By Cathy Jones 2023
‘Gold Lynn’ 61 Rochester Street Homebush is a Federation style cottage, which is located on the Village of Homebush’ Estate, a 1878 subdivision of the Underwood Estate. This property is a located in the Abbotsford Road Heritage Conservation area on Strathfield Council’s Local Environmental Plan.
The Australian Bank of Commerce Ltd transferred land (lots 6 & 7, s.9) to Albert Dodson in July 1914. Dodson was the son of local builder and contractor John Dodson, who was responsible for many buildings in the Strathfield and Homebush area in this period. Albert Dodson was also a builder and likely worked with his father, who was based in Clarendon Street (now Albert Road) Strathfield.
Strathfield Council issued approvals to build a brick cottage in Rochester Street to J Dodson & Co in August 1916, September 1916 and January 1917. It is likely that one of these approvals related to this house. In March 1917 ownership of the property transferred to Janet Hawkesford, wife of Henry Hawkesford, a mechanic. The house appears in the 1918 Sands Directory, named ‘Gold Lynn’, occupied by Henry Hawkesford, which indicates the house was built in 1916 or early 1917 and on-sold by the Dodsons. The house was originally numbered 47, in 1965 the house was renumbered to 61 Rochester St.
‘Gold Lynn’ was transferred in September 1933 by transmission to Christina Hawkesford and Margaret Jaffrey, wife of Herbert Jaffrey. Christina Hawkesford married Elford Rollo in 1941. The property was transferred to Amy Lenore Banks in July 1941. In 1944, the property transferred by transmission to Emma Banks, wife of Enoch Banks, orchardist.
In August 1947, the property transferred to Charles Herbert Cutbush, a former Alderman of Enfield Council (1941-1944, 1944-1949). Cutbush Avenue in Strathfield South (former Belfield) is named after Cutbush. The property transferred to his widow, Madderina in 1972. In 1977, the property transferred by transmission to Joan Templeton.
References
Department of Valuer-General, Valuation Lists, Municipality of Strathfield 1924, 1930, 1948, 1960
Fox & Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study, 1986
Sands Sydney and Suburban Directory 1900-1932
Strathfield Council building registers
