The Library Called The Docks is a simple multi-cache designed to be accessible to all geocachers.
The cache's GZ is at Five Dock Library however to locate its hiding spot you will need to visit 2 other locations first.
This cache has been placed with the permission of City of Canada Bay Libraries.
Big thanks to Philip Edney, Manager Library and Community Services; Claude Broomhead, Five Dock Library Manager; and John Johnson, Local Studies Librarian for their assistance.
Five Dock History
The Wangal peoples, one of the 29 language groups of the Eora nation are the traditional custodians of the land on which Five Dock has been established.
The earliest confirmed reference to the area as Five Dock can be traced to a Sydney Gazette article from February 3, 1805 and refers to five natural indentations in the bank of Five Dock Point on the Parramatta River.
“Yesterday se’nnight a flock of wild ducks was seen at Five Dock Bay, and shortly after a flight of teel—few or none of which have made their appearence for the last two years.”
Local history scholars have pointed to a possible earlier reference to the area in the journals of William Dawes. Written in the early 1790’s his notebook C contains a note about a location (in context likely on the Parramatta River) named “The Point called the Docks” which in the aboriginal language is referred to as “Pa_rein_ma”.
In January 1806 military surgeon and magistrate John Harris was granted 600 hectares of land in what is now the present day Five Dock, Russell Lea, Abbotsford, and Drummoyne by Governor King. His property later became known as Five Dock Farm.
In 1838 the farm was sold to Samuel Lyons who lay down the first roads in the area like Kings, Lyons, Blackwall Point and Barnstaple and subdivided the land into 30 and 60 acre lots. Many local streets and locations are named after the residents of the area at this time such as Russell Banton (Russell Lee), Brent Clements Rodd and family (Rodd Point and Rodd Island), Sir Thomas Henley (Henley Marine Drive).
The area experienced a rapid population growth through the second half of the 19th century largely due to the increased public transport options to the area. In the 1890s a tramway was added which serviced Five Dock till 1933 by which time motorised buses had largely replaced them.
The first half of the 20th century saw an influx of Italian immigrants moving to the area. These immigrants, many originating from the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily, opened restaurants, delis, and other businesses lending the area its distinctive Italian feel that remains to this day.
Five Dock Library History
The Five Dock School of Arts building at 106 Great North Road, Five Dock, was formerly the Five Dock Council Chambers. It was demolished in 1966 to make way for the Five Dock Library building which opened in 1967. The new library was operated by the Burwood-Drummoyne Joint Library Service. A bronze sculpture called The Reader, by Bim (Vernon Arthur) Hilder, which was originally located in front of the old library building was reinstalled near the original site in 2014.
The Library at 106 Great North Road was replaced by a new library at 4-12 Garfield Street which was opened on March 20, 2004. The new library was operated by the Burwood-Drummoyne Joint Library Service, until the disbandment of the joint service in May 2006. Since then Five Dock Library, along with the 2008-built Concord Library have been run by City of Canada Bay Library Services.
Parking/Public Transport
Ample parking is available on the streets near WP1 and one hour free parking is available in the basement carpark below the GZ accessed via Garfield St.
The bus lines 438/L38, 439, 492, 530 stop in Five Dock.
Library Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 9:30am-7:30pm
Friday 9:30am-5pm
Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Sunday 1-5pm
Please see library website for availability on public holidays.
The Cache
WP1 – Five Dock War Memorial (Q: What year did James Richard Whitford die? A: [ABCD])
WP2 – The Reader Sculpture which marks the site of the original Five Dock Library location (Q: What is the 6 digit number on the water meter next to the sculpture? A: [EFGHIJ])
WP3* – Five Dock Library: Citizen of the Year Honour Roll board (Q: What year did Marie Piccin win the Citizen of the year award? A: [KLMN])
GZ* – Five Dock Library: the Cache can be found at: JB(I-K).(A+N)I
* Due to the indoor location of WP3 and the GZ these coordinates may be less accurate.
FTF: Martin Cousins