Sydney · 1930 — 1939

Sydney in the 1930s

The Harbour Bridge opened on 19 March 1932, which was close to the worst year available for it. Something over 750,000 people came in to watch, and watched Francis de Groot ride forward and slash the ribbon with a cavalry sword before the Premier could reach it. Then the two thousand-odd men who had spent the best part of a decade building the thing went looking for work in a country where close to a third of the workforce had none. Some were still out of it when the next war finally gave them a trade. Some walked across to the old bridge workshops at Lavender Bay and built Luna Park on the site.

What Sydney did next is best seen from about a thousand feet up. Milton Kent had held a pilot's licence since 1926 and had imported a Zeiss half-plate oblique aero camera years before that, and through the thirties his studio sold factories their own portraits. The gasworks spread across the Mortlake peninsula; a paint works taking up the whole of Cabarita Point with a jetty running off it; a can works at Five Dock; timber booms and stacked concrete pipe along Rozelle Bay; the dockyards on Cockatoo Island. He dated and identified his plates, which is why so much of industrial Sydney can still be placed to the year rather than the decade.

At ground level the decade is crowds and advertising. The Duke of Gloucester came through in 1934 and Pitt Street was dressed end to end with flags for him. Sky-signs stand along the roofline of Central Station selling Askey's Scotch Whisky and Vicars' Marrickville tweeds. An Aeroplane Jellies float rolls past Museum Station in 1938. There are baby shows on town hall steps, boats moored off Balmoral Beach, and nurses sitting on a camel at a hospital Christmas party.

Between the works from above and the crowds from the footpath, that is a reasonably complete account of what a city does when it has no money and a great deal of time.

246 works
Aerial view of the Waratah mill and surrounding factories, Rhodes — photograph, from Rhodes, 1930s
photograph·1930·Rhodes

Aerial view of the Waratah mill and surrounding factories, Rhodes, 1930s

Milton Kent aerial views of Five Dock, Marrickville, Rhodes, SydenhamMilton Kent
Mail Order Room, Anthony Hordern & Sons, Sydney — photograph, from Sydney CBD, 1933
photograph·1905·Sydney CBD

Mail Order Room, Anthony Hordern & Sons, Sydney, 1933

Anthony Hordern and Sons, Interiors of department store, offices, and Royal Easter Show displays, approximately 1905-1938Anthony Hordern & Sons
RAAF officers and a Westland Wapiti marked A5-9 — photograph, from Richmond, 1935
photograph·1957·Richmond

RAAF officers and a Westland Wapiti marked A5-9, 1935

State Library NSWSam Hood
Anzac Day service at the Cenotaph, Martin Place — photograph, from The Cenotaph War Memorial, c. 1930s
photograph·1930s·Sydney CBD

Anzac Day service at the Cenotaph, Martin Place, c. 1930s

Anzac Day ceremony at Cenotaph, Martin PlaceTed Hood
Creeper cranes and flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge half-arch — photograph, from Milsons Point, 1930
photograph·1928·Milsons Point

Creeper cranes and flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge half-arch, 1930

Hood Collection part II, Box 044, nos. 053-068; Box 46, nos. 001-009 : Sydney Harbour Bridge constructionSam Hood
Military brass band marching in a Manly street parade — photograph, from Manly, 1930s
photograph·1940·Manly

Military brass band marching in a Manly street parade, 1930s

State Library NSWSam Hood
Observatory Hill across Sydney's rooftops — illustration, 1932
illustration·1949

Observatory Hill across Sydney's rooftops, 1932

Sketches, etchings, copy photographs of watercolours etc., and personal photographsSydney Ure Smith
Demolition of Dixson's tobacco factory smokestack, Sydney — photograph, from 201 Elizabeth Street, 1932
photograph·1932·Sydney CBD

Demolition of Dixson's tobacco factory smokestack, Sydney, 1932

Hood Collection part II, Box 014, nos. 133-147 : Sydney viewsSam Hood
Wasp Airlines aircraft Narromine at Mascot Aerodrome — photograph, from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, 1935
photograph·1935·Mascot

