The Government Domain - Next To The Royal Botanical Gardens - Macquarie Street - Sydney - NSW

The Domain is a large public park located in Sydney, New South Wales, situated to the east of the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) and adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden. It has a rich history and has played various roles over the years. Here's an overview of the history of the Domain:

1. Early Land Use: The land on which the Domain now stands was originally part of the traditional lands of the Gadigal people, the indigenous inhabitants of the Sydney area. After European colonization, the land was initially used for farming and as a source of food for the early settlers.

2. Colonial Government Farm: In the early 19th century, the Domain was designated as a government farm by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. It was used for growing crops, including corn and vegetables, to help feed the growing colony. However, its proximity to the Governor's Residence (now Government House) and its scenic location soon led to its development as a public space.

3. Transformation into a Public Park: In 1816, Governor Macquarie decided to transform the Domain into a public park, making it one of the earliest public parks in Australia. This decision was part of Macquarie's vision for Sydney as a civilized and attractive city. The park was laid out with tree-lined avenues and open spaces for recreation.

4. Historical Landmarks: Over the years, several historical landmarks were established within the Domain, including the Obelisk (built in 1857), which served as a timekeeping device, and the Captain Cook statue (erected in 1879), which commemorates the explorer James Cook's discovery of the eastern coast of Australia.

5. Protest and Rally Site: The Domain has been a site for political protests and rallies throughout its history. It has been a place where Australians have gathered to advocate for various causes and express their views on important issues. One of the most significant gatherings was the 1970 Vietnam Moratorium Campaign, which drew large crowds to protest against the Vietnam War.

6. Cultural Events: The Domain has also been a venue for cultural events and entertainment, including outdoor concerts and performances. Its central location and large open spaces make it an ideal venue for hosting such events.

7. Contemporary Use: Today, the Domain is a popular recreational area for residents and visitors alike. It features expansive lawns, walking paths, and stunning views of Sydney Harbor and the city skyline. It continues to be used for cultural events, including the annual Symphony in The Domain concert, which is a highlight of the Sydney Festival.

8. Conservation and Preservation: Efforts have been made to preserve and maintain the natural beauty and historical significance of the Domain. Conservation initiatives aim to protect the park's flora and fauna, as well as its cultural heritage.

The Domain is not only a green oasis in the heart of Sydney but also a place with a rich history that reflects the city's growth and development over the centuries. It remains an essential part of Sydney's public life and culture

 

The Macquarie Wall - The Royal Botanical Gardens - 

The Macquarie Wall, also known as the Macquarie Street Wall, is a historic sandstone retaining wall located in the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, New South Wales. It has a rich history that is closely tied to the development of the garden and the city itself. Here is an overview of the history of the Macquarie Wall:

1. Early Colonial Sydney: The history of the Macquarie Wall dates back to the early 19th century when Sydney was still a fledgling colony. The Royal Botanic Garden was established in 1816 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who was a significant figure in the early history of New South Wales.

2. Construction: The Macquarie Wall was built between 1812 and 1816 as part of Governor Macquarie's ambitious project to create a garden that would serve both scientific and aesthetic purposes. The wall was constructed using locally quarried sandstone, and it played a crucial role in terracing the garden's slopes.

3. Terracing and Landscape Design: The wall was designed to create level terraces, allowing for the cultivation of plants from around the world. It provided structural support to the garden's layout, which included plantings of various species, some of which were brought to Australia by early European explorers.

4. Historical Significance: The Macquarie Wall is not only significant for its role in the garden's design but also for its historical importance. It is considered one of the earliest surviving examples of stonemasonry in Sydney and a testament to the craftsmanship of the period.

5. Conservation Efforts: Over the years, the Macquarie Wall has required ongoing maintenance and restoration work to preserve its structural integrity and historical significance. Conservation efforts have aimed to ensure that the wall continues to serve its original purpose while being accessible to the public.

6. Public Access: Today, the Macquarie Wall is a prominent feature of the Royal Botanic Garden and is easily accessible to visitors. It provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the garden's plantings and enjoying the scenic beauty of the area.

7. Heritage Status: The Macquarie Wall, along with the Royal Botanic Garden as a whole, is recognized as a heritage site. It is an important part of Sydney's historical and cultural landscape, reflecting both the city's colonial past and its ongoing commitment to horticulture and botanical science.

The Macquarie Wall stands as a testament to the vision of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who played a crucial role in the development of early Sydney and its public institutions. It continues to be an integral part of the Royal Botanic Garden, serving as a link between the city's past and its vibrant botanical present.

 

Bathurst - NSW 

Bathurst is a regional city located in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early days of European settlement. Here's an overview of the history of Bathurst:

1. Indigenous History: Prior to European arrival, the Bathurst region was inhabited by the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people. They had a deep connection to the land and utilized the area's natural resources for thousands of years.

2. European Exploration: In 1813, surveyor George William Evans led an expedition into the region, exploring the area around Bathurst. He reported back to Governor Lachlan Macquarie about the fertile plains and abundance of water, which prompted further exploration and settlement.

