Well-guarded entrance to the colonial barracks
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Regency-style Victoria Barracks and parade ground in front
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The canon salvaged from the wreck of the Sirius, mounted on a replica gun carriage
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REPORT ON CHAPTER EXCURSION TO VICTORIA BARRACKS
Date: Thursday 5th April 2018
Time: 10.00am
Where: Victoria Barracks, Headquarters of Forces Command and one of the best examples of a military barracks in the world.
On a warm and sunny day our group of 20 rode the peak hour T2 train and then by bus to Albion Street, Paddington, where we alighted and walked to the Barracks to be checked through security. We were met by a volunteer tour guide who worked closely with Roderick White, Vice President and Ret. Major with the ADF.
Our first stop was Busby’s Bore, Sydney’s second water supply. With pollution threatening the Tank Street, in 1824 Governor Darling appointed John Busby to address the problem. Busby decided that the Lachlan Swamps (now part of Centennial Park) was a suitable new source of clean water, to be conveyed to the town through underground tunnels. By 1837, convict labourers had completed a tunnel network stretching 3.6 kms – all by hand!
Our circuitous route took us to many places not normally viewed by regular tours, peeking in at the Sergeant’s Mess (very nice!), along a lane to the Mortuary, now a cool place for storage wine and spirits (always held under lock and key) which was kindly opened to us to view (our pleas for a “tipple” were declined in good spirit).
We walked by the impressive Regency-style Victoria Barracks, designed by Lieutenant-Colonel George Barney, who also built Fort Denison and reconstructed Circular Quay. Most of barracks was constructed using locally quarried sandstone between 1841 and 1849. Of prime interest to our group was the Sirius cannon, now mounted on a beautiful carriage, and located at the end of the Barracks’ long colonnade. The parade ground in front was being vigorously mowed for the cricket match that commenced a short while later.
We viewed the Wollemi pine recently planted to honour the generations of site guides; onto the grand Officer’s quarters, the Chapel of the Holy Cross; we then meandered under huge Moreton Bay Fig trees, their spreading branches providing much appreciated shade from the hot sun.
Sergeant Ryan was our guide at The Army Museum of New South Wales, housed in the original 25-cell District Military Prison which was constructed in 1847. The Museum features many armed force uniforms, ranging from the period of the First Fleet marines through the Boer War, The Great War and World War 2. Medals awarded included Victoria Cross, Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Campaign Medal, Royal honours. One historical treasure was a calico cloth spread over a large square table onto which soldiers had signed their names which were then over-embroidered to create a very nostalgic reminder of those who had served at the Gallipoli Campaign. Sergeant Ryan was a walking encyclopaedia of the overall history - that of the First Fleet, the role of the Marines, and subsequent army and navy personnel who guarded the colony and their impact on our early history.
We then adjourned to the Functions Room where Robbie had organised with the Canteen supervisor a delicious spread of sandwiches, fresh fruit and cakes and the best coffee ever.
Gillian Doyle
President
24.4.2018
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2018-
Images above and below: Courtesy of J. Kennedy.
REPORT ON CHAPTER EXCURSION TO VICTORIA BARRACKS
Date: Thursday 5th April 2018
Time: 10.00am
Where: Victoria Barracks, Headquarters of Forces Command and one of the best examples of a military barracks in the world.
On a warm and sunny day our group of 20 rode the peak hour T2 train and then by bus to Albion Street, Paddington, where we alighted and walked to the Barracks to be checked through security. We were met by a volunteer tour guide who worked closely with Roderick White, Vice President and Ret. Major with the ADF.
Our first stop was Busby’s Bore, Sydney’s second water supply. With pollution threatening the Tank Street, in 1824 Governor Darling appointed John Busby to address the problem. Busby decided that the Lachlan Swamps (now part of Centennial Park) was a suitable new source of clean water, to be conveyed to the town through underground tunnels. By 1837, convict labourers had completed a tunnel network stretching 3.6 kms – all by hand!
Our circuitous route took us to many places not normally viewed by regular tours, peeking in at the Sergeant’s Mess (very nice!), along a lane to the Mortuary, now a cool place for storage wine and spirits (always held under lock and key) which was kindly opened to us to view (our pleas for a “tipple” were declined in good spirit).
We walked by the impressive Regency-style Victoria Barracks, designed by Lieutenant-Colonel George Barney, who also built Fort Denison and reconstructed Circular Quay. Most of barracks was constructed using locally quarried sandstone between 1841 and 1849. Of prime interest to our group was the Sirius cannon, now mounted on a beautiful carriage, and located at the end of the Barracks’ long colonnade. The parade ground in front was being vigorously mowed for the cricket match that commenced a short while later.
We viewed the Wollemi pine recently planted to honour the generations of site guides; onto the grand Officer’s quarters, the Chapel of the Holy Cross; we then meandered under huge Moreton Bay Fig trees, their spreading branches providing much appreciated shade from the hot sun.
Sergeant Ryan was our guide at The Army Museum of New South Wales, housed in the original 25-cell District Military Prison which was constructed in 1847. The Museum features many armed force uniforms, ranging from the period of the First Fleet marines through the Boer War, The Great War and World War 2. Medals awarded included Victoria Cross, Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Campaign Medal, Royal honours. One historical treasure was a calico cloth spread over a large square table onto which soldiers had signed their names which were then over-embroidered to create a very nostalgic reminder of those who had served at the Gallipoli Campaign. Sergeant Ryan was a walking encyclopaedia of the overall history - that of the First Fleet, the role of the Marines, and subsequent army and navy personnel who guarded the colony and their impact on our early history.
We then adjourned to the Functions Room where Robbie had organised with the Canteen supervisor a delicious spread of sandwiches, fresh fruit and cakes and the best coffee ever.
Gillian Doyle
President
24.4.2018
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2018-
Images above and below: Courtesy of J. Kennedy.
Convict-built Busby's Bore
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Vent in the floor of the Chapel of the Holy Cross incorporating a kangaroo and emu - which were to become part of the emblem of Australia
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Archway between the main buildings, built with bricks quarried by convicts
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