63-653: The Yaralla Estate , also known as the Dame Eadith Walker Estate and now home to the Dame Eadith Walker Hospital , is a heritage-listed hospital at The Drive, Concord West , City of Canada Bay in Sydney , New South Wales , Australia. Yaralla was the home of Eadith Walker and her father Thomas . The estate is historically significant as one of the last large nineteenth-century estates remaining in metropolitan Sydney . In
126-594: A dozen cottages. A power plant the size of a small factory was built, reputedly Sydney's first private generating plant and the Sulman alterations undertaken. At her death in 1937 the estate totalled 265 345 pounds, less than a third of what her father left behind. The Arthur Walker Reserve to the Estate's south adjoining Majors Bay has been home of the Concord West Cricket Club since 1940 and indicates
189-535: A further 6.1% of respondents elected not to disclose their religion. 33°50′39″S 151°05′25″E / 33.84416°S 151.09021°E / -33.84416; 151.09021 George Nichols (Australian politician) George Robert Nichols (27 September 1809 – 12 September 1857 ), also known as Bob Nichols , was an Australian politician, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1848 and 1856. He
252-514: A further auction later. Eadith Walker's benefactions, donations to the Thomas Walker Convalescent Home and construction work at Yaralla took a toll on her finances. The grounds were extraordinary and a lot of time and money had gone into establishing large areas of lawn with native and European trees, rockeries, walks, fountains, ornamental urns and statues, grottos, hot houses, a conservatory, rose gardens and more than
315-449: A lesser amount of barley and maize at Concord. He had three assigned convicts and two free servants, not all necessarily resident at Concord, in 1802. Nichols began to diversify. In 1803 he had a field of peas at Concord and began to plant fruit trees: by 1805 he had at least one peach tree bearing fruit. The extent and location of the orchard at this period are not known, although it can be assumed to have lain close to Yaralla Bay, where it
378-525: A number of trips overseas, bringing back enormous quantities of souvenirs. She bought back enough artefacts from India to require the construction of a special Indian room in Thomas Walker's former office. The Norwegian Cottage, and most of its fittings and furniture, also returned with her from another sortie. It was later re-assembled in the grounds of Yaralla. The Norwegian Cottage was a product of Eadith's fondness for travel. She brought it back from
441-516: A period as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council , representing the Port Phillip electorate (which later became the state of Victoria), and as the president of the board of the Bank of NSW. Walker was also an active philanthropist. However, despite his commitment to relieving the poor, he had a hatred of the democratic element in society and was firmly aligned with the view of keeping
504-628: A philanthropist who lived in the Victorian Italianate mansion, Yaralla, on the shores of Parramatta River . When he died, Walker left substantial funds for the establishment of a convalescent hospital in the area. The hospital—known as the Thomas Walker Hospital—was designed by Sir John Sulman in the Federation Free Classical style and built on a large site north-west of Yaralla. It is now listed on
567-537: A quantity of poultry. The paddocks formed an important part of the Estate's rural function from its beginning, providing grazing area for the cattle and horses used in farm activities. Cattle were shown at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and provided milk for the Estate and area for the horses used when buggies were the main form of transportation. The eastern section of the western paddock has been used for housing. Others simply came to visit, including
630-563: A recuperative facility for tubercular veterans in the grounds of Yaralla from 1917 until January 1920. However, she did not restrict herself to these philanthropic activities and regularly held parties for Sydney society members at the estate. In 1919 the outer part of the estate closest to Concord Road was transferred to the real estate firm King and Humphrey. King and Humphrey offered the first sub-division of Yaralla Estate in June 1920. A large crowd bid for all lots offered until dusk, necessitating
693-590: A relatively intact state. Concord West railway station is on the Northern Line of the Sydney Trains network. There are also various buses which service in and around the Concord West area. Concord West Public School is serving K-6. St Ambrose Catholic Primary School is a catholic primary school serving K-6. Victoria Avenue Public School is a government school serving K-6. According to
