Heritage Newsletter Jan-Feb 2009
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HERITAGE NEWSLETTER OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. JULY - AUGUST 2011 ISSUE No. 16 The Katoomba Waltz dedicated to an early chief justice By John Leary, OAM NSW HAS A NEW CHIEF JUSTICE, Tom Bathurst. With the delay in announcing a replacement for the incumbent, Jim Spigelman; barrister cum journalist Richard Ackland, published in the Sydney Morning Herald a speculative piece as to who might fill the office and if in fact there is a need for such an office. Enchantingly, chief justices still live with us, in name. A Sydney ferry was named after Sir Leslie Herron’s wife and Mary McCarron Maguire composed The Katoomba Waltz in honour of Sir Frederick Darley. 1 Asked to name a popular waltz, most will recall the magic of Andre Rieu’s presentations around the world of either the The Blue Danube Waltz or the Emperor Waltz. However, few other than local historians would be aware of Mary McCarron Maguire’s, Katoomba Waltz dedicated to Sir Frederick Darley (then Lieutenant Governor of NSW) and Lady Darley who lived in “Lilianfels”, Katoomba. Published in 1895, The Katoomba Waltz was first performed at Government House in Sydney and was performed at the Tivoli Theatre in August 1895. The music was added to the repertoire of the NSW Artillery Regiment Band. This beautiful and delicately designed sheet music cover for the Katoomba Waltz is held in the National The Sydney Morning Herald of the day pronounced it ‘a Library of Australia, Canberra dashing composition admirably suited to ballroom which has approved the publication of this image purposes’ nla.mus-an 10996145-1-v The rediscovery in 1989 of Mary McCarron Maguire’s, They lived at “Lansdown” in Edgecliff Road, and were Katoomba Waltz has led to speculation about a ‘lost frequent guests at Government House and Admiralty school’ of popular composers whose works were House garden parties, and at lord mayoral receptions. inspired by the natural splendours of the Blue Her sister Blanche was a semi-professional actress in Mountains. the 1890s. Little is known about Mary McCarron Maguire but she Sir Frederick Matthew Darley was born on September published two other waltzes, The Antonina and the 18, 1830 in Dublin, Ireland. The first child of Henry Commonwealth during the decade 1890 - 1900, the Darley of Wingfield, Bray County Wicklow and his wife Commmonwealth evidently inspired by the coming Maria Louise nee West. Federation in 1901. Two other musical items from 1890 - 1910 are a mazurka, Leura Falls by Alicia Nolan and At Hunsdon, Hertfordshire on December 13, 1860, 2 The Cascade Waltz by Louis L Howarde. Darley married Lucy Forest Brown, from Melbourne, a daughter of Captain Sylvester Brown (master mariner) Very few details are known about Maguire’s life, other and his wife Eliza Angell nee Alexander. than that she was one of two daughters of a Woollahra Continued page 4 family. HERITAGE 1 July - August 2011 Contents......... From the editor’s pen...... HERITAGE July - August 2011 Council’s call for public * P1 The Katoomba participation in heritage Waltz dedicated to an early chief justice advisory role welcomed * P2 Council’s call for THOSE INTERESTED in the Those who apply to be considered for public protection and conservation of our appointment to the heritage advisory participation in heritage will welcome Blue Mountains committee need to be very much aware heritage advisory City Council’s recent decision to that heritage is but a small part of the role welcomed establish a heritage advisory sometimes lengthy process of planning, * P3 Local history blog committee of council. a point that BMACHO has been stating * P3 Grant awarded to for many years. BMACHO The prompt action of council staff in * P3 Telstra grant for calling for nominations from the One of council’s stated objectives for workshops community soon after the decision is the heritage advisory committee, is a * P5 Evans opened the also worthy of commendation. review of the heritage component of way to the west LEP 1991. This is the type of activity on * P9 What would you Blue Mountains Association of Cultural which those in the heritage sector of our keep in an empty Heritage Organisations (BMACHO) community are well equipped to jar? has for several years been advocating provide. the establishment of a heritage advisory committee of council. Council recently released a quite comprehensive and easily understood, BMACHO has on occasions expressed clear language document dealing with concerns at what seemed to be delays LEP processes and again this has been in the process of having council accept a worthwhile initiative of council’s the proposal for such a committee planning staff. * P11 Dear old golden which are not uncommon in other local rules days government units around the state and In welcoming council’s decision to work * P13 Crumbled chimney