Eryldene

Item details


Name of item:	Eryldene
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	House
Location:	Lat: -33.7580293684 Long: 151.1575905390
Primary address:	17 McIntosh Street, Gordon, NSW 2072
Parish:	Gordon
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Ku-Ring-Gai
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1		DP	34650

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
17 McIntosh Street	Gordon	Ku-Ring-Gai	Gordon	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
The Eryldene Trust	Community Group

Statement of significance:


	Eryldene is of outstanding cultural significance being the most intact surviving example of the work of William Hardy Wilson, the prominent early twentieth century Australian architect, artist, writer and advocate of the Colonial Revival style. It comprises a residence, complementary outbuildings and garden setting, reflective of the close similarity of interests of both architect and client, Professor E G Waterhouse. The garden was developed by its owner to a remarkable individual character and was the setting for his world-renowned efforts in developing the nomenclature and hybridisation of camellias. It remains a resource for their study. The house, gardens and outbuildings are significantly intact, with some room settings retaining their original furnishings and detail (Moore et.al 1988:17). The place is also of considerable aesthetic significance for its demonstration of an exemplary example of a garden as an extension of a house, with a series of open air rooms carefully furnished with trees, shrubs and flowers, superbly proportioned garden structures (temple, garden study, teahouse/tennis pavilion, fountain, pigeon-house)(Read, S., Heritage Office, 2004).
	Date significance updated: 12 Jun 07
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	William Hardy Wilson (house); E.G. and Janet Waterhouse (garden).
Builder/Maker:	Rudolph G. Ochs
Construction years:	1913-1936
Physical description:	GARDEN The garden is geometrically, but not formally planned. A wooden picket fence and tightly clipped hedge, screen the garden from the street. An irregularly flagged path, edged by garden beds, leads to the stone front steps, flanked with iron railings. The entrance path of informal sandstone flagging separates the front garden into two lawned areas. Beds feature flag iris (I.germanica), azaleas (Rhododendron indicum cv's) and alyssum (Lobularia maritima)(HCoNSW, 1988, 10). On the left stands 'the temple' an open octagonal summerhouse of 6 slim mid-19th century cast-iron Ionic capitalled columns, supporting a pitched roof with terracotta shingle roof tiles. In the same position at the rear of the house stands an elaborate pigeon house, a brick stuccoed garden study and a formal sandstone fountain. To the right at the front is a lawn area, garden seat and whitewashed terracotta pots with large camellias and azaleas in it, the driveway at the western side to a single garage behind the house. To the right at the rear is an area of shrubbery, and a lawn tennis court entered through a moon gate set in the wire netting fence, and a Chinese tea house / Tennis Pavilion set between a pair of ornamental flag poles on the south-western boundary. Chinese ornaments and bowls are found throughout the garden. (Moore et.al. 1988: 72, amended Read, S., Heritage Office, 2004) Large trees include a jacaranda at the front of the house on the left hand side, carefully pruned to accentuate the shadow effects of its branch tracery on the house's walls and large Sydney red gums (Angophora costata) at the rear. An original line of Lombardy poplars along the front fence has since been removed and replaced by African olive (Olea europaea var. Africana) hedging and native cypress pines (Callitris sp. - C.columellaris / C.rhomboidea) as vertical elements. The garden has an impressive collection of ornamental camellias (C. japonica and C.sasanqua cultivars), gathered by Professor Waterhouse over some years as a passion. Waterhouse bred hybrids, and was a renowened expert on camellia classification and naming. Many of the camellia shrubs in the garden have their original name labels on them, some in Japanese/Chinese characters as well as English. An example is the Camellia japonica 'Altheiflora' a blood red small semi-double flowered cultivar, with ruffled petals. (Read, Stuart, pers. comm., 2004). Just one example of the significance of this camellia collection is this: Camellia japonica 'Fra. Arnaldo da Bresci' (Italy, 1851). This cultivar (and Eryldene's specimen) is of global historic significance and very rare. It was named after a medieval Italian priest of Brescia who spoke out against the Pope and was hung in 1155. The figure became a symbolic hero celebrated by the Italian radicals in the early years of the campaign for the unification of Italy against the Pope during the mid nineteenth century. Hence the naming of the flower which dates back to 1851 and survives in just a few historical estates, one being the Villa Giulia in Naples (Professor Motta has supplied a photo of this cultivar in Villa Giulia and I have added my photo of the Retford Park specimen as well). At its best, this formal double exhibits a beautiful large centre cone in the corolla arrangement. The late Professor Waterhouse had one specimen growing at Eryldene. (pers.comm., Stephen Utick email 14/11/2018). Australia has gained two of the first awards made by the International Camellia Society in the wake of the Apoliu Declaration, the first international statement encouraging the conservation of ancient indigenous and historic ornamental camellia trees around the world. The second was for a historical collection of camellias at Eryldene, developed and planted by the International Camellia Society's founding President, Professor E.G. Waterhouse. The collection includes original specimens of: Camellia japonica 'Janet Waterhouse' (1951); C.j. 