Hunter'sFlill TrustJotrrnal
VolumeXl No. 2 luly,"1982
HENRYE. BUDDEN and FEDERATIONARCHITECTURE IN HUNTER'SHILL
A major changein the revisededition of Old Buildingsof he decides to practice in England or the colonies" (ABCN, Hunter'sHill -- soon to be publishedby the Trust underthe Dec.29, 1894, 267). He did returnto "the colonies".In 1899 new name of Heritageof Hunter's Hill -- is the addition of he came back to Moocooboolah,Alexandra Street, and also Federationhouses. This term appliesto housesbuilt around becamea partnerin the firm of Kent & Budden.lt wasfrom the time of Australia'sFederation (1901) and up to about this time that he beganto designhouses in Hunter'sHill. 1914. lt was a period of great inventivenessin domestic architecture;many influences were abroad - QueenAnne, Art Around 1901,the yearof Federation,he designedsix houses Noveau,Edwardian, Shingle style, Arts andCrafts -- and these in the PrinceEdward Parade area-41 and43Woolwich Road combinedwith a genuineattempt to find a style suitedto and 1, 2,3, and 4 PrinceEdward Parade.The two most Australianconditions. Some of the bestexamples of Federation original today are 43 Woolwich Road and 4 PrinceEdward architecturein Hunter'sHill are housesdesigned by Henry E. Parade.These are in the QueenAnne style,a red brick style, Budden,a gifted and radicalyoung architectwho lived in quaint and picturesque,which was adaptedto Australian Hunter'sHill from 1892 to 1910 and was known locallvas conditionsduring the Federationperiod. Here we see the HarryBudden. red brick, terracottaMarseilles tiles and frilled ridges,painted woodwork offset by the brick, and verandahsdecorated with carvedwood. He wasborn in 1811 at Rockley,near Bathurst, and educated at the BathurstSuperior Public School and NewingtonCollege, On 18, 1902, Henry Buddenmarried girl Sydney.ln 1892 he cameto Hunter'sHill when his father, January the next door, Ella Thomas of Orroroo, AlexandraStreet; she was Arthur Budden,bought Moocooboolah (65 AlexandraStreet) also one of the early women to receivea B.A. from from SydneyS. Thomas.Mr. Thomashad built a new house the Uni- versity of Sydney.Their marriagewas reportedin the press next door, Orroroo (59 AlexandraStreet), and he and his and it was announcedthat the couple would settlein the familv moved into Orroroo when the Buddenstook over "beautiful modern villo residence" specially Moocooboolah.At that time, there was only a grasstennis designed by the groom. This was Morillah (54 WootwichRoad). Here court betweenthe two houses,which no doubt both families we see the beginningsof the Budden style a two-storey used.Miss Ada Buddenused the billiardroom of Orrorooas an - housewith anglesdesigned to take advantageof the northerly extraclassroom for her School; Henry Buddenwas later to aspectand the LaneCove Riverviews; the shapeis marryMiss Ella Thomas. bestseen from the LaneCove River side, not WoolwichRoad. ln 1894, while he was articledto Harry Kent of Sydney, About 1903 Budden designedKurrowah, the residenceof HenryBudden won a TravellingScholarship from the Sydney StephenH. Weedon,74 AlexarrdraStreet. Here his enthusiasm ArchitecturalAssociation, his prize drawingsbeing of the for asymmetryis pronounced,in the brokenroof linesand Universityof Sydneyand All Saints'Church, Hunter's Hill. multitudeof angles;this is connectedwith hisimaginative use The drawingswere reproducedin The AustralasianBuilder & of site.The house was reported and illustratedin the journalof Contractors'News (ABCN), March3,1894,107, and he was the New South Waleslnstitute of Architects "Mr. Weedon's describedas "a conscientiousand painstakingstudent". He house shows clever treqtment of a rather difficult problem in wentto London,studied at the RoyalAcademy, and travelled plonning, the building being so orranged that the best rooms on the continent. He regularlysent back progressreports to command the best views" (Art and Architecture, 2 [1905], Australiawith accompanyingdrawings which werepublished. 