HERITAGE NEWSLETTER OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. MAY - JUNE 2011 ISSUE No. 15 Governor visits heritage grave A service to celebrate the She said that as completed restoration and State the 47th Heritage Listing of the 1831 grave of Governor of this Eliza Rodd on the Glenroy property State she was of Mr and Mrs Barber near Hartley proud to walk in saw Her Excellency, Professor Marie the footsteps of Bashir, AC,CVO accompanied by Sir Governor Nicholas Shehadie once again visit Macquarie who the region. had brought enlightened and The following is an extract from an compassionate article in the Lithgow Mercury written leadership to the by its editor Len Ainsworth, OAM. colony.

BACK on April 30, 1815 when He arrived to find Governor Lachlan Macquarie a ‘wretched and traversed Cox’s Road and visited demoralised Hartley for the first time he wrote in people’ but was his diary that the vista before him able to transform was ‘one of the finest landscapes of the young colony any country I have yet visited’. into what was described as ‘the One hundred and ninety six years greatest later the 47th Governor of NSW Dr appendage of the Marie Bashir, was back at the same British Empire’. site, repeating his words of praise. Dr Bashir The ceremony marked the listing on described how the State Heritage Register of the Governor relics of the military barracks that Macquarie’s existed on the site and the recently humane restored grave of a child who died treatment of the there while her father was in charge convicts and his of the 39th Regiment of Foot emancipation [detachment]. and welfare The Governor Prof Marie Bashir , accompanied by programs raised the Chair of Lithgow Reginal Branch of the National The regiment was stationed at the ire of the Trust of Australia (NSW), Mrs Marcia Osterberg- Hartley and charged with protecting British Olsen, Mr and Mrs Bradley inspect the grave site of pioneers as they made their way to establishment Eliza Rodd. Photograph courtesy Lithgow Mercury the newly opened land beyond the had paved the way for the growth of Blue Mountains. back home who were concerned that the colony was becoming ‘too NSW. Dr Bashir addressed an invitation- attractive’ to the former soldiers and Earlier Dr Bashir was welcomed by only crowd at a monument at the sailors out of work after the end of the National Trust local branch Glenroy camping reserve that the Napoleonic Wars. chairperson Marcia Osterberg- marks the site where Governor Olsen and by Mr Brad and Mrs Macquarie attended the first She said that upon his visit to Rosemary Barber, and took part in a Christian church service west of the Hartley he described ‘the finest ceremony marking the restoration of Blue Mountains in 1815. landscape of any country I have yet visited’. the grave of eight month old Eliza The Governor referred to the Rodd. Descendants of the Rodd importance of the Glenroy relics, Dr Bashir said Governor family came from Perth for the now on the property of Bradley and Macquarie’s vision was an occasion and read a poignant letter Rosemary Barber and family, to the encouragement to free settlers and from descendants in France. colonial history of NSW. Continued page 5

HERITAGE 1 May - June 2011 Contents...... From the editor’s pen...... HERITAGE May - June 2011 Premier keeps

* P1 Governor visits promise to create heritage grave * P2 Premier keeps promise to create heritage ministry Heritage Ministry All associated with the heritage sector developers through a system which was * P3 BMACHO has a and those who have an interest in already open to corruption more rife than new president conserving and maintaining our it already was. * P3 President’s profile heritage will welcome the early * P4 Thank you for Ian appointment of a minister for heritage The extraordinary change to the Jack by the new Premier of NSW, Barry delisting process placed in the then * P4 Council agrees to O’Farrell. minister and any future minister’s sole establish heritage discretion the ability to delist State advisory committee The new government has given Heritage Register listed places. * P5 A lone grave on the heritage a voice in cabinet. hillside Australia has a wide variety of heritage * P5 RAHS has new The new Minister for Heritage, Robyn assets and it is vital that our natural, built president Parker who also has responsibility for and cultural heritage is conserved for * P6 At 86 Norman the environment ministry has many future generations. Lindsay designed challenges ahead of her - not the least Springwood crest of which is getting up to speed on the Some might wonder why the Premier * P8 NSW Corps of scope and range of heritage and decided to conjointly appoint Robyn Marines environmental issues in NSW. Parker as the Minister for Heritage and * P9 Convict women the Minister for the Environment then and the female By her own admission the learning taking on some of the responsibilities factories curve is steep, and we should wish her himself. * P11 Educating Hartley well, because, frankly, the state of our ... and not the heritage needs Robyn Parker to Although responsibility for the common moral succeed. environment is an all embracing portfolio, decency of a privy one does not have to go very far to see Prior to the March state election, the the connection between the environment Coalition promised that heritage would and our heritage receive special attention. Much of this was spelt out by the then shadow It is important to recognise we are minister Catherine Cusack when she custodians of the priceless asset of our was guest speaker at a BMACHO World Heritage listed Blue Mountains initiated public meeting. National Park. An asset which is vulnerable not only because of the The pledge to appoint a heritage probability of a catastrophic fire which * P14 25th year for minister to protect historical and would completely destroy its biodiversity; Lithgow Family culturally significant items was only but also by the over incursion of mankind History one of the promises made. with such ventures as hunting, shooting * P15 Dynamic duo to and other activities which will inevitably if ‘call it a day’ Among the other promises was an permitted to occur, damage the very * P15 Turf racing overhaul of the operations of the ecology which makes National Parks connections Heritage Council and to provide such valuable heritage assets. * P15 Patchwork to greater certainty and transparency in The appointment by the NSW Coalition honour ancestors decision making. of a minister for heritage within 10 days * P15 An artist in the The Coalition undertook to reverse the is commendable, but there is still a long gardens previous government’s decision to way to go to redress the long history of * P16 Succesful seminar move the Heritage Office into the deficiencies which has been the lot of * P16 New museums Department of Planning. heritage. The heritage sector will do well advisor to monitor the promises made while the * P17 Sheep and The Heritage Amendment Bill 2009 Coalition was in Opposition to ensure shearing significantly modified the make-up of that heritage gets a better deal.Given * P17 Kurrajong the Heritage Council, removing that there is a voice at the cabinet table, Collections representation from groups such as the heritage sector now needs to speak * P17 Eat history the History Council of NSW. with a loud and clear voice. * P18 Nth Springwood’s earliest orchards The Heritage Bill sent a chill up the John Leary, OAM Past President, * P20 Spire restoration spine of most in the heritage sector Blue Mountains Association of wins National Trust and gave great joy to property Cultural Heritage Organisations Inc. award

HERITAGE 2 May - June 2011 BMACHO HAS A NEW PRESIDENT Despite torrential rain a well attended annual general meeting in March at Everglades saw the retirement after 5 years in office of the BMACHO’s inaugural president John Leary, OAM and the election of the new president, Pamela Smith of the Springwood Historians.

In his annual report the retiring president paid tribute to what he described as ‘a quite unique body of people who have led and directed the association over its first five years.’

He paid particular tribute to Ian Jack, Barrie Reynolds and Peter Stanbury, OAM who had been on the committee since it was first formed. Others who had provided real assistance to the committee Past president, John Leary, OAM welcomes BMACHO’s new president, included Dick Morony, Florence Pamela Smith (left) with secretary Jan Koperberg (centre) at the annual Smart, Joan Kent, Doug Knowles, general meeting held at Everglades, Leura. Photgraph courtesy Dr Peter Jean Arthur, and Kathie McMahon- Stanbury, OAM. Nolf. Jan Koperberg was singled out for special praise for her dedication and effectiveness as secretary President’s profile during the past year. The incoming president of Pamela has a BA (Hons) degree in BMACHO has been a resident of History as well as an Advanced Mr Leary said, “he was grateful he the Blue Mountains for the best part Diploma in Local Family and had had an opportunity to witness of 40 years. Applied History. first hand the incredible energy and dedication of hundreds, nay She enjoyed a long association with Her honours thesis focused on thousands of individuals working Braemar Gallery, Springwood as private education in the Blue voluntarily in so many different ways both co-director and chair of the Mountains, while an earlier thesis and on so many different projects to management committee. dealt with the presence of the protect, conserve and promote the fascist Old Guard Movement in the The first ever Blue Mountains heritage of this country’s wide and Blue Mountains in the 1930s. history conference was organised diverse history.” by Pamela in 2001, with the For several years she tutored The full report has been e-mailed to assistance of John Low (then University of the Third Age groups all members and associates. BMCC local studies librarian), as on aspects of the history of the part of the Centenary of Federation area. The election saw only a few celebrations. She received the changes in the team to lead the Centenary of Federation Medal for She is a member of Springwood organisation in the coming year. her efforts. Historians and was a major Those elected as committee contributor to The Making of a members were; Pamela Smith, Several more were held (until the Mountain Community: a president; Ian Jack, vice president; event was handed over to BMCC Biographical Dictionary of the Jan Koperberg, secretary; Joan library) because the initial Springwood District, and Kent, treasurer; Jean Arthur, Doug conference had been so well collaborated with Shirley Evans on Knowles, John Leary, Kathie received. Remembrance: Springwood District McMahon-Nolf, Dick Morony, Barrie Honor Roll 1914-1919. The initiative was taken up by the Reynolds and Peter Stanbury . local studies section of Penrith City She is currently enrolled in the Pictured below are some of the Council who, since 2002, stages an Master of History degree course at 50 who attend the meeting. event annually. the University of New England, Armidale and has a special interest in non-government private venture schools, local/public history, the Old and New Guard and women’s history, especially women involved in politics and local government.