'Robin' (1952); C. x williamsii 'Lady Gowrie' (1952); C. williamsii 'Charles Colbert' (1959); one potted specimen of C. williamsii 'Lady's Maid' (1962) and two specimens of C. sasangqua 'Mignoonne' (1979). These represent the revival of camellia interest in Australia and contribute to New South Wales' mid-twentieth century garden heritage (Utick, 2020, 28). To the rear of the house, a charming sandstone-paved courtyard is adorned with cast-iron columns, which are said to have been obtained by Hardy Wilson from the demolition of Lyons Terrace on Liverpool Street, Sydney (HCoNSW, 1988, 10). Outside the door of the Garden Study on its east and east of the connecting flagged stone path is a ground-level pond and fountain bordered by low stone walls, with flagged paving and a raised rear wall. Kuilin (Chinese lion figures) that are turquoise-glazed ceramic guard the approaches to the Garden Study (HCoNSW, 1988, 10). A raised tennis court in the south-west corner is bounded by a walking path and hedge of azaleas to its south, a pavilion in Chinese style on its west along with shrubbery; more shrubbery to its north bounding the courtyard, and a moon gate in its wire fence on the eastern side, leading to a lawn and path to the garden study (Stuart Read, pers. comm., 31/12/2018). On the tennis court fence's eastern side, facing the Garden Study and rear of the house is a moon gate cut into the wire mesh fence. The fence is clad with a Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata), a wild fragrant single white rose species that flowers in October. Native to China, VIetnam and Taiwan, this rose was introduced to the United States where it became naturalised in several Southern states. Its common name is attributed to the story that it was cultivated by Cherokee Indians. The rose was planted by Prof. Waterhouse who admired its simple form. Ian Waterhouse recalls it as always there. He was born in 1921. A 1928 Cazneaux photo of the boys playing tennis shows it rampant over the fence (ET, Eryldene Review, 11/2018, 4). Throughout the garden careful use of axes, view manipulation, suggestion, surprise and architectural elements to 'stop' views, or provide ornamental features along pathways have been carefully placed and maintained. (amended: Read, Stuart, Heritage Office, 2004). The garden is significantly intact. It was developed by Waterhouse to a remarkable individual character and was the setting for his world-renowned efforts in developing the nomenclature and hybridisation of camellias (www.hha.net.au/eryldene). HOUSE Eryldene is a single storey brick house. Its design is an adaption of Georgian Architecture to Australian conditions. A central path, edged by garden beds, leads to the stone front steps, flanked with iron railings. The verandah with its six beechwood columns and white railings consists of three well proportioned areas, terminated at each end by a weatherboard sleep-out bedroom. The roof is of shingle tiles with generous eaves. At the rear is a courtyard with a colonnade of Doric iron columns. (Simpson 1976). Interiors (house and outbuildings): The house and outbuildings are significantly intact, with some room settings retaining their original furnishings and detail (Moore et.al 1988:17)(www.hha.net.au/eryldene). Outbuildings: Eryldene includes a range of complementary outbuildings, including: Garden Study: The Professor's Garden study, a single-storey pointed terracotta tiled roof brick building, stuccoed with blank wall facing west tot he tennis court, windows and doors on all other sides, accessed from the east by a flagged path. Dovecote: In the south-eastern end of the axial flagged path past the Garden study. An elaborate timber structure. Tennis Court Pavilion/Tea House: Oriental style Tea House facing the tennis court, with 'pagoda' upturned roof corners, bat-motifs and painted timber suppotrs and inside ceilings, and open sides. Stone paved steps and floor, seating allowing viewing out. Moon gate: Gate built into a wire-mesh fence around the tennis court Courtyard: Columnaded 'frame' across the 'U' shaped rear of the house - with cast-iron columns, timber top and stone paved courtyard below/within Garage: On western side of the house and behind (south of) it. Brick, stuccoed with terracotta tiled roof.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Generally the house and its contents are in good to excellent condition. The original furniture contents in the drawing room and dining room remain in situ. The original furniture and contents in the Garden Study remain in situ. Archaeological potential is negligable.
Modifications and dates:	1913 house and temple, des. Wm.Hardy Wilson; builder Rudolph Ochs 1921-2 Garden Study, fountain and pigeon-house, des. Wm.Hardy Wilson (interior by John L Berry), garden shed, des. John L Berry 1924 - Tea house and Moon Gate 1927 Tea House, des. Wm.Hardy Wilson, builder W A Farr 1936 Garage, des. possibly Stacey A Neave, lattice screen (west of house), des. possibly R Keith Harris, Moon Gate (R Keith Harris) 1991 - change of use approved, for community purposes (House museum) 1993 - rotten front verandah floor boards repaired/patched, interior and exterior painting, including kitchen & laundry, bathroom, butler's pantry and ceiling of custodian's bedroom, bath enamel refinished, security system installed 1998 - refurbishment of 1921 garden study fountain, installation of a pump and water treatment apparatus, replaced front fence 2000 - repaired garden chair, plumbing pipes and fittings, water pipes outside kitchen replaced. 2001-2 - painting of chimneys, roof repairs above kitchen, repairs to watering system, broken sewer replaced 2002 - garden seat restored with $ from Australian Garden History Society. Original fruiting olive tree in front garden (west) on axis opposite the Garden Temple died. A sprout arose from its roots, off axis, and the decision was taken to retain this. 2003 two ceilings restored in Garden Study, and front verandah of house (including roof structure repair), new copper gutters and downpipes erected on Garden Study, house and Garage, foundations to Garden Study entry repaired, existing roof tiles re-laid, conservation of Garden Temple, trellis on western side of the house 2004 repointing sandstone base of House 2005 fumigation of furniture & rugs (borer & weevils), spraying regime in place for azalea fungi & lace bugs, collection of garden photographs (c.1985-2000) purchased, Trust records lodged in Ku-Ring-Gai library, catalogue of collection (furniture, garden furniture, original fabric, artefacts, memorabilia, paintings, photos, papers, documents, books, magazines, newspapers etc (work was begun in 2004, with an MFArts grant), Pigeon House re-roofed and repaired, front of house lime wash restored, timber railings painted, garage doors and lime washed walls of garden study to be done summer 05/6, tallow wood verandah/eastern loggia flooring repaired/replaced where decayed - ie full length of front verandah floor now repaired. Work commenced on restoring 2 chairs once in the internal study and main bedroom. Also repairs to small broken table in drawing room, and 14th century Persian bowl in garden study. (Eryldene newsletter, October 2005) 2005-6 Painting, repairs to roofing, eaves and flooring, fumigation of borer and weevil infestations, restoration of artefacts and furniture undertaken. Large number of Professor Waterhouse's books gifted back to the Trust. Project completed establishing a catalogue framework, informing the ongoing volunteer detailed cataloguing work of the collection. (Newsletter April 2006)
Further information:	2002/3 Federal Heritage CHPP grant of $19,580 awarded for conservation works.


