The Australian Government: Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. News and Events.

Harbour Trust: News and Events

Headland Park Open Day - 5 November 2005

The former defence lands at Chowder Bay, Georges Heights and Middle Head have been consolidated into a unified Headland Park. Stage One of the new park was launched on Saturday 5 November 2005.
Lower Georges HeightsLower Georges Heights

Headland Park is one of Sydney's newest urban parklands.

As part of this new public open space project, the Harbour Trust has launched the Lower Georges Heights precinct, being an artistic community in a rehabilitated and renovated former army depot.

The former army depot - known as 30 Terminal - has had its buildings leased out to a range of artsts, painters, sculpters, art schools and art restorers.

This vibrant community is set amongst the picturesque headland setting with views through to the heads and the eastern suburbs.

The Open Day

Despite looming clouds hanging overhead, around 2,500 people passed through the site over the day.

A formal ceremony was held at midday with the Hon Tony Abbott, Member for Warringah, giving a speech, and the Chair of the Harbour Trust, Mr Kevin McCann, reading out a letter from the Prime Minister.

The Entertainment

Throughout the day, the crowds were entertained by the bands Waiting for Guinness and FourPlay. These two bands also featured as part of the recent Cockatoo Island Festival and have become a favourite of a number of attendees at Harbour Trust-run events.

Waiting for GuinnessWaiting for Guinness in full swing

A range of art-inspired activities were set up with demonstrations on Gunpowder Art being a favourite, and an opportunity for the general public to try their hand at still life drawing being quite popular.

The Artillery Store hosted a 30-minute forum on site-specific sculpture, and visitors were prompted to bring along their art work for free advice on restoration.

The Harbour Trust also put on kids activities, and food and drink were provided.

The Residents of Lower Georges Heights

The residents of the Lower Georges Heights artistic community exhibited their works, and were on hand to talk about their art and services.

The residents include:

  • The Artillery Store
    (John Wright, Jaroslav Prochazka, Chantal Mahoney and Tahmina Smyth)
  • Space4Art
    (Nicky Perkin, Pamela Twomey, Linda Matthews, Julie Williams and Jenny Mattiussi)
  • Nafisa NaomiNafisa Naomi, portrait painter
    Portrait Painters
    (Nafisa Naomi and Caroline Furniss)
  • Cobbittee Art School
    (Frances Lester and Margaret Clarkson)
  • Painting Studio
    (Peter Coles and Janet Ashley-Morgan)
  • Painting Studio
    (Ann Cape and Judy Lane)
  • Julian Ashton Art School
    (Georges Heights School)
  • Coburn Fine Art Conservation Pty Ltd
    (Stephen and Elizabeth Coburn)
Lower Georges Heights

The Lower Georges Heights site is now fully open to the public. The site itself has had many layers of use and periods of occupation, each closely related to and shaped by, its spectacular location and topography.

Crowds visiting a displayCrowds Visiting a Display

Nearby middens and rock engravings provide evidence of how the Boregegal people used the area for thousands of years.

In the 19th century a farm for Aborigines was established nearby and "King" Bungaree was put in charge. A private land grant for Charles Beilby followed before the military took over to establish a battery for anti-ship guns.

In the 20th century the area was put to use as an Army base, a hospital for men wounded in Workd War I, and a training centre and base for various military engineering and technology functions.

Since the army departed the area in the 1990s, the site has now begun its new life as an open public park and artistic community.

Further Information

For any other information about the open day and Lower Georges Heights, please contact the Harbour Trust on 8969 2100.

 

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