The Changing Face of 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany
This page will attempt to show the changing face of the edifices that stood on the property known as 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany, New South Wales by using photographs from personal collections and images available on the internet. This compilation is by no means complete and will be added to as and when new information comes to hand.
1959
When the Bonaretti family moved to Byrnes Street in 1959, the area and the street itself were zoned light industrial and only existing houses were permitted to be occupied. As each house was sold and demolished, only factories were allowed to be built in its place and any accommodation within them were to be "caretakers' residences". It was this provision that allowed the Bonaretti family to remain at this address and reside in their new, purpose-built complex in 1977.
In 1958, the street was a narrow cul-de-sac with a paved footpath on its eastern side and a grassy, uneven footpath on the other. Only the centre strip of the road was paved with jagged blue metal gravelling, leaving compacted earth on either side to the kerb which quickly muddied and potted during rainstorms. Vehicles parked on either side during the workweek making the road even narrower but, during the weekends, the street was completely deserted save the few residents who had a car and who lived in the few remaining cottages at either end of the street - a great playground for the three Bonaretti children!
Prior to this, the street must have been a compacted earth road as, three years after the Municipality of Botany had come into being in 1888, The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) Fri 20 Feb 1891 edition published an account of the Council meeting during which "...The following were the motions of which notice had been given By Alderman Luland — "That the footpaths in Bastia-street, on the south side, be extended from the culvert to Ann-street and the water tables made. "Also — "That the overseer of works be instructed to proceed at once with the forming and gravelling of Byrne's-road." [and] By Alderman Pemberton— "That the main drain in Boralee-street [sic] be cleared out by day-labor."
The Municipality of Botany, in the Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Sat 19 Jan 1889 edition called for "... TENDERS are hereby invited for the construction of a Culvert in Byren's-road [sic]. Specifications may be seen, on application to the undersigned. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. The successful tenderer to enter a bond for the faithful performance of the work. By Order, GEO. GARTON, Council Clerk. Botany, January 14th, 1889."
Much has changed, and Byrnes Street continues to evolve...
In 1958, the street was a narrow cul-de-sac with a paved footpath on its eastern side and a grassy, uneven footpath on the other. Only the centre strip of the road was paved with jagged blue metal gravelling, leaving compacted earth on either side to the kerb which quickly muddied and potted during rainstorms. Vehicles parked on either side during the workweek making the road even narrower but, during the weekends, the street was completely deserted save the few residents who had a car and who lived in the few remaining cottages at either end of the street - a great playground for the three Bonaretti children!
Prior to this, the street must have been a compacted earth road as, three years after the Municipality of Botany had come into being in 1888, The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) Fri 20 Feb 1891 edition published an account of the Council meeting during which "...The following were the motions of which notice had been given By Alderman Luland — "That the footpaths in Bastia-street, on the south side, be extended from the culvert to Ann-street and the water tables made. "Also — "That the overseer of works be instructed to proceed at once with the forming and gravelling of Byrne's-road." [and] By Alderman Pemberton— "That the main drain in Boralee-street [sic] be cleared out by day-labor."
The Municipality of Botany, in the Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Sat 19 Jan 1889 edition called for "... TENDERS are hereby invited for the construction of a Culvert in Byren's-road [sic]. Specifications may be seen, on application to the undersigned. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. The successful tenderer to enter a bond for the faithful performance of the work. By Order, GEO. GARTON, Council Clerk. Botany, January 14th, 1889."
Much has changed, and Byrnes Street continues to evolve...
Spot the differences
December, 1976
December, 1976 - A screengrab from Super 8 film of Byrnes Street Botany taken from the top of the covered sewer along Hale Street showing the western side of the road
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February, 2022
Google Maps image taken in 2022 of approximately the same location and showing the western side of the road
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A - Byrnes Street on a weekend was deserted save the Bestoys delivery truck (F) and the odd vehicle. By 1976, the street had been asphalted kerb-to-kerb but the western-side footpath had not been concreted.
B - No. 23 was the last cottage on the street and belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony. Being a painter and decorator, this was Mr. Anthony's showcase house and he objected to Jim parking his delivery truck in front of it. All that remains now of No. 23 is a makeshift parking lot and the 2 protected Canary Island Date Palms (Phoenix Canariensis) along the Hale Street side. C - No 21 was the ageing single-storey factory that Jim built in 1959. Before that, an old weatherboard cottage stood there. It was time to demolish and rebuild again. D - No.19 was the early-20th Century weatherboard cottage that housed the young Bonaretti family. About 1964, faux-brick cladding was applied to the outside of the house and the decaying cyclone-wire fence in front completely removed. Rosemary bushes filled the small garden in front of the verandah and provided fresh herbs for the delicious chicken meals Ebe cooked on Sundays. In 1976 these two buildings were demolished, and a red-brick, 2-storey factory complex built in 1977. In 2022, the building had a complete makeover and is the grey edifice standing there today occupied by Gillie and Marc. E - Two of the three Mazda vehicles belonging to the Bonaretti children. F - The Nissan delivery truck G - No. 15-17 - Lockwood Magrath Chemical Manufacturers eventually sold c 2017 and the property completely redeveloped. Beyond that is Pascol Paints. |
The following are screen grabs from Google Maps listed retrogressively. The main image in each period is of 19-21 Byrnes Street. The two side images are of the adjoining properties, nos 23 and 17.
February 2022
A complete makeover by new owners Gillie and Marc. Gone are the front garden beds and decorative concrete block wall inserts. The entire building has been cement rendered and painted grey.
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No 23 - Mr. and Mrs. Anthony's showcase home and garage are now completely gone; no vestige of their existence remaining except for the 2 protected Canary Island Date Palms. Sad.
No 15-17 - Now occupied by Benelec Pty Ltd
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Yes! Gillie and Marc! World-famous artists, sculptors and animal conversationalists
March 2021
Up for sale once again. Outwardly, still the same building that Jim Bonaretti erected in 1977
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No 23 - The only skerrick of the Anthony's old house is the low pilaster of fence, painted white, on the boundary of no 21.