3. Early Settlement: In 1815, Governor Macquarie approved the establishment of a settlement at Bathurst, making it one of the earliest inland European settlements in Australia. The town was initially known as Bathurst Plains and was primarily intended as a center for agriculture and farming.

4. Gold Rush Era: In 1851, gold was discovered in nearby areas, including the iconic Ophir Goldfields near Bathurst. The discovery sparked a gold rush, leading to a significant influx of people seeking their fortune. Bathurst became a vibrant hub for gold mining activities and saw rapid growth and development during this time.

5. Infrastructure Development: As Bathurst expanded, various infrastructure projects were undertaken. In 1837, the first courthouse was built, and in 1847, the town's first hospital was established. Bathurst also became an important transportation hub, with the construction of roads, bridges, and the arrival of the railway in 1876.

6. Education and Culture: Bathurst has a strong educational heritage. In 1874, Charles Sturt University (formerly known as Mitchell College of Advanced Education) was established, making it one of the oldest tertiary institutions in regional Australia. Bathurst is also known for its cultural institutions, including the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery and the annual Bathurst 1000 car race at Mount Panorama Circuit.

7. Contemporary Bathurst: Today, Bathurst is a thriving regional city with a diverse economy. It serves as a major center for education, healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing in the region. Bathurst maintains its historic charm, with many heritage-listed buildings and sites preserved and celebrated.

Bathurst's history is interwoven with the stories of early explorers, gold prospectors, settlers, and the indigenous Wiradjuri people. The city's rich past is evident in its architecture, cultural institutions, and ongoing efforts to preserve its heritage.

Proclamation Day 2022

Bathurst In Autumn 2022

Governor Macquarie - Proclamation - 1816

 

Governor Macquarie’s 20th of July 1816 proclamation

By his Excellency 
Lachlan Macquarie Esquire, 
Captain General; & Governor In Chief
In & Over His Majesties Territory Of New South Wales 
And It’s Dependancies
 

WHEREAS the sanguinary disposition of certain BANDITTI, or TRIBES of the BLACK NATIVES, which had been for some time manifested by their frequently committing the most wanton and barbarous MURDER so on several of his Majesty’s subjects residing in the remote settlements, rendered it expedient & necessary to send military parties in pursuit of them, with a view by inflicting summary punishment on them, to deter others from a repetition of such atrocious & cruel outrages;
& although this measure was long delayed, & at length reluctantly resorted to, the numerous atrocities committed rendered it indispensable, where by several of the most sanguinary & guilty of them met with & suffered the punishment due to their flagrant enormities. 
And Whereas,  by proclamation under date 4th May last, the GOVERNOR, after expressing his regret at the necessity with which  recent circumstances had placed him under of proceeding to such extremities against those hostile natives; & anxious, if possible, to avoid the recurrence of such atrocities, did earnestly invite & exhort the said Native Hostile Tribes to render submission, & to return again to those peaceable & unoffending habits & manners which had been formally their best safeguard from injury, by securing them all the protection of the most favoured of his majesties subjects.

And Whereas  since the issuing of the said proclamation (With which it is well known the said natives soon became fully acquainted), 
It has appeared, that there  are still among these people some individuals far more  determinedly hostile & mischievous than the rest, who, by taking the lead, have lately instigated their deluded followers to commit several further atrocious acts of barbarity on the in offending an unprotected settlers & their families.

& whereas, the 10 natives whose names are hereunder mentioned are well known to be the principal & most violent instigators of the late murders; namely,
1 - Murrah 
2 - Myles 
3 - Wallah, Alias Warren
4 - Carbone Jack, Alias Kurringy; 
5 - Narrang Jack 
6 - Bunduck
7 - Kongate 
8 - Woottan 
9 - Rachel
19 - Yallaman 
Now it is here by publicly proclaimed & declared, that said 10 natives above named, & each & every of them are deemed & considered to be in a state of outlawry, & opened & avowed enemies to the peace & good order of society, & therefore unworthy to receive any longer the protection of that government with which they have so flagrantly revolted against & abused. 

& all in every of his Majesty subjects, whether a free man, prisoners of the crown, or friendly natives, I hear by authorise & enjoined to seize upon & secure the said 10 outlawed natives, or any of them, when so ever they may be found, & bring them before, & deliver them up to the nearest magistrate to be deal with according to justice.
& in case said prescribe to 10 hostile neg
Natives cannot be apprehended & secured for that purpose; & such of his Majesty such subjects here in before described, are & shall be at liberty by such means as maybe within their power, to kill & utterly destroy them as outlaws & murderers as aforesaid; & with this view, & change all his Majesty said subjects, with a white men or friendly natives, to seize upon, secure, or destroy it said outlaws, I reward of £10 for each of the said 10 prescribed natives, will be paid by government to any personal persons which under such circumstances bringing their persons, or produce satisfactory proof of their having Lola destroyed them within the period of three months from the date here of. Provided always, that nothing in this proclamation contained in this proclamation is to be exclude construed to extend to allow if Government Service Officer. 


