Delving further into Australia’s Heritage History.

 

Goulburn Brewery

Bungendore had been such a pleasant surprise and we had spent longer there than intended. But now we were on a mission to visit the heritage homes and brewery that only opened on weekends in Goulburn.

Well we were disappointed as the first home on the list, Riversdale, was closed. But not to be deterred we moved on to find the brewery.

I felt I had just walked into an old brewery in Europe, but no this is in Goulburn, country town Australia. It is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and we had made a special trip to visit it. It was fascinating.

Along the red brick path lined with spring bulbs.

Through the gate in the white picket fence.

Taking photos all the way.

Round the corner into a most delightful courtyard.

Rosemary in front of the window and creepers covering the walls.

A gallery and museum is on the top floor.

What a very interesting person Francis Howard Greenway (read his biography here, it is a fascinating story)   Born at Mangotsfield, near Bristol, England in 1777,  he became an architect. In March 1812 he was found guilty of forging a document. He was sentenced to death but the penalty was later changed to transportation for fourteen years. He arrived in Sydney in February 1814.

Greenway’s face was shown on the first Australian decimal-currency $10 note (1966–93), making him probably the only convicted forger in the world to be honoured on a banknote. 

Be careful Jack, watch your step. These are well-worn flag stones.

Funny place to store a ladder.

We will use conventional stairs to see what is upstairs.

First room we peer in is very dark, can’t find any light switch. We wander around and discover it is an old bar area. We later learn they run special events up here, but that must be in the summer as it was freezing cold today.

We move on to the next room.

A large dining area. More light in here from the windows, but still very cold. We move on and up some more stairs, and find a gallery/museum of old brewery machinery and an odd assortment of “stuff” that Francis Greenway had accumulated. He had a passion for mathematics.

There was a lot of interesting reading, a lot of it beyond my comprehension, I never excelled at maths, but by now the cold was seeping into our bones. It is lunch time and hopefully it will be warmer down stairs.

This is better, no log fire but the heaters are on and pumpkin soup is on the menu. Perfect.

Another couple are ordering lunch. No one else had been up stairs.

This is Australia’s oldest brewery and it brews Real Ales in the time-honoured traditional way with no preservatives. We bought a couple of bottles to take home and yes it is very refreshing..

Warmed up, refreshed and relaxed we still have time to find the last heritage house on my list of places to see.

Garroorigang Historic Home.

A beautiful privately owned heritage home on the outskirts of Goulburn NSW where visitors can enjoy a personally guided tour through 157 years of living Australian history in the unique setting of a lived in family home. As a result Garroorigang ( Garroorigang is an Aboriginal word for black swan) retains the warmth and aura of a family home, steeped in time, affording visitors a rare personal view of life over much of Australia’s history. 

The present owner, Stuart Hamilton Hume greeted us as we stepped out of the car. He was busy weeding and tending the garden but he stopped to take us inside and introduce us to his wife, Anne. Then he went back to his chores. Anne and Stuart are totally dedicated and passionate about their home and Anne guided us through telling us stories and anecdotes as she took us from room to room filled with history. The magnificent antique furniture gleamed with the care and love that had been lavished on it. Impressive dining table and sideboard, four-poster beds draped with lace and velvet. Copies of the original wallpaper set the scene in each room. Paintings, photographs and many original tapestries, that had been created by Stuarts mother, hung on the walls, and interesting memorabilia every where. I have visited many heritage homes as I travelled around Australia and this would be one of the truly great experiences, it had the atmosphere and feel of a house loved and cared for.

We could not take photos in the house, just the outside, but to read the full and interesting history go to this link

The buildings on the left were originally the stables but were converted into a classroom in 1868. Students received a classical education including Greek, Latin and French in a curriculum also heavily influenced by the Headmaster’s passion for cricket.

I’m so pleased we went back to see these unique, old heritage buildings.

 

Goulburn, Rich in Heritage and History.

Goulburn surprised me with its old fashioned, well-preserved heritage buildings. I felt I was walking back into the history of the Victorian era. Compared to the modern Canberra it felt rural and a very livable city. The camera went into over-drive and I took well over 200 photos.

After the interesting stop in Collector it was lunchtime as we pulled into the Visitors Centre to collect maps and information, so first priority was to refuel the inner man and woman…

This was the first café we came to and looking inside it was busy, always a good sign. So in we went.

Just look at the selection, it made my mouth water…

This is the sweets selection and it is so attractive.

This is our choice quiche for me, mini shepherds pie for Jack, Look at that fresh salad.

With energy levels restored and with map in hand we explore. Just across the road from the café is Belmore Park with a fine example of a Victorian fountain and Band Rotunda.

The beds were planted with the sweet pansies and spring was in the air. Turning the corner into Auburn Street was like stepping back 100 years. I expected to see horses and carts trundle by.

Goulburn

 

Turning another corner another world opens up, the cute cottages and villas from the early 1900’s. Well maintained and loved.

Goulburn was the first inland city and I found this information in Wikipedia.

Goulburn holds the unique distinction of being proclaimed a City on two occasions. The first, unofficial, proclamation was claimed by virtue of Royal Letters Patent issued by Queen Victoria on 14 March 1863 to establish the Diocese of Goulburn. It was a claim made for ecclesiastical purposes, as it was required by the traditions of the Church of England. The Letters Patent also established St Saviour’s Church as the Cathedral Church of the diocese. This was the last instance in which Letters Patent were used in this manner in the British Empire, as they had been significantly discredited for use in the colonies, and were soon to be declared formally invalid and unenforceable in this context.^[4] Several legal cases^[5] over the preceding decade in particular had already established that the monarch had no ecclesiastical jurisdiction in colonies possessing responsible government. This had been granted to NSW in 1856, seven years earlier. The Letters Patent held authority only over those who submitted to it voluntarily, and then only within the context of the Church – it had no legal civil authority or implications. An absolute and retrospective declaration to this effect was made in 1865 in the Colenso Case,^[4] by the Judiciary Committee of the Privy Council. However, under the authority of the Crown Lands Act 1884^[6] (48. Vict. No. 18), Goulburn was officially proclaimed a City on 20 March 1885^[7] removing any lingering doubts as to its status. This often unrecognised controversy has in no way hindered the development of Goulburn as a regional centre, with an impressive court house (completed in 1887) and other public buildings, as a centre for wool selling, and as an industrial town.

The Cathedral is an impressive sandstone building. The splendid bell-tower, soaring windows and massive stone work are the first impressions one has of St Saviour’s. Named after the Saviour himself, Jesus Christ, the Cathedral dominates Bourke Street and the streetscape of Montague Street. 

St Saviour’s Cathedral expresses the grace, care and forethought of  one of Australia’s most famous architects, Edmund T. Blacket,  a great architect at the height of his powers. It gains the effect of spaciousness without being very big, and of splendour without being over-ornate. 

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Many of the galleries and craft shops are only open on the weekend so we are going back tomorrow for another day in Goulburn…

(to be continued)