Rydalmere Hospital

"View of the Female Orphan School, Near Parramatta" - Joseph Lycett (c1825)

The foundation stone for the original Female Orphan School was laid by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1813 and construction finished in 1818. The design of the school is likely to have been supplied by Elizabeth Macquarie based on her remembrance of a gentleman's residence, Airds House in Scotland.[1]

Access to the school was gained from the river by means of a stone jetty and ramped gravel drive that cut into the steep slope. Vehicular entry was from Orphan School Lane (now James Ruse Drive). It terminated on a loop laid out on the upper slopes of the hill. This loop is unlikely to have been the current carriage loop which was probably created in the 1840s or 1850s. The buildings encompassed a central three storey block surrounded on the east and west by two single wings linked to the main building. Francis Greenway was asked to submit plans to rectify serious building and joinery faults.[1]

Work on the new facilities commenced in 1820 although the first extensions to the eastern and western wings may have been completed prior to that time. By 1826 the garden was said to consist of six acres and was well stocked with vegetables. However the structures and facilities experienced serious problems. A programme of work was undertaken to repair brickwork and drainage and new verandahs were built. An inspection of the water supply and sewerage were targeted for criticism. John Busby recommended the construction of a pump in the well with a barrel drain to be built to carry the water to the privies. At the same time serious faults were also being found in the administration and care of the orphanage.[1]

During 1829 a new kitchen and store room was constructed. More additions and renovations were made during 1830 and 1831 including rectification of the poor water, sewerage and drainage of the school.[1]

In 1833 the Church and School Lands Corporation was abolished and in the following year the Orphan School became an establishment managed by the state. During the 1830s and 1840s the surrounds were improved through visual contributions such as ornamental flower gardens, shrubs and trees. Plants were also sent from the Royal Botanical Gardens.[1]

Until this time the Male Orphanage operated first at Sydney and then in Cabramatta. Rising costs, fewer children at the two institutions and the distance of the boys' school from Sydney led to the amalgamation of the two orphanages at Rydalmere in 1850. Although they shared the same site, the two schools remained separate and facilities such as bathrooms, dining rooms, school rooms and playgrounds were all replicated and clearly separated.[1]

From 1850-1887 Protestant Orphan School developed immediately north of the Female Orphan School. It was not until 1854 that the hospital, the first purpose built structure for the combined orphanage, was added to the site. A report from the Inspector of Public Charities in 1865 found Rydalmere to be in need of great repair. Ceilings were falling down, floors had given way, skirtings were dirty and the whole place shabby for want of repainting and replastering. In c. 1868 a new kitchen was constructed and by 1870 a meat shed was attached to its northern side.[1]

During 1870 an extensive programme of additions and renovations was carried out. The hospital gained a verandah on its southern facade and a new bathroom and the west wing a "new" dining room, boys' bathroom and laundry. Another laundry was added to the site. Two shelter sheds were moved to a new location and over their former sites was built the new school building which, in 1877, was described as a "model" building. The Master's residence may have been built at this time. It is shown complete in photographs of 1880. Many other changes and alterations were made to the site during this time.[1]

The west wing housed most of the facilities for the boys' department including dormitories and attendants' rooms in the original section of the building, a dining room in the first extension and the Matron's kitchen and pantry at the rear of the wing. A verandah connected the latter with the main building.[1]

The east wing was largely devoted to the girls' department which had its dining room on the ground floor of the first extension and dormitories above. The original section of this building was used as a servant's dining room, two store rooms and a scullery on the ground floor with an internal connecting stair to the upper floor. The infants' nursery was housed on the ground floor of the most northerly extension of this wing. It had a water closet in the north-western corner and an internal staircase in the south-western corner.[1]

These extensive structural works were complemented by improvements made to the landscape. In 1870 twenty figs (Ficus spp.) and twenty pines (Pinus spp.) were sent to the school from the Royal Botanic Gardens. By this time, a circular carriage loop and gravel drive had been constructed in the foreground of the main entrance. A forty-bed dormitory was constructed on the south-west corner of the western wing during 1882.[1]

