Summary

Gilt medal issued by the Sydney coin dealer M.R. Roberts featuring view of Old Government House. Old Government House is Australia's oldest surviving public building. It was built by Governors John Hunter and Lachlan Macquarie between 1799 and 1818. Now managed by the National Trust (NSW), it has been restored and furnished to the Macquarie period (1810-1821). It boasts the nation's most important collection of early Australian furniture. Overlooking the Parramatta River, Old Government House sits on 260 acres of parkland. Ancient trees bear markings made by the traditional owners, the Burramatagal, and the site of the original 1788 Rose Hill settlement can still be seen. Other attractions include Governor Brisbane's bath house and observatory, the Government House Dairy and the Burramatagal Visitors Centre. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) is an independent, non-government, community-based organisation. It was formed in 1945 to prevent the destruction of built and natural heritage. Today it is Australia's oldest and largest organisation for the protection of heritage.
Mint: Amor

Physical Description

Gilt medal issued by the Sydney coin dealer M.R. Roberts featuring: View of building set in garden at end of curved driveways, below, OLD / GOVERNMENT HOUSE / PARAMATTA N.S.W. At centre, a gum-twig below an arch, above NATIONAL, below, TRUST

Obverse Description

View of building set in garden at end of curved driveways, below, OLD / GOVERNMENT HOUSE / PARAMATTA N.S.W.

Reverse Description

At centre, a gum-twig below an arch, above NATIONAL, below, TRUST

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Old Government House is Australia's oldest surviving public building. It was built by Governors John Hunter and Lachlan Macquarie between 1799 and 1818. Now managed by the National Trust (NSW), it has been restored and furnished to the Macquarie period (1810-1821). It boasts the nation's most important collection of early Australian furniture. Overlooking the Parramatta River, Old Government House sits on 260 acres of parkland. Ancient trees bear markings made by the traditional owners, the Burramatagal, and the site of the original 1788 Rose Hill settlement can still be seen. Other attractions include Governor Brisbane's bath house and observatory, the Government House Dairy and the Burramatagal Visitors Centre. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) is an independent, non-government, community-based organisation. It was formed in 1945 to prevent the destruction of built and natural heritage. Today it is Australia's oldest and largest organisation for the protection of heritage. -National Trust of Australia (NSW) web site http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/properties/gov.html. -D. Tout-Smith 1/12/2003.

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