Malcolm Henry Ellis, the author of Greenway's 1949 Biography Francis Greenway: his life and times, at one point in the narrative remarks that he was:
"[a] Poor, arrogant, desperate, impractical little genius"Lachlan Macquarie had mixed views towards his colonial architect. At times he showered Greenway with praise and at other times abhorred his very existence. In 1817 he wrote,
"This man is extremely useful and has already rendered very essential service to Government in his capacity of civil architect."This accolade varies greatly with another remark in 1822:
"I had almost daily occasion to reprimand him for his habitual indolence, neglect and inattention to his duty, as well as for his frequent insolent conduct to the Acting Chief Engineer. His services, however, were indispensable, and therefore I continued him in office from mere necessity."The list of buildings attributed to Greenway are extensive. They include: Macquarie Lighthouse, Windsor Court House, Government House (Sydney) (partial), St. Mathew's Church (Windsor), Supreme Court, Judge's House, St. James's Church (Sydney), Hyde Park Barracks, Obelish in Macquarie Place, St. Luke's Church (Liverpool), Conservatorium of Music, Liverpool College (formerly Liverpool Hospital), Government House (Paramatta), Hobartville (Richmond), Cleveland House (Surry Hills), Cadmans Cottage (as supervisor).
Want to read more?
Francis Greenway: His Life and Times, Malcolm Henry Ellis, 1949
Australia's First Architect- Francis Greenway, Marjorie Barnard, 1961
Biographical Entry at Australian Dictionary of Biography
Cry Justice for Francis Greenway. The Sydney Morning Herald, April 28 1945, page 8
Caroline Chisholm: 'The Emigrant's Friend'
When the last of the convicts had vacated Hyde Park Barracks with the ending of convict transportation to N.S.W. in 1840, the building was used as a depot for unmarried immigrant women. This period of occupation spanned the years 1848-1886, adding a new layer of heritage significance to the complex history of Hyde Park Barracks.
The destitute women that arrived at the depot were offered assistance in setting up their home and finding employment. Mothers from resident families came to the office with promises of employment for the women to become matrons of their households. The colony, still in its relative infancy, offered few opportunities for women beyond the home.
Photograph of a drawing of Caroline Chisholm, 1961, National Archives of Australia.
One of the women that greeted the recent migrants at Hyde Park Barracks was Caroline Chisholm (1808-77), a migrant from England herself. Arriving in Australia in 1838, she soon became dedicated to the plight of the immigrant women whom she saw received too little support while they adjusted to life in the new colony. She campaigned for the use of Hyde Park Barracks as a depot, eventually convincing Governor Gipps in 1841 who provided the building. At this time the building could house 100 persons.
Chisholm has been immortalised in Australian history for her generous dedication to the welfare of the migrant women. It has been estimated that she assisted over 11, 000 migrants, including those that she helped board migrant ships. But her humanitarian spirit extended beyond this campaign. She was a prominent agitator for land reform to ensure that recently arrived families could have some permanency by being given small plots of land. In 1849, in pursuit of this goal, she established the Family Colonisation Loan Society.
Chisholm has been rewarded with numerous commemorations, including appearing on postage stamps, receiving a medal of the Order of Australia in 1994 and also being the namesake for Caroline Chisholm College. But the commemoration that we may be more familiar with is, of course, her depiction on the Australian $5 bank note. She has the privilege of being the only women to be given this honour, other than Queen Elizabeth II.
But we will leave the last word to Mrs. Chisholm herself;
“I promise to know neither country nor creed, but to serve all justly and impartially.”
Want to read more?
Caroline Chisholm Scrapbook held in the collection of Museum Victoria
An article about the life of Caroline Chisholm in the Sydney Morning Herald, 20 June 1935, page 16
An interesting excerpt from the memoirs of Chisholm published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 5 January 1853, page 3
Want to see more?
In the collection of the Tongarra Museum located in Albion Park there is a bronze bust of Caroline Chisholm displayed that celebrates her efforts in 1843 to settle some 23 families in Shellharbour.
Want to experience more?
An exhibition by the Migrant Heritage Centre: A Place for the Friendless Female, Sydney's Immigration Depot
