Helen Pitt

And funnily enough, the churches did not complain.

Although at the beginning, before they came, the local Anglican minister thought there would be orgies every night.

But that...

kind of did end up happening in World War II when there ended up being a bit of a dark side to Luna Park when a lot of soldiers went there and prostitutes gathered under the pylons of the Harbour Bridge.

But, you know, it was an instant success and that's largely because kids of all ages went there constantly.

I think he was a pretty happy old soul.

In fact, they say that the Arthur Barton face that's there currently was based on old King Cole, but that it's kind of Ted Hopkins' face.

He was a ruddy, complexioned, white-haired man.

They called the White Cloud.

And between he and DA, they were David Atkins.

They weren't known as the Laurel and Hardy team.

So they were the driving force.

behind the park.

His theory was that every kid that comes should not leave empty-handed.

So he always made sure that there were toys kids could take home and that they left with a big smile on their faces.

And that way they would just beg their parents to take them back each time.

So he was known so much, such an identity he's known as Mr. Luna Park.

And in fact,

His ashes are scattered beside the wharf upon which he unloaded the rides.

Yeah, well, it did become very much an adult playground.