Waimea House

Item details

Name of item: Waimea House
Other name/s: Helen Keller House
Type of item: Built
Group/Collection: Residential buildings (private)
Category: House
Location: Lat: -33.8884797908 Long: 151.2412680800
Primary address: Waimea Avenue, Woollahra, NSW 2025
Parish: Alexandria
County: Cumberland
Local govt. area: Woollahra
Local Aboriginal Land Council: La Perouse
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
LOT100 DP828991
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
Waimea AvenueWoollahraWoollahraAlexandriaCumberlandPrimary Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
Park Investments Pty LtdPrivate25 Mar 99

Description

Construction years: 1858-
Physical description: Setting:
The house forms a pleasing termination to the important Victorian landscape vista of Waimea Avenue (AHC,1978 (Waimea Avenue Group)). It is the key building within this precinct and is the focus of a number of arresting vistas from the surrounding precinct (Simpson, 1983, 19; wikipedia entry).

Waimea Avenue comprises a group of Picturesque Gothic style Victorian terraces (1-11, 2-12) planned c1900 with good scale and picturesque detail that have an appropriate axial relationship to the early Victorian house at its southern end, Waimea (ibid, 1983; wikipedia entry).

It is also still spatially related to other Victorian terraces in Woods Avenue on the east side of the street at the rear of Waimea (ibid, 1983; wikipedia entry).

Site:
The parcel of land on which Waimea stands has frontage to Waimea Avenue (Simpson, 1983, 5; wikipedia entry).

Garden:
Waimea is surrounded on three sides (west, north, east) with garden. Golden Monterey cypresses (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Aurea' form a shelter belt along its northern boundary, and other trees and shrubs are arrayed around the house, along with lawns (Stuart Read, pers.comm., 5/12/2016).

House:
Waimea is the key building in this precinct and the focus of a number of arresting vistas from the surrounding precinct (wikipedia entry). It is a two storey sandstone late Georgian dwelling built in 1858. It has lost most of its fittings, only the basic stone walls, roof structure and chimneys remaining. It originally contained 12 rooms (Simpson, 1983, 19).

A good example of a late Georgian Revival two storey sandstone house, of symmetrical design with of symmetrical design with an elegant cast iron columned verandah to three sides. Sheeted iron roof (AHC, 1978).

Waimea house is a good example of Victorian human scale civic design which reflects an earlier historic building in visual terms (AHC, 1978).

Elegant cast-iron columned verandah to three sides sheeted with curved iron, the main roof original slate, windows were either six pane Georgian D.H. sash type or two panel French window type, all shuttered. Doors were eight or four panels with retangular transom panels while internal joinery was standard polished cedar and imported marble chimney pieces (NTA, 1976).
Physical condition and/or
Archaeological potential: 		The building has lost most of its 'fittings', only the basic stone walls, roof structure and chimneys remaining. It is common ground that these are structurally stable and capable of restoration in accordance with available documentary evidence (Simpson, 1983, 5).
Date condition updated:30 Apr 13
Modifications and dates: c1900 subdivision to create Waimea Avenue, with small terrace housing.

The house has lost most of its fittings, only the basic stone walls, roof structure and chimneys remaining. It originally contained 12 rooms (Simpson, 1983, 19).

As at 30 April 2013, the building has lost most of its "fittings", only the basic stone walls, roof structure and chimneys remaining. It is common ground that these are structurally stable and capable of restoration in accordance with available documentary evidence (wikipedia entry).

Two sandstone gateposts located at Wallis Street on either side of the corner of Woods Avenue may relate to the former Waimea estate possibly formed part of the estate of Waimea House. The gate posts are at the rear of Waimea [Libby Maher](LEP, 1995).
Current use: residence
Former use: Aboriginal land, farm estate, suburban villa residence, offices

History

Historical notes: Aboriginal Sydney:
When Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet landed, first in Botany Bay and then in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), in January 1788, he was met by people who had lived on this land for many thousands of years. At least 1,500 people lived in the area between Botany Bay and Broken Bay and the intermediate coast (Attenbrow, n.d.)

There were two main languages spoken in the Sydney region - Darug and Tharawal. The Darug language had two main dialects - one spoken along the coast and the other in the hinterland (west of present-day Parramatta). Tharawal was spoken to the south of Botany Bay and as far west as the Georges River and possibly Camden (ibid, n.d.)

People belonged to small groups (territorial clans) through which they were spiritually related to specific tracts of land - these clans included the Gadigal, Wanngal, Gamaragal, Wallumedegal and Boromedegal. The suffix 'gal' denotes 'people of', thus, for example, the Gadigal were the people of Gadi (also spelled Cadigal and Cadi respectively) (ibid, n.d.).

The 'district of Gadi' was reported to have stretched from South Head west to 'the cove adjoining this settlement' (Darling Harbour) - an area that would have included Centennial, Moore and Queens Parks. Watkin Tench referred to the Gadigal as 'those who reside in the bay of Cadi'. The 'bay of Cadi' is probably Kutti, the Aboriginal place name recorded for present-day Watsons Bay, and the present name of a small beach in the bay (ibid, n.d.).

