By Jude Paul, Bulletin 4/2023, June 2023

134 Glebe Point Rd with its shingle roof which was restored in 1975 by dentist, Dr Adey (image: Ian Stephenson)

Many members would remember 134 Glebe Point Rd as Darling Mills Restaurant and know it now as Beckett’s. Fewer perhaps would know the long connection between previous occupants of this house and medical professionals.

The house above the current restaurant was designed by Edmund Blacket who also designed its twin Calmar at 128 Glebe Point Rd. The plans for Calmar survive but only the drawings for the backyard dunny survive for 134.

The first occupant of 134 was William Townley Pinhey whose obituary in 1895 noted that he’d lived in his house on Glebe Rd for more than 38 years. William Pinhey came to Australia at the age of 15 in 1835 as a companion for a family friend, Captain Hart, who was accompanying prisoners to Australia.

It seems, however, that Pinhey didn’t like the sea and instead of accompanying Captain Hart on the return journey to England, he stayed in Sydney. Between 1835 and 1845 Pinhey successfully trained and worked at the chemist and druggist business of Mr Ambrose Foss and the legal practice of George Allen who were both influential Glebe residents. Pharmacy won, and Pinhey pursued a highly successful career, becoming the first president of the Pharmaceutical Society and secretary of the Pharmacy Board.

And then the dentists came. First the Macqueen family, followed by the Adey family, who established Darling Mills restaurant. William Macqueen, followed by son Norman, lived at 134 Glebe Point Rd for more than 30 years in the first half of the 20th century. Perhaps there was a fraternal connection between the Macqueens and the Adeys because Alfred Adey, dentist, was the next occupant.

Beckett’s Restaurant, which now occupies the site where Darling Mills entertained locals and Sydney folk for years, has planned a night to celebrate the Adey family’s long connection to 134 Glebe Point Rd. Called Darling Mills Restaurant Revival – If Only These Walls Could Talk, Glebe and Sydney locals are invited to share a night of fine food, drinks and stories on Thursday June 29. More info.

Beckett
The Adeys created a unique dining area beneath the old house. They retained elements of the original stone retaining wall on Glebe Point Rd (image: Beckett’s Restaurant)