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GOING
TO WORK, 1988 
Walking through Belmore
Park
The familiar symbol on 309
The early morning cuppa
Morning tea, Pitt St
building
1980 Old'n'Bold Re-union
FONDLY
REMEMBERED
RESTAURANTS
DIETHNES, Pitt St.
What happened to my mate
Nick Saivanidis, who later
opened the Kakavia Greek
Restaurant at 458 Elizabeth
St, Surry Hills, with chef Chris
Michael?
Update: I heard from Nick's son in 2009.
THE P&S Fish Cafe, Pitt St.
Paul and Stan, where are you
now?
NOTES
The Highwayman was published by Rand Consolidated
Publications P/L 67 Wanganella St, Balgowlah, NSW,
Australia
NOTABLE RETIREMENTS
from THE PAST
A FAREWELL TO MY FRIENDS
After ten and a half years with the Department (I have a
tie-clip to prove it) I would like to say farewell in this column to those whom I did not contact personally.
Eleven years ago, I decided to become either a Brain Surgeon or a Space Scientist, but after a medical examination, I was informed that I had so many stones in the kidneys with an abundance of gravel, that I would be more gainfully employed with the Department of Main Roads.
With many promises of doing a job, and a great deal of that substance found in the pens adjacent to the Spanish Bull Rings, I was accepted by the Department. I commenced in May,
1968 as an Office Assistant, a position which never left me.
Being a person of high standards, which I gained in my younger days at "Thommo's"
Two-Up School, Randwick Races, The Rock and Roll Hotel at Woolloomooloo and Kings Cross Terrace Houses, I was able to remain in the same job in the same section for the whole period.
One of my greatest successes was winning the "Agitators Paddle", three times, against the best "Stirrers" in the business. This in itself requires great dedication and a motivation to become intolerable.
To all those friends who so graciously accepted my money from losing football wagers, I say "thank you" from the bottom of the barrel. To my other friends, I would like to thank you both, for your persistent and menacing phone calls that made me appear so important.
The Superannuation Board's Medical Officers and the Top Brass have a lot in common
- they never understood me. Anyway, I leave on vacation with the knowledge that automation never changed me from the same Office Assistant in the same Office despite the progress inflicted upon me.
The only advice, to the young aspirants I can offer, is to deter from Grog, Girls and Gambling or you will end up Incompetent, Impotent and Insolvent
- Adios Amigos - I'm flying out of the cuckoo's nest.
Howard M. Keyvar
(The Highwayman, 1978)
Howard handled all the clerical
work in the Head Office garage.
DMR
ARTIFACTS
The annual re-union plaque
found by a retired employee
in a garbage skip during the
move out of 309.
Voucher Examining,
section
'Examiner of the Year' plaque.
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There are countless stories to
relate about the DMR, the people, the work, the building.
Many appeared in the Rec Club magazine, THE HIGHWAYMAN
and you'll find some of these available via PDF files
below. Relatives looking for information on family
members who worked for the DMR are welcome to contact me by email or snailmail.
From my early
days at HO, I often carried a camera so you'll find a
spread
of photos here over time. Photos and stories are welcome
from you, naturally.
You'll find
more photos available HERE. Higher resolution files are available as
.jpeg attachments to ex-staff members who can identify
those within the photos.
Extracts from THE HIGHWAYMAN
PDF files listed below. You can print these
easily. I've noted branches covered, but not names of
retiring or resigning employees included in articles.
FEBRUARY,
1968
COSTS, PAY |
JUNE,
1968 |
FEBRUARY,
1971 |
1972
SHB TOLL, ACE |
1973
ACE, GARAGE, WAGES |
FEBRUARY,
1974
ACE, GARAGE, PRINT ROOM |
1975
ACE |
1976
AUDIT, CORRESP, BELLAMBI, RECORDS |
| 1977 |
1978
RECORDS |
1979
GARAGE |
1980s
RECORDS, ARCHIVES, LONG TERM STORAGE |
SPECIAL c1981
HIGHWAYMAN 21st |
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EX-EMPLOYEES ONLINE
There are two places for ex-DMR staff to meet. That's on
the DMR HO Google Group which is never used, and
Friendsreunited (formerly Schoolfriends) which currently
contains 70+ ex-staff and current RTA folk. Here's the
standard link to Friendsreunited: http://www.schoolfriends.com.au/ Use this if you have broadband and
a relatively recent (and fast) computer. Once you've
joined, you can use the 'text only' site http://textonly.schoolfriends.com.au/ if the main site is slow to load
on your computer.
