From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: To the Heritage Council in support of extending the curtilage of Varroville Homestead Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 7:44:10 PM Importance: High

To whom it may concern,

My name is , and I would be probably the longest resident in Varroville at this point in time. I have seen many changes over the years and fear that some proposed changes will strip this area of its historic value.

The Scenic Hills is not only ascetic, but it holds great history to Early Australia which we need to ensure we preserve.

I understand that the Heritage Council is currently considering whether to extend the curtilage of the Homestead to include the surrounding land on the State Heritage Register (SHR). I support the idea of an extension of the current curtilage.

We have seen in the past mistakes made with allowing developments encroach on heritage sites, and lived to regret these. We do not want the same to happen to the historic Varroville Homestead, the outbuildings and land. There is far too much rich early Australian History associated with the Homestead, and it needs to be protected.

Let us not make the same mistakes like we have seen with Blair Athol. Please extend curtilage of Varroville Homestead. Protect this beautiful historic area before it is too late. There are not many heritage homes with land left these days. Do not let Varroville Homestead and farmland become another statistic…

Yours Sincerely,

This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: The Secretary Heritage Council. Cliffe about Varroville & Denham Court Heritage. CORRECT VERSION Date: Monday, 31 July 2017 12:48:37 PM

Dear Secretary, The Greater Sydney Commission has taken over planning for Sydney. On the 21-11-2016 they released the first draft of its district plans. You can find them on the following link: http://www.greatersydneycommission.nsw.gov.au/south-west-district In these plans, they signal the intention to upgrade Campbelltown Road which passes between Denham Court and the Denham Court Anglican Church. This church was the original chapel built in honour of Richard Brooks by Cristiana Passmore Brooks and her daughter Christiana Eliza on the farm. Please see attached info. The original plans were on exhibition for comment until March 2017. The Scenic Hills Association at [email protected] [secretary Jacqui Kirby] opposed the upgrade based on its further potential damage to heritage sites that have been neglected since the early 70s. The Heritage Act of 1977? did afford some protection of the Denham Court site but the surrounding property has been carved up and the original Homestead has been in private ownership since the 70s.

1960s-70s dilapidation due to neglect. How Denham Court originally

looked.

The church and homestead have significant Heritage value to the local area, the history of the early colony and the history of Georgian architecture in Australia. The Brooks and Blomfield families had significant family ties to William Cox who built the first road over the Blue Mountains and other major projects. The Brooks family were significant to our convict history and church history through Richard and Christiana Brooks’ involvement with everything from trade, transportation and charity. Adjoining Varroville has significant value as an architectural and historical landmark that is threatened by the acquisition of privately owned land for a cemetery. The curtilage extension on exhibition is less than that recommended in the Scenic Hills Organisation’s curtilage report. It is simply what owners of the adjoining land have given preliminary agreement to (or have not objected to) – the owners being: the CMCT (B/370979), 22/564065, and 1/218016), and Campbelltown City Council which manages (for the Department of Planning) the lot adjoining the M31 (Lot 4/239557).

The parts that have been excluded through lack of owner agreement are:

1. Most of Lot B/370979 (including Bunbury Curran Hill, quoted in Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s diary). This is where the CMCT wants to put its cemetery administration buildings. 2. Land up to a ridgeline in front of the Varro Ville buildings (east of the proposed curtilage) that is owned by Scenic Pty Ltd (part lot 1/541916). I believe Heritage Act superintendence of heritage sites with private ownership can lead to satisfactory preservation of heritage sites. I believe the curtilage expansion is essential to provide this balance between private maintenance of the site with government administration.

I urge you to approve the curtilage expansion as it is a considerable improvement on the current situation. I believe the NSW Heritage Council (and Heritage Minister) should consider going further and include all the excluded land above (1 and 2), consistent with the Statements of Significance for Varro Ville, to protect all those elements in that landscape from inappropriate development.

Additionally, the whole Denham Court area should be viewed as a special heritage area precinct similar in quality to parts of Windsor and Parramatta. What we don’t preserve now will be lost to our grandchildren. The great difficulty for some private owners such as the Anglican church who own St Marys Denham Court is the necessary funds to restore the buildings and fittings. I do note the wonderful work several recent owners of the original Denham Court Mansion have done to preserve the character of the original John Verge design. The Heritage Council should require any redevelopment of the Varroville be as sympathetic to the original design and function of all the historical buildings on the site. Two articles below. Best Regards,

From: Macarthur Campaign To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 10:58:49 AM

To the Heritage Council of NSW,

The Macarthur Greens write in support of the proposed extension of curtilage surrounding the Varroville Homestead and Estate.

We recognise and fully support formal recognition of the unique heritage value and importance of the Varroville Homestead and Estate, and note that the heritage value of the complex is not only in the building itself but in the surrounding environment and context, and that recognising the value of the surrounding environment is vital to maintaining the integrity of the Estate.

We agree with and support the Historic Themes and Assessment of Significance.

We note that the proposed curtilage extension is less than that recommended in the 2016 study due to the objections of surrounding landowners and that this extension is a compromise based on those objections. We would prefer more extensive expansion of the curtilage and support future moves in that direction. However, we fully support the current proposal as a best-case-scenario for the current circumstances.

Camden Residents' Action Group Incorporated Camden – Still a Country Town

Website : http://www.crag.org.au/ Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/CRAG- PO Box 188 Camden-Residents-Action-Group-Inc- Camden NSW 2570 1805705173088888/ Email: [email protected]

Heritage Council of NSW Locked Bag 5020 Parramatta NSW 2124 Email: [email protected]

8 August 2017

Dear Heritage Council,

Re: Varro Ville Homestead (SHR No. 00737) curtilage

We reference the resolution of the Heritage Council meeting of 5 July 2017 to give notice of intention to list a revision and extension to the curtilage of Varro Ville Homestead located in the Scenic Hills between Camden and Campbelltown.

This letter is to wholeheartedly support the curtilage extension.

The Scenic Hills area, fast becoming a green island surrounded by urbanisation, is a continual target for developers despite its importance as a visual backdrop and environmental asset to the people of NSW and as a wildlife corridor connecting Western Sydney Parklands through to and beyond the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens.

The latest proposal by the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (CMCT) to develop a cemetery is incompatible with the open space and rural character of the Hills and the area surrounding Varro Ville homestead. The community is repeatedly called to battle against would-be developers of the Scenic Hills although their ecological, environmental and scenic importance is acknowledged and recognised in planning instruments. For instance development in the Scenic Hills contradicts the Greater Sydney Commission Draft South

1

West District Plan which includes protecting the area's 'majestic and largely pastoral landscape rich with Aboriginal and European cultural significance' through statutory controls1.

The Varroville Homestead on 8 acres is state listed but the Statements of Significance refer to elements and agricultural features in the surrounding landscape intrinsic to its importance that absolutely need to be protected by capture within its curtilage. We believe that private land owners should be urged to appreciate the value of environmental protection of this iconic landscape.

It is our view that it is in the interests of the residents of south west Sydney, the people of NSW and future generations that the curtilage of Varro Ville be extended as far as possible.