Current use:	house museum
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, family residence of Professor E.G and Mrs J. Waterhouse

History

Historical notes:

The real spirit of the 20th century came to Australian architecture with the domestic work of a quartet of practitioners after the First World War. Between them they encompassed all the virtues and the vices, the strengths and the weaknesses which have marked the last 50 years...The only thing they had in common was a conviction that architectural thinking had to start at a more basic level than anything that had been known for a hundred years...

The group of thinking-architects responsible for ushering in the 20th century were Hardy Wilson, Robin Dods, Harold Desbrowe-Annear and Walter Burley Griffin. They worked in different places and they worked individually...But between them they covered most of the ideas and attitudes that followed. Because, with the exception of Griffin, they worked almost exclusively on houses, their effect was strongest on domestic work. The same depth of thought and changes which they brought to homes did not begin to percolate into other types of building, which merely acquired from them the vices of individualism to compound their blatant stylism, for another 40 years.

William Hardy Wilson:
William (later Hardy) Wilson had been born in Sydney in 1881. His search for architectural truth, a deep love and appreciation of beauty, an interest in history and an abiding faith in the concept of the artist-architect led him to strive for the pre-Victorian virtues. But his was not mere copyism. Sensitive to the underlying qualities of colonial architecture, he sought to apply their timeless principles to his own work (Freeland, 1982, 236-8).

In 1905 Wilson went to England and enrolled in the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London and also worked a a draftsman for William Flockhart in Bond Street. The chief draftsman in that office, Leonard Rothrie, introduced him to the Chelsea Art Club, where he met English sculptor Francis Derwent Ward and Scottish painter George Henry, as well as Australian artists including Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and George Lambert.

In 1908 Wilson and Stacy Neave* (another architect from Sydney) commenced their grand tourt of Europe and North America, where they found the work of McKim, Mead & White and the American Colonial Revival style particularly impressive. It was during this tour that Wilson realised the influence of geography was crucial to the development of art and architecture.

*Helen and Joseph Neave's third son, Stacy Arthur Neave, became an architect. Whilst in England furthering his studies, he became friendly with William Hardy Wilson, who later became an architect of great merit. In 1908, they undertook a grand architectural tour of most of the European capitals, drawing and measuring the palaces and churches. They then sailed together to the United States and Canada to study the architecture in those countries. After they returned to Sydney, they went into partnership in 4/1911, an association that continued until the 1920s, when Wilson again left for England. A.S. Neave was a successful architect and died in the early 1940s (Lenehan, 1987, 50).

In 1911 Wilson changed his name legally to William Hardy Wilson and joined Neave to form the architectural firm, Wilson & Neave. When Neave served in World War 1, Wilson closed the practice and concentrated on writing and completing his drawings of old colonial architeture in NSW and Tasmania and building his own house, Purulia (completed 1916) at Wahroonga (Edwards, 2013, 768).

The positioning of the summer house at Purulia, on the cross-axis of the central path and diagonally to the right of the front door, is similar to the positioning of the more sophistocated one at Eryldene. The simple stone-flagged central path is common to all the gardens, yet it is a cottage detail, not found in the old colonial gardens of the County of Cumberland which Wilson knew. (Broadbent, in National Trust of Australia (NSW), 1980, 65-70).

Another notable Wilson-designed house of this era was Macquarie Cottage, Pymble (1919) for H.Dunstan Vane (Edwards, 2013, 769).

In 1920 Wilson & Neave took on John Berry as partner, becoming Wilson, Neave & Berry (1920-27), a firm noted for the Colonial Revival style of architecture for domestic design: fat, low-squatting Georgian boxes with colonnaded verandahs, spider-web fanlights on entrance doors and multi-paned windows with shutters. The firms style followed the Colonial Revival based on the United States idiom, but also looked to Australian colonial architecture for inspiration. This style became very popular in the 1920s (Edwards, 2013, 770).

In 1921 Wilson went to China and took lessons in Chinese painting under Kungpah King (Jin Chen); his travels to China's major cities, Peking (Beijing), Hangzhou, Shanghai, Canton (Guangshou) and Macao had a profound influence in his architectural philosophy and design (ibid, 769).

After Wilson's visit to China in 1921, the firm incorporated Oriental motifs and details, examples of which are found at Eryldene, Gordon (1914-36) and Peapes Department Store, Sydney (1923)(ibid, 770).

