Government House, Sydney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Government House |
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Main façade of Government House
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Vice-regal residence |
| Architectural style | Gothic revival style |
| Location | Royal Botanic Gardens, Conservatorium Road, Bennelong Point, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°51′36″S 151°12′54″E / 33.859919°S 151.215008°E |
| Current tenants | Governor of New South Wales (as the vice-regal representative of the King of Australia) |
| Construction started | 1837 |
| Completed | 1847 |
| Owner | The King in Right of New South Wales (via the Department of Premier and Cabinet) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
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| Architecture firm | Colonial Architect of New South Wales |
| Official name | Government House, Movable Heritage Collection and Gardens |
| Type | state heritage (complex / group) |
| Criteria | a., b., c., d., e., f. |
| Designated | 13 December 2011 |
| Reference no. | 1872 |
| Type | Government House |
| Category | Government and Administration |
| Builders | Various tradesmen supervised by Mortimer Lewis |
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Government House is a special building in Sydney, Australia. It is the official home for the Governor of New South Wales. This important house is located next to the Royal Botanic Garden. It also has great views of Sydney Harbour and is close to the Sydney Opera House.
The building was constructed between 1837 and 1843. Since 1845, it has been the Governor's home. There were two times when the Governor did not live there. From 1901 to 1914, it was used by the Governor-General of Australia. Then, from 1996 to 2011, it was not a residence. In October 2011, the Governor moved back in. This historic building is designed in the Gothic revival style and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
Contents
History of Government House
Building the Governor's Home (1845–1901)
In 1835, the British Government decided that Sydney needed a new Government House. A royal architect named Edward Blore drew up the plans. Building work started in 1837. It was overseen by colonial architect Mortimer Lewis. Stone, cedar wood, and marble were brought from different parts of New South Wales.
Even though it was not fully finished, a big party was held there in 1843. This party celebrated Queen Victoria's birthday. The first Governor to live in the house was Governor George Gipps. He moved in during 1845.
Government House has a large garden area of about 5 hectares (12 acres). It sits on Sydney Harbour and overlooks Farm Cove. The building looks like a romantic castle, with towers and battlements. Inside, it has oil portraits and coats of arms. Over the years, parts were added, like a front porch in 1873. An eastern verandah was built in 1879. The ballroom and Governor's study were made bigger in 1900–1901. From 1845 to 1901, it was the Governor's home, office, and place for official events.
A Home for the Governor-General (1901–1914)
Between 1901 and 1914, Australia became a federation. A new role, the Governor-General, was created. Government House was used as the home for this new official. During this time, the Governors of New South Wales lived at a different house called Cranbrook. In 1913, it was decided that the Governor-General would move to Admiralty House.
Return to the Governor (1914–1996)
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From 1914 until 1996, Government House was again the main residence for the Governor of New South Wales. It was also their office and the place for all official events.
Changes and Controversy (1996–2011)
In 1996, the Premier of New South Wales, Bob Carr, decided that the Governor would no longer live at Government House. The Governor's office moved to a nearby building. Premier Carr said he wanted the Governor's role to be "less associated with pomp and ceremony." He wanted it to be "more in tune with the character of the people."
This decision caused a lot of discussion. It was thought that moving the Governor out would save money. However, it actually cost more to maintain the building without someone living there. Public visits also went down. A group called Australians for Constitutional Monarchy organised a large protest. About 15,000 people protested outside Parliament House. They asked the Premier to change his mind.
Even without a resident Governor, Government House was still used for important events. For example, it was a key meeting place for APEC Australia 2007 in 2007. Leaders from 21 countries met there.
The Governor Returns (2011–present)
In October 2011, Premier Barry O'Farrell announced that the Governor, Marie Bashir, would move back into Government House. He said, "A lot of people believe the Governor should live at Government House. That's what it was built for."
Since the house had not been lived in for 15 years, it needed some work. The Governor first moved into a smaller building nearby called the Chalet. Renovations were done on the main house. From December 2013, the Office of the Governor took back control of Government House.
Exploring Government House
The Beautiful Gardens
Much of the garden's original 19th-century look is still there. It has private areas and formal open spaces. Near the house, there is a huge Moreton Bay fig tree. It was planted soon after the house was built. The formal gardens have beautiful flower displays, neat lawns, and interesting trees. They show a strong link to Sydney's early history.
The garden feels like a 19th-century design. It mixes Regency and Italian styles. It has many native and foreign plants. Many changes to the garden were made by past governors and their wives. For example, Governor Denison had a large vegetable garden. Lady Game created a popular "Spring Walk." Some parts of the garden look just like they did in the 1800s. Other parts are more modern.
