Chambers

DESCRIPTION

NameChambersDescriptionThomas Martin and Kathleen Mary Chambers (nee Drew) moved to Lake Illawarra in 1932 after buying a bakery that had come up for sale in the area.

The family travelled from Auburn, Sydney to Shellharbour by car through the dense bush, and only passed six other cars on their trip.

In the summer months, thousands of campers and holiday makers were served at the bakery. In the off season, the bakery served only the locals. Bread was delivered to Oak Flats, Marshall Mount, Albion Park and Albion Park Rail.

Flour for the bread came by train to Albion Park Rail. Butter and ice were bought from the Illawarra Cooperative Central Dairy (ICCD) Factory in Creamery Road. Bread deliveries were made three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. All bread was made by hand and baked in a wood oven.

In 1943, on the night of the Cities Service Boston shipwreck, when the area was at the mercy of a ferocious storm, Chambers Bakery had sand five feet up the windows from the huge sand hills at Warilla Beach and the family couldn't get out of the door. Heavy machinery used to construct the airstrip at Albion Park Rail was used to excavate the sand around the bakery and house.

When Albert Orange sold his famous Illawarra Guesthouse at Oak Flats, the Chambers family bought it and transported it board by board over to Lake South, where they rebuilt it as The California.

Thomas and Kathleen Chambers had four children -

Norman b.1915 Coonamble
Mary Monica b.1917 Coonamble
George Campbell b.1921 Auburn
Thomas Noel b.1922 Auburn.

Thomas Noel and wife Beulah Frances Chambers (nee Green) took over the bakery from Thomas' parents.

External LinkMayor's Report 1943Mayor's Report 1945

Tom and Beulah Chambers, Lake Illawarra South, c.1950.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionFamiliesLocalityLake Illawarra SouthPlaceCalifornia Guesthouse and TreeIllawarra Guest House (California)Blackbutt MotelRelated ItemChambers BakeryChambers Bros Bakery van advertising ‘Snowstream sliced breadChambers Bros Bakery Morris J Van advertising ‘Snowstream' sliced breadChambers Bros Bakery delivery vanChambers Bros Bakery delivery vanChambers Bros Bakery Chevrolet delivery vanChambers Bakery dock in the 1960sChambers Bakery c.1960Chambers Bakery 1943

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Chambers