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; cum journalist Richard Ackland, published in the 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 , 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, . The first child of Henry Commonwealth during the decade 1890 - 1900, the Darley of Wingfield, Bray 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. Anybody interested please USA, UK, Canada, Russia, New contact Barrie Reynolds: Zealand and South Korea, and Grant applications require time and [email protected] attracted favourable comments care in their preparation and, if or 4757 4725. from local historians, successful, in the responsible genealogists and public management of the funds Telstra Connected Seniors® is a historian, Cathy Stanton. received. tailored program created to help older Australians learn more Pamela Smith, the editor of the There are, however, some useful about technology. blog, stated that although the tips on how to minimise the blog is primarily focused on the workload and increase the chances It offers individual self teach Springwood area at present, they of success. guides, fun interactive workshops, are eager to include stories on A workshop is being planned to and also offers eligible community the wider Blue Mountains. assist members in the grant groups with the opportunity of funding to run successful training The address of the weblog is programs for their own societies. courses around technology. http:// Anybody interested in participating springwoodhistorians.blogspot or in the workshop, is asked to contact It is anticipated these workshops simply type Springwood Barrie Reynolds by phone: will be conducted between Historians into the Google 4757 4725, or by email: February and May 2012. Search engine. [email protected].

HERITAGE 3 July - August 2011 Darley came to Australia on advice of another chief justice Continued from page 1 Darley and his wife came to Australia in 1862, on the advice of Sir (the Chief Justice of NSW) who convinced him that he would further his career in the colony.

Sir Frederick was knighted in 1887 and served five times as the Lieutenant Governor of NSW. The longest and most important being from January 24, 1900 to May 27, 1902, spanning the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

In August 1888, Sir Frederick Darley purchased more than 11 acres of land adjacent to Echo Point in “Katoomba will in the future be historic from having as a resident one Katoomba and enlisted Varney eminent Chief Justice, Sir Frederick Darley and his family at Lilianfels. Parkes, the architect son of close Sir Frederick has spared no pains in laying the foundation of a fine friend, Sir to design garden and is said to have trenched a large portion of his property in “Lilianfels” as a summer home. order to grow fruit successfully.” Illustrated Sydney News 1890

The Darleys had seven children, six During the years in which Sir science and art came in turn to view Frederick and Lady Darley resided the mountains from the magnificent daughters and two sons and it was 3 Lilian, who died at age 22 suffering near Echo Point, nearly every noted vantage point of Lilianfels. visitor to Australia accepted their Footnotes tuberculosis, for whom the 1. Katoomba property was named: the hospitality and enjoyed the Ackland, Richard, The Sydney magnificent outlook. Morning Herald May 6, 2011 ending ‘fels’ has a German 2. meaning, ‘rocky ground’. Leves, Kerry Blue Mountains – Royalty, vice-royalty and princes of Pictorial Memories by John Low statesmanship, jurisprudence, 3. HERITAGE November-December 2009 Mt Wilson & Mt Irvine Historical Society Inc. CANCELLATION OF MEETING Due to severe storm damage ongoing this week in Mt Wilson & Mt Irvine the mid-year general meeting planned for Saturday, 16 July, 2011 has been cancelled The following bulletin issued today, July 6 by Beth Raines, Captain of the local Brigade of the Rural Fire Service will give some idea of the extent of the damage: On Tuesday afternoon the two yesterday morning with all minor yet - realistically not until next week. Mounts were hit with a massive roads (except Waterfall Road) being We have had Council crews working wind storm with pretty devastating cleared by Wednesday evening. alongside Brigade members to results. High winds have continued Telephone (landline) services have remove trees off the road to allow and are expected to abate on been interrupted but are now access. Conditions here are very Friday. There have been major tree restored in places. Power has been cold and windy, there is a huge losses along all roads and Mt Irvine off since Tuesday afternoon and is amount of debris everywhere and Road, Mt Wilson Road and The not expected to be restored for days power lines are still down in many Avenue were finally cleared places. I am sure all members and friends of the Historical Society will join with me in sending warm wishes of support to all those affected by the widespread storms throughout the region. Florence Smart Secretary Tel. 9416 1957 [email protected]

HERITAGE 4 July - August 2011 EVANS OPENED THE WAY TO THE WEST By John Leary, OAM THERE IS A SERIES of inter- related events immediately after Lawson, Blaxland and Wentworth crossed the Blue Mountains in May and June 1813. “the first George William Evans began his survey of a roadway across the European Blue Mountains in November 1813 and went as far as the future Bathurst. to cross William Cox then supervised the the Great construction of the road from July 1814 to January 1815. Governor Macquarie travelled along the new Dividing road in April and May 1815 and selected the site of Bathurst. Range” There is however, a body of opinion that in fact Evans was ‘the first European to cross the Great Dividing Range’ the three explorers, Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson not actually having crossed the main range. George William Evans image courtesy National Library of Australia pic - vn 3509777 - v What is uncontestable is the fact Governor sent selected objective at the Macquarie that in surveying a roadway from Evans across the Blue Mountains River, reaching there on December Emu Ford on the Nepean River to into the nation of central- 9, 1813. Bathurst and the subsequent western to building of the road by William Cox, confirm the findings of the Returning to his Marked Tree at the opened up the interior to ensure the exploration party of Blaxland, River Lett, which is described in his prosperity of the colony. Lawson and Wentworth. Survey Field Book (see AONSW Ref. Reel 2623) … “About 10 It allowed the creation and He was the first European to record chains from the River Lett, and the maintenance of a strong national meeting with the Wiradjuri people of mouth of a drain about 4 chains left” economy based on pastoral and the region.2 he then started on December 31, rural industries well into the second 1813, the survey of the explorers half of the 20th century. Evans generally followed the route track, which he completed to Emu Severe drought in the years of Blaxland, Lawson and Ford on January 8, 1814. immediately before the ‘crossing’ Wentworth, reaching the end of almost forced the small settlement their route at a point Evans named Even today, with a team of which would eventually become Mount Blaxland. surveyors using modern surveying Australia’s largest city to be equipment including GPS, digital abandoned. Evans’ party then moved on and theodolites and laser distance discovered the area and measures, such a feat would be The crossing of the mountains, the further west near the junction of the difficult to emulate in a similar surveying of the road and its now named Fish and Campbell period of time and particularly as construction in quick succession Rivers and described two plains in Evans had little qualified gave new found impetus to the his view, the O’Connell Plains and assistance. the Macquarie Plains. colony. Evans’ party included Richard Lewis and James Burns, both ‘Free Men’ Evans had made a significant Instructed by Governor Lachlan and three convicts, James decision, by determining to carry Macquarie, Evans the then Deputy- Cooghan, John Grover and John out the second part of Macquarie’s Surveyor of Lands was — “to Tygh. proceed in the Attempt of Effecting instructions first, i.e. by surveying a Passage over the great Range beyond the explorers’ terminal Their names were recorded for and to discover what Description of point, which he did by starting at the posterity by Arthur J Hand, as street Country lay to the Westward of foot of Mt York. Here he marked a names when he subdivided the them.” 1 tree on November 25, 1813 and Lapstone Estate. measured westward to his later Continued page 6

HERITAGE 5 July - August 2011 Evans’ reward — £100 and 1000 acres of land Continued from page 5 settlement on land granted to him Macquarie rewarded Evans with the previous year. £100 and a grant of 1000 acres (405 ha) on the Coal River near This venture failed during the Richmond, Van Dieman’s Land. disastrous flood of March 1806, but Evans and his family sailed for he remained in occupation until Hobart in May 1814, but Macquarie Lieutenant-Governor William recalled him in March 1815 to act Paterson appointed him assistant as a guide on a tour of the recently surveyor at Port Dalrymple in 1809. discovered country through which However, his services were needed William Cox had constructed a road in Sydney and he did not leave to to Bathurst. 3 take up this office.

