Century Ago

With Mick Roberts

Woonona "Mr RC Williams is having a butcher's shop erected on his recently acquired block of land next to Sharples' hotel. Already quite an excavation is being carried on."

Sharples' hotel The Royal was known as Hooper's Hotel when it was demolished in 1983 and was located on the highway near the driveway of McDonald's restaurant. A century later Williams Butchers trades on the corner of Park Rd and the highway at Bulli.

Corrimal "An agitation is being made for a telephone exchange, an official post office, and a registrar of births, deaths and marriages."

Clifton "At a meeting held at Tarpey's hotel* on Thursday night last it was decided to hold a concert and dance in aid of the Bulli Cottage Hospital&"

* Michael Tarpey was the licensee of the Clifton Inn, which sat opposite the present Imperial Hotel, from 1905 until it closed in 1911. Tarpey was an active member of the Bulli Hospital committee and was involved in many fundraising projects. He died while holidaying in Clifton in 1914 in a bedroom of the Imperial Hotel and was buried in the Scarborough Wombarra Cemetery.

Corrimal "There is a movement on to establish a cottage hospital here. Donations to the extent of 200 pounds are already promised, and there seems every prospect of the movement going ahead. With the establishment of a hospital and having two resident doctors the people of Corrimal would be better served than having to travel a distance to Bulli or Wollongong."

Bellambi "The farmers round here are busy ploughing and sowing for early Spring feed. The stock generally are in good condition for this time of year."

Corimal "The recent improvements to the public school, by way of brick and concrete footways, are a considerable advantage to the place And should be much appreciated especially in wet weather."

Clifton "At last the billiard room in Clifton is in full swing, and the enterprising proprietor, Mr [Fred] Kluss, should be well rewarded for his venture."

Bulli Times September 28 1906