Minutes of Public Meeting 10 July 2005

Minutes of Public Meeting

Held on Sunday 10 July 2005

Venue: Linnwood, Byron Road, Guildford

Apologies: Michael Griggs, Eileen Clarke, Jean Shaw, Gwen Kearns, Lilian Ford, Jean Rowlands, Irie Olde, Yvonne Tattersall, Gerry O'Brien.

Good afternoon everyone, welcome, and thank you for coming out on this cold, bleak winter's day.

As usual, I would like to begin my report with "Show & Tell" - to acknowledge those generous people who have donated items of interest to us as gifts or on loan. This time we have quite a diverse range of objects to show and tell you about.

At our June Open House, Bruce McCredie and his lovely wife Doreen came for a visit with some friends, and very generously gave us a framed copy of the McCredie Family Tree. Bruce had done the research and then had the 'tree' printed and framed. We were overwhelmed by his generosity and will be hanging it in a prominent position for all to see. Bruce also brought with him a large packet of information on the McCredie famiy, sent to him by his sister Joy. We will be sorting through all of this, as there appears to be some very interesting photos and information that we will be able to use for our displays and general history of the family.

On the same day, Eric Davidson from Toongabbie, who has previously donated many items, very kindly donated a photo of the Sydney Harbour Bridge printed on metal - very unusual.

Again in June, Mr Bill Coleman very kindly loaned us his 1915 Kodak camera to add to our display of cameras. This collection is growing steadily - and every one is different!

Edna Bowerman, another friend who has donated quite a few items, rang and asked if we would be interested in an old dining suite that had been in her family for many, many years. With thanks to Helen & Pam, who travelled out to Glenmore Park to inspect it, and then organised to go back and pick it up and deliver back to Linnwood, we now have an oak dining suite which is now in the small kitchenette - so please go and have a look at it afterwards, it is really quite lovely.

From Dorothy Tynan, a member of the Art & Craft Society, we have been given 3 lovely matching, but different sized, carving plates (Johnson Bros of England) and a gravy boat (J&G Meakin of England) all having been in her family for many years and all thought to be over 100 years old. Looking on the internet, the closest I could date the gravy boat by its pattern name, was that it was probably made some time between 1891-1907. Unfortunately I couldn't find a date for the pattern name of the plates - but they are definitely very old - you can't buy replacement pieces for them! Dorothy is in the process of moving house and has also donated lots of items for our next Trash 'n' Treasure stall together with lots of books.

Holroyd Council (via Diane Jogia), is in the process of doing some refurbishing of some of the staff amenities and has offered us a very large, solid, pine dining table with about 10 or 12 matching chairs. We thought this too good an offer to let go and now all we need to do is arrange to get it here!

A member of staff at Council wanted to see her home computer go to a good home, which of course we could offer, and this also has been donated, together with a printer and a computer desk to put it all on!

And last, but by no means least, a member of FOL who was a very good friend of Jean Appleton, another grandchild of George McCredie, has lent, in her memory, 40 pieces of pottery by Nell McCredie. Absolutely overwhelming! These pieces will of course be displayed in the very near future for all to see.

I hope you will join with me in thanking our most recent donors for their generosity - it is just staggering to think of all the family treasures that have been donated into our care.

I mentioned at the last meeting that we had been offered about 30 chairs from Prospect Heritage Trust - well, they are still on offer, but we need to be able to pick them up - so if anyone knows of some kind person who could transport them for us, we would be most appreciative. If that same person would like to deliver them via St Leonards, there is a fridge sitting there that we can have also, IF we can transport it. We think a 2nd fridge would be really handy coming into the warmer months, now that we are offering sandwiches as part of our refreshments on Open Days, and we really need to be able to keep them refrigerated. Thanks to Helen's work, who are also refurbishing, if we can pick it up we can have it - so please, if you know of someone with a small truck or similar who could pick up these things, don't be shy - let us know.

As John will probably tell you, we have been spending a bit of money lately on some maintenance items - plumbing and electrical work. The newly christened 'Diggers Den' under the dormitory building has been cleaned out - thanks to Pam and Christine - and had some much needed work done in there to make it safe and usable by our trusty Diggers. This will enable them on their working bee days to be totally independent of the main house, so we thought it a necessary and very practical expense.

I'm sure Winston will fill you in on what the 'Diggers' have been up to in his report, but on your way in, you may have noticed a new little garden surrounding the small pond at the front of the house - this was their latest effort and should look really lovely come spring time. If you missed it - have a look on your way home - even the plaque has been given a clean. We would love to know who the donor of the pond was and what her connection to Linnwood had been.