By 1814 Evans was no stranger to In March 1812, he surveyed the the Australian bush and the hazards shores of Jervis Bay whence he led of surveying in uncharted territory. a small party overland on foot to Appin. This journey of two weeks EVANS’ WATCH. Astronomical Born on January 5, 1780, the third was conducted under most arduous observation are made to determine child and eldest son of William circumstances and resulted in the azimuths, latitudes and longitudes Evans, secretary to the Earl, of settlement of the Illawarra district on the earth. Evans’ watch would Warwick, of the Parish of St James, during the drought years that soon have been used in the timing of the Westminster, England and his wife followed. observations to determine the Ann nee Southam; young George the direction of true north and the served an apprenticeship with an His success probably induced latitude and longitude of engineer and architect and gained Governor Lachlan Macquarie to Bathurst using solar or star some elementary training in later select him for the task of observations. A watch error surveying. penetrating the interior of New correction is applied to adjust South Wales. the azimuth observation related to In 1798 he married Jennett, the true north meridian based on daughter of Captain Thomas In September 1812 he went to Van Greenwich mean time. Melville, commander of the Diemen’s Land with the acting Britannia in the Third Fleet and surveyor-general, James Meehan, Though forced to return by flooded migrated to the Cape of Good to remeasure grants made by marsh country when about nine Hope. former lieutenant-governors. These miles (14 km) below Booligal; Oxley grants were in a deplorable state paid tribute to Evans’ able advice He was employed in the Naval through the inefficiency and and co-operation, and the accuracy Store-keeper’s Department at Table misconduct of deputy-surveyors and fidelity of his earlier narrative. Bay and remained there until May George Harris and Peter Mills.4 1802 when, in compliance with the In September 1817 Evans returned treaty of Amiens, British forces were While thus engaged he was to Van Diemen’s Land, but six withdrawn. appointed in November 1812 months later he was again recalled deputy-surveyor of lands, Van to fill the position of second-in- Evans then aged 22 was persuaded Diemen’s Land, but in August 1813 command to Oxley, this time in his by Captain William Kent to go to he was recalled to Sydney and attempt to trace the Macquarie New South Wales and arrived at instructed to try to find a passage River to its termination. Port Jackson in HMS Buffalo on into the interior. October 16, 1802. Once again flooded marshes In May and June 1814, Evans led proved too great an obstacle, so the Initially Evans was given the another expedition from Bathurst party turned eastward to Port position of store-keeper in charge of southward to within sight of the Macquarie and thence southward to the receipt and issue of grain at , explored the Port Stephens. After twenty-three Parramatta, but in August 1803 he middle reaches of the Belubula weeks the exploration was was appointed by Governor King as River, discovered the completed in November 1818. acting surveyor-general in the eight miles (13 km) downstream absence of Charles Grimes who from Cowra, and traced its course Evans returned to Hobart and for was on leave in England. as far as Mandagery Creek. the first time since his appointment as deputy-surveyor was able to In September 1804 he discovered In July 1815 he returned to Hobart, confine his attention to his duties in and explored the Warragamba remaining until 1817 when he was Van Diemen’s Land, where land River, penetrating upstream to the required to act as second-in- surveys were in serious arrears present site of Warragamba Dam. command to Surveyor-General through inadequate staff and in an expedition then continual demands for his services Discharged from the Survey setting out from Bathurst to on exploration. Department by Governor Philip determine the course of the Lachlan Gidley King in February 1805, he River. Continued page 7 began farming at the Hawkesbury

HERITAGE 6 July - August 2011 Evans’ alleged bribery involvement Continued from page 6 William Sorell had a high opinion of Evans, but the administration was lax and the surveyor had great power. Not only were mistakes often made but, in the issue of grants, a certain discretionary power was given to surveyors to ‘throw in’ additional pieces of land.

Sorell also sanctioned the acceptance of ‘presents of office’ by surveyors to supplement their inadequate pay.

This practice understandably “South West View of Hobart Town, Van Dieman’s Land ca.1819”, a watercolour brought complaints and accusations by Wiliam George Evans. Reproduced with permission of State Library of NSW. of corruption from disgruntled V6/1819/1 settlers and these were supported He was unsuccessful but in 1831 he water-colours, both of the settled by (Sir) George Arthur, who surrendered his pension for a lump areas of the colony and of the replaced Sorell in May 1824. sum of £600, and returned to interior, when he journeyed with Sydney the next year. Oxley. The new lieutenant-governor sent to the secretary of state a lengthy Arriving in August he set up as a His artistic skill may also have account of Evans’ alleged bookseller and stationer, and soon helped him to win Paterson’s favour involvement in bribery and his became drawing master at The in 1809 and so to restore him to illegal disposing of crown lands in King’s School, then housed in official life at that time.5 an attempt to force him from office. Harrisford, George Street, Parramatta, while his wife When Evans asked to retire on a conducted a finishing school for Footsteps pension, Arthur, in order to expedite young ladies. his removal, was prepared to concede that his practices had been He returned to Hobart in 1844 to in time condoned by Sorell, but the stigma live with his family in Warwick effectually prevented all further Lodge, his home in New Town. After Move forward into the 20th century promotion of Evans’ assistant, his wife died in August 1849, he and in the decade before 1988, Thomas Scott. moved to Macquarie Street, Hobart, across Australia towns, cities and where he died on October 16,1852, villages were planning projects to th Evans resigned in December 1825 aged 72, and was buried in St commemorate the 200 anniversary on the ground of ill health, eight John’s churchyard, New Town. of the first European settlement at months after his wife had died. Port Jackson in 1788. He had at least twelve children, A despatch from in May seven by his first marriage and five In the Blue Mountains, John 1826 appointing him the first by his second. Yeaman, BEM, the city engineer surveyor-general of Van Diemen’s had been considering a project to Land had only recognised his As well as being a competent recognise the significance of position as the Colonial Office knew surveyor and a resolute explorer, Evans’ surveying exploit from the it when revising the establishment Evans was an artist of some note. River Lett at the base of Mount York of the Surveyor-General’s east to Emu Ford on the Nepean Department; soon afterwards Earl His aquatint view of Hobart in 1820 River at Penrith . Bathurst wrote welcoming his was published as a frontispiece in resignation, confirming his pension his Geographical, Historical and In 1982 after having carried out and agreeing to abandon further Topographical Description of Van research for the Blackheath Rotary investigation of his past conduct. Diemen’s Land … (London, 1822; Club’s Historic Blackheath book, second edition, 1824; and a French Yeaman put forward the idea that Evans sailed for England with his edition, Paris, 1823). some action should be taken to second wife, Lucy Parris, daughter remark the line of survey traverse of Thomas Lempriere, in November; The original, with another aquatint carried out by Evans in 1813-14. while there, he supplemented his of Hobart in 1819, is in the Dixson pension of £200 by teaching art, but Library of New South Wales, where John Yeaman was another to in November 1828, when he heard four of his views of Sydney are also contend that the work of Evans had of Oxley’s death, he applied for hanging. been overshadowed by the appointment as surveyor-general in recognition given to Blaxland, New South Wales, claiming that his He appears to have drawn a Wentworth and Lawson. health was fully recovered. number of sketches and Continued page 8

