Scenes from my new novel, looking at wartime Sydney

I began writing this on publication day – more than a month ago. As usual, I’m falling behind with my tasks. But I’m going to make time today to take you to some of the places that feature in UNDER A SOUTHERN SKY. Welcome to Sydney in 1942.

Our first stop is the Trocadero. This was an art deco dance hall in George Street and was the hottest spot in wartime Sydney. Opened in 1936 it operated throughout the war and was a magnet for American servicemen keen to show off their dance moves. The orchestra was led by Frank Coughlan and they played popular swing jazz numbers to the delight of the crowds. The Trocadero closed in 1971 and was demolished as commemorated in a song, Deep Water by Australian musician Richard Clapton:

They closed down the doors to the Trocadero

And I came back looking just like a ghost

Posters are scattered all over the stairs

Nobody reads them, so nobody cares

Next we are off to the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park a favourite haunt of Hannah. She goes there to read in her lunch hours and it is the scene of a couple of important encounters for her. Since writing the book, I’ve discovered it was a gay meeting place from around World War 2 to the 1950s, but I don’t think Hannah was aware of that.

Close by is the Domain where Hannah often walks in the botanical gardens and where she attends an open air jazz concert given by American troops in the Phillip Precinct.

Hannah goes to the beach at Bronte when invited by Wally, a work colleague, to join him and his friends, including Eddie Greenbank. She can’t swim but does venture into the enclosed natural rock pool known as the Bogey Hole.

On another occasion she goes with the gang to Manly where Eddie gives her a swimming lesson in the Fairy Bower – another natural rock swimming pool.

During her time in Sydney Hannah is billeted for a while in the Metropole Hotel. Like the Trocadero this no longer exists. It was used for a short period in the war as the HQ for the American army before they moved up to Queensland. Hannah enjoyed her time there on American rations – doughnuts and huge breakfasts. Once the Yanks went north, it was back to overcooked meat stews and hard beds.

Much of the Sydney Hannah knew has been replaced by skyscrapers. She woudn’t have known the iconic opera house which wasn’t built until 1973. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was a relative newcomer. But the parks, the harbour and the beautiful beaches are still much as she would have known them.

Read Under a Southern Sky now (available at all major online retailers)

Images authors own, obtained via licence from Deposit Photos, or under Creative Commons via Wikimedia