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Rounding off more than two decades of
continual development activity, the Phillips
came full circle and returned to Sydney
where it all began.

In the early 1930s, they experienced one of
their few failures when they attempted to
start a second fun fair at Glenelg beach in
Adelaide. Although it did happen, the
venture was plagued from the outset by
on-going disputes with both near-by
residents and the council. Also, the small
South Australian population meant that it
was difficult for the owners to generate an
adequate profit, particularly in the midst of
the economic downturn that had been
brought on by the Great Depression.
Determined to stick with his plans to try
another park outside of Victoria, Herman
Phillips hit the jackpot by securing the best
possible location in the country.
View towards the proscenium, Palais St. Kilda (pre-renovations) Image: CATHS Archive (CTA Collection)
When construction of the Sydney Harbour Leon and Harold died within a few months of Back on the West Coast of the USA, their
Bridge was completed in 1932, the area at each other in 1957. A brass plaque, still in place family had also prospered and relocated to Los
Milson's Point which had been used for at the Palais Theatre, bears a tribute to Leon Angeles. Considering that the Phillips had
workshops, railway sidings and the storage of from the American community of Victoria. enjoyed such an enduring and productive
cranes became available. The North Sydney association with the cinema industry, it seems
Council called for tenders and in March 1935 The Phillips' initiative was largely responsible somehow appropriate that their parents,
Phillips got the nod. for boosting and consolidating St. Kilda's status Abraham and Gertrude, were laid to rest in the
as being one of the key focal points for arts and Hollywood Memorial Cemetery alongside
The ink had barely dried on the contract when entertainment activities in Victoria. some of the most legendary names of the silver
the Adelaide park was swiftly placed into screen. ★
voluntary liquidation. Its rides were dismantled,
loaded onto a ship and taken to Milson's Point.
After three months of reassembly, Sydney's
Luna Park was opened on 4 October 1935.
Proving to be an instant hit and a most
profitable enterprise for the Phillips, it
continues to this day just like its Melbourne
counterpart. As an extra bonus for Sydney
patrons, a “Floating Ballroom” was moored on
the harbour beside the park.

All the brothers regularly visited the US until
they retired and it's likely that they stayed in
touch with George and Leo Whitney, two of
their fellow countrymen who had helped to
establish Luna Park in Melbourne and went on
to become the owners of Playland in San Across the space of fifteen years, they got three
Francisco. of the State's most prominent amusement Credits:
attractions up and running - namely Luna Park Contemporary images:
(1912), the Palais de Danse Ballroom (1919) CATHS Archive (CTA collection)
and the Palais Theatre (1927). Situated side
by side on the foreshore, directly opposite the All other images supplied by the author.
beach, these famous landmarks became the hub
around which Melbourne's aquatic playground
has revolved ever since, drawing vast crowds
of pleasure seekers, especially in the warmer
months. Even more importantly, their success
lured other showmen and leisure entrepreneurs
to St. Kilda, making it one of the most dynamic
seaside resorts on the Pacific rim.

The fruits of their bold sense of adventure,
astute business acumen and sheer daring have
been of direct benefit to the Melbourne
economy for over one hundred years. The
enterprises that they founded have provided a
countless number of jobs. But, perhaps less well
known, was their long history of giving
financial assistance to many charity and non
profit groups, particularly within the local
community during those dark days of the Great
Depression.

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