HERITAGE 3 May - June 2011 Thank you for Ian Jack Council agrees to establish heritage advisory committee Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) at its May meeting has agreed to the establishment of the Blue Mountains Heritage Advisory Committee as a committee of council.

This is indeed a good outcome for BMACHO which has sought to bring The tremendous assistance over He is well known for his work BMCC into line with numerous other many years, given to historical internationally and locally. councils around the country through societies and heritage groups heritage advisory committees throughout NSW and in particular Dr Jack has been a long standing effectively harnessing the wealth of in the Blue Mountains, Lithgow member of the History Department knowledge and expertise in the and Hawkesbury regions by at the University of Sydney and was community to ensure better heritage leading Australian historian, its head for 8 years in the 1990s. policies as well as a more informed Associate Professor Ian Jack has decision making process in heritage been recognised by the Blue He was also Dean of the Faculty of matters at the level of local Mountains Association of Cultural Arts. He has been associated with government. Heritage Organisations Inc. St Andrews College of the (BMACHO). University since 1980, is a senior fellow and responsible for the Although the way is now clear for Dr Jack has contributed his College archives. council to establish this outstanding knowledge to many committee with a number of the voluntary organisations including Dr Peter Stanbury OAM said: “Ian recommendations made by the Royal Australian Historical Jack has been an indefatigable BMACHO having been included in Society from which he which he advocate of the importance of its charter, there are still some has just retired as president. history and heritage in Australia.” issues raised by BMACHO that are BMACHO of which he is vice lacking in the terms of reference for president, the Heritage Council of Ian has many interesting anecdotes the establishment of the committee. about history in the Greater Blue NSW, and the National Trust of The major issue of which is the Mountains area, and he once said: Australia (NSW). infrequency of committee meetings. “Heritage is always willing to talk to However, once the committee is us if we are receptive enough to Speaking at the recent annual established it may be possible to talk to it: handshaking is only the general meeting BMACHO’s have council increase the beginning of communication. Here retiring president, John Leary, frequency. OAM said: “Ian is a consummate in the Blue Mountains, we have endless opportunities for such scholar. His clarity of mind and A more detailed report on the discourse.” communication are recognised proposed committee with be and admired widely. forwarded to BMACHO members in “I know from these anecdotes that the near future. “Ian’s enthusiasm and largeness Ian’s favourite slab hut is the one in Kanimbla Valley built by Peter of spirit inspires all who are The next stage is for council staff to O’Reilly, and immortalised in his interested in the heritage cause.” advertise for people in the son’s book, named, like the hut, community to submit expressions of Cullenbenbong,” Mr Leary said. His academic work is never ending interest in serving on this while he is regularly called upon to committee. It is anticipated that Pictured is Associate Professor lecture and speak on history and there will be 8 - 12 community Ian Jack with Mrs Nanette Leary heritage throughout Australia. members on the committee. presenting him with a painting of Cullenbenbong which she Ian is a prolific writer contributing The process of appointing these painted. to historical journals and writing members from past experience many books could take 3-4 months.

HERITAGE 4 May - June 2011 A LONE GRAVE ON THE HILLSIDE (M.Osterberg-Olsen, 2010)

Eliza Rodd was the daughter of career soldier James Rodd. He fought with the 39th regiment in Canada during the Anglo-American war. The 39th was transferred to France, arriving shortly before the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815. While in France he married Judith Joseph Baudelet and they had two children.

The Regiment was stationed in Ireland from 1819 and then transferred to NSW in 1826. James and Judith Rodd brought their son to New South Wales, but left their four year old daughter Marie-Anne with her grandparents in Chamblain, France as she was thougth too young to make the journey. A member of the 73rd Regiment of Foot re-enactment group looks James Rodd was intially stationed pensively at the grave of 8-month old Eliza Rodd. The grave (1831) now at Parramatta before being listed on the State Heritage Inventory is on the hillside described by promoted to colour sergeant in Governor Lachlan Macquarie as‘one of the finest landscapes of any 1827 and sent to Bathurst. By 1829 country I have yet visited’. Photograph courtesy Ian Jack he was in charge of members of the 39th regiment stationed at Glenroy. Eliza Rodd was born on January 10, RAHS has new president 1831 and baptised by the Anglican After a record 8 years outstanding minister at Bathurst. She was the service as president of the Royal second child born to James and Australian Historical Society Inc., Judith in NSW She died on Professor Ian Jack last month stood September 14, 1831. down from office.

James Rodd was transferred back David Carment (pictured) has been to Sydney with his family at the elected to succeed Ian. David also beginning of 1832 leaving a lone chairs the Royal Australia Historical grave on a hillside overlooking an Society committee that provides a idyllic view and marked lovingly with community forum for discussions professionally crafted head and about commemorating the first footstones. Judith died at Sydney crossings of the Blue Mountains. on April 19, 1832. He is Emeritus Professor of History The 39th Regiment was then at Charles Darwin University in the transferred to India, taking its colour Northern Territory, where he was Northern Territory history and sergeant and his young sons far also Dean of the Faculty of Law, Northern Territory politics. from the lone grave at Glenroy. Business and Arts. David was, Colour Sergeant James Rodd died however, born and brought up in His most recent publications include in India in December 1832, leaving Sydney, where he returned to live in two family histories. 13 year old Ambroise and 6 year old 2006. James junior orphaned. Actively involved throughout his He has strong personal links with career in community and Restoration work and protection of the Blue Mountains, where he is a professional activities, he is a the infant Eliza Rodd’s Grave has frequent visitor. His mother’s family, former president of the Australian been an on-going project of the the Sulmans, had a home in Historical Association, the Historical National Trust of Australia (NSW) - Lawson for many years, and some Society of the Northern Territory and Lithgow Regional Branch since of his closest relations currently live the National Trust of Australia 2007. Repairs and restoration were in Wentworth Falls and Woodford. (Northern Territory) and is president completed in mid 2009. A of the Mosman Historical Society. photograph taken of the site in the He has published extensively in early 1900’s evidences a wood Australian political history, the In 2003, he was made a Member of fence. history of Central Queensland, the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to heritage and history.

HERITAGE 5 May - June 2011 AT 86 NORMAN LINDSAY DESIGNED SPRINGWOOD’S TOWN CREST By Shirley Evans, Springwood Historians It was 1965 and, at last, Springwood was to have a hall! Designed by local architect and World War II veteran, Eric Skarrat, and built by Alec Gall Constructions Pty Ltd, it was begun in February, 1965 and completed in February, 1966.

The people of Springwood had long felt the need for a hall.

William Rayner , one of the earliest general store proprietors, set up his extensive business in about 1877. His store had a large room attached to it and this became known as Rayner’s Hall.

Here despite its inadequate size, most of the meetings and gatherings of the town were held – the Progress Committee, various lodges, political gatherings, the Literary and Debating Club, church services, concerts.

This continued until 1893 when William found he needed the extra space for his business.

