50-488: The Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital Buildings are a heritage-listed complex which formed the former Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital, located at Hospital Road, Concord West , City of Canada Bay , New South Wales , Australia. The site is now used for the Rivendell Child, Adolescent and Family Unit . The buildings were designed by Sir John Sulman and built from 1890 to 1893 by Alexander M. Allen. It includes
100-505: A candidate for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for district of South Sydney at the 1885 election . On the major issues of the election, he noted that it scarcely needed to be said that he was opposed to the local option , put forward by the teetotallers to reduce the consumption of alcohol, stating that "people will not be made total abstainers by Act of Parliament". He praised the despatch of
150-521: A consultant during the competition and had been acting as an advisor to one of the Trustees. A new plan was recommended combining features of several of the competition designs, but the Trustees were under no obligation to appoint the competition winner as architect. This may help to explain his appointment. Tenders were called for the building of the hospital in August 1889. In December Alexander M. Allen
200-599: 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 James Toohey (New South Wales politician) James Matthew Toohey (18 March 1850 – 25 September 1895) was a brewer and politician in the Colony of New South Wales . He was born in Melbourne to businessman Matthew Toohey and Honora Hall, his middle name referring to Father Mathew ,
250-558: A landmark along the river. An extensive garden principally of trees and lawn, unaltered in layout and adequately maintained, but in need of more careful and sympathetic replanting respecting the strict symmetry of its design. A symmetrical design of sweeping brick edged paths, drives, lawns and specimen planting around a symmetrically planned institution and having considerable frontage to the Parramatta River. A central entrance drive (with borders replanted c. 1981), leads to
300-628: 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
350-563: A portion of the Estate, known as Rocky Point be set aside for the building of the Hospital. This would fulfil a desire he had been harbouring for some time during his life but had been unable to fulfil due to other pressures. To fulfil Walker's wishes, the executors of the will Joanna Walker, Thomas Walker's sister, A. Consett Stephens and A. J. Mackenzie announced a competition in April 1888 for
400-546: A position he resigned to take up the business of carnation growing. Upton Sen was a member of the Horticultural Society of NSW for 34 years. He was a very successful exhibitor of roses and chrysanthemums when in charge of the gardens of the late J. C. Smith and the late James Toohey , MLA of Strathfield . Upton Sen was born in England and received his training from experienced head gardeners near Birmingham and
450-590: A provision for a stay of two months if necessary. In 1894 the Joanna Walker Memorial Children's Convalescent Hospital was opened in the hospital grounds. It was also designed by John Sulman. The hospital was adjacent to the main building and contained places for 12 children with an airy central courtyard. Mr J. Upton senior was in charge of the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital's grounds for 16 years,
500-565: A rehabilitation centre for emotionally disturbed adolescents set up c. 1977. The Joanna Walker Memorial Children's Convalescent Hospital was taken over by the Concord Historical Society in 1972, though later returned to the health service. In the 1980s the hospital was administered by the Health Commission of NSW on the condition that it should keep as closely as possible to the convalescent ideal embodied in
550-590: 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
SECTION 10
#1732791908001600-480: A result of his continental travels. Additionally the buildings reflect Sulman's use of advanced building science concepts including one of the first known uses of "cavity walls" (or hollow walls) to insulate interiors against harsh summer sun rays. The hospital embodies the late 19th century concept of competition designs for the creation of major institutions. It is important for its social links with women in allowing them to pursue career opportunities. The grounds of
650-574: A similar construction. Building features: Since the sealing of the car park, Sydney Local Health Network has developed a restoration plan for several buildings on the Thomas Walker site. These include: The Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital is of national heritage significance as a rare major institution which has survived along the foreshores of the Parramatta River from the 19th century. Along with Carrington Centennial Hospital,
700-470: A single symmetrical building of two storeys with an attic level. The main section overlooks the Parramatta River. There is a large central clock tower, flanked by smaller matching towers. Other sections, mostly two storeys are connected by a single storey Recreation Hall. Either side are residential quarters about cloisters, at rear are kitchens and two dining rooms. These eight buildings are interconnected by single level covered walkways. All buildings are of
750-399: A turning circle planted with an Araucaria pine from which drives lead off on either side to encircle the building. On the river side a central path bordered with Thujas , and palms (jelly palm, Butia capitata ); many now removed), slopes from the hospital to its "water gate". The water gate is flanked by a symmetrical pair of Cook's pines, ( Araucaria columnaris ). Further drives extend from
800-619: A wharf, including a two storey brick entry building flanked by two towering Cook's pines, (Araucaria columnaris). These buildings are compatible with the style of the main complex. Plantings near the main complex feature mature Cook's pines (Araucaria columnaris) including a pair flanking a riverside wharf entry building, a collection of palms including Canary Island palms ( Phoenix canariensis ), P. Reclinata, coral trees ( Erythrina indica ) and others. Plantings as of 1 July 2004 included: The main Thomas Walker Hospital complex