The Centennial Parklands Conservation Management Plan contains the following report that provides in depth detail of the pre-colonial history of the lands that are present day Centennial Parklands, which is where the text on this page comes from: Pre-colonial Aboriginal land and resource use in Centennial, Moore and Queens Parks - assessment of historical and archaeological evidence for Centennial Parklands Conservation Management Plan (ibid, n.d.).

Cooper Estate subdivision:
Waimea formed part of the original grant to Captain John Piper in 1820, who later sold to Daniel Cooper and Solomon Levey in 1830 (LEP, 1995). Cooper & Levey's land holding was massive and they ran a renowned mercantile firm in early Sydney. The land then passed into the hands of Sir Daniel Cooper, the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of NSW and the builder of 'Woollahra House' on Point Piper. The foundation stone of Woollahra House was laid by Governor Denison in 1856 and in the same year Cooper leased the land on which Waimea House was to be built by Thomas Wheaton Bowden, who, according to Sands Directory, operated as a broker in Castlereagh and Ocean Streets (Simpson, 1983, 19; wikipedia entry).

Thomas Wheaton Bowden (1806-78) was for many years a prominent colonist and leading towns-man of Parramatta. He was successful as an auctioneer, and a senior member of one of the principal metropolitan auctioneering firms. He was Mayor of Parramatta for several years, director of a local Gas Company, active on charitable institutions' committees and a leading member of the Macquarie Street Wesleyan Church (Parramatta) before removing to Sydney. Two of his sons were solicitors, and he was uncle of Sir George Wigram Allen, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He was buried in Devonshire Street cemetery, in a family vault. Bowden's father, (also Thomas (1778-1834) was a schoolmaster and pioneer Methodist, and master of the (new, second) Female Orphan School, Parramatta (Obituaries Australia entry, quoting Cumberland Mercury (NSW), 27/4/1878 notice: http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/bowden-thomas-wheaton-28886; and http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bowden-thomas-1809).

Bowden built a late Georgian Revival style house c1858 on this part of the Daniel Cooper estates. A famous tenant was Captain Robert Deane Royal Navy (RN), a founder of the RAN House and a director of early shale oil mining companies and the Illawarra Shipping Company. Deane died in 1893 (wikipedia entry).

Waimea is a Maori word meaning 'river gardens' (wai means water). Waimea was a NZ parliamentary electorate in the Nelson province (South Island), named after the Waimea River. From 1853-76 it was administered as part of Nelson province. With abolition of provinces, Waimea County was created, from 1877, administered from Richmond until 1989 local government reforms when it became the Tasman District (wikipedia entry). It is possible Thomas Wheaton Bowden, or Captain Robert Deane RN had links (commercial/other) with New Zealand.

Waimea was also a ship name - sailing 2/7/1876 from London to New Zealand with settlers. For over 20 years this ship, flying the flag of the NZ Shipping Co. traded to that country, and brought many immigrants. Previously the 'Dorette' under a German flag (1868-c1874) and in later years was sold and sailed under a Norwegian flag, being wrecked on the South African coast (https://www.geni.com/projects/New-Zealand-Settler-Ships-Waimea-1876/40910).

Waimea Avenue was a subdivision of Waimea estate, where a group of seven Victorian terraces (1-11, 9-14) was planned and built with good scale and picturesque detail (AHC, 1978). The terraces were built c.1900 in Victorian (Picturesque) Gothic style on the west side of the street, being a mirror image of other terraces on the opposite side (NTA, 1976). These have an axial relationship to the early Waimea house at its southern end, which forms a pleasing termination to this important landscape vista (AHC, (Waimea Avenue Group), 1978; wikipedia entry).

The property was later leased to John Wood for 56 years until purchased by the Royal Blind Society (NTA, 1976). In 1949 the house was opened by the then Governor of NSW, Sir John Northcott as the Helen Keller Hostel for Blind Women. The foundation stone to the hostel additions was laid by (famed blind person and author) Helen Keller on 24/4/1948. The hostel was operated by the Royal Blind Society until it was sold in 1973. In March 1973 the RBS withdrew an application it had lodged with Woollahra Council to demolish the house and later actually attempted to demolish it. Local residents alerted the Builders' Labourer's Federation, which placed a 'Green Ban' on the site and subsequently the RBS altered its plans and instead put the property on the market. It was purchased in 1978 by Park Investments P/L (Simpson, 1983, 18; wikipedia entry).

The house stood derelict since the Royal Blind Society's 1973 attempt to demolish it (Brampton, 1985, 2).

