensured that a seemingly random pause in front of a stylish abode resulted in refreshing offerings of home made cake and ginger beer on a balcony with sensational views of New Farm and the bridge beyond.
Is there a shade of ‘woolstore style’ in this modern Teneriffe Hill home?
The route included streets of industry, residential avenues, a bush-walk and river-stroll.
In addition to a tour brochure, participants received a sample bag of relevant historical literature.
Next came a bush-walking descent through Teneriffe Park, before joining the Riverwalk at the Submarine Heritage Trail, then back to base via the sculptured ‘Gloria’.
The overall response was that the walk provided more than participants had expected, and plans are already afoot to stage it again in April 2014. Watch Bright Learning for details.
(Thanks to Ben for the WCW tour, Jo for being group scout, Chris Derrick for the superb pics, and Terry and Malcolm for ‘surprise’ hospitality, as well as Leisa and Nadine at Bright Learning for hosting this ‘first’ so competently and congenially.)
G&G | Publishing The Past 