In September 2021, In The Cove published an article suggesting Lane Cove locals submit nominations for the Heritage NSW Blue Plaque Programme. The Blue Plaque programme was part of a $5 million heritage engagement program funded by the NSW Government and administered by Heritage NSW. The UK Blue Plaques Programme is known around the world, and that model was adopted in Australia.
In 2021 all nominations had to be submitted to a local State Member of Parliament. Anthony Roberts’ office received several nominations and submitted names to Heritage NSW. As a result of nominations by locals, Lane Cove will have its first Blue Plaque.
Lane Cove’s first Blue Plaque will honour Billy Hughes, 7th Prime Minister of Australia, known for representing Australia at the Treaty of Versailles and establishing the Federal Police Force and CSIRO. Hughes Park is named after Billy Hughes, Billy Hughes lived in Osborne Park in the Lane Cove Council Area. (See our cover photo: Image Courtesy of National Archives of Australia NAA:A1200, L11181A)
Billy Hughes is also famous for holding the record as the longest-serving Federal Member of Parliament. He was the member for North Sydney and served for 58 years in the Federal parliament.
The Lane Cove Historical Society has put together a biography on Billy Hughes (which includes the following):
“FAMILY LIFE
He and Elizabeth had six children. Following her death in 1906 his 17- year-old daughter Ethel raised his other five children at Lane Cove. She also acted as his hostess when he was in Sydney. In 1911 he married Mary Ethel Campbell in Melbourne. They had one daughter Mary who died aged 21. His wife Mary accompanied him on his overseas trips and was active in charity work. Overseas she had met Margaret Lloyd George, Clementine Churchill and Christabel Pankhurst leading to her advocacy for women’s rights. In 1922 she was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for her charitable and war effort work. On his death Hughes left an estate valued at ₤70,886 in NSW and ₤45,759 in Victoria.”
You can read Lane Cove Historical Society biography and details on Billy Hughes’ connection to Lane Cove here.
ITC found out about Billy Hughes Blue Plaque only days after writing an article about former Lane Cove Resident Bruce Wilson. Bruce has now moved to Mudgee and was at the Lane Cove Food and Wine Festival by the River with his wife, selling Linda’s Chilli Relish. Bruce told ITC:
“We lived opposite Billy Hughes’s house (7th Australian Prime Minister). In 1905 Billy Hughes purchased land and, in 1906, built a house called “Osborne Park” on Osborne Road.”
Last week Minister for Heritage James Griffin announced 14 new Blue Plaques (which included Billy Hughes).
“Our newest 14 Blue Plaques recipients are an eclectic mix of people, events and stories that helped shape our State,” Mr Griffin said.
“Among them, we have Australia poet and author Dorothea Mackellar who, at the age of 19, wrote the words we all know and love, ‘I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains’.
“We’re recognising the 1965 Freedom Ride, which was pivotal in highlighting the racial discrimination experienced by Aboriginal people, challenging a ban on Aboriginal ex-servicemen at the Walgett Returned Services League, and local laws barring Aboriginal children from the Moree and Kempsey swimming pools.
“We’re celebrating the life of Dr Thomas Fiaschi, who migrated to Australia from Italy at the age of 22, and went on to become a pioneering surgeon whose expertise significantly improved the survival rate of patients after surgery.
“We’re acknowledging the great contribution of Australia’s seventh Prime Minister Billy Hughes, who spent 58 years serving his community as a Member of Parliament, which is an impressive life of service, no matter what side of politics you’re on.
Where Do You Find the Blue Plaques?
Twenty One Blue Plaques are currently being installed, and the 14 new Plaques will be installed in 2023, with exact locations to be revealed when they’re installed. You can find out more about the Blue Plaques here.
Your Chance to Nominate Another Lane Cove Local for A Blue Plaque
The second round of nominations for Blue Plaques is now open and closes on 21 December 2022.
To be eligible for a Blue Plaque, your nomination will need to:
- have an interesting story to tell about a real person, people or event that has made a lasting impact on NSW
- include a good location for a plaque that is in NSW and that is:
- directly relevant to the story, and
- is visible and accessible to the public
- be appropriate, sensitive, and engaging to a wide public audience
- be about a person or people who died prior to 1 January 2000 OR is about an event that occurred before 1 January 2000
- have written support from the owner of the property where you are nominating the plaque to be installed (if on private or council-owned property)
For the full eligibility criteria, including what is not eligible for a Blue Plaque, read the Nomination Guidelines.
If you have any enquiries or wish to join the mailing list, email [email protected]
Some Famous Lane Cove Residents
When the first round of nominees opened we suggested some of the following Lane Cove locals:
Gladwys (Claudia) Leach – Community Worker
Lloyd Rees – Painter
If you’ve ever driven along Cliff Road Northwood and seen a house that looks like it should be located on the Riviera – you are correct. Read more here.
Famous Australian and former Northwood Resident Lloyd Rees built this home in 1934 as a tribute to his love of the Riviera.
Lloyd Rees and his wife Marjory lived in their Northwood home until 1986. In 1986 Lloyd Rees moved to Tasmania to be with family. Lloyd passed away in 1988 and left the house to his son Alan.
Brett Whiteley- Artist
Brett Whiteley grew up in Longueville.
Charles Kingsford Smith – Aviator
In 1928, local World War I aviator Charles Kingsford Smith and his navigator Charles Ulm made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia in their plane, the Southern Cross. Charles’ parents had resided in Arabella Street Longueville from about 1907, and Charles, born in Brisbane in 1897, spent his boyhood in the Lane Cove area. On 23 June 1928, Lane Cove Council and the citizens held a Civic Reception at the Lane Cove Picture Theatre for Kingsford Smith. He was presented with an illuminated address from the Municipality. An afternoon welcome home followed at Longueville Oval, which included an aerial display by the New South Wales Aero Club members.
Smokey Dawson – Singer
While Smokey Dawson presented a radio show on 2NSB and lived in Lane Cove, New South Wales, Herbert Henry “Smoky” Dawson died on 13 February 2008 after a short illness, aged 94. His wife, Florence “Dot” Dawson, an elocutionist, radio actress and presenter, died on 27 October 2010 at 104 years of age. In a 2005 interview Dawson indicated how he would like to be remembered, “Ah well, just as Herb. Just as one who’s tried his best, he’s carried out, lover of his country and always thought about the good things in life. Being honest and true to yourself, the main thing, true to yourself. And ah, I think to be remembered as an old friend”.
We would love to hear more about Lane Cove locals who have excelled. In particular, first nations people and ground breaking women.
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