ICO no. 37 was made in respect of the Waimea precinct on 24/8/1979. The order was gazetted over the subject precinct for the following reasons: a) Waimea House forms the nucleus of the precinct, being the most important element in the townscape, and historically provides a reference for the later subdivision pattern that evolved; b) the precinct contains a unique collection of 19th and early 20th century buildings of high architectural quality. C) Waimea and Woods Avenues and The Grove are good examples of Victorian human-scale civic design which respect in visual terms Waimea House; d) the precinct has been subject to much citizen response in both the threat of demolition to Waimea House itself and in terms of the high investment in the buildings made by individual owners (wikipedia entry).

Woollahra Municipal Council had continuing negotiations with various owners for sympathetic redevelopment of the site. It was only through the action taken by the BLF imposing a 'Green Ban' that demolition was halted on 13/3/1973. The National Trust (NSW) subsequently listed all buildings in the precinct. Woollahra Council adopted the Woollahra Western Zone Area Action Plan on 28/4/1980 adopted the same general approach to this area as in Paddington Conservation Area. Council subsequently supported conservation objectives for this precinct by reducing the density of potential development for the area in the proposed LEP for West Woollahra and including the lower density proposal in a proposed Conservation Area boundary in the same proposed LEP, submitted to the Department of Planning. It was expected that the LEP would be gazetted before the ICO on the precinct expired and that Council would be the responsible authority for the precinct. In light of delays with gazetting the LEP, the Heritage Council of NSW resolved to take action under section 36 of the Heritage Act 1977 to place a permanent conservation order on Waimea House individually, due to its particular heritage significance and state of repair (Simpson, 1983, 17, slightly abridged; wikipedia entry).

None of the houses in the precinct have been demolished and most have been restored, which illustrates the social and economic recognition given to the area. The subject building and precinct have received continuous heritage recognition from Woollahra Municipal Council, the National Trust of Australia (NSW), the Queen Street and West Woollahra Association and the Heritage Council of NSW (wikipedia entry).

In 1985 the owner Dr Bill Kelly had restoration plans approved by the Heritage Council of NSW in September. These were then submitted to Woollahra Council (Brampton, 1985, 2). A 24/6/1984 photograph shows Dr William Kelly, Chairman of the Trust that owned Waimea, in front of the shell of the building (https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/dr-william-kelly-chairman-of-the-trust-that-owns-the-waimea-news-photo/1080855044).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal 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. Introduce cultural planting-
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-
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'-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences Places of strikes and industrial actions-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Mining-Activities associated with the identification, extraction, processing and distribution of mineral ores, precious stones and other such inorganic substances. Mining for oil shales-
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. Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
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. Adapted heritage building or structure-
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. A Picturesque Residential Suburb-
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 Early 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 Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
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 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 Garden suburbs-
7. Governing-Governing Welfare-Activities and process associated with the provision of social services by the state or philanthropic organisations Welfare-Includes charitable and self-help institutions.
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 - Victorian (mid)-
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 - 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. Adaptation of overseas design for local use-
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 - Victorian Georgian Revival-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1850-1900-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1900-1950-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1950-2000-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ornamental Garden-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Kitchens and servants-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in, adapting and renovating homes for changing conditions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Valuing women's contributions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in suburbia-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Outdoor relief-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gardening-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Daniel Cooper (1785-1853), emancipist merchant and investor-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Thomas Bower, gentleman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Captain Robert Deane RN, Founder of RAN House-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Helen Keller, famous blind person-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the Royal Blind Society/for the Blind-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the Royal Blind Society/for the Blind-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Governor Lt.-Gen. Sir John Northcott KCMG, KCVO, CB, Kt.St.J, 1946-1957-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the Royal Australian Navy-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Thomas Bosden, broker-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Wood, gentleman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the Builders' Labourers' Federation union-

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management CategoryDescriptionDate Updated
Recommended ManagementProduce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 
Recommended ManagementPrepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines 
Recommended ManagementCarry out interpretation, promotion and/or education 

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard 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

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

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0022602 Apr 99 271546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former 0022610 Jun 83 822605
Local Environmental PlanHelen Keller House (formerly Waimea)10/3/199525 Jan 13   
National Trust of Australia register Waimea & Grounds, Trees (Waimea Avenue Group)788712 Jan 76   
Register of the National Estate 1025921 Mar 78   

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
WrittenAttenbrow, Val A pre-colonial history View detail
WrittenBrampton, Robin, Association President1985Waimea House plans arrive just in time View detail
WrittenFairfax Media Archives1984Dr William Kelly Chairman of the Trust that owns the Waimea Estate in front of the shell of the building View detail
WrittenSimpson, Edward (Commissioners of Inquiry)1983An Inquiry Pursuant to Section 41 - "Waimea", Waimea Avenue, Woollahra View detail
WrittenWellings Smith and Byrnes1983Waimea House: inquiry under S.41 of the Heritage Act (1977) View detail
WrittenWikipedia Waimea House, Woollahra (entry) View detail
WrittenWoollahra Municipal Council, in . Library: Local history: Council history: Electing the first Council: First councillors (archived from the original on 2 June 2019) Thomas_Wheaton_Bowden_(1806-1878) View detail

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
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(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: 5045527
File number: EF14/5920; S90/5485; HC32141

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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