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On this Page 1
OUR OPINION j
j I (The opinions expressed in this Journal are 1
|j not necessarily those of the Master Builders' ;j
Association, unless otherwise stated)
THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRST
IMPRESSIONS
The Rose Bay Air Base
We have heard too often in press and book
of the unfavourable impressions that the unattractive
galvanised sheds at Fremantle —
the. traveller's first sight of Australia — have
made upon many of our overseas visitors. It
would appear that those who are to visit Australia
by air are to be similarly afflicted by
a first impression that is equally unsatisfactory.
. While possibly there may be some extenuating
circumstances in the case of the necessary wharf
buildings that are required at a port, there
is absolutely no excuse for the ridiculous
structure that is at present being erected at
Rose Bay for the housing of the necessary
servicing for the Empire flying boats. It will
be admitted, that there is some attempt at
architectural design in the Administrative
Building, but this other unfortunate botch
undoes any good that may be achieved with
the former building, and what is more it undoubtedly
appears to indicate a definite breach
of faith not only with residents of Rose Bay,
but also with the Government of New South
Wales.
It will welL be remembered-that considerable
controversy centred around the utilisation of
Rose Bay as an air base'for the Empire Flying
Boats. This journal was emphatically in favour
of this action, for it considered that Rose
Bay provided a most magnificent approach to
the City of Sydney, one which, in addition
to having all the .necessary practical attrib'
utes from an aerial point of view, is also
endowed by Nature in a remarkable fashion,
thus providing a unique gateway to Sydney
within a matter of a few minutes of the heart
of the City.
At that time it was stated by the Federal
Government that although Rose Bay would
probably only be employed temporarily as an
air base before larger and more permanent
provision had to be made at Botany Bay, the
necessary buildings would be of a suitable
character and would be appropriate to the
locality in which they were to be erected.
The present structure would be much more
at home in the industrial areas of Alexandria
many years ago or perhaps this is maligning
those areas, for the factory building of to-day
is a properly designed structure, and one which
expresses its purpose in a business-like and
well-planned manner! This structure looks
more like a dilapidated tram shed.
(Continued on page 6)

OUR OPINION
(Continued from front page)
Why is it that Australia always seems to fall
down when a wonderful opportunity presents itself?
There appears to be no reason whatsoever
for this unfortunate muddle. The Commonwealth
Government has the services of an admirable staff
of architects and engineers in the Department of
the Interior which, during recent years has, in
their bank buildings and other important structures,
displayed design of the highest quality. It is obvious
with the present proposition that if this Department
had been consulted at all their hands have
been severely tied.
Too often in Australia do we find that beauty
is as a voice crying in the wilderness and when
we look around our magnificent Harbour with its
lost opportunities, one can be pardoned for feeling
that "only man is vile."
The indignant protests that are greeting the advent
of this latest eyesore show that there are still
some amongst us who would strive to alleviate our
human legacy.

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