Artefacts of history unearthed at Pop Goes Parramatta
VIDEO: Fascinating footage provided to the City of Parramatta for a history week event, shows speed boats using the Parramatta River in the 1950s. It was among a host of treasures from the area’s past.
Parramatta
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CECIL Bull turned up at Pop Goes Parramatta with his arms full of Parramatta history.
The Merrylands man was born and raised in Harris Park and said he has always had a fascination with the people of the area.
“It’s the people that create the history, not the area,” he said.
He brought along a folded-up copy of the February 6, 1930, edition of The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate which later became the Parramatta Advertiser.
He has fond memories of growing up in Harris Park and recalled when the bakery used a horse and cart for deliveries.
“We’d fight over who was going to get the horse poo off the road — we’d put it straight on our garden,” he said.
It still had the original string that bound it when it was delivered. Mr Bull has opened it only a couple of times in all those years.
Footage of speed boats on Parramatta River in the 1950s was provided to City of Parramatta for its event.
The Parramatta River has played an important role in the area’s history, firstly having provided food for Aboriginal people and the new settlers.
A wide variety of vessels were used on the river in the early 1800s including sail and oar boats and steam ships came later.
By the later half of the 20th century there was lots of recreational use including speed boats, picnics and relaxation.
At one point there was more than 20 swimming baths along the river.
The use of motor vehicles reduced the use of the river for transport.
And by the 1950s there were reports of pollution and water activity stopped and fishing was banned.
A newspaper article in the 1970s reported “acids, alkalis, solvents, phenolic and bituminous matter, plastic wastes, metals, zincs, chromes and carbonates” flowed into the river.
Pop Goes Parramatta, held at the Town Hall, was a chance for people to take a stroll down memory lane.
The History Week event on September 8, was run by Parramatta Council’s research and collection services team.
People were invited to bring objects from the 1950s onwards to the Antiques Roadshow-style event and items brought in included photographs, Roxy Cinema programs, Eels memorabilia and toys and clothing.
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