Image right: Publicity for the Mandemar Estate, 1922. Courtesy State Library of NSW
The Mandemar Estate of Homebush West has probably suffered from an identity crisis for most of its hundred year history. Its ‘139 ideal allotments’ were offered for sale during 1922 in ‘North Lidcombe’ within the Lidcombe (formerly Rookwood) Council area. Bounded by Marlborough Road, Parramatta Road and the railway line, the estate was advertised with the slogan: ‘A lot of inlay for a little outlay.’ ‘Mandemar Bungalows’ were to be constructed in Mandemar, Courallie and Telopea Avenues for developer, Harry Stewart.
‘If you are keen and alive to your opportunities, you will interest yourself in MANDEMAR and watch its progress – for it’s going to be rapid!’
Mandemar Estate 1922. Courtesy State Library of NSW
https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/74VMy7yGZN3M/R3ZzQmANGxyeg and
https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/74VMy7yGZN3M/lDPdKO3Jldoke
Sands’ Street Directory of 1925 shows that cottages were quickly built and almost half the estate was settled by this time. However, by 1926, the ratepayers of the Mandemar Estate were unhappy with the lack of services provided by Lidcombe Council, feeling cut off from Lidcombe itself and claiming that aldermen never visited their estate.
‘One of the turning worms’ wrote to the Evening News regarding the situation on the Mandemar Estate saying:
‘Very substantial rates are collected. But nothing is spent there except on street lights. Water is permitted to run into the streets and become stagnant. There are no gutters. We get no return for our rates, but the adjoining streets in Homebush are decently cared for, and so we want Homebush.’ [1]
A petition, signed by every ratepayer on the estate, was launched to join Homebush Council instead. Mayor of Homebush, Alderman Mason visited Lidcombe Council to discuss the situation. Lidcombe Council was furious with both residents and Homebush Council at the affront. Alderman Dunbar of Lidcombe stated that ‘I don’t believe in sections of ratepayers juggling to see which municipality they will live in… I am rather surprised that Homebush aldermen should entertain the proposition. It seems to be like an attempt to thieve a bit of land.’ [2]
Or as the Evening News described it:
‘Like modern Sir Lancelots, setting off to rescue a fair maiden from a horrible ogre, Homebush aldermen sallied forth to Lidcombe’s stronghold last night to carry off the shrinking Mandemar Estate, and bring her safely back to the Castle Beautiful, within the confines of Homebush Municipality.
After a combat, in which the knights of Homebush were far from victorious, they returned, sadder but wiser men, and the maiden is still wondering where she really stands.’ [3]
The residents of the Mandemar Estate and aldermen of Homebush Council were forced to accept defeat.
Mandemar Estate subdivision plan, 1926. Courtesy State Library of NSW
The estate continued to expand slowly. In November 1926, 61 ‘excellent level building sites only a few yards off the main Parramatta Road’ were still being offered for sale. [4]
The Ford Factory opened nearby on Parramatta Road in 1936. Ford built a number of the homes in Telopea Avenue on the Mandemar Estate for its employees.
Over the years the estate was variously considered part of the suburbs of Lidcombe, Flemington, Homebush and Homebush West. There were still ’23 choice building blocks’ in Telopea and Courallie Avenue on the market after World War II. [5]
Lidcombe Council merged with Auburn Council on 1 January 1949 and ceased to exist. The Mandemar Estate became part of Auburn Council.
In 1992 the borders between Auburn and Strathfield Councils were adjusted and these streets were incorporated into Strathfield Council’s LGA. The Ford Factory closed in 1994.
Today, many of the Mandemar bungalows have been replaced with apartment blocks, and the estate has expanded to include the former Hermon Slade site. However, a number of the 1920s bungalows remain closer to Parramatta Road in both Courallie and Telopea Avenues. The population of Homebush West continues to grow. The 2021 Census shows that 92.4% of Homebush West’s diverse, multicultural community lived in apartments and that there were only 162 separate houses in the suburb.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Evening News 26 February 1926 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126133896
[2] The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 19 March 1926 p.5 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/104948561
[3] Evening News 19 March 1926 p.7 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/117283458