No 17 - little or no change
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July 2020
Paul Kenny Antiques sign above the main roller-shuttered door still in place
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No 23 - September 2020, the property sold for $1,450,000.
No 15-17 - little or no change.
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November 2015
No outward change - Paul Kenny Antiques still occupying the building
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No 23 - Overgrown with weeds and looking unloved.
No 15-17 - A brand-spanking new building in the place where Lockwood Magrath Chemical Manufacturers once stood
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July 2014
No change - Paul Kenny Antiques still in residence
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No 23 -
No 15-17 - now a vacant lot cleared of everything including memories of Lockwood Magrath Chemical Manufacturers
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June 2013
No change - Paul Kenny Antiques still in residence
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No 23 -
No 15-17 - The old Lockwood Magrath building erected c1960
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May 2009
No change - Paul Kenny Antiques still in residence
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No 23 - Land cleared of the Anthony's home but the garage between the two Canary Island Date Palms remains.
No 15-17 - The façade of Lockwood Magrath's building given a spruce-up.
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November 2007
A poor image, alas, of 19-21 Byrnes Street.
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No 23 - December 1996, property sold for $215,500.
No 15-17 - The original red-brick façade of Lockwood Magrath's former building
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1976
These screen grabs of 23 Byrnes Street were taken from Super 8 film shot during construction of the new factory complex at 19-21 Byrnes Street.
They show the beautifully kept house, garage and gardens of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony. Their home was their pride and joy. All the embellishments to the fence, gate, garage and house - and, indeed, the water fountain in front with the hand-crafted swan atop - were the handiwork and craftsmanship of Mr. Anthony. Inside was equally as tastefully decorated. This was a showcase. A pity it went to ruin, and eventually demolished, when they passed away.
They show the beautifully kept house, garage and gardens of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony. Their home was their pride and joy. All the embellishments to the fence, gate, garage and house - and, indeed, the water fountain in front with the hand-crafted swan atop - were the handiwork and craftsmanship of Mr. Anthony. Inside was equally as tastefully decorated. This was a showcase. A pity it went to ruin, and eventually demolished, when they passed away.
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1977
And this was the brand-spanking-new building that Jim Bonaretti built in 1977
Note the garden beds are newly planted, the footpath is grass-covered and, next door, Mr. & Mrs. Anthony's showcase home is beautifully cared for. "Bestoys Pty Ltd" is signwritten on the façade above the large roller shutter. On the other side is Lockwood Magrath Chemical Manufacturers.
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One of the two Canary Island date palms can be seen behind the Anthonys' home and a bird cage sits on the wall of the upper floor. Above the narrow door is the large Alltoys International sign indicating the showroom is upstairs.
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1960
This is a screen grab from Super 8 film that was shot in 1976 just before the factory and house were demolished. The factory hadn't changed from the time it was built in c1959, other than becoming run down in the intervening 17 years.
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The original weatherboard cottage was fully 'clothed' by faux brickwork around 1964 but the original early 20th century house remained otherwise unchanged until it, too, was demolished in 1976.
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The following is a work in progress so take care not to fall...
Certificates of Title
The land on which the current building now stands, 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany has had quite a few owners. This next section lists those who held Certificates of Title for the locality that would become Byrnes Street, from the traditional owners through the first land granted to Simeon Lord in 1823 and beyond.
The piece of land known now as 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany, has been held, granted, divided, sub-divided, sub-divided again, sold and rented many times over the last two hundred years of European tenure. The following is a concise outline of those transactions. These details are subject to further investigation and change…
The piece of land known now as 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany, has been held, granted, divided, sub-divided, sub-divided again, sold and rented many times over the last two hundred years of European tenure. The following is a concise outline of those transactions. These details are subject to further investigation and change…
Captain James Cook's chart of Botany Bay 1770
Traditional owners
Traditional owners of Botany Bay and its shores, the people of the Dharawal [also sp Dhariwal] nation: the Gweagal (Fire Clan, centred on the southern shore of Botany Bay) and the Kameygal (Spear Clan, from Kamay, the north shore of Botany Bay) [From https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/science/the-botany-of-botany-bay/people/aboriginal-people-and-botany-bay with thanks]
European claim
22nd August, 1770
Captain James Cook claims the east of Australia for Great Britain.
7 February 1788
The Colony of New South Wales is formally proclaimed after the colony's first Governor, Arthur Philip, arrives with the First Fleet to establish a convict settlement. Arriving in Botany Bay on 18th January, 1788, he declares it unsuitable for a permanent settlement and sails to Port Jackson and lands there on 26th January.
Traditional owners of Botany Bay and its shores, the people of the Dharawal [also sp Dhariwal] nation: the Gweagal (Fire Clan, centred on the southern shore of Botany Bay) and the Kameygal (Spear Clan, from Kamay, the north shore of Botany Bay) [From https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/science/the-botany-of-botany-bay/people/aboriginal-people-and-botany-bay with thanks]
European claim
22nd August, 1770
Captain James Cook claims the east of Australia for Great Britain.
7 February 1788
The Colony of New South Wales is formally proclaimed after the colony's first Governor, Arthur Philip, arrives with the First Fleet to establish a convict settlement. Arriving in Botany Bay on 18th January, 1788, he declares it unsuitable for a permanent settlement and sails to Port Jackson and lands there on 26th January.
