Stories
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In Famous Footsteps: Anna Pavlova at Government House
Image: Fairfax Corporation (1926), Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova outside Government House, Sydney, March 1926. Source: National Library of AustraliaWith her 1926 tour of Australian cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide... more »
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The Satsuma Vases: A Window to the World - Collections at Government House
The fascinating history of Satsuma pottery extends well beyond its naming after a province in the far south corner of Kyushu, Japan; indeed, its name belies its origins.The original master potters of Satsuma pottery were Korean war... more »
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Nongirrna Marawili Artworks on display at Government House Sydney 14 April 2020 - 30 April 2023
Government House is proud to announce a showcase of Indigenous art by award-winning Yolngu artist, Nongirrna Marawili in the Dining Room.Nongirrna Marawili was born c. 1939 and lives and works in the community at Yirrkala, Arnhem Land in... more »
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175 Years of 'Grand Design' at Government House
Like many houses, Government House Sydney underwent (and continues to undergo) changes to improve both aesthetics and amenity. As necessary, alterations have adapted an essentially European architectural model to a unique Australian... more »
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Governor Gipps: First Governor at Government House – 'Worst Governor' or 'Strong Governor'?
Image: Governor George Gipps' Portrait c1846, Eden Upton Eddis, Government House SydneyWith the new Government House almost complete, the 9th Governor of New South Wales, Governor Gipps (1838-46), and Lady Gipps moved in, leaving behind... more »
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Government House Raises The Flag
Image: Frederick Garling, Government House Sydney, 1845Credit: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales“The move to the new Government House was gradual. Beginning with a flag raising on Queen Victoria’s birthday, for the two... more »
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Inside the Frame: A Continuing Tradition of Portraiture
Of major cultural and historic significance to NSW and Australia, the Government House portrait collection spans more than two centuries of history from British settlement to the present time. It shows the changing styles of art - from... more »
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Contemporary Australian Design in Heritage Garden Landscape
The Eastern Terrace of Government House Sydney has recently undergone a major facelift - its first in nine years. The challenge of re-designing the Eastern Terrace was one which leading landscape architect Jane Irwin could not resist when... more »
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Stonework Heraldry - A link from the past to the present
In the late 1830s, Architect Edward Blore included in his specifications for the new Government House that:'…the panels between the ground floor and bed room windows of the North and East fronts to be moulded and filled in with carved work... more »
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Roy de Maistre Garden Mystery
In August 2019, Government House received a request from Mr Andrew Gaynor, an independent researcher, to locate the place at Government House Sydney where Roi de Mestre (aka Roy de Maistre) may have painted the following scene (see... more »