The three storey Church Street Murray Bros building that soared above surrounding businesses In 1889, five years after the brothers' amalgamation, a towering new edifice arose, at a cost of 10,000 pounds, on the site of the Murray Bros store, signalling the arrival of the town's first shopping emporium. A range of household items were sold including furniture and furnishings, crockery, pianos, organs, clothes and jams. In the 1890s Murray Brothers received a Certificate of Merit for colonial made furniture from the Royal Agriculture Society. During 1903 Murray Brothers was divided into two companies, Murray Bros Ltd. and Murray's Limited, maintaining separate but adjacent businesses. Drapery and furniture was under the control of Murray Brothers and the hardware section under the control of Murray's Limited. W. R. Murray became sole proprietor of Murray Bros. The plumbing section was taken over by T. H. Harvey and E. N. Murray and became Harvey and Sons Pty. Ltd. The Murray's Ltd store next to the Town Hall, erected in 1926 In 1923 fire guttered the furniture factory at the rear of the Church Street store damaging stores of furniture and expensive cabinet making machinery. The damage bill ran into many thousands of pounds. Two new stores were built in 1926. A Murray Bros store was built on the north west corner of Church and Macquarie Streets on the former site of the National School. A Murray's Ltd store, which sold hardware, was constructed on the northern side of the Town Hall facing Macquarie Street. All three buildings still stand to this day. During the Second World War Murray Brothers donated 1000 pounds to the war effort. The Murray Bros store built in 1926, corner of Church and Macquarie Streets In 1947, Murray Brothers manufactured their last consignment of Blind and Curtain. Also that year the business was purchased by Burns Philp and Co. Ltd. Murray Brothers in August 1958 expanded at the rear of their store, constructing a four storey building with a Marsden Street frontage. Murray Brothers purchased the land the Murray Bros store was erected on from the Church of England for 250,000 pounds in May 1954. The store was built on the site while the land was still under the lease from the Church. Murray Bros were a regular participant in Foundation Week parades Murray Brothers became Parramatta’s oldest and highly respected departmental store with a policy of supplying the needs of residents in and around Parramatta. In 1978, Murray Brothers closed their doors, after 102 years of trading in Parramatta. References: T Kass, C Liston and John McClymont, Parramatta: A Past Revealed, Parramatta City Council, Parramatta, 1996 Murray Brothers, Vertical File, Local Studies and Family History Library, Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre Photos from , Local Studies and Family History Library, Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre http://trove.nla.gov.au http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/parramatta Neera Sahni, Research Services Leader, Parramatta Council Heritage Centre, 2014
Held in the cultural collection at the Parramatta Heritage Centre is an entertainment program from the Roxy Spanish Theatre. This booklet lists a program of entertainment including a range of 1930s movies such as This is the Night with Cary Grant and No More Orchids with Carol Lombard. There are many other films listed on the packed program as well as boxing matches, wrestling, vaudeville and an organ recital. The Roxy Theatre opened on 6th February 1930 with a packed audience coming to watch Maurice Chevalier’s, Innocents of Paris. An interested crowd of several thousand observed the proceedings in the street opposite. The Roxy is one of the few remaining examples of the “Picture Palaces” that were built between the wars. It is set back from the street behind an open air, arcade-lined forecourt. The main entrance is surmounted by an impressive arch and an ornate tower. The Spanish Mission style theatre is richly decorated and retains much of its original layout including stuccoed walls, arches, false balconies, a ‘Spanish’ style ceiling of panelled and painted timber and a central dome in the main auditorium. Originally the theatre had 1,923 seats and it also had a Christie theatre organ which reputedly was one of the largest and finest in New South Wales. Both films and cinemas in this period were deliberately escapist and were strongly influenced by the United States. The decoration and fittings of these lavish cinemas provided an opulence and grandeur that was affordable for everyone. The Roxy, along with other classic cinemas in Parramatta, such as the Civic and the Astra, functioned as great entertainment venues. Some recall the Roxy as the place to go. In the 1930s, Frank Bloxham from the Parramatta Historical Society, used to come all the way from Maroubra to take his Dundas-based girlfriend to the movies at The Roxy. And, according to a report in the SMH, Frank Ashton declared that if you had a girl to impress you would take her to the Roxy. “It was a magic place. As soon as you walked through the doors you would fall in love with it. It also helped that the ushers were the prettiest girls in Sydney.” Hoyts owned the Roxy Theatre from 1946 until 1979. Hoyts had attempted to sell the cinema in 1974 but the National Trust of