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Berowra's Ampol at the Crossroads
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DetailsThe Ampol service station was the third and final part of the Crossroads commercial precinct development, that opened 50 years ago.
On Saturday 11th of April 1970 the Village Shopping Centre was officially opened to great fanfare, and a few months later the Berowra Heights Hotel had its first day of trading on Monday 29th of June. Two weeks later the Ampol Service Station was opened with dealer, Alan Cunningham, inviting Berowra residents to “inspect” it on its first day of trade, Monday 13th July 1970.
The Ampol service station was the third & final part of the Crossroads commercial precinct development, that opened 50 years ago.
On Saturday 11th of April 1970 the Village Shopping Centre was officially opened to great fanfare, and a few months later the Berowra Heights Hotel had its first day of trading on Monday 29th of June. Two weeks later the Ampol Service Station was opened with dealer, Alan Cunningham, inviting Berowra residents to “inspect” it on its first day of trade, Monday 13th July 1970.
Alan Cunningham had married a local girl Beryl James (from Anembo) and in 1950 he set up the Ampol at Budgewoi which he ran until they moved to Berowra in 1955. He worked as an NRMA roadside assistance operator, before working for Max Jones at Cruise Craft (Berowra Waters) for six years. After that he worked for himself out of his residential garage in Rickard Road which also fronted Goodwyn Road. Unfortunately a neighbour complained and Council had to force Alan to cease working from home but, because of considerable local support for his business, they did give him an extended period to close down whilst the Ampol Service Station was being built, and it was to there he transferred his operation.
Alan was well known in the Berowra community through his various volunteer roles over a long period. This included being an active member of the Berowra Progress Association, helping local sports clubs & Scouts, RFS volunteer, as well as a retained fireman at Berowra Fire Station. Alan was also a foundation member and a very active member of both the Berowra Lions and Rotary Clubs, including a stint as President of Berowra Rotary Club.
At the Ampol, Alan set up a number of auxiliary services such as offering his customers key cutting, dry cleaning & a popular car wash & vacuum service. He quickly developed a good reputation for offering excellent & trustworthy service which created loyal & regular customers. This was important as 95% of his customers were local & only 5% passing trade.
Working for Alan was 74 year old Cliff Martin, who had been involved in Berowra’s first Ampol Service Station (located on the corner of Eastern Rd & Berowra Waters Rd). He was still at Cunningham's Ampol in 1978 as an 84 year old working as a part time driveway assistant. From 1974 Digby McGrath was the Ampol’s manager. Cunningham’s daughter, Heather, also worked at the Ampol in those early years, performing various roles.
The other important character was “Prince”, the huge ridgeback dog that was housed in the Service Station at night & there were never any break ins. He never bothered anyone & spent much of the day lying around. Although Prince would wander across the road to the Crossroads butcher shop, at the same time each day, to sit by the door until he was given a good size treat.
Because of Alan Cunningham being very well known and active in the Berowra community the opening of his new Ampol Service Station created considerable interest in the local newspapers & some of these articles are attached.
Many thanks to Alan daughter, Heather Preston, for much of the information and photos in this piece on the Crossroads Ampol Service Station.
The Service Station was demolished around the year 1993 to provide more parking for the extended Village Shopping Centre. Today the Berowra Family Medical Practice (built in 2006) & associated shops are located on the site.CreatorNathan TilburyKeywordsBerowra
DetailsThe Ampol service station was the third and final part of the Crossroads commercial precinct development, that opened 50 years ago.On Saturday 11th of April 1970 the Village Shopping Centre was officially opened to great fanfare, and a few months later the Berowra Heights Hotel had its first day of trading on Monday 29th of June. Two weeks later the Ampol Service Station was opened with dealer, Alan Cunningham, inviting Berowra residents to “inspect” it on its first day of trade, Monday 13th July 1970.
The Ampol service station was the third & final part of the Crossroads commercial precinct development, that opened 50 years ago.
On Saturday 11th of April 1970 the Village Shopping Centre was officially opened to great fanfare, and a few months later the Berowra Heights Hotel had its first day of trading on Monday 29th of June. Two weeks later the Ampol Service Station was opened with dealer, Alan Cunningham, inviting Berowra residents to “inspect” it on its first day of trade, Monday 13th July 1970.
Alan Cunningham had married a local girl Beryl James (from Anembo) and in 1950 he set up the Ampol at Budgewoi which he ran until they moved to Berowra in 1955. He worked as an NRMA roadside assistance operator, before working for Max Jones at Cruise Craft (Berowra Waters) for six years. After that he worked for himself out of his residential garage in Rickard Road which also fronted Goodwyn Road. Unfortunately a neighbour complained and Council had to force Alan to cease working from home but, because of considerable local support for his business, they did give him an extended period to close down whilst the Ampol Service Station was being built, and it was to there he transferred his operation.
Alan was well known in the Berowra community through his various volunteer roles over a long period. This included being an active member of the Berowra Progress Association, helping local sports clubs & Scouts, RFS volunteer, as well as a retained fireman at Berowra Fire Station. Alan was also a foundation member and a very active member of both the Berowra Lions and Rotary Clubs, including a stint as President of Berowra Rotary Club.
At the Ampol, Alan set up a number of auxiliary services such as offering his customers key cutting, dry cleaning & a popular car wash & vacuum service. He quickly developed a good reputation for offering excellent & trustworthy service which created loyal & regular customers. This was important as 95% of his customers were local & only 5% passing trade.
Working for Alan was 74 year old Cliff Martin, who had been involved in Berowra’s first Ampol Service Station (located on the corner of Eastern Rd & Berowra Waters Rd). He was still at Cunningham's Ampol in 1978 as an 84 year old working as a part time driveway assistant. From 1974 Digby McGrath was the Ampol’s manager. Cunningham’s daughter, Heather, also worked at the Ampol in those early years, performing various roles.
The other important character was “Prince”, the huge ridgeback dog that was housed in the Service Station at night & there were never any break ins. He never bothered anyone & spent much of the day lying around. Although Prince would wander across the road to the Crossroads butcher shop, at the same time each day, to sit by the door until he was given a good size treat.
Because of Alan Cunningham being very well known and active in the Berowra community the opening of his new Ampol Service Station created considerable interest in the local newspapers & some of these articles are attached.
Many thanks to Alan daughter, Heather Preston, for much of the information and photos in this piece on the Crossroads Ampol Service Station.
The Service Station was demolished around the year 1993 to provide more parking for the extended Village Shopping Centre. Today the Berowra Family Medical Practice (built in 2006) & associated shops are located on the site.
CreatorNathan TilburyKeywordsBerowraRelated
CollectionNathan Tilbury
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Nathan Tilbury, Berowra's Ampol at the Crossroads . Hornsby Shire, accessed 24/04/2026, https://hornsbyshire.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/5353