HERITHERITHERITAGEAGEAGE NEWSLETTER OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS MAY - JUNE 2009 ISSUE No. 3 CONVICTS BUILT LENNOX The earliest arched stone bridge BRIDGE on mainland Australia by John Low Work began on Surveyor- General Thomas Mitchell’s “Pass at Emu” in August 1832. About half way up the proposed route it was found necessary to take the road across a creek, a plan that required the bridging of a 30 foot deep gully with a span of 20 feet.
Mitchell, who considered well-designed bridges a sign of civilised society, seized the opportunity to experiment with a bridge designed to stand the test of time, unlike the flimsy wooden structures that characterised the colony’s roads at the time. For this he needed the services of someone who posssessed both the necessary technical convicts, an overseer, a constable He petitioned the Governor to remit knowledge and the experience of and an armed sentry and worked at the remainder of the iron gang building stone bridges, a difficult the site from about 7am until 4pm, sentences of 8 convicts he wished request in a land where the art of when it returned to the stockade at to take with him. Although some of bridge construction was virtually Emu Plains. the sentences were, he said, “for unknown. heavy crimes, it appears to me to Despite the absconding of one have been more the effect of a bad The right man did, however, appear convict, which held up the sawing of system at that time in regard to in the person of David Lennox, a timber for the arch centering, prisoners than any particular recently arrived master mason of 20 Lennox’s relationship with his depravity of the prisoners years experience who had worked convict workers appears to have themselves”. on a number of major bridges in been a good one. Assistant Britain. Legend has it that Mitchell Surveyor John Abbott described The convicts in question were: discovered him working as a day Lennox to Mitchell as “indefatigable William Brady; John Carsons; labourer constructing a stone wall in in instructing them how to work”. Robert Hyams; John Johnson; Macquarie Street, Sydney. Indeed, so effective was he that Patrick Malowney (or Maloney); Governor Bourke let it be known Thomas Nelson; James Randall; By November 1832, much of the that he would try to prevent the Daniel Williams (an “American stone for the bridge had been services of these newly skilled black”). quarried and cut and, obtaining lime workers from being lost to the from Windsor, Lennox began the Department of Roads & Bridges The sentences of Brady, Carsons, laying process. He selected his after the Lapstone job was finished. Malowney and Nelson were work party personally and carefully remitted while Randall and Williams from the larger road gang working Lennox’s confidence in his men was were promised remittal of their on the Pass. apparent later when, in May 1833, sentences after a further 6 months he was beginning to transfer good behaviour. The party consisted of about 20 operations to his next job. Continued page 2
HERITAGE 1 May - June 2009 From the CONVICT president’s pen...... OVERSEES THE BUILDER WHO FINISHED MADE AUSTRALIA OFF BRIDGE The Australia Day 2009 address Before he left in 1821, NSW had its by the Governor Marie Bashir, first court houses and first Continued from page 1 nominating Lachlan Macquarie magistrates. There were roads to as the founder of modern Parramatta, the Blue Mountains and When Lennox moved his Australia, has boosted plans to further west. headquarters to the site of his next recognise Macquarie next year, assignment - construction of a the bicentenary of his swearing There were five planned towns stone bridge over Prospect Creek in. including Richmond, Windsor on the Great Southern Road near Castlereagh, Pitt Town, Wilberforce Liverpool - he left the completion of Macquarie arrived in a primitive, and Windsor. Bathurst was largely the Lapstone Bridge in the hands of near starving, largely drunken his creation as was Liverpool while his young overseer, George and divided colony and turned it Campbelltown was named after his Neilson, to whom he paid periodic into a community with bright wife whose maiden name was visits until the work was finished. hopes for the future and the Campbell of Airds (the Scottish Lennox reported the bridge making of a nation’s economy. district now a suburb of completed in early July 1833. Campbelltown). Macquarie was sworn in on John Low is the former local history librarian, Blue Mountains City Council January 1, 1810. Today’s legacy from Macquarie are the public works and buildings, and an individual member of BMACHO. Photograph of Lennox Arthur Phillip had left office carried out with the assistance of Bridge - April 2009 by John Leary, dispirited and exhausted and Francis Greemway, a former OAM. William Bligh was overthrown by convict appointed civil architect the military. Federal funding for His treatment of convicts, free Macquarie was also to leave settlers and the Aboriginals was cultural centre unhappily. Yet, Professor Bashir more than humane. He encouraged The Australian Government will said, “He stands today as one of well-behaved convicts into the wider provide $1.98 million towards the the greatest of Australian community through tickets of leave. construction of the Blue Mountains governors, a true pioneer of the Cultural Centre in Katoomba, nation, unmatched for vision, Macquarie encouraged exploration Federal Member for Macquarie has magnanimity, compassion and to expand the pastoral land announced. zest for accomplishment.” available and so improved the agricultural production and Mr Debus said the construction of He was many believe the founder livestock numbers. the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre of modern Australia. Certainly, he will create an iconic new attraction was the first governor to refer In her address Governor Bashir with regional and national officially to Australia by that asked, “Can we not see in significance. name, in 1817, endorsing the Macquarie’s example of tolerance name used by Matthew Flinders. and humanity the beginning of the great Australian tradition of the ’fair The project involves construction and fit-out of cultural facilities He instituted a period of go’ play that many regard as our including the City