HERITAG E TASMANIAN HERITAGE COUNCIL July 2005

HERITAGE NEWS Fisher Point Pilot Station, Cockle Creek

HERITAGE NEWS

Elwick Racecourse Grandstand repairable A recent crash at ’s Elwick Racecourse was a sporting accident with a difference. Suspended high above the ground, one of the seven- tonne light towers being coaxed in to place snapped in half and the head crashed into the rear corner of the historic grandstand. For newly appointed heritage adviser David Scott, it was a case of remember your communication skills. “The first thing I asked was if anybody was hurt. The priority for situations like these is always to make sure the site is safe and then discuss the process of repair.”

Thankfully for all involved no injuries were sustained, though there was a fair bit of mental bruising.

Heritage Tasmania is recommending that the building be repaired, however a structural assessment is required to QVMAG reopens Community History Centre ensure the impact has not created damage in other areas The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery’s Community of the building, including the foundations. History Centre reopened on 4 July after 18 months Once this step is completed, discussions with the owners, closure. insurers and the Glenorchy City Council will begin to A new purpose built store, offices and public reading room consider how best to repair the structure. It may be has been built at the Museum’s Inveresk site. possible to reuse some of the demolition materials, otherwise new materials will be sourced. Here visitors can access the Museum’s local history archive of photographs, manuscripts including private, organisational and business records as well as oral history. These historical materials document the cultural heritage of the Tasmanian community and reflect the island’s diverse and changing ways of life, with particular reference to northern Tasmania. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 10 am – 4 pm. Appointments are recommended. Contact details: telephone 6323 3726, or email [email protected] For further information please contact Rhonda Hamilton, Curator of Community History.

HERITAGE TASMANIA GPO BOX 1751, HOBART TAS 7001

DEPARTMENT of PHONE: 1300 850 332 (local call cost) | FAX: 6233 3186 | TOURISM, PARKS, EMAIL: [email protected] HERITAGE and the ARTS www.heritage.tas.gov.au

HERITAGE NEWS

Growing up at Home Hill “About 77 years ago, a power failure in Devonport which Kevin had gone to boarding school and the rest of the blacked out the town coincided with my birth in Burnie. family was at Home Hill. That left me at home in the Lodge I am always grateful that my mother was with me at alone with my father until I went to Home Hill at Christmas the time.” and then on to boarding school in early 1939. So began Barry Lyons’ tale of growing up as the second “We had many father and son talks. You don’t get that youngest son of ex Prime Minister Joseph Lyons and much time to talk to your parents when you come from a Dame Enid Lyons. large family.” Speaking at a Heritage Tasmania seminar in Devonport Joseph Lyons died on 7 April 1939 whilst still in Office. recently, Barry recounted a number of stories of his time in There were other stories Barry Lyons told, like the joy of the family residence of Home Hill, Devonport. travelling back to Home Hill from the Lodge each The stories were filled with fond memories from the use of Christmas, but how at the height of the War you were chamber pots at night (“the pleasure of which was aware of the submarines lurking somewhere in the dark of overawed by the morning disposal”), cooking the the Bass Strait; or how cold showers at boarding school Christmas ham in the old wash house copper, and how a “stopped us thinking about girls and that was probably the young Errol Flynn was pageboy for Enid Lyons’ crowning main intention”. as ‘Queen of the Public Service’ in a charity fundraising The audience members listening to Mr Lyons’ stories were event held in Hobart. enthralled, amazed and delighted. Mr Lyons remembers family life as a happy one. The All have visited Home Hill at some time, but it is the stories gardens at Home Hill are large and the property’s many that bring the house to life and provide a glimpse of the trees were a constant source of entertainment for the ordinary life of two of ’s most significant political 12 children. figures and their family. In the evening family singing was often on the agenda, as Home Hill is open to the public. It is now owned by the City were charades (or ‘mimes’ as they were known then) and of Devonport and the contents by the National Trust. ‘Fizz Buzz’, a maths based game the recollection of which brings a warm glow to Mr Lyons’ face. Family picnics were also a treat for the “rambunctious lot”. “If we were going to have a picnic on the Saturday, Mum would say on the Monday before, ‘We’re having a picnic so we have to clean the house’. We never understood why we had to clean the house, but we never questioned her. “And then Mum and the girls would spend two days preparing the food for the picnic. They were always fun and the food was always good.” Mr Lyons recalls his mother with great affection, each memory recounted with admiration and humour. Tales of Dame Enid wallpapering the bathroom atop a plank on the claw foot bath in her late years highlight her practical approach to life. Today, visitors to Home Hill can still see the landscape mural she created in one of the bedrooms to hide the cracks on the walls. Home Hill was built for Joseph and Enid Lyons in 1916, “She turned her hand to anything. You only got the one year after their marriage. Except for a period of five tradesmen in when you got electrocuted.” years it remained their home for the rest of their lives. Mr Lyons’ memories of his father are heightened by a strong connection forged with his father during their time at the Lodge in Canberra. “I had been in hospital in Sydney in 1938 and when I returned to Canberra in October my brothers Brendan and