Just on that subject, I received a phone call the other day from a gentleman wanting to enquire about Linnwood. He informed me that he was here in 1939/40 when he was 5 years old. I was quite surprised by this, as in all the documentation we have, by that time period, Linnwood had been converted to being a home for girls, but he was adamant that he was here at that time, only for a few months, but he distinctly remembered it - that there were some young boys here at the time and that the eldest girl would have only been about 13 years old. He is very interested in coming back and hopes to visit on our August Open Day, so hopefully he will come and it should prove interesting having a chat about his memories of Linnwood at that time and we may have to re-write some of Linnwood's history!

We also had a visit from a member of the McCredie extended family - a lady from Western Australia was in Sydney for a short time and rang and asked if she could come and see the house. It turned out to be the mother-in-law of a great-granddaughter of George McCredie and she was under strict instructions to try and visit and take lots of photos of the house to take back to WA! Amazing! Our thanks to John & Christine who gave up some time on a Sunday to show her through the house.

Our June Open House was another successful day. Although numbers were a little down on average, being the long weekend, we still had over 130 people through on the day to see the photographic display by the Parramatta RSL Camera Club - and weren't some of the photos stunning! Thanks also to Christine and the Duane family for organising the 'old time' photos on the day. The dining room was set up as a photo studio and visitors were able to dress up in period costume, with props, and have their photo taken and they really turned out very well. Something to consider doing again as it looked like they all had a lot of fun!

We have also had to re-stock our souvenirs and as well as re-ordering the current range, we have added a letter opener and a small bell - both with the Linnwood picture logo on them. So please be sure and have a look at them either today or at the next Open House.

The August Open House is coming up and should be really interesting. As well as having a Scottish theme, we will have the Australian Gaelic Singers, the Sydney Antique Machinery Club with lots of old machines that I'm sure the men will be interested in, some 1950's vintage, fully restored Victa mowers, the Porcelain Artists will be actually demonstrating their fine craft, the African Violet Association will be having a display, and we have recently confirmed that Careflight will also be here with a stall, selling their gorgeous Teddies! Plus all our regulars! It is promising to be a big day, so make sure you mark it on your calendars to come along and have a look.

We have also been busy lately in other ways of promoting the house. I was recently invited to go out to SWR-FM radio station for an interview on Brendon Leggett's 'People of Interest' Saturday morning programme. SWR-FM is our local community radio station serving the areas of Blacktown, Fairfield and Holroyd. It was quite interesting seeing how it all works in a radio studio (so much so that my daughter Megan has joined as a volunteer, hoping to one day have her own show on air!), but it was also a good way to promote Linnwood, although you do have to wonder just how many people listen to community radio!

We also recently had a tour through by about 120 students from Guildford West Public School. It was actually a really good day! Christine, Pam and Pam's 2 great-nieces dressed up in costume and also had some clothes for a select few visitors to try on, which was very popular. The children were very well behaved and really seemed to enjoy the time here, so maybe this is something we will look at trying to promote - having more school groups through.

We were invited by Holroyd Council to participate in a recent Neighbourhood Day at Young Park in Walpole Street. It was more of a promotional day for us, having photos and information about Linnwood on display. Pat and I also had a lot of our local history photos on display, and they also created some interest. Everyone just loves to look at old photos!

I also recently attended a Regional Meeting of Combined Historical Societies at Blacktown Civic Centre, representing the Friends, where they had 2 guest speakers - the first giving a talk on "Authoring Contemporary Australia", A Regional Cultural Strategy for Greater Western Sydney - which sounds great in theory, but how it will actually be done by 2030 left me a little confused! The second speaker was Murray Brown from the Heritage Office, who we all know, and Murray gave a general talk on the process of listing places and objects on the State Heritage Register. It was really surprising just how many buildings you would assume would be listed - and aren't!!! For example, Sydney Town Hall and the Queen Victoria Building are not listed - just amazing!

With regard to the Heritage Office - there is no further word on the future of Linnwood, only that we have permission to continue planning our programme for 2006! The wheels of decision making turn very slowly, but I guess 'no news is good news' and we will continue to do all that we can to promote Linnwood as a community asset and having our wonderful Open House Days which appear to be real social events in the community - with many of our visitors now becoming regulars, and everyone coming along and having a really nice day out!

We were recently made aware that the Federal Government is in the process of conducting a "Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Policy Framework and Incentives for the Conservation of Australia's Historic Built Heritage Places" - what a mouthful! Whilst we are not really sure what it all means - is it any wonder, with a title like that - we have registered to make a submission, as has the NSW Heritage Office. We were invited to attend an 'emergency workshop' about this Inquiry, hosted by the Haberfield Heritage Society, but unfortunately it was very short notice and none of the committee members could attend, but we are hoping to be kept informed as to what discussions did take place - and hope that they were in plain English!