Art Gallery, World unprecedented progress. In defining characteristic as a Heritage Interpretive Centre and a many ways he set the pattern people?” viewing platform. and defined the priorities of enlightened public administration Macquarie, a Scot of energy and The Blue Mountains City Council, in the modern era. vision, ruled from 1810 until 1821 restoring order and bringing NSW Government and the local community have invested 10 years He built schools, hospitals, roads stability to a colony whose interests of planning and consultation to on a scale not seen before. He he did much to promote. make this happen, said Mr Debus instituted our system of public and private education, introduced It is appropriate that the many currency, the nation’s first bank, activities being planned throughout and public health care. NSW and the region have the “I love fools’ support of the heritage sector and Macquarie encouraged the community at large. experiments. I am establishment of the country’s John Leary, OAM - President, always making first independent newspaper and Blue Mountains Association of them”...Charles libraries. Cultural Heritage Organisation Darwin
HERITAGE 2 May - June 2009 “Beneath the Southern Cross” - A significant exhibition at the State Mine A partnership between the City of A companion exhibition of Greater Lithgow Mining Museum Lithgow’s union Inc. and Unions NSW has provided memorabilia was on the people of Lithgow and display at the Lithgow surrounding districts with a unique Regional Library from opportunity to experience historic April 4 to May 5, 2009. artefacts related to the Trade Union movement in New South Wales. The Sydney Trades Hall collection exhibition will An exhibition of union banners, be open to the public badges and other artefacts has during museum opening been installed at the State Mine hours between April 4 and Museum, State Mine Gully Road, October 31 2009. Lithgow. The museum is open from This exhibition will be in place until 10:00am to 4:00pm on the end of October 2009. Saturday and Sunday, and school and public It includes large banners used in holidays. street parades that form part of the Sydney Trades Hall collection. Access to the exhibition is included in the museum’s Many of these items have not been standard entry fee of $5 accessible to the public before as per adult, $3 concession, there has been no space large $2 per child or $12 per enough to exhibit them. family.
It is appropriate that the former Booked tours can be State Mine Bath House is the main arranged at any time by venue for this exhibition. contacting the museum on 6353 1513 or through the Pictured above are two of the trade union This was a place in which the website: banners on display. The banners often employees of the State Mine www.statemine.org.au made of silk, depicted the tools and gathered to change for work and to processes of the trade. Below are banners shower at the end of their shifts. on display at the State Mine Museum.
HERITAGE 3 May - June 2009 TARELLA, AN 1890s COTTAGE PRESERVED AS AN EXAMPLE OF A BYGONE AGE Tarella was built in 1890 by John leading law firm, Allen, Bowden and Over the years John mortgaged his McLaughlin, a Sydney solicitor, on a Allen. He later went into partnership land presumably to finance the 50 acre grant of land awarded to with Frederick Gannon under the schooling of his children all of whom him for his service in the Volunteer name of Gannon and McLaughlin. went to private Catholic schools. Reserve. During this period John joined the John built Tarella around 1890 as a The house continued to be owned Volunteer Force. After five years’ holiday cottage for the family to by the McLaughlin family until the service in this Force every officer have relief from the summer heat estate was left to the Blue and non commissioned officer was and to escape the smells that Mountains Historical Society on the entitled to a free grant of 50 acres pervaded the air in Sydney. death of the last member of the of land. John was awarded his grant family, Beryl McLaughlin the of 50 acres in 1870 and after a The cottage stands on Cox’s Society’s benefactor. surveying trip to the Blue Mountains original road on a stretch in 1879, led by GM Pitt a licensed constructed under the watch of Lt The cottage stands in its original surveyor, John chose 50 acres at Thomas Hobby which Cox observed state, and is set up in the period of Wentworth Falls on a site he on his return, ‘at the 29th mile is a the early 1900s. considered to be ‘the most beautiful very handsome long reach, quite in the mountains’. strait, which I call, from the layer of it out, Hobby’s Reach’. (Hobby’s Similar to other land owners he did Reach is the name used for the not build until later as there was a Research Centre of the Blue proposal to build a large township at Mountains Historical Society). Wentworth Falls and land owners hoped they would be able to sell at The cottage is constructed of a later date with great advantage to weatherboards under a pitched roof themselves. The township was later with the parents’ bedroom, parlour, built at Katoomba. dining room and spare bedroom down stairs and two small In1880 John entered the NSW bedrooms upstairs. parliament as the Member for Upper Hunter and in 1882 he married Ada The kitchen was a separate building Amanda Moore. In this year he also constructed of corrugated iron in subdivided his land holding into 8 which the caretaker and his wife plots and sold one. lived, caring for chickens, house cow and fruit trees during the John McLaughlin They had four children, two boys family’s absence. Over the years, and two girls, the last girl Beryl was until 1920, there were alterations John McLaughlin was born in 1850 born in 1888, who, on her death in which joined the original kitchen to th in Mulligar, Westmeath, Ireland and 1988 two months short of her 100 the house was one of four boys to Anne and birthday, became the benefactor of The water supply for the house Daniel McLaughlin. Daniel was a the Blue Mountains Historical came from a 60 foot deep storage tenant farmer and took his family to Society. well that still exists on the property. Australia in 1852 for a better life. Continued page 5 They settled in Millers Forest in the Hunter District where four further children were born.