Yours sincerely,

President

Camden Residents' Action Group Inc

1 Greater Sydney Commission SW District Draft Plan November 2016 pp. 9, 130

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Heritage Council of NSW Locked Bag 5020 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124 email : [email protected] 29 July 2017

Dear Heritage Council of NSW, I write in support of the extension of the curtilage for “Varro Ville” (SHR No. 00737) and to include surrounding rural elements that are integral to this property and the understanding of its rural origins, historic setting and context. European early settlement of Campbellltown region is well research and yet so little of this pivotal earliest layer of Australiana is protected, more so the agricultural elements. So much of this region’s rural setting has been lost and/or consumed by broad acre suburbia. The few colonial homesteads that remain are isolated without meaningful land or visual curtilages. Unbridled, couple with incremental, development has obliterated landscape settings that explain, and “tells the story of”, the role play by such colonial pastoral properties, as Varro Ville, in our evolution as a nation. Further, physical markers of the agricultural activities were, and are, vital to the very reason why there is the homestead, and are equally as precious. This expanded curtilage of Varro Ville has the potential be a regional open space for the south west, and be of similar import as those that mark the centenary and bi-centenary of European settlement in the east and west regions. The role of historic open space has a vital positive contribution, with proven multiple benefits to contemporary society and density urban livability. As with the Parks of Paris and London, such open spaces become the lungs of a global city. “Lanyon”, now part of greater suburbia of Canberra, provides an exemplar for statutory management to guide any future development on curtilage (both land title and ‘expanded’) and key surrounding lands. Management should include defined visual shields, retaining key view corridors and relationships, mandatory maximum heights, rural akin materials and colours’ pallets, and man-made illumination and reflexivity intrusion safeguards. Further, if development were to proceed on a key parcels of core or buffer lands, such as a cemetery. All landscape plans must ensure species suitable trees obtain and maintain overall densities, heights and canopies that ameliorate views in, and equally imperative reflectivities out caused by expanses of hard surfaces (e.g. roads, pavements, grave memorials and their densities, columbariums, administration/operation structures, and the like). Ridge lines and the peripheries should be similarly protected, regardless of any future uses or activities. Yours sincerely,

M.ICOMOS Aust. ICOMOS National Scientific Committee for Cultural Landscapes and Routes ICOMOS International Scientific Committee for Historic Towns and Villages, international expert ICOMOS International Scientific Committee for Shared Built Heritage, Vice President & international expert cc: Jacqui Kirkby - Varro Ville Homestead, The Scenic Hills Association From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: The expansion of the curtilage to Varroville Date: Monday, 31 July 2017 9:57:18 PM

Dear Sir/Madam

I am in favour of the expansion of the present curtilage to Varroville in the Campbelltown area. I have been associated with the Royal Botanic Gardens at Mount Annan for some years and to see the creeping housing development in that area is very worrying.

This is a very significant heritage area and should be protected from future development to preserve the outlook from the house and the surrounding area.

I am also a member of the Australian Garden History Society.

Kind regards

From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Re: Varroville curtilage extension. Date: Sunday, 30 July 2017 12:04:03 PM

To whom it may concern:

We support the following proposed curtilage extension:

Notice of Intention to consider a curtilage extension on the State Heritage Register of:

Varroville (SHR No. 00737), 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville

We do so on the basis that we have frequently visited Varroville and have an understanding of the character of the area and this unreplaceable historic house and surrounds.

Any further encroachment on this superb example of colonial architecture will greatly reduce its amenity.

It must be remembered that this house served as the hub of a large Colonial farm and its bastardisation by incremental degrees in land reduction only serves to reduce its historic value for future generations and tends to parody one of the few well preserved houses of the early 19th century NSW Colony.

This curtilage extension will provide at least some halt to the destruction by attrition of this beautiful, majestic and historic site.

Like so much of our history, once it's gone it's gone as you would well know!

Yours sincerely, From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Notice of intention to extrndthe curtilage of Varro Ville Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 5:17:02 PM

I support the extension of curtilage of Varro Ville and urge the Heritage Council to consider extending it further to capture all those agricultural and estate features that contribute to Varro Ville's state heritage significance. Yours sincerely

Virus-free. www.avast.com From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: RE: Notice of Intention to extend the curtilage of Varroville (SHR No. 00737) Date: Monday, 31 July 2017 9:58:32 PM

Heritage Council of NSW Locked Bag 5020 Parramatta NSW 2124

Re: Notice of Intention to consider a curtilage extension on the State Heritage Register of Varroville (SHR No. 00737), 196 St Andrews Road Varroville NSW

I write in full and unequivocal support of the proposed extension.

I strongly suggest that the Heritage Council should please go even further to give NSW State protection to this significant rural historic site. I have visited Varro Ville on a number of occasions and can attest to the outstanding nature of the pastoral landscape setting with its early vineyard and dam system courtesy of Charles Sturt et.al. Australian’s will one day want to more and more appreciate the critical importance of its agricultural beginnings. Allowing the tragic and quasi ‘criminal’ destruction by development of such sites within the Sydney area will be embarrassing and difficult to explain when compared to other countries. The Heritage Council is to be commended for taking this excellent and historic step. Please accept my gratitude and thanks.

However please may I further and strongly commend to the Council that it extend the curtilage to encompass the majestic range of hills that encircle the site. As a visitor to the property, it is clearly obvious that the curtilage provides a natural boundary for the location of the buildings and associated agricultural pursuits (orchard and vineyard), as documented in early writings – allowing visitors to step back in time. No greater and important education can be achieved concerning our early forebears.

Yours faithfully,

From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Varro Ville Homestead (SHR No. 00737) curtilage Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 4:56:34 PM

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in support of the Varro Ville Homestead curtilage extension.

Our heritage needs to be preserved in a manner that we can appreciate it. We are losing so much green space, surely this is an incredibly good extension.

I hope you are able to make the right decision and allow this extension.

Yours faithfully, From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Varro Ville curtilage Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 5:17:25 PM

The NSW Heritage Commission,

Dear Sirs,

As old Camden residents, we have watched the scenic hills around our area, Camden, Campbelltown etc. disappear.

We feel it is vital that the curtilage around Varro Ville homestead is preserved.

Yours Faithfully July 31, 2017

Re: Submission on Proposal to extend the curtilage of Varroville (SHR No. 00737)

I can't comprehend why the people in Power, who we have elected to represent us and make decisions on our behalf do not have any regard for what we want. The Scenic Hills of Campbelltown has been a 'Protected Area' where no development would take place, including cemeteries . This is what the people of Cambelltown want and this is what our local Government was doing over and over when the Scenic Hills was in danger of being assaulted by Developers, AGL gas Company, etc. There are many convincing reasons why the Campbelltown Community wants the Scenic Hills to be left alone, one of them is its environmental and Heritage value for our area. The Scenic Hills of Campbelltown contains too much history that goes back to 1810, when the Varroville Estate was built and agricultural structures and activities started in a very unique way, and as such, we ought not only to preserve and protect the remaining buildings and surroundings but our authorities should allocate some grants to rejuvenate it and keep it for future generations as well. I don't think that the State politicians know all the facts about the rich history that exists in the Scenic Hills of Campbelltown or simply they don't want to know because is just the" South West " that in many instances has been neglected. We the people of Campbelltown want to be proud of our Varroville Estate and surrounding farm and buildings just as the Eastern suburbs is proud of Vaucluse House. I am happy to hear that the Heritage Council has taken the initiative to the proposal of extension of the heritage curtilage to preserve our history that otherwise runs the risk of building cemeteries and the like. The Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (CMCT) during their last "marketing" exercise in the Campbelltown Catholic Club last June, told me that they had requested to the Heritage Council, curtilage extension with the view of restoring remaining huts, etc. but when asked if it would not be using the vineyard for burial, including the terracing/trenching areas, they said that they would use those areas for burial. Therefore, my understanding is that the CMCT wants us to believe that they acknowledge the heritage value of the area, including allocating some money for improvements of the area BUT in exchange they want to destroy the home estate surroundings with burial spots, etc.

In the event of having a cemetery around the Varroville Estate means the irreversible destruction of history ,and even the homestead itself would be left isolated and may eventually be swallowed by the Cemetery. In my eyes these kind of actions are barbaric' in the name of greed..

I hope the curtilage extension protects and preserves the Scenic Hills and the Varroville Estate permanently.

Yours sincerely

From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Submission re curtilage extension on the State Heritage Register of Varroville (SHR No. 00737) Date: Friday, 4 August 2017 10:25:14 AM

Heritage Council of NSW Locked Bag 5020 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Curtilage extension on the State Heritage Register of Varroville (SHR No. 00737), 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville

We are writing in support of an ‘expansion’ or ‘extension’ of Varro Ville Homestead’s curtilage in order to capture all those agricultural and estate features on the surrounding land (including the outbuildings) that give Varro Ville its state heritage significance.

9 August 2017

Heritage Council of NSW

Locked Bag 5020

Parramatta NSW 2124

Dear Heritage Council,

Re: Notice of intention to extend curtilage of Varro Ville Homestead (SHR No. 00737)

This is to applaud the Heritage Council for its stated commitment to revise and extend the curtilage of Scenic Hills’ Varro Ville Homestead.

The proposal is welcomed as an essential 1st step effecting necessary further protection of this State listed property and the surrounding landscape- rightly regarded as an asset to be preserved for its heritage values, for the amenity it provides to the local community and in recognition of the essential role the traditional green space of the Scenic Hills area plays, both visually and environmentally, in the broader South Western Sydney Region.