NEW DMR NSW 1932-1989 site at
Shutterfly; photos will move there when time permits. There's an
inbuilt FORUM as well.
DIRECT LINK http://dmrnsw19321989.shutterfly.com/
FAQ
(Frequently asked
questions)
Q. From where did the DMR logo/symbol above originate?
A. No ones knows. It was replaced in the 1980s by an
in-house design. The best known expression of the symbol
was on the side of the 8-floor Castlereagh Street annex
building. The scan above is taken from a jacket patch.
These were thrown out when the design was superseded but
I managed to find a few.
Q. Is there a published history of the DMR?
A. Yes, The DMR published THE ROADMAKERS, in 1976 ISBN 0
7240 0439 4 This is a comprehensive history of
roadbuilding in NSW. It includes figures, numerical and
financial, on both the work carried out by the DMR and
monies spent, and staff figures. It does not include
personal experiences, though. We hope to address that on
these pages.
Q. Any other sources for information.
A. MAIN ROADS, the in-house journal, issn 0025-0597, and
THE HIGHWAYMAN, the Recreation Club in-house magazine.
Q. Was there an inspection of the DMR HO site prior to
rebuilding?
A. See Australasian Historical Archaeology 17, edited by
Mary Casey, paper Local pottery and dairying at the
DMR site, Brickfield Hill, Sydney (Mary Casey). I'm
not sure if this was before or after the DMR.
Q. Can you give a timeline of the formation of the DMR?
A. Brief BACKGROUND and TIMELINE
All information up to 1970s from THE ROADMAKERS ('TR' in
text, see above).
“The first practical task of the board was to find
suitable premises…” DMR officer, TR p82
1924 - The Main Roads Act was assented on 10th November.
1925 - The Main Roads Board of New South Wales came into
being on 1st January. The physical ‘board’
consisted of a president and two members. An
organizational chart for 1927 appears on p95 of TR.
1926 - The Board rented floors one and seven in Citroen
House, located at 301 Castlereagh Street. I believe the
corner of Goulburn and Castlereagh Streets at that time
was occupied by a motor dealer (in the 80s the DMR
donated it as a park). The lease of these floors cost
$2322 per year. This worked out at about 23c per square
foot.
1928 - In March the Board moved to 309 Castlereagh
Street, the four story fireproof building well known to
all employees who at one time or another worked in Head
Office. Originally the street frontage was occupied by a
printer. The leasing rate was double the cost in Citroen
House. Staff levels in 1928 were around 340 salaried
officers and 3400 employees statewide. By 1972, these
numbers had increased to around 3600 and 10,300
respectively.
1989 - DMR and DMT combine in January to form RTA.
USEFUL LINKS
01. 1933 photo, 307-317 Castlereagh St
02. DMR Granville, info with Granville Historical Society (but not online)
03. RTA Oral History Programme on the RTA web site, re
the DMR. RTA switch 131782
04. Current occupancy of DMR HO site J B White Surveyors site
05. Anthony
Hordern and Sons
Ltd, Brickfield Hill - page on my site
06. Paul's Aussie Expressway site.
07. RTA FAQ (abbreviated).
08. DMR Film Library, Auburn [Lidcombe]
09. From the skies – aerial photos
of Sydney, 1943,
10 x A1 posters OR CD. You can order online at the NSW
Government Online Bookshop. Alternatively, phone the RTA
Library on (02) 8837 0151 or email library@rta.nsw.gov.au .