HERITAGE 7 July - August 2011 Evans’ pillars restored by surveyors group Continued from page 7 the surveyor and his works, It was the Blue Mountains section of unveiled the Mt York pillar. the survey that interested Yeaman Footsteps in Time pillars are located On February 26, 1983 Yeaman at Mt York, Mt Victoria, Blackheath, presented a paper to the Mount Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Victoria and District Historical Wentworth Falls West, Lawson, Society which provides a detailed Hazelbrook, Faulconbridge, picture of those who forged the link Springwood, Warrimoo, Blaxland, between the, then modest Glenbrook, Lapstone and Emu settlement at Port Jackson and the Plains. vast resources of the inland continent.6. Each marker is identical to the base of a trigonomical survey pillar, as Mike Rutlidge chairman and The remarking of the survey line used throughout NSW for major Graham Hunt , survey established by Evans which Cox surveys and contains four plaques; monuments curator, Seniors followed closely, was conceived as one giving details of the project, one Group Institute of Surveyors NSW part of the 1988 celebrations. giving details of Evans and his Inc. at the recent unveiling of the work, one giving reproductions of Lapstone pillar. Evans’ Field Book is stored in the relevant pages of his field book and State Archives (Book No.96 extract from his diary and one giving ceremony at the Lapstone pillar in AONSW Ref. Reel 2623) and details of the individual unveiling May 2011 to mark the restoration of despite its age and poor condition, it ceremony. the 14 pillars . was possible to obtain details from it. An engraved steel plate on top of FOOTNOTES the marker completes the 1. General Order 12 February 1814 There are about 500 survey points, construction. 2. Lowe, David (1994). “Chapter 1. but initially it was decided to limit Winddradyne of the Wiradjuri”. the number of points to 12, perhaps Over time some of the pillars have Forgotten Rebels: Black Australians the most important watering holes7. been vandalized, while others need Who Fought Back. Sydney: ICS and refurbishment. An Australian Bicentennial grant of Associates Pty Ltd. pp. 4–9. http:// www.acr.net.au/~davidandjane/ $45,000 was obtained by Blue The Restoration of the Footsteps in frebel_20000416.pdf. Mountains City Council in 1986 Time pillars was a project 3. Australian Dictionary of Biography which permitted 14 pillars to be built undertaken by the Seniors Group – Online edition, Evans George marking some of Evans’ camping Institution of Surveyors NSW Inc. William (1780 – 1852) http:// sites. funded by the Blue Mountains City adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/ Council, Perith City Council, Land Mt York was the first pillar unveiled A000103430b.htm and Property Management Authority 4. in 1988. Mr AK Weatherburn, a 8. ibid. and Institution of Surveyors NSW 5. great, great grandson of George ibid. 6. Evans and author of two books on The Seniors Group, Institution of Footsteps in Time – A road Surveyors NSW Inc. conducted a across the mountains brochure 7. ibid. 8. Hunt, Graham (2011) survey monuments curator, Seniors Group, ISNSW Inc. - George William Evans (1780 – 1852) a briefing paper.

The asistance of Graham Hunt, in providing material for this article and the image of Evans’ Azimuth watch is acknowledged and appreciated.

The assistance of Jan Koperberg in facilitating the National Library of Australia’s image of Evans and other graphics is also acknowledged and appreciated. “Sydney from the western side of the Cove ca.1803” a watercolour by Wiliam George Evans. Reproduced with permission of State Library of NSW . XV1/1803/1

HERITAGE 8 July - August 2011 What would you keep in an empty jar? by Dr Peter Stanbury, OAM CHRISTOPER ROBIN’S friend, Eyeore, thought that an empty jar was good place for dead balloons.

But what if the jar was bigger than those in the Arabian Nights that held rivers of gold and jewels?

What if they were as big as a person standing up and there were hundreds of them scattered around the landscape, some in groups of scores or more, some standing alone?

What if they were two thousand years old? What use can you imagine?

Would you want to research them if the area in which they are found Hundreds of these jars of unknown origin are scattered across the has been a war zone for most of the landscape last hundred years? The puzzle is one of the foremost limestone or a mixed conglomerate opportunities for prehistory studies of material. In the last decade or so most of the in South East Asia. Xieng Khouang cluster bombs and other ordinances (pronounced Sieng Kwang) in the Some sites seem to have a nearby surrounding them have been central eastern region of Lao is a stone quarry; others appear remote destroyed and only shell holes and plateau about 1200 metres above from a source of stone. bomb craters remain. sea level. So how were the jars transported? Now is a good time to carry out It has a wonderful climate for the By elephants? By pushing them research. In the Lao Peoples tropics, warm during the day and over rolling logs? Democratic Republic there are cool at night. Many minerals are thousands of stone jars. found nearby. The mouths of some jars are essentially round; others have a No one really knows what they were The area is a military strategic point rectangular or square shape. used for. They are thought to be – like a medieval castle with a view carved out of stone by iron tools. of the surrounding countries and an The few flat stone discs that remain Perhaps they were used for burials excellent position from which to are about the right size for lids, but – but did they hold raw corpses, control the neighbouring peoples. they may also have been used to mummies, ashes or only goods for cover holes in the ground that use in the after life? If so, where Although the area is popularly contained corpses, ashes or objects are the lids? known as the Plain of Jars, many of worth such as offerings. jars are found on hilltops and in The jars are there, but why are wooded areas. It is interesting that the rims of the there virtually no lids? What is the jars vary: some have an internal meaning of the infrequently found Some sites have up to 300 jars; niche around the circumference, carved human figures with some sites have a single jar. The others have an external niche and outspread arms found on some jars are made of a variety of yet others have no niche. Just one examples? materials: sandstone, granite, jar has a human(?) carved on the outside; at least one lid has a similar carving.

Since 1998 UNESCO and the Government of Lao PDR have been attempting to safeguard and research the remaining jars.

Some are now broken; either in recent wars or by human vandalism over the ages. On many jars bullet marks can be seen - what is better This jar shows an internal niche at its opening than a big jar for target practice?

HERITAGE 9 July - August 2011 Jars crying out to be researched The first work recently carried out consisted of mapping the position of the individual jars, proclaiming as protected areas the sites where many jars are found and clearing (blowing up or removing) unexploded ordnance.

After that local people have been inducted into recording and archaeological practices. Some excavations have also taken place, underneath and in the vicinity of the jars.

The finds, however, are meagre. A relatively small number of iron knives have been found, as well as The Plain of Jars has been a war zone as seen from this newspaper the remains of bracelets of bronze, clipping which show soldiers reading maps with the large jars in the necklaces of glass beads and background pottery. The only conservators in the telephone, TV and movies had all These are either stored in the country are the occasional visitors been invented so there was nothing region or a few items are on display from overseas. left to invent. in the National Museum of Lao PDR in Vientiane. The major site on an actual plain is Some times it seems that research on the outskirts of Ponsavan (from projects are equally elusive. But Unfortunately none are on display which airplanes and buses disgorge the jars are crying out to be at the sites; of which four or five tourists) and is becoming hemmed researched. Is this an opportunity major ones are accessible to the in by farms and other undesirable for you to take one small step? public. developments. About the author Furthermore, the items in storage Richmal Crompton’s famous Dr Peter are deteriorating due to lack of schoolboy hero, William, Stanbury, conservation knowledge. philosophised that he would be an OAM an inventor except that the radio, the executive member of BMACHO’s manage- ment committee and a regular contributor to HERITAGE is a member of Australian Business Volunteers. Peter is also vice chair, UMAC (ICOM’s International Committee for University Museums and Collections) and librarian, Richard Bailey Library, Australian Society of Anaesthetists

As a volunteer he often travels overseas to give freely of his advice particularly in museum collections.