Throughout the operational period of the combined orphanage great changes had been made in government policy for both the education and social welfare for destitute children. During the 1870s integration of orphans into the community at large, particularly through means of "boarding out" with foster parents began to be favoured over the austere environment of the "barrack" system used at Rydalmere. In 1882 Henry Parkes moved the passage of the State Children Relief Act. Amongst other provisions this Act created the State Children's Relief Board, inaugurated in 1882. This Board was formed with a specific mandate to foster children within the community. By 1886 in response to these political, administrative and philosophical changes there were only sixty-five children left in the Combined Orphanage at Rydalmere.[1]

In 1888 the site was transferred to the Department of Lunacy. The former school then became a branch of the Parramatta Hospital for the Insane.[1]

The formal geometric layout of the working gardens was retained when the site became a psychiatric hospital in 1888. In contrast, the ornamental gardens were re-laid to reflect the more informal designs currently in vogue. This hospital took over the Orphan School complex, growing to the north-east and north in an unusual "village" arrangement of buildings, curved around a green, and what is called the "1900 Ward Range precinct". The period is associated with Walter Liberty Vernon, NSW Government Architect and health care advocates Frederick Manning and Dr Greenup.[1]

When the old orphanage buildings were handed over they were found in be in a bad state. Immediately thirty patients were moved in to prevent further dilapidation and to commence tidying the site. Works carried out on the older structures included the alteration of the school house by infilling the verandahs and the construction of a new verandah in their place. Extensions were made to the old east and west wings and were both used for wards.[1]

The former bakery was used for ward accommodation. A second storey was added to the Master's residence which was then used to house the new Superintendent.[1]

In 1891 the site was granted independent status and renamed Rydalmere Hospital for the Insane. In 1895 a new boat shed and landing stage located on the main north-south axis of the central block was constructed. A Chief Attendant's Cottage was built on the slope leading down to the river frontage in the same year and a path ran from the cottage down to link up with the drive from the jetty and boatshed.[1]

In 1895 the first female patients were admitted to the site. They were housed in purpose built wards constructed for them away from the former orphanage buildings. These new wards expressed evolving theories of patient care and needs.[1]

Development of a new style of landscape emphasised the different nature of the hospital use, particularly towards the northern sections of the study area. Many of the new paths, bridges and plantations emphasised the new alignment away from the traditional visual linkages to the river. In 1893 and 1896 the Royal Botanic Gardens sent trees and shrubs for planting at the hospital site.[1]

In 1905 a new stair block was added to the central block to coincide with the removal of the internal staircases to allow for more space for wards. The connecting passageways to the wings were altered to become two storey, topped by stone balustrades. A second storey was added in two stages to the former school block at this time. A water closet and verandahs were added to the buildings in 1907 and stair and toilet block to the east wing in the same year.[1]

In 1909 a ward was built to adjoin the former Drill Master's residence. This was linked by a wall to a new two storey extension that replaced the former single storey matron's kitchen at the back of the old west wing.[1]

After World War I resources were primarily spent on upgrading existing facilities and services, particularly sanitation and safety features, for example fire stairs. Electricity was brought to the site during this period.[1]

By 1924 the site was considered to be antiquated in terms of contemporary management of mental hospitals. The former hospital was extensively remodelled in 1926 and a verandah and balcony were added to it in 1938. Additions were made to the Master's residence and Chief Attendant's cottage in 1926.[1] 8

Symmetrical and formalised plantation design was expressed again in the inter-war period with the replacement of the federation period flower gardens and shrubs with grassed areas and Jacaranda trees and Camphor laurels.[1]

Post World War II facilities were significantly expanded at Rydalmere in line with changing philosophies of patient care and accommodation. Existing facilities were upgraded or new structures created to take the place of older buildings that were too outmoded to update. Service aspects such as kitchens, factories, substations and workshops were generally located to the north and new administrative and recreational facilities in the centre of the site.[1]

During the 1950s and 1960s additions and alterations were made to some buildings which considerably changed their form and appearance. A day room and ramp was constructed at the corner of the former hospital in 1949. A porch was later added in 1957. The entire southern facade was virtually obscured by the construction of a ward in 1959.[1]

The central building was closed in 1969. Other buildings continued to be used but for storage and minor requirements such as a handyman's store.[1]

During the 1960s and 1970s further planting of a more informal nature was undertaken throughout the hospital grounds. These plantings are particularly represented by a mixture of native plants, principally along the western boundary and partly to the northern boundary of the precinct.[1]

Over the years following 1985 the south campus at Rydalmere was progressively closed. The existing environment both built and vegetated now exhibits a sense of decay.[1]

