Warrah (Crommelin) Field Station Kitchen and Barbecue Area, Pearl Beach

This image was published in The University of Sydney News Vol 26 No 13 (p. 6).

This item is part of the HerStory Hike with the Archives, a history walk around the Camperdown and Darlington campuses of the University.

An Unhappy But Fortunate Marriage

75 Crystal Avenue, Pearl Beach was the home of Minard Fannie Crommelin, "...postmistress and conservationist…'one of the University's major benefactors', bequeathing her home and several acres at Pearl Beach, on the Central Coast". [Ref 1].

On 2 December 1946, the Senate approved the use of the University Seal for, "All documents in connection with the transfer of the Crommelin (Warra) Property and other assets from Miss M.F. Crommelin to the University" [Ref 2], having previously, on 4 November 1946, "…agreed that when the Warra Biological Station is transferred to the University, the Station should be called the Cromellin [sic] Biological Station" [Ref 3].

The Deed of Gift, dated 8 April 1947, stated that, "Minard Fannie Crommelin of Warra Retired Public Servant…is desirous of seeing established…in perpetuity a Biological and natural field station for research into and for the promotion of the study and the improvement and preservation of the native flora and protection of the native fauna". Crommelin agreed to, "…transfer to the University the subject premises being the land and buildings thereon and furniture and library and furnishings", with the provision that the University will, among other things, "…pay to the donor during her life an annuity…permit the donor during her life...(a) To reside rent free and free from the payment of all rates taxes electricity dues and insurance premiums and cost of repairs in the small cottage known as "Wee Warra"…(b) To cultivate and have the use of a small piece of land adjoining the cottage in which she shall reside and to keep any number not exceeding five bee-hives thereon…(d) to have quiet enjoyment of the small cottage…and the lavatory used in connection with it…keep the donor supplied during her life with such firewood as she shall require for her own personal use…permit the donor to have the use and undisturbed enjoyment rent free of the large cottage on the same land known as "Warrah"…Employ a permanent and full time officer or caretaker to supervise the subject premises". [Ref 4].

Crommelin, however, was compelled to write to the University on 16 October 1947, "I am surprised the appointment of the caretaker must be delayed, as I understood the deed made this provision...I would be glad if you could point out that the position is one of an urgent nature owing to the bush fire hazard. In the event of a bad fire this property would be cut off, I would not be capable of fire-fighting, and would probably be unable to escape...It is not safe for me to leave the place unattended...I am no longer able to do the manual labour and the constant anxiety during the summer months is a big strain...I would rather accept a smaller allowance myself than feel the place is not to be safeguarded and maintained in a fitting manner".

The matter, however, was not resolved by the University, as a month later, on 23 November 1947, Crommelin wrote to Professor Alan Burges of the Department of Botany, "The deed was in preparation for more than two years, and finally arranged to meet the wishes of the Dept. of Botany and upkeep were agreed to, and quiet enjoyment of my home promised. The gift was made thinking I would be saved worry and anxiety...but this has increased beyond all reason...We are now approaching the dangerous period, and everything is overgrown and neglected...A tiger snake 4ft. 5ins. long was killed at the small tank...My isolated position, and the danger of the surrounding undergrowth was quite well understood...The area having been accepted as a Biological Station I have hoped for assistance from other Depts. to help with the problems of bird and animal life...Is it any wonder I am unable to sleep - after months of promises, delays, and disappointments...I can only make a last appeal that the agreement will be kept".

The issues continued with Professor Burges writing a lengthy letter to the Vice-Chancellor on 30 March 1950 that, "Part of Miss Crommelin's worries I think arise out of a possible difference in ideas as to how the research station would ultimately be used...Miss Crommelin has always pictured it as an active centre of research with a full time University research officer permanently stationed at Warrah, that students should come at frequent intervals and perhaps spend appreciable periods in residence. Our present University courses make it unlikely...Despite these difficulties the research station would form a most valuable asset to the Department of Botany, and to a lesser extent to the Department of Zoology...for field work...where many of our native species could be grown for class work and as a site for permanent observation...an admirable place to take visiting scientists from overseas. [Ref 5].

The relationship between Crommelin and the University remained tense over the years, "'an unhappy marriage'", according to her biographer, as, "The road for both benefactor and University staff was undoubtedly a rocky one and the lengthy negotiations proved a trial for all concerned. Her dream…was born amid recriminations and lasting bitterness on her part, and palliative measures on the part of the University to please an undoubtedly demanding woman with, at times, unrealistic expectations…a situation in which 'a determined lady with set idealistic views locked horns with academics and bureaucrats in a battle where, fortunately, the winners were the students'". [Ref 6].

