WAVERLEY BOWLING and RECREATION CLUB was founded in 1893 and located in Hollywood Avenue Bondi Junction before relocating to Birrell St in 1966. Grace Bros department store and carpark were constructed on the site, which in turn became Westfield Shopping Complex in 2003.
This photograph was taken in 1885 looking west on Birrell Street Waverley. The two story house on the left with cicular driveway was called 'Glenburnie' owned by J.MacPherson and built in 1873-1874.
It would be 81 years after this photo was taken before Waverley Bowling and Recreation Club moved here from Bondi Junction (1966) and the first bowl would be put down. The trees at the top of hill, are now the location of Waverley College.
Langlee Ave at this time did not exist.
In 1912 the sisters of St Gabriel's Girls School acquired the property ‘Preston’ next door to 'Glenbournie' on Birrell Street, opposite Waverley Park. This grand Victorian mansion had been owned by Richard Craven. ‘Preston’ was itself built around the nucleus of an earlier building ‘Glenroy’. During the demolition of‘ 'Preston’ evidence of this rebuilding became obvious when relocating 'Waverley Bowling and Recreation Club' here in 1966.
In 1914 the sisters purchased the adjoining house ‘Glenbournie’, making St. Gabriel’s property the whole block between Langlee Avenue and Henrietta Street.
In 1965 it was publicly announced because of the lack of teaching sisters the school would close at the end of the year. In September 1965 the whole property was bought at public auction by Waverley Bowling Club for the amount of £227,000
The school closed with a speech night on 2 December 1965. All the buildings on the site, including the houses ‘Preston’, 'Glenbournie' and the chapel were demolished with all the large trees on the site, including an original very old Norfolk Pine.
It would be 81 years after this photo was taken before Waverley Bowling and Recreation Club moved here from Bondi Junction (1966) and the first bowl would be put down. The trees at the top of hill, are now the location of Waverley College.
Langlee Ave at this time did not exist.
In 1912 the sisters of St Gabriel's Girls School acquired the property ‘Preston’ next door to 'Glenbournie' on Birrell Street, opposite Waverley Park. This grand Victorian mansion had been owned by Richard Craven. ‘Preston’ was itself built around the nucleus of an earlier building ‘Glenroy’. During the demolition of‘ 'Preston’ evidence of this rebuilding became obvious when relocating 'Waverley Bowling and Recreation Club' here in 1966.
In 1914 the sisters purchased the adjoining house ‘Glenbournie’, making St. Gabriel’s property the whole block between Langlee Avenue and Henrietta Street.
In 1965 it was publicly announced because of the lack of teaching sisters the school would close at the end of the year. In September 1965 the whole property was bought at public auction by Waverley Bowling Club for the amount of £227,000
The school closed with a speech night on 2 December 1965. All the buildings on the site, including the houses ‘Preston’, 'Glenbournie' and the chapel were demolished with all the large trees on the site, including an original very old Norfolk Pine.
"Prestons' became St Gabriel's Girls School in 1912
The assembly hall not long before it became Waverley Bowling and Recreation Club NSW in 1966
Photo of Waverley Bowling and Recreation Club in Hollywood Ave Bondi Junction with the construction of Grace Bros in the background. The club had been located here for 73 years, and it was not long after this photo was taken that the club moved to Birrell Street.