Appropriate preservation and future management of the treasured vestiges of green space in this area is increasingly critical. Constraints on the almighty development dollar are dismayingly hard won.

Can only enthusiastically endorse this proposal and request, the above curtilage extension having hopefully been established as a new baseline, that the Heritage Council will continue to pursue this matter; that it will pursue further extension of the area to be protected to cover the lands currently under consideration for development by the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (most of Lot B/370979) and Scenic Hills Pty Ltd (part Lot1/541916).

Thanking you most sincerely

Heritage Council of NSW Locked Bag 5020 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Email : [email protected]

9th August, 2017

Submission re Intention to consider a curtilage extension on the State Heritage Register of: Varroville (SHR No. 00737), 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville

I fully support the Heritage Council’s intention to consider a curtilage extension on the State Heritage Register of Varroville as I believe the curtilage extension enhances State Heritage Varroville and adds to the historical significance of Varroville and the cultural landscape.

Once heritage sites are destroyed they are lost forever. We are only ‘caretakers’ of our cultural and natural heritage and we need to protect which rightfully belongs to our future generations.

‘Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today and we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration, our touchstone, our reference point, our identity’. UNESCO

I fully support the submission by the Scenic Hills Association.

From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: NOI to extend curtilage of Varroville (SHR No 00737) Date: Thursday, 27 July 2017 10:23:22 PM

Heritage Council of NSW

Locked Bag 5020

PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Heritage staff, I write in support of the listing of the land surrounding Varro Ville house as an extension of the Varro Ville Homestead's curtilage in order to capture all of those agricultural and estate features on the surrounding land (including the out buildings) that give Varro Ville its state heritage significance.

I write in support of the listing. From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Varro Ville Homestead Curtilage Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 10:57:13 AM

Dear Members,

I write in support of the extension of the Varro Ville Homestead curtilage extension.

I strongly support the proposal to extend this to include all surrounding land on the State Heritage Register. this homestead is one of the most important in early NSW and Australian history. It is a key part of the series of homes that are spread throughout the Scenic Hills and the districts of Campbelltown, Camden and these Hills.

This is a time of extensive pressure to develop the Scenic Hills for housing. Where this has occurred already, the result has been a squandering of our history and the value of these homes and testament to it for the purposes of short term gain to developers. do not allow this, or indeed any more of these crucial artifacts in the Southwest to be impinged upon for short term benefit of very few.

There are other opportunities for developers and they will no doubt still be looking to build right up to the current curtilage and so we would lose this important home and its setting as we lost Blair Athol and Eschol Park, Gledswood and more - swallowed up and lost to view and the community benefit.

There is a community benefit into the longest possible terms to protecting Varro Ville, historic towns and villages and their environs across the Scenic Hills and the Campbelltown and Camden districts.

I strenuously urge you to extend the curtilage on the SHR and to go further and consider the importance of the Scenic Hills and the current issues with St John's Camden. these things are the jewels of our European settlement that must never be lost.

Yours sincerely From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Varroville (SHR No. 00737), 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville Date: Thursday, 27 July 2017 7:11:37 PM

I support strongly the proposed extension of the curtilage on the State Heritage Register for this property. It is a great pity the Council is not proposing a more substantial extension in light of the matters set out in letter dated 11 July 2017.

If it is a rare surviving example in NSW of an English landscape park approach, “with early structures, 1850’s homestead, layout, agricultural (vineyard) terracing/trenching and evidence of early access road … with its landscape and integral estate core, rare and innovative features, early establishment, substantial intactness as a cultural landscape and important colonial associations”, it is imperative that the Council should extend the curtilage.

It is to be regretted that further land has been excluded through lack of owner agreement, being, so I am informed, most of Lot B/370979 (including Bunbury Curran Hill, quoted in Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s diary) and land up to a ridgeline in front of the Varro Ville buildings (east of the proposed curtilage) owned by Scenic Pty Ltd (part lot 1/541916 ).

As an aside, it offends all conscience that a well-known religious institution is planning to despoliate part of this precious landscape for profit.

Kind regards

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From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Proposed Extension of Varroville Curtilage Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 4:07:59 PM

I write to support the the NSW Heritage Council’s intention to expand the curtilage of the Varro Ville homestead on the State Heritage Register. It seems to me that any development by the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust is inappropriate and ignores the unique history of the property with its links to Dr Robert Townson and to Governor Macquarie’s belief in the quality and importance of the district and its pasturage. My own family has links back to c1810 to a neighbouring land grant and I strongly believe that the significance of this important pioneer district should be further recognised and conserved.

I sincerely hope that NSW Minister for Heritage will support the recommendations.

Sincerely From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Submission - Proposed Extension of the Curtilage of the State listed Varroville Estate (SHR No. 00737) Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 10:25:56 PM

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Re. Proposed Extension of the Curtilage of the State listed Varroville (SHR No. 00737)

I am writing in support of the proposed extension of the curtilage of the State Heritage Register listed Varroville Estate. I have had a previous involvement in this estate and I am familiar with the listed portion of the estate and the unlisted surrounds of this highly significant and vulnerable cultural landscape.

I firstly would like to acknowledge and commend the work of the Heritage Council and in particular the Officers of the Listing Team for addressing the longstanding and somewhat complex issue of Varroville’s extant and manifestly inadequate curtilage. I would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts and advocacy on the part of the owners of Varroville to ensure that the greater cultural landscape and its values are recognised into the future through an extension of the existing curtilage. Whilst I strongly support the proposed curtilage as advertised in Plan 1798, I would add however, that ideally the protection of the visual catchment and cultural landscape should encompass additional parcels of land to that which has been proposed. That said, I do note the complexity of negotiations that no doubt have taken place with a mosaic of private owners.

In terms of the existing curtilage it is worth noting that it is reflective of many of the early Permanent Conservation Orders (PCOs) in NSW which were often reactive and limited to the bare minimum being the drive, homestead and gardens. They predate the later recognition of the need for a curtilage that recognises and reflects the broader cultural landscape, and encompasses building complexes, views, current and previous agricultural activities, areas of modified and natural landscape, and landforms. To this end, I note that most of the outbuildings associated with Varroville were under separate ownership and excluded from the original listing. This included an out building which to memory demonstrated internal evidence of fabric and construction techniques predating the Weaver designed Varroville, and most likely was associated with the previous 1810s house.

It is essential that the existing curtilage be extended to more fully reflect and protect the heritage values of Varroville and its remnant cultural landscape. As the rezoning, subdivision and redevelopment of the former pastoral estates of south western and north western Sydney supplies the need for additional housing, sites like Varroville Estate and its expanded curtilage will become more important because of not only what they conserve, but what they offer future generations.

Regards,

From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Submission on Intention to extend the curtilage of Varroville (SHR No. 00737) Date: Monday, 31 July 2017 4:22:10 PM

I totally agree with the extension of the curtilage for this area. It is also mentioned that the area contains other outbuildings to the east of Varroville House, such as the original coach house. Any outbuildings of heritage significance such as these should also be included in any expansion of the proposed curtilage, other wise these artifacts will be lost to our state forever.

I would go so far as to say that this area of the Scenic Hills should totally be heritage listed to provide protection for it from developers. The importance of Varroville House to the history of this area will be enormously diminished if the surrounding land outside the proposed extended curtilage were to be open for development, either as a cemetery or other project. This area is the only historically significant land mass in the west of Sydney and provides a green belt separating the LGAs of Liverpool and Campbelltown.

If Varroville house is worth preserving for posterity, then I think the Scenic Hills is historically enmeshed with the history of Varroville House and the two should be treated as one heritage site and not broken into sections for both Heritage and cemetery or any other development.

I applaud the proposed curtilage extension, but to have any preservation significance, the whole area of the Scenic Hills should be treated as a heritage site, much like we have protection for our Royal National Park. From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Notice of Intention to extend the curtilage of Varroville (SHR No. 00737) Date: Tuesday, 8 August 2017 10:57:16 PM

I am writing this email because I wish to express my support for the extension of the curtilage of the land surrounding Varro Ville Homestead on the State Heritage Register.

