Friends of Carrawobitty in Forbes, New South Wales | Landmark & historical place

Friends of Carrawobitty

Locality: Forbes, New South Wales

Phone: +61 2 6851 2050

Address: 1301 Bedgerabong Rd 2871 Forbes, NSW, Australia

Website: http://Carrawobitty.com

Likes: 1906

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• Landmark & historical place
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23.01.2022 Time for a belated page update. Aileen 'Beryl' Coward and Reginald William Coward - these are the two we can thank for having such a solid, robust and inventive house like Carrawobitty built for generations to admire. I love, adore, and almost worship these two fabulous people for the Carrawobitty legacy they left in their wake. These are not the best photos I have of them, but they are my favourites because you can see a reflection of their house in these images. It became v...ery evident to me a couple of years ago that I refer to Reggie and Beryl in the present tense; when someone asked where they were! Long dead was my reply, but they still have a presence in the house - and I do talk to them every day. They were indeed grand characters; and I'm pretty sure I've heard every wild story (which is essentially gossip) about them both. There is truly no end to the amazing stories of those that came before us at Carrawobitty; but just recently, we've come to the conclusion that when I do write Carrawobitty's history, I'll keep much of Beryl's story to myself; and take her secrets to my grave.

20.01.2022 A few people may remember we had a business facebook page called Carrawobitty Rural Retreat - and up there with strange and odd happenings this year - it disappeared a few months ago. After several months of trying to communicate with Facebook to regain our admin access to the page, we’ve given up - and decided its just part of the universe saying to us ‘you don’t do that anymore’. Where we’re at now, is trying to embrace the now. Trying to live in this wedge between what w...as our past and what will be our future - and trust me - its a hard wedge to live in. But we’re okay and doing our best. What helps though, is still being able to agree to things that we REALLY enjoy, while we wait.. One of those things was a little soiree a few weeks ago for Scott McGregors Railway Adventures. After many - many months of doing not much, having Scott and his train enthusiasts here for a few hours really made us appreciate what we’ve loved about showcasing Carrawobitty to an unsuspecting public! If anyone is itching for a fun and interesting way to travel - check out Railway Adventures - trust us, it’s a lot of fun.

17.01.2022 No great surprise - but I LOVE the social history stories at Carrawobitty. They are vast and wild, and a treasure trove to discover. There is a great blog that I’ll put in a link below - because it says what I cannot say! The author and I however have similar views; in that the story of Carrawobitty would make a cracking good movie. Whether it's the Cowards, or the many people with a past association to Carrawobitty - the links are far and wide - and they do tell a great sto...ry. If you’re ever in Yass; make a quick trip to see the memorial gates erected in Victoria Park in memory of Mr. A. B. Triggs; who for several years leased Carrawobitty; before my Reggie took up residence. If I wanted to bring you down the rabbit hole with me, I’d share the story of Dunns Plains (situated at Rockley, 38 kilometres south of Bathurst) - but that's a deep deep hole; and a story left for another day. And one for the superest of super sleuths - the Carrawobitty connection reaches as far as Mary Reiby - next time you hold a $20 note, just think of us. That story is best told over a glass of wine; or two. Not everything is on google - some things are only discovered by a deep and incurable curiosity - and by asking A LOT of questions! http://ganmain.blogspot.com//hi-boys-and-girls-found-out-s

10.01.2022 Some things just have to be shared. Tonight's view from our back door Mother nature saying "sorry for that crap I put you through yesterday"

09.01.2022 For three short years, between 1947-1950, Carrawobitty was the center of National controversy. The conflict started in 1947; when Reg Coward gifted his property to the Government. The majority of the land was resumed for soldier settlements; however the house and 250acres was excluded from soldier settlement and given to the NSW Child Welfare Department. Only four boys were here - and some awful headlines were written about them; and equally awful commentary in the newspape...r articles; in the realm of 'we don't want that type around here' The boys were interviewed in 1949, one of them reported the following ""One boy, aged 15, came in from the farm where he had been busy all the morning. He said "I want to be allowed to stay here. Forbes is a lovey place. I never had a chance before. I do not know my mother and father. Mr and Mrs Laversley have been wonderful. Its like the Boys Town of America. We each have a bed; and our room adjoins a bathroom and we have a telephone by our beds." An inspection of the dining room followed, where the boys eat, showed that they had the best of linen and silver on the table. There were no locked doors and there was nothing to suggest that it was a home for the Child Welfare Department. Beautiful crockery, linen and other things of value are cherished by the boys, who take pride in being able to live at Carrawobitty."" (Mr and Mrs Laversley were the Superintendent and his wife)