Daniel was insistent on a good education and so John was educated first in Maitland and later at Lyndhurst College in Sydney. At Lyndhurst College he was awarded a prize for French and was school captain. The rest of the family moved to Rockhampton in Queensland after the death of Daniel in 1866.
After college John was articled to the legal firm of WC Curtis and remained there until 1869. On completion of his articles, John became managing clerk for the Tarella cottage as it now stands
HERITAGE 4 May - June 2009 VALLEY HEIGHTS LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT MUSEUM GETS HERITAGE GRANT The Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum has received a grant of $20,600 from the NSW Heritage Office to repair the windows at the rear of the Roundhouse.
The depot, completed in 1913, was built to service steam locomotives which provided extra power to enable the trains to climb the steep rise from Valley Heights to Katoomba.
The depot was closed in 1989 and vacated by the then State Rail Authority in 1993. The museum now looks after the site.
Most of the glass panes were From left to right) Restored steam tram trailer car 93B (c1879), broken before the window sashes NSWGR steam locomotive 5461 (c1916) and steam tram motor 103A were removed in the mid 90s (c1891) in front of the oldest steam locomotive Roundhouse in NSW because of termite damage to the (c1913). Photograph courtesy Andrew Tester surrounding jambs and sills. The grant has enabled the museum to purchase the glass panes, timber TARELLA COTTAGE and associated incidentals. The Continued from page 4 Beryl and her sister Ida, who was museum has to provide $87,000 in now widowed, were very early labour. members of the Blue Mountains Historical Society formed in 1946 by The 95-year old sashes require the Blue Mountains City Council. In many hours of patient repair work 1955 when the society was looking and cleaning before the panes are for premises Beryl transferred fitted and the sashes installed.This Tarella to the council. volunteer work is being carried out by the Museum’s Retirees’ Group — This arrangement soon proved these fellows meet for one week unsatisfactory and an agreement every month (the week after the was made with the council to have second Saturday), starting at 8am the property transferred back to the and finishing at 3pm. sisters.
This group is a big ‘Men’s Shed’ In 1968 Beryl had built at her own where the members perform a expense a building on the property valuable community service in a The family lived in a very imposing to house a museum for the society. good humoured atmosphere. house called Yanko in Evans Street, Beryl and Ida continued to live at Waverley and on John’s death in Tarella for the rest of their Members work on tasks that suit 1918, Ada, his wife and the two independent lives, Ida dying in 1980 their abilities and some come for daughters came to live permanently and Beryl in 1988. the full week while others are able at Tarella. In 1922, Ada died and to be there for a day or two. her elder daughter, Ida married. Before her death, Beryl transferred the cottage and the remaining 3.5 The museum is always looking for Beryl, who was a qualified architect, acres of land to the society. To extra volunteers to help in the designed several houses for Ida these sisters and especially the varied track work, machine and her husband, later moving to benevolence of Beryl, the society operation, shops assistants). live in a flat attached to one of these owes a great debt of gratitude. The houses. society has been able to preserve For further information visit the an 1890s cottage, an example of a website at http:// Tarella was then rented out to bygone age, for future generations. infobluemountains.net.au/ visitors who used the Wentworth locodepot/ or phone 4751 4638. Falls Golf and Recreation Club This article was contributed by Mrs opposite Tarella for their meals. The Susan Warmbath, curator and former Article republished courtesy The club house was burnt down in the president, Blue Mountains Historical Blue Mountains Gazette 1957 bushfires. Society Inc. Images BMHS archives
HERITAGE 5 May - June 2009 EVERGLADES AT LEURA Modernism, Art Deco and pristine wilderness By Angela le Sueur Photography: Christopher Shain The National Trust-owned property, Everglades, at Leura is one of Australia’s foremost cold climate gardens and arboreta. It is also an expression of a special partnership between the wealthy businessman, Henri Van de Velde, and the Danish horticulturalist and landscape designer, Paul Sorensen, whose legendary skills created many gardens of note in Leura and Katoomba. The creation of Everglades was as much a feat of engineering as a triumph of horticulture. There had been two successive houses, an orchard and a developed garden at Everglades before Van de Velde bought the property from Mrs Stonier.
It was extremely steep and rocky with thin, sandy soil – but Van de Velde saw the potential, and Sorensen knew how to achieve it. Steep slopes were levelled by the creation of a series of flat terraces which were underpinned by massive drystone walls hand hewn from rocks on the site.