We have also been invited to have stalls at the Riverside Theatre as part of a forum for arts and culture on Monday 1st August and also at Holroyd Council on Saturday 6th August as part of Local Government Week. As yet we haven't replied to either - it will depend on the availability of volunteers to 'man' these stalls as to whether we can attend or whether we can just send some things to have on display.

We have also been approached by a newly formed group - The Friends of the Oaks at Oakhurst, to attend and have a stall at a "Back to Plumpton Day" to be held in the grounds of the historic home "The Oaks" on Saturday 6th August. This looks to be an interesting property, a two storey home built in 1895, which is privately owned and lived in, but the owner is quite happy for the group to have functions, ghost tours etc at his home, with all money raised to assist in the restoration of the house. It would be really interesting to go along and have a look at how this new group is operating and perhaps share some ideas with them. They are more than happy to exchange information about coming events at each property and I have a couple of flyers here about the 6th August and also about their 'ghost tours' if anyone is interested. Again, the possibility of having a stall there at The Oaks will depend on volunteers - so if you are interested in helping out at any of the abovementioned functions, please let us know - soon!

Last Wednesday night, members of the committee were invited to attend a meeting at Holroyd Council hosted by the Holroyd Historical Advisory Committee. Basically this was a meeting with representatives of all history based groups in the area to get together and discuss what each group does and hopefully this will lead to us all being able to work together and not at cross purposes or double up on what each is doing. It was quite good and we hope that these meetings will continue - again another way of networking in the community.

We are still looking for volunteers for our Open House Days if anyone can spare an hour or two on the day to give someone else a break.

Don't forget that membership renewals are now due and that the September public meeting is our AGM. If anyone would like to consider coming on to the committee please do so - many hands make light work, so they say, and we would like the chance to see if it's true!!

On that note, I will finish up and hope you all stay for a nice warm cuppa and a chat after the meeting. Thank you.

John McKenna advised that a full financial report for the 2004/2005 year will be presented at the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 11 September, however Total Income for the year ended 30 June 2005 was $12,848, and Expenditure of $9,300 (there are still some costs associated with maintenance work to come out of that amount). The bank balance at 30 June 2005 is just over $16,000. Whereas we broke even last year, we have made a profit of approximately $3,500 this year.

The Committee has decided that we will fund the smaller type of maintenance repairs as and when required, i.e. plumbing and electrical, rubbish removal etc.

John also reminded the meeting that membership renewals are now due and payable by the Public Meeting and Annual General Meeting to be held on Sunday 11 September 2005. Those members who joined in May or June 2005 do not have to renew as their new membership payment will carry through to June 2006.

Christine McKenna advised that cataloguing occurs on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, and anyone wishing to help out will be most welcome. Christine, Pam Zopf and Dorothy Warwick have a lot of fun photographing and writing the details and history of each item.

John McKenna advised that 12 months ago the Committee gave $500 to the Gardening Committee to spend as they see fit. John asked the Meeting if anyone has any objections to funding another $500 for the upkeep, maintenance and establishment of the gardens. The Meeting unanimously agreed to this expenditure.

Also, the Gardening Fund-Raising Committee has set aside approximately $160 for new sleepers to be laid down on the south-eastern corner of the house, and for other minor work to be done.

Another item which the Committee is considering, and which will be an agenda item at the Annual General Meeting, is whether to hold the Public Meeting in January. This meeting falls on Sunday 8 January, and as this date is very close to the New Year and a lot of people will be away on holidays at that time, we will ask Members to consider this and decide at the AGM.

John welcomed today's Guest Speaker, (recently promoted to Senior Constable) Tiffany Duane from Fairfield Police Station (Tiffany is also a Friend of Linnwood). Tiffany has been a police officer for 5½ years, having joined in 1999 and undertaking 16 weeks of intensive training and study at Goulburn Police Academy. Her primary task now is "First Response", so anyone in the Fairfield district who dials 000 may meet up with Senior Constable Duane.

Tiffany proceeded to give a really interesting history, and showed some wonderful old black & white photos, of those female officers who forged the way and ensured that women became part of the NSW Police Force. A mere 30 years ago you would not have seen a female working on a police truck; 60 years ago you would not have seen a police woman in uniform; and 100 years ago there were no women in the police service at all.

The NSW Police Force was created in 1862 from the amalgamation of the existing colonial forces. The first policewomen were recruited only 90 years ago this month (celebrations are underway).

