Olympic Families of Mosman traces three Mosman families that have achieved Olympic success in sailing and swimming.
Mosman, with its many bays and beaches, continues to see much of its Olympic success in water sports, what is not so well known is Mosman’s family success at the Olympics.
This success comes alive with Olympic stories from the Herford, Bethwaite and Wilmot families, complemented by photographs and a voiceover by Matt Carroll AM, the CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee.
From the late 19th century Irish immigrant Richard Hayes Harnett Snr and his son opened up Mosman as a desirable place to live. Migrants flocked to Mosman and the boom times began.
Share the stories of a Belgian wool buyer, post Second World War immigrants and refugees, an Italian model and among the more recent migrants, Balmoral Bathers Pavilion owner and chef, Serge Dansereau.
Patrick and Ellen Leahy started their real estate business in Mosman in 1890 and it still exists today, in the same family, as P.Leahy Pty Ltd.
The story of the oldest business in Mosman comes alive with reminiscences from friends and family and over 200 images of early Mosman. Celebrate with P.Leahy Pty Ltd over 125 years of the bust and boom of Mosman real estate.
Mavis Sykes (1909-1997), remembered as ‘Miss Sykes’, started teaching ballet in Mosman from the 1920s and went on to choreograph Mosman Musical Society productions and establish her own ballet school in Mosman where she taught till her retirement in 1993.
To celebrate and honour Mavis Sykes, her friends, former students and son Ian Campbell reminisce about the life of this remarkable woman. Their memories, illustrated with over 200 photographs bring to life the Mavis Sykes story.
Kenneth Dryland, besides being the late Dame Joan Sutherland’s hairdresser for over 50 years and Mosman’s 1982 Citizen of the Year, was the director of the inaugural Festival of Mosman in 1981 and continued to direct this major event until 1997.
Diane Wachman, born and bred in Mosman, was also an active and integral member of the Festival of Mosman committee until 1997 and then her skills were snapped up by the newly formed Mosman Art Gallery.
Kenneth and Diane relive the Festivals of Mosman from 1981—1997, festivals that brought the Mosman community together and put Mosman on the map for arts, entertainment and shopping!
Kenneth Dryland was the director of the inaugural Festival of Mosman in 1981 and continued to direct this major event until 1997.
Diane Wachman was also an active and integral member of the Festival of Mosman committee during this period.
Together they relive the early years of the Festival, festivals that brought the Mosman community together and put Mosman on the map for arts, entertainment and shopping!
Gavin Souter AO is a journalist, historian, author and patron of the Mosman Historical Society. He wrote Mosman: a history for Mosman Council in 1994 and regards the suburb rich with historical material. He reveals some of this wealth when talking about the early defences at Middle Head and the Amphitheatre built at the northern end of Balmoral.
Marlene Reid and her husband Jim, along with their young family, moved their business and home into a boatshed at The Spit in 1967 and spent the next 41 years at this picturesque entrance to Mosman. Marlene looks back on this time with delight and, despite the hard work, it was still a beautiful part of Mosman to live.
Barry O’Keefe AM was elected to Mosman Council in 1968 with bushland conservation and control of development his key principal policy areas. He served the people of Mosman for 23 years including a record ten terms as Mayor of Mosman. In this interview he speaks with enthusiasm about living in Mosman and his involvement in public life.
Gaynor Mitchell has lived in Mosman since the 1960s although her connection with Mosman started much earlier with her performance in the Mosman Musical Society’s 1949 production of The Geisha. In this interview Gaynor recalls many special moments in her 26 years of performing with the Society.
Dominic Lopez OAM served the people of Mosman as Councillor from December 1968 to January 2012. This commitment to Mosman started in 1935 for the Lopez family when Antonio Lopez opened a fruit shop in Mosman Junction. Against this backdrop Dom reminisces about the family business, the goodwill of the customers and the changes in Mosman and Spit Junction.