There were some at the University, however, who perhaps sided more with Crommelin’s grander vision for the property. In 1959, GR Meyer, Temporary Lecturer in Zoology, wrote that, "After studying field stations in England I’m convinced the Crommelin Station could be made into a flourishing teaching and research centre". Meyer bemoaned that, "At the present time the Centre is not being fully utilized - student parties…making use of it for only two or three weeks of the year, and one or two outside organizations such as the Sydney Teachers College and the University of New England making irregular visits. Only a little research is undertaken there by post-graduate students…and yet has a great potential for making considerable contributions to education and to scholarship in this State". For Meyer, "The Pearl Beach Station is an ideal field teaching and research centre situated as it is on the edge of the large "Warrah Sanctuary" and with an excellent variety of habitats for natural history studies within walking distance of the station. It is almost unique to find one centre close to rivers, creeks, ponds, estuaries, marine rock formations, sand-dunes, swamps and Hawkesbury sandstone bushland". [Ref 7].

Meyer’s detailed report, however, produced no results, as this time, on 5 March 1970, Professor MG Pitman, Head of the School of Biological Sciences, wrote to the Vice-Chancellor that, "The caretaker has informed us that the owner of the pig-farm next door has been offered $20,000 for her property (about 6 acres)…The present owner is likely to accept an offer of $25,000. The usefulness of the Crommelin Biological Station would be greatly increased if the University could acquire this property. The present accommodation is insufficient for our student numbers…It is becoming increasingly difficult to collect class material (botanical) around Sydney, in fact our collector frequently has to travel 100’s of miles a week to obtain it: with the pig-farm added much of this could be grown at Warrah…Compared with the other Sydney universities, this University has poor facilities for training students in field work". Unfortunately, Professor Pitman was informed that the University, "...cannot find $25,000 to reserve the area for the growth of native shrubs".

A few years later, Professor DT Anderson, the new Head of the School, tried again, "I was very pleased to receive your letter of the 15th July 1974 indicating a possibility of purchase of a five-acre block of land bordering the Crommelin Biological Station…With the changing emphasis in biological teaching…the Station is being used very extensively by the School for Second and Third year students’ field studies, and is now fully booked out for every weekend during the academic year and for each week of the two shorted vacations. There has also been a development of research activities based on the Station which bring it into more active use during the long vacation. In addition, courses which have been introduced for Marine Biology…are leading us to the further development of the…Station as a field centre for marine work and we expect this usage to increase". Unfortunately, this too fell through, as, "The asking price is $93,000 which we believe to be far in excess of the value of the block". [Ref 8].

While Crommelin supposedly felt like, "…a failure towards the end of her life" as she deemed, "…that the University had failed in its agreement" [Ref 9],  the research facility was undeniably an invaluable resource for the multitudes of academics and students who visited the property, "…to take advantage of its environment for study, and to enjoy its tranquil, simple atmosphere…there is hardly a day in the year when the Station isn’t being used by staff, students or visitors". [Ref 10].

When Crommelin passed away on 4 February 1972, Mary Besly, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, wrote a piece in the May 1972 edition of The Gazette commemorating her legacy, "…some thousands of biology students have stayed at Warrah and studied the animals and plants of the area. For many it has been their first introduction to "the bush"...they recall the few days at Warrah as their most pleasurable university experience...Miss Crommelin had great ability in any sort of handicraft and there are several examples of her industry at Warrah...The rugs I will remember especially, they were made from discarded men's woollen socks, and every man who visited Warrah in those days was asked to contribute towards them; some of Sydney's leading biologists provided the makings for those rugs". [Ref 11].

Ref 1: The University of Sydney News Vol 17 No 30 (15/10/1985), p. 237, [REF-00039749]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 2: Senate Minutes February 1946 to August 1947 (04/02/1946 to 11/08/1947), p. 272, [REF-00000015]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 3: see Ref 2, p. 260.

Ref 4: Crommelin Biological Station (1966 to 1979), [REF-00036906]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 5: Crommelin Biological Station - General File - File 1 of 3 (1947 to 1952), [REF-00042846]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 6: The University of Sydney News Vol 26 No 13 (17/05/1994), p. 6, [REF-00040968]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 7: Crommelin Biological Station - General File - File 2 of 3 (1953 to 1959), [REF-00094002]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 8: see Ref 4.

Ref 9: see Ref 6.

Ref 10: The University of Sydney News Vol 14 No 29 (02/11/1982), p. 238, [REF-00039288]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 11: The University of Sydney Gazette Vol 2 1961-1970 and Vol 3 1971-1972 (May 1961 to Sep 1972), pp. 36-37, [REF-00085209]. University of Sydney Archives.