Avon 145 Coronation Parade, Strathfield South

145 Coronation Parade, Strathfield South c.1926, formerly 167 The Boulevarde, Enfield. Courtesy Irene Watson and Strathfield Local Studies

Built in the mid 1920s, this Federation cottage at 145 Coronation Parade Strathfield South was home to the Austin family, who named it Avon. It stands on Lot 4 of the Redmyre Estate, surrounded by other cottages built at about the same time. In terms of an address, its history is a little complicated. When it was first built it actually stood in The Boulevarde, Enfield at number 167, but this section was renamed Coronation Parade in 1937 when the Coronation Arch was also unveiled to honour the accession of King George VI. Before 1924, this section of road had been named Punchbowl Road. After street renumbering by Strathfield Council in 1957, the cottage finally became 145 Coronation Parade. You can see a map from Wilson’s Street Directory of the Enfield district from 1926, showing the road still named Punchbowl Road, at: https://strathfieldhistory.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/wilsons-guide-1926-suburb-of-enfield.pdf

Betty and Irene Austin in the backyard of 145 Coronation Parade c.1930, overlooking the Cooks River before the channelling which began in the 1930s.

Courtesy Irene Watson and Strathfield Local Studies.

Constable William Isaac Austin and his wife, Elizabeth raised two daughters at Avon. These lovely photos from about 1930 were taken from the backyard of the home showing daughters, Betty and Irene and a rather full Cooks River almost on the doorstep. We know that the girls had a black cat at the time. Betty wrote to The Sun a few years later, telling readers about their black pom, named Boss.

The Sun 24 June 1934 p.55 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229206569

After the deaths of William and Elizabeth during the 1960s, Irene and her new husband, mechanic Albert Watson, made their home together at Avon, where Irene lived for most of her life. During World War II Albert had been apprenticed to A.K. Muir of the Redmyre Road Garage.

By J.J. MacRitchie

Local Studies Advisor