Australia intervened and classified the cinema as an important example of a suburban picture palace. The National Trust made the Roxy the second cinema in NSW, after the State Theatre, to be placed on the heritage list. Rather than sell, Hoyts added three more cinemas and refurbished the arcade with new shops installed in the side wings. The Roxy Theatre is listed on Parramatta’s Local Environment Plan, the National Trust Register and the Register of the National Estate. In 1979 Hoyts sold the Roxy to Village Cinemas and on the 27th March 2002 the Roxy Cinema closed for the last time, after 72 years as a cinema. In 2004 the Roxy was bought by the Palace Group who commenced renovations – they gutted the two lower, more recent cinemas and turned it into a nightclub. It opened as an entertainment venue in 2006 providing restaurants, bars and a cabaret/music venue. It is now known as The Roxy Hotel and Nightclub. Alison Lykissas, Cultural Collections Officer, Parramatta Heritage Centre, 2013 References: State Heritage Inventory, Parramatta Heritage Centre, Local Studies file http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/WES/WES21.htm Gadiel, Tanya, Private Member Statement, 25 June 2004 Legislative Assembly (Hansard) Delaney, Brigid ‘Romantic Roxy dims the house lights after 72 years’, The Sydney Morning Herald, April 6-7, 2002
Granville Railway Station Dated: 05/06/1959 Digital ID: 17420_a014_a0140001177 Rights: www.records.nsw.gov.au/about-us/rights-and-permissions We'd love to hear from you if you use our photos. Many other photos in our collection are available to view and browse on our website using Photo Investigator.
Historic black & white photo of Parramatta Town Hall c. 1910.
Black & white photo of The King's School in Parramatta in 1899
Advertisement for Skating at the Rivoli. The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 7 April 1930 p. 4. The nondescript, bureaucratic facade of the fourteen storey office block located at 130-134 Church Street, near the old Parramatta Fire Station, betrays the site of what was once a lively social hub for residents of the Parramatta district. Prior to the erection of the multi floored building in 1973 there stood on the same site the Rivoli Dance Hall. The “Riv” through its life attracted large crowds as a major entertainment venue. At various times it operated as an open air picture theatre, cinema, skating rink, boxing and wrestling stadium, dance hall, and markets. It was Mr George Ralph a well know Parramatta businessman, who first opened an open air picture show on the site on 14 October 1911.1 By May the following year a roof was constructed for the theatre and the building festooned with electric lights. The brightly lit theatre which was like a beacon on Church Street was named the “The Star Picture Palace”. The popularity of the “moving picture show” was well established by this time with two other cinemas operating in Parramatta despite predictions by a section of the public that “cinematographics” was just a passing craze.2 In 1923 ownership of the The Star was acquired by Parramatta Cinema Ltd.3 The Star became known as Parramatta Cinema No.2 until 1930 when it was converted to skating rink and renamed the Rivoli. At this time it was acquired by a newly formed company, Western Suburbs Cinema, which had taken over ten cinemas in the western suburbs.4 The entire interior of the theatre was transformed with the laying of a new raised floor worth 2000 pounds, an enormous investment for this time.5 The rink was so popular that on one night in July 1930 over 1000 people attended a skating carnival held at the Rivoli. It was transformed into a virtual fairyland, “on the floor hundreds of skaters in glittering costumes made a kaleidoscopic picture”.6 Hockey on wheels was also introduced with the first game of an inter rink competition played between the Rivoli and Centennial (Bondi) in May 1930. Rivoli came out winners 2-1.7 The work to convert the Rivoli to a skating rink was carried out by the reputable local building firm Webb Brothers. Horace Webb the founder of the company invested in a number of skating rinks including in New Zealand where he spent two years. On a return trip to Australia in 1931 Webb saw the potential in the Rivoli as a dance and amusement hall and partnered with Mr L Harper to take over the Rivoli. They renamed it the Garden Dance Palais, however, in 1932 the name Rivoli was revived and it became the “Rivoli Dance Palace” with huge Old Time Dance crowds attending on Saturday nights.8 The Rivoli was not only a skating rink and dance hall. In December 1930 it opened on Friday nights as a boxing stadium. Mayor Ohlesen opened the stadium declaring “Boxing is a clean, manly sport….and I am sure if properly conducted, there can be little exception to it”.9 Boxing bouts were interspersed with wrestling bouts and vaudeville acts. From that time the Rivoli was commonly referred to as Parramatta Stadium whenever boxing or other sporting events were held. So for the next 12 years the Rivoli in its various guises and names became the “rendezvous of dances from all parts of the district”10 as well as a major indoor sporting venue for the Parramatta district. Advertisement for Boxing at the Parramatta Stadium The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 7 December 1949 In an