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Growing up I lived in the suburb of Lake Macquarie called
Gateshead we moved to Gateshead before I started school and when I did go to school,
I sent to Gateshead public school starting in Kindergarten and ending with year
ten, for me going through to year twelve wasn’t possible I simply didn’t have
the smarts to do so.
Gateshead is a suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie, Greater
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 12 kilometres from Newcastle's central
business district on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie. It is part of the
City of Lake Macquarie East ward and is home to a number of primary and high
schools and a private hospital.
It is possible that Mr W.T. Verge, the first surveyor of the
area, named the suburb in 1876. The name would have been taken from the town of
Gateshead in the county of Tyne and Wear, England. It's on the southern bank of
the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne.
What Gateshead High School looked liked when I was there
The first
streets were Goundry, Jamieson, O'Brien, Sydney, Casey,
Oxford, Heshbon and Church Streets. The first street we lived in was Schroder
Avenue this was a two-bedroom house and when I was about nine or ten, we moved
to Flame Street a three-bedroom house and when I was seventeen, we moved to
Bean Steet which was a four-bedroom house. All the properties were subsidised government
rentals, my parents stayed at Bean Street till their deaths.
In 1877 Mr.
W.T. Verge produced a design for the town. Little development occurred during
the nineteenth century. By 1910 there were only three houses. Drinking water
from Merewether was brought by Mr. Jennings. John Young - the slaughter man
delivered meat and bread. Groceries were delivered by Sheedy's of Adamstown in
a horse and cart. Papers, mail and food could also be obtained from
Charlestown.
By 1929 there were seven houses at
Gateshead. During the 1930's Gateshead was mainly a collection of two to three
acre farms. Water was used from tanks or taken from springs which were once
located at Bulls Garden Road, Running Creek and old Belmont Road. These springs
now form part of the creek. Although the Pacific Highway was completed during
the early 1930's most Gateshead roads remained unpaved. A small shop began
selling produce from Milroy's farm.
This building was still there when I was in primary school
In 1934 the Emergency Relief Scheme
constructed drains and cleared streets to provide work during the Depression.
During the war there was an army camp on the site of the present Gateshead High
School.
In 1945 the Housing Commission took
possession of some houses (located on Schroder Avenue and the Crescent) which
had been used by the Army during the war. Seventy more houses were completed
and occupied between 1948 and 1950.
By 1945 one hundred and thirty
adults were residing in the town.
By 1961 the town had a sewage
system.
I have been to Gateshead in UK, but haven't of that name in Australia.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of Gateshead in the UK but know nothing about it
DeleteInteresting to read the progress of the suburb, Jo-Anne.
ReplyDeleteIt was for me too
DeleteNice to see where you grew up!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see and hear about where you grew up. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteLove hearing the history of little towns.
ReplyDeleteIt was so cool to see the town in which you grew up, Jo-Anne. This certainly personalizes the history of Gateshead. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThe suburb has grown over the years
DeleteLove the history and the old photos!
ReplyDeleteI am pleased
DeleteInteresting to read about the progress and development the town has made over the years.
ReplyDelete