NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA Heritage in Trust
(ACT)
May 2014
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The Hanbury Gardens: La Mortola Last year, ACT National Trust members John and Esther Tucker undertook an eight-day tour of “Exceptional Gardens of Menton and the Cote d’Azur”. Among the gardens visited was La Mortola, also known as the Hanbury Gardens, on the Italian Riviera, not far from the border between Italy and France1. John brought the property to our attention and this article is the result. La Mortola was created by a wealthy Englishman, Thomas Hanbury, who is also known for purchasing and donating Wisley to the Royal Horticultural Society in England. In 1960 La Mortola was sold to the Italian government and in 2006 it applied to UNESCO for the property to be listed as a World Heritage site. Despite the change in ownership, Carolyn Hanbury, the wife of Thomas Hanbury’s great grandson, still lives at La Mortola and is actively engaged with the 150 year old garden. In her article, Carolyn describes the genesis of the garden, its trials and tribulations, and the challenges it faces currently.
Thomas Hanbury began his garden on the Italian Riviera in 1867. He was born in 1832, the fourth child of seven in a Quaker family. At the age of 20 he set out to make his fortune trading in Shanghai. He left China in 1866 at the age of 34, an exceptionally wealthy man. However his health had suffered so he travelled on holiday to the French Riviera with his elder brother Daniel. From a boat he saw the rocky sparse promontory of La Mortola. Thomas recorded: “my heart moved within me ”. He purchased the point comprising 18 hectares (44 acres) in May 1867. He and Daniel recognized that the micro climate at La Mortola had great potential for acclimatizing subtropical plants. Daniel was a pharmacist, and plants and their medical properties formed the foundation of his livelihood. He had a vast wealth of botanical and
horticultural knowledge as well as global access to botanical institutions. Thomas was not a botanist, but he created a beautiful and historic garden with a good botanical collection and a strong horticultural tradition. It was also a place where the glory of God was reflected, in true Quaker spirit.
Inside From the President Heritage Diary Heritage Happenings Travels with the Trust Heritage Festival wrap-up Support the Trust
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From the editors Welcome to the May 2014 edition of Heritage in Trust. This issue takes us to Italy to visit Hanbury Gardens which when created had a good collection of Australian plants. Closer to home we look at Yarralumla Nursery Open Day, part of this year’s Heritage Festival. Yarralumla Nursery has provided many Canberrans with native plants and has become a much loved part of our heritage. The open day included unveiling new heritage signs for the nursrery and cottage. Hanbury Gardens
We hope you enjoy reading the reports and looking at the photos of this and other Heritage Festival events. As well we have a book review and all our usual features such as the Heritage Diary and Travels with the Trust, Heritage Happenings including an exciting new program and a very special Trusted Recipe.
As usual, we look forward to hearing your views on the new on-line Heritage in Trust. Please email (info@nationaltrustact.org.au) or write to the Editors with your views and suggestions.
Thomas planted on a large scale including plants from Australia. By 1880 there were 40 species of Eucalyptus, with some becoming so vigorous as to need much cutting back, 50 Acacia species and 20 Callistemon. He had the finest collection of citrus on the Riviera. He introduced many salvias, agaves, aloes, cycads and cactus. Some of his exotic fruit trees, such as guavas, pomegranates, kei apples (Dovyalis caffra) and giant quinces (Pseudocydonia sinensis), still bear fruit today.
Hanbury Gardens: La Mortola cont from p1 Thomas was a hands-on proprietor and a generous host. Three hundred visitors came to the Hanburys’ weekly open day on 11 March 1881; by 1900 there were 5,000 visitors a year. Queen Victoria visited three times. The Director of Kew, Joseph Hooker, wrote that “in point of richness and interest La Mortola had few rivals amongst the principal collection of living plants in the world today”. In 1901 Edward VII honoured Thomas with a knighthood. Thomas lived at La Mortola for 40 years creating his garden; he never owned another home. He was much loved and when he died in 1907 it is said that 7,000 people followed his funeral cortege and every shop closed.
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Acacia hanburyana
After Thomas’s death the garden lay dormant until his eldest son Cecil took over in 1919. He had married Dorothy Symons Jeune who came from a family of horticulturists. She was 17 years younger than her husband, a strong, determined, elegant and persuasive lady, but not always popular!
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Contents
She and Cecil only wintered at La Mortola as he was an MP but she was devoted to the garden and, like Thomas, had 30 gardeners to help her ambitious programme of improvement and expansion. She gave it a firmer, more logical structure, bringing colour and horticultural taste to every corner. Her philosophy was “When in doubt plant stout!� Bulbs were naturalized to bring drifts of colour and thousands of vases and pots were installed. She underplanted freesias, Cyclamen persicum, Sparaxis, anemones and tulips. Most of these have now gone, but everyone agrees that between the two wars La Mortola was truly beautiful.
Hanbury Gardens: La Mortola _____________ 1 From the President ________________________ 4 People and Places _________________________ 5 Trusted Recipe ____________________________ 5 Heritage Diary _____________________________ 7 Heritage Happenings ________________________ 8 University of Canberra National Trust Award 2013 11 Book Review ______________________________ 11 Travels with the Trust - Australia _____________ 13 Travels with the Trust - Overseas _____________ 14 Trust Tour Report ________________________ 15 Heritage Festival Report __________________ 17 Donate to the Trust ________________________ 21
The National Trust acknowledges the support of our Corporate Members and Benefactors: Old Parliament House Library Patinations Conservation Services ContentGroup Slater & Gordon Benefactor: Mr Rob McL. Johnston
Cecil died in 1937 aged 66. Dorothy was 49 years old and with the clouds of war looming she returned to England in 1939 to work for the Red Cross. The garden was confiscated and suffered much damage, being shelled from the sea. By 1945 the Palazzo was a near ruin and the garden much depleted. Dorothy returned and with very limited funds but steely commitment she fought hard to restore it. She reopened the garden in October 1947. However she suffered from osteoporosis and was confined to a wheelchair by 1958 so in 1960, after fending off many keen property speculators, she sold the garden to the Italian State.