Heritage Tasmania Email Bulletin: July 2005 2

HERITAGE NEWS

Consultation on new Tasmanian Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania update legislation begins Heritage Tasmania is pleased to announce the The Minister for Parks and Heritage, Judy Jackson, appointment of David Scott and Ian Boersma as our new announced in June the start of consultation on new Regional Heritage Advisors. David and Ian are architects Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage legislation. by profession, and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to these roles. Ms Jackson said the State Government is committed to developing new legislation in partnership with the They have a primary role in supporting Heritage Tasmanian Aboriginal people, land owners and users as Tasmania’s Works Program by providing advice to well as the broader Tasmanian community. heritage owners and developers, assessing works applications and helping us to build a more collaborative “Aboriginal heritage is one of the State’s most important approach with local government. cultural issues today but legislation in this area has not kept pace with changes in land use decision-making They join Graeme Corney (Senior Heritage Advisor), Chris processes and environmental protection mechanisms. Bonner (Heritage Advisor), Richard Hawson (Heritage Officer and coordinator of the Heritage Conservation “It is critical to provide certainty for the Aboriginal Funding Program) and Louisa King (Administrative community and those who own land, seek to make a living Officer). from it or use it for recreation or leisure.” It is also timely to acknowledge the work of Ester Guerzoni Ms Jackson said protection of Aboriginal heritage is the (Communications Coordinator). This role is part of our new responsibility of all Tasmanians. Communications Program, which has now been “The new legislation will respect and recognise the rights operational for almost 12 months, and in turn has received of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and will reflect, in a much praise. culturally sensitive manner, the values Tasmanian This e-newsletter, heritage seminars, brochures on Aboriginal people place on their heritage,” she said. understanding historic heritage and how to research the “They will have a pivotal role in the management of their history of your house are some examples of this effort. A heritage.” guide for heritage listed property owners is also in the last stages of development. Ms Jackson stressed the importance of integrating the new legislation with current decision making processes. This effort aims to ensure that the profile, value and importance of historic heritage is raised, and that we are “It will need to create certainty, clarity, openness and better equipped to inform, educate and support those transparency for land owners and users,” she said. interested in historic heritage, whether they be locals or “After decades of debate, the new legislation will deal with visitors from interstate or overseas. the realities of the past and anticipate the demands of the Displays at Agfest and work to support the Tasmanian future.” Heritage Festival, in conjunction with the National Trust, has been another important part of this effort. If you have feedback on these ideas or new ones please contact Ester Guerzoni. Finally, there will be temporary management changes at Heritage Tasmania. Peter Harwood, from the Department of Tourism, Park, Heritage and the Arts’ Corporate Service Area, will join Heritage Tasmania for three months from 8 August 2005. Peter will take over the reins while I am on long service leave. Please make him feel welcome.