The NSW Heritage Council is seeking to extend the curtilage of the Homestead to include the surrounding land and estate buildings on the State Heritage Register. Varro Ville is a highly significant colonial house with significant outbuildings and historic agricultural and estate features. It is critical that the curtilage of this property should be preserved. Unfortunately we have very few early colonial homesteads remaining and very few with the outbuildings and curtilage which Varro Ville possesses. If it is possible to extend the curtilage further than the proposed extension I would also like to support that endeavour.

I wish to express my view that to permit the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (CMCT) to put a cemetery on the surrounding land would be to destroy a colonial agricultural estate of great history and significance to the State of NSW and indeed to Australia. We need to preserve the precious remnants of our history, not destroy them.

Yours sincerely From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Re: submission regarding application to extend the curtilage of Varroville (SHR No. 00737) Date: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 9:53:30 PM

Re: submission regarding application to extend the curtilage of Varro Ville (SHR No. 00737) I am a writing to you in support of the application listed above. I am a young (30), professional who has grown up in Sydney city but have been fortunate to visit and spend time at the Varro Ville Homestead. The countryside surrounding the home is outstandingly beautiful and of great cultural, historic and environmental value. I can't imagine that there are many examples left within close proximity to Sydney of such historic buildings still within the environment they were intended to be experienced and lived in. The historic landscaping of Varro Vile is as much a part of the building as the walls and bricks.

As someone who grew up in the city it would be a tragic loss to the community if the environment surrounding the homestead wasn't preserved as a unique insight into the history of the area.

I hope you will support the application.

Kind regards, From: To: OEH HD Heritage Mailbox Subject: Varro Ville Curtilage (SHR No. 00737) Date: Tuesday, 8 August 2017 4:22:50 PM

Heritage Council of New South Wales

Notice of Intention to extend the curtilage of Varro Ville (SHR No. 00737)

I urge the Heritage Council to recommend to the N.S.W. Minister for Heritage that the curtilage of Varro Ville be extended as per the exhibited plan.

I have read the Curtilage Study, Varro Ville, May 2016 (Orwell and Peter Phillips) commissioned with the help of a grant from the Heritage Council. The historical account and assessments in this report are exhaustive and impressive.It presents a substantial argument for the protection of the historical evidence of the site as a whole.

It is essential for the understanding and appreciation of the history of the agricultural development of the Sydney region that the physical evidence of such important colonial sites as Varro Ville be conserved within Sydney's rapidly increasing spread of amorphous suburbia. Such sites as Varro Ville are, literally, rare landmarks within that development, and their significances - visual, aesthetic and historic - should be prized. They provide an important context for the understanding of a community's history and development.

Varro Ville is a colonial site that preserves important physical evidence of its history and is significant aesthetically. Its curtilage should be extended and confirmed so that its conservation is safeguarded.

Annexure D Heritage Council of NSW State Heritage Register Committee Agenda item: 1.1 Date: 28 Sep 2017 File:

Assessment of Significance: Heritage Office Database (HOD) report—provided electronically HOD Number Heritage Database 5063550 Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage

Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville

Addresses: Street: Suburb / Nearest Town: Local Government Area: 196 St Andrews Road Varroville NSW 2566 Campbelltown 166 - 176 St Andrews Road Varroville Campbelltown 152 St Andrews Road Varroville nsw 2566 Campbelltown County/Parish: Parcels: LotCode Number Section PlanCode PlanNumber Current Date Entered LOT 1 DP 218016 01/11/2016 LOT 4 DP 239557 01/11/2016 PART LOTB DP 370979 01/11/2016 LOT 21 DP 564065 01/11/2016 LOT 22 DP 564065 01/11/2016

Property Ident (old): Boundary / Curtilage:

Item Type: Complex / Group Group: Farming and Grazing Category: Homestead Complex Owners: Organisation: Owner Category Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust Religious Organisation Jacqui Kirkby & Peter Gibbs Private Current Use: Former Uses: Area/Group/Complex: Group ID:

Other/Former Names: Varro Ville, Varra Ville Assessed Significance: Endorsed Significance:

Statement of Varroville is a celebrated early farm estate dating from 1810 with early structures, 1850s Significance: homestead, layout, agricultural (vineyard) terracing/trenching and evidence of early access road. The remnant estate with its landscape and integral estate core, rare and innovative features, early establishment, substantial intactness as a cultural landscape and important colonial associations; is of significant state heritage value.

Varroville house dating from 1858-9 is a significant example of the work of William Weaver, former Government Architect 1854-56. The house appears to occupy the site of a previous (1810s) house and the kitchen of the northern wing incorporates the sandstone chimneypiece of a previous service wing. With the exception of generously scaled rooms and plate glass windows (allowing maximum light and views), the symmetrical Italianate villa is architecturally conservative. This, and the large underground water tank at the end of the wings may reflect Weaver's engineering (rather than architectural) training. Varroville is significant for the relationship between the house and its group of farm buildings, sited in relation to each other on the ridge. The location of the outbuildings along the entrance drive

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville reflect William Lawson's Veteran Hall, Prospect and Mrs Charles Meredith's description of Homebush in the 1840s, both of which have since been demolished.

The garden immediately surrounding the house is a substantially intact mid-19th century plan with a gravelled carriage drive (with post-1950 concrete edgings), lawn tennis court site c. 1870(?) remains of a glasshouse and a trellis. Perimeter fence lines and gates have been relocated post 1950 but the original locations are well documented in photographs of c. 1935. The garden contains staples of Cumberland Plain gardening: Moreton Bay figs, hoop pines, funeral cypresses, white cedars, pepper trees, a Norfolk Island hibiscus, Bauhinia, agaves (bordering the original drive), yuccas, aloes and hedges of cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) and common olive. The Queensland rain forest tree, Barklya syringifolia, may possibly survive from the c. 1890s-1910 period.

'Varro Ville's remnant vineyard trenching, directly linked to original grantee Dr Robert Townson, is rare in Australia on account of its unusually extensive area, its very early period, its unusual trenching patterns relative to the topography and its dual function as a means of intercepting rainfall and runoff for water conservation (it is also possibly unique in an Australian context as a vineyard apparently inspired directly from ancient Roman writers on agriculture). Through its documentary and largely intact physical evidence, the Varro Ville cultural landscape also demonstrates one of the earliest systematic attempts at water conservation in Australia' (OPP 2016, p108). Varroville, through the Sturt dams and modified watercourses from the Sturt period and the large underground water tank c1858 that extends westwards from the ends of the wings of the house illustrates early recognition of the importance of water conservation to colonists in NSW

'The Varro Ville estate landscape setting holds exceptional aesthetic value for its ability to demonstrate a rare surviving example in NSW of an English landscape park approach to estate planning indicating an awareness of the highly influential work of landscape pioneers Capability Brown and Humphry Repton. The Varro Ville homestead also demonstrates former Colonial Architect William Weaver's awareness of classic country villa siting, formal planning and design principles espoused by ancient European writers such as Pliny the Younger and Renaissance architects such as Leon Battista Alberti and Andrea Palladio. An essential component of Varro Ville's ability to demonstrate notions of classic villa planning and Reptonian landscape typologies is that its impressive picturesque views (to and from the homestead core) are an integral part of its significance-the homestead cannot be seen in isolation from its visually cohesive landscape setting' (OPP 2016, p108). Governor Macquarie remarked that the farms of Townson and Thompson (St. Andrews, opposite Varroville) were the best pasturage he had seen in the colony. The gently rolling hills of the two properties appealed to English Picturesque sensibilities reflected in the locality name- Scenic Hills.

Varroville, a 'house in the landscape', is sited to take advantage of the sweeping, wrap- around views of the scenic hills from Raby Road in the west to Bunbury Curran Hill in the north and to an extending ridgeline of the range to the east. The important western view dominates the entry through the front door and across the rear courtyard. The direct view line (still evident) from the homestead to the landmark Araucarias of both nearby Denham Court and Macquarie Fields house appears to be a deliberate siting intention.

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville

'The totality of the Varro Ville cultural landscape holds exceptional cultural value as it retains many elements-including its vineyard, dam network, progression of important buildings spanning between the early 19th century and 1858, pre-1850 lines of access and fence alignments, plantings that are likely contemporary with the homestead, a considerable archaeological resource having exceptional research potential and historic views-that testify to its establishment and consolidation as a farming estate and country villa over a period of more than 200 years' (OPP 2016, p109). Varroville is rare as one of the few larger estate landscapes remaining in the Campbelltown area where the form of the original grant and the former agricultural use of the estate and its rural landscape character may be appreciated.