Wasp Airlines aircraft Narromine at Mascot Aerodrome, 1935

State Library NSWSam Hood
Robur Tea elephant at Bussell Bros, Maroubra Junction — photograph, from Maroubra, 1939
photograph·1939·Maroubra

Robur Tea elephant at Bussell Bros, Maroubra Junction, 1939

Elephant at shop in Maroubra JunctionSam Hood
Sydney Harbour Bridge before the arch halves met — photograph, from Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1930
photograph·1930·Dawes Point

Sydney Harbour Bridge before the arch halves met, 1930

Sydney Harbour Bridge, S.S. Neiun Holland passing under Southern arch, April 1930Star Photo Co.
Milton Kent aerial of sawtooth-roofed factory sheds, Sydney — photograph, 1930s
photograph·1930

Milton Kent aerial of sawtooth-roofed factory sheds, Sydney, 1930s

Milton Kent aerial views of Five Dock, Marrickville, Rhodes, SydenhamMilton Kent
Southern arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge cantilevered over the harbour — photograph, from Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1930
photograph·1930·Milsons Point

Southern arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge cantilevered over the harbour, 1930

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Southern arch well out over water, January 1930. Ships in harbourStar Photo Co.
Berger Paints works, Rhodes, aerial view — photograph, from Rhodes, 1930s
photograph·1930·Rhodes

Berger Paints works, Rhodes, aerial view, 1930s

Milton Kent aerial views of Five Dock, Marrickville, Rhodes, SydenhamMilton Kent
Sawtooth-roofed industrial works and terraces, Sydney — photograph, c. 1937
photograph·1937

Sawtooth-roofed industrial works and terraces, Sydney, c. 1937

Milton Kent aerial views of Alexandria, Artarmon, Marrickville, SydneyMilton Kent
McMahons Point from the air, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge — photograph, from McMahons Point, 1939
photograph·1930·McMahons Point

McMahons Point from the air, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1939

Aerial photographs of Sydney, suburbs and harbour], ca. 1930s / Hall & CoHall & Co.
Launch of HMAS Yarra at Cockatoo Island — photograph, from Woolwich, 1935
photograph·1935·Woolwich

Launch of HMAS Yarra at Cockatoo Island, 1935

State Library NSWSam Hood
Sawtooth-roofed factory ranges among terraced streets, Sydney — photograph, c. 1937
photograph·1937

Sawtooth-roofed factory ranges among terraced streets, Sydney, c. 1937

Milton Kent aerial views of Alexandria, Artarmon, Marrickville, SydneyMilton Kent
Sydney Town Hall lit for the Electrical and Radio Exhibition — photograph, from Sydney Town Hall, 1930
photograph·1930s·Sydney CBD

Sydney Town Hall lit for the Electrical and Radio Exhibition, 1930

The Sydney Town Hall illuminated for the Electrical & Radio ExhibitionSam Hood
Golfers on the New South Wales Golf Club course, La Perouse — photograph, from La Perouse, 1935
photograph·1935·La Perouse

Golfers on the New South Wales Golf Club course, La Perouse, 1935

Hood Collection part II, Box 011, nos. 028-050 : JCW cricket at Wentworth Park; AWA group, Ashfield; Golf, La Perouse; Christmas toys for Women's Weekly; Demolishing building for Lustre Hosiery, Paddington; Tennis, White City
Surf life saving officials with Adrian Curlewis at Manly Beach — photograph, from Manly Beach, 1934
photograph·1934·Manly

Surf life saving officials with Adrian Curlewis at Manly Beach, 1934

President Adrian (later Sir) Curlewis and Surf Life Saving officials with Gloucester at a carnival, Manly BeachSam Hood
Penfolds Wines corner shopfront, parapet dated 1878 — photograph, c. 1936
photograph·1938