in fact in Australia. more closely with the community it stack only serves, (and in particular the not reminder of Polar On this occasion credit is due to the insignificant number of residents who explorer who lived elected members of council and it’s have an abiding interest in our heritage in Woodford planning staff for the decision which and history) --- it is suggested there are * P14 Special days in should ultimately benefit council in its a number of important ingredients to the World War 1 deliberations on heritage issues. ultimate success of this heritage * P16 Historic 1880s advisory committee. Carrington Hotel to It is pleasing to BMACHO that council be venue for BM has acceded to some of the requests These are the need for those elected history conference made by those in the heritage sector, from the community to understand their * P16 Jean Arthur in BM both volunteers and professionals. work is limited to heritage issues only Hospital and that there must be an acceptance * P17 School of Arts or Council’s decision to establish a by them of the necessary and legal Mechanics heritage advisory council protocols council and its staff must Institutes have acknowledges the wealth of observe. their origin in knowledge concerning the region’s early 19th century heritage and history, gained over many There is also a need for council’s staff years by members of historical and to accept the limitations and ambitions heritage societies in the region. of those who volunteer for this committee. In BMACHO’s view there are still some issues that its members would have These community members need to be liked to have seen included in the given dignity with tasks that allow them terms of reference for the to believe they are contributing something worthwhile to the community * P18 Council explains establishment of the committee. in which they live, so they may share LEP processes pride in achievement and not left to feel * P20 Heritage briefs However, within the wide parameter of they just ‘rubber stamp’ the work of around the world council’s objectives those who council staff, without having had any real input * P21 The Domesday decides to appoint to the committee into the processes. Book should be able to provide some valuable expertise in matters of John Leary, OAM - Past President, heritage advice. Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations Inc. HERITAGE 2 July - August 2011 Grant awarded to BMACHO LOCAL FOR THE FOURTH YEAR in succession, BMACHO has been HISTORY awarded a Commonwealth Government grant of $2,300 by the Department of Sustainability, BLOG Environment, Water, Populations JUST over six months ago and Communities under its 2010 - Springwood Historians launched 2011 GVEHO Program. a public/social history blog, or weblog. The program is intended to help cover administrative operational One of the newer forms of costs. ‘engaging and interacting’ with a wider audience, the blog or BMACHO is most appreciative of weblog aims to disseminate and this continued generous gather historical facts and Commonwealth support. information related to the Blue Mountains. It is both recognition of the value of BMACHO to the heritage Professor Barrie Reynolds, BMACHO’s grants officer and The content is eclectic and community and a practical former inaugural secretary changes regularly as new stories contribution that makes the and information are added organisation’s work possible. almost on a daily basis. The GVEHO grant is invaluable in Some of the content, like the helping to meet the routine personal profiles of the administrative costs of the TELSTRA Springwood Historians, and Association. maps and general information GRANT FOR related to the area - remain It has also supported workshops, static, while older posts, which the newsletter and other activities WORKSHOPS have been archived, can be and allows the committee to MEANTIME, advice has just been accessed through the search concentrate on finding funding from received of BMACHO’s success facility on the weblog. other sources for special projects such as the Journal and major with another grant application A ‘comment’ feature on the blog workshops. Telstra has generously awarded provides visitors with the ability a grant of $5,025 under its Telstra to interact, which is something Overall, BMACHO has a sound Connected Seniors Grant that Springwood Historians are record (80%) of success in its grant Program, to enable BMACHO to keen to encourage. Another applications. provide a series of training objective is to engage local workshops on the use of the schools. This year it has applied for two new project grants that would enable it internet for on-line historical So far the weblog has been to serve its membership more research and information viewed by more than 2,500 effectively and to contribute even services in the heritage field. visitors from countries like the more to heritage work in the region.