SUBMISSION RE THE RESTORATION OF GRAYTHWAITE BY SHORE SCHOOL

As a resident in North Sydney municipality I support the restoration of the Graythwaite Estate by Shore School and its plans prepared by Architect Howard Tanner to restore the House and site.

As a local I am aware of the money and effort spent on the cottage Nutcote once owned by May Gibbs (an author who is rarely read by children today - too scary and language not understood by them). This house has limited opening hours (11am to 3pm Wed through to Sunday). It was originally left to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (who could not keep the house) but Gibbs's relatives (second cousins) from Western Australian lead the push for Nutcote to be restored. The now defunct booksellers Angus & Robertson gave over $1m, and with other community support North Sydney Council was able to acquire the property.

Tulkiyan House at Gordon is another such `museum.' This was given to Ku-ring-gai Council. Friends of Tulkiyan open the house a few times a year to the general public and occasionally to groups by arrangement. This house has limited use but unlimited costs.

The Thomas Walker Estate Rivendell at Concord is used as a facility for children with psychiatric problems. The Eadith Walker Estate Yaralla which is next door had been used for dialysis patients but I understand that this is no longer the case as the building is deemed not suitable for such use. See:
http://www.concordheritage.asn.au/chs-yaralla.htm

The mansion "Swifts" at Darling Point has recently been restored by heritage architect Clive Lucas, at enormous cost. The house is owned and restored by the Moran family. It is used as a family home by Dr Shane Moran and his sister, Mrs Kerry Jones allows the house to be used to raise money for charity.

Leo Schofield restored Bronte House owned by Waverley Council, again at great cost. He paid rent to the Council and was required to open the house a few weekends a year. But the web entry below and Leo's book `The Garden at Bronte' note the obstacles he had to overcome and the huge cost.
http://www.brontehouse.com/history/history_owners.html

From the above it is clear that historic houses are difficult to be used for current living styles. These problems are highlighted by the National Trust with its funding limits and the likely closure of some of its properties as reported by the National Trust's "eNews of November 2011". See also:
http://smh.domain.com.au/lights-go-out-at-historic-homes-20111029-1mpcb.html

I have been a member of the Australian Garden History Society Inc, including 9 years as National Treasurer. During that time I became acutely aware of the fragile nature of old homes and gardens as well as the huge drains they are on most budgets, as well as their often limited use.
The Historic Houses Trust has used some funds to restore houses then sell them off for present day use for example Lyndhurst at Glebe.
www.hht.net.au/discover/highlights/insites/lyndhurst

With Shore School taking responsibility for the restoration of Graythwaite and its grounds - especially under the guidance of Howard Tanner - there should be a win, win result for the school, the community and Sydney in general. I hope that the proposal is given strong support.

Yours faithfully,
Robin Lewarne (Mrs)

60a Shell Cove Road, ph. (02) 9953 1916
NEUTRAL BAY NSW 2089 mob. 0425 242433
8 December 2011

SUBMISSION RE THE RESTORATION OF GRAYTHWAITE BY SHORE SCHOOL

As a resident in North Sydney municipality I support the restoration of the Graythwaite Estate by Shore School and its plans prepared by Architect Howard Tanner to restore the House and site.

As a local I am aware of the money and effort spent on the cottage Nutcote once owned by May Gibbs (an author who is rarely read by children today - too scary and language not understood by them). This house has limited opening hours (11am to 3pm Wed through to Sunday). It was originally left to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (who could not keep the house) but Gibbs's relatives (second cousins) from Western Australian lead the push for Nutcote to be restored. The now defunct booksellers Angus & Robertson gave over $1m, and with other community support North Sydney Council was able to acquire the property.

Tulkiyan House at Gordon is another such `museum.' This was given to Ku-ring-gai Council. Friends of Tulkiyan open the house a few times a year to the general public and occasionally to groups by arrangement. This house has limited use but unlimited costs.

The Thomas Walker Estate Rivendell at Concord is used as a facility for children with psychiatric problems. The Eadith Walker Estate Yaralla which is next door had been used for dialysis patients but I understand that this is no longer the case as the building is deemed not suitable for such use. See:
http://www.concordheritage.asn.au/chs-yaralla.htm

The mansion "Swifts" at Darling Point has recently been restored by heritage architect Clive Lucas, at enormous cost. The house is owned and restored by the Moran family. It is used as a family home by Dr Shane Moran and his sister, Mrs Kerry Jones allows the house to be used to raise money for charity.

