The Australian Garden History Society (AGHS) and National Trust Tasmania recorded an oral history interview with Neville McKinnell, who grew up at Clarendon.
In August 2024, the Australian Garden History Society (AGHS) and National Trust Tasmania recorded an oral history interview with Neville McKinnell, who grew up at Clarendon where his father, Donald McKinnell, was Farm Manager for Walter and Kathleen Menzies, Clarendon’s owners from 1941.
Kathleen Menzies presented Clarendon to the National Trust in 1962. Neville McKinnell continues to farm 270 acres surrounding Clarendon. Clarendon was run as a horse stud by Mr and Mrs Menzies and Neville McKinnell’s interview reflected a lost landscape. He describes features such as the deer park on Clarendon’s entrance front surrounded by paling fences which resonate with 1860s descriptions of the Clarendon Estate.
To listen to the interview, follow this link:
https://www.gardenhistorysociety.org.au/publications/neville-mckinnell/
Images: Neville McKinnell oral history underway in the Clarendon drawing room.
