Balls Head, Sydney

Photographer Charles H Kerry (& Co.)

Date1880s - 1890s

Object number00009434

NamePhotograph

MediumPhotographic print on paper

DimensionsImage: 152 x 189 mm
Mount: 510 x 408 mm, 2 mm
Sight: 147 x 180 mm
Overall: 510 x 408 mm, 2 mm, 0.13 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA photograph by Charles Kerry of Balls Head on Sydney Harbour. Titled '1970 Balls Head. Kerry Photo' the image depicts three sailing skiffs or yachts with a cliff in the background. Kerry and Co Photographers produced postcards of places of interest around Sydney and New South Wales including beaches, buildings and associated activities.HistoryThe name Balls Head, refers to Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball. In addition to being the commander of the First Fleet ship SUPPLY, Ball also surveyed this region on the north side of Sydney Harbour. Balls Head became the site of contention in 1916 when plans were announced to build a coal loading facility there. Many locals protested including the Australian poet Henry Lawson who wanted the area to remain a public bush reserve. He wrote a poem against the plans titled 'The Sacrifice of Balls Head': They're taking it, the shipping push, As all the rest must go — The only spot of cliff and bush That harbour people know. The spirit of the past is dead North Sydney has no soul — The State is cutting down Ball's Head. To make a wharf for coal. Where picnic parties used to go To spend a glorious day, With all the scenery of a coast And not a cent to pay. The deep cool tangle shall be cleared To make the glaring roads And motor lorries jolt and grind And drag their sordid loads. And strings of grimy trucks shall run In everlasting trains And on the cliffs where wild trees are Shall stand the soulless cranes, To dump their grimy loads below, Where great brown rocks are grand; And the deep grass and wild flowers grow — And boating couples land. No more shall poorer families Give "Grandma" and "Grandad" A glimpse of nature's mysteries To make their old hearts glad. No more our eyes shall be relieved In the city's garish day — A sordid crime has been achieved! And none has aught to say. A smaller area was set aside which became known as Balls Head Reserve in 1926 and the adjacent coal loading facility was operational from 1920 to 1992.SignificanceBalls Head was originally the home of the Cameragal people. Traditionally known as Yerroulbine, the region was an important source of food for the Cameragal and became part of the area where early contact with Europeans took place.