Robert Duncan has many memories of Lake Illawarra and the small settlement of Unanderra. He recalls school days, picnics, walking in the bush, dances and tea meetings in the hall, and local industries. This interview was recorded on a cassette tape in 1973 and was digitised in 2020, so the sound quality is uneven. The original tape is part of the Anne Ali Collection MSS 384, which is held in the Local Studies collection at Wollongong City Library.

Listen to Robert’s Interview

Robert’s audio interview can be downloaded here.

Keywords

Lake Illawarra – Unanderra Public School – Families – Farming – Coke Works – Picnics – Swimming – Allen Creek – Steelworks – Movies – Tea Meetings – Kembla Grange Races – Dr Kerr – Dr Lee – Mrs O’Donnell – Depression – Gardening – Cobbler’s Hill – Jenkinson Estate

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Robert Duncan’s Interview Transcript

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Robert’s Photo Album

P10722 – Unanderra Public School

P13160 – Unanderra looking south east from Cobblers Hill

P10669 – Unanderra Community Hall and Public Library (formerly the Central Illawarra Municipal Council Chambers)

P02954 – Unanderra Public School, 1910

P13626 – Lake Illawarra, 1929

P17954 – Lake Illawarra

P18086 – Gooseberry Island in background