This historic building, built around 1910, has a rich history with a varied range of uses in two different places.
It was originally called ‘Coolangatta’ and was located on a large piece of waterfront land in Cronulla. It was used as a holiday home by various owners over its time at this location. The land was eventually sub-divided into ten blocks and the house was offered for sale.
In 1956 the owners of the block of land at 25 Bundeena Drive, Bundeena decided to purchase the building and relocate it across the water. There was a fibro house and boat shed already on the property. The boat shed was moved to the carpark (and now no longer exists), and the fibro house was dragged to the back of the block; it is now called the ‘Cottage.’
A contractor was engaged to transport ‘Coolangatta’ by barge over the water to Bundeena. The photo which hangs in the foyer of the meeting room, shows the last piece of Bundeena house on a barge just off Hordern’s beach.
‘Coolangatta’ was renamed ‘Kalyan’ and ran it as guest house for several years until the advent of motels saw a decline in the use of guest house accommodation. It then ran as nursing home until 1969 when changes in nursing home regulations meant the building could no longer be used for that purpose as it could not be upgraded to the correct standard.
In 1969 the building and property was purchased for the Community’s use and the house was used to accommodate the first training school in 1971. The building was renamed Bundeena House.
Over the years, improvements have been made in the kitchen and bathrooms, though the house still retains its original outer walls and verandas, along with a ‘scar’ where the building was cut in two sections for the journey across the water.