Since that time La Mortola has suffered mixed fortunes. Many features have been lost such as the parterres of aromatic plants outside the Palazzo, the flowering cherries and the Japanese maples. In 1937 it contained 6,300 plants; today there are perhaps 3,500. Yet La Mortola is still a place of unique magical beauty.
It is managed by the botanical department of Genoa University, who are at odds with the way the British garden. There are financial problems, parking is a nightmare and the garden lacks a shop, a plant centre and a proper restaurant.
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Hanbury Gardens: La Mortola cont
From the President
However it is still a must-see garden, with a family feel, a sense of serenity and many magnificent plants.
Dear members
When Dorothy sold it she wrote: “I want La Mortola to be known as a loving intimate friend, full of flowers rather than a list of plants”. I think that she and Thomas would be pleased to see their garden continuing to evolve today.
By the time you read this the 2014 Heritage Festival will have drawn to a close. As usual NT ACT contributed with a broad range of events culminating in the Yarralumla Nursery Open Day in early April which, despite the threat of rain, turned out to be a wonderful event. The open day was a collaborative effort with Yarralumla Nursery (sincere thanks to David Doherty and his colleagues) and the ACT Government Heritage Unit (sincere thanks to Linda Roberts and her team) and was superbly managed by NT ACT’s Mary Johnston. I’d also like to thank the volunteers who helped on the day. I have attempted to telephone you all but for those of you that I haven’t had the chance of speaking to – thank you! These events cannot be run without your support. We are already thinking about a venue for next year’s open day and I’d be happy to hear from anyone who has a property or location in mind that they’d like to see play host.
Carolyn Hanbury Photos provided by Carolyn Hanbury and John Tucker. 1
The garden is open to the public throughout the year. An
admission fee is charged. National Trust membership is not accepted for entry. The “Exceptional Gardens of Menton and the Cote d’Azur” tour is conducted by Susan Worner Tours of York, UK.
This report will also be my last before the end of a tumultuous financial year for NT ACT. Our annual report will be prepared and distributed in the usual manner but I’m pleased to say that due to the hard work and decision making of your Council the NT ACT’s financial position has stabilised and I’m confident that we can remain a viable organisation into the foreseeable future.
Cheers.
Scott McAlister President PS If anyone has a reasonable photo of me from the open day please forward it to the editor. I’d love to see the current one dispensed with!
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People and Places YOUR 2014 TRUST COUNCIL
Trusted Recipe Earlier this year, the inaugural ACT National Trust ‘Volunteer of the Year’, Mrs Jean Pound, passed away. Here as a tribute we re-print her recipe for Chocolate Slice which was much appreciated by volunteers at both Lanyon and the Old Parliament House shop.
Chocolate Slice Ingredients 1 cup mixed fruit 1 cup SR Flour 1 cup coconut 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 cup sugar
Scott McAlister - President and Treasurer Lisa Norman - Vice President Graham Carter Graeme Crocket Dianne Dowling Mary Johnston Peter Lundy Eric Martin AM Jim Nockels John Tucker
Trust office opening hours 2014 The Trust Office is open Monday to Thursday, from 9.30am to 3.00pm.
4 oz (125g) melted butter 1 beaten egg Method 1. Mix the first five ingredients together. 2. Add butter and egg. 3. Spread in tin and bake in moderate oven for 15-20 minutes. 4. When cool spread with chocolate icing. For an icing with a little more tang, add orange juice and rind or a little Grand Marnier.
Yarralumla Nursery Open Day Photos Linda Roberts Canberra Carousel (above) and Badge Making
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People and Places
Notices
New members
Solar House Day in July
The National Trust (ACT) warmly welcomes the following new members: Karen, Alicia and Lochlain Adams Penelope Bailey Rhonda Berry Nancye Burkevics Anne-Marie Delahunt and Mef Clark Kamini and Anthony Devenny Gary and Janette Dunn Barbara Edward Karen and Peter Groeneveld Mark and Pamela Hislop Stewart Homan Mark Inglis Peter and Jill Jolly Kathleen Kinsella Margaret Linford Ian Lynch Sue and Rob Matthews Jennifer Gibson and Peter Miller Valerie and Chris McNicol Judi and Doug Moncur Cathy and Steve Moore
Terry-Anne O’Neill Barbara and Bruce Pink Georgina Pinkas Krista Kerr and Leon Rasheed Robert and Marelle Rawson Peter Read Bill and Joy Roberts Phil Robson Robert and Patricia Smith David and Antoinette Stockdale Nick and Anne Stokes Diana Sutherland Phyllis and James Talley David Cox and Kim Tankard Beatrice and Greg Taylor Anne Towill Jennifer and Thomas Tyrrell Anna von Reibnitz Frederick von Reibnitz and Helen Williams
This year's Solar House Day in Canberra, run by the Australian Institute of Architects (ACT), is expected to include heritage dwellings that have been designed or adapted for passive solar design. There will be a lecture/expo taking place on 2 July and Solar House Day tours on 6 and 13 July. Further details will be provided
when available.
National Trust Speaker’s Night an evening with Bill Gammage M
Wednesday 16 July 5.30-7.00pm National Archives of Australia.
Bill Gammage will talk on his book The Biggest Estate on Earth – How Aborigines made Australia in what promises to be intellectually interesting and entertaining evening. RSVP to National Trust Office by 10 July 6230 0533 MMember
Member events
KEEP UP TO DATE Subscribe to E News and find us on Facebook Are you up with the latest National Trust happenings? Maybe you have been missing out on our E News bulletins! Make sure you are on the E News list and follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with events, have access to National Trust media releases and find opportunities to contribute to the valuable and important work of the Trust.