In 1922 Wilson sold Purulia and travelled to England and Europe, where, in Vienna, he supervised the collotype reproductions for 'Colonial architeture in NSW and Tasmania' (1924), his publication that would foster great interest in an Australian Colonial Revival.

In 1925 Wilson returned to Sydney, where he became disillusioned with the state of Australian architecture and began writing his view sand ideas in a fictionalised biography 'The dawn of a new civilisation' (1929) under a pseudonym of Richard Le Mesurer.

In 1927 he completed his last design - the tennis pavilion (later called the Tea House) at Eryldene in Gordon for Prof. E.G. and Janet Waterhouse - the epitome of 'a new style in architecture, the development in one style of Chinese and European classic', retired from practice and left for England (Edwards, 2013, 769, 770).

The term 'villa' was first used in England in the 17th century, partly from the Latin and Italian 'country house, farm', perhaps derived from the stem of vicus (village). The villa was a country mansion or residence, together with a farm, farm-buildings, or other house attached, built or occupied by a person of some position and wealth. It was taken to include a country seat or estate and later a residence in the country or in the neighbourhood of a town, usually standing in its own grounds. From this is was appropriated by the middleof the 18th century to mean a residence of a superior type, in the suburbs of a town or in a residential district, such as that occupied by a person of the middle class, and also a small, better-class dwelling house, usually detached or semi-detached. The term 'villa garden' was used in the context of Hobart and Sydney residences in the 1830s, and if near the coast or harbour, the appellation 'marine villa' was often applied. Australian origins probably date from the grant conditions applied to Sydney's Woolloomooloo Hill (1827, under Governor Darling), which obligated the construction of villas fulfilling certain conditions... 'with garden like domain, and external offices for stables and domestic economy' (John Buonarotti Papworth, 1825, quoted in James Broadbent's 1997 book, 'The Australian Colonial House'). Many gardens of 19th century villas followed Gardenesque conventions, with garden ornaments often complementing the architecture of the house. The term had acquired such widespread usage by the 1850s that when Jane Loudon issued a new editiion of her husband (John Claudius Loudon)'s 'Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion' (1838) she merely entitled the revised work 'The Villa Gardener' (1850). This coincided with a growing period of suburbanisation in Australia with consequent fostering of the nursery trade... By the 1880s, descriptions of Australian villas implied sufficient room for a lawn on two or three fronts of the residence. By the 1920s, a garden attached to a large suburban house was often described as a villa garden... after WW2 the term villa was rarely used..(Aitken, 2002, 619-20).

E.G. & Janet Waterhouse:
Eryldene was built in 1913-1914 for Professor Eben(ezer) Gowrie (E.G.) and Mrs Janet Waterhouse and named after the house in Kilmarnock, Scotland where they married. Designed by William Hardy Wilson, it reflects his interest in the Georgian Revival style of architecture, adapted for Australian conditions. Professor Waterhouse also had a distinct influence upon the design of the house and is responsible for the simple hipped roof now apparent, rather than the gables often favoured by Wilson.

Waterhouse was a linguist. He was a lecturer in modern languages at Sydney Teachers College (n.d., Eryldene Guide brochure) and from 1924 Professor of German at Sydney University, as well as being an avid gardener at his home, Eryldene and (later) a leading world authority on camellias. Eryldene's garden was increasingly a collection of camellias, many that he'd collected in Japan and China and all individually labelled, bilingually.

Waterhouse later held the Chair of German at the University of Sydney until he retired in 1945 and served as Trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW for 24 years (HCoNSW, 1988, 10).

Waterouse believed that a garden should represent the outside rooms of a house, each room furnished with trees and shrubs and leading one on to wander and delight in the next (HCoNSW, 1988, 10).

The garden was designed by both Wilson and Waterhouse. Conceived as an extension of the house with particular 'rooms', it was to become an expression of Waterhouse's individual character. It is now well known for its introduction of camellias back into the twentieth century garden.

In seeking out and drawing the buildings for his 'Old Colonial Architecture in New South Wales and Tasmania', Hardy Wilson became aware of the siting and gardens of early colonial houses. He was the first to recognise and appreciate a characteristic mid-19th century style of gardening in New South Wales. For nearly 50 years his was the only voice stressing its importance and his descriptions - as vivid and full blown as the late summer gardens he visited - are still the most evocative. Wilson looked at these gardens with a painter's eye, not the analytical eye of a designer. He was neither botanist not horticulturist. He appreciated their siting, colour and texture rather than their layout and details...

Of large forest trees he admired only the picturesque angophora (A.floribunda or A.subvelutina), the 'apple oak' of the colonists...; and, presumably the turpentines (Syncarpia glomulifera) which he planted along the rear boundaries of Purulia. He designed 5 gardens: Eryldene (Gordon), Purulia, Macquarie Cottage (Pymble), a garden for 'An Ideal Australian Home' and for a 'Standard Cottage' for the William Moore Trust at Gordon. The latter were not carried out. Purulia and Macquarie Cottage have been altered. Eryldene presents a problem as in its final form it displays so much the taste and horticultural expertise of its owner, Professor Waterhouse, that Wilson's contribution is difficult to assess, and since it predates the other gardens, the influence of 'Professor Pymble' on these should be considered. The similarities between all Wilson's garden plans are marked.

From his love and knowledge of colonial gardens came his choice of plants. The range is limited, but it contrasts with the ubiquitous palms, brush box and hybrid roses of contemporary gardens as stringkingly as his unbroken colour-washed walls contrasted with the redness of his neighbours' 'multangular villas' (Penny Holden, pers.comm., 3/8/12).