Varroville was significant to the horticultural development, agriculture and food production in early New South Wales through the laying out of a productive kitchen garden in 1809 noted for its extensive fruit varieties by the early 1820s and the establishment of a vineyard, said to be second only to that of Gregory Blaxland of Brush Farm, Eastwood. Accounts relating to Charles Sturt's ownership (1837-39) indicate the property's continued role in the acclimatisation of plants sourced from as far afield as Calcutta. The grants of land at Minto were made by Colonel Paterson in response to the Hawkesbury floods of 1806 and later, aiming to safeguard the colony's food supplies. A significant portion of Varroville was used for growing crops in the c. 1810s-1830s period. Townson supplied meat to the Sydney, Liverpool and Parramatta commissariat stores.

'The remnant Varro Ville estate holds considerable associational value for its direct and important connexions with a large number of prominent and elite figures in early Australian society-including Dr Robert Townson, Governor Lachlan and Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie, explorer Captain Charles Sturt, NSW's first Postmaster-General James Raymond, Justice Alfred Cheeke and Colonial Architect and engineer William Weaver. More recently, its notable associations include ACM Jackaman (Cambridge engineer; pilot; owner and instigator of Gatwick Airport, UK including its famous Beehive building) and Cherry Jackaman (first female President of the National Trust of Australia (NSW))' (OPP 2016, p109). Historical Notes The Cowpastures: or Provenance: When the first fleet arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788 they found the soil unsuitable for farming and soon looked towards the heavy clay and loam soils of the Cumberland Plain (to the west) to sustain the colony. Early agricultural settlements were located on the rich alluvial soils of the Nepean, Hawkesbury and Georges River areas, as well as South Creek near St.Marys and at the head of the Parramatta River where the settlement of Rose Hill (later Parramatta) was established about six months after the fleet landed. A settlement at the Hawkesbury was established in 1794.

By 1804 much of the Cumberland Plain had been settled and Governor King began to look for other regions in the colony for favourable arable land. The only suitable land within the Cumberland Plain was the area known as the Cowpastures, located in the southwestern corner. This area was named after the discovery in 1795 of cows from the first fleet which had wandered off into the bush. The Cowpastures had remained unoccupied due to the official decree that reserved the land for the wild cattle (to encourage their increase).

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville In December 1803 Governor and Mrs King visited the Cowpastures for themselves and the Sydney Gazette reported that Mrs King was the first 'white lady' to have crossed the Nepean River. The track to the Cowpastures led from Prospect and on 17/9/1805 James Meehan, under instructions from Governor King, commenced a survey of the track from Prospect to the Nepean Crossing and a rough road followed the marked line. This became known as Cowpasture Road, later the Hume Highway, most of which is today part of the Camden Valley Way.

Several visits to the area by the colonial gentry took place at this time, which resulted in their desire to acquire some of this rich land for themselves. They saw the area as containing very good grazing land. Captain Henry Waterhouse described the area in a letter to John Macarthur in 1804 as follows: " I am at a loss to describe the face of the country other than as a beautiful park, totally divested of underwood, interspersed with plains, with rich luxuriant grass".

Earlier Europeans had described 'large ponds covered with ducks and the black swan, the margins of which were fringed with shrubs of the most delightful tints'. The Europeans thought the flats were perfect for cattle and the hills would carry sheep. They admired the absence of underbush - probably achieved through Aboriginal burning off - and felt comfortable with a landscape that reminded them of an English gentleman's park.

John Macarthur received the first land grant in the Cowpastures region in 1805 for his role in the early wool industry in the colony. Lord Camden rewarded him with 10,000 acres and Macarthur chose the highly coveted Cowpastures for his grant, though Governor King tried to prevent him taking it. Macarthur also organised a 2000 grant for his friend Walter Davidson, who allowed Macarthur to use his land freely after Davidson returned to England. In this manner Macarthur controlled 12 miles of riverbank on the site where the wild cattle had first discovered the best pasture near Sydney. Later purchases and exchanges increased the Macarthur land there to over 27,000 acres, an endowment that Governor Macquarie greatly resented.

Other early grants were in the Parishes of Minto and in adjoining Evan, Bringelly, Narellan and Cook. These all lay west of Parramatta (Godden Mackay Logan, 2012, 20-21).

Governor Macquarie drew up plans in 1820 for establishment of a town in the area, to be named Campbelltown after his wife Elizabeth's maiden name. With their forced return to England in 1822 these plans never came to fruition and it was not until the arrival of Governor Darling in 1827 that plans were again reinstated and the first settlers were allowed to take posession of their town land in 1831. In the early 1850s the railway line from Sydney to Goulburn was completed, with a station opening at Campbelltown in 1858. When Leppington House was offered for lease in 1865, one of its selling points was that it was near a railway. Campbelltown now provided easy access to Sydney and its markets and grew as the centre of the district. Although Camden was established in 1836, with no railway line it remained a small town.

The large estates that flanked Cowpasture Road (later Camden Valley Way) and the Northern Road were run largely as sheep and cattle farms, with wheat and other grain crops

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville being grown as well until the 1850s. The houses were often built on surrounding ridges or hills, providing sweeping views of the countryside and ensuring that any passing traveller could appreciate the owner's status by viewing their impressive country mansions from the road. This land use pattern of large farm estates and small towns, established in the nineteenth century, remained largely the pattern of development of the area up until the late 1990s. Aerial photographs of the area in 1947 show a rural landscape with some limited urban development on either side of (then) Camden Valley Way (ibid, 22-23).

Townson of Varroville: Robert Townson was born c.1763 in Shropshire, developing interests in mineralogy and natural sciences young. Elected a non-resident member or Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1791, Physical class. He graduated M.D. at Gottingen University in 1795. Over 8-9 years he travelled extensively in Europe, from Trondheim in the north to Sicily, studying mineralogy, chemistry, botany, rural economy, technology, politics and ethics in the Universities of Gottingen, Vienna, Paris and Edinburgh. His 'Travels in Hungary' was published in 1797, his 1798 'The Philosophy of Mineralogy' and a paper on the 'perceptivity of Plants' was read in 1792 and included in the 'Transactions' of the Linnaean Society (Havard, 2005).

In July 1807 Townson (d.1827), doctor of law and gentleman scientist arrived in Sydney. He had been elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and visited the universities of Copenhagen, Uppsala and Gottingen. In 1792 he contributed a paper to the Linnaean Society of London on the 'Perceptivity of Plants'. 'He was often at the home of Sir Joseph Banks and had there met William Paterson of the New South Wales Corps. His brother, Captain John Townson had served as a military officer in NSW before migrating to the colony as a settler in 1806, so he had ample opportunities to learn about the new settlement. Robert approached the British government for permission to settle in NSW. He was warmly received, informed that he was the type most urgently needed in the colony, promised land and indulgences, and allowed (Pounds)100 to buy books and a laboratory for the colony. Dr Townson arrived in Sydney in the Young William on 7 July 1807. Proficient in all branches of natural science and also in Latin, Greek, German, French, he was the most eminent scholar in the young colony.' (ADB).

Townson arrived as a settler intending to establish himself as a pastoralist and trader in 1807 (Everett, 2004). He arrived with the instructions of the British Secretary of State to Governor Bligh to grant him 2,000 acres. Bligh refused to 'locate the grant', but allowed him occupancy while awaiting instructions from England, which arrived in a letter of 31 December 1807. He established himself on a small estate of 77 acres on the banks of the Georges River, living there for about 5 years, building a residence, stock yard, making and enclosing paddocks and making roads. He called this grant Towweery (Tom Ugly's)(Havard, 2005).

In January 1808 Townson, affronted at Bligh's delay over the granting of land, became 'an opponent of Bligh, and when rebellion took place some months later he was judged one of the principal six 'who previously concerted together with Major Johnston the arrest and imprisonment of the Governor'. He was present at the dinner at the officers' mess on the eve of the trial of John Macarthur which precipitated the revolt [and] he signed the requisition to

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville Johnston to depose Bligh on 26 January 1808' He 'soon fell out with the rebel administration. Johnston refused to give him the land he wanted at Emu Island, near Penrith; though he was given 2000 acres (809 ha) at Botany Bay near the present Blakehurst and twenty-eight government cattle, he claimed that only half the grant was of any use, and his long complaints against Bligh written in 1807 and 1808 were followed by another, equally querulous, in 1809 against his supplanters.' (ADB).