For all National Trust events please see Travels with the Trust, even if the travel is just to a venue in Canberra! For all heritage related events see the Heritage Diary. Or find us on Facebook
Email info@nationaltrustact.org.au with the subject heading of: Subscribe to E News or find us on Facebook
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May 2014 Heritage Diary 2014
A selection of heritage-related events in Canberra Note: CAS is the Canberra Archaeological Society. CAR is the Centre for Archaeological Research. Details of National Trust (ACT) events are provided in Travels with the Trust, starting on page 13. Information on events run by organisations other than the National Trust (ACT) is provided in good faith, but readers should check dates and times with the contacts indicated below. Date and time Until 17 August
Wednesday 11 June 1-3pm Wednesday 18 June 6.30 for 7.00pm Wednesday 2 July, Sunday 6 July and Sunday 13 July Wednesday 16 July 5.30-7.00pm Saturday 19 July 8.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 26 to Wednesday 30 July Wednesday 20 August 6.30 for 7.00pm
Wednesday 17 September 6.30 for 7.00pm Sunday 21 September 1-4pm (Date to be confirmed) Wednesday 15 October 6.30 for 7.00pm Wednesday 19 November 6.30 for 7.00pm Sunday 2 November Wednesday 26 through to Saturday 29 November, at 6.30pm Wednesday 3 through to Saturday 6 December, at 6.30pm
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Event and location
Organiser
Contact
Canberra: Then and Now – an exhibition of historic photos matched with modern day photos. National Library of Australia Manning Clark House - tour
National Library
www.nla.gov.au
CAS/CAR lecture – Ramses the Great, the father of public relations, Kristian Bonnici. Manning Clark Centre, Theatre 6, Bldg 26A, Union Court, ANU Solar House Day in July – lecture/expo on 2 July and tours on 6 and 13 July. More details to follow National Trust Speaker’s Night – Bill Gammage on his book The Biggest Estate on Earth – How Aborigines made Australia National Archives of Australia. ACT and Region Annual Australian Heritage Partnership Symposium 2014, Sir Roland Wilson Building Theatre, Bldg 120, ANU, on the theme The Future of Heritage Lake Mungo and the Murray
National Trust
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CAS
Contact Helen Cooke on 0408 443 243 or helen.cooke@anu.edu.au www.architecture.com.au/aboutus/act-chapter
Australian Institute of Architects (ACT) National Trust
RSVP to NT Office by 10 July 6230 0533
CAS, National Trust and others
Queries to Helen Cooke at helen.cooke@anu.edu.au
National Trust
6230 0533
CAS/CAR lecture – 'Common Indians', 'Negroes', and 'New Hollanders': Dampier, Buffon, and the 'Varieties of the Human Species' in the South Seas. Bronwen Douglas Department of Pacific & Asian History Manning Clark Centre, Theatre 6, Bldg 26A, Union Court, ANU CAS/CAR lecture – Lake Victoria Project Place Stories, Keryn Kefous Manning Clark Centre, Theatre 6, Bldg 26A, Union Court, ANU Visit to Callum Brae
CAS
Contact Helen Cooke on 0408 443 243 or helen.cooke@anu.edu.au
CAS
Contact Helen Cooke on 0408 443 243 or helen.cooke@anu.edu.au 6230 0533
CAS/CAR lecture – Vanuatu historic mission. James Flexner, School of Archaeology & Anthropology, ANU Manning Clark Centre, Theatre 6, Bldg 26A, Union Court, ANU CAS/CAR lecture – topic to be advised. Manning Clark Centre, Theatre 6, Bldg 26A, Union Court, ANU
CAS
Contact Helen Cooke on 0408 443 243 or helen.cooke@anu.edu.au
CAS
Reid Open Houses – further details to be advised Anthology – a theatrical journey performance through Westlake created by Pip Buining and Louise Morris
National Trust
Contact Helen Cooke on 0408 443 243 or helen.cooke@anu.edu.au 6230 0533 Tickets are available onsite prior to the performance or on-line at www.anthology.net.au
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Heritage Happenings
Heritage Alliance Symposium 19 July 2014
From the Heritage and Grants Committee
The program for this symposium is currently being developed so keep the day free as there will be many interesting issues discussed.
Two initiatives Council has endorsed two initiatives of the Heritage and Grants Committee which will now be implemented. These are a National Trust Heritage Award and This Place Matters. Separate items on these initiatives follow this report.
Heritage Grants 2014
Acton Peninsula Heritage Management Plan (HMP) Ginninderra Falls Eric J Martin AM
The Committee is preparing applications for grants for the following: Nomination of Reid Railway easement Leaflet on “Access to heritage buildings in the ACT” Social Significance Workshop 2015 Heritage Festival National Trust open day and heritage display.
Heritage Issues The Committee is currently working on the following issues: Planning and Development Amendment Bill This initiative is of concern to the National Trust as there are details that are unclear and the Bill is being rushed through the Assembly without a chance for informed consultation and debate. Representation has been made to the Assembly and a submission presented. Rose Gardens Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and Surveyors Hut Conservation Management Plan (CMP) have both been commented on. These are supported, with some suggested refinements to improve them. Northbourne Housing Precinct (Dickson/Lyneham Flats) The National Trust supports the heritage listing of these and is pressing the Government to make a decision on the long-standing nomination. City To Lake The Trust is asking the Land Development Agency (LDA) how the heritage issues that may be affected by this proposal will be considered, including Civic Pool, the Lake edge, City Hill, ACT Supreme Court and Courts Precinct, Beauchamp House, Acton Hotel and Shine Dome.