attempt to capitalise on the Rivoli’s success a new company, Rivoli Entertainment, was formed in 1939. The company, still run by the Webb family, put forward a proposal to erect a two storey building on the site of the old Rivoli which would include a skating rink on the ground floor and a cabaret and ball room on the first floor at a cost of 30,000 pounds.11 Plans for the new Rivoli Palais The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 13 December 1939 It appears however that the new structure was never constructed for at the height of its popularity Parramatta’s favourite dance venue was commandeered by the Military during the Second World War as an Army kit store. It remained in the hands of the military until late 1946 by which time Parramatta residents were crying out for a suitable ballroom for the area. It was handed back to Horace Webb, in 1946, in very poor condition. The property was purchased by Milk Bar Proprietor John Joseph Lynch who converted it to one of the most modern dance halls in the area. On 14 December 1946 the doors of the refurbished Rivoli reopened with a crowd of 800 people attending the opening night, dancing to the music of a 14 piece orchestra led by star vocalist Norma McFarlane.12 Through the 1950s until the 1960s boxing, Old Time Dancing and Friday and Saturday market days were the Rivoli’s main attractions. Old Time Dance remained popular “despite the advent of rock ‘n’ roll and The Twist”.13 Radio 2UE, in 1956, began broadcasting Old Time Dance programmes recorded directly from the Rivoli. Friday night dances were taped and broadcast on Sunday night, giving people who were at the dance the opportunity to hear the music once more. The programme was relayed to over 50 other radio stations throughout Australia. Broadcasts ended in 1968.14 The Rivoli could not escape the urban and commercial growth of Parramatta. Located on prime real estate its was purchased by development company in 1969, knocked down and office building constructed in 1973. References 1. New Picture Show. (1911, October 14). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85988989 2. The Star Pictures. (1912, July 31). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86135208 3. BREVITIES. (1923, January 13). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105913163 4. TEN PICTURE THEATRES. (1930, February 14). The Sydney Morning Herald p. 14. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16626091 5. AUSPICIOUS OPENING. (1930, April 17). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103854379 6. 1,000 ATTEND. (1930, July 3). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103858145 7. HOCKEY ON WHEELS. (1930, May 26). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 4. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103862895 8. AT THE RIVOLI. (1933, January 19). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article107809186 9. BOXING. (1930, December 8). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103853705 10. No Title. (1948, April 28). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105734590 11. NEW PARRAMATTA BUILDING. (1939, December 5). The Sydney Morning Herald p. 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17630488 12. EIGHT HUNDRED DANCERS AT RE-OPENING OF RIVOLI. (1946, December 18). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105734362 13. THEY'RE A MATCH FOR THE 'OLD-TIMERS'. (1962, August 1). The Cumberland Argus p. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131327180 14. Australia Adlib. Medley. ABC Radio. 2003 http://www.abc.net.au/arts/adlib/stories/s862598.htm Peter Arfanis, Archivist, Parramatta Council, Parramatta Heritage Centre, 2014
It promised to be an event of a spectacular nature seldom before seen in Australia. Ten days of pageantry and carnival at Parramatta from 27 October to 5 November 1938 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the second oldest settlement in Australia. Poster publicising the Anniversary Celebrations PRS16/001 Parramatta Council Archives A management committee made up of leading figures from the district was formed a year before the event to begin the final preparations for an event that promised to produce a "galaxy of entertainment and historic features". It was an impressive array of entertainment which included a, Military Tattoo, Police Carnival, Chinese Fireworks Display, Dancing Under the Stars, Period Costume Garden Party, Venetian Carnival on the River, Swimming Fetes, Sports Gymkhana, Orange Festival, Street Parades, Massed Band Concerts, Grand Prix, and a Wild West Rodeo. There was even a Coronation Ball in which the Queen of Parramatta would be crowned. Part of the parade moving down Church Street at the corner of George Street ACC130 Parramatta Council Archives On Friday 27 October, 1938, Mayor Irwin presided over the official opening ceremony for the sesquicentennial celebrations with the crowning moment being the proclamation of Parramatta as a City. On Saturday over 200,000 people lined the streets of Parramatta to witness the highlight of the celebrations, the Pageant of Progress Parade through the city. The parade, led by 18 mounted troopers, travelled down Church Street starting from Boundary Street to Ross Street. They were followed by nearly 300 entries made up of historical floats, horse drawn