Gustav Larsen and his nephew, Axel Bech, Sydney Springwood’s town crest on the wall of Springwood tobacconists, had a holiday home, Elsinore, in Civic Centre. Photograph courtesy John Merriman. Macquarie Rd which had a billiard room and they kindly offered this for community use. The Springwood Chamber of Commerce decided it was a propitious time for the town to have its own coat of The Royal Hotel also hosted meetings. arms which could then be permanently displayed in the new hall. William Honeysett, another general storekeeper, built a fairly large hall (66ft x 30ft) in 1909 which included a Bruce Jackson, son of Joseph Jackson MLA and refreshment room. This burnt down together with the proprietor of the Stonewall Jackson store in Macquarie shops around it in 1921. Rd suggested that respected local artist, Norman Lindsay, who had been a Springwood resident since The Springwood School of Arts was opened in 1913 but 1913 and was still an active creative artist at the age of it was not suitable for dances or balls having only a 86, should be asked to design the coat of arms. library, office space and a large billiard room. The Macquarie Historical Society (now known as the Meetings were sometimes held there but nothing on a Springwood Historical Society) of which Bruce Jackson large scale. was a member enthusiastically adopted the idea and Norman Lindsay agreed to create the design. Both during and after World War I Springwood people began campaigning and fund raising to build a War He painted in water colours a coat of arms with a Memorial Hall but this came to nothing. central figure of a lyre bird with tail spread and crowned with a waratah. In 1923 an open air theatre was built in Macquarie Rd by Harry Williams. Lyre birds were commonly found in the Springwood bush and were actually bred in captivity by Jack Coyle It was known first as the Springwood Theatre, then the who lived in Raymond Rd Springwood in the 1930s. He Plaza and finally the Roxy. had a licence to do so.

It had seating for 450 people and could be used for The waratah was also commonly found in the dances and balls when it was later roofed. Made of Springwood bush and was frequently plundered by corrugated iron, it was not a beautiful building but could tourists to the area. be decorated with a bit of imagination. On one side of the lyre bird was an aboriginal man But now in 1965 the town was actually getting a holding spears who represented the first inhabitants of purpose built, architect designed hall. 1965 also the region and on the other side was a white man happened to be the 150th anniversary of the naming of representing the contribution of explorers to the Blue Springwood by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. Mountains.

HERITAGE 6 May - June 2011 Royal College of Arms did not recognise it as a genuine coat of arms Continued from page 6 the permanence of the colours and Other criticisms were made Underneath was the name quotes were sought from Diana regarding the position of the lyre Springwood on a curved ribbon. Pottery in Marrickville. bird’s tail. Alec Chisholm, noted Considerable research went into the ornithologist, disagreed. devices of the design with the This pottery was probably the most cooperation of the Society of important of the Australian potteries Mr F Walford, a well known Australian Genealogists to conform in the 1960s producing brightly bushman, said that the lyre bird to the rules of Heraldry. coloured ceramics often featuring normally held its tail parallel with the flora and fauna. ground and only occasionally threw However, it could not be regarded it over its head for a very short time. as a genuine coat of arms, the right Lindsay and the pottery artists had for which needed to be granted by consultations regarding the colours Aldermen Hunter and Campbell the Royal College of Arms in and Norman also experimented at moved that the design be displayed London. home, decorating tiles using pen publicly in the Springwood district and ink, watercolours and oils and the public asked to express The Macquarie Historical Society according to Harry McPhee in his approval or disapproval. wrote to the Blue Mountains City Memories of Norman Lindsay. To Council proposing that Lindsay’s set the colour he fired the tiles in his The result showed 702 approvals design “be embodied as a feature in own electric oven. and 24 disapprovals. These votes the front of the building [i.e. the new came from Springwood, Civic Centre], and that it be In addition to the tiled reproduction Faulconbridge, Valley Heights and constructed of some durable for the Springwood Civic Centre the Warrimoo with 23 votes cast from material. design was said by Alderman elsewhere. Powell, a Springwood developer, to “We think that this feature would have been intended for reduction to Diana Pottery quoted £65 for the embellish the new building and, at a size suitable for letterheads etc. work, 36 inches by 30 inches with the same time, relate it to the However, he said, it was not the the Springwood Chamber of outstanding progress of the district intention of the Macquarie Historical Commerce agreeing to meet the from the days of the aborigine and Society or the Springwood Chamber cost. the explorer, to the present state of of Commerce to commercialise the development.” emblem. The Macquarie Historical Society was given the custodianship of the It was thought that executing the When Alderman Powell showed the work. The only problem was the design in tiles by the majolica design to the council, Alderman name “coat of arms”. process would provide a suitably Hunter was not entirely satisfied durable display and would ensure with it, saying he felt it was archaic. The Blue Mountains City Council already had a coat of arms so it was decided to call it the Springwood emblem or crest.

Norman Lindsay was a famous artist so the Sydney newspapers and even an Auckland, New Zealand paper picked up the story. News items were published in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Daily Telegraph, the Sun, and the Mirror.

One Sydney newspaper (title unknown) said: ‘With a display of political brilliance the Blue Mountains City Council appears to have found a formula to resolve the embarrassing case of the Norman Lindsay coat of arms design.’

And later in the item: ‘And so the mountain men have demonstrated how to win and lose at the same Norman Lindsay was better known for controversy surrounding his time.’ painting of nudes and the naked nymphs like this sculpture which still stands in the grounds of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) owned Continued page 8 property, Norman Lindsay Gallery at Faulconbridge.

HERITAGE 7 May - June 2011 ‘Even this innocent work of art, with not a naked lady insight’caused controversy Continued from page 7 the Springwood Historical Society) When Norman Lindsay heard of the by a few groups. controversy he was quite amused. Harry McPhee, his assistant and Early on the Springwood Chamber companion in those later years, said of Commerce had the design in Memoirs of Norman Lindsay 1879 stencilled onto something like firm – 1969 : ‘Even this innocent work of plastic with “Member of the art, with not a naked lady in sight, Springwood Chamber of invited controversy. Commerce” added.

‘Would you believe that some of the One of these was framed and is in A lyre bird. council aldermen disputed the the local studies section of the Blue Blue Mountains City Council position of the lyre bird’s tail. With Mountains City Library. minutes his usual aplomb, he retorted that at Blue Mountains City Library Local his age he didn’t take aldermen very Another is attached to the window Studies Collection seriously and wouldn’t care if they of the Honey Gem Nursery. History of Australian Pottery –http:// threw it in the garbage. He said home.extel.com.au/pottery/pottery/ that generations of critics had been I can find no one with any pottery.htm trying to brain him with their feeding recollection of this initiative. It was McPhee, Harry “Memories of bottles.’ also said in a letter to Mr Keith Norman Lindsay 1870-1969” Wingrove of the National Art Gallery Springwood Civic Centre and He was also quoted as saying: ‘At of South Australia from the Blue Administrative Offices – Official my time of life one does not take Mountains City Council that the Souvenir Programme (for opening) aldermen very seriously. They Springwood Chamber of Commerce Springwood Historical Society came and bothered me to design a has made use of the emblem on minutes crest. It represented about a signs erected on the outskirts of Sydney newspaper, title unknown morning’s work. I don’t care what Springwood bearing the inscription they do with it. I can’t take the Welcome to Springwood. This My thanks to: whole thing seriously.’ remains another mystery. Sue Bourke, Honey Gem Nursery Peter Chinn, president, Springwood And: ‘Heavens, Lord love a duck. More recently the crest is used by Historical Society When I think of all the uproar over the Springwood Historical Society John Merriman, Blue Mountains City my work in the past... now this. I on their letterheads, newsletters Councl - Local Studies Librarian think it’s damn funny; I wouldn’t and calendars. David Moss, Springwood Chamber care a hoot if they put it in the of Commerce The Springwood Chamber of garbage. At my time of life one Pamela Smith, Springwood Commerce has it on their does not take aldermen seriously.’ Historians letterhead. Springwood Sports Club So the tiled and framed work was Amanda Trevillion, manager, The Springwood Sports Club has duly completed and now hangs on Norman Lindsay Gallery. the wall in the Springwood Civic had the design on their badge for Centre facing the entrance which is many years and it is also printed on glassed and has a westerly aspect. their membership card. It decorates a lot of their merchandise – shirts, Despite the hopes for the durability jackets, vests, caps and bowling NSW CORPS of the colours it appears to have cloths. faded and has lost the brightness of OF MARINES the original painting. A history of the club was printed as place mats for the official opening of Gavin Jones a member of the Springwood Historians were their new premises and it is liberally NSW Corps of Marines privileged to view the original which decorated with the crest and they reenactment group will speak on is safely archived at the Norman have recently had the design the original Corps of Marine’s role Lindsay Gallery. It has been stencilled on the glass entrance in colonial history at the June 4 occasionally shown as part of doors. meeting of the Blue Mountains special exhibitions but otherwise is Historical Society. safe from the depredations suffered I think Norman Lindsay would be by the tiled rendition. pleased. He and his colleagues will also present demonstration of I wondered if the Springwood town REFERENCES marching and musket fire. crest had a part in today’s local life Auckland, New Zealand, and was delighted to discover it is Newspaper, title unknown For further information Susan still being used (with the approval of Blue Mountains Advertiser Warmbath 4757 3402.