Waterhouse loved camellias and was an acknowledged world authority on them. In 1952 he became co-founder of the Australia New Zealand Camellia Research Society, and the co-founder and the inaugural President of the International Camellia Society (HCoNSW, 1988, 10).

Waterhouse managed to acquire 12 advanced Camellia japonica cultivar (cv.) plants 3 - 4 feet high in 1914 and planted six in the garden at Eryldene: two at the front gate, two in front of the garden temple, and two in the courtyard; and gave six to Hardy Wilson. This is mentioned in the book "E G Waterhouse of Eryldene" by Mary Armati (Fine Arts Press 1977) reprinted by the Eryldene Trust 2004, p37 which says:
'...he did not share the prevailing attitude towards camellias. Although they were copletely out of fashion and difficult to obtain, he was greatly taken by their beauty and dignity. In 1914 he managed to acquire twelve advanced plants, 3 to 4 feet high, kept six for the garden he was planning and building at Eryldene and gave the remaining six to Hardy Wilson. He was already on the camellia trail.'
This quote was read and approved by him before his death in 1977 (Penny Holden, pers. comm., 3/8/12).

In the early 1920s he was asked by the vice chancellor of Sydney University, Professor McCallum, to lay out a garden in the Vice Chancellor's courtyard. Here he planted a number of twenty year old azaleas, some fuchias and some camellias (Holden, 2012, pers.comm.).

The camellia had been the subject of a 'rage' in gardening and botanical circles between its first 'discovery' and export to the west. By the 1870s Australia was at the cutting edge of Camellia hybridisation and cultivar naming, along with England, Antwer/Belgian and Florence/Italian breeding. By the 1890s camellias were waning in popularity, starting a slide lasting till the 1930s. Waterhouse's interest from 1914 was well before 1937, when English writer Sacheverell Sitwell's book 'Old Fashioned Flowers' included camellias, leading to a revival in growing them (Read, 2012).

The genus 'Camellia' was named (i.e. published) by the great Carl Linne (Linnaeus) in 1735, in his Systema Naturae, for a plant described in (surgeon to the Dutch East India Company, Engelbert) Kaempfer's Amoenitatum Exoticarum 1712. More species have been 'discovered', exported and named since as investigation has continued in China, Japan, Burma and Indo-China. Vietnam is yielding more species, including purple-flowered, in recent years. The name was in honour of Jesuit apothecary and naturalist from Moravia (now Czech Republic) Georg Josef Kamel, who worked in the Philippines in the early 18th century.

The most important species are C.japonica and C.sasanqua (first 'discovered' in Japan but the former also native to Korea, and both long cultivated in China) and C.reticulata from China. Species used recently in inter-specific hybridising which have produced some excellent cultivars are C.saluenensis, C.pitardii var.yunnanica, C.granthamiana and C.fraterna (Read, 2012).

In 1921 a garden retreat was built for the Professor's use. The curved wall and fountain in sandstone outside (east of) the garden retreat/ study was designed by Hardy Wilson and built in 1921. The glass fronted bookcases inside were designed by Wilson's partner, John L. Berry. In 1924, after a trip to China, the professor commissioned the design and construction of a tea house and 'Moon Gate' as an adjunct to the tennis court.

After the second world war Waterhouse retired as Professor of French and German at Sydney University, and began Camellia Grove Nursery at St. Ives (Davis, 1988, 248), with his son, Gordon (n.d., Eryldene Guide brochure). This was Camellia Grove No.4 in Australian garden history. The first was begun by Robert Henderson who died in 1865 and was located in Newtown. The second was Alexander Hunter's Camellia Grove (1870) at LIverpool Road, Ashfield and the third was at Parramatta (in the suburb now called 'Camellia'), established by Silas Sheather before 1877. Sheather had been employed by the Macarthurs and was influenced by his experience with the Camden Park seedlings. At his Parramatta nursery he grew and offered for sale in 1877 imported cultivars and some of his own seedlings which included 'Harriet Beeecher Sheather', 'Myrtifolia', 'Prince Frederick William' and the informal 'Countess of Orkney', all included in his catalogue and represented at Eryldene. Earlier in 1862 Shepherd and Co. listed C.j.'Azura', 'Leviathan' and C.speciosissima, all of which the Professor tracked down. Alexander Hunter had served an apprenticeship as a nurseryman with Shepherd and Co. at their Chatsworth nursery at Rooty Hill and his introductions include 'Constance', 'Jean Lynne', 'Edith Linton', 'Ruth Kemp', 'Mrs Swan', 'Brodie's Pink' and 'Alexander Hunter'. 'Mrs Swan' was lost from Eryldene after the Professor's death when a plumber cut through its root zone to install a storm water drain. Hunter sold or left Mr. G.C.Linton a property called Kewita at Somersby (Davis, 1988, 248).

Waterhouse gave the camellia world his new hybrid seedlings known as the 'Waterhouse williamsii' hybrids. 'Margaret Waterhouse', named for his daughter in law, proved hardier than the lovely pink formal named 'E.G.Waterhouse'.(Davis, 1988, 248). Camellia Grove Nursery is now at 8 Cattai Ridge Road, Glenorie.

