Edgerley, Elizabeth Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Edgerley |
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Edgerley, 18 Billyard Ave, Elizabeth Bay
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| Location | 18-18a Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1885 |
| Owner | Paspaley Pearls Properties P/L |
| Official name: Edgerley; Ramona; Haughly | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 671 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | David Peter Dickson |
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Edgerley is a beautiful old house located at 18-18a Billyard Avenue in Elizabeth Bay, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is also known by the names Ramona and Haughly. Today, the property is owned by a company connected to the Paspaley family. This special house was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, which means it's protected because of its historical importance.
Contents
A Look Back in Time at Edgerley
Elizabeth Bay's Early Days
Long ago, around 1815, Governor Macquarie set up a fishing village in Elizabeth Bay. This village was for the Cadigal people, who were the original inhabitants of the Sydney Harbour area. Their leader was a man named Bungaree. Elizabeth Bay was named after Governor Macquarie's wife, Mrs. Macquarie.
Later, from 1821 to 1825, Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane decided Elizabeth Bay would be a place for people needing mental health care. An old drawing from 1822-1823 shows simple bark huts for the local people in the area.
How Edgerley Came to Be
In 1826, Governor Darling gave Alexander Macleay, who was the Colonial Secretary, a large piece of land in Elizabeth Bay. It was about 54 acres (22 hectares). Macleay built a grand estate there, which included a mansion and a famous garden. People at the time thought it was the best house and garden in the whole colony!
The land where Edgerley now stands was once part of Macleay's beautiful garden. After Alexander Macleay faced financial difficulties, his son George started selling parts of the estate between 1841 and 1882. Billyard Avenue was created to reach some of these new land lots.
The house we now call Ramona was first known as Haughly. It was built in 1885 by David Peter Dickson. It sits on land that slopes down from Billyard Avenue to the water. Some of this land near the water was even reclaimed from the foreshore in 1909.
Who Lived at Edgerley?
Over the years, many interesting people lived in this house:
- 1885: The house, then called Haughly, was built.
- 1887: A seawall was built, and land was reclaimed from the foreshore.
- 1893-1896: Francis Bathurst Suttor, a well-known farmer and politician, lived at Haughly.
- 1900-1904: Gregory Walker, a judge from the Supreme Court of New South Wales, lived there.
- 1926: Myra Johnson bought Haughly and renamed it Edgerley.
- 1930: Plans were made to change the house into flats or boarding rooms, adding more bathrooms.
- 1930s: The famous Australian poet Kenneth Slessor was a tenant in the house for a while.
- 1979: The house was listed as "Recorded" in the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Register, recognizing its importance.
- 1984: The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) became the owners.
- 1984: There was a plan to knock down the building.
- 1986: An "Interim Conservation Order" was put on the property. This was a temporary protection to stop it from being demolished.
- 1986: The Heritage Council of NSW asked for a plan to protect the building.
- 1986: A report was prepared by Helen Proudfoot and Joy Hughes to help conserve the house.
Ramona is thought to be one of the last remaining single-family homes on this part of Billyard Avenue. Many other large houses nearby have been turned into apartment blocks.
What Does Edgerley Look Like?
Edgerley, also known as Ramona, is built on land that forms terraces, or steps, going down from Billyard Avenue to the water. It's a grand house that offers amazing views of the harbour.
Inside, Edgerley has beautiful wooden features made from cedar, including a staircase and fireplace surrounds. It also has lovely leadlight windows. The gardens are special too, with rare and mature palm trees and ferns. The landscaping in the front yard was added more recently.
Why is Edgerley Important?
As of 24 April 2009, Edgerley is considered a very important example of a large Victorian-era home. Its interior has wonderful details like cedar woodwork and leadlight windows. The gardens are also significant because they have rare old palms and ferns.
Edgerley is also important because of its connection to the famous poet Kenneth Slessor, who lived there in the 1930s.
Because of all these reasons, Edgerley was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, ensuring its protection for future generations.