HERITAGE 8 May - June 2011 Convict women and the female factories By Gay Hendriksen - Curator Parramatta Heritage Centre Convict Female Factory Women In the Old Newgate he observed: There was no thought of female were women transported - The rooms and cells were so close factories in the first 10 years of the transported from one place to as to be almost constant seats of colony, however, there was the another, one life to another, one disease, and sources of infection, to practical need to solve the problem world to another. the destruction of multitudes, not of what to do with the convict only in the prison, but abroad. 1 women once they arrived and a Their stories range from those of substantial number of female machine breakers and displaced Of Folkingham he said: Prison convicts did have spinning skills. farm workers to petty thieves and under the keeper’s house ...5 damp family women just trying to survive. rooms, two are used for a lunatic.... These women were also a strain on by a trapdoor in one of these rooms the government purse. The result An estimated 9,000 convict women you go down 8 steps into a was in 1804 the first convict factory were in the 12 female factories over dungeon... No chimney, small court, in Australia, possibly the world, a period of 52 years -1804 to 1856. no pump, no sewer. Yet a woman began its operations in Parramatta and child at her breast was sent above the men’s gaol. The colonial convict women coming ...the child died.2 to Australia would have been The Convict Female Factory women experiencing and witnessing the As we know for the women, the idea were simply convict women who, for results and meaning of the of transportation would have had a various reasons, spent time in a Agrarian, Industrial and sense of the perilous as well as a convict female factory. This may accompanying social revolution as sense of travelling to new world, simply have been because they well as the implications of the new possibilities, over the oceans to were not assigned at the docks on French Revolution. Some certainly a land of myth. arrival or it may be because they participated in and witnessed the committed an offence in the colony. breaking of the looms in England’s In reality the conditions on board north. were no worse than the gaols in the The treatment and perceptions early period. Later when the ships concerning them were informed by The Irish, Scottish and Welsh in were under government scrutiny the negative notions existing in early some cases would have been journey improved. colonial times. Governor Hunter reacting to the hundreds of years of described the convict women: … British ‘colonising’. Many left family During this early colonial period in disgrace of their sex, are far worse and children never to see them NSW, Britain was a maritime power than the men, and are generally again. and for a considerable time was at found at the bottom of every war with the French. infamous transaction committed in The early transportation journey the colony.3 Later Samuel Marsden began in prisons which had not yet Flax loom and other flax spinning noted the factory as a grand source felt the effects of the great prison equipment were on the list of First of moral corruption, insubordination reformers such as John Howard Fleet supplies. and disease.4 and Elizabeth Fry. At this time flax was discovered in In contrast to these views, Thomas John Howard in 1777 wrote about the colony and experiments with it Reid describes the women as his observations of some of the for maritime purposes were essentially good. While surgeon on prisons he visited. conducted. the ship Morley, said of the convict women who are destined for the Female Factories in Hobart Town and Parramatta: I cannot hesitate but to declare my conviction, that if duly protected, and not exposed to more than common temptation, they will realise the most favourable expectations, and even forever set, an example of propriety to others in their situation. Before disembarking 121 women signed a letter of thanks to Reid for his humanitarian attitude on board the Morley. Continued page 10 Female Factory front entrance at Parramatta circa 1870. Photogaph courtesy Ralph Hawkins, Society of Australian Genealogists.

HERITAGE 9 May - June 2011 Factory women were ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances Continued from page 9 Why are the factory women experiences and nature of these The actual profiles of the women significant to us now? The women has been significant in transported don’t match the significance today is somewhere in forming who we are as Australians. common stereotype at the time, of the spaces between myth and morally degenerate, prostitutes, reality. As Kate Grenville describes in Joan from a crime class, unskilled and makes History: There was not a illiterate. The Australian perceptions of single joy I could feel that countless strength in adversity we can survive Joans had not already felt, not a The majority were not of a crime anything, do anything, mateship, single mistake I could make that class. For over 90% of the women lack of deference to authority and had not been made by some Joan transportation was a result of first or the sense of humour can be tracked before me... and although you may second offences. They were mainly to these convict women and their not think so to look at me, I am the transported for theft. partners. entire history of the globe walking down the street…and like them all I, The women brought over 180 Also these women’s stories provide Joan, have made history5. trades with them, demonstrating the paper on which we can their skills and industry. mythologise, construct stories of (Endnotes) ourselves and our lives. 1 Howard, John The State of the Just over half of the English were Prisons in England and Wales, literate and just under half of the We can rewrite our desires to act William Eyres, Washington 1777, Irish. with strength against adversity and p.173 ‘survive’ with a sense of 2 Howard, John The State of the These facts present quite a different empowerment. In many ways we Prisons in England and Wales, picture to the descriptions of are the stories we tell. William Eyres, Washington 1777, degenerate women with little p.289 chance of reform. The factory women by living their 3 Hunter to Portland, 3 July lives through opportunity in the Historical Records of Australia, The factories were called factories colony were part of a quiet Series 1, Volume 4. p.586 because each was a site of revolution where they taught their 4 Marsden, Samuel Letter from Rev. production. The women produced children and their children’s children Samuel Marsden to Governor spun wool and flax in all the about their rights and equity which th factories. we treasure now. Macquarie 19 July 1815 5 Grenville, Kate Joan Makes There were 13 female factories - Despite little tangible evidence, History University of Queensland Parramatta (2), Bathurst, outside government records, the Press, St Lucia1998, pp.278-279 Newcastle, Port Macquarie (2), About the author - Gay Hendriksen Moreton Bay (2), Hobart Town, Gay Hendriksen is a Blue Georgetown, Cascades, Mountains resident and has Launceston and Ross. worked in the gallery and museum environment for 21 years including The experience in the factories local history museums in varied according to when the Shellharbour and Sydney, Penrith women were in the factory and Regional Gallery, Norman Lindsay which factory they were in. Gallery and Museum and now Parramatta Heritage Centre. The earliest factory still in existence is the Greenway designed She also curated the exhibition Parramatta Female Factory. Women Transported - Life in Australia’s Convict Female This was a Governor Macquarie Factories which has won national initiative and the second factory in and state awards in excellence the country. Over half of the factory and is currently touring 5 states. women experienced the Parramatta Last month she presented a paper Female Factories. at the Blue Mountains Family She is also currently president of History Seminar. the Parramatta Female Factory The factory women were ordinary Readers are invited to view the Action Group which has the aim of women in extraordinary Parramatta Female Factory Action saving the Greenway designed circumstances. Group’s website and take a tour Parramatta Female Factory which with experts on the history and was commissioned by Governor They became the business women, significance of this part of our Macquarie and making it farmers, mothers, teachers and Australian Heritage. available for all to experience. workers that formed Australia. www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/ savethefemale factory/o/2