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#1732801124994756-431: A set of plans for a cottage at Concord for Thomas Walker, cottage meaning a small country residence. Construction of this cottage, (an Italianate villa) to be known as Yaralla, began. Although the date of completion is not certain, it is probably around 1858–1859. This is also probably the time that Walker moved onto the property permanently. The house was built in 2 stages. Construction began in 1851 using stone quarried on
819-427: A trip and had it reassembled on the grounds. The Indian Room was built to house all the artefacts she brought back after a trip to India. This was not the only building to take place during her life at Yaralla. Extensive renovations were made to the estate during the 1890s. These additions and alterations were designed by architect John Sulman, who was married to Eadith's childhood friend, Anne Masefield The alterations to
882-480: Is a separate suburb, to the east. Concord West is bordered on the west by Rhodes , Liberty Grove and Homebush Bay ; to the south by North Strathfield and Homebush ; and to the east by Concord , Breakfast Point , Cabarita and Mortlake . It shares the postcode of 2138 with Rhodes. The suburb takes its namesake from the town of Concord, Massachusetts in the United States of America . Concord West
945-594: Is known for its extensive Italian commercial offerings, with many Italian businesses and restaurants, although 22% of the suburb's growing population is of Italian ancestry. Concord takes its name from Concord, Massachusetts , in the United States. It was the site of the Battle of Concord , the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1778). Some historians believe
1008-621: Is no record of where Grant was living while working at Yaralla and Rosemont, though from 1881 he lived at "Willow Cottage in Point Piper Road - west side (later Ocean Street), Paddington " until he moved to quarters in the Botanic Garden, Sydney in 1882 for work there. It is likely that the positions at Yaralla and Rosemont both included quarters for a single man and that only after he married Margaret Stevenson in January 1880
1071-645: Is part of the NSW Statewide Burns Injury Service, with many patients coming from regional, rural, remote and overseas locations for specialised care. The refurbished Hyacinth Cottage residence allows the Burns unit to discharge eligible patients, encourage them to continue their recovery in a supportive home environment and ensure they continue to have access to multidisciplinary care. The Dame Eadith Walker Estate comprises approximately 37 hectares (Sydney South West Area Health Service state
1134-424: Is shown on the first available plan in 1833. He was also beginning to build up a herd of cattle and a flock of sheep. In 1805 the farm was attacked by Aboriginal people, who seized the stockmen's "little property and provision" and then "chased and dispersed the stock in all directions". Only one stockman was there at the time and he prudently fled the scene. Keenly aware of the value of land, he gradually purchased
1197-775: The 2021 census , there were 6,178 residents in Concord West. The most common ancestries in Concord West were Australian 18.2%, English 18.0%, Italian 17.8%, Chinese 14.7%, and Irish 9.4%. 60.9% of people were born in Australia; the next most common countries of birth included China (excluding Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan ) 5.6%, Italy 3.6%, South Korea 2.7%, England 1.6%, and India 1.4%. 58.4% of people spoke only English at home, other languages spoken at home included Italian 6.6%, Mandarin 6.5%, Cantonese 4.1%, Korean 3.2% and Greek 2.6%. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 40.8%, No Religion 24.3%, Anglican 6.2%, and Eastern Orthodox 5.3%;
1260-645: The New South Wales State Heritage Register and the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate . Dame Eadith Walker DBE , CBE , who never married, died at Yaralla in 1937 after a long career devoting her life to the Australian Red Cross and a wide range of other philanthropic organisations. Her estate was disposed of in accordance with the terms of her father's will, brought about by
1323-618: The Register of the National Estate . Since the late 1970s, it has functioned as Rivendell Child, Adolescent and Family Unit , which specialises in the treatment of young people with psychological problems. Walker's philanthropic work was continued by his daughter Dame Eadith Walker (1861–1937), who was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1919, and was made a Dame 1929. The family home, Yaralla , eventually became
