Correys Ave runs between Major’s Bay Road and Concord Road. It is named in honour of Thomas Obed Correy Junior in recognition of his contribution to the community over many years. He served on Concord Council and, in fact, was an Alderman on the first Concord Council, set up in 1983. He was also mayor of Concord Council three times; 1902- 4, part of 1917 and finally 1921-22.
As a businessman, he initially worked by helping his father in the running of Correys Pleasure Gardens, and then took over management of the extensive garden until their sale in in 1918. He also operated a real estate agency in North Strathfield.
Correys Pleasure Gardens
Correys Pleasure Gardens were started by Thomas Obed Correy Senior. He had previously been operating tea gardens from about 1874 on land he rented in Botony. Suspecting his landlord planned to raise the rent, he started to look for an alternative site and having found one in Concord, he moved his plants, bushed and trees to the area. The gardens opened in August 1884 on 2.8 hectares of land, just south of Cabarita Park, fronting onto both Kendall Bay and Hen and Chicken Bay.
To say his plans were ambitious is an understatement. There were swings, merry-go-rounds and slides for children. For adults, there was a cricket ground, a running track and gardens displaying flowers, shrubs and trees with small summer houses scattered throughout. Waders were able to enjoy a sheltered inlet of the river. The flower gardens were large, and people were able to but cut flowers to take home. They even supplied some Sydney florists. Vegetables were grown and pigs, poultry and horses were also kept.
Three years after Correys Gardens opened, an elaborate dance pavilion was added. It had a Tallowwood floor with a raised bandstand and could accommodate 900 people, who would be entertained by a 10-piece orchestra. The pavilion was extremely popular, and Correys Gardens became the place to visit, with easy access by ferry. Day trippers would come with picnics and attend daytime or evening dances.
Clubs, unions and other organizations often booked a year in advance for an outing to Correys Gardens. The gardens did not have a liquor license but undeterred, many organizations would send alcohol ahead by ferry.
On public holidays or gala occasions, additional ferries would be arranged. The Garden’s would sometimes hire their own ferries for visitors, with their staff serving afternoon teas on route. Even in winter months the Garden’s hosted private functions using the pavilion and the large dining room in the Correy’s home next to the pavilion.
After the first World War, people’s tastes change in with increased use of the motor car, fewer people came. In 1918, the gardens were sold to the British Australian Lead Manufacturers (BALM), which later became Dulux. The tallowwood dance floor was sent in pieces to South Australia and the family home became a conference centre for the company.
Hilary Morrissey
Bibliography
Coupe, S. (1983). Concord: A centenary history. The Council of the Municipality of Concord, New South Wales.
Local studies, City of Canada Bay (2013). Correy’s pleasure gardens. Canada Bay Connections. https://canadabayconnections.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/correys-pleasure-gardens/#:~:text=Daytime%20dances%20were%20popular%20until,was%20eventually%20sold%20in%201918
Local studies, City of Canada Bay (2017). A delight to the eye. Canada Bay Connections. https://canadabayconnections.wordpress.com/2017/08/03/a-delight-to-the-eye/
Image
Correy’s gardens. Canada Bay Connections. https://www.flickr.com/photos/canadabayconnections/albums/72157632790229811/with/10049894036
Accessed 30 Nov 2024