On one of his recent trips when in Laos, Peter visited the Plain of Jars to inspect these 2000 year old man sized jars of uncertain origin and function. As Peter says this is an interesting research program just At the top of this jar there is an external niche waiting to be tackled.

HERITAGE 10 July - August 2011

. . Dear Old Golden Rule Days

EDUCATION is something which has, at some time, in some place, touched us all. Whether we left school before matriculation, attended a tertiary education institution or are one of a growing community of ‘life-long learners’, we have all been influenced by education at some time and at some level. …Elissa MacDonald, Editor In Chief, aMUSine. The museums, galleries and collections zine by interesting people for interested people.

HERITAGE is indebted to aMUSine for this first hand account of life by a young boy at Blue Mountains Grammar School 75 years ago and before it became an exclusive boys school.

I WAS BORN IN 1926 and had attended five different schools by the time I turned twelve years of age.

This was due to the fact that my father was a postmaster and was moved around by the Postmaster General’s Department during my childhood.

I think my most enduring memories are of Blue Mountains Grammar School, Springwood where I was a day pupil from fifth class in 1935 to 1938 when my father’s move to Sydney resulted in my transfer to Sutherland Intermediate High School.

After starting me off at Springwood Public School (second and third classes), Dad decided that I should have the opportunity to develop as a “young gentleman” and enrolled me as a day pupil at the Blue Mountains Grammar School whose motto was “Nihil sine labore” (nothing without work).

At that time it was located near Springwood Railway Station on the corner of Macquarie Road and Homedale Street, Springwood.

The school was established by its first headmaster, This faded photograph is of Rex Turner in his full Edward Kenneth Deane, in 1918 in the grand, Blue Mountains Grammar uniform. Photograph Italianate home known as “Homedale”, built in 1882, courtesy of R Turner and C MacDonald and which was demolished in 1975. I have very happy memories of my days at BMGS. I remember well the masters, the old classroom building, I think my father was influenced in this regard by the the pre-school morning hymn (usually hymn number 1 - Greyfriars stories, written by Frank Richards, which he “Now that the daylight fills the sky ….. “) being beefed had read during his own pre World War 1 boyhood and out by the boys as the headmaster, Ken Deane by friends in the close knit Springwood community. accompanied us on the piano, the daily fill of the three R’s, the camaraderie of the students around me, and, of I attended Blue Mountains Grammar School from 1935 course, our periods of play. to 1938 inclusive and apart from undergoing the usual bullying by a couple of older day boys enjoyed it Having been brought up on the type of schoolboy immensely. novels which encouraged certain qualities in their boys, I saw BMGS in some way as the local Greyfriars or St. Jim’s of Frank Richard’s creation, preparing us to be men worthy of the title of gentlemen.

The words of the first verse of Sir Henry John Newbolt’s Vitae Lampada were especially meaningful to me, and the afternoon cricket match never failed to remind me that: There’s a breathless hush in the Close tonight - Ten to make and the match to win A bumping pitch and a blinding light, An hour to play and the last man in. And it’s not for the sake of a ribboned coat, Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame, But his Captain’s hand on his shoulder smote – “Play up! play up! and play the game!”

HERITAGE 11 July - August 2011 Life at Blue Mountains Grammar School 75 years ago As I have mentioned, the headmaster was Ken Deane. My feelings of nostalgia for my old Alma Mater are well He was short, rotund, stern and respected by all his captured in the words of the old school song: pupils. I remember him as a fun man. “Mother kind, our pride and treasure, He had an old, noisy Ford flat top truck (his beloved Bold our voices cry, and free, “Tin Lizzie”) which he used to take the boys to the Moulding us through days of pleasure roadside swimming hole at Valley Heights, and to For our struggles yet to be; football matches at the Springwood Sports Ground, and Fate on blackest waves comes surging incidental tasks such as towing the school’s dead cow Triumphs from our tasks may rise, from where it had succumbed to an enormous hole Still we strive, her proud words urging, where it was to be interred. Labour, labour, wins the prize.

A peach tree planted atop the grave later yielded loads Hers the race we run to dying of magnificent fruit. Ken Deane was instrumental in Hers our triumph’s ringing cheer, inculcating in me a realization that I could become a Hers the ball to victory flying, good student and, in due course I would have the Hands that strain, the line is near; “makings of a gentleman”. Work and play their trophies bringing, Labour on, our school replies, His ability to mould boys into men of worth and resolve Words like bells forever ringing: set me an example which I have tried to emulate Labour, labour, wins the prize. throughout my life. Glorious school, we laud thee proudly, Another of my teachers was the red headed Irishman Giver of our fairest days, and sportsmaster, Mr Russel who also taught me Latin Masters, playmates, singing loudly, (I was quite a dab hand at it) and frightened me on the In our swelling song we praise; sports field (“Who kicked that football back into the Banner ever proudly bearing, scrum?” – me of course, as I didn’t want the bloody That our school waves in our eyes, thing or been told what to do with it), and later after I Banner direct battles daring, had been chased over the try line with the ball in my Labour, labour, wins the prize.” hands and scored a couple of tries (“Good boy Turner, I didn’t think you had it in you!”). Ours was not a political song. “Labour” in its context meant “Effort”, or, as Calvin Coolidge would have put it, There was however, one teacher who I consider was “Persistence and determination”. I commend its one of the greatest influences on my life - the part time sentiments, and as Grantland Rice wrote before me, elocution teacher, Mr Gorman. that . . . “when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, he writes - not that you won or lost - I know my elocution and language in my early school But how you played the Game .” days was basic and was a take off of the western film stars who used to entertain me at the local picture theatre on Saturday afternoons. 75 years later He had taken me in hand shortly after I became a Rex Turner a veteran of World War 2, now aged 85 BMGS pupil. One day, I was in the Springwood Post considers himself a ‘gentleman of leisure’ though in Office talking to Dad when, for some reason or other I the past he was chief executive of HCF Australia used the word “Garn!”, meaning of course, “Go on”. HERITAGE is indebted to his granddaughter,Elissa I happened to look at the customer side of the post MacDonald, editor In chief, aMUSine who arranged office counter and standing there was Mr Gorman. for this recent photograph of Rex who provided aMUSine his I cringed and repeated what I had just said – this time memories of saying it correctly. Mr Gorman smiled, nodded and went his school on his way. My interest in his teaching was immediate days in the and far reaching. Blue Mountains 75 He taught me that syllables, consonants and vowels all years ago. had a purpose, and should be uttered clearly so that my listeners would understand what I wanted to say. Rex believes there may only He taught me not to slur my speech, and to enunciate be three of his every word and sound properly. In essence he taught contemporar- me to speak, which has been a wonderful attribute in ies still living. my progression through life.