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Other issues coming up
National Trust (ACT) Heritage Awards This is an initiative of the ACT NT which has been endorsed by the Council. If any member is interested in assisting with this activity, please contact Eric Martin on eric@emaa.com.au. The National Trust Heritage Awards recognise projects in the ACT that make a significant contribution to the conservation of the built, Indigenous and natural environment in accordance with the principles set out in the Burra Charter: http://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/TheBurra-Charter-2013-Adopted-31.10.2013.pdf The Burra Charter provides guidance for the conservation and management of places of cultural significance (cultural heritage places). The Charter sets a standard of practice for those who provide advice, make decisions about, or undertake works to places of cultural significance, including owners, managers and custodians. Nominated Projects should meet one or more of the following criteria: 1. Building Conservation: Outstanding conservation or restoration works to existing heritage listed buildings 2. New or Adapted Buildings: New building, sympathetically designed as an extension to or adjacent to a heritage significant building, or sensitive adaptation of existing heritage listed buildings 3. Small Projects: Conservation, adaptation or new elements to buildings (windows, doorways, staircases, etc.) executed with care to protect heritage values 4. Community Projects: Projects impacting in their local community environment (playgrounds,
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community centres, etc.) that reinforce heritage values Conservation and Heritage Management Plans Contributions to the conservation of the natural environment Contribution to the conservation of Indigenous heritage values Contribution of or by an item of intangible heritage such as ACT culture or icon.
Take a photo of your important place and upload the photo to our Facebook page adding a brief statement as to why the place matters to you or post or email the information to info@nationaltrustact.org.au. ‘This Place Matters’ is a trademarked property of the National Trust (ACT) and cannot be used by for-profit entities without express permission.
Which projects are eligible? projects located in the ACT, and which make a contribution to the public domain, are visible from the street or public place or have public access, and • have been completed within the last 3 years (no earlier than 1 January 2011). Nomination form and further details are on the NT website http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/act/NationalTrustACTHe ritageAwards Closing date for nominations is 30 June 2014.
Share your concerns and promote the ACT heritage you treasure – This place matters This initiative of the Heritage and Grants Committee has been endorsed by the Council and aims to get the community involved and to bring communities’ interests to the National Trust so that the Trust can lend support for the protection and conservation of ACT heritage. ‘This Place Matters’ is a message that resonates with people all across Australia and the world. It's a campaigning tool that can be used to advocate on behalf of places of significant historic, cultural or natural importance in your community.
ACT and Region Annual Australian Heritage Partnership Symposium 2014 The Future of Heritage Hosted by: Canberra Archaeological Society, National Trust of Australia (ACT), Canberra and District Historical Society, Institute of Professional Practice in Heritage and the Arts, and Significance International.
Date: Venue: Cost:
Proposed themes: 1. 2.
3. 4.
It’s a way to gather and educate people about the importance of preservation and conservation or a fun way to commemorate events and continually celebrate the things that make a place special. If you're a non-profit group with a mission to save historic or important places or an individual looking to spread the word, feel free to use the ‘This Place Matters’ message in your campaigns, conferences, or promotions by downloading our sign
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Saturday 19th July 2014; time: 8.30am to 5pm. Sir Roland Wilson Building Theatre, Bldg 120, ANU campus. $70 full, $50 members of the host organizations, $30 concession & full-time students
Collections: appreciating them; inclusions in heritage listings Strategic Directions: national heritage strategy; heritage strategy at state/territory level; consistency in legislation and processes; review of the ACT Heritage Act; funding for heritage in administration and grants Modern Architectural Heritage: appreciation; recognition; better understanding Community: engagement and interest; use of social media; what works; is there a genuine interest; intangible heritage; memories of the world
Panel discussion – what have we learned and where to from here? Queries to helen.cooke@anu.edu.au. Please pass this message on to all your networks, colleagues, friends and acquaintances! Supported and sponsored by:
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Shine Dome and the Nishi Building In mid-2010 the ACT National Trust raised serious concerns about the impact of the proposed Nishi Building on the heritage values of the area surrounding the building, particularly on the Shine Dome. The Statement of Significance of the Shine Dome includes a statement that the dome is “sensitively complementing the surrounding landscape” and its “sensitivity to the setting make[s] the building rare for 1959”. These factors are due to its location on a rise and that the dome reflects this position. It is also carefully located to relate to both the lake and the distant Brindabellas.
