Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 4 July 1938, page 12


SCENIC DRIVE.

Dobroyd Point Road

Opened.

MINISTER'S PRAISE.

The Minister for Defence, Mr. Thorby, officially opened a scenic drive at Dobroyd Point, near Manly, on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large and representative gathering.

"There is no city in the world which has such a beautiful setting as Sydney," the Minister said, when speaking of the panorama of harbour and headland seen from the drive. He congratulated the Manly Council on the manner in which it was opening up various beauty spots in a district which was so won-derfully favoured. Evidently they recognised that such places were wasted unless means of getting to them were provided. The making of the road, paid for out of relief funds, had given employment to many persons.

The Mayor of Manly, Alderman P. L. Nolan, who presided, said the land on the point had been reserved for military purposes about 70 years ago, and had remained in its natural state until the Defence Department gave the council permission to construct this road and open up the area. The road had been built out of liberal grants made to the council by the Department of Works and Local Govern-ment at a cost of £7,000. Credit must be given to the aldermen for their vision in plan-ning these works, a large share being due to ex-Alderman Chas. Gourlay, who first pro-posed this drive.

MINISTER GIVEN PAINTING.

"We have discarded the traditional presenta-tion of a pair of scissors on this occasion," the Mayor said, as he handed to the Minister a painting in oils of the beautiful view from the roadway, the work of Mr. J. Jackson, a local resident.

An inspection of the drive and surroundings was then made by the official party. The road circles the crest of the hill. A lookout and two cairns have been erected from which to view the surroundings. From the lookout there is a magnificent panorama, with Middle Har-bour to the right, Manly to the left, and the Heads in the centre of the picture. Paths have been made in several directions, the one likely to be most popular leading down to Grotto Point, opposite Balmoral Beach, and near to which there are some aboriginal carv-ings and a picnic ground.

After the inspection, the official guests were entertained at the Town Hall by the Mayor

and Mrs. Nolan.