Thousands of people visit the garden every year. They come for public tours or special events. These events include garden parties for royal visits and award ceremonies. The garden is very important to Government House. The chef often uses honey from the Governor's bees, herbs, and flowers from the garden.
Western Terrace Garden
This is the oldest part of the garden. It was created when the house was being built (1836–1845). It helped to screen the house and provide privacy. Many evergreen trees were planted here. The original sandstone walls and some gravel paths are still there.
Eastern Terrace Garden
The design for the Eastern Terrace was made in 1869. It is still a main part of the garden. From the house's covered walkway, you can see across paths and flowerbeds to Sydney Harbour. Through tall trees, you can spot Fort Denison and the Sydney Opera House. This terrace has a central sandstone pond with its original stone fountain.
Palm Grove Garden
North of the Eastern Terrace is the Palm Grove. It was started in the 1870s for the Countess of Belmore. Here you can find native and foreign palms. These include the Kentia palm and the curly palm from Lord Howe Island.
Spring Walk Garden
Lady Game, the Governor's wife in the 1930s, loved gardening. She created the Spring Walk. Here, she added new plants to old 19th-century camellia trees. Some of these camellias are over 100 years old. The entrance stones to the Spring Walk are said to be from the first Government House.
Special Plantings
Many trees in the garden were planted for special events. To the west of the driveway, there is a large paperbark tree. It was planted by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1954. This was during the first visit of a reigning monarch to Australia. Among the roses on the Eastern Terrace, you can find the "Dame Marie Bashir Rose." It was named after a former Governor.
Other Buildings on the Grounds
- The Lodge (around 1846): This is one of two Gothic-style buildings that remain. It looks like a guardhouse at Windsor Castle.
- Gatehouse (around 1937): This brick building replaced an older wooden one.
- The Chalet (around 1890): This building has a different style from Government House. It has Tudor Gothic features, like half-timbered gables.
Inside the House
Government House is a two-storey building in the Gothic Revival style. It has castle-like battlements and towers. Inside, it has detailed rooms and large cellars. At the entrance, there is a covered porch for carriages. An open walkway on the east side forms a verandah room. This room has Gothic arches and a balcony above.
The ground floor has twelve rooms, and the first floor has thirteen bedrooms. The house is built of stone with a slate roof. It has wooden floors and unpainted cedar wood details. The verandah has stone tiles. There are also many offices and living areas for staff.
Special Collection of Items
Government House has a collection of valuable items. These include furniture, paintings, and glassware. Many of these items are very old and important to New South Wales and Australia. They show the history of the Governors and their families. Some items date back to the 1820s. This collection helps us understand how the house was used. It also shows how styles and tastes have changed over 150 years.
Heritage Importance
Government House is a very important historical site. It was built in the early 1840s as the home for the King's representative. It was also the centre of power in the colony. The house and its gardens show strong links to England. It is considered the best example of a castellated Gothic house in Australia.
The house and its gardens are almost completely preserved. They show how the site developed over time. The garden is one of the oldest continuously maintained gardens in Australia. It provides a grand setting for the house.
Government House is also important because it was one of the first official homes for the Governor-General after Australia became a federation in 1901. It shows the rivalry between New South Wales and Victoria at that time.
The building is linked to many important people. These include the Governors and Governors-General who lived there. Many international leaders and members of the British Royal family have also visited. This includes Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III. The house was designed by famous architects like Edward Blore and Mortimer Lewis.
The building's design was a major technical achievement for its time. It helped to raise building and craftsmanship standards in the colony. The Chalet, another building on the grounds, is a good example of the Arts and Crafts style.
Government House has also been a workplace for many people. This includes staff who worked for the Governor and those who maintained the house and gardens. This continued until the mid-1990s.
The house and its gardens offer a lot of information about New South Wales's history. They show how a grand colonial house was designed and built. The collection of items inside the house also shows how styles have changed over 170 years.
Gallery
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The eastern facade
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Water fountain in the formal gardens on the eastern side of Government House.
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Garden features in the formal gardens on the eastern side of the house, with views across to Sydney Opera House.
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Formal gateway and entrance drive to Government House, Sydney.
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Cranbrook, 1917.
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Government House as sketched in 1848
See also
- First Government House, Sydney, residence of the Governor from 1788 to 1845
- Old Government House, Parramatta, the country retreat for the early Governors
- Government Houses of Australia
- Government Houses in the Commonwealth
- Government House Sydney 360° Virtual Tour