Penfolds Wines corner shopfront, parapet dated 1878, c. 1936

State Library NSWSam Hood
Swimmers and spectators at the Limbless Soldiers' Aquatic Club pool, Vaucluse — photograph, from Vaucluse, 1935
photograph·1935·Vaucluse

Swimmers and spectators at the Limbless Soldiers' Aquatic Club pool, Vaucluse, 1935

Limbless soldiers, VaucluseSam Hood
Spider's Web Club boys outside Hoyt's Clovelly Theatre — photograph, from Clovelly, 1939
photograph·1939·Clovelly

Spider's Web Club boys outside Hoyt's Clovelly Theatre, 1939

Clovelly Theatre; "Spider's Web" ClubSam Hood
Launching a vessel at Careening Cove, Sydney Harbour — photograph, from Careening Cove, 1935
photograph·1935·North Sydney

Launching a vessel at Careening Cove, Sydney Harbour, 1935

Hood Collection part II, Box 038, nos. 053-057, Box 039, nos. 001-015 : Stan McCabe wedding; Lord Moynes' yacht Rosanna; Launching Nossiter's yacht; Hammondville children; Athletic sportsSam Hood
Sawtooth-roofed factory workshops among suburban streets, Rhodes — photograph, from Rhodes, 1930s
photograph·1930·Rhodes

Sawtooth-roofed factory workshops among suburban streets, Rhodes, 1930s

Milton Kent aerial views of Five Dock, Marrickville, Rhodes, SydenhamMilton Kent
Marrickville mill and terrace streets from the air — photograph, from Marrickville, c. 1937
photograph·1937·Marrickville

Marrickville mill and terrace streets from the air, c. 1937

Milton Kent aerial views of Alexandria, Artarmon, Marrickville, SydneyMilton Kent
Factories and terrace housing from the air, Sydney — photograph, c. 1937
photograph·1937

Factories and terrace housing from the air, Sydney, c. 1937

Milton Kent aerial views of Alexandria, Artarmon, Marrickville, SydneyMilton Kent
Milton Kent aerial view of a Sydney industrial suburb — photograph, 1930s
photograph·1930

Milton Kent aerial view of a Sydney industrial suburb, 1930s

Milton Kent aerial views of Five Dock, Marrickville, Rhodes, SydenhamMilton Kent
Aerial view of a Sydney industrial works and open stockyards — photograph, c. 1937
photograph·1937

Aerial view of a Sydney industrial works and open stockyards, c. 1937

Milton Kent aerial views of Alexandria, Artarmon, Marrickville, SydneyMilton Kent
Aerial view of a Sydney factory complex and suburban streets — photograph, 1930s
photograph·1930

Aerial view of a Sydney factory complex and suburban streets, 1930s

Milton Kent aerial views of Five Dock, Marrickville, Rhodes, SydenhamMilton Kent
Speed Kings at Maroubra Speedway race poster — illustration, from Coral Sea Park, 1932
illustration·1932·Maroubra

Speed Kings at Maroubra Speedway race poster, 1932

See the Speed Kings at Maroubra Speedway, Saturday afternoon October 29N.S.W. Light Car Club issuing body.
Vacuum Oil depot and wharves at Pulpit Point, Hunters Hill — photograph, from Pulpit Point, c. 1935
photograph·1937·Hunters Hill

Vacuum Oil depot and wharves at Pulpit Point, Hunters Hill, c. 1935

Milton Kent aerial views of Glebe Island, Kurnell, Port Kembla, Pulpit Point, Rosehill, between 1924-1950Milton Kent
Peek Frean biscuit factory, Parramatta Road, Ashfield — photograph, from Parramatta Road, 1937
photograph·1937·Ashfield

Peek Frean biscuit factory, Parramatta Road, Ashfield, 1937

Art deco Peak Frean's American biscuit factory, corner Frederick Street and Parramatta Road, AshfieldSam Hood
'Mystery Star' launch with a man at the helm — photograph, 1936
photograph·1938