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#17328011249941386-696: The Thomas Walker Trusts Act (1939), a portion of which was set aside to found the Dame Eadith Walker Convalescent Hospital and income from the remainder went to support the hospital, the Thomas Walker hospital and the Yaralla cottages built by Dame Eadith for elderly people in need. The core of the later Yaralla is the promontory in Concord between Majors Bay to the east and what is now Yaralla Bay to
1449-525: The 1860s, Thomas Walker commissioned the architect Edmund Blacket to design a home on the shores of the Parramatta River . This Victorian Italianate mansion became the Walker family home. From 1893 to 1899, Eadith Walker built extensions that were designed by the architect John Sulman . A stables and coach house complex were also designed by Sulman at the same time. The entire estate is listed on
1512-609: The 1970s many of the buildings were demolished and the swimming pool filled in. As late as 1970 the estate was still in the form in which it appeared in the 1930s. In November 1988 the Dame Eadith Walker Convalescent Hospital was closed. Since 1988 the estate has remained in use for health-related purposes, managed by the Sydney South West Area Health Service (now the Sydney Local Health District). These have included use of
1575-718: The Dame Eadith Walker Hospital; like the Thomas Walker Hospital, it was listed on the Register of the National Estate. Dame Eadith also aided in establishing the Concord Repatriation General Hospital . The portion of Concord north and west of Concord Golf Club and Majors Bay Reserve was designated a separate suburb under the name "Concord West" and gazetted in 1993. On 9 June 1998, Concord West became
1638-525: The Jolly Sailor, in George Street in 1798 and soon developed business premises, a shipyard and a stone dwelling on the west side of Circular Quay . There is no evidence for a substantial cottage on Nichols' Concord farm in this early period. Nichols' advance in the colony suffered a setback when he was found guilty in 1799 of receiving stolen property. It seems likely that he was the victim of
1701-659: The NSW Department of Health announced by media release that 13ha of Yaralla's estate would be made public parkland. The Yaralla Estate Community Advisory Committee was established in late 2013. Its role is to advise the chief executive of the Sydney Local Health District on maintaining and using the estate for the benefit of the Local Health District and the community. It has a defined role and terms of reference, including advising
1764-703: The New Guinea campaign during the Second World War . Concord West is home to one of Sydney's major hospitals, Concord Repatriation General Hospital (commonly known as Concord Hospital). Concord Hospital has its own postcode, 2139. The hospital grounds, particularly around the Dame Edith Walker Hospital in the Yaralla Estate to the south, contain some remnants of critically endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest in
1827-582: The area as 50 acres/20.3ha of land, comprising a peninsula fronting the Parramatta River at Concord. It is a large estate which retains its rural elements such as grazing fields with horses, former orchard and vegetable garden areas (now lawn), extensive garden layout including parkland, rose garden, picking garden, extensive grotto work, a rockery, former tennis/croquet lawn, former swimming pool (in-filled and now lawn) and Italian lawn terrace. It also contains sporting and recreation facilities, such as
1890-625: The dairy herd. However, it was a shrinking estate. The Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital took over a whole peninsula (to Yaralla's west) in the 1890s and in 1917, a sizeable piece of the estate at the head of Major's Bay (to Yaralla's south-east) was transferred to the Concord Golf Club Ltd. During the First World War she assisted sick and wounded servicemen through the Red Cross and eventually established and maintained
1953-558: The financial crisis of 1842 but later returned to his legal practice. Nichols was a member of the Parramatta Regional Council, a trustee of Sydney Grammar School and a leading Freemason. Among the pupils articled to Nichols were James Martin (afterwards Premier and Chief Justice of New South Wales) and Richard Dry (afterwards Premier of Tasmania). Nichols was conceded the privilege, enjoyed by no other practitioner of his grade, of appearing professionally in both
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2016-416: The first post-master in 1809. For the first 4 or 5 years after 1797, Nichols used his Concord property for mixed farming. By 1801 he had cleared only 14 acres of the initial 50 acres and had 18 acres under wheat or maize. He had three horses and no draught oxen. His only other livestock in 1801 consisted of 50 hogs. Within a year he had cleared another 26 acres and was growing a substantial amount of wheat and
