James and Louisa Oxenbridge with their family moved to Mount Pleasant about 1895 and by 1909 James became a retail agent for Mt Pleasant Coal Company, selling coal.

Their eldest son, George, was born in Bowral in 1876. He married Alice Maud Wilson at St Michael's Church, Wollongong, in February 1903 and they settled in the Balgownie area. Alice Wilson was born at the Cross Roads in 1884, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Wilson (nee Makin).

George trained as a blacksmith and farrier and gained employment at Mount Pleasant Colliery. George and Alice's seven children were all born in Balgownie between 1904 and 1922. The family purchased land in Daisy Street, Fairy Meadow, in November 1913, although they must have decided to stay in Balgownie - by August 1916 the land was sold to Francis Henry Pugh.

George Oxenbridge was severely injured in the blacksmith shop at Mount Pleasant Colliery in December 1916, when he was only 40 years old. While shoeing a pit horse, the animal became agitated and rammed him up against the side of the building, severely injuring his right leg.

He was taken to Wollongong Hospital, where he remained for almost two months. After returning home, he was once again admitted to hospital in March 1917. He was so appreciative of the kindness shown while a hospital patient he inserted a personal thank you in the paper in April.

By July 1921, George leased from George Rogers Lots 23 and 24, known as part of John Ryan's Orchard in Dymock Street, Balgownie. The family of George and Alice, with six of their children, settled into the old slab dwelling that had been there since the Ryan family were in residence. Their last child, Arthur Henry, was born in the old dwelling in March 1922. Arthur was a sickly child from the start and George and Alice thought that raising a baby in a building with an earthen floor was the cause of his condition.

My dad, Mick, recalled the happy times they all spent in the old slab building, especially huddling up in the winter with a roaring fire burning. Christmas times were special as the family ate their Christmas dinner under the old trellis on the side of the building.

It was during 1922 that George was offered the old building, when Caldwell Brothers were preparing to build a new butcher's shop in Balgownie Road. He dismantled it and transported the timbers to Dymock Street in readiness to build a proper home for the family, which became known as the Homestead.

While the land was still being leased, George received council approval to build the house in May 1925, which was estimated to cost £450. The three-bedroom house was built on very substantial foundations - each pier was constructed of brick in the shape of a pyramid. Verandahs surrounded the house with the exception of the western side. The rooms were big enough to cater one for the boys and one for the girls.

At the south-western corner of the verandah, George built a wall each side of the verandah with the intention to build a bathroom. The bathroom, however, never eventuated as it was in use as a small bedroom. The outside laundry doubled up as the family bathroom.

This week's image dates back to the 1930s and shows George sitting on his son Jim's horse in front of the old slab building once the Ryans' home. By the time this photo was taken George had converted the building into a garage, blacksmith shop and workshop.

Next week the story of George and Alice and the Homestead continues.

Information courtesy of Carol Herben OAM.  Call 0409 832 854 or email sycado6@bigpond.net.au