Graythwaite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Graythwaite |
|
|---|---|
graythwaite004.jpg)
Graythwaite in 2007, before its restoration in 2014.
|
|
| Location | 20 Edward Street, North Sydney, North Sydney Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1858–1885 |
| Architect |
|
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Italianate |
| Owner | Sydney Church of England Grammar School |
| Official name: Graythwaite; Graythwaite Nursing Home | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 1 November 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1617 |
| Type | Nursing Home |
| Category | Health Services |
| Builders | Aaron Loveridge |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Graythwaite is a historic building in North Sydney, Australia. It started as a private home, then became a hospital, and is now used by a school. The building was designed by Goold and Hilling and Edmund Blacket. It was built between 1858 and 1885.
Today, Graythwaite is owned by the Sydney Church of England Grammar School, also known as Shore School. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002. This means it is a very important historical site.
Contents
History of Graythwaite
Early Land Owners
In 1832, a public official named Thomas Walker bought a large piece of land. It was about 39 acres (16 hectares). He paid 60 Australian pounds and nine shillings for it.
A year later, in 1833, Walker sold 13 acres (5.3 hectares) of his land to William Miller. At that time, there were no buildings on the land. By 1837, both Walker and Miller had built houses on their properties.
Thomas Walker died in 1850. He left his house, called "Euroka," and 16 acres (6.5 hectares) to his wife.
New Owners and Changes
In 1853, "Euroka" and the remaining land were sold to George Tuting for £1,500. Tuting owned the land for a short time. He likely bought it to sell it quickly for a profit. Land and house prices were rising fast in the 1850s because of the gold rush.
Later in 1853, Tuting sold the property for more than double what he paid. The new owner was Edwin Sayers, a shipowner. Sayers lived at "Euroka" until 1868.
Around 1855, Sayers added a large new two-storey sandstone part to the house. He also created terraces in the garden and planted an orchard. Sayers sometimes used his house as security for loans. This was because his shipping business could be unpredictable.
Financial Troubles and New Beginnings
Edwin Sayers faced financial problems. In 1860, he transferred his property to trustees to help his creditors (people he owed money to). His financial difficulties continued. In 1867, the property was put up for auction, but no one bought it.
The next owner was Thomas Allwright Dibbs. He was the manager of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney. Dibbs was buying a lot of land in North Sydney. By 1882, Graythwaite became his family home.
Around 1875, Dibbs made big changes. He pulled down Walker's original house. He then added to Sayers' sandstone building. This completed Graythwaite as we see it today.
The Garden and Rare Plants
Dibbs owned a lot of land in the area. He bought the land next door, which later became part of Shore School. Many early photos of Sydney were taken from Graythwaite. This was because the owner of the nearby property, Holtermann, kept his tower private.
Most of the current garden at Graythwaite dates back to Dibbs's time around 1875. You can see old photos where fig trees were small and protected. The garden has a very rare rainforest tree called a pepper berry or white walnut. It is native to northern NSW. Only one other of these trees is known in Sydney.
A Home for Soldiers
Thomas Dibbs was a respected and clever banker. He was known for saving his bank during a tough economic time in the 1890s. He was also very generous.
When World War I started, Dibbs was shocked by the suffering. In 1915, Australian soldiers first fought at Gallipoli. Dibbs decided to donate his home, Graythwaite, to the state. He wanted it to be a place for soldiers returning from the war to recover. This type of place is called a convalescent home.
On 1 October 1915, Dibbs officially gave the property to the government. He said it was out of "admiration of and sincere sympathy for those brave men." He wanted it to be a convalescent home for soldiers and sailors. When not needed for them, it would be a home for any distressed British subjects.
Graythwaite officially opened on 1 March 1916. Dibbs gave the deeds to the Premier of New South Wales. The Premier then gave the property to the NSW Red Cross. The building was changed to fit its new use. At first, it helped soldiers who were not severely ill. In 1918, the Red Cross decided to change Graythwaite into a hostel for soldiers with long-term disabilities. This required more changes to the building.
Graythwaite was used as a convalescent home until 1977. After that, it became a hospital for older people. The Red Cross handed over the buildings in December 1980.
What Graythwaite Looks Like
Site and Gardens
Graythwaite is on a raised part of the land. It has entrances from both Union and Edward Streets. The land slopes down with terraces. These terraces are covered with old trees and bushes.
The main entrance from Union Street has a formal driveway. It leads up to the front of the old building. While some newer buildings have changed the immediate gardens, parts of the old plantings are still there.
From Graythwaite, you can still see amazing views. You can see parts of Sydney, the Harbour, and even mountains in the distance. The many trees and the sloping land help to hide the nearby city buildings.