Waterhouse's collection of camellias is a living history museum which represents the introduction and development of the camellia. In 1945 Waterhouse's first volume on camellias 'Camellia Trail', later to be followed by a second, 'Camellia Quest' was published in a strictly limited edition by Sydney Ure Smith. Each copy was signed by the Professor and participating artists Adrian Feint and Paul Jones. These books are now collector's items. His story of the camellia in Australia included Alexander Macleay of Elizabeth Bay House (from the 1830s) and the Macarthurs of Camden Park, particularly William (also from the 1830s), propogating by layering and distributing imported varieties to nurserymen and private growers in NSW, Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia. William Macarthur raised and named 67 seedlings at Camden Park and a number of these were distributed. He notes the role of nurseryman Michael Guilfoyle of the 'Exotic Nursery' in Double Bay, whose 1866 catalogue listed 95 varieties of camellia, all grafted. Macleay and Macarthur both encouraged Sydney's first nurseryman, Thomas Shepherd, whose Darling Nursery company's 1851 catalogue listed 33 camellias. All were C.japonica cv.s except for one C.sasanqua (autumn camellia).

Because few nurseries bothered to grow camellias from 1900 onwards Waterhouse often resorted to rescuing them from demolition sites. The first six were brought to Eryldene by means of a dray. 'Aspasia' (a Macarthur variety) and 'Great Eastern', a seedling of unknown origin, but still popular today, were among the first he acquired (Davis, 1988, 246-7).

In 1950 Waterhouse with Sydney nurseryman Walter Hazlewood, Alex Jessup (former Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne) and Dr Merrilees, founded the Australian Camellia Research Society. This has a worldwide membership of 1500 and in partnership with Sutherland Shire Council and the Sutherland Orchid Society was responsible for establishment of the E.G.Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens as a Bicentennial project in 1970 with Sutherland Shire Council (Read, 2012).

Since the second world war the genus Camellia has enjoyed an unprecedented revival due in no small measure to the untiring efforst of the late Professor, both in Australia and in every country suited to its cultivation (Davis, 1988, 248).

Dame Helen Blaxland DBE, conservationist and active in the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and other philanthropic and conservation activities, was patron of the Eryldene Appeal (1971) for funds for Eryldene (Simpson, 2007).

Waterhouse died aged 96 on August 17th, 1977, by which time over 700 camellia varieties had been accomodated in Eryldene's garden, which had completely changed incharacter from its original cottage garden semi-formal layout (ibid, 248). He had previously been awarded the honours of CMG and an OBE (sign outside Eryldene, Eryldene Trust).

Shortly after the Professor's death, a group of interested persons formed the Eryldene Trust, whose purpose is to conserve Eryldene. The inital governors initiated a public appeal to retain the property as an important part of our heritage and a memorial to the well-loved 'Prof.'. Generous help from the Heritage Council of NSW provided much of the finance required for restoration works. Implementation of a Garden Management Plan, together with a recently-prepared Plan of Management for the house and outbuildings have ensured that the property is conserved (HCoNSW, 1988, 10).

Ownership eventually reverted to the Eryldene Trust in 1979. Conservation work was undertaken between 1982 and 1983 and provisions were made to accommodate a resident custodian. The house is now open to the public (since 1991) as an exhibition space and open garden (Moore et.al., 1988, 3-5).

In seeking out and drawing the buildings for his 'Old Colonial Architecture in New South Wales and Tasmania', Hardy Wilson became aware of the siting and gardens of early colonial houses. He was the first to recognise and appreciate a characteristic mid-19th century style of gardening in New South Wales. For nearly 50 years his was the only voice stressing its importance and his descriptions - as vivid and full blown as the late summer gardens he visited - are still the most evocative. Wilson looked at these gardens with a painter's eye, not the analytical eye of a designer. He was neither botanist not horticulturist. He appreciated their siting, colour and texture rather than their layout and details...

Of large forest trees he admired only the picturesque angophora (A.floribunda or A.subvelutina), the 'apple oak' of the colonists...; and, presumably the turpentines (Syncarpia glomulifera) which he planted along the rear boundaries of Purulia. He designed 5 gardens: Eryldene (Gordon), Purulia, Macquarie Cottage (Pymble), a garden for 'An Ideal Australian Home' and for a 'Standard Cottage' for the William Moore Trust at Gordon. The latter were not carried out. Purulia and Macquarie Cottage have been altered. Eryldene presents a problem as in its final form it displays so much the taste and horticultural expertise of its owner, Professor Waterhouse, that Wilson's contribution is difficult to assess, and since it predates the other gardens, the influence of 'Professor Pymble' on these should be considered. The similarities between all Wilson's garden plans are marked.

From his love and knowledge of colonial gardens came his choice of plants. The range is limited, but it contrasts with the ubiquitous palms, brush box and hybrid roses of contemporary gardens as stringkingly as his unbroken colour-washed walls contrasted with the redness of his neighbours' 'multangular villas'.

Wilson planned his gardens with layouts of an easy, but nevertheless rigorously applied formal geometry, which owes little to colonial or contemporary English garden design (to which Wilson makes no reference in any of his writings). They are unmistakably gardens designed by an architect who, though admiring the architectural work of Lutyens, probably knew little of current English gardens.

The positioning of the summer house at Purulia, on the cross-axis of the central path and diagonally to the right of the front door, is similar to the positioning of the more sophistocated one at Eryldene. The simple stone-flagged central path is common to all the gardens, yet it is a cottage detail, not found in the old colonial gardens of the County of Cumberland which Wilson knew (Broadbent, in National Trust, 1980, 65-70).