The Parramatta South Campus of UWS was established on the site from 1993. In March 1998 UWS opened classrooms to students. Conservation works and adaptive reuse of parts of the complex have been undertaken by UWS for educational use. New buildings including the auditorium, library and student union have been added and in 2007 some heritage buildings required urgent remediation work.[4][1]

The Female Orphan School has housed the University Executive administration and the Whitlam Institute since 2000. In June 2012 Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced $7m in federal funding to complete restoration of the Female Orphan School and the Whitlam Institute.[5][1]

• 1800 & 1810 - The Parramatta site was selected for orphanage use
• 1810 - tender for building called for
• 1813 - the foundation stone laid
• 1818 - construction finished
• 1820 - work on the new facilities commences
• 1826 - the garden was said to consist of six acres and was well stocked with vegetables
• 1829 - a new kitchen and store room constructed
• 1830/1831 - more additions and renovations
• 1830s & 1840s - the surrounds improved
• 1854 - hospital built
• c. 1868 - new kitchen constructed, by 1870 a meat shed was attached
• 1870s - an extensive programme of additions and renovations carried out
• 1870 - twenty figs and twenty pines sent to the school from RBG
• 1882 - forty bed dormitory constructed
• 1888 - site transferred to the Department of Lunacy
• 1891 - site granted independent status and renamed Rydalmere Hospital
• 1895 - new boat shed and landing stage constructed
• 1895 - Chief Attendant's Cottage built
• 1893 & 1896 - Royal Botanic Gardens sent trees and shrubs for planting
• 1905 - new stair block added to the central block
• 1909 - ward built to adjoin the former Drill Master's residence
• 1926 - former hospital extensively remodelled
• 1938 - verandah and balcony added to former hospital
• 1926 - additions made to the Master's residence and Chief Attendant's Cottage
• Post WWII- service building constructed to the north and new administrative and recreational facilities in the centre of the site.
• 1950s & 1960s - additions and alterations made to some buildings which considerably changed their form and appearance.
• 1948 - dayroom built at the corner of the former hospital
• 1957 - porch added to hospital.
• 1959 - southern facade of hospital obscured by the construction of a ward
• 1969 - central building closed
• 1960s & 1970s - further planting of a more informal natives
• 1975/6 National Estate Program funding of $24,000 to restore roof of female orphan school (total cost c$60,000). Restoration of brick work and removal of redundant structures. Preparation of CMP.
• 1985 towards - hospital south campus at Rydalmere progressively closed
• 1993+- the site undergoing refurbishment to house the University of Western Sydney[1]

• CAB Consulting P/L (Craig Burton) & The Tree School (Judy Fakes) (2003). UWS Parramatta Campus Rydalmere Landscape Management Plan.
• Casey & Lowe Associates (1997). Archaeological assessment: University of Western Sydney, Nepean, Parramatta campus (Old Rydalmere Hospital) infrastructure works.
• Casey & Lowe P/L Archaeology & Heritage (2007). Non-Indigenous Archaeological Assessment - University of Western Sydney, Parramatta Campus.
• Conybeare Morrison International (2007). University of Western Sydney Parramatta South Campus Conservation Management Plan.
• Conybeare Morrison International & Context Landscape Design (2008). University of Western Sydney - Parramatta Campus Masterplan - Masterplan Report.
• Durham, Penny (2003). Orphan school's secrets (Parramatta Advertiser 22/10/03).
• Lawrence, Callan (7 June 2012). "'School's Restoration Welcomed". Parramatta Sun.
• Schwager Brooks and Partners Pty Ltd (1994). Conservation Plan - Rydalmere Hospital Orphan School Precinct.
• State Library of NSW (2004). "Vive le difference - The French in NSW (in the picture gallery)".
• Meacham, Steve (2004). Orphans in style (SMH 16/1/04).
• Tanner & Associates P/L (2001). Heritage Impact Statement: Landscape Master Plan Female Orphan School precinct, UWS Parramatta Campus.
• Tanner & Associates Pty Ltd (2000). Female Orphan School, Rydalmere, Conservation Management Plan.
• (not stated). Parramatta River REP 22.
• Schwager, Brooks & Partners Pty Ltd (1992). Department of Health - s170 Register.

This Wikipedia article was originally based on Rydalmere Hospital Precinct (former), entry number 00749 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 2 June 2018.