850-499: Is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital is an outstanding example of Sulman's work. The elegance of the design and quality of craftsmanship evidenced by the stonework, brickwork, joinery, plasterwork and carpentry set it apart from many buildings of its time. The building has been well maintained and
900-503: Is of Federation style based on a pavilion format. Each pavilion is planned to retain its functional integrity with the central block for administration and service wings on each side. The two-storeyed central block includes an intricately detailed three storeyed tower over the main entrance, an impressive vestibule and an entertainment hall for 300 people. Sandstone wood panelling is found internally and externally. The hospital comprises eight main buildings:- An extensive complex housed in
950-454: Is one of the finest examples of late 19th century philanthropy, an important aspect of society at that time. 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
1000-588: Is that it is a 'palimpsest'; a many layered site, which encompasses all of the above mentioned broad and capricious backgrounds from the first Aboriginal habitation, through the spectra of 200 years of white settlement, to that of its latest use by the Rivendell Adolescent Unit. The main building is part of the grand architecturally coherent group designed by Sir J Sulman in the Queen Anne style and built by philanthropist Sir Thomas Walker in
1050-449: Is virtually unchanged from its original form. The Hospital and its associated buildings and landscape form a vital part of the Parramatta River foreshore. The building has an outstanding [sic] sense of place, dominating the immediate part of the river. The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital
SECTION 20
#17327919080011100-775: 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%;
1150-457: The City of Canada Bay . Concord 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
1200-594: The New South Wales Contingent to the Sudan, describing it as "a huge advertisement for the colony", and that tariffs needed to be altered so as to protect local manufacturers. He has no position on the Land Bill, describing it as "a thing no fellow can understand". He was elected second with 16.1% of the vote, holding it until he resigned in 1893. Toohey said that his resignation was in protest at
1250-683: 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
1300-703: The United States of America . Concord West 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
1350-643: 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
1400-464: The Irish apostle of temperance. He was educated at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne . On 5 June 1873 he married Catherine Magdalene Ferris, with whom he had twelve children. In 1870, aged 20, he opened a brewing business with his brother John . The brewery was successful, moving to larger premises in 1873 and again in 1876, and would eventually become the public company Tooheys . He stood as
1450-547: The National Security (General) Regulations Act. The use of the hospital for convalescence was discontinued and was run by the Australian Red Cross as the 3rd Australian Women's Hospital until March/April 1946. The Perpetual Trustees regained control of the estate in 1946 and the hospital was again used for public convalescence. In the intervening years, increased affluence and general living standards,
1500-703: 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
1550-536: The Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital is the only other convalescent hospital to have survived from the 19th century. The recreation hall/chapel which is located in the main administration building of the hospital is a very rare, highly decorated intact example of a recreational hall/chapel forming part of a hospital complex. The hospital is important because it reflects Florence Nightingale 's influence on 19th century convalescent hospital design principles and their adoption into Australian architecture. It also reflects
Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital Buildings - Misplaced Pages Continue
1600-449: The axial driveway and the paths, edged in bricks, and fountains which feature in the courtyards. The grounds of the hospital are also significant for containing rare stands of native Cumberland Plain vegetation. The Joanna Walker Memorial Children's Hospital is a rare survival of a convalescent hospital specifically designed for children. The prime cultural significance of the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital estate and its buildings
1650-516: The design of a convalescent hospital on Rocky Point. Judges were Thomas Buckland, Thomas Rowe and a qualified physician. The winning design was John Kirkpatrick. The reasons for Sulman becoming Architect are not clear. However, Kirkpatrick's scheme was criticised as being too expensive and in mid-1889 it was announced that although Kirkpatrick's design was to be built, the architectural commission had been given to Messrs Sulman and Power. This led to further criticism. John Sulman had also been engaged as
1700-420: The establishment of a broad range of government-funded social welfare provisions and the development of antibiotics meant that many debilitating illnesses such as scarlet fever and tuberculosis were virtually eliminated or at least rendered innocuous. The demand for the facilities offered by the hospital declined from the 1950s. By the 1970s increasing costs combined with declining need rendered continued use of
1750-643: The failure of the Protectionist Dibbs government to implement principles of protection. He did not hold ministerial or other parliamentary position. Such was his antipathy for Dibbs he ran against him as an independent protectionist candidate for Tamworth at the 1894 election , however Toohey polled poorly with just 35 votes (2.5%) and Dibbs won the seat. Toohey went on a trip to Ireland, England and Europe, however he died at Pisa in Italy on 25 September 1895 (1895-09-25) (aged 45). His body
