| Historical notes: | Aboriginal land
Berrima is on the traditional country of the Gundunguarra and Tharawal people, who lived in the area for over 10,000 years.
Gundungurra or Gandangarra people lived in the area from Camden in the northeast to the Goulburn Plains in the south. The Tharawal occupied land closer to the coast. The Gundungurra lived in small groups of extended family members, attached to particular areas of country. (Johnson 2004). Prior to European occupation, the higher areas were densely forested, with land around today's Berrima comprising rolling grasslands where small marsupials like kangaroos and wallabies grazed. Aboriginal people used sophisticated techniques to manage the land, including using fire for hunting and maintaining the grasslands. The name 'Berrima' is considered a derivative of the Aboriginal meaning for 'southward' or 'black swan' (Urbis 2024).
After Anglo-European settlers caused displacement of Gundungurra people, they often worked on farms or grazing properties within and adjacent to their traditional land. Gundungurra groups left archaeological evidence of occupation throughout their traditional lands, including scarred trees where bark was removed for use as a boat or other object, grinding grooves on rocks where axes were ground, and occupation sites which include middens. Well-worn Gundungurra pathways on ridge tops were often the routes used as the first roads by colonists (Johnson 2004).
Colonisation:
Berrima is the second oldest European settlement in Wingecarribee Shire. The district's first town was Bong Bong in 1821 (Webb 2008).
Berrima's site was selected by Surveyor General Thomas Mitchell in 1829 in planning a new road alignment from Sydney. In 1830 he instructed Robert Hoddle to mark out the town based on a plan Mitchell's office prepared, like a traditional English village (with central marketplace and many blocks facing the river), using its local Aboriginal name. The road came through it (Allman Johnston, 2007). Berrima was to be the commercial and administrative centre for the County of Camden.
Following Governor Bourke's approval in 1831, 1824 -41 saw flourishing development. Early lots sold in 1833, predominantly to inn keepers. 1841 population was 249 with 37 houses complete. (Allman Johnston 2005). By 1851, population was 192. During the 1850s it boomed after discovering gold (Webb, 2008).
In December 1867 the railway from Sydney opened and anticipating growth, estate owners began subdividing, with Moss Vale town's first plots sold in 1863. Tent communities sprang up along the line to Goulburn. Lewis Levy from Berrima opened Moss Vale's first store, anticipating Berrima's decline, once bypassed. This was rapid. By the turn of the century its population was 80, many buildings abandoned. (Webb 2008).
From the 1950s to 1980s, Berrima became a stop for travellers and trucks between Sydney and Melbourne, but remained isolated with little development. (Urbis 2024). Since the National Trust of Australia (NSW)'s 1960s classification of several buildings, it became popular for tourism. Recent developments are bed and breakfast accommodation, echoing early inns.
In 1992 the Sydney to Canberra Freeway (F5) bypassed Berrima (Webb 2008)
Berrima Gaol:
Governor Bourke designated Berrima in 1832 for a courthouse, gaol and officials' residences, to serve southern NSW. (Urbis 2024). The site was selected and tenders requested in 1834.
It was part of land granted to settler, John Oxley, Surveyor General. And re-issued in 1855 to his sons, John and Henry. (Urbis 2024).
The initial design was under Ambrose Hallen (Colonial Architect 1832-35) finalised by Mortimer Lewis (Colonial Architect 1835-49). Other key people in it were Colonial Engineer, George Barney from 1835, and Governor Gipps from 1838. The partial panopticon (central guardhouse and watchtower, cellblocks radiating from it) was adopted by Bourke, from a Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline (SIPD) pamphlet. (Webb 2008). SIPD published booklets on prison reform, with principles and plans. (Urbis 2024).
Convicted London carpenter James Gough (1790-1876) was awarded its construction, in partnership with John Richards in 1834 (Dalkin, 2014, 31) probably supervised by Colonial Architect's Department Clerk of Works, James Rattenbury. (Urbis 2024). It was built from 1835-39 for 5,400 pounds with 42 cells (Urbis 2024) for 66 prisoners (Webb 2008), much done by convicts (Dulhunty 2021). In May 1839 the first prisoners were lodged.
