Showing posts with label Concord West. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concord West. Show all posts

Dec 9, 2016

Yaralla Estate - Concord West



Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital (1937-1988)  Thomas Walker, was an important nineteenth century merchant, politicians and landholder. He and his daughter Eadith, were noted for their philanthropic activities in the early twentieth century. His wife died in 1870 from tuberculosis. He left money for the building of a convalescent hospital. Eadith also contributed additional funds when it became necessary.

The building was made of brick and sandstone with elaborate carvings, marble fireplaces and fine masonry and was officially opened on 21st September 1893 as a free convalescent hospital.

The hospital is currently used by Rivendell - Child, Adolescent and Family Unit as a mental health facility, specialising in the problems of young people.

Eadith made several generous bequests in her will and left half of the residue of her estate to trustees for charitable purposes. 

Yaralla House

The Yaralla Estate grounds are on two peninsulas on the Parramatta River at Concord and cover 37 hectares. Yaralla House was built in the 1860s. The photo below is the stables complex, a group of buildings arranged around a central courtyard with a rich assortment of decorative elements





We followed the Kokoda Track Memorial walk from Rhodes station then the Concord Foreshore trail. (see location map)
We completed our walk along streets to Concord West station.






References:
 More information     More information

May 2, 2015

Bicentennial Park

We stated our walk to the Homebush Bay - Badu Mangrove section of Bicentennial Park, at Rhodes Station. We followed the track alongside Homebush Bay Drive, before exploring the section of track between Powells Creek and the Billabong.  

Homebush Bay from Bicentennial Park




We shouldn't have been surprised when we encountered mosquitoes in the area between the creek and the billabong (photos left & below).

(above left) 'Warrigal Greens' (a bush food), growing next to Powells Creek.

(above right) Black Swans in the waterbird refuge
Billabong, Bicentennial Park


The wreak of  various ships can be seen from the 'Shipwreck Lookout', which juts out into Homebush Bay. The reason for this, is that part of the bay was once used as a ship-breaking yard.


Rhodes is about 17kms from Central Sydney. You could also start or finish from Concord West. This was a return visit for me -
Link to my previous post on Bicentennial Park