Even were it not for the fact that this renaissance/classical style building is called “The Masonic Temple”, the iconic compass and square symbol atop the building immediately gives it away as a Masonic/ Freemason building. Continue reading “Goulburn Masonic Temple”
It’s Green! – St Peter and St Paul’s Old Cathedral
Yes, it is indeed green!
It is green, I can assure you not because of the Irish connection (that will become evident shortly) but rather, because it is built from a locally quarried green diorite porphyrite igneous stone. It is finished with a Marulan sandstone dressing (I make it sound rather like a salad!). The deep purple roof slates are from Bangor in Wales. Continue reading “It’s Green! – St Peter and St Paul’s Old Cathedral”
St Saviour’s Cathedral
This is one of the, if not the, most beautiful Gothic Revival churches in Australia. It is the Cathedral Church of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn, named after Jesus, in his role as Saviour. It may come as a surprise to some readers that the Anglican Cathedral and the Bishop for Canberra (Australia’s capital city) are located in this small city of around 20,000 people, nearly 100 kilometres from the capital. Continue reading “St Saviour’s Cathedral”
Goulburn Courthouse – “More for ornament than use”
Seeing the magnificent Victorian Italianate Goulburn Courthouse for the first time brought back to my mind some of the grand colonial buildings I have seen in India. I certainly hadn’t anticipated coming across such a structure here in what I might unfairly call sleepy old Goulburn. Continue reading “Goulburn Courthouse – “More for ornament than use””
Jerrabomberra Mountain Reserve – Summit Walk
As a continuation of my exploration of the New South Wales – Australian Capital Territory(ACT) border city of Queanbeyan, started the week before, I thought it would be a good idea to go for a walk to the summit of nearby Mount Jerrabomberra from which there are expansive views down over the city. An added treat, I read, would be the views back to the ACT summits of Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie and Mount Majura, as well as views out towards the distant Brindabellas. The also touted views down to the Hume light industrial estate were less of a drawcard, for me. Continue reading “Jerrabomberra Mountain Reserve – Summit Walk”
Argyle Emporium (Bookshop) – Former Court and Police Station
For those who love secondhand books (including rare and hard to find editions), vinyl records/ music and audio cassettes, comics, or other entertainment memorabilia including limited edition items, but above all books, and who are in need of a bit of retail therapy, it is impossible to go past the Argyle Emporium – housed in the Goulburn’s former courthouse and police station. Continue reading “Argyle Emporium (Bookshop) – Former Court and Police Station”
Belmore Park War Memorials
Belmore Park, in the centre of Goulburn, has not one but three War Memorials none of which relate to the most commemorated war of all, World War I. The most impressive of the memorials here is the one commemorating those who served and died in the Second Boer War. The others are an Honour Roll, honouring those who served in World War II and subsequent wars up to and including Vietnam, and a National Servicemen’s Memorial remembering all the National Servicemen from Australia who served between 1951 and 1972. Continue reading “Belmore Park War Memorials”
Drink Water! – Temperance Fountain
Temperance societies first appeared in the United States in the early 1800s though they became more active in the late 1880s and early 1900s. Their aim varied from trying to get people to cut down on the consumption of alcohol, to asking people to abstain (teetotalism), right through to demanding the total prohibition of alcohol. The societies had varying degrees of success in the US but still spread to the United Kingdom and Australia, among other places. Continue reading “Drink Water! – Temperance Fountain”
Belmore Park – The Living Heart of Goulburn
The centrepiece or living heart of Goulburn is the beautiful Belmore Park, a peaceful green oasis in the centre of one of the cleanest and tidiest cities (while officially a city it only has a population of 24,000) that I have visited. The Park is full of interesting things in itself, it has a few good cafes around about it and all of the city’s central attractions are within an easy walk. Continue reading “Belmore Park – The Living Heart of Goulburn”
Goulburn – Chilled Out Country Living, With City Benefits
Goulburn is a thriving regional Australian city in New South Wales’ Southern Tablelands, well situated on the main travel routes between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. It is about two hours drive from Sydney and an hour from Canberra. Continue reading “Goulburn – Chilled Out Country Living, With City Benefits”
The Rambling Wombat 