From 1840-1860 Berrima Gaol operated under the SIPD Model. Executions by hanging there included bushranger Patrick Curran, in 1841 (Ramsland 2011), Martin Beach and Lucretia Dunkley (murder) in 1841 and John Lynch (murder) in 1842. (Dulhunty, 2021). The last person hanged here was Henry Atkins (murder) in 1844. Other industries thrived, with residents servicing the gaol. (Urbis 2024).
Berrima was the only place south of Sydney where periodic assizes (criminal) courts and quarter sessions were held. Until June 1847 it did this for the southern district, until Goulburn Gaol was proclaimed and assizes relocated. While two circuit districts existed for a time, Berrima Gaol closed in 1847, empty for over a decade, its village declining. It probably still functioned as occasional lockup by July 1859. (Urbis 2024).
Gradually, criticism of the SIPD model arose. It was perceived to have strengthened convict subcultures, fostered resistance. NSW and Tasmanian advocates of the Separate System spread fear of outbreaks. In January 1860 the Sydney Morning Herald announced it was one of six NSW gaols getting improvements. It was re-opened by William Maybury, new Gaoler on 8 October, with other new staff. It seems the Department of Public Works intended minor outbuilding repairs only, by an initial group of 30 prisoners. Once completed, inmates increased to 100 and it was designated to receive invalid inmates from elsewhere. (Urbis 2024; Webb 2008).
Its 1863-68 enlargement provided 110 separate cells, the current gateway and walls. Plans were by James Barnet.* Older wings got an additional storey, doubling accommodation. Two main airing yards were left at original size for 'separate treatment' first-stage prisoners. Four smaller yards were divided into smaller ones, and five additional small yards built in the southwest yard. A hospital was added (1863-66), watch towers, the front outer wall extended 30 feet eastwards and made c.5 feet taller (1865-66). A new Gaoler's / Warder's Residence /Entrance Lodge (1863) was added to the east. This increased gaol area to c.1.5 acres and separated the wall from outhouse roofs at the front. The old gate was extended both sides to form part of a long structure with series of rooms: new kitchen, bakehouse, workshop, large school room. (Urbis 2024).
In 1866 Berrima was declared a 'Model Prison' for men serving the first 12 months of separate treatment, part of severe punishment cases of hard labour and long sentences. The 'silent' system was introduced: speaking forbidden during the first nine months. In 1867 it formally adopted regulations implemented by Harold Maclean, Sherriff of NSW. Most prisoners were learning or practicing a trade. All had to support themselves through work. (Urbis 2024). By the 1870s, Darlinghurst Gaol was a well-established 'labour gaol' with workshops. Parramatta, Berrima, Maitland, Goulburn and Bathurst gaols were all based on its model (Ramsland 2011).
William Small as Governor made changes to 1875 plans by Barnet: a new 'gaoler's kitchen', hospital verandah, watchtower and observation gallery. It is unclear when these were built. Further 1875 plans were for baths and additions, new kitchen to replace old gaoler's kitchen in the central building's basement, and that reconfigured into bathrooms. In c.1877 the Bull's Head Fountain was installed in the northern wall. (Urbis 2024).
In 1878 reports of cruelty to inmates resulted in an inquiry. 79 of 370 prisons volunteered to testify about torture and harsh treatment. Findings included that architecture was partly to blame, recommending increased cell size and space. By 1874 the minimum sentence for 'separate treatment' was reduced from 5 to 3 years, with hard labour, or road works. Prisoners sentenced to 3 years or more had to start with 9 months' separate treatment at Berrima. After this, good conduct was issued and they could move to Darlinghurst or Parramatta. Despite findings, Small remained Berrima Gaoler until 1885. In 1887 George Stace became its new Governor. By 1888 it held 100: NSW's second most prominent prison after Darlinghurst. (Urbis 2024).
It was extended in 1891-92 and major extensions from 1896. That year Frederick Neitenstein became Comptroller General of Prisons and implemented reform, including 'restricted association system' which started here: keeping 'real criminals' apart from first-time and minor offenders. By late 1897 Berrima had c.72 prisoners, mainly in tailoring and shoemaking workshops. Around an acre to the south was worked almost daily. In 1897-98 a new Governor's Residence was built outside the walls. (Urbis 2024).
