Goulburn Evening VIEW Club reports | February and March 2017

Claire is the Goulburn Mulwaree Council museums officer for Rocky Hill and St Clair museums, which is a new role, only 15 months since its inception.

Claire was previously working at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, so we are privileged to have her expertise here in Goulburn.

St Clair is 175 years old, the second oldest building in Goulburn; Riversdale being the oldest.

The building has had a complex history and was begun in 1843 by James Sinclair when Goulburn was a thriving town.

Sinclair was a wealthy free settler, a builder, contractor and architect, who also owned a candle and soap factory and the Argyle Mill.

In 1848, however, his wife died, followed by the death of a son, which – together with legal problems – saw him travel to the Ovens gold fields in northern Victoria.

There he was almost certainly murdered, as his body was found suspended from a tree with several bullet holes.

Consequently, the property was put up for auction.

In 1852 Joseph Bull bought the property for 600 pounds and extended the cottage.

By the 1870s, however, the character of Sloane Street had changed to a less fashionable one.

St Clair consequently changed from a private home to housing a dental business.

It then changed in 1881 to a School for Young Ladies, then again in 1884 to a private boarding house.

In 1900 Bridget Bruton purchased the home and it continued as a boarding house, but also held musical, literary and debating evenings.

In 1922 it was sold to Oliver and Kate Pursehouse, who added a tennis court and converted the coach house to more bedrooms.

Finally St Clair was sold to the council in 1970 and in 1977 it was opened as a folk museum.

A grant helped the Goulburn and District Historical Society to do much needed work such as clearing rubbish and removing outbuildings, establishing gardens and repairing the foundations.

The remarkable achievements of the Goulburn and District Historical Society gave it a new life.

It is on the National Trust register and the future challenge is to conserve the building, and offer a range of programs to attract people to visit this vital piece of Goulburn's history.

Claire was thanked by Jan Wright for a most informative talk.

Our club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Post House for dinner.

We welcome new members and invite any lady interested to contact President Lorraine on 48218046.

The first meeting of Goulburn Evening VIEW Club for 2017 was the AGM, held on St Valentine's Day.

Members celebrated by wearing a touch of red and white and each received a delicious chocolate. Special guest was June Weise, Zone Councillor.

Vice-president Helen McAleer opened the meeting and read the President's report.

Many interesting speakers attended our meetings during the year, and our 45th birthday night was most successful.

The club aids the Smith Family, assisting with educational support and sponsorship for Learning for Life students.

Members donated stationery for these students and some members also help with the homework club at Bourke Street school. 

June Weise then addressed the club and encouraged members to attend the VIEW Convention which this year will be held in Tamworth, and also to purchase a VIEW umbrella and take a photo whilst holding it, when next on holiday in an interesting location.

She encouraged members to invite new members along to enjoy the fun and friendship offered by our special community volunteer organisation.

June also advised that the Smith Family will soon be opening a new shop in Goulburn.

June thanked the outgoing committee and conducted elections for 2017.

Birthday ladies were presented with flowers and Sue Maas was the raffle winner.