HERITAGE 10 May - June 2011 Educating Hartley ... and ‘not the common moral decency of a privy’ By Joan Kent When the Hartley Public School Conditions were opened its doors in 1869, Hartley originally quite was a small village developed primitive; one around the 1837 stone court house early teacher to service the new police district, complaining that catering for the increasing there was ‘No population west of the Blue provision for any Mountains and enabling authorities kind of water. It to keep track of assigned convicts. had to be begged’, and ‘not the common In the early 1840s there were three moral decency of inns in the village which also a privy’. functioned as a staging post between the gaols at Bathurst and Sydney when prisoners were being Under the escorted on foot between the two recently locations. established National School Scheme, Most residents initially lived in teachers were rudimentary slab huts on small required to have cleared lots, on which they attended the produced potatoes, wheat and hay model school in for local consumption and to feed Sydney and to be travellers and their stock en route supervised by a for destinations further west. board of local patrons. A half-time school the teacher alternated between However, apart from an increasing two schools, sometimes on a daily basis. number of inns and small However, a small denominational the Church of England’ [St. John the agricultural holdings, amenities school had earlier been established Evangelist] being in fact a separate were meagre and the population in Hartley during the construction of part of a group of buildings formerly often transitory. By the 1850s and St Bernard’s Roman Catholic The Royal Hotel then rented and ‘60s both the Catholic and Anglican Church and Presbytery (1842-1848) occupied by the Church of England churches had been established - by 1855 it was reported that 37 Minister (Rev RH Mayne) and ‘given within the village and it was within pupils were in attendance. up by him for the purpose.’ this religious sphere that most rudimentary education was The school comprised a From the late 1860s until 1886, the provided. schoolroom and residence of former Royal Hotel was rented as plastered vertical wooden slabs the rectory and while it appears that The first public schooling available under one roof. the building used as a school was to children living west of the Blue attached to the former inn, the exact location is not known. Mountains was provided by the The number of pupils declined in National School at Bowenfels (then the 1860s, possibly because of the known as Hassans Walls) roughly setting up of a second There were a number of small halfway between Hartley and denominational school by the private schools in the Little Hartley Lithgow. Church of England, in an area in the mid to late 19th century atmosphere of increasing when ‘dame schools’ were often It was a small settlement served by sectarianism. conducted from private homes and the Eagle and Child Inn and rented premises, unfortunately established on the site of an earlier leaving us little evidence of their Although there is now no evidence existence. stockade for troopers and convicts of the Catholic School building, both en route to Bathurst. church and presbytery still stand in a sound and admirable condition. It is however known that before The schoolhouse and residence for 1900 a private school was run by Mr the school’s master and mistress, and Miss Young in a small cottage In 1868 the school inspector had of pit sawn timbers and handmade built in 1851, still stand, together noted the existence of an Anglican with a further stone building built in nails, adjacent to the produce store School, being ‘at the Sydney on the highway, where it remains. 1866. entrance of the township...opposite

HERITAGE 11 May - June 2011 Children “in a desperate state of ignorance” Continued from page 11 Another, only recently demolished, operated from a cottage behind ‘Bonnie Blink’, the stately 1870s’ home in Bonnie Blink Drive.

The impetus for an extension of educational facilities was afforded by the passage of the Public Schools Act, 1866 whereby the Council of Education could take over all types of public schools and grant aid to certified denominational schools.

If the school complied, the Council A view of the Hartley Public School. Holterman Collection c.1871-75. of Education paid the teacher’s Source: ML Home & Away Videolink Still 38736. salary and supplied ‘school materials’, often helping with fearing that if he left his pupils for a The Hartley district however building maintenance. full day, they would very likely go to continued to grow - the railway the Catholic school, substantially linking Sydney with Bathurst had The discovery of gold in the reducing his salary which was paid reached Mt Victoria by 1868 and Bathurst area the previous decade by a £60 contribution from the began the torturous descent into had resulted in a booming Hartley Council of Eucation and from fees Lithgow, via the Darling Causeway, economy - the inns were always full paid by the children. Bell and the Zig Zag, opening in with a constant flow of travellers 1869. intent on making their fortunes There were 21 children at Hartley affording many opportunities for (some were 18 years old!) with 27 The rail link allowed exploitation of skilled and semi-skilled labour. children at Dudawarra. Blyth the coal deposits of Lithgow Valley commented that they were ‘in a and Wallerawang and the On June 24, 1868 a number of local desperate state of ignorance’, a development of Lithgow’s Hartley residents applied to the situation he hoped to improve with secondary industries and the Education Council to change their the aid of a blackboard and easel. central western pastoral industry. present Anglican denominational school into a provisional one. This basic request was however For the Hartley Valley it was vital in However, the regional inspector initially refused as ‘not really the development of the oil-shale decided that a provisional school necessary’ by William Wilkins, mining and retorting industries was not warranted and that Hartley secretary of the Council of which began in Hartley Vale in the should become a half-time school in Education and hailed as one of the second half of 1865, utilising the rail tandem with the Dudawarra School foremost colonial educators of the line via a steep incline up an almost 8 miles away. 19th century, but he finally acceded vertical face from the floor of to the request with the intervention Hartley Valley to the Sydney rail link of the local inspector. on the Darling Causeway. In a half-time school the teacher alternated between two schools, sometimes on a daily basis; or The poor standard or indeed the With the rapid growth in the teaching at one school in the total lack of education in outlying population of Hartley Valley, the Rev morning and the other in the areas of rural districts was a Mayne approached the Council of afternoon. This suggestion received constant observation of educators Education for assistance in support from the Council of for the last half of the nineteenth removing the school into more Education and the necessary century and much of the early appropriate accommodation. arrangements were put in place. twentieth century. Two acres for a school site had Mr H Blyth, then the teacher of This was not always helped by already been donated in the Hartley Eurobodalla School, arrived in some poorly trained or inadequate Village and Rev Mayne had Hartley to teach in the now public teachers. arranged for the purchase of a schools, each morning at Hartley building formerly used by the and each afternoon at Dudawarra, fettlers working on the Great However within a year of his even though it involved a daily Western Line extension at One Tree appointment, Mr Blyth left the horse ride of 16 miles. Hill (later Mt Victoria) as a school district - and his replacement’s for their children. tenure was equally short. Continued page 13 Blyth considered this necessary,

HERITAGE 12 May - June 2011 Rules saw sale for £5 of One Tree Hill school building fall through Continued from page 12 possible, still fearing that some the corner of the Great Western As the railway gangs and their children would be lost to the Highway and Mid-Hartley Road and families were moving on, all that Catholic school in Hartley or the again removing and re-erecting the was asked of the Council of private school in Little Hartley building from One Tree Hill to Education was aid in moving the continue its function as the fettlers’ building down into the schoolhouse. Hartley Valley. A local committee responsible for the upkeep and general supervision of the school had been formed By 1875 this building required Inspector McCredie was consisting of the Rev Mayne and repairs – new sheets of bark, enthusiastic about the offer but the members carefully chosen by thoroughly cleaned and dressed, early in 1870 Rev Mayne advised religious affiliation, five Anglicans and supported by 12' saplings, that although he had agreed to buy and one Presbyterian. replaced the old bark. the school building at One Tree Hill for £5, the two acre site in Hartley Village had been donated Originally fees were set at the rate The chimney was bricked inside specifically to the Church of of 6d per child per week but this with a ‘tin’ exterior and a two-rail 5' England and the Council of was increased almost immediately paling fence kept out stray animals, Education was forbidden under its’ to 1/- a week for the first child and goats then as now proving a regulations to endorse the siting of 6d each per week for any other considerable nuisance. the building on it. children in the family – quite a financial burden considering the But despite the repairs, it was size of 19th century families. The Council of Education could apparent that a new building was however grant aid to the school if it required. The Council of Education was a provisional (full-time) school, Events took an unexpected turn at first declined to act due to limited so the Reverend Mayne informed when in August 1871, a member of finances, but in May 1880 the local the council that the local residents the school committee, James Cale school board laid before the council would be entirely responsible for advised the Council of Education the reasons why a new building was moving the newly purchased that he was soon to leave the necessary – the school was in a building and would then apply for Hartley district and offered his ‘ruinous and dangerous state’, aid for a provisional school. eleven acres of land and a six- made only ‘of bark and boards’, roomed house to the council for formerly the accommodation for the £45, an offer immediately accepted. ‘use of the navvies’ children when By May 1870, all had been making the railway line...and accomplished and in July the One removed here about 10 years ago The building was approximately 40' Tree Hill building had been and was only temporary when put by 20' with a bark roof, and was re-erected and all was in place to up’. They declared it to be ‘positive eventually to serve as the residence welcome the 32 children who were cruelty to send children to such a for the teacher and his family. promised to attend. barn as all other parts had good schools’. McCredie was anxious to see the It did however involve the relocation of the school to its present site on school operating as soon as Towards the end of 1881 construction had begun by Messrs. Armstrong & Armstrong of Hartley Vale on a fine new brick building which still stands in situ. The old schoolroom remarkably was sold for £5/10/-.

