Rushcutters pedestrian overpass

From this walkway, with the Wlliam Street tunnel beneath me, with the Cross-City Tunnel beneath me, with New South Head Road beneath me, and with the Eastern Suburbs railway beneath me, I stand and gaze up the embankment that is part of Paddington. Permit me to point out two parts of the landscape.

In the centre mid-ground there is a mass of trees, just before that high-rise on the horizon. This is the wooded part of Trumper Park that I showed you extensively earlier this year. Immediately 'beneath' this tree-mass, in a series of manicured sporting fields. These are the sporting fields of Sydney Grammar School, known as 'Weigal'. These fields used to be the location of two Sydney landmarks of my youth: White City, and The Stadium. White City was a series of tennis courts where many of the Australian tennis triumphs of the '50s occurred. The Stadium was a 'structure'- in reality a tin shed - where many boxing matches occurred and music concerts were staged. The Beatles performed at The Stadium, as did Peter, Paul & Mary.


Yes, if you were wondering, these shots were taken on different days, using different cameras.

Lines on an oval

Trumper Park, Paddington, early one morning.

Embossed bronze panelling

I live in Paddington and my daughter lives in Double Bay. It is not very far to walk and takes me about 35 minutes, to go down the gully my side and up the gully her side. The bottom of the gully is Trumper Park. Opposite the park is this exquisite Federation style house.


The squatness of the house is appealing, as is the fretwork. But what is the panel above the main door? It looks to be of embossed bronze. That could be a lotus seed, or it could be an ear of corn. I am tempted to think it is some sort of 'harvest' diorama - but we are in the middle of a city. My guess is the house was constructed between 1890 and 1910.

Trumper Park – View over Paddington

Oxford Street Paddington is a ridge line which falls over a 1:20 incline the 1.5kms down to Rushcutters Bay. The small stream that used to tumble through Trumper Park is known as Glen Brook. One of the streets that runs down to the park is called Cascade Street.


On the left of the first photograph is the Paddington Town Hall, and further around to the right is the smoke stack of the old Royal Hospital for Women, across the road from my apartment.

As the final photograph testifies, we are not far from the city.

Trumper Park – The Pond

So close to Centennial Park by distance, so far by style.


Trumper Park has been left to fend for itself, pretty much. And is the better because of it. This pond typifies its style. It bubbles from nowhere, and disappears just as mysteriously. It is covered, engulfed, by weed, but is a most private and joyous place for contemplative privacy.


Tomorrow: looking over the Paddington escarpment from the high track through Trumper Park.

Trumped by eternity

Deep within the hollow at the rear of Edgecliff railway station, nestles this cricket oval, Trumper Park. It is part of an old creek bed draining Bellevue Hill to the east down into Rushcutter Bay which is part of Sydney Harbour.


Victor Trumper was a whirlwind of a batsmen who played for the local Paddington team and, having a modicum of ability caught the eye of the Australian selectors. He played at that level from 1899 - 1914, dying in 1915 aged 37 from Bright's disease, a disease of the kidneys.

This is a sad and run down memorial hidden away from prying eyes.