192-94). Todav we .can see Budden'sradical stvle if we These were considered "extremely clever, and the lorge compare Kurrowah with the Victorian houses opposite, number sent testify to the industry of Mr. Budden, whith 55 and 57 AlexandraStreet, which seemquite conservative should ensure him o prosperouscereer qs on orchitect, whether by comparison. In 1906 Buddendesigned Mornington (16 VernonStreet) for Chief War ChestCommissioner for Englandand France; he Arthur and Ada Muddle(the house derives its namefrom Mrs. wasalso awarded the C.B.E.ln 1917 he returnedto Australia Muddle'sfondness for the musicof Lord Mornington).This is and resumedhis professionof architecture.His firm operated perhapsBudden's finest house in Hunter'sHill. lt showsthe underthe namesof Budden& Greenwell(1919-22\, Henry E. tendency of Federationarchitecture to use a mixture of Budden(1922-31), Budden & Mackey(1931-39), Henry E. materials- brick, timber, shingles,rough-cast, slate, terracotta Budden(1939-41), and Budden& Nangle(1940-44). The firm ridging,and sandstone as a ruggedbase. lt alsoshows Budden's of Budden,Nangle, Michael & Hudsonis still in businessin predilictionfor angulargeometric shapes, with many baysand Sydney and retainsthe name of Budden for prestige.In verandahs; the present owners rightly observethat, from 1931 Buddenwas electedPresident of the New SouthWales above,it resemblesa bird with outstretchedwings. The house Instituteof Architects; this wasreported, together with some is designedto take fullest advantageof the LaneCove River biographicaldetails, in The Architecturaland BuildingJournal views and of the movementof the sun around the house of Queensland,Apr. 10, 1031, 21-23.He wasalso a Fellowof through the day. The two unusuallittle windowsat the top the RoyalBritish Institute of Architects.He diedon December were known locallyas "the eyesof the river" andwere clearly 25th,1944 - "one memorableChristmas doy" in the words of visiblefrom the ferry as it roundedthe peninsulatowards hisson Philip, one of hisseven children. MorningtonWharf (namedafter the house,as was Mornington Reserve).The interiorof the houseis wellplanned but unusual and asymmetrical.Characteristic of the period is the Art NOTE: I wouldlike to acknowledgethe helpfulinformation Noveaustained glass throughout and the plasterceiling of the offeredto me by Mr. PhilipBudden of Killara,also loungeroom with its patternof waratahsand flannelflowers. by the ownersof severalBudden houses in Hunter's Hill. I wouldbe grateful for any furtherinformation In 1910 Buddenmoved with his family to Killara.With the - does anyone know of other Budden houses? outbreak of World War I he beganwork with the War Chest Commission; he went to Gallipoliand Egypt and became BeverleySherry.
t6>d9rer€rer The 1982edition of Old Buildingsof Hunter'sHill, to berenamed HERITAGE OF HUNTER'SHILL, will be readyfor Christmasgiving. The expandedbook includessocial history and area descriptions, as well as nearly four hundredbuilding and landscapeentries, photographs, and a new indexto notablepast residents. Some historicand colourillustrations augment the1982 photographs of Hunter'sHill. Federationhouses have been addedto the previouslisting of Colonialand Victorianbuildings, and more comprehensiveinformation is containedin the houseentries. Annual GeneralMeeting The Annual GeneralMeeting was held on May 25th. Guest This Trust focussed its concern on the provisions neededat the Speakerwas Maisy Stapleton, Curator of ElizabethBay House, public meeting in October 1981. Hunter's Hill Council has whoentertained her audiencewith slidesof Victoriandecora- now occeptedo motching gront from the Heritage Council for tionand furnishings.Mrs. Stapletontraced the elaborationof o Heritoge Study to be made and a Locol Environment Plan decorationand patternthrough to the dizzyingheights of the to be developedto protect the heritoge elements. late Victorian period, and she describedthe connection betweenlife-style, family patternsof room use,and fashion However, the Deputy Chairmon of the TownscopeAdvisory in interiordecorating. Committee, Ald. Kerry Wherry, was not oppointed to the Study group; Ald. Gambotto wos instead. Ken Latonq's The forthcomingbook on the heritageof Hunter'sHill was offer made