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27th May, 1823
What is to become 19-21 Byrnes Street is part of a small portion of the Crown Grant of 600 acres to Simeon Lord on 27th May, 1823. That small portion is situated at the tip of the south-western corner adjacent to the boundary with "Government Reserve" land. [Excerpt from Elizabeth Conroy’s Thematic History - Former City of Botany Bay – Part 11 with sincere thanks and no intention of copyright infringement]:
“After his death in 1840, [Simeon] Lord’s sons Edward and George William began to subdivide the Estate, Edward the western portion near the Cooks River and George the 600 acres of the Botany watercourse. Booralee was laid out by George Lord as a ‘village’ set on the shores of Botany Bay. The lots were long and thin and arranged in a grid pattern. Several were sold and groups of cottages and huts built on them which were occupied by fishermen and their families and workers, the area becoming the focus of the local fishing industry until reclamation associated with the airport to the west and wider overfishing in the Bay took their toll.” c1853
George Lord's planned subdivision of the southern end of Simeon's original 600-acre Crown Grant to become known as Booralee Village. Lot 13 of 5 acres and 12 perches (approximately 20,538 square metres) would be subdivided further. The "Road" at the top of Lot 13 would become known as Byrnes Street, Byrne Street and Byrne Road as various times. The road to the bottom would become Luland Street and is shown on the map to lead to Kellet's Inn [also sp Kellett's Inn] which, in turn, led to what was to become the Sir Joseph Banks Hotel in Botany. Bay Street to the left is still in existence but no longer exits into Botany Bay. A tannery occupied the land above Lots 15, 14 and 13, which was to be known as Berry's Estate and subsequently sub-divided in 1886. 
1853 plan by Dick showing the relationship between Booralee and the surrounding area, including the path of both the track through the western lots and along the waterfront to the Sir Joseph Banks Hotel (Kellett’s Inn) and the planned extension of Byrne’s Road, the section to the east of Byrne’s 50-acre
grant of which became part of Botany Road. (SL NSW)
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c1823 diagram showing the Crown Grant of 600 acres to Simeon Lord. Fifty acres of the portion marked "Government Reserve" would be allocated to Andrew Byrne
c1854 map showing George Lord's subdivisions to be named Boralee Village. Lot 13 will be subdivided again and again
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Ad in Sydney Morning Herald of 27th May, 1854 mentioning Charles Westall living at the rear of 36 Stanley Street, Woolloomooloo
Between 1854 and 1864
Charles William Westall acquires the portion of land known as Lot 13. On 27th May, 1854, the Sydney Morning Herald had an advertisement which mentions one Charles William Westall. This may have been the catalyst for him to purchase this property. The same ad was inserted several times until June.
The ad reads:
ELIGIBLE OPPORTUNITY. For Sale by-private treaty, a genteel verandah residence, pleasantly situated in Stanley-street, Woolloomooloo, near Crown-street, being No. 36, consisting of six rooms, well finished, and fitted with requisite conveniences. Also, at the rear of the above is a stone-built house, consisting of five rooms, now in the occupation of Charles Westall, the present rent of which is thirty-five shillings per week. In the present great dearth of really-comfortable homes, these present themselves opportunely; and it is only owing to the immediate departure of the proprietor from Sydney that they now occur. Parties desirous of slowing the premises for the purpose of purchasing are requested to apply immediately to the proprietor-the present occupier.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12961847?searchTerm=%22Charles%20Westall%22
Lot 13 is subdivided into 2 equal parcels of 2 acres, 2 roods and 6 perches (approximately 10,269 square metres each). Part of the north-eastern portion of Lot 13 will become 19-21 Byrnes Street.
The following Certificate of Title extracts are from the NSW Land Registry Services - Historical Lands Records Viewer - Public Access - https://hlrv.nswlrs.com.au/
Charles William Westall acquires the portion of land known as Lot 13. On 27th May, 1854, the Sydney Morning Herald had an advertisement which mentions one Charles William Westall. This may have been the catalyst for him to purchase this property. The same ad was inserted several times until June.
The ad reads:
ELIGIBLE OPPORTUNITY. For Sale by-private treaty, a genteel verandah residence, pleasantly situated in Stanley-street, Woolloomooloo, near Crown-street, being No. 36, consisting of six rooms, well finished, and fitted with requisite conveniences. Also, at the rear of the above is a stone-built house, consisting of five rooms, now in the occupation of Charles Westall, the present rent of which is thirty-five shillings per week. In the present great dearth of really-comfortable homes, these present themselves opportunely; and it is only owing to the immediate departure of the proprietor from Sydney that they now occur. Parties desirous of slowing the premises for the purpose of purchasing are requested to apply immediately to the proprietor-the present occupier.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12961847?searchTerm=%22Charles%20Westall%22
Lot 13 is subdivided into 2 equal parcels of 2 acres, 2 roods and 6 perches (approximately 10,269 square metres each). Part of the north-eastern portion of Lot 13 will become 19-21 Byrnes Street.
The following Certificate of Title extracts are from the NSW Land Registry Services - Historical Lands Records Viewer - Public Access - https://hlrv.nswlrs.com.au/
Volume 8 - Folio 187
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31st October, 1864
William Pope of Botany, Shoemaker, purchases this northern half of the original Lot 13, bordering Lot 14. The southern portion has been sold to Courtney and Mosley (Volume 9 - Folio 48 below). The "Road" on the right-hand side will become known as Byrne's Road (Byrne Street and Byrnes Street) and the road to the left, "To Kellet's Inn", Luland Street. On 8th November, 1865, Pope leases the lot to Benjamin Radford for 5 years at ₤18 per annum Notation on the Certificate of Title states that Pope subdivides his lot and on 26th November, 1866 that half is transferred to John Courtney, Master Mariner, for ₤150.0.0 |
Volume 8 - Folio 187 extract. Original Lot 13 is subdivided into 2 equal portions of 2 acres, 2 roods and 6 perches. The north boundary is along the border with Lot 14; the west boundary faces the road to Killett's Inn and the east boundary faces [Byrnes] Road.