Overlooked in the grants made by Johnston in 1808, he received two grants from Foveaux in November 1808, both in the Botany Bay district, one of 75 acres, the other of 1925 acres around the present Oatley station, Mortdale, Penshurst and Hurstville.' (SHR). He had six assigned convicts (Havard, 2005).

In 1809, finding this [Botany Bay] land unsuitable he applied to Paterson (who took over the government) for some adjacent land, of 480 acres. Since his land had poor pasture, he was obliged to send his flock away to other ground, and a few months before Macquarie's arrival he asked Paterson to allow him to exchange 800 acres of his grant for some more open land 'in a distant part of the colony'. Paterson allowed him to take up 1000 acres for the 800, giving him a total of 2680 acres. This 1000 acres he chose was in the Minto district, and was the origin of Varro Ville... (Havard, 2005).

James Meehan surveyed Varro Ville in August 1809, mentioning the hill of Bunbury Curran, a range, flats and hollows, hills and dales, ponds and ironbark trees, and the creek. A road was to be reserved on the south-east side. The grant was ready for delivery in November 1809'. (SHR) 'Townson later confirmed that he had immediately occupied the land, 'employed a great deal of labour, and expended a great deal of money' in building a horse yard, cultivating a large garden, clearing and fencing paddock and making roads. (Fowler p. 68).

Macquarie on his arrival annulled by public proclamation the trials which had taken place during the usurpation (of Bligh). Grants of land and of stock and leases during the same period were revoked, as well as pardons and emancipations until he could tour all the districts and reconsider the grants. Townson was required to hand in his grants, which he did in 1810. Macquarie re-granted Townson 1,000 acres (405 ha) at Bunbury Curran (2000 acres at Minto (1000 acres/405ha at 'Bunbury Curran' as it was called) and Botany Bay were given in May 1811, despite Townson's objections about the amount of land required to be cultivated)(Havard, 2005)), which Townson named Varro Ville after the Roman writer on agriculture, Marcus Terentius Varro (116-37 BC).(ADB). The stated reason was that Varro wrote extensively on agriculture and Townson was intent on making Varroville an exemplar of agricultural pursuit, which, according to his obituaries and official biography (Havard, 2005), he achieved.

In November 1810 Governor Macquarie toured the area (after having chosen the site of a town on George's River to which he gave the name Liverpool, after the Earl of that title (Havard, 2005) following the foundation of Liverpool, and writes in his journal (8th November 1810): '[Finding] Mrs M had gone after returning home to see Dr Townson's farm and Bunbury Curran Hill we all followed her thither, and met her returning home again after having ascended the Hill, accompanied by her guide Mr. Meehan [Surveyor and owner of

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville Macquarie Field]. The accounts given to me by Mrs M. of the beautiful prospect she had from the top of Bunbury Curran Hill induced me to ascend it, which I did on horseback, and was highly gratified with the noble extensive view I had from the top of it of the surrounding country. On my return from the Hill, we overtook Mrs M. on Dr Townson's farm, where we stopt for a few minutes to speak to the Doctor and look at a very ill chosen situation he has fixed on for the site of his new intended house'.

Macquarie also commented in his journal that the farms of Townson and Andrew Thompson (St. Andrews farm, opposite Varroville) were 'by far the finest soil and best pasturage I have yet seen in the colony; the grounds are beautiful and bounded by a large creek of brackish water called Bunbury Curran' (SHR). This difference of opinion on siting reflects the different characters of Macquarie and Townson - the former masterful and dashing, would have chosen a prominent site with an extensive view, the latter a scholar, preferring seclusion and proximity to oversight his crops and orchard (Havard, 2005).

Varro was a famous man of letters. Authors like Quintilian considered him 'the most learned of the Romans'. He wrote 74 works on 620 papyrus rolls on several subjects, but practically none have survived. His lost 'On Libraries', in which he describes the organisation of a library and gives reasons for defining books as cultural artefacts, is one of the earliest discussions of the subject (Baez, 2008).

Since these grants were made on the customary condition that the land be cultivated and not sold for five years, Townson again felt aggrieved. He had been living on his capital for nearly four years and was afraid of penury. He sought permission to sell his land and return to England. In the end he remained but developed a psychopathic personality. He subordinated everything to the development of his farms, shut himself off from society and apparently did no scientific work in New South Wales. He became 'singular' and eccentric and his rigid economy became a byword. He also nursed undue hostility towards all who had contributed to his critical situation; Macquarie described him as 'discontented' and one of his leading opponents, though there is no evidence that Townson took part in intrigues against him' (ADB).

March 1812 'In March 1812 it would appear that Townson had not yet built his house. "This state of uncertainty (over the route of a public road [St Andrews road, linking the Liverpool - Campbelltown road with the Cowpasture Road] has prevented me from going on with my plans and I am still living, when at Bunbury Curran, in a very uncomfortable manner, as on this road depends where I shall place my house and make my inclosures. (Fowler p. 70)

After 5 years at his small grant of 77 acres at Towweery (Tom Ugly's) on George's River, Townson had relocated to Minto by 1813 (SHR) and had made the 'necessary establishment' there. He had managed to keep his 6 convicts for five years on the Government stores (when new settlers were normally allowed men on the stores for only 18 months), gaining extensions from Macquarie in 1810 and 1811 (Havard, 2005).

Townson was associated with the development of the Australian wine industry, having been once known as 'the finest orchard in the Colony and a vineyard second only to Gregory Blaxland's' (at Brush Farm, Ryde). He made very good use of his grant of 1000 acres at

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville Minto (Everett, 2004). 'Black Muscardelle' grapes were cultivated and liberally distributed by merchant and viticulturist Robert Campbell. Robert Townson made a 'passable sweet wine' from this grape at Bunbury Curran near 'Campbell-Town'and possibly also grew 'Black Portugal' or 'Oporto'(i.e. Varroville). McIntyre, 2012, Appendix 1, 224-5).

In 1815 Townson supplied meat to the Sydney, Liverpool and Parramatta stores. In the 1818 Muster of stock for 1818 'Townson had 214 head of horned cattle and 1961 sheep He had twenty-two acres in wheat, eight in maize, four in barley, two in potatoes and two in garden and orchard.' Following drought (and the caterpillar plague of 1819) Townson obtained a permit to pasture cattle across the mountains. In May 1821 he sent them south to a run that became Tiranna, Goulburn. (JRAHS vol 91 pt 2 p. 188)

In October 1820 Townson offered property for sale ' 1,000 acres at Bunbury Curran, with a good house and offices and one of the best gardens in the colony. A great part is fenced in and divided into paddocks'. See JRAHS vol 91 pt 2 p. 190 for list of stock.

After Macquarie departed the colony, Townson began to take his rightful place in the community. In 1822 he became a foundation vice-president of the Agricultural Society and a member of its Horticultural and Stock Fund Committees. Varroville became a show place for its beauty, abundance and variety in orchard and garden; his vineyard was second only to that of Gregory Blaxland; his fine-wooled sheep and their clip were in great demand; his cattle were numerous and in the opinion of his contemporaries no single man had accomplished more in the rearing of stock' (ADB).

1823 'When the members of the Agricultural Society [of New South Wales] dined after the general Quarterly Meeting in Nash's Inn, Parramatta, at the beginning of 1823 the dessert was contributed from the gardens of Dr Townson and Captain Piper. 'It consisted of no fewer than 18 kinds of fresh fruit, and 4 of dried; among which were the banana, the Orlean plum, the green gage, the real peach, the cat-head apple, and a peculiarly fine sort of musk melon. ' 'Next to Gregory Blaxland, Townson was regarded as having 'most successfully and most extensively given his attention to the vine.' (JRAHS vol 91 pt 2 p. 198)

1825 A notice regarding the theft of grain from Townson's farm mentions a granary. (Fowler, 72)

1827 Townson died at Varroville on 27 June 1827 and was buried at St John's cemetery, Parramatta.. A bachelor, he left his fortune to his brother, Captain John Townson of Van Diemen's Land, to two nieces residing in England and to his nephew, Captain John Witts, R.N. A portrait, attributed to Augustus Earle is in the Mitchell Library. (ADB) By the time of his death, Varro Ville had become a show place for its beauty, abundance and variety in orchard and garden: his vineyard was second only to that of Gregory Blaxland (at Brush Farm, Ryde); his fine-wooled sheep and their clip were in great demand; his cattle were numerous and in the opinion of his contemporaries 'no single man had accomplished more in the rearing of stock' (ADB, vol.2, 1967).

