By Cathy Jones
‘Waratah’ 37 Homebush Road Strathfield is situated on the original Thomas Rose grant of 1793. This land was acquired by the Camden Congregational College, who intended to build a theological college at Strathfield. With the onset of the 1890’s economic depression, this plan became unviable and the College Trustees opted to subdivide the land and offer it for residential sale in 1898. This subdivision includes land in Albert Rd [65-103 Albert Rd], Homebush Rd [25-39 Homebush Rd] and Beresford Rd.
37 Homebush Rd was built in 1899 for William Arnott, founder of Arnott’s Biscuits. The name ‘Waratah’ was the suburb in Newcastle NSW a where Arnott’s business was first established.
Arnott lived at ‘Waratah’ for a short period before moving to ‘Arnott Holme’’ 65-69 Albert Road in 1900, built at the rear and facing Albert Road. These properties were linked by a shared rear boundary.
Ownership of ‘Waratah’ was transferred in 1901 by Arnott to his daughter Janet, the wife of broker James Simpson Perry. The Perrys maintained ownership of ‘Waratah’ until 1949 but leased the house after c.1913. The various occupants include: Mrs Jessie Pomeroy, the widow of John Pomeroy, a partner in David Jones & Co; 1918-1920 Alfred Morgan, prominent solicitor [Alfred Morgan & Co], and father of Charles Morgan, Mayor of Strathfield [1950-51]; 1921-23, Frederick Lindeman of the Lindeman Wines family.
From 1923 to 1944, this house was leased to Miss Margaret Thompson who operated a small school which she renamed ‘Branxton’.
Reference
Jones, C ‘Five Federation Houses of Homebush Rd’, Strathfield District Historical Society Newsletter, July 2002.
Strathfield Heritage 