10. RTA HERITAGE & CONSERVATION
REGISTER Preserved
DMR items
11. DMR ARTEFACTS in private hands, see on this page.
12. Voucher Examining HO inmate list 1969 to 1984
12a. Photos page from the 1970s. Nexo site closed down June 2010, so
offline for now, but will move to the Shutterfly site in the near
future; see message near top of page. http://dmrnsw19321989.shutterfly.com/
13. RTA IMMORTALS The RTA values the skills, experience and
expertise of its staff and offers The Immortals - an RTA
Alumni - as a way to keep connected with former
employees. There is a website, www.rtaimmortals.com.au , which is accessible to anyone,
and which also has some members-only tabs.
14. Sydney Toy and Hobby Shops of the 20th
Century NEW
DMR
H.O. SYDNEY BUILDING PLANS
Larger .jpg files available as attached documents to
ex-staff and researchers.
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 Left - DMR HO block floor plan
Above - DMR HO Section view
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COMMENTS and QUERIES, including
LETTERS; latest at the end.
To
protect privacy, no one will be hotlinked unless they
request same.
Mark
Alamangos 21/12/2007
I came across your most memorable website last night just
out of curiosity anything to do with the DMR.
I began my apprenticeship in 1971 at Central Workshops at
Granville as a signwriter and spent part of the
apprenticeship at Head Office down under the garage in
the paint shop with Norm Hibertson. I think from memory
he was the leading hand painter and also [spent] some
time on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Was retrenched in 1992 and have remained in the trade and
in the "road sign" industry.
What
ever happed to the large model of planned roads on level
2?
Regards
Mark Alamangos
Can anyone answer Mark's question?
Alan
Humphreys 29/2/2008
Do you know what happened to Jim Buckmaster, Gary
Birmingham, Alan Jennens,
Barry Atkins, Kevin Wotherspoon and Kerry Kneller?
Regards
Alan Humphreys
If anyone can put us onto any of the above,
please contact us via the link below. Alan is in contact
with Nick Sotnick and John Jeffrey. Voucher
Examining inmate list for 1969-84 is now
online.
Dane Richards
from Greg Johnston 31/3/2008
I got a call from Alan Adderley this
morning to confirm that Billy Boyd passed away in
hospital yesterday the day after his 63rd birthday.
Denis Hawkins
11/6/2008
I do not now where any of those mentioned are but Vern
Ellis is living in Forster and working at Manning Base
Hospital or around the health Region; I am in Taree and
can be contacted on djhawkins@gmail.com , Denis Hawkins
Adam
Wotherspoon 19/6/2008
Alan Humphreys request, I am Kevin's
son, dad passed away 24/01/1995 aged 43 yrs old. I hope
this helps his inquiries.
Regards
Adam Wotherspoon
Thanks, Adam; sorry to hear. I've fixed your
dad's entry on the Voucher
Examining page.
Pat and Les
Cliff 7/2008 [Abridged from a letter.] Re: Harold
"Slim" [Cliff] ex-Records, HO.
Harold is now in an Aged Care Facility following a very
bad fall at home on 17th April. ...He has not walked
since fall. ...He is now in Ocean View Nursing Home, 2
Jenkins Street, Mona Vale.
and later, 9/2008
Sorry to inform you Harold passed away on Tuesday
16th September. There was a rapid deterioration over the
last 16 days. He spent 8 days in Mona Vale Hospital then
returned to the nursing home ...He was on morphine, so
was very restful and not in pain ...
Our condolences to you and the rest of the
family. Harold "Slim" was a good mate and one
of the truly unforgettable characters of DMR HO. We mourn
his passing.
Michael Hoare
10/2008
Hello John, I started at DMR Castlereagh Street in 1963
Correspondence Section as a copy boy, and chasing files.
Went to England for a few years in '65 came back '67 then
worked in Road Widening Section in main office then we
moved above the EMI building. I worked with Ted
O'Donnell, Rita McMath (typist). Also remember working in
the Library. Had an article done on me in the Highwayman
by Horst Bodisco C/Section because the then Commissioner
J.A.L.Shaw had complained about my long hair, and wanted
me to look like him. Short back and sides. And Horst took
offence to that. My little part of history at the DMR. I
would like to know what has happened to Ken Bergin
Information Section. All the best and memories will
always live on. [later] What about the recreation Room.
