The A to Z of 2205: Dowling St

Named by the solicitor James Arthur Dowling, a grandson of the early Chief Justice, Sir James Dowling. (The Origins of the Street Names of the Municipality of Rockdale, compiled by R.W Rathbone, 1990)

There are some seriously gorgeous houses in Dowling St, mainly towards the Wollongong Rd end, where there are some magnificent Victorian and Federation houses, nicely restored. Most of these are opposite Athelsatne Public School (which was once a beautiful Victorian mansion).

Below: Athelstane Public School





Below: Looking along Dowling St from Wollongong Rd; fence of Athelstane PS on left.

Below: The mixed business shop on the corner of Wollongong Rd - the Dowling St aspect.

Below: The next few pics are the beautiful Victorian and Federation houses





















Below: And possibly the not-quite-so-beautiful?

Below: 19 Dowling St was once a Federation house, but these days its the place to get along to if you want to denounce homosexuality or celebrate the resurrection of the founder's dead daughter. It's now called the Life Centre. As their website explains:

"The church was founded by Pastor Elizabeth Brookshaw in 1982, just after her daughter was miraculously raised from the dead. From this incident, her whole family surrendered their whole lives to God and committed themselves to true repentance. From here, her whole family started to gather together to pray and worship God. This home fellowship continued to grow into a church that was known by the name of The Body of Christ Mission Centre and was blessed with a 2700 square metre property in Arncliffe, Sydney.In November 2003, the senior leadership of the church was handed over to her son and daughter-in-law; Ben & Cisca Irawan, leading a new generation church with a Godly influence. In November 2004, the church formally changed its name to Life Centre. "

“We firmly stand against and denounce homosexuality, adultery, sexual perversion, same-sex marriages, pornography, gambling, drug use & partaking of intoxicants, physical abuse, satanism, or divination in any form.”

Below: Looking towards Wollongong Rd, across Hirst St
Below: With back to Hirst St, looking along Dowling St

Below: From Gipps St to Hirst St

Photos taken 2001, July 2006 and 17 August 2008

The A to Z of 2205: Booth St, Arncliffe

Named after Thomas Booth, an early settler and local landowner.(The Origins of Street Names in the Municipality of Rockdale, compiled by Alderman Ron Rathbone, 1990)

Below: From Thompson St end



Below: The Meriton apartment development at then end of Booth St
Below: The rise after you come around the corner from Thompson St

Below: Bus depot and Jetmaster gas log fires in Martin St

Below: Playground of Al-Zahra Islamic College

Photos taken 10 Aug 2008

The A to Z of 2205: Bayview St, Arncliffe

A descriptive geographical name. The street commands sweeping views over Botany Bay.(The Origins of Street Names in the Municipality of Rockdale, compiled by Alderman Ron Rathbone, 1990)

Below: Bayview St at the Forest Road end
Below: I was really taken with this smoothly cut hedge
Below: Looking towards Withers St intersection

Below: Looking back from Withers St
Below: from Withers St, Bayview heads down hill, and views across the airport and Port Botany open up
Below: I am quite taken by this example of modern (1960s?) architecture
Below: Panoramic view from Arncliffe Public School on the left, over Sydney Airport, and Port Botany
Below: Sydney Airport, from the end of Bayview St
Below: The view to Arncliffe Public School
Below: Sydney Airport, and the cranes of Port Botany in the background on the right
Below: Looking back up Bayview St from the cul-de-sac end, above the steps down to Mount St
Below: The steps at the end of Bayview St down to Mount St
Below: From the bottom of the steps up to Bayview St



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Photos taken 08 August 2008

The A to Z of 2205: Avenal St, Arncliffe

Named after a castle in Scotland. Most streets in this subdivision have Scottish names. (The Origins of Street Names in the Municipality of Rockdale, compiled by Alderman Ron Rathbone, 1990)

Our first street on the "other" (eastern) side of the Princes Highway.

Below: I don't know what the red border around the street sign means. This is at the West Botany St end.
Below: The street sign at the Princes Highway end is obscured by tree foliage.
Below: Looking from the Princes highway. Arncliffe Public School is on the left. It has frontages on Princes Highway (elevated), Avenal St and Segenhoe St. More views will be provided at those entries.
Below: Arncliffe Public School - the stairs lead to the path and footbridge across the Princes Highway.
Below: The original school house at Arncliffe Public School is still standing in the grounds of the present school. It is the oldest school in the St George district. In 1877 residents petitioned to have a school opened in the are. It opened on 12 July 1880, in the stone building, built to accommodate 135 children, with qn attached teachers' residence. Then known as West Botany Public School, its name was changed to Arncliffe in September 1885.
Below: Before school traffic jam in Avenal St. With more and more people shopping around for schools, and greater cotton-wooling of kids, the "school drop off" is a relatively recent phenomenon. In days past few kids were driven to school; most walked or cycled.
Below: Kiss and drop zone, with 15 min parking.
Below: View back towards the Princes Highway
Below: View from near the top of the ridge at Segenhoe St towards West Botany St and over Sydney airport. Despite its proximity to the airport, Arncliffe gets very little aircraft noise. The north-south parallel runways are further north at Sydneham. This part of Arncliffe is closer to the east-west flightpath, which is not used as much.
Below: This backyard displays the older style black and white wooden street signs
Below: A classic fibro house and wooden paling back (or side) yard fence, and corrugated iron gate
Below: Street view from West Botany St
Below: Also from West Botany St
Below: The Segenhoe St frontage of frontage of "Teluba" , occupying the corner of Avenal and Segenhoe Sts. It is owned by the DEpartment of Education and Training, used as a Regional Office. It was once Arncliffe Intermediate Girls High School, until the late 1960s/early 1970s when it closed.


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