Arthur Barker’s Beach Store

Arthur Barker’s Beach Store (Currumbin Beach Post Office Store)

788 Pacific Parade, Currumbin (LOT 1 RP59664)

            Arthur Barker’s Currumbin Beach Store, Pacific Parade (aka Currumbin Beach Road), Currumbin, Queensland, circa 1920s. Photographer unidentified. Image number v311111. Courtesy of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

Thank you to Philip Follent for supplying us with this article.

The land that was to become the future site of Arthur Barker’s Beach Store was purchased by John Kippie on the 11^th July 1888.

The size of the unconditional selection of land on Pacific Parade, also known as Currumbin Beach Road, measured 2 roods, six perches.

On the death of John, the land passed jointly to Bessie and Mary Kippie; and Christina Martin in 1908 before being sold to William Chester Oxlade in October 1909. W.C Oxlade was born in Toowoomba in 1847, was MD of Oxlade Brothers Ltd painters in Fortitude Valley for 55 years and died at work aged 70 in 1910. He only enjoyed Currumbin for a year.

Arthur Barker, a carpenter and builder, then purchased the block, with the transfer of land completed by 17 December 1914.[1] [2]

At the time of Barker’s purchase, Currumbin was becoming a popular destination. Residences had begun to appear in the area from the early 1900s, taking advantage of panoramic views towards Southport and the Tweed.[3]  Further development was encouraged after the Hotel Nicoll opened in 1911. Holiday makers were attracted by the excellent fishing off Currumbin Rocks, flat water bathing sites and picnics on the foreshore of the Currumbin Creek. [4] [5]

By 1919 the growing popularity of the area was reflected in a sudden increase in population, and by May 1919, Arthur Barker who was described as an “enthusiastic fisherman”, had commenced construction of a store with attached residence. Given his trade as a carpenter and builder, it is possible that Barker designed and constructed the building himself. Situated on Pacific Parade, the store was well positioned to supply groceries to locals and visitors alike. [6] [7]

Arthur Barker’s Beach Store was operating by July 1919 and was used as a landmark to guide prospective buyers to the location of the last remaining freehold properties for sale. [8] [9] At the time, Pacific Parade was a sandy track which lay unprotected on the beach foreshore. It was not until July 1925, after severe erosion caused by heavy seas some weeks earlier, that the Coolangatta Town Council decided to commence construction of a retaining wall to protect the road infrastructure, local residences and businesses. ^{[10] [11]}  Surfacing of the South Coast Road with bitumen was yet to be completed and a large expanse of coastal wilderness still existed between Currumbin and Coolangatta. ^{[12] [13]}

Barker’s store was designated a Commonwealth postal receiving office in 1921. [14] An increase in patronage resulted in unidentified extensions to the building being completed in 1923. Partnerships with new agencies were established, a bowser installed and telephone services were made available. [15] [16]

By the end of 1925, Barker was advertising his general store as ‘The Home of Quality’ where customers were able to purchase groceries, confectionary, haberdashery, bathing costumes, hardware, fishing tackle, camping goods and tobacco at their convenience. The store also functioned as a newsagent, popular lending library, Kodak dealer and agent of both the Commonwealth Bank and Royal Insurance. [17] [18]

Barker and his wife, Alice Maud Charlotte, were active members of the local community. During the Christmas holidays, a piano and impromptu choir stood on the verandah of the Bakers’ house for people gathered for open-air religious services nearby.[19] Barker attended the first meeting at Harold Freeman’s home where the Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club was formed and became the first secretary. [20]

On a visit to Sydney, Mr and Mrs Barker purchased the first set of costumes for members of the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club and the verandah of the Barker’s residence on the foreshore was the venue for many of the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club’s fund raising events. [21] A social evening held for around 150 attendees in July 1919 featured a variety of pianists, vocalists and the Coolangatta Town Band performing a selection of dance music. [22]

Barker was also a vice-president of the Currumbin Football Club and one of a number of Currumbin residents including Alfred R. Newman, Charles F. Hurst and Francis J. White who were involved the creation of a new company in 1927 known as The South Coast Beach Sands Private Syndicate Limited. [23] [24]

By the early 1930s, Barker’s Store had earned a reputation for being one of the best maintained businesses on the South Coast. It was also considered ‘the recognised holiday-makers’ store’; an essential shopping destination for visitors to purchase all their requisite holiday needs. [25]

Barker sold the store to Walter M. Prowse of Western Queensland in 1931. The sale included the good-will of the business, land, buildings, stock and agencies. Advertisements announcing the transfer of ownership were soon appearing in local newspapers with Prowse proclaiming that he intended to continue operating the store on ‘first-class lines’. [26]

Like Barker, Prowse was also engaged in the local community and held office in the Currumbin Beach Progress Association. [27] He was present at the first annual meeting to be held in the new Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club House in September 1936, for which he donated money and furniture to the club and acted as guarantor for a bank loan of £150 to fund the construction of the building. It was at this meeting that he was appointed joint vice president.[28] Prowse also donated trophies for both men’s and women’s competition surf carnivals and was sponsor of the Prowse Cup. [29] [30] ^[31] In 1952, Prowse was appointed vice-president of the Currumbin branch of the South Coast & District Cricket Association. [32]

Prowse retained ownership of the Currumbin store into the 1950s. In September 1951 he was issued with a permit to complete unidentified extensions to the building, which was referred to in the public notices section of the South Coast Bulletin as the Post Office Store. [33]

