AVALON BEACH SURF CLUB.

MUST HAVE MISSED THIS ONE.

THE NEWPORT ARMS. SYDNEY OSSIE.


My repartee can not be completed without reference to this meeting place. Many social occasions will be held here, it was the place to meet after Carnivals. Many tales of bold achievements’ will be related at the side bar, the public bar, the garden bar and where ever you could collar somebody.

The hotel has a long and equitable history, you social historians can research this, my story will
be centered on it just being there.

My first recollections are scenery oriented, like garden stuff. The building was mainly timber and impressive, the expansive beer garden was a place where couples could have a tete de tete, (ozzie French). The Garden Bar was enshrouded by a wonderful grape vine emanating from A trunk of a substantial proportions. Many flowers and small scrubs were the frontdrop to a view of the upper reaches of Pittwater, and across to your left was---- and straight ahead was Bayview and Scotland Island. In the early days ‘Rum Runners’ plied this area, another story.

Many girls would frequent ‘The Arms’, that’s good and many boys, that’s bad. They were the opposition. They were also the Scenery and some were a sight to behold. Many many stories have come from the famous place, I imagine we did have an input into its history, AVALON SURF CLUB members that is.

But there were two famous people who made a mark on the NEWPORT ARMS. One man cooked and packed peanuts, he would purveyors, more French, his wares in a large ‘Grannies Basket’ calling out, famously, “BACK A TAIL”. HIS NAME WAS RICHARD, WE KNEW HIM AS ‘DICK THE PEANUT MAN’.

You want to sample his wares toss a coin, remember he backs a tail!, comes down a tail you pay double, comes down a head you get a free packet of nuts. God and Dick know the mathematical results. They were the best those nuts, more importantly was the friendly banter emanating from this friendly man. Some smarty’s would have a go at Dick and suggest he was a wrought, enter the other famous person.

Tim was a big bloke with a colorful history, he would not tolerate fools, dickheads or trouble makers. He had ‘Radar hearing’ for the sound of a glass breaking and would appear in an instant if an indiscretion occurred. Wait, who is this masked man.10/27/2007 1:50:25 PM, sorry time travelers, just preparing some ‘Rogan Josh’ and Farley’s fried rice. It’s a while before tea wanna join me? We will talk about Tim. More yarns to come.