2079-468: The first responsible self-government in New South Wales. He held these positions for 80 days in the government of Stuart Donaldson . Nichols married Eliza Boggs on 23 March 1831 and they had son, also called George Robert (1830–1832), and a daughter, Georgiana Eliza (1832–1921). Eliza Boggs died on 16 February 1835 (aged 22). He married Susannah Eliza Barnes on 16 December 1837 and they had
2142-450: The former swimming pool, tennis court/croquet green and a squash court. Concord West, New South Wales Concord West (also known as West Concord ) is a suburb in Sydney's inner-west , in the state of New South Wales , Australia. Concord West is located 16 km west of the Sydney central business district , in the local government area of the City of Canada Bay . Concord
2205-733: The gardens of Cullen House in Banffshire . Before migrating to Australia in 1878 he followed his profession in several Scottish gardens, including the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. Grant arrived in the colony in 1878 and worked first at Yaralla, Concord for the Walkers for some considerable time, then at Rosemont, Woollahra for Alexander Campbell MLC, then for Mr Tooth at the Swifts, Darling Point , which he planned and laid out. There
2268-464: The land to Thomas Walker for 3500 pounds at 15%. In May 1842 he borrowed a further 900 pounds on the security of the property. None of that money was repaid to Walker. In the meantime the remaining title the mortgagor had over the land was conveyed to James Holt, a Sydney merchant. Walker initiated an Equity Court case against G. R. Nichols and James Holt in May 1843 after he was unable to gain repayment of
2331-477: The loan or obtain possession of the land which constituted the security for the loan. In August 1848 the court awarded title to the land to Walker when neither Nichols or Holt could repay the land. Walker was a strong critic of the Land Acts of the 1860s which established the principle of free selection before survey. He was a substantial stock owner and had also invested heavily in the pastoral industry. He spent
2394-547: The main hospital at Camperdown were sent to recuperate. It was officially opened on 29 June 1940. The Estate became vested in the Crown under The Walker Trusts Act, 1938 as the Dame Eadith Walker Convalescent Hospital (Yaralla Estate), to be controlled, managed and operated as convalescent and rehabilitation hospitals under the terms of Thomas Walker's will. Sections 19 and 19A of the Walker Trusts Act 1938 provide for
2457-637: The main house as a Renal Dialysis Training Centre Unit (1993–2008) and of Magnolia Cottage as the Kalparrin Day Centre, a day care unit for patients with dementia (2003+). The main mansion was used for some years as a kidney dialysis unit before being refurbished c.2011 as a Palliative Care Unit. This unit incorporated a 20-bed sub-acute inpatient palliative care unit and clinical and non-clinical support services and associated infrastructure. This unit continues to provide services for persons with HIV, Dementia and other conditions. On 28 August 2013,
2520-453: The main house included a new marbled floor entrance hall overlooked by a balcony, a panelled dining hall with a marble and bronze fireplace, an upper storey on the back and extensive balconies on the front. A set of brick and tile stables adorned with square towers, ranging rooflines, gables and a cupola with weathervane were also built. Eadith maintained Yaralla as a feudal estate and the property contained four bulls, eleven cows, one horse and
2583-628: The majority is Council-owned (c.90 %). A small portion on the north eastern side remains a part of Yaralla /Dame Eadith Walker Estate. Eadith lived in a suite at The Savoy Residential Apartments in Darlinghurst in her later years before returning to Yaralla to die. She died on 8 October 1937. Soon after much of the furniture, fittings, cars, art works and books were sold at a giant auction conducted by James L. Lawson, leading auctioneers in association with Francis de Groot . Eadith Walker made several generous bequests in her will and left half of
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2646-613: The monopolistic ambitions of the New South Wales Corps , with John Macarthur pulling the strings, and Governor Hunter , deeply suspicious of the verdict, referred the case to England. Nichols' name was not cleared until 1802, when the new Governor, Philip Gidley King , was instructed by the British Government to grant him a pardon from the 1799 conviction. Thereafter Nichols became a person of increasing significance, appointed superintendent of public works and