There has been a good deal of confusion regarding the early buildings, their location and history, but it is now clear that the schoolmaster’s house, formerly the original dwelling on the eleven acres purchased in 1871, stood empty for many years after 1911 when it was decided that as the attendance was unlikely to increase, the expenditure of £161 Hartley Court House around which the village developed. Photograph by on maintenance was not warranted. John Leary,OAM - October 2009. Continued page 14

HERITAGE 13 May - June 2011 Hartley School finally closes in 1971 Continued from page 13 1960s by asbestos cement sheets. It continues the function of the Old It was considered preferable to Latterly it has undergone a program Hartley School as a meeting place appoint a single man as of conservation and maintenance, and focus for the community. schoolmaster who could find including the reinstatement of accommodation in the Hartley or external weatherboards which had Endnotes: Hartley Vale villages. been removed and re-used to line Merle Peters, Sketchbook to Hartley the internal walls of the ‘new’ Hartley Historic Site – Conservation garage. Thereafter married teachers often Management Plan, pp45-111 occupied the school residence in Hartley Historic Site – Landscape Hartley Vale when it was not Hartley School continued to Conservation Plan 2006 required for Hartley Vale School. operate, apart from two years Jim Fletcher, The History of Hartley during World War 2, finally closing Public School 1869-1911, booklet its doors in April 1971 following the reprinted August 1969 In 1939 the schoolmaster’s significant decision by the then R Ian Jack, Heritage Study: City of residence was moved to Hartley Department of Education to close Greater Lithgow Draft Thematic Village, functioning firstly as a many small rural schools and ‘bus’ History, September 1996 residence and workshop operated students to larger centres, in this Website: Centre for Learning by EA Corney & Sons. case Lithgow. Innovation - Early History Iris Paridaens & Steve Roach, When a new and more substantial Lithgow and Hartley Valley However, the tradition of building building was constructed post World Sketchbook, 1978 removal and re-erection continued War 2, the old building, afterwards SANSW, NRS 12419 Public Works when the present recreation hall known as Corney’s Cottage, was Special Bundles, 1846-1963 was moved to the school site from relocated to a site below Corney’s SANSW, Public Works, Hartley Historic Village on June 3, Garage. Correspondence 1877 [2/1894 part]. 1974 during the realignment of the Great Western Highway through Now mounted on brick piers, the Hartley. weatherboards were replaced in the 25th year celebrations for Lithgow Family History Society The Lithgow Family History Society afternoon was the awarding of life Inc. celebrated it’s 25th anniversary membership to Kathleen Brennan since foundation with a well for her outstanding work as librarian attended function. a position she has held for 22 years. Pictured are some of those One of the highlights of the attending the luncheon.

Secretary Laurie Cook and treasurer Margaret Buckley.

Margaret and John Buckley.

Foundation members who were present at the luncheon - back: Jan Saundercock, Sandra Haley, Jean Perry, Phyllis Mason, Neville Morgan, and Laurie Cook - seated; Fay Hasler,Thelma Draper, Eleanor Martin, Neville Morgan and Hilda and Helen Taylor. Kirkwood.

HERITAGE 14 May - June 2011 TURF RACING Dynamic duo to ‘call it a day’ CONNECTIONS The energetic In the last issue of HERITAGE an and very article by John Broadley president personable of the Mudgee Historical Society couple who as Inc. appeared about the connections between early Mudgee president and and the turf racing industry. secretary have successfully led BMACHO’s secretary, Jan the Kurrajong – Koperberg has a distant connection Comleroy with Poseidon a horse from Historical Society Mudgee which won the Melbourne for a number of Cup in 1906. years have Jan advises that her mother’s announced they second cousin, Tommy Clayton, will not seek re- won the Caulfield Cup and election to the Melbourne Cup in 1906, thanks to committee. Poseidon. The society’s “It was a first for the double. Poseidon and Tommy Clayton won president, Frank the Caulfield Cup again in 1907, Holland and another first for two Caulfield Cups secretary, Valerie in a row,” Jan said Holland have indicated they will “Tommy died in 1909 from injuries not be available received in a 12 horse fall when Valerie and Frank Holland at the Lachlan Macquarie riding “All Blue” in the Trial Stakes for office at the bicentenary dinner last December. at Rosehill. elections to be held during the society’s annual bicentenary of Lachlan Macquarie’s “He was only 29 and died before my general meeting in September. visit to the district was an mother was born. outstanding success with well over The Kurrajong-Comleroy 120 guests in attendance. “Although he was my mother’s Historical Society is one of the second cousin, he was born the same year as my mother’s mother. largest and most active historical The guest of honour was the Tommy was on my mother’s father’s societies in the region. Governor of NSW, Professor Marie side,” says Jan. Bashir, AC, CVO. Much of the success in the short decade history of the society has Announcing their decision, Frank PATCHWORK been because of Frank and Val’s said: The time has come where we ability to encourage others in the will shortly need to make some TO HONOUR community to give of their best. lifestyle decisions that will require a ANCESTORS good deal of our time and we will The society has held regular not be in a position to give the Members of Lithgow and District annual dinners. The formal dinner society the attention it deserves.” Family History Society are currently last December to mark the designing a wall hanger which will be made up of 7 inch calico squares and will have embroidered on them An artist in the gardens the names of their pioneer ancestors. An exhibition by local artist, Alison Also available is Alison’s much Jane Rice is to commemorate the anticipated children’s book The The squares will be sewn into a opening of the upgraded gallery at Legend of Prince Farty Barty & His patchwork wall hanger to be Everglades. Sacred Bum Bum Tree displayed at the Lithgow Library Learning Centre for Heritage Week. The exhibition will be open on The exhibition will also open Sunday, June 12 between 10am weekends and during the week by It will then be available for display at and 4pm appointment. Cost: adult $8, all the society’s functions. concession $6, child $4. Her works celebrate the persistence of nature in capturing and For further information 4784 1938

luxuriating in what will always belong to the earth.

HERITAGE 15 May - June 2011 Successful New museum advisor Blue Mountains City Council has been successful in gaining a seminar further year’s funding to deliver a Boat People – 1788 to 1922 was a part time museum advisory successful seminar held by Blue service. Mountains Family History Society last month at Springwood. The role of museum advisor has been taken over by Lynn Collins, About 50 people attended the who brings with him relevant seminar, made up of members from experience in historic houses and the Blue Mountains district and museums, coupled with a strong interested family historians and art practice historians from other areas. Lynn has also recently been Christine Yeats, manager, public engaged as museum advisor to access, State Records NSW, spoke Lithgow City Council and this will about Convicts and Colonists: An help strengthen the networks overview of the boat people 1788 – between museums across a large 1922. part of BMACHO’s constituency. Lynn Collins Gay Hendriksen, curator and The Museums and Galleries roles at the Jam Factory Crafts author, chose for her topic, The website which registers Training Workshops and Crafts sweet, the sour, the seditious...and consultants states: “With a diverse Council of South Australia (1982- the swashbuckling. From British background in education, the 1989); through broad experiences prison to the shores of NSW and visual arts and museum sectors, in teaching from primary through to the convict female factory, women Lynn Collins is both an enthusiast tertiary levels (1965-1980); and met the challenges of and pragmatist in negotiating from 40 years as a practicing visual transportation. progressive, expressive arts artist. ventures and local history projects, Ray Thorburn OAM spoke about the raising community awareness, “As the regular visual arts-crafts Scottish passages, the different operational standards and support commentator with the Adelaide waves of people brought from for arts enterprises in the process. Advertiser (1984-1989) then with Scotland by various schemes, why various, mostly populist journals, he they came, their journeys, where “He is a good listener who enjoys promotes excellence and diversity they settled and what they did for a creative, collaborative ventures in the arts, and also encourages living. applying exacting standards strategic, relevant, cross- accumulated from 16 years as a disciplinary partnerships.” After lunch Jim Low, singer/ curator and manager at six sites songwriter/author entertained the with the Historic Houses Trust of Lynn replaces Shar Jones who has group with songs he has written New South Wales (1990-2005); resigned after a lengthy absence about Australia. preceded by executive-directorial and continued ill health.

