Robert Shute

The Manly Daily (Tuesday 18 August 2009) carried an article by John Morcombe about Robert Shute, after whom the NSW Rugby Union trophy, the Shute Shield was named. Playing in a trial match for The Rest against NSW at Manly Oval on 5 June 1922, Shute suffered a cerebral haemorrhage in a heavy tackle, and died at a Manly private hospital the following day. He had survived service with the Field Artillery in World War One, which must have intensified the loss felt by his family and friends. By coincidence, a photograph has recently been found which shows the Sydney University Engineering students of 1920, with Robert Shute in the front row. Some of his classmates went on to distinguished engineering careers, and there can be little doubt that he would have had similar success but for that fateful incident.

Sweet Nell

Manly has been home to a number of colourful characters over the years. One of the most fondly remembered was ‘Sweet Nell’. Manly Council gave Sweet Nell, (Helen Sullivan) the right to sell sweets and chewing-gum on Manly Beach, throughout the 1920s. She became a familiar figure, in her gaudy costumes, pushing a barrow laden with Jaffas, Mintoes and Wrigley’s chewing gum. Her personal circumstances were hard, but she was always cheerful and loved chatting to the children on the beach. When she died, aged 60, in 1933, her funeral was paid for by a group of local businessmen, and, according to the Manly Daily Pictorial, over 3,000 people lined the Corso to pay their respects.