2709-596: The new constitution he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as one of the two members for Northumberland Boroughs and continued to represent the seat until his death on 12 September 1857. Throughout his parliamentary career he was a strong supporter of Wentworth and William Bland . Nichols served as the Auditor General and as the Secretary for Lands and Works , the inaugural such roles in
2772-423: The opportunity to enjoy herself, but her activities were tempered with a strong streak of benevolence. She contributed financially to the Thomas Walker Convalescent Home and was an active member and contributor to many charitable institutions including further finance for the Thomas Walker Convalescent Home. Eadith was fond of animals and involved with their protection. An indication of her affection for her own pets
2835-513: The overall control, management and administration of the Yaralla and Rivendell Estates, respectively. The Yaralla Estate is the largest community bequest of its era (c.37ha) to survive in an intact form in NSW. The NSW Department of Health ( Sydney South West Area Health Service : SSAHS) is the present Crown authority responsible for the control, management and administration of the property. During
2898-420: The patronage of Dame Eadith Walker to local community organisations. Eadith was patron of the club (giving land for their first pitch in 1921 near the railway station, their second near Thomas Walker Hospital and this land in 1935). The Reserve is used predominantly for matches and training and in winter as soccer training ground. The general public also use it for recreation. It is managed by Canada Bay Council and
2961-511: The poor in their place. Initially Walker did not move to Concord. However, he ensured the estate was carefully maintained although the gardens and orchards had already fallen into ruins. This was possibly in the 1840s when the Nichols family may have seen little need to maintain an asset which they were in danger of losing particularly while his residence was being planned and built in the 1850s. Around 1857 architect Edmund Thomas Blacket drew up
3024-509: The power station and provision of water. With Anne now married to architect and planner John Sulman , and construction of the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital complete, Eadith and Sulman now turned their attention to Yaralla and planned extensive additions and alterations. These were built between 1893 and 1899. Eadith Walker commissioned Sulman to design additions which were finished in 1899. Eadith took
3087-525: The powerful and wealthy, regal and vice-regal personages and political figures. Among these were the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII and subsequently the Duke of Windsor who spent a week in Yaralla in 1921. Knowing his liking for squash, Eadith had a court built for his visit, possibly the first in NSW. Estate workers lived in cottages and were employed in various tasks. These included gardening and maintaining
3150-439: The property and was completed in 1864. Thomas Walker married Jane Hart in 1860 and their only daughter was Eadith Campbell Walker. Jane died in 1870 and Thomas Walker did not remarry. He arranged for his sister Joanna Walker to come to Australia and care for Eadith. Joanna adopted Anne Masefield to serve as a companion to Eadith. Scottish gardener Alexander Grant was born in 1845 at Cullen, Scotland and served an apprenticeship in
3213-431: The residue of her estate to trustees for charitable purposes. The Walker Estates Act enabled trustees to purchase Yaralla and its grounds to establish a convalescent home for men, which was vested in the state government. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital was given control of the hospital, to become known as the Dame Eadith Walker Convalescent Hospital, and it was transformed into a Sub-acute Diseases Hospital where patients from
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#17328011249943276-421: The rest of her life. She lived alone though surrounded by staff, and during her lifetime she enlarged Yaralla considerably, also building several cottages for retired staff on the property. Prior to World War I , Eadith had 25 servants and employees living at Yaralla, including a butler, nine maids, cooks, laundresses, chauffeurs, four gardeners, poultry and dairymen, a housekeeper and an engineer who looked after
3339-479: The scene of a derailment of a Tangara involving 8 suburban carriages. Concord West has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: Concord West has a group of shops beside Concord West railway station . Another commercial area is located along Concord Road. The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a Walkway located near the repatriation Hospital which commemorates the Australian soldiers who participated in