Planting beds were hand dug to a Massive drystone walls underpin the terraces depth of 600 to 900mm and filled The studio terrace with its rectilinear Jamison Valley and escarpments with soil transported from the grotto planes and cubist squash racquet beyond. pool and other excavations, courts building has been cited as enriched with humus. The Great one of the most significant pieces of Leading off the studio terrace is the Depression was in full swing and Australian Modernist garden garden theatre, carefully concealed there was no shortage of labour; designs. behind trees and shrubs so that it men were glad to be able to work. becomes a special surprise. This At the opposite end however, the was a technique much favoured by Modern Movement and Art Deco eye is drawn to a brick edged Sorensen, who concealed and influences with a backdrop of ‘window’ which in spring is purple revealed vistas and other features pristine wilderness combine to with cascading wisteria, framing the to layer the experience of the create the magic of the site. blue-green and russet hues of the garden.
At Everglades the special character of each terrace ‘room’ is enjoyed on its own terms, as are the spectacular vistas beyond.
Flowers were originally planted as bright swathes of colour, but Sorensen also planned for the future – a time when his signature trees and shrubs would grow to overshadow the first mass planting beds.
Brightly coloured bulbs are still a feature of the upper terraces but, as you move down the slope, the emphasis changes – to rhododendrons and azaleas – and on the lower perimeters, to native plants. Continued page 7 Everglades House
HERITAGE 6 May - June 2009 The magic of Everglades Many of the statues and artefacts which Van de Velde collected to embellish the gardens on his visits to Europe have long gone, however ‘The Wrestler’, a reproduction of a Roman bronze unearthed at Herculaneum, survives at the top of the steps from the Cherry to the Agapanthus Terrace. Whimsical wrought iron panels in the courtyard tell the story of a bad dog – one of Van de Velde’s Sealyhams - and his punishment for chasing an Everglades peacock.
Although it looks hard-edged by today’s standards, in the 1930s the house was the epitome of comfort and style with its large windows, sophisticated heating and Hollywood-style bathrooms.
A mix of Functionalism, Modernism, Mediterranean and Art Deco styles, it was a talking point of its time, featured extensively in the April 1938 issue of The Everglades at Leura by Angela le Sueur. The cover Australian Home Beautiful and photographed by the features the garden theatre with its arch, rescued legendary Harold Cazneaux. from the demolished London Chartered Bank of Today, seventy years on, Everglades is a highlight of Australia in Sydney any visit to the Blue Mountains; a place for people of all For more information on Everglades, purchase the ages to gather and enjoy its special events – or to National Trust House Series book, Everglades at Leura wander and contemplate alone. from the property or from the National Trust direct; www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au SCENIC WORLD’S DISPLAY SCREENS AVAILABLE STAR AWARD TO BMACHO MEMBERS Scenic World has become the first Blue Mountains City Council has up or back seat and can be easily set business in the Blue Mountains to to five sets of portable screens up on site. be accredited as a STAR available for use by organisations workplace. such as members of BMACHO. Display screens can be booked by contacting Christine Jones on 4780 The award recognises Scenic One set is the museum set and 5609 or [email protected] World’s commitment to engaging there are four others which council’s or Janne Yardy on 4780 5448 with its employees to build a environmental team has in store. [email protected] sustainable business with high levels of satisfaction. They are available for use by historical associations and There is no charge for use but they “We want to share with out visitors museums in BMCC area (subject to need to be booked in advance and what makes Scenic World a special availability). picked up and returned in good place and to do that we need a condition to the Council HQ building team of dedicated people who are A number of organisations have in Katoomba. continually striving to improve what already borrowed them for displays. we do,” said human resources manager, Geoff Stodart in accepting The panels can checked out on the WINTER the award. Toucan website: http:// www.toucan.com.au/panels.html SOLSTICE AT Scenic World is a member of BMACHO. Dimensions are 1800mm high EVERGLADES overall made up of 8 panels of approximately 770 x 900 mm. Everglades will be holding a “It is not the strongest of the spooky story telling for children of species that survives, nor the Each panel will hold a poster of all ages on Sunday, June 21. approximately 600 x 800mm. most intelligent that survives. Colour: neutral blues. Those who visit Everglades for the It is the one that winter solstice are encouraged to is most adaptable Items can be attached to panels by dress up in the spookiest outfits. Velcro or pins. to change.”...... For further information telephone Charles Darwin. The screens come in a carry bag Nick on 4784 1938 or which fits fairly easily into a car boot [email protected]
HERITAGE 7 May - June 2009 FAMILY HISTORY GROUP FINDS WORLD WAR 1 HERO BURIED AT LAWSON The article published on this page is an edited version of an interesting article written by Blue Mountains Family History (BMFHS) member, Suzanne Voytas. The discovery came about following work by Suzanne and another member Lyn Tocher who discovered a neglected grave in Lawson Cemetery (pictured below) while working on a BMFHS project
Formed in 1986 BMFHS is a true family history society with interests back to our roots - in England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, France, in fact anywhere in the world, how and where our ancestral families lived and worked and where they travelled. BMFHS has a close association with the local studies librarians of BMCC - but the main focus is facilitating the family history research needs of the local residents, not local studies.
Members of Blue Mountains Family evacuated from Lone Pine on He was discharged on June 6, 1918 History Society (BMHS) are helping August 16, 1915, and subsequently the descendants of a World War 1 evacuated to hospital in England. There is no living memory of Henry hero to piece together the history of He rejoined his unit in December James Hunter being discussed their ancestor buried at Lawson. 1915. within the family.
