Old Government House and the Government Domain

NEW SOUTH WALES

Old Government House is Australia’s oldest intact former vice-regal residence and was used by 12 governors of from 1790 to 1856.

Together with the parkland setting of the Government Domain, it is of outstanding national significance for its association with the foundation of British colonial administration and as an important centre of the convict system in Australia. The Old Government House was the first major European building to be erected in mainland Australia. It was a residence and office for Governor Phillip. Building commenced in May 1788 and the house was completed a year later.

By 1790, on a small rise called Rose Hill, a settlement of Old Government House was used during the subsequent 100 people including 70 convicts had been established. governorships of Fitzroy and Denison, but with the A small country house, later to become Old Government completion of the new Government House at Bennelong House, was built by convicts for Governor Phillip on Point in Sydney in 1845, the governors spent less time at the rise above the town. The name of the settlement was and in 1856 the house was let to a tenant. changed to Parramatta, with ‘Rose Hill’ retained as the name of the site of the Governor’s country house. By 1857 the Domain landscape had been reduced to 246 acres and proclaimed a municipal park by legislation The appearance of the house today as a more elaborate with a park trust established to manage the place. The Georgian complex is largely the result of extensions by park assumed a new role for community recreation. the fourth occupants, Governor and Mrs Macquarie. The farming land around the house, some of which National Heritage List: 1 August 2007 had been privately leased, became consolidated as a government owned area, known as the Governor’s domain. This became a major working property, employing up to 90 convicts engaged in quarrying, timber-milling, blacksmithing, farming, dairying and gardening. Governor Macquarie was replaced in 1821 by Governor Sir Thomas , who also used Government House as his primary residence and centre of administration. Brisbane was a passionate astronomer and privately funded and equipped an observatory with two domes. This observatory marks the commencement of scientific endeavour in Australia. As a result of the astronomical observations produced at Parramatta, Brisbane and his two assistants were awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Society in London. I n 1825 Governor replaced Brisbane but used Government House in Sydney as his principal residence and Old Government House as a rural retreat. The house began to decline as the colonial treasury restricted funding for maintenance.

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