Pete Smith Manager

South East Oyster Cove SE

Heritage Tasmania Email Bulletin: July 2005 3

HERITAGE NEWS

Lease ensures bright future for Entally QVMAG Sharing Australia’s Stories A bright future for one of Tasmania’s most historic The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery has received properties, Entally House, has been assured following the funding to explain the diversity of Australia’s natural signing of a lease between the State Government and heritage through an interpretive exhibition in Launceston. Gunns Ltd. The exhibition will show why Tasmania’s natural history is The Minister for Parks and Heritage, Judy Jackson, said so significantly different from that of the mainland. the lease agreement provided a model for commercial sponsorship to help preserve historic buildings. The funding is part of the Australian Government’s Sharing Australia’s Stories programme. “This long-term solution will protect the heritage values of the site, while minimising the burden of maintenance on Almost 1000 applications were received for the three-year the Tasmanian community,” Ms Jackson said. programme, which was established to help individuals, community groups and local government showcase their “It ensures that the Entally House historic site is managed contribution to Australia’s natural and cultural character. as a viable historic attraction for the people of Tasmania. The aim of the program is to compile a series of stories on “The lease will allow the development and operation of a the people, places, events and environments that have restaurant, wine cellar and retail outlet and for Gunns to given Australia its distinctive national character. establish a vineyard within the historic site, together with providing and conducting tours within Entally House. Other successful projects include interpretive signage and displays through the Greater Blue Mountains; a website on “These arrangements ensure that public access to the site the lives and work of architects Walter Burley Griffin and will be maintained for a minimum of 360 days a year and Marion Mahoney Griffin; an exhibition detailing the that the significant involvement of volunteers will continue. experiences of Jewish refugees in Victoria from 1933-1944 “In particular, it ensures that the relationship with the and a book exploring the impact of European settlement National Trust and the Entally House volunteers has a on Indigenous Australians. solid foundation to continue to provide services. For more information, including a complete list of successful Sharing Australia’s Stories projects, visit “As part of the agreement, Gunns Ltd intends to invest a www.deh.gov.au/heritage/programs/index.html#sharing significant amount in heritage works at the site over the next five years. “It also requires that all works at the site will be in compliance with heritage guidelines as defined by Heritage Tasmania and in the Entally House Historic Site Strategic Asset Management Plan.” Gunns Ltd was selected following an expression of interest process late last year. It will take over management of the site on 1 July 2005.

Mrs Jackson said the Department of Tourism, Parks,

Heritage and the Arts, utilising ongoing specialist advice from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, will maintain its involvement in the management of the extensive moveable heritage collection at Entally House.

Entally was built by the Reibey family, in particular Thomas Haydock Reibey, in 1819. It is an archetypal 19th Century country estate undoubtedly inspired by the English model, but essentially Australian, or perhaps Tasmanian, in style. In character the house itself is probably more NSW than Tasmanian and this could relate to the Reibey’s family roots in Sydney. Different buildings on the estate are attributable to John Lee Archer and William Clayton.

Heritage Tasmania Email Bulletin: July 2005 4

HERITAGE NEWS

Fuelled by the memories For Jet Service Station owner Carmel Reid, the recent listing From the 1930s, however, the industry gained a new of her property to the Tasmanian Heritage Register came as momentum and manufacturing plants, car parks, carports a shock. and the corner petrol station became the way of life. “At first I was quite concerned as people told me that once Streamlined ‘moderne’ service stations and motor garages in listed the building is not your own. the ‘30s were influenced by the smooth forms of motor cars and other contemporary transportation machines such as “But then a Heritage Tasmania adviser came and explained ships, trains and planes. The designs aimed to reflect the what the listing really meant and now I can only see it as an new mobile society and the increasingly machine-orientated advantage. and automobile-centred way of life. “It’s lovely that this Art Deco building will remain. I see just Service stations and motor garages from before World War II how much has been destroyed and think how charming are increasingly rare structures. The survival of this small- Hobart was.” scaled purpose built service station is a testament to the With its prominent corner location, the station is the oldest Reid family. petrol outlet still operating in Sandy Bay and one of the For Mrs Reid, the listing simply means that the rounded oldest purpose built service stations in Tasmania. structure she adores will remain. “I don’t admire square As Mrs Reid says, “it’s quite a striking building”. buildings much.” Built as the Riverview Garage in the mid 1930s, the service station was designed by Eric Round who designed some of Hobart’s better known Inter War buildings including the Empire Hotel (now the Republic Bar) and the swimming SEMINAR SERIES complex in Collins Street, both in Hobart. The curved façade of the service station hugs the corner Looking back at Tasmania’s Bicentenary against the streamlined cubist form of the remainder of the 26 July 2005 building. Architecturally, the building demonstrates the ‘moderne’ trend of the Inter War period where functionality During 2004, over 290 different activities and events were was paramount and the elaborate ornamentation used in presented in over 48 different towns and cities to mark earlier architecture was seen as superfluous. Tasmania’s Bicentenary. The service station’s significance, however, goes beyond the The program was very good, with some truly outstanding modern approach Round employed in his architecture. occasions; varying from the profound insights of our Tasmanian diaspora in the Reflections series to the happy During the 1930s the car began to significantly influence the reunions that brought thousands back to places like Poatina, patterns of the urban environment. Not only did it change Wynyard and Burnie. the tempo of Australian life, it created in its wake a range of new building types. We saw iconic items such as Abel Tasman’s journal and the Rajah Quilt and historic curiosities from the vaults of TMAG At the beginning of the twentieth century, cars were supplied and other local collections. We saw contemporary arts and to Australian buyers in small number from little factories, design and scores of new publications. We debated dates usually converted from coach-building workshops. and discussed what was important about being Tasmanian. Angela Bourke, Manager of the Tasmanian Bicentenary, will share some of the wonderful projects that were presented last year.