HERITAGE 12 July - August 2011 Crumbled chimney stack only reminder of Polar explorer who lived in Woodford By Pamela Smith MANY NOTABLE POLITICIANS, William successful business people, war heroes, and inspiring educators Edgeworth have lived in the Blue Mountains at David led one time or another. first One of these was renowned expedition geologist, polar explorer and university lecturer Sir Tannatt to reach William Edgeworth David KBE CMG South DSO DSc FRS with wife Caroline. Magnetic The couple purchased twenty-six acres of land at Woodford in 1898; Pole naming the two-roomed cottage Cara, an orphan from a working In the early part of the twentieth they built ‘Tyn-y-Coed’ (meaning class background received her century the Blue Mountains and house in the wood). education by scholarship from ‘Tyn-y-Coed’ became the David’s Whiteland College London and main place of residence. The name reflected Sir David’s later, she trained as a teacher. Welsh birth. Born in 1858 at the The cottage was expanded to meet rectory of St Fagan’s in Wales, he She was a lecturer at the college the needs of the family and was the eldest child of Rev William prior to applying for the position at orchards and gardens were David a fellow of Jesus College Hurlstone. Cara, a bright intelligent established. In 1909, following his Oxford. Sir David graduated BA woman, became interested in and return from the Antarctic, the Davids from Oxford in 1881. assisted with the introduction of the entertained the crew of the polar free kindergarten movement in the expedition ship, Nimrod. He arrived in New South Wales to inner suburbs of Sydney. take up the position of assistant They were community minded and geological surveyor following the She was aided by other early sociable, and members of the local disappearance of Lamont H Young feminist educators like Louisa Woodford Anglican Church. (his predecessor) on a field trip to Macdonald and Maybanke Bermagui in 1880. Wolstenholme. In August 1934 the media of the day announced the death of the world Sir David arrived in Sydney in 1882 Sir Edgeworth David was appointed famous scientist. Sir David was and in July 1885, married English professor of geology in the given a State funeral. born Caroline Martha (Cara) Mallet University of Sydney in 1891. whom he met on the voyage to It is unfortunate that the crumbled Sydney. Sir Ernest Shackleton appointed chimney stack of ‘Tyn-y-Coed’ him as leader of the scientific team (destroyed by fire) is the only There is a suggestion that Cara accompanying him to the South reminder of the David’s time in emigrated for reasons of health, Pole in 1907 - 9. Woodford. however it is more commonly believed that she came to NSW to Sir David led the party that References take up an appointment as founding discovered the South Magnetic Pole * The Journal of the Women’s principal of Hurlstone Training and he and his team scaled the College, Vol. 26 No. 1, winter 2010- College for female teachers. active volcano Mount Erebus. 11-09, p. 8. Interestingly, she is thought to have * T.G. Vallance & D.F. Branagan, been appointed by Sir Henry At the outbreak of the First World ‘David, Sir Tannatt William Parkes. War, Sir David recruited and formed Edgeworth (1858-1934),’ The the Australian Mining Corps that Australian Dictionary of Biography, was composed of tough individuals Volume 8, Melbourne University from the gold, copper, coal and Press, 1981, pp 218-221. silver mines of Kalgoorlie, Bendigo, * Ken Goodlet, Hazelbrook & Tasmania and South Australia. Woodford, Ken Goodlet, 2006, p 40. * The Argus, 29.8.1934. Although little is known about the * Jennifer Carter, Portrait of a Lady: corps the most successful operation Caroline Martha David, National carried out by the men serving Library of Australia, September Mackay, David and Mawson raise under Lieutenant Colonel David was 2002, Vol. XII No. 12. the flag at the Magnetic South the mining under and explosion of * Daily Telegraph image Pole January 16, 1909 Messines Ridge, in 1917.

HERITAGE 13 July - August 2011 Special days in World War 1 by Dr Peter C Rickwood THE AUTHOR PATRIOTIC FERVOUR was high at Rose Day and reputedly was held The author, Dr Peter C Rickwood, times during World War I and the on April 8,19155. Note that it was a former president of the Blue civilian population of Australia was not held on the National Day of Mountains Historical Society Inc. eager to contribute to various ‘relief’ Belgium, which is July 21, and is the inaugural editor of funds. marks the accession of King BMACHO’s Blue Mountains Leopold I in 1831! History Journal the second Volunteers often organised special edition of which will be published days which became formally named A few special days were held in online later this year. after the particular cause, and successive years, e.g. Red Cross processions1, shows, etc. were Day. Peter is a visiting senior research organised to attract the populace fellow at the School of Biological, with the aim of relieving them of Towards the end of the war there Earth & Environmental Science money. must have been some negative at the University of New South reaction to continual appeals for Wales. Whilst some special days were on donations, and when the Armistice specifically designated dates, it was was declared local residents would The article first appeared in the common for small communities to have resisted these appeals with Blue Mountains Historical hold them on a convenient nearby the intention of donating to the Society’s newsletter Hobby’s day - usually a Saturday when expected welcome home Outreach Volume 23 Number 2 – many were not at work; Sunday ceremonies for the volunteers from June-July 2011 being off-limits due to religious their community - many of which Not all villages in the Blue observances. eventuated. Mountains observed any particular special day and there was great This flexibility meant that the same Some of the names of these special inconsistency of effort, but special day was held on different days in the 1914 - 18 period were Katoomba and Leura would appear dates at different places across unusual, and would not be known to have been the most co-operative. Australia and not all communities by many 21st Century residents, so would respond to a particular cause. I have attempted to compile a list. Some of the designated special days are not known to have been Belgium or Belgian Day, variously The intent was also to show which observed by any of our Blue reported as having been held for ‘days’ were observed in which Mountains villages e.g. Sand Bag the Belgian Relief Fund or to raise places in the Blue Mountains, but Day. funds to provide food for children in observances held in some villages Belgium, was on May 14, 1915 in may have been missed as most I am grateful to Mr John Merriman, the Blue Mountains, May 15, 1915 events were not advertised in Local Studies Librarian, Springwood in Sydney2, but seven weeks earlier newspapers, and post-celebration for steering me to the Australian in Victoria on March 26, 19153 and reports were often brief and War Memorial website which has a also in Tasmania4; in South concealed in articles with titles that list of these days. (http:// Melbourne it was called Belgian do not convey all of their content. www.awm.gov.au/findingaids/ special/Souvenirs/Appeals.xml ) References (For brevity, authors and titles of articles in newspapers have been omitted.) 1 e.g. p.41 in Smith, N., 1996. Grandfather worked on the pool; tales of Old Blackheath. Blue Mountains Historical Society Inc., Wentworth Falls. 59pp.; Blue Mountains City Library, Local Studies Image PF 493. The celebration at Katoomba is recorded in a photograph in Blue Mountains Historical Society collection, No.786. 2 Sydney Morning Herald 17 May 1915, p.8, col.8. 3 Kalgoorlie Western Argus, March 30, 1915, p.8, col.1. 4 The Mercury, 26 March 26, 1915, Australian troops resting from the battle in Peronne (Somme) during p.4, col.3 & March 27, 1915, p.7, World War 1. Image courtesy Australian War Memorial. col.3. 5 The Argus, July 8, 1916, p.20, col.8.

HERITAGE 14 July - August 2011 SPECIAL DAYS CELEBRATED IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Date From the Australian From other sources Celebrated at References War Memorial

1 Feb 1914 Red Cross Day

14 May 1915 Belgian Day Blackheath, Katoomba, Leura & BME 30 Apr 1915, p.4, col.5; Wentworth Falls 7 May 1915, p.3, col.3; p.3, col.4; p.5, col.3 & 14 May 1915, p.3, col.3.