In 1914, at the start of World War I, policemen were resigning to join the armed services. There was an influx of young women into the cities, all unchaperoned - and so many soldiers in the city!! There was a push to appoint female police to take the place of those going off to war. However, of the over 400 applicants in New South Wales, only two were accepted - Lillian Armfield and Maude Rhodes. Some of their duties included:

Keeping young children from the streets, especially at night.
Assisting in the prevention of school truants.
Patrolling railway stations and wharves.
Looking after drunken women and giving assistance to their children.

In July 1915 Lillian and Maude were sworn in as Special Constables, however they were not granted full entitlements, and were only paid 7shilling and 6pence per week. They were also required to sign an indemnity to absolve the police force from any injury sustained, they had to take out their own life insurance, and they were not entitled to a pension or superannuation.

South Australia did not appoint its first policewomen until 1916 and Victoria not until 1917 (Queensland didn't appoint its first woman police officer until the 1930's).

Policewomen were not issued with a uniform, however there was a strict dress code - long skirts and street clothes of dark blue, brown or grey, and a hat must be worn at all times.

Sydney at this time was rife with crime, and there were many opium dens. As early as the 1920s women were very successful working undercover - the lookouts at these opium dens were always able to spot a male police officer, but they were never able to detect a female officer. However the women police attracted a lot of criticism, especially from the Womens Progressive Association who queried why women were arrested as prostitutes when the men they worked for weren't.

By 1946 there were 36 policewomen in New South Wales, and in 1947 women were finally granted membership of the Police Association. They were issued with a uniform in 1948 and were given a new role - traffic duty! Tiffany showed a couple of great photos of these ladies directing traffic - and looking very serious as well.

In 1949 Lillian Armfield retired from the police force - with no pension and no superannuation, however the continuity and direction provided by her over 34 years played a major role in the continued existence of women in the police force today.

The 1950's saw the expansion of the Traffic Branch - to the School Lecturing Section. However, any female police officer who became engaged to be married, had to resign from the force. Tiffany advised that one police officer, Amy Millgate, left the force and for a time was in charge of a children's home - Linnwood!

1957 saw the appointment of the first migrant woman officer, and in 1958 two women were actually able to participate in a passing out parade at the Police Academy which was then situated at Redfern. Women were finally allowed to train with the men in the 1960's but there was still no physical training allowed - however by this time they were allowed to remain in employment after they married.

In 1971 the first woman detective was appointed, and then women proceeded into undercover work, but they were not allowed to carry a firearm. It wasn't until 1975 that handcuffs were issued to women, and the first policewoman was attached to the Scientific Investigation Section. At this stage there were 130 women in the NSW Police Force. It was interesting to note that whilst women were allowed to stay in the force if they married, women who were already married were not eligible to join. Woe betide a married policewoman if she fell pregnant - she was discharged because she was "medically unfit"; and if an unmarried policewoman fell pregnant she was immediately discharged for "conduct unbecoming".

In 1976 four policewomen were transferred to General Duties, including Christine Nixon who is currently the Victorian Police Commissioner.

By 1979 there were 112 women in the NSW Police Force, and the integration of women into the middle ranks and seniority lists commenced. They were also provided with the same training as the men. It took 29 years for a woman to reach the rank of Inspector - 17-18 years for men.

In the 1980's the NSW Police Force abandoned its ruling on the marital status of women, and the first woman police officer was appointed to the Highway Patrol, however 2-woman car crews were not permitted. In 1982, the force comprised 307 women. Culottes were introduced as part of the uniform for women, the first Aboriginal policewoman was appointed, and women were appointed to the Mounted Police.

By 1984 there were 720 women in the NSW Police Force, and they were gradually moving into all areas of police control. During 1986-1988 the first woman was appointed to the Water Police, the 1,000th female officer was sworn in, the first female Patrol Commander was appointed, and 1989 saw the first female Superintendent. In 1994 a female officer was appointed to the Dog Squad.

In 2004 there were 3,680 women police, making up 25.1% of the State's police force. There are now so many areas of the force to which women can be appointed. Apart from General Duties and First Response, Tiffany has liaised with the Police Prosecutor's Office, checked statements before going to court, has been Custody Manager having full responsibility for looking after up to 25 prisoners at a time, and has escorted female prisoners to country courts. Her job is often dangerous, but rewarding, and judging by some of the stories she relayed about her own experiences and those of other female police officers, very amusing as well!

You can find more information about the history of women in the NSW Police Force by going onto the website - www.policensw.com - click on NSW Policy History, then Women Police Officers.

The next Public Meeting of the Friends of Linnwood will be held on Sunday 11 September 2005 at 2.00pm, and our Guest Speaker will be Doug Minty from the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Doug's topic will be "The History of Time".

The Third Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Linnwood will also be held on this day. This meeting gives members the opportunity to elect Office Bearers and Committee Members.