Shine Dome Main Entry from North 2007
Source: EMA 2007
These concerns were also raised by the Chairperson of the Australian Heritage Council, Dr Carmen Lawrence, in correspondence and submissions. The then Minister for Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon. Peter Garrett AM MP, responded to letters from the ACT National Trust. His response is best summarised in the following excerpt from his statement of reasons for a decision to permit the development to proceed, which was included in his response to a question from Senator Scott Ludlam: “The Minister was provided with expert heritage advice from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Australian Heritage Council. Both advised that the development was likely to have a significant impact on the National Heritage values of the Australian Academy of Science Building. The Minister was also provided with heritage advice from the proponent, which formed part of their referral documentation, which advised the development would not have a significant impact on the National Heritage values of the Australian Academy of Science.” On the evidence, the Minister supported the proponent’s development and ignored his independent expert panel, the Australian Heritage Council. The Nishi building is now completed and the impact of the development has been realized in full. This adverse impact is illustrated in the following photographs:
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Shine Dome Main Entry from North 2014 Source: EMA 2014
Sydney Building Fire In February, the Sydney Building in Civic was damaged by fire, and the National Trust (ACT) called for a fire safety audit of all heritage listed buildings in the ACT that have not been upgraded recently, to identify what needs to be done to reduce the possibility in the future. This fire again raised the issue of providing adequate fire protection of ACT heritage places. Over the past few years we have had: the Services Club, Griffith, totally destroyed two fires in the Sydney Building Hotel Acton central wing destroyed and now rebuilt Lanyon Barn burnt and reconstructed. The National Trust is again pushing for a fire audit on the more vulnerable heritage buildings and has suggested a shared responsibility between the owners and the community through some ACT government support. The Trust has written to Minister Simon Corbell and is awaiting a response. Eric J Martin AM
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University of Canberra winner 2013 National Trust Prize Each year the ACT National Trust donates a $500 prize to the best final year student in Cultural Heritage Management Studies in the undergraduate degree course at the University of Canberra. The 2013 winner was Hannah Griffiths. Here Hannah explains how she got into this field of study and what she’s looking forward to achieving. Congratulations, Hannah! My name is Hannah and I am a recent graduate of the University of Canberra’s Bachelor of Cultural Heritage degree. I had not originally been aware of this degree but came to know of it through the history-based elective subjects of my first degree. I was in my second year at Uni when I made one of the easiest and best decisions of my life and transferred into Cultural Heritage with a major in Heritage Management. It combined my fascination for history and my love of built heritage into a contemporary and practical framework. The course is very diverse and benefits from the commitment of experienced lecturers and tutors from various backgrounds in the heritage profession. Within the course, students can choose to combine or wholly focus on museum studies, heritage conservation and/or management. Personally, management has always been an area of great interest to me. You learn early on in the course of the pressures threatening the future of cultural heritage places, such as funding. It is my motivation to seek new models of managing heritage places in a way that makes them economically sustainable and available to the general public. Although not always a well-received approach, particularly by those in the conservation profession, I do believe that significant changes to the management of heritage places must be encouraged by those in the industry rather than forced by those outside it who cannot fully understand or appreciate the value of Australia’s cultural heritage and see it primarily as a financial burden to taxpayers. Fortunately, my studies
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have made me aware of a number of recent and fine examples of heritage places in Australia that have taken a new approach to management that lessens, and even fully relieves, this burden.
Book Review A Light in the Window: Harper’s Mansion – Berrima, the place and its people by Ann Beaumont. $25 Available from the National Trust (ACT) Office 02 6230 0533 This is the story of a house (Harper’s Mansion) and the people connected with it. Berrima, located in the Southern Tablelands, is one of those small towns with a big history. The area was first explored by Charles Throsby in 1818. Throsby later made his way to the Canberra region and was the first European to see the Murrumbidgee River. Soon after, grazing runs were established, including one by Charles Throsby. The small settlement, on a main thoroughfare from Sydney, soon began to prosper. The New South Wales surveyorgeneral, Thomas Mitchell, selected Berrima as an administrative centre for the district and the town plan was begun in 1831. Harper’s Mansion (not really a mansion) was built on a hill overlooking the township and is the ‘light in the window’ of Ann Beaumont’s book, reflecting the history of the town and the people who lived there. In the early 1820s, James Harper, the son of convicts William Harper and Margaret Morgan, was working in the Southern Highlands area, driving cattle from Camden to southern and eastern pastures. As he made his way through the landscape he had plenty of time to size up the area as a likely place to live. James was working at Denham Court in Campbelltown where he met and married Mary in 1826. They moved to Bong Bong in 1829, which was the centre for the management of convicts and also had the local jail and Court of Petty Sessions. During this time he was the postmaster, the official bailiff, clerk to the bench magistrate and also the inspector of weights.
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Heritage In Trust Following the approval of a town plan in May 1831 residential blocks were advertised late 1832. James applied for the block now known at Harper’s Hill in January 1834 and secured it in May the same year. During that time James built the Surveyor-General Inn, and became the licensee in 1835. The Inn is still operating today.
May 2014 Yarralumla Nursery Open Day: Official proceedings
In this enlightening book, Ann Beaumont captures the colonial fabric of the time by including stories of the people connected to James, his family, friends and associates to elaborate on the beginnings of life in Berrima and its subsequent growth. In 1847 Harper’s Mansion became the local Presbytery and continued so until the Parish Centre was moved to Moss Vale in 1903. During this period the upstairs bedroom at the back of the residence was a private chapel. The last priest to live at the Presbytery was Father John Sheridan. In addressing this phase of the Mansion’s history, Beaumont discusses the religion of the area and the experiences of the priests residing in the Presbytery. The Mansion was leased until the 1950s. In 1969 the National Trust was alerted to the deteriorating condition of the building. This started the saga of the restoration and the formation of the Friends of Harper’s Mansion, and the fight to keep it once the restoration was finished and the National Trust put it on the market. It has now been saved and holds its own as a National Trust property, sustainable into the future. The author’s research into the history of Harper’s Mansion is very comprehensive and links the families living in the Mansion to other buildings in the small village of Berrima and gives a window in to the life of a small village in the late 1800s.
Unveiling the Heritage sign
Dianne Dowling
Harper's Mansion
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President's job is never done
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Heritage In Trust Travels with the Trust Local and Interstate Tours Manning Clark House Wednesday 11 June, 1-3pm Manning and Dymphna Clark feature on the ACT Honour Walk. What do you know about them and their house designed in 1952 by Robin Boyd? Come along and listen to Sebastian Clark talk about his former family home complete with roof-top study, library, piano and Arthur Boyd’s famous 1972 portrait of the historian. Enjoy a stroll in the garden and afternoon tea. Meet: Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circuit, Forrest Cost: $25 members and $35 non-members Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrust.org.au/act/events
May 2014
The following day the coach will depart Mildura for an overnight stay in Corowa. Leaving Corowa we head back to Canberra via Chiltern and a visit to Lake View House significant for its association with the distinguished Australian author, Henry Handel Richardson (pseudonym for Ethel Richardson). For a full itinerary go to www.nationaltrust.org.au/act/events. Dr Peter Dowling, archaeologist, will accompany the tour. Cost: $1,265.00 per person twin share; single supplement $185.00 Bookings and payment to be made through Potter Travel, Queanbeyan (02) 6297 8585 or tours@pottertravel.com.au.
