Sol's Fish Inn at Dolls Point was a local landmark on the edge of one of the area's most popular parks.
The modest building at the bottom of Russell Avenue served freshly cooked, locally caught fish, Georges River oysters, sandwiches and morning and afternoon teas.
Picnickers in Dolls Point Park could buy fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, "double bunger" ice blocks, fishing bait and have their billy filled with hot water for a cup of tea.
By 1961, Sol's Restaurant, as it was then named, was closed and boarded up, awaiting demolition.
It was replaced by Dolls Point Kiosk, which was equally well known for its trendy geometric tower.
These days, the area is occupied by Le Beach Hut restaurant and cafe Coffee in the Park.
Rockdale Council acquired land for Dolls Point Park in 1930 to expand the beachfront Cook Park.
In 1961, Dolls Point Park was renamed Peter Depena Reserve in recognition of alderman who was instrumental in its creation.
"This was my pet baby," Peter Depena told the Leader in 1961.
"It was my idea to resume the land.
"With the loss of Shady Nook [another area of potential parkland the council missed out on acquiring earlier] , the ratepayers did not want to lose this block.
"The agitation was strong but there was no money.
"However, the council agreed to leave the matter to the ward aldermen and we successfully proposed the land be resumed and the £4500 ($9000) cost met from the Brighton Bath profits."
Author Leonie Bell's fascinating story of Peter Depena and the park named after him was Highly Commended in the council's 2017 Ron Rathbone Local History Prize.
Simon Peter Depena , who served on the council from 1928-1937, "was possibly Australia's first black alderman", Bell wrote.
He was the son of an African migrant from Cape Verde Islands, and an Irish domestic servant.
"For a dark-skinned man of African heritage, life would have been quite challenging at times in this predominantly European environment, yet Peter Depena was to prove that with dedication, hard work and generosity of spirit, anything was possible," Bell wrote.
He attended Sans Souci Public School, became an apprentice carpenter and went on to be a master builder.
In 2014, Peter, 24, married Lillian Royall, 18, and they lived mostly in Sans Souci. Two daughters died in infancy, but they raised four healthy sons.
Peter Depena loved all kinds of sport and participated in everything from swimming, sailing and cycling to football, boxing and billiards. He became Commodore of St George Sailing Club.
He would rise early each day to run along the shores of Botany Bay and trained at the gym in the afternoon after work.
Bell wrote that, during the 1937 election campaign, he promoted himself as "Dependable Depena", citing a list of achievements, including the introduction of the long-fought-for electric trolleybus service from Sans Souci to Rockdale, construction of Beach Drive along the bay from Brighton -Le-Sands to Ramsgate, construction of a concrete road from Ramsgate to Sans Souci, sewerage connections to 65 per cent of his ward, reclamation of Scarborough Park from swampland, and a successful Inquiry into Town Hall administration practices.
However fickle voters turned against him and his civic career was over.
"It is not clear why he was rejected," Bell wrote. "Perhaps people were weary of the Depression years and wanted a breath of fresh air."
Peter Depena died at 74 in St George Hospital in 1964.
LEADER FLASHBACK
Every Friday we delve into the Leader archives to embark on some time travel.
We will bring you photographs of a news event from 59 years of Leader news coverage that you may or may not recall.
Flashback Friday submissions are also welcomed.
Feel free to share your recollections with us on our Facebook page @SutherlandShireStGeorgeNews or email leaderletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au
