Never Been Beaten Lime and Cement Works

Why “Never Been Beaten”? The Never Been Beaten Lime and Cement Works whispers a tale of ambition, innovation, and ultimately, heartbreak. Here in North Narrabeen, on the serene shores of Narrabeen Lagoon, Edward Giles Stone, a renowned engineer, dreamt of building a cement empire. The Never Been Beaten Lime and Cement Works was to be his crowning achievement, a testament to his pioneering spirit. Stone, a pioneer in reinforced concrete design, had already made his mark with projects like the innovative woolstore in Geelong with its world-record concrete spans. He envisioned a cement plant powered by local resources. Shell grit from Narrabeen Lake would replace traditional limestone. Clay, dredged from the nearby Deep Creek, would provide the silica and alumina. A pilot plant arose, a small residence, a dam, and a bridge across Deep Creek. It was a vision taking shape, fueled by Stone’s ingenuity. He was not simply building a cement works; he was experimenting. He constructed a reinforced concrete rotary kiln, a bold and unconventional approach. However, Stone’s dream would soon crumble. In 1941, the government dealt a crushing blow. They resumed the land between the Never Been Beaten Lime and Cement Works and the lake, severing the plant’s access to its crucial shell grit supply. The Wakehurst Parkway, built on that very land, became a constant reminder of Stone’s shattered aspirations. The Never Been Beaten Lime and Cement Works, a name echoing with ironic poignancy, never lived up to its ambitious title. It stands as a quiet testament to a dream unfulfilled, a reminder that even the most innovative ideas can be crushed by unforeseen circumstances. The ruins, overtaken by nature, whisper the tale of Edward Giles Stone’s last cement venture.