Coming up later in the year
The Murray and Mungo National Park
Visit to Callum Brae
Saturday 26 - Wednesday 30 July 2014
Sunday 21 September 1– 4pm (date to be confirmed)
Experience 40,000 years of human history in Australia. Lake Mungo is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. One hundred and twenty thousand years ago a chain of lakes, emanating from Willandra Creek and the Lachlan River, was strung out across the inland plains of NSW. The chain of lakes provided a rich environment for the area’s flora and fauna and later attracted a large population of humans. A geological change blocked off the Willandra Creek from the Lachlan and Lake Mungo dried up around 14,000 years ago. Today, a great crescent-shaped dune, called the Walls of China, stretches along the eastern shore of the Mungo lakebed. These dunes, of mud and sand, are continually eroding by wind and water. Along the shores of Lake Mungo, 40,000 years ago, walked some of the world’s earliest modern humans. This tour will depart from Canberra by air-conditioned coach, overnight in Griffith and then proceed on to Mildura where we have an afternoon tour and a visit to Old Mildura Station Homestead and Lock 11 on the Murray. The next day the coach will drive to the World Heritage listed Lake Mungo National Park where an experienced guide will explain the prehistory of the area and its long human experience. The coach will return to our accommodation in Mildura.
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Callum Brae was a soldier settler lease success story due to canny Hector McIntosh and hard work. While the property was leased in 1919, Hector finally moved his family here in 1925. The afternoon will start with an easy walk through the reserve which is an important link in the chain of woodland reserves that extend from Red Hill to Wanniassa Hills. Come and inspect this still much-loved working farm—heritage listed in 2011. Afternoon tea will be served before returning through the reserve. Meet: At entry of Callum Brae Woodland Reserve, Narrabundah Lane, Symonston Cost: $25 members and $35 non-members Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrust.org.au/act/events
Reid Open Houses Sunday 2 November (time to be advised) Further details will be provided as they become available.
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International Tours Germany
Historical archaeologist, Dr Peter Dowling will be the group leader and Dianne Dowling will be assisting the group throughout the tour, and we will have an accredited English speaking guide with us at all times.
May-June 2015 for approx. 21 days The Tours Committee of the ACT Trust is organising another of its historical and archaeological tours for 2015. (Tour costs are still to be finalised.) The Theme: A tour covering the history and culture of Germany from the Neanderthal period of the deep past, the Bronze and Iron Ages, the Celtic and Viking periods, the Roman period through the Renaissance to modern times. A focus of the tour will be visits to UNESCO World Heritage places. The tour will be at a leisurely pace. We will be based 4 to 5 nights in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin and Munich where we will have time to explore these cities and from there venture into the heart of the country to visit the historical, archaeological and cultural places that represent the development of Germany over a period of 40,000 years. We will also have free time in these cities to explore by ourselves and to experience the food and the shops. Some of the highlights will include: the site and museums of the first identified Neanderthal skeleton, the Roman border area of Saalburg, Heidleberg and the Rhine Valley region, Lübeck, the Viking settlement of Hedeby, Dresden, World Heritage Gardens, Museum Island in Berlin, Potsdam and San Souci, Wittenberg where Martin Luther challenged Roman Catholicism and began the Reformation, the Celtic-Roman Museum in the heartlands of the early Celts at Manching, Nuremberg, Bamburg and more.
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Come with us. Get in Early - Contact the ACT National Trust on (02) 6230 0533 Monday – Thursday or Travelscene Canberra City (02) 6247 6544 Monday – Friday Tour inclusions
•
Professional English-speaking escort for the entire tour and sightseeing with local tour guides where applicable Return economy class airfares flying Singapore Airlines from Australia to Europe if required Twin/double share 4-star accommodation throughout the tour including hotel taxes, service charges, state and local taxes Breakfast daily, some lunches and dinners as per the itinerary Air-conditioned coach, as per itinerary All touring, as stated in the itinerary Sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary with inside visits (including admission charges) Gratuities to the tour manager and coach driver Tips to baggage porters and hotel staff
Tour cost not included • • • • • • •
Meals not specified on the itinerary Excess baggage charges Meals not specified in the itinerary Beverages including tea and coffee except at breakfast and hotel dinners, wines, liquor, soft drinks, etc Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, mini bar, internet access, etc Gratuities to local guides Transportation to/from hotels or venues if travel is separate to that of the group
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Trust Tour Report Burnima, Cambalong and Delegate, Sunday 9 February After an early start and the promise of a very hot day we travel along the Monaro Highway in our Rogers coach driven by Brian again. Jim and Kate Nockels are the National Trust representatives on the bus and Jim gives interesting bits of information along the way. As we drive past Royalla Jim tells us about the large solar farm being built on our right, then about the Aboriginal and European history of the Monaro as we drive towards Cooma. In Rock Flat Jim points out the mineral spring which was first documented in 1834 by Llotsky who described it as having a pleasant, slightly acidulous taste. Other accounts are that the water tasted foul. During the earliest days of local settlement, it was known as "Soda Water Spring" and was renowned for the quality of its water. At Nimmitabel Jim tells us about the town , including the mill which was built but never used because of the law which prohibits mill sails from being so close to a road because of the noise which might spook the horses. Nimmitabel has 11 heritage listed buildings. We arrive at Burnima, which is eight kilometres from Bombala, after a two hour drive. We are joined by Steve Rickett who is the owner of Burnima, having bought it about 12 years ago. Steve points out the dam site on our right where clay was used to make bricks for the homestead.
