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The Great Western Store. (Photo Susan Loudon)

The Hill End seminar on September 18 was one of our most successful to date – despite the remote location there were over 40 participants and the weather was perfect for our walking tour.

The perfect day for a walking tour. (Photo Susan Loudon)

The day was opened by the Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, Norm Mann. Bathurst Council was the host of this seminar, providing the venue, catering and administration assistance. My warmest thanks to Sinclair Croft for his management of these important aspects – it was done with style, I think you would all agree.

Ray Christison examining the kitchen ceiling in Bleyer’s cottage. The cottage has been left unrestored to demonstrate typical Hill End building techniques. (Photo Susan Loudon)

One of the objectives of this meeting was to learn some practical skills associated with the development of Conservation Management Strategies. Ray Christison, heritage advisor and consultant, presented this topic which included an overview, workshop and tour of several Hill End cottages.

The exterior of Bleyer’s cottage. (Photo Susan Loudon)

Wattle and daub technique exposed at Bleyer’s Cottage. The diagonal scoring in the mud render was to key in the final coat of stucco.

A ‘Strategy’ as opposed to Conservation Management Plans enables the production of a practical document which can be put to use immediately with results that are achievable in the short term as well as providing long term strategies for the conservation of heritage buildings. The CMS is intended to be a ready reference which is usable to a range of people, from heritage professionals to owner builders.

Lew Bezzina explains the recent restoration of the front wall of Haefliger’s cottage, formerly owned by the artist Jean Bellette and artist/critic Paul Haefliger. (Photo Susan Loudon)

Ray has developed more than thirty CMS’s for Hill End in conjunction with Lew Bezzina, the DECC Manager of the Hill End Historic Site. It was certainly an enjoyable way to learn and we were lucky to have such a warm day after the gale the day before, and, as usual the charm of Hill End was inescapable.

Many thanks too to Barbara Hickson who presented a session on the Chinese Heritage of the Central West, Miriam Stacy from the Heritage Office who alerted us to new heritage grants processes and Ian Milliss who has put this web site together – don’t forget to send articles and information for him to post.

The front garden at Haefliger’s cottage. (Photo Susan Loudon)

The day ended with a talk and presentation by Gavin Wilson on the artists of Hill End and their significant contribution to Australian art history. The effect the area has had on the development of Australia’s visual vocabulary is profound. The tradition has been continued by the artist in residence program, of which Gavin was instrumental in creating. Many artists of exceptional talent and versatility have found inspiration at Hill End.

The Catholic church. (Photo Susan Loudon)

Thanks to our partners for their assistance in making this event possible: The NSW Department of Planning, Heritage Office of NSW, Bathurst Regional Council and the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and all of our Council subscribers, heritage professionals, committee members organisations and owners who made the day such a success.