30 July 1915 Australia Day Blackheath, Katoomba, Leura, BME 30 Jul 1915, p.4 col.2 Lawson & Hazelbrook etc.

4 Nov 1915 Allies Day SMH 5 Nov 1915, p.4, col.2.

19 Nov 1915 Allies Day Leura BME 19 Nov 1915, p.5, col.3.

10 Dec 1915 Sand Bag Day

12 Apr 1916 Allies Day

7 Jul 1916 War Chest Day Blackheath BME 7 Jul 1916, p.3, col. 2.

15 Dec 1916 Repatriation Day

23 Feb 1917 Win-the-War Day Katoomba BME 23 Feb 1917, p.2, col.4; 2 Mar 1917, p.1, col.5. 24 Feb 1917 Win-the-War Day

14 Jul 1917 France’s Day (sic) Blackheath, Katoomba & Leura BME 20 Jul 1917, p4., col.4; p.6, cols.2-3.

28 Sep 1917 War Chest Day Leura, Lawson & Hazelbrook; BME 7 Sep 1917, p2., col. 3; Sydney 21 Sep 1917, p.4 col. 3; 5 Oct 1917, p.3, col.4 29 Sep 1917 War Chest Day Katoomba BME 7 Sep 1917, p.2, col.3.

6 Apr 1918 Red Cross Day Medlow Bath BME 26 Apr 1918, p.4, col. 3.

24 Apr 1918 Red Cross Day Leura BME 10 May 1918, p.4, col.4 c. 4 May 1918 c. 4 May 1918 Red Cross Day Blackheath, Glenbrook, Mt Victoria BME 12 Apr 1918, p.5, col. 4; SMH 8 May 1918 p.10, col. 6

29 Jun 1918 Italy or Italian Day Katoomba BME 28 Jun 1918, p.2, col. 4; 5 Jul 1918, p2. col. 4.

14 Jul 1918 France’s Day Katoomba BME 19 Jul 1918, p.3, col.3. . 26 Jul 1918 Australia day

2 Aug 1918 AIF Memorial Day

13 Sep 1918 Soldiers Homes Day

14 Sep 1918 Soldiers Homes DayLeura BME 20 Sep 1918, p.1, col. 2

1 Nov 1918 Jack’s Day Katoomba, Leura, Wentworth BME 1 Nov 1918, p.2, col. 4; Falls 8 Nov 1918, p. 4, col. 3; p.5, col. 4. 2 Nov 1918 Jack’s Day Hazelbrook BME 1 Nov 1918, p.4, col. 4; 8 Nov 1918, p. 4, col. 3.

5 Nov 1918 Jack’s Day Blackheath BME 8 Nov 1918, p. 4, col. 3.

30 Nov 1918 War Chest Day Katoomba, Leura, Wentworth BME 22 Nov 1918, p. 3, col. Falls 4; 29 Nov 1918, p.3, col. 3; p5, col.6; 6 Dec 1918, p.1, col. 5; p. .6, col.3. Key: Jack’s Day = Sailors’ BME = Blue Mountain Echo Day SMH = Sydney Morning Herald

HERITAGE 15 July - August 2011 Historic 1880s Carrington Hotel to be venue for Blue Mountains history conference HISTORIC CARRINGTON HOTEL, Katoomba has been chosen as the venue for the 2012 Blue Mountains’ history conference

“The early years of the colony” is the title chosen by the Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations for its first conference to be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

The conference follows earlier Blue Mountains history conferences organised under the auspices of Blue Mountains City Council’s local studies section. The 1880s heritage Carrington Hotel at Katoomba She is currently Adjunct Professor BMACHO, president Pamela Smith the committee and the speakers as in the Faculty of Humanities and who was involved in the planning progresses. organisation of earlier conferences, Social Sciences at the University of said the event would focus on life in Technology, Sydney. Each speaker will be asked to the early years before the colony speak for 45 minutes and there will was explored west of the Blue Topics will focus on: be question and discussion time of Mountains. * Fashions from frockcoat and 15 minutes at the end of each crinolines to convict canvas and paper. The Association is planning to cabbage palm leaf hats; present an affordable event with a * Convict Women, prostitution, range of well-informed speakers. imbalance of women - their fears Included in the program will be a and fate in a foreign environment; musical interlude with Jim Low a Closer to the event more details and * Indigenous history – First folk singer, historian and writer cost to participants will be encounters, food, language. guaranteed to wake the audience promoted. Indigenous interaction - From after lunch which will be served in genocide to government arrogance. the Carrington’s grand dining room. The keynote speaker is expected to be well known historian, Dr Shirley The above are only working titles For further details contact Jan Fitzgerald. and obviously wil be refined both by Koperberg [email protected] Dr Fitzgerald was the City Historian for the City of Sydney from 1987 - Jean Arthur in Blue Mountains 2009, when she delivered a program connecting the community Hospital to their history using diverse JEAN ARTHUR, the secretary of Gallery found her and called the formats from radio chats to formal Mount Victoria & District Historical ambulance. lectures. Society; a remarkable woman with a wealth of knowledge about the This chap had closed his shop in She has taught in NSW schools, Mount Victoria district, had a fall Hartley Valley and had gone for a lectured at the University of New last month and fractured her bicycle ride up Berghofer’s Pass England, and established the shoulder, which resulted in her and along Mt York Road and was inaugural Master of Letters degree being admitted to Blue Mountains going back down Victoria Pass. in Public History at the University of District Anzac Memorial Hospital. Sydney. This was fortunate for Jean, On the evening of the fall, Jean because she had been lying on the Dr Fitzgerald has held a number of did not feel like cooking dinner road for some time, waiting for help, professional positions, including and crossed the highway to the cold and in pain. president of the History Council of garage to buy fish and chips. NSW, 1996 - 99 and chair of State Jean is a member of BMACHO’s Records NSW, 2001 - 2007. On the way back she tripped in a management committee pothole on the corner of Mt York She was the inaugural chair of the Road and the Great Western Some members have already Dictionary of Sydney Trust and Highway and there she lay till a visited Jean in hospital or sent get- continues to be involved in this gentleman from the Talisman well wishes. All wish Jean all the exciting project. the best for a speedy recovery.

HERITAGE 16 July - August 2011 School of Arts or Mechanics Institutes have their origin in early 19th century by Pamela Smith, Springwood Historians IN THE EARLY YEARS of the 20th century Mechanic’s Institutes or a School of Arts building was a common feature in most Blue Mountains villages.

However, as a “movement” their history is much older.

The first was established in Scotland in 1821, with the aim of improving the intellect of its members through the “diffusion of useful knowledge” and to nurture “literature, science and art.”1

It was not too long before these “civilising institutes” appeared in the new colony. Pictured are the Coo - ee marchers as they marched past the Springwood School of Arts on their way through the Blue Mountains With a land grant courtesy of from Gilgandra in the central west to Sydney to enlist in World War 1 Governor Richard Bourke the in 1915 . Local photographer, Jo Booker. Sydney Mechanic’s School of Arts opened its doors in 1833 and still When barely twelve months old the Research indicates however that exists to this day. building provided overnight despite these overtures to the accommodation and comfort for general community the institution Springwood was not so lucky men who took part in the Co - ee did not realise its primary objectives because even though a committee March. until the 1940s. formed in 1901, fund raising activities and a promise of land by Later, the institute became the Until then it had functioned more James Hunter Lawson (owner of scene of World War 1 like an elite men’s club catering to Braemar and the Oriental Hotel) commemorations when captured the upper-class demographics of came to nought.2 enemy machine guns and the the area at that time. honour roll were placed in their In fact one of the members of that keeping. But, by the 1940s all that had early committee is thought to have changed. In 1943 the Australian absconded with the funds. A newspaper article in 1919 Labor Party held meetings there suggested the Springwood School and Red Cross ladies conducted The Springwood School of Arts of Arts was “indispensable” and a fund raising activities from the finally opened its doors in 1913, fine institution “for our young men” veranda of the building. with Mr Brinsley Hall MP officiating. because no signs of gambling or objectionable behaviour were During the 1940’s Horace Lindrum, A commemorative booklet tolerated within the “cosy comfort” Australia’s first professional snooker published for the event stated the of its walls. and billiards player was a regular committee overcame “great visitor. difficulties” and “discouragement” to bring about the end result.3 ‘... like an elite Lindrum (who would go on to win the world snooker title in 1952) was The graceful Federation style featured in a competition to aid the building was well-ventilated and lit men’s club Australian Comforts Fund in 1944. with Benzoli air gas lights. An amount of £56 was raised. catering for the As well as a well stocked library, the In 1946 an essay competition held building contained reading and by the institution was judged by committee rooms, and a “fine one-time resident, Supreme Court billiard room” - lined in Australian upper class...’ Judge and patron of the Arts, Rae timber - containing two excellent Else Mitchell. billiard tables.4 Mothers and wives were being asked to encourage their sons and Continued page 18 husbands to join.