In furtherance of the object of this proclamation, & of the measures to be adopted pursuant there too, the several district magistrate I hereby a joint forthwith to assemble to the settlers, & other persons dwelling within their respective districts, at some convenient centric of situation, & appointed out to them the necessity of forming themselves into associations, along the rivers Hawkesbury, Nepean, so as to be prepared to afford each other mutual relief & assistance on occasions of any attack or incursions of the hostile native; & in cases of any outages being attempted against them, their families, or property, they are to consider themselves authorised repair such attacks or incursions by force of arms; at the same time they are not wantonly or unprovoked goodly to commence any aggressions, but only to guard against & resist the depredations or attacks of the hostile natives, with a view to their own immediate defence & protection.
& the settlers are further here by strictly enjoying to commanded, & no pretense whatsoever, to receive, harbour, or conceal any of the said outlawed Venditti, or afford them any countenance or assistance whatsoever; nor they to furnish Anal provisions to any of the friendly native to my frequent their farms, but upon the express condition of them engaging and promising to use their best endeavours to secure & bring in the Centennial outlaws, & deliver them up to the nearest magistrate, or lodge them in prison, & those family natives had to be given to understand, that if they faithfully & earnestly exert themselves in apprehending & bringing in the said outlaws, every reasonable indulgence & encouragement will be afforded them by government; whilst, on the contrary, until this object is attained, no amnesty with the natives at large in this territory will be made or conceded.
Is being possible to station military detachment as a protection for every farm in the disturbed or exposed districts, the government is desirous of apprising the settlers in this public manner there of, in order that they may be made more specially in effectually adopt the best means in the power for the future security; but with a view to overall the hostile natives generally, in those parts of the colony where they have committed them or flagrant violent acts of cruelty and outrage, three separate military attachment, will be forth with stations a convenient distance from the rivers Nepean, Grace, and Hawkesbury, should be ready to assist in for protection to the settlers whenever occasion may require it, when called upon upon by the nearest magistrate, for that purpose; each detachment to be provided with an European and also a native guide, with the district magistrates are enjoying to furnish them with, carefully selecting them from the most intelligent & trustworthy persons within the several districts.


The military party station to Parramatta, Liverpool, &  Bringelly, will receive similar instructions to those to be given to the three military detachment minutes before mention.
& the several magistrates throughout the territory are here by directed to give every possible public city and affect to this proclamation.
Given under my hand,
At Government House, Sydney, this 20th day of July, 1816
Governor Macquarie
By command of his Excellency
J. T. Campbell, secretary
God save the king

Providence
Sydney Gazette
20th of July 1816
PP. 1a-1b

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The Significance Of This Proclamation By Governor Macquarie In  1816 Had Profound Consequences For New South Wales & Its Dependancies. 

The Most Profound Consequences Were On The Indigenous Native Tribes Of The Sydney Basin. Originally 29 Tribal Areas filled The Sydney Basin Until Small Pox Arrived On The Secibd Fleet 

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***** %%%%% Richmond Villa - 116-122 Kent Street - Old Sydney

 

Richmond Villa -  Once at Macquarie Street 
Now At Kent Street - Old Sydney 

Tucked Behind Parliament House, Facing The Domain, Is The Prettiest Old House In The City - Richmond Villa. 

Governor Macquarie gave an acre of Macquarie Street land to his Irish Lieutenant Governor, Marice O’Connor;  who had married Governor Bligh‘s daughter. 

At Verious times the site carried the Lighthorse Barricks which became an institution with the title of the Sydney female school of industry, the Presbyterian prefabricated iron church of Saint Stephen, and a cluster of houses – Richmond Terrace

O’Connell did not build on the land, and passed into other Hands &  was subdivided.

 In 1849 three of the lots sold to the colonial architect Mortimer Lewis, who boldly made a breach in the domain wall that sealed the property off from the park and started work on his Gable sandstone Gothic villa.

Note that the site could’ve been chosen for a man with a sociable nature, for the domain had by then changed its character of official wilderness.

 This land, that Governor Philip dedicated to his government property, not to be alienated, it had for more than 50 years largely been a waste of scrub land, apart from the portion developed to be the botanical Gardens.

In the 1840s it was put in order.A road that became a carriage drive for Gentry was favourite for afternoon social & fashion parades. 

But Mortimer Lewis hardly stayed long enough to enjoy it all. He sold the house within a year of moving in. Various owners held it until it was acquired, with other eastern side Macquarie Street sites, by the state in 1879.

 It is since served as part of Parliament house now housing country party members.  It Is Such A Shame that A “Publicly” Owned classic Georgian Gothic Revival Masterpiece Is Only Accessible To The Political Elite.

members

St Andrews Cathedral - George Street Sydney

As Early As 1812 Governor Macqaurie. Four Years Later Architect Francis Greenway. 
The Church Was To Be Set By Gardens, A Bishops Palace, Divinity School, Museum & Library

Work Had Hardly Begun When Commissioner Bigge Arrived 

18 Years Later Governor Bourke Relaid Macquarie’s Stone With The Architect James Hume