In June 2008, Lynne Tocher and In May 1916 he was serving with Having found his history and Suzanne Voytas were recording the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion obtaining the family’s permission to and checking information on seeing service at the Somme and proceed, Lyn Tocher and headstones at the Lawson battlefields near Ypres. Susanne Voyta thought it would Cemetery as part of the project to only be a matter of applying to the update the Blue Mountains Family During his service Hunter was appropriate department and the History Society’s transcripts for all promoted a number of times in the insignia would be granted. Not so. Blue Mountains cemeteries. field. In July 1915 he was promoted to corporal, with various other The guidelines for receiving the AIF During this work they came across promotions until December 1917 insignia state that the serviceman a very neglected grave. The when he was promoted to T/RSM must have died from war related headstone stated the person was (Temporary Regimental Sergeant causes. Henry James’ death an ANZAC. The researchers felt Major). This reverted back to certificate states the cause of death that if this claim was correct, then corporal on his discharge. was Cardiac Valvular Degeneration, the person should be entitled to the Atheroma and Aneurysmal AIF insignia on his headstone. On November 6, 1917 he was Dilatation of the Aorta. recommended for the Meritorious At present there is no clear cut Firstly they needed to prove the Service Medal, the citation read – evidence to link his cause of death person named was indeed an Anzac, For devotion to duty and disregard to his war service and the medical and so began the search for the story of personal safety during problems he suffered while on of Henry James Hunter, who died at intermittent shelling of Bapaume for active duty even though he died Linden in November 16, 1923. two months and energetic meritorious service in the within 5 years of being discharged. Using the National Archives of organization of a) Brickfields area. However, an application has been Australia’s website, a copy of his b) Bapaume area. c) Blequin area. lodged with Department of Veteran enlistment papers, which included d) Reinforcement Camps area. His Affairs (DVA), stating the reasons his medical and promotions history, conduct and bearing in A.I.F. since for the request on behalf of the was obtained. Together with other September 1914 has set a fine nd family. details from the AIF and AWM example.Signed by E M Waters, 2 websites it was revealed that: Henry Col, CO 1st Anzac Entrenchment Continued page 9 James Hunter voluntarily enlisted Battalion. September 24, 1914 and stated he was 43 years 9 months. His In February 1918 enlistment number was 1066 Hunter applied for a assigned to the 1st Battalion, C discharge for Company. personal reasons.
He left Australia on board Transport He was married and A19 Afric on October, 18 1914. had two children – Maybe he didn’t need basic training Eileen and Keith. as he was a member of the His wife and Victorian Rifle Club! children were living at Neutral Bay, His AIF file revealed he was at NSW together with Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, was his elderly mother.
HERITAGE 8 May - June 2009 Lithgow State Coal Mine a pictorial history...... The book Lithgow State Coal Mine a Ray also recognized the pictorial history was launched at the many people who had Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park contributed to the on Wednesday 6 May 2009 by development of the book, Neville Castle, Mayor of Lithgow. including museum volunteers, staff of the In launching the book Neville Castle Lithgow Library Learning noted that the Lithgow State Coal Centre and the many Mine operated from 1916 to 1964. former miners who had contributed photographs It was the largest coal mine on the and stories. He also gave Western Coalfield and the first coal special thanks to Dick mine established by the New South Austen and Joe Butta who Wales Government. At the height of most generously production in 1930 the mine sponsored the first print employed 734 men. run.
This book was written to provide an The book was printed by overview of the story of the Lithgow Industrial Printing in State Coal Mine and to support Lithgow. interpretation at the State Mine Museum. It is available through the Lithgow State Mine It draws on records held by the Heritage Park at a price of museum and memories of former $29.95 per copy. workers to weave stories of the Resellers may purchase orders of HERO BURIED place. five books or more at the discounted price of $21.00. Order AT LAWSON When speaking at the launch the forms can be downloaded from Continued from page 8 author Ray Christison stated that www.statemine.org.au his intention in writing it was to The one hope is that, as he applied create a record that was engaging for a war service pension just and accessible to the widest ‘...... stories of before he died and if his wife did possible audience. receive a war widow’s pension, it individuals means that his medical condition He said that: ‘As much as possible I was recognised as war related. have endeavoured to represent the who worked story of the mine through the stories there.’ The Springwood RSL sub-branch of individuals who worked there.” president, Mr Joe Elkusck, has indicated that if the insignia is granted, they will be prepared to rededicate the grave, with the Last Post and the Ode being recited with the association’s chaplain.
As for the reasons he died in Linden, away from his immediate family and no oral history of him through the generations will possible remain a mystery but the family have decided to try and piece the puzzle together.
However, it is not hard to imagine the horrors of war that the men were subjected to, so returning to civilian life would be difficult.
Many would have physical wounds but just as many would have been broken psychologically. An image from the book showing the construction crew posed in front of the No.1 or upcast shaft at the State Mine site in 1917.