'Mystery Star' launch with a man at the helm, 1936

State Library NSWSam Hood
Factories, terrace housing and railway yards, Sydney, aerial view by Milton Kent — photograph, 1930s
photograph·1930

Factories, terrace housing and railway yards, Sydney, aerial view by Milton Kent, 1930s

Milton Kent aerial views of Five Dock, Marrickville, Rhodes, SydenhamMilton Kent
Royal North Shore Hospital above the railway yards, St Leonards — photograph, from Royal North Shore Hospital, c. 1937
photograph·1937·St Leonards

Royal North Shore Hospital above the railway yards, St Leonards, c. 1937

Milton Kent aerial views of Alexandria, Artarmon, Marrickville, SydneyMilton Kent
Ingram's butcher shop, Parramatta Road, Ashfield — photograph, from Parramatta Road, c. 1930s
photograph·1930·Ashfield

Ingram's butcher shop, Parramatta Road, Ashfield, c. 1930s

Ingram's butcher shopSam Hood
Tram smash on the Taronga Zoo Park line, Sydney — photograph, from Taronga Zoo, 1939
photograph·1939·Mosman

Tram smash on the Taronga Zoo Park line, Sydney, 1939

Tram smash [Taronga Zoo Park line], 8 September 1939
Wrecked tram on the Taronga Zoo Park line — photograph, from Taronga Zoo, 1939
photograph·1939·Mosman

Wrecked tram on the Taronga Zoo Park line, 1939

Tram smash [Taronga Zoo Park line], 8 September 1939
Re-roofing a shop, Botany Road and Rawson Street, Mascot — photograph, from Mascot, c. 1935
photograph·1920·Mascot

Re-roofing a shop, Botany Road and Rawson Street, Mascot, c. 1935

Hood Collection part II : [Factories, factory & manual workers, factory construction and heavy industrySam Hood
Curved northern approach to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, North Sydney — photograph, from North Sydney, 1932
photograph·1928·North Sydney

Curved northern approach to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, North Sydney, 1932

Milton Kent aerial Vacuum Oil Company views of Brisbane, Concord, Glebe Island, Mascot, North Sydney, Pyrmont, Pulpit Point and Sydney, between 1928-1940Milton Kent
Adelaide Boys' Band on the steps of Sydney Town Hall — photograph, from Sydney Town Hall, 1937
photograph·1937·Sydney CBD

Adelaide Boys' Band on the steps of Sydney Town Hall, 1937

Adelaide Boys' Band at Sydney Town HallSam Hood
HMAT Supply replica at anchor in Farm Cove — photograph, from Farm Cove, 1938
photograph·1938·Sydney CBD

HMAT Supply replica at anchor in Farm Cove, 1938

Hood Collection part II, Box 069, nos. 103-175 : Bridge Street; HMAT Supply replica; Wartime and postwar weddings; Portraits; Lifesavers; Western duo; Persian Inn; Country road and paddockTed Hood
Bishops in procession at the Fourth Plenary Council, St Mary's Cathedral — photograph, from St Mary's Cathedral, 1937
photograph·1937·Sydney CBD

Bishops in procession at the Fourth Plenary Council, St Mary's Cathedral, 1937

Plenary Council at St Mary's CathedralSam Hood
Loaded lorry beside a Double Bay tram, Sydney — photograph, from Sydney, 1937
photograph·1937

Loaded lorry beside a Double Bay tram, Sydney, 1937

Smash between tram and lorrySam Hood
Flags Draped for the Anzac Memorial's Opening, Hyde Park — photograph, from Anzac Memorial, 1934
photograph·1934·Sydney CBD

Flags Draped for the Anzac Memorial's Opening, Hyde Park, 1934

Opening of Anzac War Memorial, Sydney, by Duke of GloucesterSam Hood
Anzac Memorial under construction, Hyde Park, Sydney — photograph, from Hyde Park, c. 1932–39
photograph·1930·Sydney CBD

Anzac Memorial under construction, Hyde Park, Sydney, c. 1932–39

View from T & G Building, Anzac War Memorial under constructionTed Hood