One of Macarthur’s finest 19th century colonial houses, Wivenhoe, will open its doors to the public for the first time in 2018 on Sunday, February 4.
Surrounded by the fields of the Macarthur region first settled in the early 1800s, Wivenhoe was built in 1837 by five-time NSW Premier, Sir Charles Cowper, and named after the English home town his wife, Eliza, left behind when she sailed to her new home in Australia.
The Cowpers lived at Wivenhoe for 30 years before moving to London where Sir Charles worked as NSW Agent-General.
The Mediterranean-style mansion and its stables at Macquarie Grove Road, Camden are believed to have been designed by architect John Verge, who also designed local landmarks such as Camden Park, home of the Macarthur family, and Elizabeth Bay House in Sydney.
During their time living there, the Cowpers planted a vineyard, one of the oldest in the colony, and the region is still known for its wineries today.
Guided tours of the house will include a look at period photos and artefacts that will help visitors to step back in time.
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♦ NRL clubs South Sydney and the Wests Tigers will hold free footy clinics on consecutive days next week at the Macquarie Fields Fitness & Indoor Sports Centre.
The Bunnies will be here on Wednesday, January 24 and the Wests Tigers will do their clinic the day after on January 25.
Both clinics will involve football drills and skills for the kids who take part.
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♦ Local marketing company Icon, who moved their offices from Camden to Campbelltown last year, will celebrate their 15th anniversary at the end of the month.
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♦ Next month local MP Greg Warren jets off overseas where he will be checking out airports as part of a parliamentary trip.
Mr Warren told us he will be particularly interested in railway connections at the airports he visits.
He hopes to learn as much as possible and bring back some handy tips that will contribute to making Western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek one that we can all be proud of.
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♦ The Kids of Macarthur health foundation certainly did well over the festive season, raising funds through their gift wrapping service at Macarthur Square and a special day at Ambarvale Hotel.
A third fundraiser, which had former footy star Wendell Sailor as the special guest, meant another $3,000 for the foundation and the kids they help.
At their grand opening day in Camden on January 6, the Sadek Motor Group raffled off one of their cars and all the proceeds were handed over to foundation CEO Denise McGrath.
“We are very grateful for this opportunity and the support that Sadek are giving to our foundation,” Denise said afterwards.
The foundation’s CEO is pictured here with Wendel Sailor and Susie Marosszeky, the Kids of Macarthur children’s directory coordinator.
Susie has been with Kids of Macarthur for five years.