HERITAGE 9 May - June 2009 BLUE MOUNTAINS VINTAGE FASHION COLLECTION WITHOUT EQUAL One of the more unusual cultural “There were dresses of silk, wool, heritage collections in the Blue printed cotton, linen, velvet and lace Mountains comprises 3500 items of by famous and influential designers Victorian and Edwardian clothing who helped revolutionise fashion to and accessories, known as the adapt to the changing role of Darnell Collection. women in society. Designers like Lucile, Madeline Vionnet, Gabrielle In 2003, Blue Mountains resident, Chanel, Christian Dior, Jean Muir Charlotte Smith was bequeathed a and James Galanos,” recalls vast vintage clothing collection Charlotte. belonging to her godmother, Doris Darnell, a Quaker from She found cocktail and debutante Pennsylvania, USA. dresses, wedding gowns, swimsuits, hats, handbags, shoes For over seventy years, Mrs. Darnell and gloves, undergarments accepted family heirlooms given to including rare cage crinolines and her ‘in love and in trust’ by people bustles, outerwear and exquisite wanting to ensure the garment and fans among an array of wardrobe their story lived on. Her collection necessities. Most intriguingly, many grew along with her international of the pieces are well documented reputation as a collector and with marvellous light hearted preserver of fine garments and anecdotes about the people who accessories. wore them and the customs and foibles of their time. (HarperCollins Initially, Charlotte had no immediate Australia is producing a book about plans about what she would do with the collection and these wonderful Red silk trousseau dress, 1884 the collection, but upon opening the stories. The book will be published NYC is the other). Students, 70 boxes she realised she had in November this year. teachers, researchers and inherited not only a unique historians can access the collection collection recording 200 years of In the past five years, The Darnell privately while the general public is social history, but she also had a Collection has grown significantly. It welcome to view changing fashion resource unequalled in now totals over 5000 items. Added exhibitions in The Fashion Gallery, Australia. to the long list of designers recently located in the lobby. Five exhibitions acquired are Hardy Amies, Norman a year will showcase the glamour “I opened the boxes of exquisite Hartnell, Zandra Rhodes and and upheaval of fashion over the treasures and held in my hands the Vivienne Westwood from England, past 200 years. precious clothing worn by Victorian Christobel Balenciaga from Spain, and Edwardian ladies, Flappers of Ceil Chapman from America and The collection owned by The Darnell the 1920s and ladies of the 1950s Gianni Versace from Italy. The Collection Pty Ltd., Blackheath is cocktail set. collection represents 27 different now permantly displayed at ESMOD countries, given by 287 donors. A Australia, 2 Short Street Surrey Hills diverse selection of garments and 2010 accessories from Australia is an important addition to the collection.
Over the past five years, The Darnell Collection has been displayed at Woodford Academy, the QVB in Sydney, at Bendigo Regional Gallery in Victoria, at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and in Lithgow, Bathurst, Cowra, Armidale, Parkes and Orange. It has also been featured twice on ABC television’s program Collectors.
Early last year, ESMOD Australia, a French fashion school founded in Paris in 1841, and The Darnell Collection joined forces. ESMOD is now one of only two schools in the world with their own fashion archive Charlotte Smith beside a 1960s silk Cotton day dress 1865 and their own museum. (F.I.T. in Murano glass bead Italian mini dress
HERITAGE 10 May - June 2009 Unique Darwiniana in the Blue Mountains This is the second article in a series 1859 was, of course, the year of VISIT OF HOPE TO SIDNEY marking the bicentennary of publication of On the Origin of COVE, NEAR BOTANY BAY Charles Darwin’s birth. Species which was far outsold by Where Sydney Cove her lucid bosom Samuel Smiles’ Self Help, that swells, Charles Darwin published many appeared in the same year. ‘How to’ And with wide arms the indignant books; most people can name one; books were popular even then! storm repels; most biologists can name five or High on a rock amid the troubled air more. The majority of his books The first issue of the first edition of Hope stood sublime, and waved her were published by John Murray and A Manual of Scientific Enquiry has a golden hair; are instantly recognisable by their transposition of Darwin’s text Calm’d with her rosy smile the tossing green blind stamped boards and gilt caused by the typesetter misplacing deep, decorated spines, to say nothing of some of Darwin’s hand written text. And with sweet accents charm’d the their dark, almost black endpapers. Corrected in later issues, the article windss to sleep; gives practical advice: number To each wild plain she stretch’d her One first edition, however, had specimens and put a dot after the snowy hand, covers of plum coloured cloth, an number if it is 6 or 9 to avoid High-waving wood, and sea-encircled innovation never repeated, but one confusion; collect suites of strand. which sends bibliophiles into specimens rather than individual “Hear me,” she cried, “ye rising raptures. (Fertilisation of Orchids, pieces to help elucidate strata; label realms record May 15, 1862). separately every fossil, wrap it in Time’s opening scenes, and Truth’s paper and mark its location on the prophetic word. An interesting piece of Darwiniana, outside and make accurate There shall broad streets their stately scarcely known, is his contribution sectional diagrams. Darwin ends by walls extend, to A Manual of Scientific Enquiry, writing that by following the advice The circus widen, and the crescent prepared for the Use of Her the reader…. ‘will, even if without bend; Majesty’s Navy and adapted for any previous knowledge, in a short There, ray’d from cities o’er the Travellers in General, published by time infallibly become a good cultured land, John Murray in 1849 in appropriate geologist, and as certainly will he Shall bright canals, and solid roads sea-green cloth with a gilt anchor enjoy the high satisfaction of expand. on the outer cover (Fig 