Eryldene Trust has recently restored the tennis pavilion columns with grants in 2016 from Ku-Ring-Gai Coucnil and a gift from Edward Simpson, Hardy Wilson's great nephew. A further grant from Council will help mend and paint the pavilion's flanking vermillion red flag poles to their intended appearance. On special days, Prof.Waterhouse would raise two dragon flags, one red and one blue, and place a Chinese roof finial of a god, or a rider and horse, at the base of each pole. The Trust is fundraising for a furthre $10k to complete work on the flag poles and bring poles and pavilion together in one visual ensemble - this will be used to free the poles from their metal saddles and repair or renew the saddles so the poles can be lowered for painting, now and in future. It will also allow the Trust to renew the gold leaf on top of hte poles and pavilion columns (ET Eryldene Review, 11/2018, 1-2).

Australia has gained two of the first awards made by the International Camellia Society in the wake of the Apoliu Declaration, the first international statement encouraging the conservation of ancient indigenous and historic ornamental camellia trees around the world. The first award is for a 75-year old specimen of the Camellia japonica 'Cassandra' located in Lisgar Gardens, Hornsby. It is recognised as the best-surviving specimen of a rare historical cultivar from the early NSW colonial era. The second was for a historical collection of camellias at Eryldene, developed and planted by the International Camellia Society's founding President, Professor E.G. Waterhouse. The collection includes original specimens of: Camellia japonica 'Janet Waterhouse' (1951); C.j. 'Robin' (1952); C. x williamsii 'Lady Gowrie' (1952); C. williamsii 'Charles Colbert' (1959); one potted specimen of C. williamsii 'Lady's Maid' (1962) and two specimens of C. sasangqua 'Mignoonne' (1979). These represent the revival of camellia interest in Australia and contribute to New South Wales' mid-twentieth century garden heritage (Utick, 2020, 28).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Cultural: Plains and plateaux supporting human activities-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Introduce cultural planting-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Scottish settlers-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Chinese fine and decorative arts influence-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	English migrants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Migration-Activities and processes associated with the resettling of people from one place to another (international, interstate, intrastate) and the impacts of such movements	Free Immigrants in the 19th century-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes demonstrating styles in landscape design-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of urban amenity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of contemplation and devotion-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Gardens demonstrating the travels and sojurns of a gardener-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Gardens and landscapes reminiscent of an 'old country'-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	(none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Residential-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing townsfolk - urban villas-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	housing (suburbs)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	gentlemen's residences-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Gentlemens Villas-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing artists and creative people-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Owning and occupying a house-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Gentlemens Mansions-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Architectural design-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Federation era residence-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing professional people-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	1820s-1850s land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Sub-division of large estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Subdivision of urban estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	20th century Suburban Developments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in suburban settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Cultural Social and religious life-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	A Picturesque Residential District-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Garden suburbs-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Suburban Consolidation-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Suburban Expansion-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	living in the suburbs-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Shaping coastal settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Impact of railways on suburban development-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing suburbia-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Role of transport in settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in urban settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Urban landscapes inspiring creative responses-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working independently on the land-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Servants quarters-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working with plants-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in schools, colleges and educational institutions-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in the arts, on producing art-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Adult Education-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Community education - adults, school excursions-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	University research site or facility-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Place of writing and research-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Maintaining libraries and museums for educational purposes-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Local government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administration of land-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - town and country planning-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - 20th century interwar-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - Federation period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Creating an icon-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - Interwar Georgian Revival-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Creating works of art-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing in an exemplary architectural style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing landscapes in an exemplary style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Enjoying public parks and gardens-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting heritage places-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	(none)-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Professor E G Waterhouse, linguist, orientalist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Mr Foden, English multi-industrialist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Dame Helen Blaxland, conservationist and charitable fundraiser-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Eryldene has historical significance through its association with Professor E.G.Waterhouse who had a distinguished career in linguistics, arts and horticulture. It is also, arguably, the most significant surviving residence designed by William Hardy, celebrated for his influence on Australian architecture in the first half of the twentieth century. (Moore et.al. 1988: 15)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	At all levels Eryldene is a sophisticated design entity, aimed at achieving a rare harmony of beauty and utility. It was created for the specific purpose of introducing aesthetic experience into the daily lives of its inhabitants and their visitors. It is one of the earliest, most complex and developed examples of the the Colonial Revival style of architecture and the most complete example of its designers work remaining. (Moore et.al. 1988: 16-17)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Eryldene is not only a focus for admirers of Professor Waterhouse's life and works, it is also a remarkable evocation of a way of life and philosophy of living, increasingly remote from contemporary society. It also reflects cultured, intellectual life in Sydney from the First World War to the Modern period. (Moore et.al. 1988: 16)
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The camellia collection at Eryldene, remains living, evoloving evidence of the Professor's contribution to the nomenclature and hybridisation of Camellias and a resource for the future study of the genus. (Moore et.al. 1988: 15)
Integrity/Intactness:	The house, gardens and outbuidings are significantly intact, with some room settings retaining their original furnishings and detail.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Review a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act - Site Specific Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT SITE SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL Eryldene, 17 McIntosh Street, Gordon (SHR No. 19) I, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, in pursuance of section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, do, by this my order, grant an exemption from section 57(1) of that Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out of any activities described in Schedule "C" by the owner described in Schedule "B" on the item described in Schedule "A". The Hon Robyn Parker, MP Minister for Heritage Sydney, Day of 2013 SCHEDULE "A" The item known as Eryldene, situated on the land described in Schedule "B". SCHEDULE "B" All those pieces or parcels of land known as Lot 1 DP 34650 in Parish of Gordon, County of Cumberland shown on the plan catalogued HC 188 in the office of the Heritage Council of New South Wales. SCHEDULE "C" 1)Venue hire of the garden, lawn court, teahouse, verandah and loggias for events deemed by Eryldene Trust's Director to be appropriate and compatible with the significance and fabric of Eryldene house, outbuildings and gardens (in accordance with Eryldene Trust's guidelines: Venue Hire Agreement and Protocol for Use); 2)Staging of concerts/performances in garden, lawn court, teahouse, verandah, loggias and dining room; 3)Staging of garden/Christmas fairs in the garden, lawn court, teahouse, verandah, loggias and in the following three non-principal rooms deemed appropriate for public programs and temporary use (in accordance with Moore & Tropman Conservation Management Plan, 1988) a)Second bedroom b)Internal study (following removal and storage of rugs, books and moveable items) c)Main bedroom (following removal and storage of bed, carpet square and moveable items) 4)Staging of meetings/receptions on verandah, loggias, in dining room and in internal non-principal rooms deemed appropriate for public programs and temporary use (in accordance with Moore & Tropman Conservation Management Plan, 1988) or subsequent conservation management plan endorsed by the Heritage Council; 5)Use of second bedroom as Eryldene Trust's gift shop; and 6)Use of kitchen and laundry in association with venue hire, open weekends, tours and Trust events.	Feb 22 2013
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	00019	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former	00019	14 Dec 79	178	6348
Local Environmental Plan		15 May 92
Local Environmental Plan		04 Sep 89
Register of the National Estate		21 Oct 80

