For decades, walkers have had to navigate a steep inland detour in South Coogee. A continuous coastal path wasn’t possible, blocked by a single-family home perched on Cuzco Street. A $4.9-million purchase of the property means that will now change.
The House That Stood in the Way
The house at 49 Cuzco Street was built in the 1930s and belonged to the Waugh family. It was a treasure trove of history, a place that artist and teacher Ellen Waugh cherished for nearly her entire life.
Over the years, developers made tempting offers, but Ms Waugh turned them all down. She wanted to ensure the coastline she loved so deeply would remain accessible to the public.
In 2002, talks began with Ms Waugh, with Council securing the right of first refusal to buy the property upon her passing. A decade later, the land was rezoned for recreational use, an inch closer to Council’s vision of an uninterrupted public walkway. But Ms Waugh, determined to live out her days in her family home, wasn’t ready to leave.
She often expressed her deep attachment to her home, describing it as a place she intended to stay for many more years. True to her word, she remained there until her passing earlier this year at the remarkable age of 99, just weeks short of her 100th birthday.
A Life Dedicated to Community and Conservation
Ms Waugh was not just a lover of the coastline—she was one of its fiercest protectors. Known for her sharp wit and passion for preserving natural spaces, she often criticised developments that encroached on Coogee’s rugged cliffs. She spoke fondly of the rock pools and wild stretches of coast she had sketched for decades, lamenting areas that had been replaced by concrete and glass.
Her legacy extends beyond conservation. As a teacher, she nurtured emerging talents, and as an artist, she documented Sydney’s evolving landscape. She was even a part of history, photographing Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s famous 1969 Wrapped Coast installation at Little Bay. In her later years, Waugh remained active, taking up Chinese brush painting and even drumming, refusing to let age slow her down.
Her family remembers her as eccentric and fiercely independent, a woman who dismissed stereotypes of ageing by walking out of a rehabilitation centre after surgery and continuing to live alone at her home. Her contributions to the community extended through her bequests, including $2 million in donations to Indigenous mentoring programs and the arts.
A Coastal Walk Reimagined
With the purchase finalised in November, Randwick City Council is now working to transform the property into a vital link in the Bondi to Malabar coastal walk.
By eliminating the detour up Malabar Road, this new stretch of pathway will bring walkers closer to the ocean, offering uninterrupted views and easier access for all.
Council plans to name the walkway after Ms Waugh, a fitting tribute to a woman who gave so much to Coogee and its community. Officials said the new connection would attract millions of visitors annually, enhancing the local area’s appeal as both a tourist destination and a cherished community space.
Published 7-Dec-2024
