Hely's Grave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hely's Grave |
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| Location | Pacific Highway, Wyoming, Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1836– |
| Architect | John Verge |
| Owner | Gosford City Council |
| Official name: Hely's Grave | |
| Type | state heritage (archaeological-terrestrial) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 53 |
| Type | Isolated Grave/Burial Site |
| Category | Cemeteries and Burial Sites |
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Hely's Grave is a special historical site located on the Pacific Highway in Wyoming, Australia. It is the burial place of Frederick Augustus Hely. The grave was designed by a famous architect named John Verge and built in 1836. Today, the Central Coast Council looks after this important piece of history. It was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, which means it's protected because of its historical value.
Who Was Frederick Hely?
Frederick Augustus Hely was a very important person in early Australian history. From 1823 until he passed away in 1836, he was the Principal Superintendent of Convicts. This meant he was in charge of all the convicts in the colony.
Even though he worked in Sydney, Hely dreamed of living in the Brisbane Waters area. He received a large piece of land there. By 1825, he had started a farm called Wyoming in the Narara valley.
Hely was one of the first and largest landowners in the district. His wealth and position meant he lived a very different life compared to the many smaller settlers in the area. He died at his home in Darlinghurst on September 8, 1836.
What Does Hely's Grave Look Like?
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Hely's Grave is surrounded by a low stone wall, about 6 meters (20 feet) square. This wall has a special shaped top that might have once held a decorative fence.
In the middle of this walled area, there is a simple stone slab made of sandstone. On this slab, you can read an inscription that says:
In memory
of
Frederick August Hely Esq
died 8th September 1836
aged 42 years
His loved remains lie in this spot
At his own request
This inscription tells us who is buried there, when he died, and that he wanted to be buried in this specific spot.
In 2000, it was noted that parts of the monument were showing wear and tear. Some sandstone blocks were chipped or broken. Also, plants and trees were starting to grow over the surrounding land and parts of the wall.
Why Is Hely's Grave Important?
Hely's Grave is part of what used to be the large Hely Estate. This estate also included Wyoming Cottage, which was the main house, and The Grange, which was originally the stables but is now a home.
All three of these buildings and the grave were designed by the famous architect John Verge. Only a few of his works from that time still exist today, making these sites very special.
Because of its historical and architectural importance, Hely's Grave was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This listing helps protect the grave for future generations to learn from and appreciate.