Burnima – front view
Heritage in Trust
We alight from the coach and walk down the drive through the six acre garden set out with trees from every part of the world including pines, conifers, spruces and cedars. We come to a clearing where we catch sight of the beautiful old Victorian Gothic mansion. Frederick Young built Burnima for Henry Tollemache Edwards back in 1896 and one of our passengers tells us Frederick Young was her great-grandfather. Young had recently built Yarralumla at the time. There are 32 rooms including ten bedrooms, formal sitting rooms, dining room, drawing room, smoking and billiard room and servants’ quarters all furnished with period furniture – not original. We help ourselves to tea or coffee and cakes and sandwiches. Steve takes us through the house. We start in the kitchen which is pleasantly cool now but apparently very cold in winter. We continue on through the house seeing the pantry, servants’ quarters and servants’ sitting room. From the entrance and stairwell we are shown the men’s withdrawing room where Steve plays the pianola for us. Next is the office and the ladies’ sitting rooms, including the morning room which is getting all the sun at present. We then see the dining room and upstairs bedrooms, one with an en-suite and the bathroom where they have a flush toilet. Apparently the servants were the only ones who used the flush toilet as the family preferred to use their bed pans. We see the bedroom where HT Edwards died.
Burnima – rear view with new work
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We drive on to Bombala, accompanied by Steve Rickett, where our next stop is the Historical Machinery Shed. It is very hot by now and we are glad to get inside the shed. There are lots of old engines, an old operating table and huge light which used to hang above it, some old shearing hand pieces and blade shears, some drenching bottles, a forge, etc. Next we go into Lavender House where Steve is behind the counter. He seems to have taken on many roles in this district to do with historical preservation.
We are divided into two groups when we reach Delegate. While one group goes into the Delegate Café for lunch, the other group visits the Early Settler’s Hut which was built in the 1820s by Robert Campbell of Duntroon as a shepherds’ hut. This building was painstakingly restored in 1988 as a Bicentennial project. It is a vertical slab building with a stone fireplace taking up the whole of the end wall. It has lots of rooms and an attic where the early inhabitants slept. The entire roof area is black from smoke.
Cambalong
We drive out along the Delegate Road and arrive at Cambalong. This is a two-storey Georgian mansion built for Ronald Campbell, half-brother of HT Edwards at Burnima. We climb the ha-ha wall and arrive at the front door. Steve tells us this house has recently been sold after six generations of Campbells living in it. The house is large but not in good repair. Steve warns us as we drive into Delegate that we will see lots of fire trucks as the Gippsland fires are not far away, near Bonang in Victoria. We had noticed what we thought were huge clouds in the southern sky but they turn out to be billowing smoke from the fires. There are tents set up for firefighters in the caravan park and there are a few bulldozers waiting around for instructions as to where to go.
Settler’s Cottage, Delegate
Lunch consists of some yummy moist wraps, bottles of water and some fruit. These are very welcome as it is so hot. We are told the town of Bonang has been evacuated and they are staying in the caravan park here in Delegate. We get back on the bus and start for home. Steve Rickett tells us more tales on the way back to Burnima where we drop him. In Cooma we stop at the park where Brian and Jim produce hot water, tea and biscuits, and we sit in the park in the shade. The coach takes off on the last leg of our trip and is soon in Canberra after a very exciting and interesting day out with the National Trust. Adrienne and Paul Bradley Photos also courtesy Adrienne and Paul.
Delegate with looming smoke from Victorian fires
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Do you have a friend travelling overseas? Tell them about the advantages of joining the National Trust including free entry into over 2000 National Trust properties around the world.
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2014 Heritage Festival Report Well, another Heritage Festival is over! It was quite a journey - the theme for 2014 being Journeys! The National Trust (ACT) had eight events this year and we were very lucky that the weather did not prevent any of our events from going ahead. Unfortunately a number of other events in the Festival this year were cancelled because of the weather conditions.
Yarralumla Nursery Open Day This year's Open Day was held in conjunction with the Yarralumla Nursery which is celebrating its centenary. The Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury, welcomed visitors and unveiled heritage signs for the Nursery and Hobday's Cottage. There were plenty of things to keep visitors busy, with the mini-bus tours behind the scenes of this important historic part of Canberra being very popular. It was also very interesting to see the Nursery staff, including workers from Koomari, demonstrating the large potting machine. There was extensive media coverage of the centenary of the Yarralumla Nursery centenary and the Open Day before, during and after the event. The ABC 666 gardening program on the Saturday before was devoted to the Nursery; the Canberra Times had several reports including a front page story on Saturday; 2CA broadcast from the Open Day; and there were numerous other mentions on the radio. Many people with a connection contributed to these programs and to the Open Day - these included Professor John Langford, grandson of Charles Weston, and Peter Hobday, grandson of John Hobday, Yarralumla's third nurseryman who lived in what is now known as Hobday's Cottage. Visitors were entertained by Sing Australia and the restored Carousel Organ. A number of local groups such as the Australian Garden History Society, ACT Landcare, the Canberra and District Historical Society, Canberra Archaeological Society and CapitalMetro participated in the Open Day, and the usual sausage sizzle and Devonshire teas (with scones from the CWA Gungahlin) were very popular.
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Albert Hall Concert A new event this year was a concert of Renaissance music in the Albert Hall. Two local groups – Polifemy, a small ensemble of women's voices and Walking the Dog, a recorder ensemble - entertained an audience of around 80 people. The musicians took advantage of the acoustics of this great venue and presented a program of music that celebrated the pastoral tradition - the love of nature, and Eros - the nature of love. The audience appreciated the beautiful sunshine streaming through the windows of the Hall, the music, the venue and, of course, afternoon tea provided by National Trust volunteers.