in October to meet with oldermen ond exploin how discussed.The membersstrongly urged that the Hunter'sHill Council could attoin protective powers hos never been taken Trustbe the book's publisher.Donations were called for, and up or even acknowledged. With this sort of approoch by a pre-publicationorder systemwas one of severalsuggestions. Council, will we do ony better with Local Environment Plqn Minus Two? Will we hove anything os Hunter's Hill before The President'sReport summarisedthe year's events,and we ore amolgamated? excerptsare printed here: Our new edition of Old Buildingsof Hunter'sHill will provide "This hqs been q year of real achievementin spite of the some much of the information sought for the Heritoge Study. old problems. This hqs been on qctive ond productive year for the Trust, not Firstly, our appeal in lote 1980 resulted in the gazettol of leost in the fund roising of the House lnspection in April and obout 350 old buildings in July 1981 by the Heritoge Council. sales of publications. Another Wolk Guide was released in This means thot, in the absence of o town plan, there are ot March for Heritage Week. lost controls on demolition ond unsympathetic alterations. The plans of many houseshave been improved by the Heritoge qs Council, often by discussion with the owners os by As retiring President, I would like to praise this Committee imposition of a protective order. and people on sub-cammittees for their combination of dedication and greot good humour. For special billing: Secondly, Hunter's Hill Council and staff qre now recognising Jo Rees produces the Walk Guides as well os keeping the the positive help which can be given by the Heritoge Council. Treosury in excellent order; Anne McNolly is our valuable The Trust wrote requesting a policy of active coaperotion contlct with the outside world via telephone, and she co- between the Municipal Council and the Heritage Council, ordinoted what she didn't cook for tonight's dinner; Douglass becousemisunderstandings ond lack of communicotion were Boglin has King Midos's touch in photogrophing; Mory Hinde resulting in developments which pleosed neither body, and emqnates calm while running o perfect House lnspection; q this month they odopted system of mutual notification of Diano Drake, Beverley Sherry, Roslyn Maguire ond Sybil plons u nder consideration. Blanton hove worked tirelessly researching the history of building in Hunter's Hill. A vote of thonks olso goes to retiring qchievements These are the more voluoble when one notes Committee member, SecretoryDovid Bryont, for his encourlge- thzt we still do not hove o town plan (l suggest we adopt ment; he will be sorely missed," mathematical terms and speak of town plans in terms of minusesinstead of plussesuntil we have them), Local Environ' ment Plan Minus One. The "preparotion" of planning for Hunter's Hill - and I do not mezn just this first Minus, but also the special set of Alice Oppen, who was not seekingre-election to the Com- heritage provisions which are to be drafted ond odopted os mittee, was thankedas retiringPresident, and presentedwith Locol Environment Plqn Minus Two - this speedof prepzrqtion a copy of Early Colonial Housesof New South Wales,by ogain roises serious questions as to the efficocy and intent of RachelRoxburgh and DouglassBaglin. ln thankingthe Trust, our governments. I feel that nothing but long, steady oppo- Mrs. Oppensaid that shefelt shehad receivedmore than she sition andfor burequcrqtic inonity can explain the foilure of had given, in learningand involvement,and recommended two tiers of government to produce local plonning protection deemednecessary in 1969. workingfor the Trust asa tremendousexperience. vvv\tv\'v\tvvvv\tv llEt D I ttLl.t a PASTACTIVITIES The Hunter'sHill Trust has lost its President,Alice Oppen, HERITAGEWALK who did the work of about six people.So now we are in Walks were conductedon the Saturdayof HeritageWeek in needof new helpers.We haveto sinkor swimand we'd rather March.A busload from BankstownHistorical Society helped swim,because we careabout Hunter'sHill. We'dlike to keep to swellthe numbers.The