The last speaker of the day was Gary Luke from the Australian Jewish Historical Society. Gary spoke about European and Jewish immigration. Contributed by Jan Koperberg, president, BMFHS

Ray Thorburn, OAM spoke about the different waves of people who came from Scotland. Ray was appointed founding director of Christine Yeats, manager, public the Australian Genealogical access, State Records of NSW Education Centre at Kiama in and Ian Kendall, Blue Mountains Gay Hendriksen, Curator, 1988, retiring in November, 2006. Family History’s treasurer and Parramatta Heritage Centre. master of ceremonies for the day.

HERITAGE 16 May - June 2011 Sheep and Kurrajong Collections Shearing Kurrajong Collections is the Kurrajong-Comleroy Historical Their Evolution and Society’s second pictorial coffee Contribution to table book. Australia It includes selections from The Woodhill Collection (circa 1890- 1900s) held by the Mitchell Library.

The University of Sydney archives contributed an image circa 1863, possibly amongst the first photographs taken in the area, and Mount Tomah Botanic Garden provided images from “The reveal the changing face of Jungle”. Kurrajong, a small village about an hour north west of Sydney, at Other images from the National the foothills of the Blue Mountains Library Collection give an insight … Kurrajong Collections is an Sheep and Shearing, self published into the eccentric William Hardy important work today. In another by Robert Ellis takes a broad Wilson’s vision for Kurrajong century, it will provide a trail to overview of the sheep industry over follow for our great grand children, the years culminating in the industry Other unpublished photographs directing them not only to a life in today that encompasses some of were provided from the society’s Kurrajong in the 19th and early 20th the best wool and prime lamb collection, contributed by century, but also to how we available in the world. members and friends. viewed the past through our 21st century eyes. The ups and downs of the wool In his foreword to this edition, Alan industry certainly mirror Australia’s Davies, curator of photographs at This book brings history just a harsh climate as well as the the State Library of New South little closer within reach.” personal likes and dislikes of Wales writes: “…This wonderful individuals who played a major part evocative book brings together an To order send a cheque to in the development of the breed of important collection of historical Kurrajong-Comleroy Historical sheep over the past 200 years. photographs from the Mitchell Society PO Box 174 Kurmond Library and other sources, to rrp $28 plus $5 postage. Ellis has written about the influence on blood lines by the Macarthurs, Merrimans, Faulkners and some of EAT HISTORY the lesser known successful breeders History Week theme 2011 Wool has played a major role in the financial prosperity of Australian The theme for History Week 2011 professional history, highlighting its society as well as the social fabric will be EAT History. History Week role in our cultural life and inviting of our country. 2011 to be held September 3-11 will people to get involved. bring to the table the edible, The book covers the role played by appetising and tasty history of food. During History Week, community early squatters, shearers, Who ate what and where in the groups, local councils, libraries, shepherds, drovers, bullock drivers, past? How did we cook and where archives, museums, universities, cameleers and donkey drivers who did our food come from? cultural institutions, professional brought the wool bales to rail heads and amateur historians across NSW or barge loading sites. Finally he History Week 2011 will be a open their doors to present the covers the history of sheep dogs smorgasbord of delectable delights! latest in today’s historical research - fascinating stories, artefacts and The range of photographs in this History Week was initiated by the experiences about both our past book gives a pictorial history of the History Council of NSW in 1997 to and ourselves today. breeds, the shearing equipment and showcase the rich, diverse history the transport of wool bales from the being produced by organisations For more information and ideas for outback by camel to river barges. and individuals across the state. activities visit http:// www.historycouncilnsw.org.au/ Available by enquiry to Mrs With over 200 events across NSW, history-week/history-week McMahon-Noff at e-mail History Week is about celebrating [email protected] the best in community and

HERITAGE 17 May - June 2011 North Springwood’s earliest orchards thrived with ideal climate, rainfall and soil By Lindsay Paish, Springwood Historians North Springwood had an advantage over the traditional farming areas around Sydney because the climate is tolerable in summer and winter.

The average rainfall of about 125mm falls in autumn and spring provides ideal growing conditions for all types of produce, particularly fruit.

The soil derives from an outcropping of Wianamatta Shale that extends along the crest of the ridge from Springwood to Winmalee, providing a reasonable amount of fertility but with a harsh clay sub-soil. Soils around Hawkesbury Heights and Yellow Rock tend to be leached sandstone that is not nearly as rich. Grapes being grown on trellises at the Greenheys orchard. Elisha Wiggins is in the foreground, circa 1880s - 1890s. Photograph courtesy The early explorers first noted Blue Mountains City Council Local Studies Image files. evidence of the fertility of the area, The larger farms however, NSW Department of Agriculture, and the ‘woods,’ as described by concentrated on earning a living studied and experimented with Blaxland and Macquarie, which from the land and the orchardists chemical fertilisers on his White clearly defined the limits of the good developed areas for fruit growing Cross property. soil. with great success. He concluded that if applied in the Such evidence is still apparent in Being virgin country isolated from proper manner, chemicals were the forests of Blue Gum Eucalyptus the other horticultural areas, they productive of great and lasting deanei and Ironbark around the produced some of the finest fruit for good, but warned that the land must Blue Mountains City Council depot the Sydney market; top quality be fully tested so that its wants may and Buckland Village and in many disease free apples, stone fruit – be supplied without waste of places along Hawkesbury Road. even persimmons – and some of chemicals. the healthiest profitable citrus After the first flush of expansion orchards in NSW. Present day trends however, lean westward from Sydney, following towards a more conservative the crossing of the mountains in These areas declined however, approach away from chemicals 1813, development took place in after World War 1, because of the toward a more organic method Springwood with the advent of the growth of Batlow and the North similar to what Ellison originally railway in 1864. Coast orchard areas together with used. improved transport for the produce. However, it was not until the late Many of the original properties had 1880s and early 1890s that viable Passionfruit produced in the area small orchards; Buckland Hospital farming developed in the North still held pride of place at the provided fresh fruit for its patients Springwood area. In all, about Sydney markets up to the end of the and the tuberculosis hospital, fifteen farms extended along the World War 2. The area produced Lynton Lodge, had a number of length of Hawkesbury Road and at the finest and earliest fruit for the trees. Cordingley’s farm, ultimately Yellow Rock. market. Bill Morgan’s, had an orchard in conjunction with his poultry farm. Initially, the pioneers who took up Despite the relatively good soils, land established orchards as a there was a need for good The White Cross property of the matter of course and most notable husbandry. It has been recorded McCredie family (owned later by was J.T. Ellison and Honore Marie. that Ellison successfully treated his Jack Walsh and now the Winmalee orchard by mulching and enriching Shopping Centre) also had a fair In these early days, everyone who with yearly supplies of fresh soil but sized orchard associated with a came as residents of the area no manure. poultry farm. There is little doubt; established a few fruit trees and a most residents in the area grew a chook yard to supply the everyday Similarly, Henry Charles Lennox reasonable array of fruit trees. needs of the household. Anderson, one-time director of Continued page 19