09.01.2022 These photos were posted in another heritage group I'm in; and thankfully, the owner gave me permission to share (Thanks Peter ) This house has always thrived on fun, family and happy get-togethers. Photos were taken in 1993....and on closer inspection, I think I know some of the smiling faces sitting on the staircase!... And yes - the ivy. I know some people loved it, but I'm not a fan. Each to their own

06.01.2022 Happy Friday everyone I've been up early - it's an absolutely glorious day here Enjoy your weekend xx

06.01.2022 In case anyone missed it, there was a great TV show last week called Designing a Legacy (now on ABC iView). It’s a one-hour documentary that explores how the architecture of our homes has the ability to affect more than those who live there. It’s a great documentary and quite honestly danced on the iceberg that is my emotions. But it then got me thinking; about Carrawobitty’s architect; Mr Alfred Sambrook, whose image is attached. Apologies for the quality; it's the best I ...could find. Alfred was born in Bathurst, in 1869; and has a mention in the book ‘Bathurst Pioneers’ as a bricklayer, contractor and architect. He laid the bricks for the 1897 improvements to Cathedral of St Michael and St John. He was also associated with the design of Bathurst’s Machattie Park buildings, including the begonia house and fernery. He then studied architecture with the International Correspondence Schools; before the Board of Architects of NSW considered Alfred's qualifications and experience and approved his name for registration as an architect in January 1923. There are several of his buildings listed in the Heritage Study of the City of Bathurst. More of Alfred's work is outlined in Graham Lupp’s book Building Bathurst: The Story of those who built Bathurst and Central NSW 1815-1915. Alfred died in 1956 and it was noted that he possessed a keen and orderly mind, as well as a remarkably retentive memory. These faculties were reflected in the neatness of his work (we can attest to that!). That’s as succinct as I can make of Alfred’s life and contribution to Bathurst and the wider Central West - but of separate and significant note is the following. Officials of the International Correspondence School (ICS) arrived in Bathurst on Wednesday 4th July 1956, to ascertain whether Mr Alfred Sambrook of 57 Lambert Street was the oldest living ex-student of the ICS. The search for this student had continued for some time; until Mr Sambrook advised the ICS that he took a course in architecture with them as far back as 1905. However, when the officials called at Mr Sambrooks home on Thursday morning; neighbours informed them Mr Sambrook had died some hours earlier. A grand celebration was intended to formally recognise Mr Sambrooks achievements and was intended for October that same year; however Mr Sambrook died without this knowledge. His wife had passed away a few years prior, and he had no children - however there were nieces and a nephew.

04.01.2022 Because I only have two speeds - stop and go; I have to be really careful where my attention goes. I've told myself I'll wait till I leave here before really trying to make sense of Carrawobitty’s history; and to make sense of my own family history - because family history research can be soooo so time consuming. Scott. Field. Collits. Lees. Lee. Beuzeville. Atkinson. Rawsthorne..the names go on.On my maternal side. Many people on this page will have similar connections to... the original Carrawobitty Station. While some people are difficult to find and like to remain hidden, others are openly calling for their stories to be heard. Like Mrs Maggie Tobieson; who for me is like a shadow on the edge of other people lives. Although she has popped up a few times; I’m always reluctant to dig too far; because I’m honestly a little reluctant to peek into someone's personal life; as she has no connection to me; but I do like finding out who the staff were here. Mrs Tobieson took her husband to court for abandonment in 1896, and arrived at Carrawobitty in June 1919 to be a cook - only to die the very next day!! Mrs Tobieson died of Spanish Flu in June 1919; and my Reggie and Beryl were in hospital for the same disease in July 1919...connection???