Hello All, As most people would be aware, the land surface of Castlereagh and Upper Castlereagh on the alluvial terrace first up from the Nepean River (which is geomorphologically the same unit as forms Emu Plains, it being just named separately because the river cuts across and forms a land tenement boundary) is being almost entirely destroyed by quarrying that feeds the metropolitan Sydney sand maket. The void that is left is called "Penrith Lakes" when filled with water. A portion that will not be lost, but may end up as an island, is what is termed the "Sacred Acre" around the old Methodist church. The church, the graveyard, the old church hall and the old school and schoolmaster's house on the other side of Castlereagh Road, will survive. What will the old school on the western side of Castlereagh Road be useful for? One idea which I have heard spoken of as a possibility, is that it could be turned into a small museum (as the area already has a full time caretaker in connection with its transition to a retreat and conference centre). Is there anybody else on this list who would be interested in seeing a museum being developed there please? I personally think it would be a great idea if this could happen. This "Sacred Acre" (originally donated from his farming land by pioneer John Lees to the Methodist church) is held on long term lease by the Upper Room organisation I believe, whence they would be the ones to develop it one would assume. I think Castlereagh "deserves" a museum if ever any place did. You probably know the poem "Fair Castlereagh" by Charles Tompson Jnr who was Australia's first native-born published poet and who was a 'graduate' of the Castlereagh academy which was probably Australia's first place of 'higher' learning (teaching such things as Greek, Latin, classics, poety, literature etc., mainly to boys). The poem goes: I trace thy landscape round, Each well known spot to me is sacred ground. In ev'ry mead - in every bow'r or tree, Some dear companion - some old friend I see. [I guess that here, he's probably talking about the birds?] The myrtle grove that skirts thy sloping sides, And the tall summit from the plains divides, The rich acacias waving o'er the rill That pours its scanty stream beneath the hill. Thy spreading vale - but here let memr'y tax The rude invasions of the spoiling axe, That chased the dryads from th'affrighted glade, And lopped each shrub that once composed their shade. ~~~~~ That should bring a tear to your eye .. much like Waltzing Matilda does? It must surely be one of the earliest published laments for destruction of the Australian bush which was an inevitable accompaniment of settlement. Cheers, John Byrnes NOTICE: This message is intended for the addressee named and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete the message. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Department of Mineral Resources.

Hello John We would be more than interested in your wonderful idea. Ron is a descendant of John Lees - soldier, settler and chapel builder. Any ideas on how we can go about making our voices heard. We will be attending the Hawkesbury Pioneer Families Reunion in November at the Windsor High School So mabye some sort of petition and gathering of signartures could be arranged. What do you think? I loved the poem Also, does anyone know about Agnes Banks where one of John Lees' daughters-in-law, Ann Bolton, was born. Regards Joanne at Wyee ----- Original Message ----- From: "BYRNES John" <john.byrnes@minerals.nsw.gov.au> To: <AUS-NSW-PENRITH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 1:37 PM Subject: [AUS-NSW-PENRITH] FW: The possibility of a museum for Castlereagh? > > > Hello All, > > > As most people would be aware, the land surface of Castlereagh and Upper Castlereagh on the alluvial terrace first up from the Nepean River (which is geomorphologically the same unit as forms Emu Plains, it being just named separately because the river cuts across and forms a land tenement boundary) is being almost entirely destroyed by quarrying that feeds the metropolitan Sydney sand maket. The void that is left is called "Penrith Lakes" when filled with water. >