3402-423: The suburb was named Concord, to encourage a peaceful attitude between soldiers and settlers. The first land grants in the area were made in 1793. Concord West was under the jurisdiction of Concord Council, until it amalgamated with Drummoyne Council in 2000 to form the City of Canada Bay . The surrounding parish is also named Concord Parish . A major historical figure in the area was Thomas Walker (1804–1886),
3465-399: The superior and inferior courts of the colony. In 1848, prior to the establishment of responsible self-government, Nichols was elected to the semi-elected unicameral Legislative Council . He represented the electorate of Northumberland Boroughs (including Morpeth , West Maitland and East Maitland ) until the granting of responsible self-government in 1856. At the first election under
3528-432: The surrounding lands. Nichols died in 1819 leaving the land in trust for his son George Robert Nichols. George Nichols interests lay elsewhere and in May 1836 he conveyed his interest in the estate to his brother Isaac David Nichols. The Nichols used the land for farming. During the late 1830s the brothers need for cash encouraged them to mortgage the property several times. In January 1840 George Robert Nichols mortgaged
3591-401: The trustee in developing and reviewing its plans and policies for the estate, monitoring and evaluating uses of the estate, maintaining and promoting the integrity of the heritage values of the estate. In November 2016, the refurbished gate house, Hyacinth Cottage hosted its first family of a burns patient to live in, while remaining close to Concord Hospital for follow-up care. Concord Hospital
3654-580: The west. The original name for Yaralla Bay was Nichols Bay, and this reflects that the entire promontory was included in a 50-acre land grant to Isaac Nichols in 1797. Nichols is a good representative example of the able and hard-working convict who successfully rehabilitated himself in the colony. He had been transported for theft and arrived in Sydney at the age of 21 in 1791. After he'd served time as an assigned convict in Major George Johnson's house, Governor John Hunter , impressed by
3717-551: The young man's ability and good behaviour, made him overseer of convict gangs in Sydney and, when his sentence expired in 1797, granted him 50 acres with Parramatta River frontage at Concord on 20 December, with two convict servants to work on the farm. This would later become the site of Yaralla. Nichols bought 25 acres of land very close to the south from William Harrison for 9 pounds and presumably built huts at once at Concord for his two stockmen. He himself however, acquired an inn,
3780-420: Was also a member of the inaugural New South Wales Legislative Assembly for one term from 1856 until his death. Nichols was the second son of Isaac Nichols , a former convict who became a successful Sydney businessman and the first postmaster in the colony, and Rosanna Abrahams, daughter of Esther Johnston (also known as Esther Abrahams or Esther Julian). Shortly before his father's death in 1819, Bob Nichols
3843-584: Was he obliged to find alternative accommodation (Willow Cottage). When her father died in September 1886 his estate was valued at 937 984 pounds. He left his estate to his daughter, Eadith Walker , but a portion was left to set up the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital . In 1890 his sister Joanna Walker also died, leaving Eadith, who never married, to live the life of a wealthy spinster. Eadith remained living at Yaralla for
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#17328011249943906-499: Was manifested in the private pet cemetery located within the grounds of Yaralla, where her animals were laid to rest. For a short time, between 1912 and 1914, Yaralla became the residence of the Governor-General of Australia . It was while staying at Yaralla that the governor general, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, 1st Viscount Novar , received a cabled warning of the approach of World War I. Fond of travel, Eadith Walker made
3969-467: Was sent to England for an education and returned to Sydney early in 1823. On returning to Australia he worked as an articled clerk until he was admitted as the first native-born Australian solicitor on 1 July 1833. Nichols founded the law firm Clayton Utz in February 1833. During this period he was also a journalist and editor of William Wentworth 's newspaper The Australian . He was bankrupted in
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