Always had to race down at 12pm and try and beat Ken
McKay to the Snooker table. Loved table tennis and the
movies. The live shows were great. I remember Norm
Erskine did a show there. I own and operate my Family Day
Care business on the Sunshine Coast in Maroochydore in
beautiful Queensland. That's all for now, will try and get
the memory going. [later] Just a short note. You
mentioned Harold (Slim) I remember a Harold that worked
in Central records, I think and he lived at Harbord or
Queenscliff. Was he the same guy; If so sad to hear about
his passing. I remember the fantastic staff in the cafeteria, and the great food, like the proper double
buttered finger buns or the original pineapple doughnuts,
which you can not buy anymore. Kevin Hadley moved to Dee
Why he was my section head.
Yep, Slim lived at Queencliff; his claim to
fame was a DMR poster on which he featured. I'll load a
scan in the near future.
Editor,
23/10/2008
Bill Musket rang today to tell me Barry Martin passed
away. I and 6 other oldtimers including Bill, and Kevin
Kerr, attended the funeral 24.10.
28/10/2008
RTA Immortals - extract. Contact
details above.
... With the amount of departures from the RTA at
present, we aim to grow the Immortals membership to 1000
members by 2010. Should you know of anyone who has worked
with the RTA, please ask them to join. As our website is
now up and running there will be a few changes to our
operations:
* You will be sent regular emails on a monthly basis from
now on;
* RTA HR Notices are now able to be accessed by logging
on and going to the Careers tab;
* Weekly Rec Club updates will be present on the website;
and
* Momentum, Gradvine, Spokeswomen newsletters will be
loaded regularly.
Kind regards
Kathleen Healy
RTA Immortals
Alumni Association Administrator
5/11/2008
I'm just looking for some information about a DMR
Reunion (Granville works Office). If there is a
reunion coming up could you let me know any details, that
would be great.
Thanks
Laura Calleja talktolaura26@hotmail.com
31/12/2008
My name is David Ferguson, both my Father and I worked
for the DMR. / My dad was a carpenter in the Castlereagh
St Building, / I was a Weight of Loads inspector from
1976 until 1997. / However I digress, for your
information and those old DMR employees from Head Office,
whilst reading the death notices in today's Telegraph I
noticed that a George Stidwell had passed away on
25/12/08 at the age of 95. / Sadly it was the very same
Mr Stidwell from the DMR. / Mr Stidwell's notice is on
p47 of the Telegraph 30/12/08
Regards
David John Ferguson
Thanks
for the details, David. I spoke to George and Joan
Fairbairn yesterday. They were at the funeral (no other
ex-DMR people seen) and mentioned that George Stidwell
had been in a nursing home (Calvery?) for the past 18
months. I spent some time in Central Records when I first
joined the DMR in the late 60s and found GS to be a great
boss, somewhat in the style of Frank Fowler.
15/1/2009
Subject: George Stidwell
Hi. George Stidwell was my uncle and I would like to
advise you there will be a memorial service for him in February. Not sure of the date yet.
Cheers Graham Forsyth
Thanks, Graham.
1/9/2009
Sadly, Laurie Dowling died last Saturday night (in his
sleep). He was in hospital at the time. His funeral [was]
held on Thursday 3 September at 1:00pm at the Sacred
Heart Church in Hamilton Street, Hamilton, Newcastle.
Could you pass this email onto any others you think may
have known Laurie...and... last Thursday Mark Gooley
passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his
family....a mass [was] held for Mark on Wednesday 2
September 2009 at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Harbour
Street, Wollongong at 10.00am. Mark [was] buried at
Wollongong Lawn Cemetery, West Dapto Road, Kembla Grange.
R Glen Morgan
Thanks, Glen. Information received after the
events.