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville 1829 Varroville was acquired by Thomas Spencer Wills (1800-1836), the first Australian born Justice of the Peace and a founder of the Bank of NSW. One of his sisters married Dr William Redfern (1774 - 1833) of nearby Campbellfield, a major landowner in the area, while another married Henry Colden Antill (1779 - 1852) of Jarvisfield, Picton.

1832 The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory 1832 refers to 'the residence of the late Dr Townson, now the property of Thomas Wills, Esq. This place is celebrated for a Garden and Vinery.' (Fowler, 75).

Early 1837 Varroville was acquired by explorer, Captain Charles Sturt (1795-1869), who "described himself as 'an enthusiastic horticulturalist'. Writing to his brother William in Calcutta in 1835 when he was planning the purchase of a property, Sturt begged for fruits, plants, bulbs or seeds, 'the rarer the better'." (Fowler p. 77) Sturt established dams and modified watercourses, maintained the thriving kitchen garden, orchard and vineyard and took a keen interest in the birdlife at Varroville. He later cited Varroville as a model of water conservation during his term as Assistant Commissioner of Lands in South Australia (Mrs Napier George Sturt, Life of Charles Sturt, Elder & Co., London, 1899, 125).

In 1838 'On another occasion, in Sturt's second home in Varroville, the powers of native trackers were again called into play. Here in 1838 he was visited by the bird-artist, John Gould, who greatly admired Sturt's large original collection of Australian Psittacidae [parrots] in water-colour, for which he offered on the spot a large sum. But these paintings had been the delight of Sturt's leisure; he was devoted to ornithology and had collected rare specimens at great trouble and risk, and at no price would he part with his folio. It is supposed that Gould's remarks must have drawn the attention of some dishonest workman to the value of the drawings, for soon afterward the military chest in which they were kept disappeared and was never again seen. Natives put upon the scent found military accoutrements and other articles thrown out of the same chest, so that drawings were clearly the object of the theft' (Mrs Napier Sturt, 1899, 122)

Sturt in a speech at a dinner in honour of Governor Gawler, 10 January 1840 urged South Australians to store water. 'On my farm at Varroville, until labour and skill were exerted, one only of many channels held water, and that was brackish. When I passed that farm, every paddock had its proper water-hole. In a severe drought I not only fed 180 head of stock on 1,000 acres (of which 350 was under cultivation), but I permitted 19 families to supply themselves from my tanks' (Mrs Napier Sturt, 1899, p.193) Turner, male convict servant as cook rescued the elder Sturt son from drowning in a pond or dam. (Mrs Napier Sturt, 1899, 174)

'But no forethought could avert the widespread ruin from such a drought that prevailed between 1836 and 1839. Not even Sturt's waterholes could satisfy all demands or supplement the failing pasture. His hay-crop in 1838 was better than that of his neighbours. But stock were quite at a discount. Nor could wool be sent to Sydney for want of water by the way. The lines of road were unwholesome from the number of cattle and horses that dropped dead upon them. Just when the farmers of New South Wales were reduced to their lowest ebb their hopes were revived by the new settlement in South Australia.' (Mrs Napier Sturt, 1899, 125)

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Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville

In 1839 Sturt's sale notice for the property appeared in the Australian, 'The cottage is convenient and an excellent kitchen and wash house have been added to it. The outhouses consist of stables, coach house, verandah, dairy, store, barn etc. and there is a well-stocked garden and vineyard'. 'Sturt apparently sold his uncleared grant 5,000 acres [at Ginningdera, [sic] Canberra] at its auction value with the proceeds bought a small but ready- fenced property at Varroville, which on his sudden departure for South Australia in 1839 [to take up the post of Surveyor-General], he was forced to sell at so great a loss that the final outcome of the grant dwindled to less than (Pounds)450.' (Mrs Napier Sturt, 1899, 109)

Nov 1839 Varroville acquired by James Raymond, the first Postmaster General of the Colony of New South Wales. Raymond introduced the world's first pre-paid postage in November 1838, anticipating the British penny postage in 1840. Raymond entertained extensively at Varroville. 'He was also a keen follower of horse-racing and owned several horses himself.' (ADB) An oil on canvas horse portrait by Edward Winstanley (1820-1849) 'Nazeer Farrib', A High Caste Arab, the property of James Raymond Esq of Varroville is in the State Library of NSW collection (ML282).

Raymond died at Darlinghurst on 29 May 1851 aged 65 and his daughter Aphra (Aphrasia Kemmis) and her family lived rent-free at Varroville according to the terms of his will (Fowler, 85). Raymond featured as the fictional postmaster 'Raymond Plenty' in architect and writer William Hardy Wilson's romance 'The Cowpasture Road', Sydney, Art in Australia, 1920, 38- 40.

1858 'In 1858 Raymond's sons sold the property to the late George Taylor Rowe, who mortgaged it to H. H. Browne. Browne defaulted on his mortgage during 1859 and Rowe claimed possession of the house. ' (Fowler, 85)

27 April 1858 Architects, Weaver & Kemp of 160 Pitt Street, Sydney advertise for tenders from masons 'for laying the Foundations of a House at Varroville, near Campbelltown. Plan and specification, and further particulars may be ascertained on application to the undersigned' (Sydney Morning Herald 27.4.1858). William Weaver (1828-) was a former Colonial Architect (1854- April 1856), formerly Edmund Blacket's clerk of works (while Blacket was Colonial Architect) and had trained under Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Franco-British civil engineer (1806-1859). Weaver & Kemp also designed Jarvisfield, Picton and Burrundulla, Mudgee. The new house was built on the site of the previous house, retaining an early stone chimneypiece (with evidence of a former kitchen crane) and hearthstone from the previous house. The bread oven chimney has been capped before the shingling of the roof above it.

c. 1859 Following Rowe's death Varroville sold to Justice Alfred Cheeke for (Pounds)4,500. Cheeke (1810-1876) bred and trained race horses at Varroville (including 'Clove' which won the first Australian Jockey Club Derby in 1865), established and maintained a private racecourse on the flat below the house. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of NSW in 1865. An oval form close to today's F5 freeway has been identified in aerial photographs as possibly Cheeke's racetrack.

Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage Date: 19/09/2017 Full Report Page 10

This report was produced using State Heritage Inventory database software provided by the NSW Heritage Office. HOD Number Heritage Database 5063550 Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage

Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville 1876 Varroville, the estate of the late Justice Cheeke was advertised for sale by Richardson & Wrench and purchased by grazier M. Suttor. 'Varroville House is a commodious family residence, recently erected by the late proprietor. It is built of brick and stone, is nearly surrounded by verandahs and contains the following accommodation:- hall, 8 feet wide: drawing and dining rooms each 20 x 16: 6 bedrooms, two of which are 20 x 16: dressing room with well-arranged superior bath: patent closet: stove, kitchen with oven, servants hall, wine cellar, laundry with copper, larder, pantry, china closet & c There is an additional residence of six apartments a few yards from the above. Both are surrounded by tastefully laid out gardens and shrubbery, are erected on a beautiful elevation, and approached by a fine carriage drive from the main road.

An abundant supply of water is obtained from an immense underground reservoir, which receives the roof water. A pump forces the water on to the premises, supplying the bathroom &c. The outbuildings are very numerous and comprise gardener's house, barn, cow-houses, calf-pens, dairy, piggery with coppers, stock and drafting yards, complete ranges of stabling, including a number of well-finished spacious loose boxes for blood stock.' (Sydney Morning Herald, 15 April 1876).

This (William Weaver-designed, built in partnership with William Kemp, c1858-9) house is the third built on the estate.

1885 Suttor sold Varroville to Sydney solicitor, Thomas Salter. Salter leased it to H. Pockley for dairying.

1906 Salter sold Varroville to Reginald Thomas (Fowler, 87). 1912 Thomas sold Varroville to W. H. Staniforth, dairyman of St Andrews.