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Volume 36 - Folio 173
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8th January, 1867
John Courtney of Botany, Master Mariner, is the registered owner of this subdivided lot (a quarter of the original Lot 13). It comprises 1 acre, 1 rood and 3 perches (approximately 5,135 square metres). The "Road 50ft Wide" will become Byrnes Street and the north-eastern corner of the lot, adjoining Lot 14, will become 19-21 Byrnes Street. The lease to Benjamin Radford remains. Notation on certificate states that the Certificate of Title is cancelled in 1879 and Certificate Vol 370 Folio 35 issued in favour of Sarah Courtney, Administratrix of the Estate of John Courtney (see below). Meanwhile... |
Volume 36 - Folio 173 extract. William Pope subdivides his 2-acre lot in half and sells the eastern half, fronting [Byrnes] Road, to John Courtney
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Volume 9 - Folio 48
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9th November, 1864
John Courtney of Botany, Master Mariner, purchases the southern half of the original Lot 13 (Vol 9 – Folio 48). The northern portion has been sold to William Pope. The southern border is the boundary of Simeon Lord's Crown Grant. John Courtney purchases this lot with Thomas Mosley as Tenants in Common. On 8th November, 1865, Courtney also leases this lot to Benjamin Radford for 5 years at ₤18 per annum John Courtney subdivides this lot, retaining the northern half. Notation on the Certificate of Title cancels this certificate and Certificate Vol 76 - Folio 217 is issued |
Volume 9 - Folio 48 extract. John Courtney's 2-acre lot, which he purchased with Thomas Mosley as Tenants in Common and which he will eventually subdivide.
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Volume 9 - Folio 49
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9th November, 1864
Thomas Mosley of Botany, Fisherman, purchases the southern half of the original Lot 13 (Vol 9 – Folio 48). The northern portion has been sold to William Pope. John Courtney purchases this lot with Thomas Mosley as Tenants in Common. On 8th November, 1865, Courtney also leases this lot to Benjamin Radford for 5 years at ₤18 per annum On 30th October, 1868, John Mosley transfers ownership to John Courtney and fresh Certificate of Title Vol 76 - Folio 217 is issued. Notation on CT - 7th October, 1868, John Courtney and Thomas Mosley subdivide and transfer a part to Joshua Bagnall of Botany, Fisherman. Certificate of Title Vol 82 - Folio 201 issued. Notation on CT - Cancelled and new Certificate of Title Vol 102 - Folio 175 issued (see below). |
Volume 9 - Folio 49 extract. Thomas Mosley 2-acre lot, which he purchased with John Courtney as Tenants in Common and which he will sell back to John Courtney
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Volume 76 - Folio 217
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19th November, 1868
John Courtney of Botany, Master Mariner, has subdivided his lot and retains the northern half being 1 acre, 1 rood and 3 perches. Transmission of this lot to Sarah Courtney as Administratrix of the Estate of John Courtrney and new Certificate of Title Vol 370 - Folio 35 issued 12th August, 1878. (See below) Meanwhile, this lot is further subdivided... |
Volume 76 - Folio 217 extract. Certificate of Title issued for the subdivided lot.
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Volume 82 - Folio 201
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18th March, 1869
Here it becomes quite complicated Joshua Bagnall of Botany, Fisherman, acquires a portion of Courtney and Mosley's lot; a sliver equalling 2 roods, the western end fronting the road to Killett's Inn (Luland Street); the eastern and northern boundaries abut Courtney and Mosley's lot and the southern boundary is the limit of Simeon Lord's original Crown Grant and the extent of Lot 13 subdivision. 20th July, 1914 James Bullock of Botany, Tanner, acquires this lot. On the same day, he transfers the title to Elsie May Roberts, wife of James Roberts, part of this lot. New Certificate of Title issued Vol 2570 - Folio 56 The residue is transferred from James Bullock to Henry Phillip Bagnall and new Certificate of Title issued: Vol 2574 - Folio 206 This portion of the original Lot 13 is no longer relevant to 19-21 Byrnes Street |
Volume 82 - Folio 201 extract. A south-western portion is acquired by Joshua Bagnall. This portion of land will front Luland Street and will not pertain to 19-21 Byrnes Street
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Volume 102 - Folio 175
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22nd July, 1870
The property is transferred to Thomas Mosley of Botany, fisherman, from John Courtney 3rd May 1880 Elizabeth Mosley of Botany, Widow, becomes registered proprietor – notation on Vol 102 – Folio 175 4th May, 1904 Upon Elizabeth’s death, Albert Ernest Mosley of Botany, Fellmonger, becomes the registered owner of this Lot – notation on Vol 102 – Folio 175 19th July, 1904 Albert sells this property to Andrew Jackson of Botany, Mariner – notation on Vol 102 – Folio 175 27th January, 1907 Andrew Jackson sells part of this Lot back to Albert Ernest Mosley. On the same day, another part of the Lot is sold to Samuel Alfred Mosley – notation on Vol 102 – Folio 175 This portion of the original Lot 13 is no longer relevant to 19-21 Byrnes Street |
Volume 102 - Folio 175 extract. This south-western portion is on the boundary of the limit of Simeon Lord's original Crown Grant of 600 acres and subdivided into 5-acre lots by his son George, this being Lot 13. This portion of land will not pertain to 19-21 Byrnes Street
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BACK TO 19-21 BYRNES STREET...
