Elizabeth Corry
Elizabeth Corry joined the Labor Party in 1912 and was involved in setting up the Kogarah Bay branch. She was awarded a Life Membership of the Labor Party, attending meetings until she was 89. She was an active member of the Aboriginal Foundation in the 1950s, which called for equality and full citizenship rights for Aboriginal people.
Elizabeth was an active member of the Kogarah Bay Progress Association, and helped establish the Barton Women’s Auxiliary of the St George Hospital. With her friend Doris Hatton, she was a founding member of the Kogarah Historical Society. She was a member of the Metropolitan Parks and Reserve Committee and was instrumental in the acquisition of the Parkside Drive Reserve and the extension of Carss Park.
The Historical Marker reads:
Elizabeth Corry 1889 - 1983
An advocate for community recreational spaces, the rights of Aboriginal People and a founding member of the Kogarah Historical Society. This reserve is named in her honour.
Location of Historical Marker:
Elizabeth Corry Reserve
Wharf Road, Kogarah Bay.
Location on Google Maps.
Rafael Skowronski
Rafe Kowron, along with his wife Moyia (Shirley), formed the Oatley Flora and Fauna Society (now known as Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society or 'OFF') in 1955. OFF has since grown into a 300-strong member organisation which has helped defeat plans for a swimming pool, helicopter pad, mobile phone tower and cafe in Oatley Park, a garbage tip in Lime Kiln Bay, rezoning of the Oatley Bowling Club site for high-rise and changes to the Foreshore Scenic Protection Area.
Rafe and Moyia were also prominent members of Oatley Heritage Group (now Oatley Heritage and Historical Society). Rafe served as both president and vice president. They were both active in the Oatley Amateur Swimming Club. Rafe was also a board member of Oatley RSL and helped run the RSL Youth Club which made him a life member for his work in the club and the RSL youth club.
Rafe was also a talented bridge player and teacher, a singer at St Joseph’s, Oatley and president of the Hurstville Musical Society.
The Historical Marker reads:
Rafael Skowronski (Rafe Kowron) 1930 - 2022.
Rafe founded the Oatley Flora and Fauna Society in 1955, with his wife Moyia, to protect, conserve and enhance the natural environment.
Location of Historical Marker:
At the end of the walking track off the Myra Wall Garden.
Oatley Park, Oatley.
Location on Google Maps.
2NBC Radio
Radio 2NBC 90.1 FM was Sydney’s first full-time suburban community radio station, broadcasting 24 hours a day. The station was launched on 6 May 1983, broadcasting from studios in Narwee, before relocating to new premises at Railway Parade, Kogarah in March 2018.
It was begun by members of Narwee Baptist Church (hence NBC), but was always a separate company, not owned by the church. Paul McGrath, chief executive was awarded the OAM in the 2019 Australia Day Honours.
The Historical Marker reads:
2NBC Radio est. 1983.
This was the original site of Sydney’s first community radio station to broadcast 24 hours a day, featuring music and community language programs for the St George region since 1983.
Location of Historical Marker:
33-39 Baumans Road, Narwee.
Location on Google Maps.
St George District Cricket Club
St George Cricket Club was founded in 1911. In its early days, club members made a significant contribution to the development of Hurstville Oval, helping to fence and plant it. The club began playing first grade in 1921, and have used Hurstville Oval as their home ground ever since.
In Sydney grade cricket, the club has won 18 first grade premierships up to 2024. At State level, forty-nine players from the club have represented NSW, and fourteen have represented Australia. Celebrated names to have played for St George include Bill O’Reilly, Norm O’Neill, Brian Booth and the greatest of them all, Sir Don Bradman. More recently, the likes of Moises Henriques, Josh Hazlewood and Kurtis Patterson have played Test cricket.
The Historical Marker reads:
St George District Cricket Club est.1911.
The club has a long association with this place including the construction of Hurstville Oval in 1911 and hosting first grade cricket matches since 1921.
Location of Historical Marker:
Hurstville Oval, Hurstville.
Location on Google Maps.
Sunnyside
No 186 Princes Highway, Carlton, known as Sunnyside, is a heritage-listed two-storey sandstone house. It was built in circa 1870 for Irish immigrant Matthew Carroll. The house was converted into two flats in the 1930s. In March 1943, a Miss Elkington acquired the property and moved her private school ‘Sherwood’, into the building. It was a kindergarten and primary school.
Miss Elkington sold the building in 1959, and it became a rooming house. The house was listed by the National Trust in 1986. Features worthy of preservation included its slate roof and stone chimneys, bull-nosed verandahs, lead light glass panels and French doors.
In 1993 a development application to partially demolish the house for the construction of a McDonald’s restaurant met strong and effective opposition from local residents. It was then purchased by Neil Brown, who spent 18 years restoring it. It still stands today as a stately reminder of the area’s early heritage.
The Historical Marker reads:
Sunnyside c.1850.
This Victorian house was built on 178-acres of farmland for Matthew Carroll, an early settler in Kogarah. The house has been used as a rectory, primary school, rooming house and private residence.
Location of Historical Marker:
186-88 Princes Highway, Beverley Park.
Location on Google Maps.
Thank you for your feedback.