Trust'sthanks go to all thosewho house this Journalgoing, continue with our guid.edwalks and participatedas guidesand particularlyto Jo Reesfor the inspections,ieep publishingbooks, organize s.ocial functions, preparationof th; Walkbooklet, A Glimpseof Hunter'sHill: stailsetc., and in generalpromote an interestin Hunter'sHill' A Short Walk -- Some of the Grand Homes.The walk this Within the boundi of this suburbwe havea very specialpart year coveredpart of AlexandraStreet, Ambrose Street, Passy of Australia'sheritage and if we - the peopleof Hunter'sHill - Avenue.Passv Walk to WoolwichRoad, across to Jeanneret don't look after it, no one elsewill. The Trust is one group Avenue,Wybalena Road, Yerton Avenueand Ferry Street. dedicatedto this. So pleasecontact us if you would like to Sunday,March 28, at the HeritageWeek Fair in Parramatta helpin any of the followingareas: On Park,the Trust set up a stalland sold its publications. reporting; photography; Writing;-organizing; research; typing; social architecturaladvice; gardens.and HOUSEINSPECTION landscape;legal advice; marketing and public r.elations; on April 25. The accounis;. selling envelopesand delivering.l ournals; The Annual House Inspectionwas held Daybreakand generaladmin istration. Trust'svery gratefulthanks go to the ownersof Saintonge,t6e Brothersof St. Joseph'sCollege, as well as to of theTrust, that wouldbe a help lf vou're not vet a Member the organizers,Mary Hinde and her helpers. in itself! Workingfor the Trust bringsits own rewards- the satisfactionof doing somethingcreative, the stimulationof PHOTOGRAPHICEXHIBITION meetinginteresting feople from all walksof life, the valueof learningabout the heritageof Australia. A PhotographicExhibition of earlyHunter's Hill wasmounted' in the T=ownHall for a meeting of the Local Government (Evening: RING: Jo Rees 816-2746) Women'sAssociation, at the requestof the Mayor. AnneMcNallY (DaY: 89-2035) OF NEWPUBLICATIONS //////////////////////////////// REVTEWS Max Dupain,Fine Houses Robert lrving,-sydney:John Kinstler, and THE NEWTRUST COMMITTEE of Sydney. Methuen,1982. This book, with a stunning photographof Figtree House on the cover, is an The followingCommittee was declared elected at the A.G.M. architecturaland social-historicalstudy. lt dealswith twenty- and office-bearerswere electedat the first meetingof the one housesin Sydney,built during the period 1823-1980, Committee. and includeschapter-length studies of two Hunter's Hill President: Dr. MalcolmLane-Brown 816-2553 houses,Figtree House (Reibey Road) and The Chalet(Yerton Vice-Presidents:Mr. MichaelLehany 816-1s26 Avenue).A well-researchedtext complementedby excellent Mr.Tony Simmons 896-1912 photographs. Secretary: Mrs.Jo Rees 816-2146 Sydney: The Australiana Treasurer: Mr. SamSheffer 89-1112 Sydney's Colonial Craftsmen. with an Exhibitionat Membership Society,1982. Published in connection (aeretrrrr' ElizabeihBay House,Sydney, March-May 1982. Furnitureis J!v' vrs, r Mrs.Anne McNally 89-203s t (1 Mr. DouglassBaglin 89-1534 representedby the *oik of' Andrew Lenehan 315-1 886), Ms.Caroline Burke 816-1s26 who livedin Hunter'sHill. 816-2107 Mrs.Bev Sherry Schoolsof Hunter'sHill 1857-1981. Compiledby Eric E' Moroney.Hunter's Hill: Hunter'sHill HistoricalSociety, 1981 . Advisory and working sub-committeesare being formed. An annotatedlist of schoolsin Hunter'sHill, forty-seven in all, Any Trust memberswho wish to be involvedare urgedto from the earliestdays to the present.The researchwas done contacta memberof the Committee. bv the late Eric E. Moroney,Archivist of the Hunter'sHill valuableaddition The Committee wishesto thank the retiring Committee HistoricalSociety for many years.This is a of Hunter's members,Alice Oppen (President)and David Bryant (Secre- to our knowledgeof the socialand culturalhistory tarv) for theirfine work. Hiil. MEMBERSHIPFORM Name . Telephone Address Poslcode Willingto helPwith Type of MembershiP: 1981-82 Due March1 Single $ s.00 Family $ 10.00 Pensioner $ 1.00 student $ 1.00 Life Member $ 7s.00 The Hunter's Hill Trust, Box 85. H unter'sH ill, 21 10. RYEDALE OFFSET PRINT, GLADESVILLE - 89-3966.