Volume 370 - Folio 35
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12th August, 1878
Sarah Courtney of Botany Bay, Widow, as Administratrix of the Estate of John Courtney deceased is now the proprietor by transmission and new Certificate of Title Vol 370 - Folio 35 is issued, cancelling Vol 36 - Folio 173 and Vol 76 - Folio 217 (see above). 2nd September, 1886 The title is transferred from Sarah Courtney to Charles Howe, Senr, of Botany, Gentleman (See Vol 2259 - Folio 29 below). 15th November, 1911 Notice of resumption by the Minister for Public Works is issued, presumably to build the first SWSOOS (Southern and Western Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer System). Cancelled and new Certificate of Title Vol 2900 - Folio 167 issued (See below). |
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Volume 2259 - Folio 29
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26th February, 1912
Charles William Westall of Newtown, Retired Civil Servant, becomes the registered proprietor of this lot totalling 1 acre, 2 roods and 9¾ perches. A caveat is placed on the property 10th April, 1912 and withdrawn on 28th March, 1913. The streets are now officially known and Byrnes and Luland Streets. 5th June, 1912 Charles Howe of Botany, Gentleman, is listed on the Certificate of Title as the registered owner. 22nd October, 1912 Charles William Westall sells part of the property to Harry Little - Vol 2321 - Folio 27 (This is the north-east corner and pertains to 19-21 Byrnes Street - see below). 19th March, 1913 Charles William Westall sells the residue to Agnes Louisa Stainer (Married Woman) "for her separate use" - Vol 2356 - Folio 171. This property will fall on the south side of Hale Street and does not pertain to 19-21 Byrnes Street. |
Volume 2259 - Folio 29 extract. The portion coloured yellow has already been allocated to the Minister for Public Works, leaving a small pocket on the north-east corner that will become 19, 21 and 23 Byrnes Street
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Volume 2900 - Folio 167
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21st December, 1918
Issued to The Minister for Public Works in the State of New South Wales, the resumption of land cuts the property diagonally in half (approximately), being 3 roods and 36¼ perches, leaving only a small area to the north-east of 90¼ links x 200 links (18.14 metres x 40.2 metres = 729 square metres). 17th November, 1920 John Estell transfers this property to Albert James Worthington and a new Certificate of Title is issued Vol 3148 - Folio 11. This portion is the south-east corner of the lot and will become known as 23 Byrnes Street (see below). 5th December, 1960 The Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board becomes the registered owner of this lot. |
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NOW TO THE NITTY-GRITTY
Volume 2321 - Folio 27
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This pertains entirely to the 29¼ perches at the north-east corner of the original subdivided Lot 13 of Simeon Lord's 600-acre Crown Grant.
6th December, 1912 Harry Little of Alexandria, Night Porter, purchases this lot, “containing Twenty-nine and one-quarter perches, or thereabouts [approximately 740 square metres*] as shown on the Plan hereon and therein edged in red, being part of Lot 13”. *[The total land area of 19-21 Byrnes Street, in 1962 comprises 3 lots and, according to different sources, totals either 1,030 or -1,059 square metres.] 30th January, 1924 Upon Harry Little’s death, the title goes to Jessie Agnes Little, Widow, and Herbert Graham Brown of Botany. 22nd August, 1945 When Jesse Agnes Little dies, the title passes to Herbert Graham Brown of Botany, Chemist. A caveat is placed on the title but is withdrawn on 3rd September, 1945 allowing the sale to proceed to... 13th August, 1945 The title transfers from Herbert Graham Brown to John Sidney McLeay of Windsor, Motor Mechanic, "now a member of the Royal Australian Air Force". 8th October, 1954 A Mortgage is raised from John Sidney McLeay to The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited. 27th October, 1958 Nazzareno Bonaretti of Botany, Toy Manufacturers and Ebe Bonaretti his wife become the registered proprietors of the land within described as joint tenants. Mortgage dated 27th October, 1958 is raised from the said Nazzareno Bonaretti and Ebe Bonaretti to Mutual Credits Limited. The Mortgage raised by John Sidney McLeay to The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited is discharged on 12th May, 1959. The Certificate of Title is transferred to Vol 7791 – Folio 67. |
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Volume 7791 - Folio 67
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The property is now listed as 29¾ perches
Various transactions are listed on the Certificate of Title but always in the names of Nazzareno and Ebe Bonaretti. When the businesses owned by Nazzareno and Ebe Bonaretti are sold, they retain the property and lease sections of it. Noted on this Certificate of Title is only one: 14th November, 1989 Lease to Zircon Systems Pty Ltd of part of the first floor, 21 Byrnes Street, Botany + 5 car spaces with share of dock access and staircase. Expires 19-3-1990. Option to purchase and option of renewal for 3 years. |
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From 1997 to Now
The following transactions have been taken from various sources, mainly from Real Estate advertisements.
4th July, 1997
The property is transferred to Paul Kenny when he purchases the Lot known as 19-21 Byrnes Street for $650,000.
2nd November, 2006
The property is listed for sale for 78 days but not sold.
10th August, 2007
The property is listed for sale for 314 days but not sold.
4th March, 2011
The property is listed for sale but not sold.
21st August, 2012
The property is sold for $1,700,000 by private treaty after being listed for 311 days
May, 2017
Part of the property is listed for rent and, after 213 days, is rented to Zebra Studios.
18th June, 2018
Listed for rent at $80,000 per annum.
28th July 2018
A portion of the apartment is leased at $210 per week. This is the main bedroom on the south-east corner and the bathroom on the south side.
7th October, 2020
Listed for sale but not sold.
4th August, 2021
Property settles on this date after being sold on 1st April for $4,500,000. It had been listed for 44 days.
The property is transferred to Paul Kenny when he purchases the Lot known as 19-21 Byrnes Street for $650,000.
2nd November, 2006
The property is listed for sale for 78 days but not sold.
10th August, 2007
The property is listed for sale for 314 days but not sold.
4th March, 2011
The property is listed for sale but not sold.
21st August, 2012
The property is sold for $1,700,000 by private treaty after being listed for 311 days
May, 2017
Part of the property is listed for rent and, after 213 days, is rented to Zebra Studios.
18th June, 2018
Listed for rent at $80,000 per annum.
28th July 2018
A portion of the apartment is leased at $210 per week. This is the main bedroom on the south-east corner and the bathroom on the south side.
7th October, 2020
Listed for sale but not sold.
4th August, 2021
Property settles on this date after being sold on 1st April for $4,500,000. It had been listed for 44 days.
23 Byrnes Street
Volume 3148 - Folio 11
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12th January, 1921
Albert James Worthington of Botany, Landscape Gardener, acquires this corner portion which backs onto the covered sewer and is the last house in the newly-formed cul-de-sac of Byrnes Street. 12th May, 1922 Albert James Worthington transfers the property to Herbert Williams of Botany, Wool and Basil Worker, Landscape Gardener, acquires this corner portion which backs onto the covered sewer and is the last house in the newly-formed cul-de-sac of Byrnes Street. 10th July, 1951 The lot is transferred to Julia Williams of Botany, Widow. 3rd September, 1958 Mark Anthony of East Sydney, Painting Contractor, and his wife Alma Elizabeth Anthony are now the registered proprietors of this property as Joint Tenants. 13th January, 1986 Mark Anthony becomes registered proprietor of this property upon the death of his wife, Alma. |
The house on this land was built for the supervising engineer of the SWSOOS line at the southern end of the of Byrnes Street, marked today by the large Canary Island Date Palms that are characteristic of the project throughout Sydney, being provided
by the Royal Botanic Garden as part of the landscaping of the project.