1). contributing to the perfection of the There the proud arch, colossus-like, history of this wonderful world’. Contributors included, as well as bestride Yon glittering streams, and bound the Darwin: Herschel (Meteorology), Charles Darwin’s family were Owen (Zoology) and Hooker chafing tide; writers. Erasmus Darwin, Charles’s Embellish’d villas crown the landscape- (Botany) . Herschel was the editor grandfather had written of Sydney in as well as contributor; Owen wrote scene, his The Botanic Garden (see next Farms wave with gold, and orchards Fossil Mammalia in The Zoology of column). the Voyage of HMS Beagle that blush between. There shall tall spires, and dome-capt Darwin edited in 1838. Hooker later He was inspired by Josiah towers ascend, wrote On the Flora of Australia in Wedgwood’s medallion that was And piers and quays their massy The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage made from the clay of Sydney structures blend; of HM Discovery Ships Erebus & Harbour collected by Sir Joseph While with each breeze approaching Terror which was published in that Banks. fateful year 1859. vessels glide, And northern treasures dance on every tide!” Then ceased the nymph-tumultuous echoes roar, And Joy’s loud voice was heard from shore to shore Her graceful steps descending press’d the plain, And Peace, and Art, and Labour, join’d her train.
Editor’s note: Spelling and punctuation as written and published in the 19th century.
Continued page 12
Fig.1 Fig.2 Fig. 3
HERITAGE 11 May - June 2009 DARWINIANA Mountains police sent to Continued from page 11 Coincidentally, Charles’ wife, Emma was Wedgwood’s granddaughter. quell Maori uprising Charles’ second son, Francis, The first police to be stationed in detachments, and obviously assembled five volumes of his the Blue Mountains were performing duties more analogous father’s life and letters. detachments of the Military to those of a Police Corps than of Mounted Police Force. a part of Her Majesty’s regular They were published in 1887-1903. Army; but these are duties which Charles’ granddaughter, Nora, This force, of a semi-military the heavy demands upon the wrote an account of the voyage of character, was created by services of British Army do not the Beagle (Fig 2). It was published Governor Brisbane in 1825 and admit that it should be called upon in 1945 and includes letters and operated until 1850 for the any longer to undertake. some material hitherto unpublished purposes of apprehending from Darwin’s notebooks. marauding convicts who had Her Majesty’s confidential escaped to the bush as well as servants will consider it their duty Charles’ fourth daughter, Henrietta protecting travellers on the roads to take care that Her Naval and Emma, wrote a two volume account that radiated from Sydney to the Military Forces shall afford of her mother which reveals much widely scattered settlements. efficient protection from the about the Darwin’s day-to-day life. It attacks of any Foreign enemy to also includes letters from Charles to It was made up of soldiers so important a part of Her his wife. It was printed by seconded from the British Dominions as New South Wales; Cambridge Press though privately regiments stationed in New South but for the maintenance of internal published in blue cloth in 1904 in a Wales who served usually only for order and tranquillity, it is only run of 250 copies. A few copies a few years until their units ended reasonable that the Colonists were elaborately bound for their tour of duty. While the force should themselves be called upon presentation (Fig 4). was controlled by the civil to provide by the formation of an authorities the police remained adequate force of Police, or if under military discipline. necessary, of Militia…..”[Despatch dated 24 November 1846 vide In 1846, as a result of Maori Historical Records of Australia Vol. uprisings in New Zealand, Earl XXV p.264] Grey, Secretary of State for the Colonies issued a directive By this time the only military sending “the whole of the presence between the Nepean disposable force [in NSW] to and Cox’s Rivers was the Wellington [New Zealand].” detachment at the Blackheath Stockade. He observed that the colony “may be regarded as being perfectly The consequences of Grey’s safe, for the present at least, from decision was to divert the colonial any attack from a Foreign enemy; government’s lingering reliance on there are no native tribes capable the military as an arm of law of engaging in serious hostilities enforcement to enhancing the with Colonists; and the convict several civilian police forces establishment is now reduced so already serving the colony. low, while so great an increase has taken place in the numbers of It was not until 1870 that the the free population, that there is no British Army units left Australia -- Fig.4 longer the necessity which some a protracted departure despite Fig. 1 The outer cover of Charles Darwin years ago existed for maintaining a Grey’s observations, due no doubt and the voyage of the Beagle in which to the fears of Russian invasion Darwin wrote a chapter on geology. considerable Military Force to guard against the risk of an during the Crimean War of 1854- Fig. 2 This book was written by Darwin’s 56 and the requirements from the granddaughter, Nora Barlow. attempt to rise on the part of the ongoing Maori Wars through the Fig.3 Darwin’s daughter’s (Mrs Litchfield) convicts”. handwriting donating her book about her 1860s. mother to an untraced recipient - any He added: “Under these This article is an extract from Peter suggestions as to the identity gratefully circumstances, there is no part of Chinn’s “The Thin Red and Blue received! Her Majesty’s Dominions in which Fig.4 An elaborately bound volume Lines,” a history of the military and there is less occasion for a large written by Darwin’s daughter about his police presence in the Blue wife Emma. body of troops. Mountains 1814-2005, published by the Springwood Historical Society Contributed by Dr Peter Stanbury, Accordingly, I find that, with the Inc. OAM a committee member of BMACHO and board member UMAC exception of those at Sydney, the Peter Chinn is currently the (International Committee for Troops now serving in New South University Museums) Wales are broken up into small society’s president.