28/12/2009
Hi, my name is Kevin Noble, my first job with the DMR at
Victoria Rd Chatswood as a trainee draughtsman in late
Jan or early Feb 1961. I joined the Sydney Newcastle
expressway section which moved to the Myers building
further up Victoria Rd and then the section moved to
Parramatta then to Castlereagh St (or maybe the other way
around). I left the DMR late 1964 to join the Snowy
Mountains Authority. My recollections are not good
although I thought Bill Kemp was in charge of the section
at least for a while. The only other names that come to
mind are Peter & Ted who attended my 21st birthday
party. I have a photo of them and also a very old
slightly out of focus shot taken instead the Chatswood
office in 1961, as well I have photos of F3 expressway
construction which I have forwarded to Oz road website .
Kevin Noble
Thanks for your message, Kevin.
24/01/2010
You may be interested to know that D C Jacob ex CE or EIC
passed away late 2009.
Mike Young (DMR 1965 to 2007)
Thanks for letting us know, Mike.
2/06/2010
Caught up with Mick Gildea and Warren Sykes for a week of surfing and drinking last month.
Mick is living at Alstonville driving a cab
Warren is at Bonny Hills making surfboards
Vern is at Forster Internal Audit Manager for Hunter Health
I also catch up regularly with Steve Billingsley who is Director of Audit for Western Sydney living at Georges Hall
Interesting to see the list of colony staff. Forgot about many of them
but still remember some fun times there. Mick Warren and I spend a week together each year and the same stories come out.
Let me know if a reunion is ever planned
Take Care
Vern Ellis
Good to hear from you and thanks for the news, Vern.
22/06/2010
My problem over the years has been my inability to hear
what's happened to old friends and since I started Googling I got a hell of a shock to hear of the deaths of Barry
Martin, Billy Boyd, etc.
So I was wondering if you might be able to help out with updating me on the following names, whenever you get the chance.
Ron Vokes, Alan Fussell, Gary Birmingham, Bill Hitchcock, Bob Campbell
(Berowra), Maurie Quig, Graeme Midson, Kevin Tapp, George Campbell, Terry Ralph, John Yard, George and Bob Sinclair, Robert Mitchell, Merv Smith, Alan Eaves, Gary Knight, Warren McAllister, and Rae Kirkland.
As I said, there is no hurry whatsoever. I've waited twenty odd years so far, a bit longer is not going to hurt.
Thank you in anticipation John,
Regards,
Maurie Meares.
Can anyone help Maurie out with the people listed?
12/07/2010
Merve and Terry are still kicking, going well.
Also, I have photos from 309 Castlereagh when it closed, there were some photos of previous CE's I will scan and email over some photos. I have an old one of the Plan Room as well.
Regards,
Tracey Forsstrom
Thanks, Tracey.
13/07/2010
Dear John,
Got your website from Tracey Forsstrom. Remember your name/face but we never worked together.
I started my life in the DMR Feb 1961 in Staff Sect and retired in July 2006. Spent most time at Granville (Supply sect) and later at
P’matta.
Re Maurie Meares’s enquiry. I can fill you in on some of the names he mentioned.
Alan Eaves and Graeme Midson both passed away I think in 2007/8.
Merv Smith still going strong (Castle Hill), as is Terry Ralph retired 2005 (now Tweed Heads Sth),
Warren Mcallister retired ex Glen Innes and lives there I think. The others he mentions I am not aware of their status.
Keep up the good work
Regards
George Campbell
Many thanks for all the details, George. And thanks to Tracey for
passing on the site location.
21/07/2010
I've been reliably informed that my old boss, Ray MacFarlane, will
soon celebrate his 90th. So all the best, Ray! (Photo c1979 when
Ray was OIC Audit Section, HO).
WEB EDITOR CONTACT DETAILS
If you have any queries on the above, email John chiefchook@gmail.com .
Or by snailmail to:
John Tipper at PO Box 781, KATOOMBA NSW 2780
FOR
FORMER DMR EMPLOYEE QUERIES and DMR
SYDNEY HISTORY QUERIES ONLY.
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HELP WITH RTA ROADWORKS QUERIES.
Please include your name in subject line.
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