Leo Schofield restored Bronte House owned by Waverley Council, again at great cost. He paid rent to the Council and was required to open the house a few weekends a year. But the web entry below and Leo's book `The Garden at Bronte' note the obstacles he had to overcome and the huge cost.
http://www.brontehouse.com/history/history_owners.html

From the above it is clear that historic houses are difficult to be used for current living styles. These problems are highlighted by the National Trust with its funding limits and the likely closure of some of its properties as reported by the National Trust's "eNews of November 2011". See also:
http://smh.domain.com.au/lights-go-out-at-historic-homes-20111029-1mpcb.html

I have been a member of the Australian Garden History Society Inc, including 9 years as National Treasurer. During that time I became acutely aware of the fragile nature of old homes and gardens as well as the huge drains they are on most budgets, as well as their often limited use.
The Historic Houses Trust has used some funds to restore houses then sell them off for present day use for example Lyndhurst at Glebe.
www.hht.net.au/discover/highlights/insites/lyndhurst

With Shore School taking responsibility for the restoration of Graythwaite and its grounds - especially under the guidance of Howard Tanner - there should be a win, win result for the school, the community and Sydney in general. I hope that the proposal is given strong support.

Yours faithfully,
Robin Lewarne (Mrs)

60a Shell Cove Road, ph. (02) 9953 1916
NEUTRAL BAY NSW 2089 mob. 0425 242433
8 December 2011

I had the opportunity to visit Graithwaite approximately 10 years ago as my sister was acting in a film and Graithwaite was the location. To say that Graithwaite was destitute would be an understatement, it was derelict and incapable of occupation. The current application is well considered and prepared and seeks to provide an outcome that will restore and preserve Graithwaite - an important objective for the broader Australian community.
There is a large amount of open green space - which must be a relief to local residents who at one point could have been facing the demolition of Graithwaite and a HUGE high density development in its place.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

I have recently attended a presentation made about the proposals of Shore School for restoration and additions to the buildings and site at Graythwaite, North Sydney.
Presentations were made by the architect, landscape expert, the Chairman of the Shore Council and the Headmaster.
The school has bent over backwards to consult the residents, Council and all other authorities, including Heritage in order to comply with their wishes and all regulations.
The plans are developed to keep the old historical buildings in original appearance, and keep plenty of open space, restore some gardens to their original plantings, as well as keeping any new development in a pleasing and tasteful state.
I strongly support the approval of their plans.
Yours faithfully,
G.G. Wilcox

This proposal will see a magnificent heritage building, which has been shamefully neglected by the state government for many years, restored to its former glory with a real and useful ongoing purpose. The proposed new buildings will enhance the educational opportunites for students at one of Australia'a leading schools and at the same time ensure that a signifcant green space remains in North Sydney. The whole concept plan has been carefully and senistively devised to ensure maximum retention of the heritage values of the site with minimal impact on the neighbouring properties. It should be approved immediately to minimise further deterioration of the old house.

This Project Application represents an excellent outcome for the School and wider communities. It will ensure the preservation of a most significant element of the National Heritage and give it a renewed useful life; it will preserve a large green space within five kilometres of the city centre.It will also provide the School with opportunities for development of new educational facilities to enhance the educational options for its student body and maintain Shore as one of Australia's leading Schools.

I am supportive of the latest development plans for the Graithwaite site and home, submitted by the Shore School. It is clear that sucessive previous owners and custodians of the site have allowed the buildings and grounds to fall into a shocking state of disrepair
The proposal to restore the Graithwaite mansion will preserve this significant building for the enjoyment of future generations. As I understand it the building wll be made available for community use on a merit basis, and this seems to be a way of preserving the building for the entire community to enjoy. .
The proposal to demolish some terrible outbuildings on the site, and to erect state of the art teaching facilities does not appear to compromise the restoration project or the visability or accessibility of the mansion, and clearly puts the whole site into productive use in the community.

The School's proposal is a great outcome for a beautiful heritage building which has been scandalously left to rot by the State government, with the connivance of North Sydney Council. The school will restore it to its former glory and give it a useful ongoing life. The lmited future building proposals ensure that a large green space remains in North Sydney and will provide enhanced educational opportunities for the students of one of Australia's leading schools. The impact on the the neighbours is absolutley minimal. The project should be approved immediately to minimise further damage.

I fully endorse the conservation and resoration proposal by Shore School for Graythwaite as it will ensure the long term preservation of this culturally significant buidling and its environs. It is evident that decades of neglect and poor maintenance have contributed to the deterioration of the building's interior, exterior and the landscaping. I understand that there is no intention to increase student numbers at the school and that greatly needed improveed teaching facilities can be accommodated on the site without destroying the views or imposing on neighbours. Further delays will cause more harm to the building and increase the infestation of weeds and other non-endemic species. Shore provides boarding for many students who do not reside in Sydney and at present there is limited recreational facilities for the students. The parkland setting will provide an environmentally sustainable and friendly teacihng space for many students who ahve not spent a lot of time away from Sydney in the bush or forest areas. Having examined the display photographs of the proposed develpment I believe that it is sensitive and appropriate in suiting the needs of 21st educational needs and the conservation and restoration of this building.

I support the submission