Former Goulburn man Adam Godijn rejuvenates cathedral heritage

That was in the 1990s when he attended the former Saint Patrick's College.

He may not have appreciated the cathedral's finer aspects then but his latest encounter has given renewed insight.

READ MORE:

Goulburn's Sts Peter and Paul's Cathedral looks to develop precinct

Goulburn's Sts Peter and Paul's cathedral continues conservation

Goulburn's Sts Peter and Paul's Cathedral restoration ramps up

$5 million boost for St Peter and Paul's renovation

Now head of art conservation with International Conservation Services, he's been charged with repairing and cleaning the cathedral's 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting Jesus' passion and death.

Twenty-five years after leaving Saint Pat's he's earned an international reputation for his work. He has worked for the Australian War Memorial and restored numerous murals, paintings and church elements here and overseas.

Mr Godijn visited the cathedral on Tuesday with the firm's principal furniture conservator, Oliver Hull.

They will remove the plaster-crafted and timber-framed Stations, repair any damage, clean and polish them. It's expected to take two months.

"They are in pretty good condition but have a healthy coating of dust and dirt...The plaster is quite grey now but it will be light and bright and really stand out when we're finished," Mr Godijn said.

"The good part is that most of the bumps and knocks appear to be to the timber surround. They're very lovely, quite detailed and of high quality."

The team will remove the timber encasement in the hope of discovering more about their history.

ALSO READ: Emotions rise as more than a century of in-patient care nears end

Sts Peter and Paul's restoration committee member Trish Groves said it was unclear whether the Stations were Germanic or Italianate. However it was thought they were installed in the 1920s when internal restorations were undertaken.

"Ten of them have name plates that have since faded but would have shown who donated each one," Mrs Groves said.

"It is a bit like peeling an onion. Once the casement is off we hope it will reveal more about who made them and when, but it is just so lovely that Adam is doing it."

Mrs Groves knows Mr Godijn's family.

Born in Wagga Wagga, he was 10 when the family, including parents Lidia and Dirk and siblings Zoe and Omri (who passed away this year), moved to Goulburn. Adam attended Sts Peter and Paul's Primary School and Saint Pat's.

His mother was a teacher at the former Marian College and his father worked for the Department of Agriculture.

A close relationship with Goulburn Regional Art Gallery proved fortuitous. There he met an art conservator and asked to do work experience with him in Sydney.

"I thought 'this is amazing and it's what I want to do with the rest of my life.' I have a lot of gratitude to the art gallery for setting me on my path," Mr Godijn said.

ALSO READ: Heavy rainfall causes road closures across the region

He studied Art Conservation at the University of Canberra, the only such course in the southern hemisphere. Mr Godijn has worked in the field ever since and at one time managed 200 artworks in the Parliament House collection.

Returning to Goulburn brings back fond memories for the now Sydney man.

"When you're a child you don't always appreciate the finer points of a country town so whenever I can I pop in to visit buildings, the art gallery and see old friends," he said.

"It makes me happy to be back and it gives me a good feeling every time. I'm very proud of coming from the country."

He described the cathedral as stunning with numerous decorative aspects.

Restoration committee chair Dr Ursula Stephens said the parish was fortunate to have someone of such international standing contribute to the project.

ALSO READ: What teacher shortage? Wendy Tuckerman wipes away claims

Mr Godijn's work is just one part of a major $5 million restoration. Work on the bell tower and repointing of external western walls has recently been completed. Scaffolding has shifted to the southern side for repairs to exterior walls and the fleche. Structural under-pinning at the front and repairs to drainage and plumbing form part of this stage. A separate company is undertaking major roof work, replacing worn slate tiles with ones imported from Wales.

On Tuesday, diocese chancellor and canon lawyer, Patrick McArdle, visited the cathedral to assist with a Papal application for minor basilica status. If granted, it would make it just one of five in Australia and cement Sts Peter and Paul's as a place of pilgrimage and worship.

"It's a long process but we hope to have an answer by mid 2022 and incorporate it into a celebratory opening," Dr Stephens said.

The restoration is expected to be finished by next November.

Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.