Venue: Conference Room Level 6, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart Time: 1.00pm - 2.00pm For further information on seminars please contact Ester Guerzoni at Heritage Tasmania on 6233 4152, or email [email protected]

The Jet Service Station in Sandy Bay is one of the few remaining purpose built service stations from the 1930s

Heritage Tasmania Email Bulletin: July 2005 5

TRAINING TRAINING

Annual Conference of the Association of International Symposium on Environment, Preservation Technology International Behaviour and Society Engineering Heritage Conference People in place in people Managing technology, time and chaos 9 – 11 February 2006, Sydney 21-25 Sept 2005, Halifax, Nova Scotia This three-day international symposium is an opportunity for The Association for Preservation Technology International intensive dialogue on three themes in environment, (APT) is the premier cross-disciplinary organisation behaviour and society research with implications for policy, dedicated to promoting the best technology for conserving planning and design. It is a forum for academics and historic structures and their settings. professionals to exchange knowledge. Chaos theory suggests that complex problems respond to The symposium themes are Cultural Identity and the Built simple solutions – a useful motto as we strive to understand Environment, Children Youth and Environments, and the effects of time, harness technology, and work Environmental Experience Perception and Cognition. collaboratively with specialists from all conservation For further information visit disciplines. www.arch.usyd.edu.au/web/research/ebs/ebssymposium.ht For further information visit www.apti.org or email ml or email [email protected]. [email protected]

IAA Conference 2005 FUNDING Nature culture: Interpreting the divide 2-6 October 2005, Strahan The Tasmanian Community Fund Grant Round No.11 Keynote speakers like James Carter (Scotland), Jim Everett is now open. (Tasmania), Sam Ham (USA) and Julia Clark (Tasmania) will This is a great opportunity for community organisations join other interpreters from around Australia and the world in to apply for funding for projects that make a difference exploring questions like: to the well-being, social, environmental and economic – Where does nature end and culture begin? outcomes for the Tasmanian community. – Can we interpret one in isolation from the other? Supported projects are expected to have a lasting and – Built environments, natural environments: which has top positive impact. priority? Before you submit your application, it is important that – What are some practical ways of reconnecting culture and nature, people and the environment? you read the guidelines to make sure your organisation and project is eligible for funding. You can For further information visit www.leishman- request the guidelines, or access them by: associates.com.au/iaa/ Phone: 6233 2800 or 6233 2920

Email: [email protected] BGANZ Conference 2005 Website: www.tascomfund.org Impacts and influence: The environmental potency Or write to: Senior Executive Officer, of Botanical Gardens Tasmanian Community Fund 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2005, Hobart GPO Box 1350 BGANZ invites you to the second Botanical Gardens HOBART TAS 7001 Australia and New Zealand congress to be held in Hobart. The congress is an essential forum for all professionals Applications close on Thursday, 25th August 2005. working in Botanical Gardens, Arboreta, Parks, and associated fields of Horticulture. The congress program aims to be challenging, relevant and broadly accessible. If you would like to contribute information, advertise an The aim of the congress is to question and challenge our current practices especially in relation to our connections upcoming event, subscribe to receive this bulletin via with the environment and in regard to our current practices email, or cancel your subscription please contact and to present a range of innovative alternatives. Ester Guerzoni (Communications Coordinator) on 6233 4152 or email [email protected] For further information www.cdesign.com.au/bganz2005 or email: [email protected]

Heritage Tasmania Email Bulletin: July 2005 6