Mary Gibson with her dog Ashley at Terrey Hills rubbish Tip 1974. Image courtesy of Pacific Times.
The story of Mary Gibson
Mary Atura Dolour Gibson was born in 1929, the daughter of George Sharah and Theresa Alam, and was married to Leslie James Gibson in 1961 known as “Luke”. The couple lived in Hunter Street, Warriewood, for many years. Luke was a Metal Merchant and Mary had the Salvage Licence with Warringah Council Tips from 1963-1981.
Initially Mary worked at Mona Vale Post Office and would visit the tips before and after work. Then by 1965 it became a full time role being the sole Licensed Salvage Operator at Warringah Council Tips including Terrey Hills, Mona Vale, Careel Bay and Narrabeen. As soon as rubbish hit the ground it became Mary Gibson’s property. Recycling became a passion and she loved the thrill of a treasure hunt.
She had a team of workers, friends and “bottle boys” who assisted her each day at the tip. A wide range of items were retrieved for recycling such as bottles, paper, metals, aluminium cans, and items for resale such as household goods, furniture, kitchenware, linen, antiques, sports equipment, medals, guns, paintings, wedding rings, silver spoons, toys, etc.
Mary had a warehouse in By the Sea Road, Mona Vale, jam packed with her recycled goods and discarded treasures, which she managed to make a living from. She would bring the days salvage goods from the tip by truck to the warehouse at 7pm each night. The warehouse was self-serve and Mary stood by the front door and determined a price for each and every item bought by the public.
After 18 productive years, she relinquished her salvage licence with Warringah Council on the 1st January 1982, which heralded the end of an era for a pioneer recycler. She was a popular local identity as everyone living on the peninsula would go to the tip at some time to dump unwanted things and she was there every day rain, hail or shine sorting through the rubbish. Mary Gibson passed away in 2014 aged 85, and was buried at Mona Vale Cemetery.
This article was created by Northern Beaches Council Library Local Studies. For enquiries, please contact the Northern Beaches Library Local Studies team at LocalHistory@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au or visit History Hub.