34A Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, was built circa 1886 and was formerly known as Macleay House. It is hidden behind a high fence and dense foliage but its lavish chandelier-encrusted, two-storey high entrance foyer and lawns leading to the lapis lazuli Sydney Harbour highlight its grandeur. From about 1886-1900 it was one of many private Ladies colleges established in Sydney at the time. This educational pattern reflected increased opportunities offered to females during this era and became an important means by which single women could earn a respectable and independent income. It was one of a number of waterfront allotments leased from the Macleay Estate during the second half of the nineteenth century. Land reclamation was carried out along the shores of Elizabeth bay during this period, with two allotments of reclaimed land purchased by McArthur-Onslow in 1889 and 1900. A new lease for the property was granted by JW Macarthur Onslow to Mr EC Nicholson in 1907-8. James B Nicholson appears in the Sands’ Directory in 1908 related to the site and the property is renamed Beauregard, a French name meaning well regarded, perhaps derived from the water views from the villa. . A building application was submitted to Sydney Council for a garage in 1909. This is a very early example of an architecturally designed purpose built garage. Cars were very rare and expensive in this period. In 1912, JW MacArthur-Onslow leased the property to David Forester Gibb, a well-known sheep grazier and judge of merinos from Berthong, near Wallendbeen, about 100km north of Wagga Wagga. He retired to Elizabeth Bay and renamed the site after his property, Berthong.

Frank Albert, sheet music/harmonica millionaire, then acquired the site in 1936. He built a boathouse and built Boomerang next door. In 1978 he sold the site, which included the boathouse and Berthong. The site was subdivided in 1979 and converted back to a single residence in 2003/4 and a number of alterations were carried out.

By Andrew Woodhouse, Director, Heritage Solutions

Andrew Woodhouse

Director – Heritage Solutions
Suite 12
3 McDonald Street Potts Point NSW 2011
Ph mob: 0415 949 506

Email heritagesolutions@live.com.au