In 1898 a new watchtower was built (Urbis, 2024 notes photographs show watchtowers in southwest and northwest were probably demolished at this point, with several sentry posts at different locations) and Deputy Governor's Residence ('Warden's Cottage'), outside the walls. In 1899-1900: 24 cells were added. (Urbis 2024). The Deputy-Governor's Residence was completed c.1901. (Tensing, 2021).
The gaol was upgraded with septic sewerage and drainage systems, new storerooms and garden plots in 1907. It functioned as a prison until then, from 1906 a declared place for habitual criminals. Financial stress closed it in April 1909. It was decommissioned, emptied and de-proclaimed by May. In 1913 part of it used as a rabbit processing works. (Urbis 2024).
The Australian Army used it during World War 1 (1915-19) as internment camp, with primarily Germans (citizens from across Australia: the majority of 329 held were enemy aliens from shipping companies). They and new guards doubled Berrima's population. Accommodation expanded: barracks and other structures (many built by internees). Internees could wander a 2 mile radius by day but were locked up at night.
The camp closed in August 1919 and became a major tourist attraction into the 1930s. It gained a reputation in popular historical culture, through stories in newspapers. Local myths spread about its macabre history. In 1928 it was listed for sale with demolition plans. It was leased from 1932 until c. July 1941 by a former prisoner for tourism. (Urbis 2024).
In World War 2 it was a depot and store for munitions. From 1941 it held Commonwealth reserve medical stores. NSW gaol congestion was partially relieved by its refurbishment. A fire in 1942 damaged internal buildings beyond repair, leaving only original walls and two small wings intact. In 1944 the gaol was proclaimed under the Prisons Act 1899 'Berrima Prison Camp', a 'place of detention for the employment of prisoners', with inmates from other gaols coming to help. From 1944-49 the whole gaol (internal buildings) was rebuilt, for 18,000 pounds. Government Architect Cobden Parkes prepared plans. Superintendent W.E. Martin and gaol officers oversaw works. (Urbis 2024).
Berrima Prison Camp was de-proclaimed, re-proclaimed as Berrima Training Centre, and opened by NSW Governor John Northcott on 19 November 1949. It facilitated male inmates' reform: an eight hour working day included 2 hours' training on subjects including trades. Further buildings and land were added. The Governor's Residence became an Arts and Crafts shop and Deputy Governor's Residence, officers' amenities. (Urbis 2024).
In 1992 it was renamed Berrima Correctional Centre. (Urbis 2024). In 2001 it was converted to a medium security women's prison, closed in 2011. It was refurbished and reopened in 2016 as a minimum-security male prison, for c.75. (Urbis 2024; Dulhunty, 2021).
In 2018 an increase in female inmates statewide led to reclassification as low-security women's prison, upgraded cells and bathrooms. In April 2020 it was permanently closed. (Urbis 2024). In October 2021 the NSW government announced sale by expression of interest (Dulhunty, 2021). Despite community concerns over lack of consultation (Demertzis, 2021), it was divested in 2022 by the government. (Urbis 2024).
James Johnstone Barnet (1827-1904) was acting Colonial Architect in 1862 and Colonial Architect from 1865-90. He studied at King's College, London, strongly influenced by Charles Robert Cockerell, leading classical theorist, and by the fine arts. Barnet arrived in Sydney in 1854 and worked as a self-employed builder. He served as Edmund Blacket's clerk-of-works on Randwick Asylum. Blacket appointed Barnet clerk-of-works on the Great Hall at Sydney University. By 1859 he was second clerk-of-works at the Colonial Architect's Office and in 1862, Acting Colonial Architect. Barnet dominated public architecture in NSW, as longest-serving Colonial Architect in Australian history. Until he resigned in 1890 his office undertook some 12,000 works, Barnet himself designing almost 1000. They included 169 post and telegraph offices, 130 courthouses, 155 police buildings, 110 lockups and 20 lighthouses. Barnet's vision for Sydney is most clearly seen in the Customs House, General Post Office, Lands Department and Colonial Secretary's Office in Bridge Street. (Le Sueur, 2016, 6). |