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1916 Map of Booralee
1916 map showing SWSOOS (Southern and Western Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer System) cutting across the end of Byrnes Street to the Botany Waterworks. Luland Street has not yet been bisected; when it is, the northern end will be renamed McFall Street.
1943 Aerial Photograph of Booralee
Spot 19-21 Byrnes Street?
Spot 19-21 Byrnes Street?
1943 Aerial Photograph from https://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/
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As "Booralee" appears today
This dissection of the 1943 aerial map shows the original subdivision of George Lord's portion of his father's original 600-acre Crown Grant. Lot 13 pertains to 19-21 Byrnes Street. With thanks to Elizabeth Conroy.
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This diagram shows the subdivisions of Lot 13:
The red dashed lines show how the various tracts of land were divided and listed in the above Certificates of Title. The faint green dotted line shows the resumption by the Minister of Lands. The yellow solid line rectangle is 19-21 Byrnes Street and the first purchase by Nazzareno and Ebe Bonaretti. The yellow solid line triangle is the second purchase by the Bonaretti and is the current land on title of a little more than 1,000 square metres. |
In 1959 when the Bonaretti children moved into their new old premises at 19 Byrnes Street, Botany, they were 9, 4 and 1 respectively. The house they moved into was old and run-down and a far cry from the old but elegant Victorian terraced house they enjoyed in Hutchinson Street, St Peters. The linoleum throughout this weatherboard cottage was worn and scrappy, paint was flaking away from walls and ceilings and the annex at the back of the house was an unlined shed that housed the twin concrete laundry tubs and a bathtub. This served as a laundry-cum-bathroom; the mirror hanging above the tubs made it so. Outside, in another wooden structure stuck to the shed, was the privy. It was inhabited by spiders—mostly daddy-longlegs and red-backs. No electric light at night to check which arachnids were lurking under the toilet seat, only a handheld torch or candle. Far better for the kids to use the guzunda.
The front of the weatherboard cottage had a verandah where the hardwood timber floor was weathered and rotting, and the front garden, divided down the centre by a broken concrete path leading to the front door, comprised of weeds, prickly bindii and real grass pushing through the underlay of old bricks. The fence was non-existent, save the two or three hardwood posts stuck in the earth along the front boundary, surmounted by equally rotting rails from which was suspended tattered cyclone fencing. The only purpose of that fence was to hold up a tin letter box. Riding the fence cowboy-style only resulted in splinters to tender inner thighs.
The “lawn” in the back yard was more a veld. The grass was over a foot high and it, too, housed a variety of native fauna—mostly fleas. A controlled torching of the mini pampas soon took care of the tiny vampiric parasites and, to stop the grass from coming back, Jim covered the entire yard with coke —not the drinking or snorting kind, but the residue product of heating coal: crunchy underfoot and not conducive to the comfortable enjoyment of children’s games.
The other, more ramshackle old house that stood on 21 Byrnes Street was quickly taken down and, in its place, Jim built a single-storey, gable-roofed factory that accommodated all the needs he envisaged for his growing toy manufactory.
Meanwhile, on the other side of number 19 was a vast empty lot cordoned off by a high cyclone fence, which was easily breached by bored, intrepid children. The front portion of that lot was being constructed upon, but the back portion was a vast sandy desert complete with an oasis in the centre which appeared after heavy rain. It was so tempting for the three to raft it from one side to the other…if, indeed, they had had a raft. They did consider mounting one of the empty drums strewn about the otherwise barren sandscape but quickly put that idea to rest—no paddles. So, they satisfied themselves by standing on the brink of this lake of stagnant water and watch the wigglers dart about.
This vacant piece of land would eventually be subdivided and become the home of Lockwood McGrath Pty Ltd, industrial chemical manufacturers, and be the source of many unpleasant odours, the worst of which was ammonia. Ah, the good old days before the NSW Environment Protection Authority!
The three Bonaretti children were the only children at that end of the street; others lived at the other end and out-of-bounds. In McFall Street, Sherry and Mark Wong lived with their parents, Erith Street housed Kevin Horseman also around 9 years of age, and on Bay Street opposite the school were Peggy and Johnny. They would not become friends until a few years after they began school at Botany Public School.
The few residential houses along the southern end of Byrnes Street were occupied by older couples who were either childless or whose children had already left home, so it was only natural that the three new kids on the block became favourites of those few senior couples.
The Anthonys
In number 23, the last house on the western side of Byrnes Street, lived a childless couple, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony, who had moved in only a little earlier. He—Mark (yes, the jokes were obvious even to the kids)—was Maltese and a painter and decorator and had lost the index finger of his right hand. She—Alma Elizabeth—was Australian and a housewife—as was expected in “those days”, and looked after him, their extravagantly decorated house and their two dogs, Tiki, the Maltese Terrier and their Alsatian (“German Shepherd” in reality but two wars against the Teutons moved the breed from Germany to across the border to Alsace.) Tiki was an indoor dog and quite cantankerous; the Alsatian lived in his own, beautifully crafted kennel next to the equally beautifully decorated garage located between the two Canary Island date palms. The entire house, garage and kennel were a symphony of artistic endeavour, finished in tones of white, orange and yellows with a fish tank and water fountain in the front garden, atop a pedestal and crowned by a hand-crafted swan spurting water from its beak. Beds of roses filled the border with number 21 and the frontage.
But, best of all, they had a television receiver! Before long, while their parents worked in the factory, the three children sat in front of the miracle of science and enjoyed cartoons and the adventure series that had once been the serials at the ubiquitous picture theatres. A glass of milk each and a couple of biscuits satisfied their appetites until Mamma called them home for a typical Italian evening meal.