vehicles, marching bands, industry, business and government floats all playing a part in telling the story of the development of Parramatta. Floats of every description including "The Cavalcade of the Golden Fleece" depicting Australia's first sheep farm, the Lennox Bridge, Granville Swimming Pool, Parramatta Hairdressers Association, and Alsatian dogs. No organisation or landmark from the area seemed to be missing from the parade. Advertisement for the 150th Anniversary PRS16/016Parramatta Council Archives The parade ended at Parramatta Park where spectators were treated to a carnival which included a motor cycle polo match, a circus and vaudeville acts. The evening featured a massive Chinese fireworks display, dancing in the streets and a donkey polo match at Cumberland oval. The Military Tattoo provided a spectacular display that thrilled the 6000 strong crowd with its recreation of the battle of Vinegar Hill, motor cycle acrobatics by the army signallers, and the air bombing of a mechanised column supported by the scream of air raid sirens. First Queen of Parramatta, Winifred Perkins Parramatta Heritage Centre LSOP00312 On the Tuesday night Miss Winifred Perkins, who bore a strong resemblance to Queen Elizabeth, was crowned the first Queen of Paramatta. The occasion was held at The Rivoli and featured all the pomp and ceremony, including trumpeters in white satin knee breeches and plumed hats, that is usually associated with coronations. The celebrations appeared to be an outstanding success, for which Parramatta took great pride, and still today the event is remembered as the ocassion Parramatta became a City. Peter Arfanis, Archivist, Parramatta City Council, Heritage Centre. 2013 References Parramatta Sesquicentennial Celebrations. PRS16. Parramatta Council Archives Imposing Pageant of Progress Through the City. (1938, November 2). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 14. Parramatta Celebrates its Foundation (1938, October 31). The Sydney Morning Herald, p. 12.
Archaeologist overseeing construction work on Parramatta's historic Lennox Bridge were pleasantly surprised to find an even earlier - and no less historic - bridge lurking inside.
Historic black & white photo of Parramatta North Public School c. 1910.
The three storey Church Street Murray Bros building that soared above surrounding businesses In 1889, five years after the brothers' amalgamation, a towering new edifice arose, at a cost of 10,000 pounds, on the site of the Murray Bros store, signalling the arrival of the town's first shopping emporium. A range of household items were sold including furniture and furnishings, crockery, pianos, organs, clothes and jams. In the 1890s Murray Brothers received a Certificate of Merit for colonial made furniture from the Royal Agriculture Society. During 1903 Murray Brothers was divided into two companies, Murray Bros Ltd. and Murray's Limited, maintaining separate but adjacent businesses. Drapery and furniture was under the control of Murray Brothers and the hardware section under the control of Murray's Limited. W. R. Murray became sole proprietor of Murray Bros. The plumbing section was taken over by T. H. Harvey and E. N. Murray and became Harvey and Sons Pty. Ltd. The Murray's Ltd store next to the Town Hall, erected in 1926 In 1923 fire guttered the furniture factory at the rear of the Church Street store damaging stores of furniture and expensive cabinet making machinery. The damage bill ran into many thousands of pounds. Two new stores were built in 1926. A Murray Bros store was built on the north west corner of Church and Macquarie Streets on the former site of the National School. A Murray's Ltd store, which sold hardware, was constructed on the northern side of the Town Hall facing Macquarie Street. All three buildings still stand to this day. During the Second World War Murray Brothers donated 1000 pounds to the war effort. The Murray Bros store built in 1926, corner of Church and Macquarie Streets In 1947, Murray Brothers manufactured their last consignment of Blind and Curtain. Also that year the business was purchased by Burns Philp and Co. Ltd. Murray Brothers in August 1958 expanded at the rear of their store, constructing a four storey building with a Marsden Street frontage. Murray Brothers purchased the land the Murray Bros store was erected on from the Church of England for 250,000 pounds in May 1954. The store was built on the site while the land was still under the lease from the Church. Murray Bros were a regular participant in Foundation Week parades Murray Brothers became Parramatta’s oldest and highly respected departmental store with a policy of supplying the needs of residents in and around Parramatta. In 1978, Murray Brothers closed their doors, after 102 years of trading in Parramatta. References: T Kass, C Liston and John McClymont, Parramatta: A Past Revealed, Parramatta City Council, Parramatta, 1996 Murray Brothers, Vertical File, Local Studies and Family History Library, Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre Photos from , Local Studies and Family History Library, Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre http://trove.nla.gov.au http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/parramatta Neera Sahni, Research Services Leader, Parramatta Council Heritage Centre, 2014
