The National Trust (NSW) is delighted to be notified by Senator Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment, that Experiment Farm, along with Elizabeth Farm and Hambledon Cottage have been entered into the National Heritage List as ‘Parramatta’s Colonial Farms’. This is in recognition of the outstanding value of this place to the nation.
The listing is a win for the community and the result of the collective efforts of the National Trust (NSW), the hard working National Trust Parramatta branch, and in particular Cheryl Bates OAM & Suzette Meade, as well as Federal Member for Parramatta Dr Andrew Charlton, Museums of History NSW, Parramatta Historical Society and the wider community, who all joined together to advocate for this important nomination.
The heritage listing states ‘Parramatta’s Colonial Farms help tell the story of early European occupation in Australia. Located in Parramatta, they are of outstanding heritage value to the nation…Together, the farms represent the early land ownership system in Australia. This served to establish and formalise occupation of Europeans in the colony. At the same time, it formalised the displacement and dispossession of First Nations people.’
In letters and submissions to the department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, in support of the listing, the National Trust noted that the precinct encompassing Elizabeth Farm, Experiment Farm Cottage, and Hambledon Cottage stands as a rare and significant remnant of the earliest colonial period. It is a precinct that includes Australia’s oldest building, the first land grant and some of the oldest garden plantings in Australia.
Experiment Farm Cottage and the site of Experiment Farm is of exceptional cultural significance to Australia because it forms part of the first European land grant in Australia. Its association with early agricultural pursuits, including Governor Phillip’s “experiment”, was vital in ensuring the early survival of the colony, and which ultimately led to the modern agricultural development of Australia and its place in the world.
Experiment Farm Cottage is also significant in the history of conservation in Australia. It was opened to the public in 1963 by the National Trust, as Australia’s first house museum with a focus on Australian colonial furniture.
Dr Charlton, who nominated the precinct for inclusion, said of the listing “the Parramatta community cares deeply about this precinct and its colonial history, and I want to thank the more than 9,000 locals who signed a petition calling for it to be protected. Today’s national heritage listing is their achievement.”
Minister for the Environment, Murray Watt noted “the National Heritage List is the highest heritage honour in Australia, and any activity that may significantly impact this site will need to be thoroughly looked at.”
Australia’s National Heritage List recognises the nation’s most significant heritage places for their outstanding value to the nation. It includes over 120 natural, historic and First Nations places and encourages celebration of national heritage, including 31 others in NSW.
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