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Ku-Ring-Gai Heritage Study	1987		Robert Moore, Penelope Pike & Helen Proudfoot		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	(not attributed: photographs by Harold Cazneaux)	1923	Eryldene, Gordon, NSW: house and garden designed by Wilson, Neave & Berry
Written	(unattributed, photographs by Harold Cazneaux)	1925	Eryldene: a 'Hardy Wilson' house - the home of Mr E G Waterhouse at Gordon, NSW
Written	Aitken, Richard	2002	'Villa Garden' (entry)	View detail
Written	Armati, Mary	1977	E.G.Waterhouse of Eryldene
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Eryldene	View detail
Written	Broadbent, James, in National Trust of Australia (NSW)	1980	William Hardy Wilson - a 20th century Colonial (exhibition catalogue)
Written	Brown, Jocelyn	1940	The Garden at Eryldene, the home of Professor & Mrs E G Waterhouse
Written	Burke, Sheridan	2023	Eryldene Conservation Management Plan 2023	View detail
Written	Clough, Richard	2002	'Waterhouse, Eben Gowrie' (entry)	View detail
Written	Cooper, Nora	1936	A new era in Architecture? Hardy Wilson talks on the coming change in architectural trends
Written	Davis, Mary	1988	'A Camellia Treasury'
Written	Edwards, Zeny	2002	Bringing Paradise very close to this earth
Written	Edwards, Zeny	2002	William Hardy Wilson: Artist, Architect, Orientalist, Visionary
Written	Edwards, Zeny	1995	The Grecian Pagoda and the architecture of Eryldene
Written	Edwards, Zeny	1991	Eryldene, 17 McIntosh St., Gordon NSW: a documentation of the house, associated buildings, the contents
Written	Edwards, Zeny; in Goad, Philip (ed.), An Encyclopaedia of Australian Architecture	2013	'Wilson, William Hardy' and 'Wilson Neave & Berry' entries
Written	Eryldene Trust, The	2018	Anyone for Tennis?
Written	Freeland, J.M.	1988	Architecture in Australia - a history
Written	Heritage Council of NSW, in 'Heritage Conservation News' 5(2)	1988	'Eryldene'
Written	Historic Houses Association of Australia	2018	Eryldene House and Garden, Gordon	View detail
Written	Holden, Penelope	2012	personal communication (email of 8/4/2012)
Written	Lenehan, M.F.	1987	'Northwood House, Northwood'
Tourism	Museums & Galleries NSW	2013	Eryldene Historic House & Garden	View detail
Written	Read, Stuart	2012	notes for Australian Garden history Society, Sydney & Northern NSW Branch – Visit notes E.G.Waterhouse National Camellia Garden Visit with Steven Utick - Sunday 29 July
Written	Rintoul, Judith	1994	'Eryldene - Gordon'	View detail
Written	Robert Moore and Lester Tropman and Associates	1988	Eryldene: A Plan for Management and Conservation
Written	Simpson, Caroline	2002	'Wilson, William Hardy' (entry)	View detail
Written	The Erydlene Trust	1992	17 McIntosh Street, Gordon, N.S.W. : Eryldene Gordon, Stage 11
Written	The Eryldene Trust	2004	Conservation of Eryldene historic house / NSW Heritage Office heritage incentive program.
Written	The Eryldene Trust		Guide: Eryldene Historic House and Garden (brochure)
Written	Utick, Dr. Stephen	2020	'The Apoliu Declaration and the conservation of historic ornamental camellia trees'	View detail
Written	Vlismiss, Peter	1982	E.G. Waterhouse and his gardens
Written	Waterhouse, E.G.	1941	The return of the Camellia
Written	Wilson, W. Hardy; Stevens, Bertram; Smith, Sydney Ure	1919	Domestic Architecture in Australia (extracts from)

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045350
File number:	09/01440; S90/03129 & HC 32022

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

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