HERITAGE 12 May - June 2009 Australia’s first industrial site There may be no archaeological It was here that Cook after running ‘Melted iron was converted into iron relics such as a crumbling brick aground on a coral reef, beached nails, of which thousands and smoke stack, rusting industrial the Endeavour to repair the damage thousands were needed for repairs. machinery or even remnants of to his ship. Sailmakers were active, their work toxic waste left in the ground, but spread out in front of them. the river bank on the estuary, a Professor Geoffrey Blainey in his short distance upstream from where book Sea of Dangers writing about ‘The carpenters were soon at work the holiday township of Cooktown, James Cook’s voyage along the replacing the damaged timbers, and Queensland now stands, must east coast of Australia in 1770 it was a favourable time to make surely be the place of Australia’s suggests, ‘it was here arose a ship- repairs to the rigging. Seamen were first industrial site. building yard, along with a timber scraping the ship’s bottom to workshop and blacksmith’s forge.’ remove the marine life that had clung to it.’ Captain James The Endeavour ‘was moved to the Cook as painted chosen position by the use of ropes The first industrial activity in by John Webber and by sheer physical strength of Australiia by Europeans occurred in 1782 the men working the capstan.’ between June 17 and August 3, 1770. It was during this period that ‘Near the mangrove bushes she lay, Australia’s most well known animal her bow on the bank and her stern name, the kangaru (kangaroo) was sloping well into the water. interpreted by Joseph Banks. BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. REGISTERED OFFICE 40 Hume Avenue, MEMBERSHIP The following organisations are Wentworth Falls 2782 members of BMACHO: Blue Mountains City Library, E-mail: [email protected] Blue Mountains Historical Society Inc., Blue Mountains Website: www.bluemountains.heritage Family History Society Inc., Blue Mountains Tourism Limited, Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, Cudgegong Museums Group, Friends of Everglades, THE ORGANISATION Blue Mountains Association Friends of Norman Lindsay Gallery, Glenbrook & of Cultural Organisations Inc. (BMACHO) was District Historical Society, Kurrajong-Comleroy established in April 2006 following a unanimous Historical Society Inc, Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort, response to a proposal from Prof. Barrie Reynolds at Lithgow Mining Museum, Lithgow Regional Library – the 2004 Blue Mountains Local History Conference Local Studies, Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum, which sought from Blue Mountains City Council the Mid Western Regional Council Library, Mt Tomah creation of a cultural heritage strategy for the city. Botanic Gardens, Mt Victoria and District Historical Society Inc., Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine History Society BMACHO in its constitution uses the definition: (including Turkish Bath Museum), Mudgee Historical “Cultural heritage is all aspects of life of the peoples Society, Mudgee Regional Library, National Trust of of the Blue Mountains which was later changed to Australia (NSW) - Blue Mountains Branch (including cover Lithgow and the villages along the Bell’s Line Woodford Academy), National Trust of Australia (NSW) of Roads. It therefore involves the recording, - Lithgow Branch), Scenic World – Blue Mountains preserving and interpreting of information in Limited, Springwood & District Historical Society Inc., whatever form: documents, objects, recorded Springwood Historians, Two Centuries of Elegance, memories as well as buildings and sites.” Valley Heights Locomotive Depot and Museum, Zig Zag Railway. The following are individual members: Ms The objectives of the organisation are Wendy Carlson, Ray Christison, Ms Pamela Hubert, Associate Professor Ian Jack, John Leary OAM, John :i. To raise public consciousness of Low, Professor Barrie Reynolds, and Dr Peter Stanbury the value of cultural heritage. OAM.
ii. To encourage and assist cultural COMMITTEE The committee for 2009-10 is: John heritage activities of member organisations. Leary, (president) Ian Jack (vice president), Barrie Reynolds (secretary), Jean Arthur, Ray Christison, Lyn iii. To initiate and support cultural Fowler, Doug Knowles, Kathie McMahon and Dick heritage activities not already covered by Morony (public officer), Peter Stanbury. member organisations. AFFILIATIONS BMACHO is a member of the Royal One of the aims of BMACHO is to bring the various Australian Historical Society Inc. bodies into closer contact, to encourage them to work more closely together and to provide a HERITAGE is BMACHO’s official newsletter. combined voice on matters of importance within the heritage sector.
HERITAGE 13 May - June 2009