HERITAGE 18 May - June 2011 A lone pear tree near the 18th hole Continued from page 18 The next orchard along Hawkesbury ‘Hiawatha.’ In conjunction with the The first orchard along Hawkesbury Road was located north of the golf development of the land, he Road, owned by J.T. Ellison, was links on what is known as the Golf established an orchard at the rear located on the present day Links Estate. The property was of the house in the location of the Springwood Golf Club. developed by GA Lloyd in 1920 and present-day football ovals. was eventually acquired by the Ellison, born July 25, 1841, Bennett family, who, much later, ran Further along Hawkesbury Road, purchased land in Springwood in a pig farm on the area. where the present-day Winmalee 1872 at a cost of £1 ($2) an acre. High School now stands, Honore Samuel Lees, one-time mayor of Marie built a small cottage known Ellison farmed about 130 acres with Sydney, purchased the property of as ‘Bombanoi’ and planted a some crops and a dairy but his William Lawson (the explorer) which vineyard. No doubt many a fine principal pursuit was a 20 acre later became St. Columba’s vintage was produced from his orchard on which he developed College. vines. Marie had been the head oranges and summer fruits. warder of a prison in Noumea. He attempted to sub-divide the By 1891, he was receiving much land, selling 7 acres to William He also owned land opposite the public attention for the excellence of Ipkendanz in 1894. Ipkendanz Turnbull Estate and after the land his produce and his success was developed an orchard on the site had changed hands a number of marked by the dispatch of many and built ‘Elmhurst.’ times, George Mills became the cases of his oranges to inland owner. He established an orchard. towns. The property was eventually Nellie, one of his daughters, acquired by the Catholic Diocese in became Mrs Stan Goddard, an old This success did not come without a the early part of the 20th century. North Springwood identity. lot of effort. In 1889, he was so Today, St Thomas Aquinas Primary troubled by attacks on his fruit by School occupies the front portion of Finally, the land opposite Simpson’s flying fox that he was forced to erect the property, while the high school Cottage (the present-day stone ruin a 15’ high fence with a network of is located in the old college at the top of the hill just before the wires that covered the whole buildings to the rear. Hawkesbury Lookout) was taken up orchard. by Annie Wheatley. Adjoining the college grounds another orchard was developed by Annie, her husband and Tom Berry R Stefansson in 1920 on the land conducted a store in Springwood now covered by Paulwood Avenue. (present-day Springwood Mall) and The old cottage ‘Sulitelma’ still ran the North Springwood land as stands fronting Hawkesbury Road. an apple orchard.

In 1920, James Wood acquired the Jo Booker took up land right out at land on the corner of Halcyon the lookout with the aim of Avenue and Hawkesbury Road then developing a passionfruit orchard owned by Irwin Turnbull of Windsor. because the Springwood area was Wood established a large citrus so conducive to orcharding. The orchard and the trees were still project never eventuated due to the evident in the early 1950s. advent of drought and the war.

The Hawkesbury Road was not Passionfruit was also the main always a smooth well-formed road farming activity in the Yellow Rock and in earlier times it was described area where some of the best fruit as a disaster because the surface was produced for the Sydney was constantly breaking up. market.

No cars or trucks used the road In 1880, William Rayner was the John Ellison and his wife when the first orchardists arrived; to first to set up in the area and built Hannah. Photograph courtesy Blue get their produce to Sydney they the cottage ‘Evandale.’ The family Mountains City Council Local Studies harnessed the horse and cart, also ran a store in Springwood. Image files. loaded their fruit, and set off for Springwood Station. The journey The property was managed by He also battled the weather; a wind often took over an hour each way Elisha Wiggins, an apiarist from storm in December 1890 did so along what was little more than a Bee Farm Road Springwood. The much damage that the ground was rough potholed track. Evandale orchard produced some literally covered with young fallen of the finest disease free apples fruit. The only reminder of Ellison’s Norton Neave of Larke, Neave and and many other varieties of fruit endeavour is a lone pear tree near Hoskins, car distributors, purchased including persimmons, which were the 18th hole. land which is now Summerhayes said to be a ‘treat to behold.’ Park and built the cottage Continued page 20

HERITAGE 19 May - June 2011 Loss of life as bushfires destroy farms Continued from page 19 At one stage Rayner established a nursery and issued a neat little catalogue of fruit trees and vines. The property was finally owned by Jo Amarous who continued passionfruit farming after World War 2.

Closer in to Singles Ridge Road an Andrews family also ran a profitable passionfruit farm. Both properties were eventually purchased by Newports who developed the area as a nursery complex.

The soil, climate, and rainfall was also suitable for nurseries and in the period 1970 - 1980 North Springwood (now Winmalee) had approximately ten flourishing nursery businesses. William Ipkendanz developed an orchard and built Elmhurst (pictured) in the mid 1890s. Photograph courtesy of Blue Mountains City Council Local In 1918, RV Purvines, a relative of Studies Image file. the Baxter family, held a large block He also grew vegetables for the Although the land is still capable of of land at the end of what is now Sydney market. producing good quality produce, the known as Purvines Road. He set tide of residential development has up a small farm and began growing James only had one arm, losing the overtaken the area. The land now passionfruit. other in a shooting accident. grows homes not fruit while in some areas hobby farmers play at life on The farm was all but wiped out and He had eight sons including Harold, the land Mrs Purvines died during the Warwick and Norman, who bushfires of 1951. The only son operated a timber mill and were all Bob remained to redevelop the farm well known in the area as champion About the author with wife Terry. axemen. The author, 85 year old Lindsay Paish is a former Forestry The only bushfire fighting The next orchard in the Yellow Rock Department cartographer, now equipment in the area in those days area was owned by the Fuller family member of the Springwood Histori- was an old Bedford truck owned by who grew passionfruit, and a fine ans. Although now not in the best of Reg Wheatley that carried a ‘ship’s’ collection of summer fruits including health he wrote this article several square tank of water on the back. peaches, pears and plums. It was years ago and knows the area of reputed to be the best orchard in Springwood and its farms from long The lack of a volunteer bushfire the area. experience. brigade meant that protection of property was largely left up to the On the north, next door to the Fuller He has previously contributed to residents who did their best with family, was the property of Holyer HERITAGE with an article on what they had. Fog. In the early 1930s, during the Lieutenant William Dawes who has depression, Holyer Fog sent 500 been credited with being the first Just after Rayner began his farming cases of passionfruit to market and white man on the Blue Mountains enterprise, an English migrant by received just £25. Around the same drawing a map of the area in 1791. the name of DW Parker took up time the jam manufacturers were land adjacent to the present only paying sixpence for a chaff bag Old barns in Illingworth Road and set it up as an full of passionfruit . orchard. the A large number of people were His farming venture didn’t last long - involved in orcharding during the Hawkesbury due to the illness of his wife – but hey-days of North Springwood as ‘Old Barns of the Hawkesbury’ he started the first post office in well as a number of vegetable will be the subject about which North Springwood (now Winmalee), gardens, poultry farms and dairies. Graham and Carol Edds will on the corner of Singles Ridge and Gradually, however, the viability of speak at the next meeting of these farms decreased and Hawkesbury Roads. Kurrajong-Comleroy Historical ultimately fell into disuse when they Society on Monday, May 23. James Baxter took up his land in were forced to compete with 1890 and was one of the first to produce from the North Coast and establish a viable passionfruit farm. inland and with a steady influx of For further information pests and disease. [email protected]

HERITAGE 20 May - June 2011 Spire restoration wins National Trust award Renovation of the spire of St James The restorers used similar Church, Sydney in continuous use techniques to the convicts. It was since February 11, 1824 was too costly to close streets during recognised in the National Trust restoration so scaffolding was built Heritage 2011 awards last month. up to and around the spire.

Restorers found ordinance marks The deterioration of the framework on the orb and cross, probably of the orb and cross meant it could stamped into the copper by the not be repaired in place so ropes convicts who built the church and pulleys were used to lower the assembly. The St James Church restoration cost $1.3 million. Funded by Restorers then worked on the orb donations and grants, it took a year and cross by hand. There was no to complete. machinery.

“There wasn’t anything about this The timber sarking beneath the project that came easily or simply,” copper of the spire was repaired said Greg Brown, a principal of the and new copper used, with the Sydney Restoration Company (a patterns of the original work ceremonial costume. The church small Sydney firm also engaged to replicated. has also been associated with the do restoration work at Wynstay, Mt most distinguished Order of St Wilson). Although not the first Anglican Michael and St George since 1950. church in the colony, St James is “But it was extremely pleasurable. now the oldest church in the Sydney Source: To be able to put your hands on an CBD. It is in this church, the http://:www.sydneyrestoration.com.au, ordinance mark from the 1820s … I beginning of the legal year is http://en.wikipedia.org.wiki St._James don’t know that I’ll ever get to do a marked with a service attended by _Church,_Sydney, The Sydney Morning job like this again,” Mr Brown said. the Supreme Court justices in Herald April 5, 2011 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 May - June 2011