HERITAGE 17 July - August 2011 Council explains LEP processes AN INFORMATION SHEET on LEP • Local Environmental Plan of alterations to to the draft plan. processes has recently been 2005 (LEP 2005). This The substantive bulk of the released by Blue Mountains City plan applies to the core alterations were minor changes that Council villages and towns did not change the role, operation throughout the LGA and and purpose of the LEP. The following information provides was gazetted in 2005. some background on previous Consequently council adopted council processes, planning History on LEP 2005 those changes. However, there instruments and heritage studies The development and gazettal of were a number of alterations which and why Council is moving towards LEP 2005 took a number of years to were more substantive and council a review of heritage items under complete and there were a number resolved to defer these issues and LEP 1991. of draft LEP documents publicly seek public comments on these exhibited and commented upon. deferred matters. Council currently holds three Local Environmental Plans which apply to In all the LEP 2005 instrument went A second public exhibition of land throughout the Local through two exhibition processes, deferred matters was undertaken Government Area. They are: before it was finally gazetted by the between October 16 and Department of Planning in 2005. December 13, 2002 and the ∗ Local Environmental Plan exhibition period was extended until No.4 (LEP 4). This plan Blue Mountains Draft Local January 17, 2003. applies to limited sites Environmental Plan 2002 (DLEP throughout the LGA, is the 2002) was placed on public Following exhibition, council oldest plan operating in exhibition between October 16 and considered submissions and made the LGA and was gazetted December 13, 2002. appropriate changes to the DLEP in 1982. and it was sent to the NSW State Council went through an exhaustive Government for gazettal. • Local Environmental Plan public review of DLEP 2002 in 1991 (LEP 1991). This response to the submissions The LEP was named Local plan applies to outlying received from the community, Environmental Plan 2005 and was areas, land on the edges internal review of the document and gazetted on October 7, 2005. of towns and villages and changes in government legislation. rural sites throughout the LGA. It was gazetted in The review of the DLEP 2002 1991. resulted in council making a number Springwood School of Arts Continued from page 17 Over the ensuing years the building In the years following World War 2 was used by a range of the institution, which had never organisations like the local historical been strongly supported, faced society, Boy Scouts & Guides, competition from new technology dance and musical groups, The Old like the advent of television. Age Pensioners Association, Citizens Recruitment League, Red Nevertheless, the building was used Cross and Children’s Library Group right up until its demolition in 1969. conducted by caricaturist, cartoonist The Foundation Stone now graces and artist George Finey. the School of Arts Town Square. Heritage listed site ... Lennox During its lifetime it provided a ENDNOTES 1 Bridge, Glenbrook venue for community celebrations, The Dictionary of Sydney, entertainments as well as charitable and wartime efforts. www.dictionaryofsydney.org 2 Nepean Times, 31.8.1901. 3 Booklet in the ownership of the late Ern Lesslie. 4 Nepean Times, 10.5.1913. Springwood images courtesy of Springwood Library and local studies collection

This article has previously been Heritage listed site ... Norman published on website of Springwood Lindsay Gallery and gardens, Springwood School of Arts ... a Historians.www.springwoodhistorians Faulconbridge graceful Federation style building blogspot.com Continued page 19

HERITAGE 18 July - August 2011 Heritage is only one component of an LEP Continued from page 18 Council has received support from Standard LEP the Department of Planning that On March 31, 2006 the NSW amendments to heritage items be Government gazetted a standard undertaken to LEP 1991 before it is instrument for preparing new LEPs, amalgamated into LEP 2005. also known as the LEP template. Therefore council staff are working Local plans across NSW will now towards updating and revising LEP use the same planning language, 1991 Schedule 2 – Heritage and its making it easier for communities to associated mapping before it is understand what is proposed for rolled into the revised their local area. comprehensive LEP 2005. Heritage listed site ... Knapsack Zig Zag, Lapstone Blue Mountains City Council is Previous Heritage Studies using a staged approach to The first comprehensive heritage achieving a standard LEP study undertaken in the Blue instrument. Mountains Local Government Area was a study completed in 1982 by The first stage is to review LEP 4 Croft and Associates which applied and LEP 1991 and bring these to numerous sites throughout the forward into the LEP 2005 LGA. instrument, therefore creating one LEP for the entire LGA. This study was later used as a basis for further heritage work. The second stage will involve Heritage listed site ... Woodford Academy converting LEP 2005 into the Professor Ian Jack and Associates Standard LEP instrument thereafter. was engaged by council to and reviews related to LEP 1991 undertake various heritage items and seek council It is important to understand that assessments and reviews to update endorsement of these documents. creating an LEP is a lengthy heritage listings. process and may take a number of The second stage of the process is years to complete. Dr Jim Smith was engaged by to carry forward the proposed Council in 2010 to undertake a amendments into an LEP For example, the expected time heritage study on natural areas amendment to LEP 1991. frame for creating one LEP for the covered by LEP 1991. entire LGA is expected to be completed at the end of 2013. These include walking tracks, lookout and other heritage items of HAVING Review of LEP 1991 natural value. Heritage is only one component of TROUBLE the final comprehensive LEP . A number of the heritage reviews which have been undertaken over WITH THE the years, have not been publicly exhibited and the information has WEBSITE? not been carried forward into an LEP instrument. BMACHO’s webmaster, Peter Hughes has placed the following This is where some confusion may message on the BMACHO lie with community members, in that website for Calendar of Events: information from previous “If the file shows the previous community consultation may not month click on the refresh have resulted in amendments to the button on your browser or statutory LEP instrument. Heritage listed site ... Chimney press F5 on the keyboard” Cottage, Mt Wilson Council is now working towards This message also applies to enacting previous heritage reviews archived copies of the undertaken and community input HERITAGE newsletter. and carrying these forward into a revised and updated heritage The webmaster has also schedule. updated the “Contacts” on the website and you might have to The first stage of the process is to use the refresh button or press consult with land owners of F5 on the keyboard to update to potential heritage items, publicly view. Heritage listed site ... Bills horse exhibit the heritage assessments trough, Glenbrook

