Riverstone Historical Society & Museum

Riverstone Historical Society & Museum This page focuses on the history of Riverstone and the surrounding area. Managed by Riverstone & District Historical Society & Museum.

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONE: Who doesn't remember the Tuck Shop next to the Riverstone Infants School in Garfield Road? Ori...
04/06/2026

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONE: Who doesn't remember the Tuck Shop next to the Riverstone Infants School in Garfield Road? Originally established by Les & Ruth Mulford in 1939, it was then run by several others until Les and Ruth returned by the early 1960s. Assisted by their daughter, Betty Coleman, husband Vic and family, it became a thriving business. Les sold the shop to Betty and Vic, following Ruth's death in 1971. Over the years the shop was extended to the side to include a BBQ chicken area and gift shop, while their front living room was turned into a Pinball and games room. The Coleman's had a casual staff consisting of Joyce Erskine, Margaret Mills, Joan Freeman, Nancy Mulford (wife of Les jnr), Maureen McGaughey and Gladys Coleman (Vic’s mother). Coleman's operated the store until 1982, it was sold in 1984. The shop was demolished in 1985 for Carlo's.

One of the iconic stores in Riverstone, the memory of the Tuck Shop lives on in many of our memories. Please share your thoughts....

Photo: Vic in the Tuck Shop early 1970s, courtesy of the Coleman family. If you want to read more about the family business check out the article from our website https://shorturl.at/rfZNN

MONDAY MEMORIES:Indicator or destination boards were installed on most railway stations by the 1930s and let passengers ...
01/06/2026

MONDAY MEMORIES:
Indicator or destination boards were installed on most railway stations by the 1930s and let passengers know the times of the next trains and which platforms the train would arrive and depart. These boards are from Riverstone Railway Station and are on display in the Riverstone Museum courtesy of the Office of Rail Heritage. They were located outside the office. Do you remember the boards?

If you want to visit the rail display or any of the other interesting items at the Riverstone Museum, the next Open Day will be on Sunday 7 June 11am - 3pm. Gold Coin Donation. We are located at 81 Garfield Road East and look forward to catching up with our Riverstone friends in person.

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONEDr. John Knox Wilkie (1929–2025) was a popular family doctor in Riverstone in the 1960s and 1970...
29/05/2026

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONE
Dr. John Knox Wilkie (1929–2025) was a popular family doctor in Riverstone in the 1960s and 1970s. He operated out of the surgery in Garfield Road and in the early days lived in the residence at the rear. In later years he lived with his family on Garfield Road, where he had stables and a trotting track. He was an interesting character and highly respected. In the mid-1970s he moved to Bondi Junction and the surgery was taken over by Dr Penhall and Dr Dixon. Dr Wilkie passed away at the age of 95 in March 2025.

Do you remember Dr Wilkie, do you have any have memories you would like to share?

Photo: https://www.mytributes.com.au

MONDAY MEMORIES:Birdeye view of Riverstone's commercial area. The photograph was taken in about 1967 from the tree in th...
25/05/2026

MONDAY MEMORIES:
Birdeye view of Riverstone's commercial area. The photograph was taken in about 1967 from the tree in the grounds of the Uniting Church, possibly while installing Christmas decorations. It was formerly the Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Garfield Road and Oxford Street. Is this how you remember Riverstone?

Photo: James Ferguson

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONEYou may have heard, growing up, that Jack Mundey, well-known icon and activist had connections t...
21/05/2026

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONE
You may have heard, growing up, that Jack Mundey, well-known icon and activist had connections to Riverstone? He was the Builders' Labourers Federation leader and member of Australian Communist Party member. Although most people know him for his work on the green bans in Woolloomooloo and The Rocks in the 1970s, saving much of the historic landscape from developers, he also had a connection to Riverstone.

Born in Queensland he moved to Sydney when he was 19. He played rugby league for Parramatta in 1950. Jack was involved with the Riverstone Rugby League Club in the 1950s and in 1955 accepted the position as Captain/Coach of the Riverstone ‘A’ grade team. They won the grand final 19-14 against Richmond, after coming back from half time 11-0, produced an impressive finish scoring 5 tries and 2 goals to win. Jack is pictured below, centre middle row. It is 6 years ago this month, that Jack passed away, aged 90. Have you heard any stories about Jack growing up?

Read more about the history of football here https://shorturl.at/tB1rQ

MONDAY MEMORIESRiverstone High School in the 1970s, with students gathered to watch a high jump event. The photograph wa...
17/05/2026

MONDAY MEMORIES
Riverstone High School in the 1970s, with students gathered to watch a high jump event. The photograph was taken from the football oval, looking across the basketball courts toward the Industrial Arts and Canteen building. Might be a PE class, training or maybe an athletics carnival.

What memories of sport and athletics at does this scene bring back for you?

Note: The building was demolished to make way for a new building as part of the High School renovations. Photo: Riverstone High School collection.

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONEThis shows the first time a team from St. John's Primary School in Riverstone, participated in ...
14/05/2026

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONE
This shows the first time a team from St. John's Primary School in Riverstone, participated in competitive sport. Apparently the team won their category at the annual Schools Knockout Competition at Penrith in 1969. (It was 5 st 2nd Division Primary?) They were also runners-up in the Hawkesbury Primary Schools Rugby League Competition.

We know it is not a clear image but did you play in this team or can you recognise any faces? Please share any details in the comments.

From Windsor & Richmond Gazette 20 Aug 1969, p. 8. Retrieved http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281631196

MONDAY MEMORIESRiverstone Railway Station buildings in 1974, from Garfield Road, before electrification. The line betwee...
10/05/2026

MONDAY MEMORIES
Riverstone Railway Station buildings in 1974, from Garfield Road, before electrification. The line between Riverstone & Blacktown was electrified in 1975. It looks like the photograph was captured from the first storey verandah of the Royal Hotel.

Far right you can see the top of the Commonwealth Bank, Conway's Newsagent and near the centre, the washing hanging on the line in the yard of the Stationmaster's House.

If you were in Riverstone in 1974, what were you doing?
[Courtesy State Records NSW]

Today on Mother's Day we remember the Mothers, Grandmothers and Gt-Grandmothers from Riverstone's past. They often had h...
10/05/2026

Today on Mother's Day we remember the Mothers, Grandmothers and Gt-Grandmothers from Riverstone's past. They often had hard lives, but complained little. Riverstone mothers were a special bunch and we have the utmost respect for them.

Share your memories or photos on this special day. Pictured late 1920s, early 30s, a group of women near the back of Conway's newsagents looking towards Garfield Road. Mavis Conway's is 2nd left. From the Michael Groves Collection.

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONEFishing was a popular past time in Riverstone in the past. Eastern and South Creeks were visited...
08/05/2026

GROWING UP IN RIVERSTONE
Fishing was a popular past time in Riverstone in the past. Eastern and South Creeks were visited regularly by Riverstone inhabitants from the late 19th century until the 1960s.

Locals usually walked through the Meatworks paddocks to gain access to their destination and mullet, catfish, perch and sometimes eel, were caught. In more recent years, an official permit from the Riverstone Meatworks was needed.

Here are a few pictures from the fishing display at the Riverstone Museum. The fishing rods, used in the local creeks, were donated by Norm Jennings and Clarrie Neal and the tackle box belonged to Bill Doolan. The photo shows Bill Cook and Joe Martin with their catch of the day.

Do you have any stories to share about local fisherman or memorable catches associated with Riverstone?

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81 Garfield Road East
Riverstone, NSW
2765

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