After a year of COVID-19 related lockdown and restrictions, cultural institutions have opened their doors to the public. History enthusiasts were warmly welcomed to the Open Day at Tempe House in late February, 2021, conversations were had as regards architecture and the site’s history. Heritage architects, local residents, young and the not so young, together with people from the National Archives had a genuine interest.
This year, the Australian Heritage Festival, which is run by the National Trust, has a theme ‘Our Heritage for the Future.’ Tempe House celebrates heritage and culture through the unveiling of new exhibitions, songs, dance, visual arts, talks and tours displaying the progression through time, from the past to the current and future generations.
The refreshed Museum tells the story of magnificent Tempe through fine arts. Works in brush and pencil from the 1830s to 1970s reveal changes in the house appearance, and some tell stories of its inhabitants. Spark’s house in its beautiful setting was the only subject for artists up until the 1970s. However, discoveries within the recent months have been a pleasant surprise. The new display in St Magdalen’s Chapel reveals changes toTempe House grounds, and the story of the Good Samaritans at Tempe.
Drawings of St Magdalen’s Chapel signed by Don Frasier dated 1988 challenged me as a researcher. I have not located any information about this artist so far. But the artist’s strong hand delivering stunningly detailed views of the Chapel’s interior and of the original laundry building, both designed by Sherrin & Hennessy architects in 1887-1889, are set to please attendees during the upcoming Open Day.
My research was undertaken within the Archives of the Good Samaritan’s Order where an unusual source of historical information was located. An original page from the St. George Leagues Club’s journal, dated 1969, led to the discovery of 58 drawings of historical houses from the Macquarie Watch House, La Perouse to Kurnell. The St George area at large was also included. Published between 1969 and 1974, the drawings in pen were produced by Albert N. Clarke over a period of time.
Thanks to the artist himself, who had published drawings, and deposited a pile of newspaper cuttings, exhibition catalogues, the proof of his publications and selected correspondence with the State Library of NSW, my research was an easier task. He exhibited with the most prominent Australian artists of the time, Fifty eight in total, they provide the views of historical buildings existing and those demolished. The drawings are undated, but produced probably across 1920-1960s.
The UK-born Clarke, arrived in Australia in 1914. As a 17 year old, he studied at the Darlinghurst Technical College under John Godson, and under James Ranalph Jackson and Antonio Dattilo Rubbo in the Royal Art Society of NSW. Clarke had his first one man show in 1946 at the Murdock Art Salon, Sydney. A member of the Royal Art Society of NSW (1939-1960), Albert N. Clarke had a passion for heritage buildings. His artistic hand combined with his capacity as a researcher, resulted in his first appearance in the Sydney Morning Herald in the 1950s and his work was also reprinted within magazines. Clarke’s books The Pen Points of Old Sydney, Sydney Historic Houses, and Randwick Ramble were published in 1951, 1968 and 1973 respectively. These publications are still available in libraries and in good second hand books stores.
‘Albert N. Clarke for many years has been interested as an historian and artist in the charming buildings associated with the early settlement of Sydney and NSW.’ [Sydney and NSW, Albert N. Clarke, the Central Press, Sydney, 1968]. The biography of Albert N. Clarke is in its final stage of research.
Discovery Point Cooperative Pty Ltd invites the public to visit Tempe House, its grounds and St Magdalen’s Chapel on 15th-16th May. The bookings are essential for all lectures, tour and walks.
Moorefield Racecourse by Anne Field, River Dreams, the People and Landscape of the Cooks River by Ian Tyrrell, Lydham Hall, Bricks and Mortar by Olga Sedneva, Anne Field and Wesley Fairhall, and Tempe House, the Place of Inspiration by Olga Sedneva are available for sale from $15-$35.
Bookings and enquiries 9596 2652.
Olga Sedneva,
April 2021
