Plans, drawings, photographs, prints and other material relating to Luna Park, North Sydney, New South Wales; and plans of rides and buildings at R.A.S. Showground, Moore Park, New South Wales; Luna Park, St Kilda, Victoria; and Luna Park, Glenelg, South Australia, ca. 1926-1997

fonds

ca. 1926-1997

Graphic Materials, Textual Records, Architectural and Technical Drawings, Objects, Drawings, Design Drawings, Ephemera, Photographs, Prints

914079

143 architectural drawings
108 photographs
25 drawings
15 items of ephemera
3 prints
2 items of textual material
1 tea-towel

Luna Park in North Sydney was officially opened on 4 October 1935. Established by Herman and Leon Phillips, who had previously established Parks in St Kilda, Melbourne (1912) and in Glenelg, S.A. (1930) with the Abrahams family, the layout is accredited to Herman Phillips whose ideas were realised by Rupert Browne, the designer of Luna Park at Glenelg. David Atkins was the manager responsible for the Park’s construction; Stuart Bros. builders were the building contractors; and Ted Hopkins was the maintenance engineer and assistant manager. Rupert Browne returned to Melbourne following the opening of the Park, leaving Arthur Barton to continue the scenic painting in the Park.

Many of the rides at Luna Park in Sydney came from Glenelg. Luna Park Glenelg was put up for auction in April 1935, the equipment being bought by the directors of Luna Park Glenelg Ltd. Ted Hopkins, who at the time was an electrical engineer at Luna Park Glenelg, made drawings of the rides before parts were numbered, dismantled and transported to Sydney in June 1935.

Original rides at Luna Park in Sydney included the Big Dipper; Coney Island; the River Caves and Old Mill; the Ghost Train; Goofy House; Noah’s Ark, Tumble Bug; Penny Arcade; Hey Dey (replaced in 1951); the Whip (replaced in 1940); Let’s Duk Sweetie (replaced ca. 1947); the Whirler (replaced in 1951); and Dodgem Palace.

The façade, boats, and some scenes in the River Caves came from Luna Park Glenelg. In 1936 the River Caves channel was partially dug up to increase the speed. A white mountain complete with operating ’60-foot’ waterfalls were added in August 1937 from a model built by Rupert Browne.

In subsequent seasons new additions were made to the Park including the Floating Palais (later called the Palais de Danse), moored off the Dodgem Building in 1936. Originally used for roller skating it was transformed to a dance hall in 1939. Other additions included the Crazy House (added in 1947); and a new Penny Arcade building (1949).

David Atkins ran games at the Park as a concession under his company David Atkins Pty Ltd which also had games at the Royal Easter Show. In 1950, David Atkins (on behalf of a consortium including Ted Hopkins) bought out the shares of Leon and Harold Phillips. By this time the Park was in need of new equipment. Rides opened during this period included the Cha-Cha (ca. 1951) and the Wild Mouse (introduced in the early 1960s). The Wild Mouse was moved to the Sydney Showground during the Royal Easter Show. David Atkins died suddenly from a heart attack in 1957. Ted Hopkins became manager of the Park, with Doc Harding as chairman of directors.

In April 1969 Luna Park’s lease and equipment were sold to a business consortium which included Leon Fink. The Park was extensively redecorated between 1973 and 1977 when Martin Sharp headed a team of artists to work on the Park. In 1970 the Wild Cat was built by Girvan Bros to replace the Wild Mouse. In 1973 the Zipper, Hurricane, and Astrospin were introduced.

On 9 June 1979 a fire destroyed the Ghost Train killing 6 children and one adult, and resulting in the closure of the Park In September 1980, a 30-year lease for the Park was granted to Australian Amusements Associates. In return for the lease, the company promised to build Kiddieland, a water slide, install dodgems, and other rides and games.

Reference:
Luna Park : just for fun / Sam Marshall. 2nd ed. Milsons Point, N.S.W. : Luna Park Sydney, 2005

This collection chiefly documents the buildings, rides, attractions, and development of Sydney's Luna Park from its construction in 1935 to 1979. It includes architectural plans, drawings, photographs, prints, and ephemera associated with Luna Park North Sydney, ca. 1935-1997. The collection also includes plans and drawings of buildings and rides at Luna Park in St Kilda, 1926 and 1965; Luna Park in Glenelg, ca. 193-; and Royal Agricultural Society (R.A.S.) Showground, Moore Park, 1949-1966.

SERIES 01:
Architectural plans and drawings of rides and buildings at Luna Park (North Sydney, New South Wales), Luna Park (St Kilda, Victoria) and Luna Park (Glenelg, South Australia); and plans of buildings and rides at Royal Agricultural Society Showground, Moore Park, New South Wales, ca. 1926-1979.

SERIES 02:
Photographs of Luna Park, Sydney, New South Wales, and related material, ca. 1940-1997.

SERIES 03:
Views of Luna Park, North Sydney, New South Wales, 1978-1982 / by Geoffrey Harvey

SERIES 04:
Coupon cards, tickets, invitations, tea towel, and letterhead paper from Luna Park, North Sydney, New South Wales, ca. 1967-1989

Copyright restrictions may apply