Windang Boat Sheds are being brought back to life in a burger bar near the bridge at Lake Illawarra.
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When Alex Sillan moved back from Sydney after a career in advertising and hospitality he discovered two things.
His father John (Juha) Sillan had acquired old signs from the Windang Boat Sheds when he went to buy a boat when they were about to be demolished in the mid 2000’s. And they saw an opportunity to do something with them when they noticed the Long Island Takeaway on Windang Rd was for sale.
After some investigation they decided to take over the business and bring some of the Windang Boat Shed memories back to life in a cafe where Mr Sillan uses everything he learned in Sydney restaurants to buy all the individual ingredients fresh daily for his gourmet burgers and other dishes.
“Even our onion rings we cut up and batter ourselves and we use actual beetroot and peel it and we cook it on the grill to caramelise it,” he said.
Dad saw them throwing the signs in a skip and said no it is an important piece of history and wanted to take them.
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The Windang Boat Shed was an iconic piece of lakeside history on the border between Wollongong and Shellharbour.
And many visitors to the cafe reflect on many of the good old days when they come in for a bite or book after hours for private functions.
“Dad saw them throwing the signs in a skip and said no it is an important piece of history and wanted to take them,” he said.
The original boat shed dates back to the 1930’s when local identities Ben Howard and Ron Wilton ran boat hire businesses at Judbooley Point. People hired boats for recreational fishing.
In the 1980’s council acquired the land but leased it the buildings back to the owners to continue their boat hire business. In 2001 the larger boat-shed built by Mr Howard had deteriorated and was demolished but the boat hire business continued operating in the remaining two boat sheds.
In 2005 it was determined the buildings were no longer in a condition to be used and it would cost too much to upgrade them. Protests followed a decision to demolish them after seven decades of use
.The front windowsill dining bar is made up of the old jetty planks.
“It is a bit eclectic,” Mr Sillan said.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