1800-595: The former Joanna Walker Convalescent Hospital. The property is owned by the New South Wales Department of Health . It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The original Thomas Walker estate at Concord was an area of 390 acres. The establishment of the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital was initiated by a £100,000 bequest in the will of Thomas Walker, who died in 1886. He
1850-470: The hospital are of national heritage significance as an intact example of Victorian/Edwardian institutional gardens which have maintained an institution throughout their whole existence. They are a bold, effective piece of institutional gardening, integral with an architecturally exceptionally important late 19th century hospital building and probably designed by its architect, Sir John Sulman. The grounds are of aesthetic value as an important landscape feature on
1900-514: The hospital as a free convalescent hospital impracticable. In 1976 the Trustees decided that the use of the site as a convalescent hospital was no longer a viable proposition and entrusted it to the NSW Health Commission on the condition that it be used as closely as possible to Thomas Walker's intentions. Administration of the site was given to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital who used it for seven years as Rivendell Adolescent Unit,
1950-400: The influence of Australian hospital administrators and American publications on its design. The Estate is a rare surviving late 19th century major institution of a private architect's design in Australia and is John Sulman's finest work in this country. It features a large number of Italianate motifs and decorative elements which reflect Sulman's first hand experience of Italian architecture as
2000-455: The late 19th century as a hospital. It is set in notable parklike grounds, a landmark on the Parramatta River. The site is important for its connections with the Walker family and late 19th century philanthropy, its design quality and craftsmanship, its association with the architect John Sulman and its location with other local health and welfare facilities. Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital
2050-479: 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
Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital Buildings - Misplaced Pages Continue
2100-514: The shore of the Parramatta River. The grounds are featured by elements of high architectural quality such as the Watergate, which is an extremely rare building type in Australia (no other examples have been found to date), and the Landgate, which is probably the most elaborate building type of its kind to have survived in Australia from the 19th century. Other important garden elements of note are
2150-423: 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),
2200-574: The water gate along the shore and then curve up to the extremities of the hospital's wings, enclosing areas of lawn on either side of the central path planted symmetrically with pines, Araucarias, figs etc. Two enclosed grassed, colonnaded courtyards with fountains (replanted c. 1981). Within the grounds are extensive gardens and subsidiary outbuildings including stables, a gatehouse, the Joanna Walker Memorial Convalescent Children's Cottage Hospital and
2250-580: The will of Thomas Walker. Rivendell, now administered by the Central Sydney Area Health Service, combines therapy, counselling and school classes for teenagers who board at the centre through the school week, returning to their families at weekends. The Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital is situated on the Parramatta River bounded by Brays Bay and Yaralla Bay. It is a large complex on a large park-like riverside estate, with extensive and prominent landscape plantings, making it
2300-763: Was a philanthropist, at various times a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council , President and Director of the Bank of New South Wales , a magistrate and a prominent man of commerce. Walker resided at Yaralla Estate at Concord, later to become known as the Dame Eadith Walker Estate, home to the Dame Eadith Walker Convalescent Hospital, located on the next peninsula east of today's Rivendell. He requested in his will that
2350-438: Was accepted with a quote of £65,189. Work was then sub-contracted out. The final cost of the hospital was £150,000, the extra £50,000 being contributed by Eadith Walker, Joanna Walker and Anne Sulman, Eadith's childhood companion. Gas was supplied to the convalescent home in 1892 from the new Australian Gaslight's company at Mortlake . The opportunity was taken to lay mains to supply Yaralla and its grounds as well. The hospital
2400-485: Was last employed at Perry Hall, South Staffordshire . He arrived in Australia in 1887. In 1897 were the last round of renovations. In 1920 there was a major subdivision of the Walker estate between Concord Road and the gates of the Dame Eadith Walker Estate (Yaralla), forming much of today's Concord West suburb. In February 1943 the military took possession of the hospital under regulation 54 of
2450-463: Was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. The place is important for its connections with the Walker family of Yaralla and especially with Thomas Walker whose importance in Australia's commercial, social and political development should not be forgotten. The place
2500-451: Was opened on 21 September 1893 and was used for convalescence until World War II . No infectious or terminal cases were admitted to the hospital and all patients were referred by doctors from hospitals such as Royal Prince Alfred Hospital , St Vincent's Hospital , Sydney Hospital , Concord Repatriation General Hospital and Burwood hospital. The patients were not charged for their care, Walker's endowment providing for four week stays with
#999