Arthur Barker continued to reside in Currumbin after the sale of the store, building and managing rental properties he owned in the area. [34] [35] He died on 7 October 1943 in Newmarket Private Hospital, Brisbane. His obituary detailed the many public office positions he had held over the years, including warden of the local Air Raid Precautions Organisation during the Second World War, president of the Currumbin Beach Progress Association and Alderman of the Coolangatta Town Council for a term. The Coolangatta Town Council Deputy Mayor, Alderman A. G. Winchester, was present at his funeral. [36] [37]

In 1946, the Coolangatta Town Council named a street off Murraba Street, Barker Street, in recognition of Arthur Barker’s assistance to the early progress of Currumbin. [38]

While newspapers had previously reported the full transfer of the land and business, the ownership of the land remained with Arthur Barker and on his death the property on Pacific Parade passed to his wife, Alice. Alice then sold the remaining portion of land still in family possession to Walter Prowse, in 1947. Prowse subsequently sold the property in 1954 and the parcel of land passed through different owners in relatively quick succession. [39] The property remained in commercial use, and in early 2019 was operating as a café, swimwear boutique and home wear store.

However, by the end of 2019 it was time for a makeover and renovation:

Images See https://savecurrumbin.com/currumbin-beach/ Historic/Currumbin

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[1] State of Queensland (Natural Resources, Mines and Energy), Land tenure history for 788 Pacific Parade, Currumbin (LOT 1 RP59664)

[2] Ancestry.com. Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

[3] Longhurst, R. (1996). From Tallebudgera to the Tweed. Bundall, QLD: Gold Coast City Council.

[4] Beautiful Currumbin. (1919, June 16). Darling Downs Gazette (Qld. : 1881 – 1922), p. 6. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171281388

[5] Hotel Nicoll, Currumbin. (1911, March 23). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 6. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19675107

[6] Fishing. (1919, May 23). Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 – 1936), p. 2 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article190745369

[7] Currumbin Beach (1929, October 18). South Coast Bulletin (Southport, Qld. : 1929 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136472205

[8] Currumbin Life Saving Club. (1919, July 15). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 8. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20373504

[9] Advertising (1919, December 20). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 8. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20398908

[10] Sea Encroachment. (1925, July 23). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 15. Retrieved October 18, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20945410

[11] Coolangatta Council. (1925, July 23). The Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903 – 1926), p. 18. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217591502

[12] Currumbin Beach. (1931, May 14). The Border Star (Coolangatta, Qld. : 1929 – 1942), p. 1. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226603222

[13] Currumbin Beach. (1931, October 16). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 5. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21754109

[14] Longhurst, R. (1996). From Tallebudgera to the Tweed. Bundall, QLD: Gold Coast City Council.

[15] Currumbin Beach (1931, May 14). The Border Star (Coolangatta, Qld. : 1929 – 1942), p. 1. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226603222

[16] Currumbin. (1922, December 3). The Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903 – 1926), p. 12. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213115626

[17] Advertising. (1925, December 17). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 17. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20986682

[18] Early Settlers. (1925, December 17). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 16. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20986780

[19] Services at Currumbin. (1928, February 4). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 10. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21220331

[20] Currumbin Life Saving Club. (1919, May 13). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 9. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20363699

[21] Winders, J., & Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club members. (1969). Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club: 1919 to 1969. Gold Coast, QLD: Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club.

[22] Currumbin Life Saving Club. (1919, July 15). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 8. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20373504

[23] News from the country. (1923, February 12). The Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903 – 1926), p. 9. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218975457

[24] New company. (1927, November 19). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 14. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21195712

[25] A. C. Black Stores. (1931, December 18). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 3. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21757748

[26] Currumbin Beach (1931, May 14). The Border Star (Coolangatta, Qld. : 1929 – 1942), p. 1. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226603222

[27] District news. (1936, April 30). The Border Star (Coolangatta, Qld. : 1929 – 1942), p. 2. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226624766

[28] Annual meeting. (1936, September 18). The Border Star (Coolangatta, Qld. : 1929 – 1942), p. 1. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226626579

[29] Currumbin Beach Surf Carnival. (1935, November 21). The Border Star (Coolangatta, Qld. : 1929 – 1942), p. 2. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226622710

[30] Sporting Chat (1940, February 16). The Border Star (Coolangatta, Qld. : 1929 – 1942), p. 3. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226639469

[31] Currumbin News (1947, February 12). Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 – 1949), p. 5. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195085056

[32] Cricket association. (1952, October 1). South Coast Bulletin (Southport, Qld. : 1929 – 1954), p. 25. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226260568

[33] Border news. (1951, September 12). South Coast Bulletin (Southport, Qld. : 1929 – 1954), p. 7. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225637349

[34] Advertising (1928, March 21). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 3. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21234993

[35] Revival of building. (1933, November 9). The Border Star (Coolangatta, Qld. : 1929 – 1942), p. 2. Retrieved November 28, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226613513

[36] Obituary. (1943, October 9). Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 – 1949), p. 2. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194231236

[37] Late Mr A. Barker (1943, October 12). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947), p. 4 (CITY FINAL LAST MINUTE NEWS). Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article186847180

[38] For the country. (1946, October 25). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved November 29, 2019, from https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49362659

[39] State of Queensland (Natural Resources, Mines and Energy), Land tenure history for 788 Pacific Parade, Currumbin (LOT 1 RP59664)

Collections accessed

• Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection (including access to the Coolangatta Town Council Minutes, 1914 – 1925)
• Queensland State Archives
• State Library of Queensland
• State of Queensland (Natural Resources, Mines and Energy)