HERITAGE 19 July - August 2011 Heritage briefs from around the world Greeks resist sale of Bligh’s medals up for The second is the Naval Gold Medal 1795 awarded to ship’s heritage sites auction captains. A ROYAL PALACE where Prince TWO GOLD MEDALS (pictured) Philip was born has been the focus awarded to Bounty captain, William Bligh won his for his role at the of protests against the sale of Bligh have been put up for auction Battle of Camperdown, a major Greece’s national heritage to pay off by his descendants. naval action on October 11, 1797 its debts. The first medal The Greek government has plans to was awarded in sell state assets in a bid to raise 50 1794 by the Royal billion Euro. Society in England for Mon Repos Palace in Corfu one of Bligh’s work the largest Greek islands, where started on the Prince Philip, the Duke of voyage on the Edinburgh, was born 90 years ago, Bounty, relating to is one of several state-owned bread-fruit, which properties to be auctioned. had been discovered in Tahiti. between the Royal Navy and the Dutch Navy in which the British The botanist Sir Joseph Banks was captured 11 Dutch ships without keen to transplant the crop to the loss of any of their own. The Sydney West Indies as a food source for Morning Herald slave labourers.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Springwood emblem The fear is that places such as this will be sold off to private foreign buyers and closed off forever to the controversy public. Telegraph, London THE MAY-JUNE EDITION of meanings; they are not HERITAGE , published an article by interchangeable. Fears for prehistoric art Shirley Evans about the design in CAVES containing some of the 1965, by Norman Lindsay of what The crest is the top part (often world’s best prehistoric art are to be was described as a coat of arms. animal, piece of armour or opened to the public despite sword) on or of a coat of arms warnings that human breath will The Springwood Chamber of destroy the 20,000-year-old Commerce decided it was a paintings. propitious time for the town to have its own coat of arms which could Scientists have said the decision then be permanently displayed in carried ‘immeasurable’ risks. the new hall.

The vast Altamira caves, discovered However, it could not be regarded in 1879 in the Cantabria region of as a genuine coat of arms, the right Spain have been called the Sistine for which needed to be granted by Chapel of Paleolithic art. the Royal College of Arms in London.

The Blue Mountains City Council The blazon of arms for the above already had a coat of arms so it was coat of arms would be as follows: decided to call it the Springwood emblem or crest. Arms: “Argent, a saltire azure, cantoned with four markings of It also happened to be the 150th ermine sable.” (Silver or white anniversary of the naming of shield with a blue saltire or ‘X’ and They are covered in paintings of Springwood by Governor Lachlan in four-equidistant places the European bison, bulls and other Macquarie marking of the ermine ‘fur’ in black.) animals. A reader and contributor to this Crest: “A lion’s head erased azure The site is a UNESCO declared newsletter, Dr Peter Stanbury OAM langued gules.” (A lion’s head cut World Heritage Site. Telegraph, has correctly pointed out that coat off at the neck with a flourish, in London of arms and crest has quite specific blue with a red tongue.)

HERITAGE 20 July - August 2011 . The Domesday Book THE DOMESDAY BOOK was One of the main purposes of the commissioned in December 1085 survey was to determine who held by William the Conqueror, who what and what taxes had been invaded England in 1066. liable under Edward the Confessor; the judgment of the Domesday The first draft was completed in assessors was final—whatever the August 1086 and contained records book said about who held the for 13,418 settlements in the material wealth or what it was worth, Domesday Book and chest at the English counties south of the rivers was the law, and there was no National Archives, Kew, London Ribble and Tees (the border with appeal. Scotland at the time). It was written in Latin, although That is why we have called the book The original Domesday Book has there were some vernacular words ‘the Book of Judgement’ ... because survived over 900 years of English inserted for native terms with no its decisions, like those of the Last history and is currently housed in a previous Latin equivalent, and the Judgement, are unalterable.” specially made chest at The text was highly abbreviated. National Archives in Kew, London1. In August 2006 a complete online Richard FitzNigel, writing around version of Domesday Book was “…While spending the Christmas the year 1179, stated that the book made available for the first time by of 1085 in Gloucester William had was known by the English as the ’s National deep speech with his counsellors ‘Domesday’, that is the Day of Archives2. and sent men all over England to Judgement “for as the sentence of each shire to find out what or how that strict and terrible last account References much each landholder had in land cannot be evaded by any skilful 1.www.domesdaybook.co.uk/ and livestock, and what it was subterfuge, so when this book is 2.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ worth,” according to the Anglo- appealed to ... its sentence cannot Domesday_Book Saxon Chronicle. be put, quashed or set aside with impunity. BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. REGISTERED OFFICE 14 Bunnal Ave, Winmalee 2777 MEMBERSHIP The following organisations are members of E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] BMACHO: Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah, Website: www.bluemountains.heritage.com Blue Mountains City Library, Blue Mountains Cultural Heritage Centre, Blue Mountains Historical Society Inc., Blue THE ORGANISATION Blue Mountains Association of Mountains Family History Society Inc., Blue Mountains Cultural Organisations Inc. (BMACHO) was established Tourism Limited, Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, in April 2006 following a unanimous response to a Cudgegong Museums Group Inc., Everglades Historic House proposal from Professor Barrie Reynolds at the 2004 & Gardens, Friends of Norman Lindsay Gallery, Glenbrook & Blue Mountains Local History Conference which sought District Historical Society Inc., Kurrajong-Comleroy Historical from Blue Mountains City Council the creation of a Society Inc, Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort, Lithgow and cultural heritage strategy for the city. District Family History Society Inc., Lithgow Mining Museum Inc., Lithgow Regional Library – Local Studies, Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum Inc, Mid-Mountains Historical Society BMACHO in its constitution uses the definition: “Cultural Inc, Mid Western Regional Council Library, Mt Victoria and heritage is all aspects of life of the peoples of the Blue District Historical Society Inc., Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine History Mountains which was later changed to cover Lithgow and Society Inc. (including Turkish Bath Museum), Mudgee the villages along the Bell’s Line of Roads. It therefore Historical Society Inc., Mudgee Regional Library, National involves the recording, preserving and interpreting of Trust of Australia (NSW) - Blue Mountains Branch (including information in whatever form: documents, objects, Woodford Academy), National Trust of Australia (NSW) - recorded memories as well as buildings and sites.” Lithgow Branch, Scenic World – Blue Mountains Limited, Springwood & District Historical Society Inc., Springwood The objectives of the organisation are: Historians Inc., Transport Signal and Communication Museum i. To raise public consciousness of Inc., The Darnell Collection Pty Ltd, Valley Heights the value of cultural heritage. Locomotive Depot and Museum, Zig Zag Railway Co-op Ltd. ii. To encourage and assist cultural The following are individual members: Ray Christison, heritage activities of member organisations. Associate Professor Ian Jack, Joan Kent, John Leary OAM, iii. To initiate and support cultural John Low, Ian Milliss, Professor Barrie Reynolds, and Dr Peter heritage activities not already covered by Stanbury OAM. member organisations. COMMITTEE The committee for 2011-12 is: Pamela Smith One of the aims of BMACHO is to bring the various (president), Ian Jack (vice president), Jan Koperberg bodies into closer contact, to encourage them to work (secretary), Joan Kent (treasurer), Jean Arthur, Doug more closely together and to provide a combined voice Knowles, John Leary, Dick Morony (public officer), Kathie on matters of importance within the heritage sector. McMahon-Nolf, Barrie Reynolds and Peter Stanbury.

HERITAGE BMACHO’s official newsletter is edited by HONORARY AUDITOR: Sue McMahon, B Comm CPA. John Leary, OAM. Blue Mountains History Journal is edited by AFFILIATIONS BMACHO is a member of the Royal Dr Peter Rickwood. Australian Historical Society Inc.

HERITAGE 21 July - August 2011