Extracts from the Diary of Lola Workman. (Co-founder)

The Year of 1974

Springfield The Dream

Now as I write this commentary for our family album I wonder at the sanity of this adventure, selling our first home with all its luxuries to start again and build something that was to me a lifelong dream; our own wedding reception centre. Now many years later I can see what an upheaval it was to our young family to take their home and pool and sacrifice it for a life of work with no privacy and no home life.   I did not envisage the hours of work and trauma the project would entail before we were finally able to commence the business.  

Our first priority was to find somewhere to build this wedding reception centre and after looking at various sites we came across 245 New Line Road.

A steel strike prevented us from buying steel for the foundations for many weeks.  This was followed by a brick strike so we could not even buy common bricks for the interior walls. We had decided we wanted Original sandstock bricks for an old world appearance so Ted bought a street full of old houses in Ryde which supplied us with bricks, cedar doors and skirtings. Our whole family now became brick cleaners.

Disaster again as the bank now refused our loan as “Times were tough” but they did arrange for us to borrow money at 18% interest.  We were now up to window height on the building so we had no option but to continue. 

The trauma of the next six months was too much to record, we set about doing as much work as possible ourselves.  I fell and broke my am at work and Ted build a mobile box for me to stand on so that I could reach the ceilings and with one arm in plaster I painted all the ceilings and then bought discounted rolls of wallpaper to paper the walls. At auction I bought rolls of curtain fabric and made curtains for every room in my spare time from my full time job.

We had no money left for furniture after the commercial tables, chairs and kitchen equipment so again we visited the auction rooms for furniture that could be restored.  I booked into an evening college class for furniture polishing and upholstery on one of my nights off work each week.  This allowed me to finish enough furniture for the lounge rooms. In August of 1974 with a lot of help from the Rotary Club of Beecroft, Springfield, still unfinished, was able to host a family wedding for Glenn and Kerrie Workman.

Finally on Ted’s 50th birthday 27th September, 1974 we held a charity function to benefit the Children’s Medical research Foundation where councillor Evans of Hornsby council declared Springfield open for business.

Now after 30 years of operation, Springfield House remains the dream that was instigated by Ted and Lola Workman. Many hands have taken the helm here at Springfield House over the years, and all have contributed to the continued growth of the business here. The current owners are the Anisse family who have injected a new life into Springfield House, returning it to its former glory after being closed for 3 years.

Springfield House were recently graced with being able to host a surprise 85th Birthday for Ted Workman, where he was joined by not only family and friends, but also former employees. This took place on 27th September 2009, 35 years to the day of the official opening of Springfield House.

Keeping in with tradition that began with the Workman family, Springfield House is fortunate enough to host 3 local Rotary groups for their weekly meetings. West Pennant Hills on a Monday night, Glenhaven on a Tuesday night, and Castle Hill on a Wednesday night.

Springfield House’ most recent addition has been a Café that now operates Monday to Friday during the hours of 10am and 3pm. This has not only provided the locals the opportunity to experience the charm and ambience of Springfield House, but also allows past brides and grooms the opportunity to return to Springfield House and take a trip down memory lane. It is such a pleasure to invite back former brides and grooms, as much as it a pleasure to welcome new guests here at this magnificent establishment reaped in history.