Tuesday 24 May 2022

A Home of Their Own in Homebush West, 1950

Mayor, Charles Morgan and Minister for Housing, Clive Evatt unveil a plaque at 88 The Crescent, Homebush West, 19 May 1950.

Courtesy NSW State Archives and Records

During the 1940s, a huge shortage of building materials led to a serious lack of housing for returned WWII servicemen and their young families. Large tracts of land were resumed by the government for the construction of new cottages and flats for the Housing Commission of NSW but even the government found it difficult to source materials. Young families waited for years to find a home of their own, often living with relatives for long periods of time. As new Housing Commission homes were built, ballots were held for the new flats and cottages all over Sydney.

In September 1948, Mrs E.T. Pile of Kessell Avenue Flemington wept with joy after winning a home in the Commission’s ‘hard luck’ ballot.[1] Contenders for the 150 new homes were those who had been on the list since before the end of 1944. Nancy Wyatt from Granville had been living in one room with her husband and two children since he had returned from the war. Her family was also successful in this ballot and she told a Daily Telegraph reporter ‘I don’t know where the house is, but I’m so happy I don’t care.’[2]

Daily Telegraph 16 September 1948 p.1
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/248380277

Two new blocks of new Housing Commission flats, on the corner of The Crescent and Hampstead Road, Homebush West were commenced in 1950. The plaque unveiling on 19 May 1950 was attended by the Mayor of Strathfield, Alderman Charles Morgan and the NSW Minister for Housing, the Hon Clive Evatt. The event was well-attended by local residents and school children and a number of photos were taken. Some show The Crescent with 1940s cars parked at the kerb, Flemington Bakery (where an Asian grocery store now stands) and the block of units already built next door. Flemington Station is in the background of two photos. Visible is a gantry that led from the station to the stockyards on the other side of the railway, where livestock were bought and sold on Mondays and Thursdays. One wonders whether the speeches could be heard over the mooing and bleating of animals. Sydney Markets now occupy this site.

However the enthusiasm – and construction – of this project stalled and in January 1952 Truth newspaper ran a story on the distinct lack of progress in the building of the apartments during the previous 18 months.

Truth 13 January 1952 p.3
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167977389

The housing crisis remained and the shortage of building materials meant that construction was painfully slow. The builder, W.R. Robbins was himself a local, living at 58 (formerly 38) Redmyre Road Strathfield. Eventually, the two blocks, both named Karinya, were completed and eight families moved into their own homes.

These photos show the two Karinya blocks, and the plaque, today.