Across the road were four more residences: numbered 28, 34, 36 and 38.
The Archdeacons
At 34 Byrnes Street lived Mr. and Mrs. Norman Archdeacon, an elderly couple (at least that how they appeared to the three children); in the late 1950s, they would have been in their late 50s. There, too, was a television and there, too, the kids were entertained by the couple. Mrs. Archdeacon—Nellie Alma—was a dressmaker and took in work at home. She was small and wiry, grey-haired and bespectacled, and very kind. She attempted to show the eldest of the children how to sew and was most amused by the length of thread that the youngster employed: “That’s enough to tie up the Queen Mary!” she once pronounced. Mr. Archdeacon was known simply as “Mister”. He was tallish and pot-bellied. Balding and forever smoking a roll-your-own, he rode a motorised bicycle and always wore a brown trilby and a brown suit of clothes that was once fashionable in the ’40s. In the narrow hall of their brick cottage stood a phonograph that played wax cylinders—a delight then and a museum piece now if it still existed. The house itself was small and dark. The front yard was narrow and concealed by a high, thick murraya hedge. The verandah, too, was narrow. The right half was closed off and used as a storage room for Mister’s bicycle and the other was open and a favourite spot for Mister to sit in an old easy chair. This was also the place where his body was found 26th June 1967 with an injury to his head. Police detectives would interview Jim, but no further consequence came of it.
The Lees
Next door, in a weatherboard cottage that appeared to be on stilts, lived Mr. and Mrs. Lee, the physical opposite of the Archdeacons: she was rotund and tall, and he withered and weathered. Their children too had flown the nest, but the Lees were not as open to entertaining the three Bonaretti kids however, neither were they mean or nasty. Not long after the Bonaretti family moved in, Mrs. Lee approached Ebe Bonaretti while she accompanied her two younger children to Botany Public School; the eldest was then attending high school. The caution Mrs. Lee gave Mamma Bonaretti is still remembered today by one of the children: Keep your children away from Mr. Archdeacon! Was it because Mr. Archdeacon had been charged, but subsequently acquitted, of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Botany between June and November 1949? Could it be that the girl was acquainted with or related to Mr. and Mrs. Lee? Or was it out of general concern for the young migrant family’s children? Whatever the reason, it was very obvious that Mrs. Lee was not fond of Mr. Archdeacon—in fact, hatred permeated her words of warning.
The last house on the street, number 38, was old and decrepit and occupied by someone the children never got to know. Mysteriously, the house would burn down some 10 years later after it had been unoccupied for some time. Rumour had it that it had become unlivable and, because it could not be demolished and replaced with a new house, it had mysteriously caught fire. It was only in that situation that any house in this light-industrial area could be rebuilt. Hmmm…
The Marrs
A few years after the Bonaretti family moved in, new residents arrived in the house directly opposite them, number 28. This house belonged to the large boot and shoe manufacturer, Enoch Taylor & Co. Pty. Ltd. and was used by the company’s new caretaker, Mr. Marr. With the red-headed Mr. Marr came his mother, Mrs. Marr, an elderly widow from Scotland, and his two boys, David—about 17, and Johnny who was a year or so older than the older Bonaretti girl. She and Johnny would play cowboys and wander through the wild canyons formed by closely spaced buildings, firing their cap pistols at imaginary Indians. They even stole a ciggie once and smoked it, much to her disgust. Of course, Mamma found out and gently chided the girl about smoking at such a young age. Whether it was the embarrassment of being found out or heeding good advice, she never did take up the habit.
The halcyon days of the late 1950s and early ‘60s were so different from those that were to follow. Then, the postman came twice a day Monday to Friday and once on Saturday morning. Milk was delivered in glass, silver-topped bottles to the doorstep as was bread. Bread was wrapped in waxed paper, which was reused to wrap school lunches. On the weekends, a little van ventured down the street playing an amplified tune letting the resident children know that ice creams and chocolates were on board and ready to be purchased. These were weekend treats for the three children, perhaps to ameliorate the absence of same-aged chums.
Those were the early years at 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany.
The front of the weatherboard cottage had a verandah where the hardwood timber floor was weathered and rotting, and the front garden, divided down the centre by a broken concrete path leading to the front door, comprised of weeds, prickly bindii and real grass pushing through the underlay of old bricks. The fence was non-existent, save the two or three hardwood posts stuck in the earth along the front boundary, surmounted by equally rotting rails from which was suspended tattered cyclone fencing. The only purpose of that fence was to hold up a tin letter box. Riding the fence cowboy-style only resulted in splinters to tender inner thighs.
The “lawn” in the back yard was more a veld. The grass was over a foot high and it, too, housed a variety of native fauna—mostly fleas. A controlled torching of the mini pampas soon took care of the tiny vampiric parasites and, to stop the grass from coming back, Jim covered the entire yard with coke —not the drinking or snorting kind, but the residue product of heating coal: crunchy underfoot and not conducive to the comfortable enjoyment of children’s games.
The other, more ramshackle old house that stood on 21 Byrnes Street was quickly taken down and, in its place, Jim built a single-storey, gable-roofed factory that accommodated all the needs he envisaged for his growing toy manufactory.
Meanwhile, on the other side of number 19 was a vast empty lot cordoned off by a high cyclone fence, which was easily breached by bored, intrepid children. The front portion of that lot was being constructed upon, but the back portion was a vast sandy desert complete with an oasis in the centre which appeared after heavy rain. It was so tempting for the three to raft it from one side to the other…if, indeed, they had had a raft. They did consider mounting one of the empty drums strewn about the otherwise barren sandscape but quickly put that idea to rest—no paddles. So, they satisfied themselves by standing on the brink of this lake of stagnant water and watch the wigglers dart about.
