I was born at Lydham Hall Rockdale in 1943 - now a Historic Council House, it had stables, outer servants rooms from the main house. There was a well at the front of the property. I heard it was a snake pit at one stage? The stables were demolished in the early 1950s. Some of the sandstone was taken to Boys Town Engadine to build foundations for the Boystown Apprentice School teaching rooms. At election time (in my teens), I used to set up an ALP table outside the Bexley Post Office, on occasions, it appeared to be a bit of a competition between Rockdale Councilor Rathbone ( Lib), - ( not sure of the spelling now), as to who arrived first for the best spot. I remember going into the Bexley Post Office to buy a penny stamp once. The Morse code was clicking on the back wall, There were two Australian Post Officers serving on the counter. One said to the other- 'Did You hear that- Mrs. Smith? Jones has died - the other Officer said - get the boy to pedal ( on the iron bike), down to Oriental St, to tell her daughter. Once I recall people seeing each other in the shopping center - one said to the other - have you seen Tom? lately - reply - didn't you hear - he was killed in the Middle East during the War. I recall many stories as I grew up in Rockdale.A lot of great memories- some not so good. PM Gough Whitlam had a great Welcome at Rockdale Town Hall. Harold Holt had a terrified look on his face when he left the Rockdale Town Hall, the crowd was thumbing on his Yank Tank. Loved watching the aircraft coming into land at Kingsford Smith Field from the attic window A lot of the streets around Lydham Hall are named after the children born there. Clarence St/ Herbert St/ Frederick St/ Harrow Rd.,/ etc. I think Lydham Hall is haunted. It was a different era then.