1923 Staniforth leased Varroville to Percy, Austin and Arthur Smith (Smith Bros), dairymen of Concord. They operated dairies at Robin Hood Farm (Ingleburn, also NSW State Heritage Register-listed) and Varroville until 1958, running their own dairy herd and purchasing milk from local farmers' (Liston, 107).

1929 George Smith purchased Varroville. In 1946, George Smith transferred the land to Arthur James Smith, dairyman of Minto. In 1950, Arthur James Smith subdivided Varroville and sold it in a number of smaller parcels. This was the first time that Varroville was subdivided (OPP 2016, p25) into three lots A, B and C. Lot B was transferred to William Forest Ross in 1950 and Lot A was transferred to Robert Stanley Thompson. Thompson re- subdivided Lot A (into two lots ! and 2) and he sold the lot that contained the Varroville homestead to William Forest Ross who (within the same year, 1950) sold both his lots to the Jackamans (OPP 2016, p26-27).

In 1950, the property was transferred to Cherry Jackaman, wife of Alfred Charles Morris Jackaman, who was the engineer Gatwick Airport in England, and former RAF 601 Squadron (Auxiliary) member, Alfred L M (Morris) and wife Cherry Jackaman (1911-2011). Changes made by the Jackamans include enlarging the drawing room (to the former footprint of the northern veranda and extending the terrace on this side), relocating the access to the cellar, building the colonnade at the western end of the courtyard (on the site

Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage Date: 19/09/2017 Full Report Page 11

This report was produced using State Heritage Inventory database software provided by the NSW Heritage Office. HOD Number Heritage Database 5063550 Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage

Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville of a picket fence), installing the fountain against the northern range wall, building the swimming pool, change rooms, gazebo and 'crazy paving' the surrounds of these. The old back drive from St Andrew's Road became the principal entry.

In 1960 Cherry Jackaman joined Dame Helen Blaxland on the Womens' Committee of the National Trust (NSW). Jackaman chaired this committee from 1964-67 and by 1968 had raised more than $100,000, which was directed to Experiment Farm Cottage, Lindesay and the St.Matthews Anglican Church at Windsor Appeal. She also presided over the initiation of house inspections designed to recognise important heritage properties within NSW and pioneered discounting of building supplies for restoring listed properties (McGuiness, 23- 24/9/11).

1964 the Jackamans opened Varroville as part of house inspections by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Women's Committee (another opening was held in 1968). The tour brochures indicated the Jackamans considered the house to predate the 1850s, with the verandas and marble chimneypieces described as later additions. Mrs Jackaman's guests included her friend, the British actress Vivienne Leigh, Sir Laurence Olivier and Princess Michael of Kent.

Cherry Jackaman resumed the chair of the Womens' Committee of the National Trust (NSW) in 1970 for 3 years and was elected unopposed as the first female president of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) in 1977, a position she held until 1981 (McGuiness, 2011). In the early 1970s the house lot was subdivided from its context onto 3.1 hectares (approx eight acres). The date of subdivision of the land occupied by Sweeney's Riding Ranch from land owned by the Jackaman family is unknown.

In 1973 the Campbelltown Local Environmental Plan's zoning of this section (Central Hills) of what has become known as its 'Scenic Hills' was zoned, predominantly in the case of Varroville's setting, 7d1 - Environment Protection - Scenic, some zoned 6c - Open Space (Regional).

In the 1980s land was resumed from the estate for the M5 freeway.

In 1990 Mrs Jackaman presented Varroville homestead and 3.1 hectares (i.e. without its outbuildings) to the National Trust of Australia (NSW).

In 1991 the property was sold to fund National Trust of Australia (NSW) debt (McGuiness, 2011). In 1992 The National Trust (NSW) commissioned a conservation plan for Varroville from architects, Orwell and Peter Phillips and sold Varroville to architects, Keith and Virginia Pearson-Smith (Carlin, 2007).

2002 Varroville was acquired by John Moutsopoulos and Vanessa Seary.

2006 Varroville was acquired by Peter Gibbs and Jacqui Kirkby

May 2007 The Cornish Group acquired approximately 113ha / 280 acres adjoining and

Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage Date: 19/09/2017 Full Report Page 12

This report was produced using State Heritage Inventory database software provided by the NSW Heritage Office. HOD Number Heritage Database 5063550 Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage

Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville surrounding Varroville from Mrs Jackaman's daughters. Prior to this the Cornish Group were reported to have taken out an option to buy the adjoining Sweeney's Scenic Riding Ranch (not owned by the Jackaman family), giving them approximately 800 acres of the original 1000 acres of Robert Townson's 1810 estate (Carlin, 2007).

In 2009 Cherry Jackaman was awarded the OAM. Morris died in 1980, Cherry moving to Double Bay (McGuiness, 2011).

______Themes: National Theme State Theme Local Theme 2. Peopling Convict Working on private assignment 2. Peopling Migration Emigrating from one colony or state to another 3. Economy Agriculture Clearing land for farming 3. Economy Agriculture Farming by detainees and prisoners 3. Economy Agriculture Farming wheat and other grains 3. Economy Agriculture Growing vines and maintaining vineyards 3. Economy Agriculture Pastoralism - grazing sheep, cattle, goats or other animals 3. Economy Environment - cultural Landscapes and countryside of rural landscape charm 3. Economy Environment - cultural Landscapes of food production landscape 3. Economy Science Horticultural experimentation, hybridising and acclimatisation 3. Economy Science researching chemistry 3. Economy Science Researching mineralogy 3. Economy Science Researching new agricultural production techniques 4. Settlement Accommodation Country Villa 4. Settlement Accommodation Housing farming families 4. Settlement Land tenure Changing land uses - from rural to suburban 4. Settlement Land tenure Granting Crown lands for private farming 4. Settlement Land tenure Naming places (toponymy) 4. Settlement Land tenure Sub-division of large estates Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage Date: 19/09/2017 Full Report Page 13

This report was produced using State Heritage Inventory database software provided by the NSW Heritage Office. HOD Number Heritage Database 5063550 Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage

Item Name: Varroville Homestead and Estate - Proposed extension of curtilage (under consideration)

Location: 196 St Andrews Road, Varroville

5. Working Labour Working on pastoral stations 9. Phases of Life Persons Associations with Charles Sturt, explorer 9. Phases of Life Persons Associations with Cherry Jackaman, first female president of the National Trust (NSW) 9. Phases of Life Persons Associations with Governor Lachlan Macquarie, 1810-1821 9. Phases of Life Persons Associations with Governor William Bligh, 1806-1810 9. Phases of Life Persons Associations with James Meehan, Deputy Surveyor General 9. Phases of Life Persons Associations with James Raymond, first Postmaster General 9. Phases of Life Persons Associations with Robert Townson, academic, farmer 9. Phases of Life Persons Associations with William Weaver, Colonial Architect 1855-6, architect- engineer Designer: William Weaver Maker / Builder:

Year Started: Year Completed: Circa: No

Physical Description: Estate and Setting: The approach to the siting of Varroville which avoided the house being silhouetted against the sky was endorsed by the horticulturalist and landscape designer, Thomas Shepherd (1776-1836, probably citing the British landscape architect Humphry Repton) when describing the siting of Elizabeth Bay House, Sydney, and later discussed by British writer on estate planning, John Claudius Loudon (1773-1843) whose writings were influential in colonial New South Wales. Varroville is oriented east-west, taking advantage of vistas to other Cumberland Plain homesteads, Denham Court and Macquarie Field House. The locally named Scenic Hills describe the picturesque rolling country selected as the location of the Varroville grant.

Garden: In the immediate surrounds of the house, the gravelled carriage drive, lawn tennis court site, remains of a glasshouse and plantings are elements of a substantially intact mid-19th century garden plan. The carriage loop (with concrete edgings remaining from the Jackaman period: (1950-1990)) appears to relate to the 1858 house. It does not connect with the drive that passes in front of it to the east, but this 'disconnection' may relate to Jackaman period changes. Perimeter fence lines and gates have been relocated during the Jackaman period.

Heritage Division, Office of Environment and Heritage Date: 19/09/2017 Full Report Page 14

This report was produced using State Heritage Inventory database software provided by the NSW Heritage Office.