The Shore School bought Graythwaite in 2009. They already owned land next to it. This land was once part of the Graythwaite estate. It includes houses built for Dibbs's children.
The terraces on the property might have been made for growing grapes. But this was stopped because the south-facing slopes were not good for fruit. Many old trees grow on these terraces now. This makes the site feel private.
Some very old and large trees are still on the property. These include Moreton Bay figs and Port Jackson figs. There are also giant bamboo, a firewheel tree, and a rare pepperberry tree. You can also see tall Cook's pines and Monterey pines.
The driveway from Union Street is lined with brush box trees and camphor laurels. Many fruit trees have been planted or remain near the main house. These include citrus trees, figs, and mulberries.
Buildings at Graythwaite
The main building at Graythwaite is a large three-storey sandstone house. It has attached kitchen areas. There are also smaller, single-storey buildings around it. These smaller buildings were added when Graythwaite became a hospital in 1916.
The main sandstone building has grown over time. It started as a smaller house around the 1830s. It became a grand villa around 1882. Then, after 1916, it was changed to be a hospital.
The property includes:
- A large sandstone Victorian-style house with kitchen wings.
- A single-storey sandstone outbuilding with a loft. This was likely the stables from the 1830s.
- A single-storey stone building that was once an office and dining room for staff.
- A single-storey brick building that was a recreation room.
- A single-storey brick outbuilding with an attic, which was stables from the 1880s.
- Hospital ward buildings added around 1918.
- A service yard and car park.
- The terraced and landscaped gardens.
- A newer building that connects parts of the complex.
Building Condition
As of 2001, all the buildings at Graythwaite were in good condition. They were structurally sound and well-maintained. The gardens are also looked after regularly. Volunteers help to remove unwanted plants and plant native species.
Changes Over Time
Graythwaite has changed a lot in three main stages:
- Phase I (1830s): The first house and outbuildings were built. Terraces and an orchard were added around 1855. Most of the current garden started around 1875.
- Phase II (1880s): Major renovations happened, making it a grand villa.
- Phase III (since 1916): The building was changed and added to for its use as a convalescent hospital and nursing home.
After Shore School bought Graythwaite in 2009, they did more big renovations. These were finished in 2014.
Why Graythwaite is Important
Graythwaite is a very important historical site in New South Wales. It shows how prominent homes on the North Shore changed over time. It also reflects the social standing of its different owners.
Historical Importance
Graythwaite is one of the earliest examples of a large home in North Sydney. The original house, "Euroka," built in the 1830s, is still part of the current building. The old sandstone stables are also very rare. They show how important horses were for transport back then.
The property is strongly linked to the Dibbs family, especially Thomas Allwright Dibbs. He was a very important bank manager. His generous act of donating Graythwaite as a convalescent home for soldiers from World War I is a big part of its history.
The land around Graythwaite is still largely the same size and shape as it was in 1873. It still has parts of the large garden developed during Dibbs's time. It also keeps its amazing views of Sydney Harbour.
Architectural and Landscape Importance
Graythwaite is a very large property for being so close to North Sydney's city center. It has impressive terraced gardens with old trees. The main building is a grand Victorian Italianate style. This style was chosen during Dibbs's ownership (1880-1885) to capture the incredible views of Sydney Harbour.
While the building's main street view might not show its grandeur as much now, the views from inside the building towards the south and west are truly special. Changes made since 1936 for its use as a Red Cross Hospital have altered some of its original look.
Social Importance
The local community values Graythwaite for its history. It shows what wealthy homes on the North Shore were like. Its use as a convalescent home, then a hostel for people with disabilities, and later a hospital for the elderly, also makes it socially important. It shows how people cared for others in need.
Research Potential
Graythwaite is also important for research. Even though it was changed for hospital use, the main building still has many original details from the Victorian period. These include fireplaces and hardware that are often lost in other old homes. It also has old timber floors and ceilings. These features show its very early origins and its importance as one of the oldest surviving buildings in North Sydney.
The old stables building is a rare example of early building styles. It was part of the first group of buildings on the land granted to Thomas Walker in 1832. Because the buildings have parts from all stages of their history, they offer great potential for archaeological and educational research.
The property is also known for having one of the largest and most important collections of late 19th-century garden plantings in the North Sydney area.
Rarity
Graythwaite is considered rare and important to the state of New South Wales. This is because it still has parts of its original building and landscape from the very early days of the North Shore's development.
The property also represents the choice of North Sydney for large, wealthy homes. Its later use for health care since 1916 also makes it a good example of how places can adapt to serve the community.
Images for kids
-
Graythwaite in 2007, prior to its restoration completed in 2014.