Other events A number of our events were repeats of previous popular events run by the Trust such as the Ainslie Open Houses and Gardens, the Narrabundah Pre Fabs walk, the walk to the Yankee Hat Aboriginal Rock Art Site and the ANU Classics Museum. The Trust partnered with others for the Oaks Estate and Robertsons’ House tour and the Magna Carta walk. National Trust member Jim Tweddle has provided a separate report on the walk to Yankee Hat (see below). Thanks to our partners in these events - Yarralumla Nursery, Polifemy and Walking the Dog, the Magna Carta Committee of Australia and Dr Karen Williams - and to many volunteers. These included those who conducted events including Ken Charlton, Dr Peter Dowling, Alan Foskett and the guides from the ANU Classics Museum, and those who helped at the Yarralumla Nursery Open Day and the concert in the Albert Hall. Once again Linda Roberts made a major contribution to the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival both in her role in the ACT Heritage Unit and in helping organise events for the National Trust (ACT). Mary Johnston Photographs of Heritage Festival Events begin page 18 Photo credits: Mary Johnston, Di Johnstone and Linda Roberts Following is an account of the Yankee Hat Walk event by Trust member Jim Tweddle.
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Yankee Hat Walk, Saturday 12 April On 12 April, I along with eight others participated in a walk to the Yankee Hat Aboriginal Art Site in Namadgi National Park. The walk was organised by the National Trust as part of the 2014 Heritage Festival and was led by Peter and Di Dowling. Peter, an archaeologist, gave learned information about the site and its significance, but not all at once! We had to wait eagerly for the next bits of information, given at the appropriate times. We were a little concerned about the weather at first, as showers and rainbows appeared on the mountain slopes as we drove up to the Namadgi Visitor Centre, our first meeting place. From there we drove in convoy along good sealed roads for about 30 kilometres until diverting along a reasonably good dirt track (considering recent rains) to the jumping off car park for the commencement of the walk.
We had lunch here as Peter gave us a learned discourse relating to the site. Ten or so other visitors arrived at the site while we explored the surrounds, before setting off again on the way back to the car park. The return was a bit easier as the track led mostly downhill. Arriving back at the car park, a further surprise awaited! Out came wine, biscuits, cheese and nibbles, all supplied by Peter and Di. We hoed in as we filled out the evaluation forms. It was a great way to end a most enjoyable day in beautiful surroundings accompanied by friendly companions of like mind. Future walks are to be highly recommended. Jim Tweddle Photos by Di Dowling
Immediately we encountered resident wildlife. Thirty or so kangaroos lazed in the sunshine on the green, grassy surrounds and, as we began the 3.5 km walk to the art site, rabbits scampered everywhere. Neither animal took more than a passing interest in us as we went by. The track follows a relatively easy path, meandering around a couple of low lying swampy areas and crossing over a couple of bridges and walkways. We climbed a couple of low knolls, the homes of wedge-tailed eagles, and then ascended gentle slopes to the site we had come to visit. The white clay, charcoal and ochre drawings are to be found on the face of an overhanging granite outcrop, protected fairly unobtrusively these days by a wooden railing. The granite outcrop is one of several similarly sized adjoining boulders. The white and red drawings, probably dating back several hundred years, depict kangaroos, dingoes, a turtle-like creature, human stick-like figures and a supposedly mythical being with a long wavering and trailing body. Over time, Peter explained, the drawings have been fading due to weathering and are now not so clearly seen as they were 20 years ago.
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_______________________________________________ Patron
National Trust of Australia (ACT)
The Hon. Margaret Reid AO
Office
PO Box 1144 Civic Square ACT 2608
President
Telephone 02 6230 0533 Fax 02 6230 0544 Email info@nationaltrustact.org.au Net www.nationaltrust.org.au ABN 50 797 949 955
Office Manager
Opening times: Office Location:
Liz McMillan info@nationaltrustact.org.au
9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Thursday 1st Floor, North Building Canberra City [above Canberra Museum & Gallery],
Albert Hall Concert: Love in the Woods - Renaissance music celebrating nature and love. A 2014 Heritage Festival Event
Heritage in Trust
Scott McAlister
The e-magazine, Heritage in Trust, is produced and edited by Maree Treadwell and Wendy Whitham assisted by Dianne Dowling and Mary Johnston.
Photos: Mary Johnston
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Di Dowling at Albert Hall (above) Photo: Di Johnstone
Brass Rubbing Magna Carta
Roger Pegrum at Magna Carta Place
Magna Carta Place Photo: Linda Roberts Landcare at Yarralumla Nursery Open Day
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National Trust (ACT) First Floor, North Building Cnr London Cct and Civic Square, Canberra ACT 2601 PO Box 1144 Civic Square, Canberra ACT 2608 Telephone (02) 6230 0533 Facsimile (02) 6230 0544 Email: info@nationaltrustact.org.au www.nationaltrust.org.au
You can help us to conserve and safeguard places of heritage significance for future generations by making a tax deductible donation Donations over $2 are tax deductible Name _________________________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ P/C____________ I wish to make a donation of
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Cheques should be made out to National Trust of Australia (ACT) Please send me information about automatic payments Cash donations accepted at the office.
About Heritage in Trust Heritage in Trust is published quarterly as an electronic magazine in conjunction with the national magazine Trust News in February, May, August and November. The editors invite articles and letters from Trust members with an interest in the heritage of the ACT and these should be addressed to The Editor, Heritage in Trust, at info@nationaltrustact.org.au.
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Deadlines for copy: 17 January, 17 April, 18 July, 17 October. The views expressed in Heritage in Trust are not necessarily those of the National Trust of Australia (ACT). The articles in this e-magazine are subject to copyright. No article may be used without the consent of the ACT National Trust and the author.
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More Heritage Festival photos
Linda Roberts
Yarralumla Nursery Open Day
Narrabundah Pre-fab buildings walk
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Yarralumla Nursery Open Day – a selection of booths
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