Plaque at the Snake Pit

In October 1987, on the recommendation of the Randwick Bicentennial Community Committee, the Council undertook a project to give permanent recognition to buildings and sites throughout the City that have particular historical significance.

Using a list of more than fifty sites presented by the Bicentennial Historical Sub-Committee, Council's Reference Librarian and Special Projects Officer compiled a final list. As part of the research, contact was made with past and present owners of most of the properties.

With funding provided by the Australian Bicentennial Authority through its National Heritage and Environment Program, a plaque was designed and manufactured by Arrow Engraving and Foundry Company.

With the limited space available on the plaques for wording, it was decided to produce a book giving more extensive explanations about the chosen historical sites. The guide book, The Bicentennial Commemorative Plaques of Randwick Municipality, published by Council in 1990, was designed to enable the reader to move through the Municipality, from Kensington to La Perouse, viewing those buildings and sites with historical significance.

The text of each plaque is printed below, followed by some extra information.

1. Administration Building, 50 Todman Avenue, Kensington
2. Carthona, 85 Todman Avenue, Kensington
3. Sacred Heart Monastery, 1 Roma Avenue, Kensington
4. Swan Isle, 87 Darley Road, Randwick
5. Randwick Tramway Workshops, King Street, Randwick
6. Aston Lodge, Corner Stanley and Avoca Streets, Randwick
7. Gordon Terrace, 2-26 Gordon Street, Randwick
8. St Jude's Church Precinct, Avoca Street, Randwick
9. Randwick Presbyterian Church, Alison Road, Randwick
10. St Jude's Fountain, Alison Road, Randwick
11. Blenheim House, 17 Blenheim Street, Randwick
12. Newmarket Precinct, Young Street, Randwick
13. Struggletown Precinct, 15 Jane Street, Randwick
14. Ritz Theatre, 43 St Paul's Street, Randwick
15. Glen Mervyn, Coogee Bay Road, Randwick
16. High Cross Precinct, bounded by Avoca Street, Belmore Road, and Cuthill Street, Randwick
17. Sandgate, 128 Belmore Road, Randwick
18. Ventnor, Avoca Street, Randwick
19. Streetscape, 48-66 St Mark's Road, Randwick
20. Rathven, 43 St Mark's Road, Randwick
21. Ascot, 4 Dutruc Street, Randwick
22. Archina, 49 Avoca Street, Randwick
23. Home of Franklyn and Mabel Barrett, 6 Barrett Place, Randwick
24. Hooper Cottage, 17 Figtree Avenue, Randwick
25. Bishops Court, Moira Crescent, Randwick
26. Clovelly Tram Terminus, Clovelly Beach
27. Oceanview, 127 Arden Street
28. Stones Milk Bar, Dolphin Street, Coogee
29. Site of Coogee Palace Aquarium, Dolphin Street, Coogee
30. Coogee Tram Terminus, Dolphin Street, Coogee
31. Site of Surf Rescue, Coogee Beach
32. Site of Coogee Pier and Shark Net, Coogee Beach
33. Site of Shipwrecks, Maroubra
34. Site of Surf rescue, Maroubra
35. Maroubra Bay Tram Terminus, Marine Parade, Maroubra
36. Site of 2EU, Everett Street, Maroubra
37. Dudley's Emporium, Cnr. Anzac Parade and Maroubra Road, Maroubra
38. Site of Maroubra Speedway, Coral Sea Park
39. 6 Amiens Crescent, Matraville
40. Malabar Tea Rooms
41. Site of Shipwrecks, Malabar
42. Malabar Police Station, Anzac Parade, Malabar
43. Site of Chinese Market Gardens and Star Drive-In, Matraville
44. Pioneer Park, Botany Cemetery
45. Howes Refreshment Rooms, Yarra Bay
46. La Perouse Tram Terminus, The Loop, Snake Pit
47. Site of Minmi Shipwreck, Cape Banks