This vacant piece of land would eventually be subdivided and become the home of Lockwood McGrath Pty Ltd, industrial chemical manufacturers, and be the source of many unpleasant odours, the worst of which was ammonia. Ah, the good old days before the NSW Environment Protection Authority!
The three Bonaretti children were the only children at that end of the street; others lived at the other end and out-of-bounds. In McFall Street, Sherry and Mark Wong lived with their parents, Erith Street housed Kevin Horseman also around 9 years of age, and on Bay Street opposite the school were Peggy and Johnny. They would not become friends until a few years after they began school at Botany Public School.
The few residential houses along the southern end of Byrnes Street were occupied by older couples who were either childless or whose children had already left home, so it was only natural that the three new kids on the block became favourites of those few senior couples.
The Anthonys
In number 23, the last house on the western side of Byrnes Street, lived a childless couple, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony, who had moved in only a little earlier. He—Mark (yes, the jokes were obvious even to the kids)—was Maltese and a painter and decorator and had lost the index finger of his right hand. She—Alma Elizabeth—was Australian and a housewife—as was expected in “those days”, and looked after him, their extravagantly decorated house and their two dogs, Tiki, the Maltese Terrier and their Alsatian (“German Shepherd” in reality but two wars against the Teutons moved the breed from Germany to across the border to Alsace.) Tiki was an indoor dog and quite cantankerous; the Alsatian lived in his own, beautifully crafted kennel next to the equally beautifully decorated garage located between the two Canary Island date palms. The entire house, garage and kennel were a symphony of artistic endeavour, finished in tones of white, orange and yellows with a fish tank and water fountain in the front garden, atop a pedestal and crowned by a hand-crafted swan spurting water from its beak. Beds of roses filled the border with number 21 and the frontage.
But, best of all, they had a television receiver! Before long, while their parents worked in the factory, the three children sat in front of the miracle of science and enjoyed cartoons and the adventure series that had once been the serials at the ubiquitous picture theatres. A glass of milk each and a couple of biscuits satisfied their appetites until Mamma called them home for a typical Italian evening meal.
Across the road were four more residences: numbered 28, 34, 36 and 38.
The Archdeacons
At 34 Byrnes Street lived Mr. and Mrs. Norman Archdeacon, an elderly couple (at least that how they appeared to the three children); in the late 1950s, they would have been in their late 50s. There, too, was a television and there, too, the kids were entertained by the couple. Mrs. Archdeacon—Nellie Alma—was a dressmaker and took in work at home. She was small and wiry, grey-haired and bespectacled, and very kind. She attempted to show the eldest of the children how to sew and was most amused by the length of thread that the youngster employed: “That’s enough to tie up the Queen Mary!” she once pronounced. Mr. Archdeacon was known simply as “Mister”. He was tallish and pot-bellied. Balding and forever smoking a roll-your-own, he rode a motorised bicycle and always wore a brown trilby and a brown suit of clothes that was once fashionable in the ’40s. In the narrow hall of their brick cottage stood a phonograph that played wax cylinders—a delight then and a museum piece now if it still existed. The house itself was small and dark. The front yard was narrow and concealed by a high, thick murraya hedge. The verandah, too, was narrow. The right half was closed off and used as a storage room for Mister’s bicycle and the other was open and a favourite spot for Mister to sit in an old easy chair. This was also the place where his body was found 26th June 1967 with an injury to his head. Police detectives would interview Jim, but no further consequence came of it.
The Lees
Next door, in a weatherboard cottage that appeared to be on stilts, lived Mr. and Mrs. Lee, the physical opposite of the Archdeacons: she was rotund and tall, and he withered and weathered. Their children too had flown the nest, but the Lees were not as open to entertaining the three Bonaretti kids however, neither were they mean or nasty. Not long after the Bonaretti family moved in, Mrs. Lee approached Ebe Bonaretti while she accompanied her two younger children to Botany Public School; the eldest was then attending high school. The caution Mrs. Lee gave Mamma Bonaretti is still remembered today by one of the children: Keep your children away from Mr. Archdeacon! Was it because Mr. Archdeacon had been charged, but subsequently acquitted, of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Botany between June and November 1949? Could it be that the girl was acquainted with or related to Mr. and Mrs. Lee? Or was it out of general concern for the young migrant family’s children? Whatever the reason, it was very obvious that Mrs. Lee was not fond of Mr. Archdeacon—in fact, hatred permeated her words of warning.
The last house on the street, number 38, was old and decrepit and occupied by someone the children never got to know. Mysteriously, the house would burn down some 10 years later after it had been unoccupied for some time. Rumour had it that it had become unlivable and, because it could not be demolished and replaced with a new house, it had mysteriously caught fire. It was only in that situation that any house in this light-industrial area could be rebuilt. Hmmm…
The Marrs
A few years after the Bonaretti family moved in, new residents arrived in the house directly opposite them, number 28. This house belonged to the large boot and shoe manufacturer, Enoch Taylor & Co. Pty. Ltd. and was used by the company’s new caretaker, Mr. Marr. With the red-headed Mr. Marr came his mother, Mrs. Marr, an elderly widow from Scotland, and his two boys, David—about 17, and Johnny who was a year or so older than the older Bonaretti girl. She and Johnny would play cowboys and wander through the wild canyons formed by closely spaced buildings, firing their cap pistols at imaginary Indians. They even stole a ciggie once and smoked it, much to her disgust. Of course, Mamma found out and gently chided the girl about smoking at such a young age. Whether it was the embarrassment of being found out or heeding good advice, she never did take up the habit.
The halcyon days of the late 1950s and early ‘60s were so different from those that were to follow. Then, the postman came twice a day Monday to Friday and once on Saturday morning. Milk was delivered in glass, silver-topped bottles to the doorstep as was bread. Bread was wrapped in waxed paper, which was reused to wrap school lunches. On the weekends, a little van ventured down the street playing an amplified tune letting the resident children know that ice creams and chocolates were on board and ready to be purchased. These were weekend treats for the three children, perhaps to ameliorate the absence of same-aged chums.
Those were the early years at 19-21 Byrnes Street, Botany.