45 Wharf Road, Birchgrove NSW 2041
This page records a former house at this address. It does not describe the building currently on the site.
Every home has a story — whether it spans generations or is only just beginning.
About Wharf Road
Historical/alternate name evidence: Smith Street. Land-purchase evidence is recorded from 1/4/1853. The first extracted Sands reference is 1871.
- Captain Charles Smith Esq of Sydney and Didier Numa Joubert, merchant of Sydney — lots 1, 2 and 3 section 31 and lots 1, 2 and 3 section 32, 1/4/1853.
- Smith Street
Some historical information was obtained using Streets, Lanes, and Places 1836–2017 by Yvonne Davidson and Kathleen Hamey, The Balmain Association Inc. (2017).
The story of this home
Waitara — demolished. Site now occupied by the Thomas Birch Townhouses. Demolition date not yet confirmed.
Waitara
Waitara at 45 Wharf Road was associated with Tay Lighterage, the harbour business of Norman and George Lycett and George Westerberg. Pamela Jeffery records its move here in the late 1920s and construction of a wharf across the waterfront.
Norman and Catherine (Kate) Lycett later made Waitara their family home. Their relatives George and Margaret Euphemia (Pheme) Lycett lived at Raywell, 144 Louisa Road. Waitara remained in the family until 1966.
This record concerns the historic property. Its construction date remains unverified. The photograph is a distant waterfront context view, captioned by the Lycett family blog as a sabot sailing past Waitara; it does not establish the identity of every building visible.
Pamela Jeffery, “Birchgrove: 1796–1985”, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15 (1986), p. 26. Read source.
Family photograph and recollections, posted by kaylycett, 24 May 2016.
Historic people
People whose lives form part of this house’s story.
Catherine (Kate) Lycett
Kate moved from Raywell to Waitara with Norman and their children.
View full profile →Norman Lycett
Norman and Kate lived at Waitara after the earlier occupant George Westerberg died.
View full profile →Existing people — add information or manage entries
People associated with this house
Residents, owners, builders and others whose connection forms part of this house’s history.
Catherine (Kate) Lycett — Resident · Later occupancy; exact dates unverified
Later occupancy; exact dates unverified
Kate moved from Raywell to Waitara with Norman and their children.
Sources:
Pamela Jeffery, “Birchgrove: 1796–1985”, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15 (1986), p. 26.
Norman Lycett — Resident; Tay Lighterage partner · Later occupancy; exact dates unverified
Later occupancy; exact dates unverified
Norman and Kate lived at Waitara after the earlier occupant George Westerberg died.
Sources:
Pamela Jeffery, “Birchgrove: 1796–1985”, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15 (1986), p. 26.
Timeline
2Events are grouped into 20-year spans by their starting year. Full date ranges are retained.
1920–1939 (1 event)
-
Late 1920s
1960–1979 (1 event)
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1966
* Historical information for marked Timeline entries sourced from Pamela Jeffery, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 15, “Birchgrove: 1796–1985”, p. 26.
Memories from people
1A preview of photos connected to this house.
