By Cathy Jones
’Shenstone’ 82 Albyn Road Strathfield is a substantial single storey interwar bungalow, which faces north. The lot has a substantial frontage of 64 feet and depth of 185 feet. The house, built in 1920, has a terracotta tiled hipped main roof with two projecting gables facing the street. The eastern gable houses an entry porch, the western one a verandah, each with brick balustrades.
The house is located on Lot 36 of the Hatherley Estate, a 1913 subdivision of the grounds of the house ‘Hatherley’ (later known as ‘Birnam Wood’). Lot 36 was acquired by Cecil Wilkinson, who in April 1920 applied for approval to build a cottage of 6 rooms+ at the estimated value of £1500[1]. Wilkinson is listed as owner and builder. It is likely that Wilkinson built the house as an investment as the house was sold shortly after its completion. Wilkinson’s address on the register was noted as Victoria Street Ashfield[2].
By 1921, ownership of the house transferred to Mrs Muriel Bannister (née McKeown), the wife of Cecil Henry Bannister, a wool merchant of the Sydney firm Linklater and Bannister[3]. The Bannisters resided at ‘Shenstone’ for over 30 years.
The construction of a garage at an estimated value of £40 was approved in 1923[4].
By 1954, ownership transferred to Francis James Stevens, a farm produce agent. In 1957, he applied and gained approval to build additions including a garage, sun and sewing room. However, shortly after, the house was sold to Keith Campling, a sheet metal worker, and his wife Norma.
The Camplings applied for various building approvals for a pergola (1961), swimming pool (1963) and additions (1967).
References
Death of Mr. Alban Gee, (1917, April 24). The Sydney Stock and Station Journal (NSW : 1896 – 1924), p. 7. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124332340
Department of Valuer-General, Municipality of Strathfield, Valuation Lists 1924, 1927, 1930, 1942, 1947, 1951, 1954, 1957, 1960
Electoral Roll – Electorate of Parkes 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1943 (Muriel and Cecil Bannister ‘Shenstone’ Albyn Road)
Electoral Roll – Electorate of Lowe 1949 (Muriel and Cecil Bannister ‘Shenstone’ Albyn Road)
Electoral Roll – Electorate of Reid 1933 (Muriel and Cecil Bannister ‘Shenstone’ Albyn Road)
EXPORTS. (1915, January 16). Daily Commercial News and Shipping List (Sydney, NSW : 1891 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159232751
Personal (1937, July 15). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947), p. 17 (CITY FINAL LAST MINUTE NEWS). Retrieved August 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article187042320
Sands Sydney Directory, Municipality of Strathfield, 1923-1932
Strathfield Council Valuation Lists 1921
Strathfield Council Building Register 1920-1924
Wise’s Post Office Directory
Footnotes
[1] Strathfield Council Building Register Vol.2 [1920-1924]
[2] Strathfield Council Building Register Vol.2 [1920-1924]
Strathfield Heritage 