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  4. 14 November 2003

St Matthews Church, Windsor, Restoration
Death of Mr Lesley White And Mr Robert Martin

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About this Item
SubjectsAnglican Church; Historic Buildings and Sites; Obituaries; Fire Brigades
SpeakersPringle Mr Steven; Megarrity Ms Alison
BusinessPrivate Members Statements


    ST MATTHEWS CHURCH, WINDSOR, RESTORATION
    DEATH OF MR LESLEY WHITE AND MR ROBERT MARTIN
Page: 5059


    Mr STEVEN PRINGLE (Hawkesbury) [1.52 p.m.]: I draw the attention of honourable members to the recent completion of restoration works of the stables building of historic St Matthews Church, Windsor. Most honourable members of this House visiting or travelling through Windsor would be aware of majestic St Matthews—a classic nineteenth century Georgian church standing on a rise well above the flood plain below and providing a place of spiritual refuge—currently led by the Reverend Chris Burgess. At times the church was a physical refuge from the floods that so often affected the Hawkesbury region up until the early 1990s. St. Matthews Church is synonymous with the development of early New South Wales. It was a personal initiative of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who marked out the town of Windsor and, indeed, chose the church site.

    On 11 October 1817, Macquarie symbolically deposited the rim of a Spanish dollar under the sandstone cornerstone to mark the commencement of construction and asked that "God Prosper St Matthew's Church". This has certainly happened and the place remains a centre of Christian outreach. Like St James Church and other landmarks in close proximity to Parliament House, St Matthews is a Francis Greenway masterpiece. Not only was he the architect, he personally directed the building of the new church, overseeing both the stonemasons and construction workers. Apart from the addition of the south porch, which was part of the original plan but not constructed until 1857, the church has remained virtually untouched since completion in 1821. St Matthew's is an important part of the National Estate and needs to be preserved for current and future generations.

    Thanks to the Federal Government, through an Environment Australia Cultural Heritage Projects Program grant of $82,000, the stables have been preserved by stabilising the western wall and ceilings, attending to the every-present rising damp, restoring the roof, restoring the joinery, painting and lime washing and eradicating termites. The stables are an important part of the church precinct, providing an intact and rare example of the earliest nineteenth century church, graveyard, rectory and stables in a single cultural landscape. The church is considered an architectural masterpiece. I commend all those involved with the restoration project, particularly the task force chairman, Mr Ron Soper, Lorna Campbell, Graham and Carol Ebb and my predecessor, the Hon. Kevin Rozzoli. The Federal member of Parliament, Mr Kerry Bartlett, tirelessly worked to achieve the funding to make the project possible, and I congratulate him on the outstanding result.

    On an unrelated but equally important subject, I also draw the attention of the House to the sad loss of Lesley White and Robert Martin, stalwarts from the lower McDonald area, who were tragically killed in the McDonald River a few days ago. They were universally respected in the community, to which they made an enormous contribution in both time and money. They made an especially strong contribution through the Rural Fire Service as captain and senior deputy-captain, and their high standing was confirmed in part at their funeral on Wednesday, when more than 500 people paid their respects. The Rural Fire Service was strongly represented at the service. My deepest sympathies, and I am sure those of this House, are extended to their families and members of the Rural Fire Service. Their loss is a tragic one, and the entire community is much the poorer for their passing.

    Ms ALISON MEGARRITY (Menai—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.55 p.m.]: St Matthews Church is a significant New South Wales heritage icon. It is vital that such buildings, especially those designed by Francis Greenway, are conserved. Another reason to conserve the church is that it is most unusual for such a building to remain largely unaltered. I congratulate all those involved in the restoration. It does not surprise me that the Hon. Kevin Rozzoli has been part of the project. I thank the honourable member for Hawkesbury for bringing this matter to the attention of the House. I am sure all honourable members offer their condolences on the loss of Ms White and Mr Martin, who have contributed greatly to their community. The community is the sadder for their loss.

    Private members' statements noted.

    The House adjourned at 1.57 p.m. until Tuesday 18 November 2003 at 2.15 p.m.
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