Goulburn

Him Outdoors had to go to Goulburn and fix things, and so I decided to tag along for the day out. Goulburn is billed as Australia's first inland city and was one of the contenders for the nation's capital.



Goulburn Court House

The country town considers itself to be quite arty with the Leider Theatre, Australia's longest continually run company (est. 1891), and its participation in the Antique, Art and Book Trail.

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and Paul is a beautiful Gothic Revival Cathedral, commenced in 1872 and constructed of local greenstone, apparenlty the only green church in the world. Windows, arches, turrets and crosses are of Marulan sandstone, and the floors are made of marble.

The cathedral bell was founded in Dublin, shipped to Goulburn and installed in the tower. As the tower is now undergoing major restoration, the bell is currently sitting beside the baptismal font.

Queen Victoria established the Anglican Diocese of Goulburn in March 1863, making Goulburn Australia's first inland city. St Saviour's Cathedral is an English Decorated Gothic church designed by Edmund Thomas Blacket and constructed of sandstone.

The organ has over 3,000 pipes and over 43 stops (different sounding ranks of pipes). It was built in 1883 by the eminent firm of Forster and Andrews of Hull, Yorksire, and is the largest of their organs still intact. The gilded patterns on the front pipes and the iron filigree frame of the case are the design of the architect. As Blacket was an organist, he also prepared the specification for the organ builders.

Above the altar The Last Supper, after Leonardo da Vinci's fresco, is carved in Oamaru stone by W.P. Macintosh. It's a pretty dramatic scene full of inspiration, imagination and activity.

The sesquicentary patchwork wall hanging was coordinated by an international patchwork artist and completed by a cathedral group. The six metre square feature carries the diocesan symbol of a pelican feeding a chick.



The Shearing Shed by Sebastian Meijbaum on the south-east wall of the Goulburn Civic Centre

The Big Merino (nicknamed Rabo), built in 1985 out of reinforced concrete, is a monument to Goulburn and the surrounding district's fine wool indusry. Australians like BIGs - this is the biggest Merino in the world, standing 15.2 metres high and weighing 97 tonnes.

National Arboretum

It was freezing cold and very windy when we went for a mountain bike ride around the National Arboretum. After battling the elements we admired the curious collection of bonsai. I must admit, I don't really get these miniature trees, but I appreciate they are an artform in themselves.



The timber floor feature in the visitor's centre



Nest III by Richard Moffat on top of Dairy Farmer's Hill



Comfort House

When it's cold and grey outside and a rainbow points to your house, obviously the metaphorical treasure is to be found in a tin of Quality Street and a contented cat curled up in a blanket.

Cotter Campground

Trees and water in winter have a cold, clear and purposeful nature. Unadorned and reflective, they are powerful and dignified in their elemental state.

Mount Majura

A walk up a 'mountain' and a winery: just a typical day out with the Blackhursts!



could be a subject for a Hans Heysen painting