Macquarie

Today we visited the formal opening of the Macquarie restorations. This is the oldest farm and oldest continuous residence west of the Blue Mountains.

William Lawson was granted this property ( at the time inhabited by the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people ) as a reward for being one of the three famous explorers who found a passage across the Great Dividing Range in 1813. At the time of his death he had amassed 85,000 acres of land.

We have lived nearby for 24 years but hadn't heard of this property until recently. The present owners purchased it in 2008 and have done extensive renovations and it is looking wonderful.

The ex Governor Dame Marie Bashir came to unveil a plaque. The members of parliament and landed gentry were there. As it is silly Saturday I'll have to confess I shouldn't have worn flowery leggings to this event, my pearls would have been more appropriate.

Anyway...we left before the wonderful Dame Marie arrived as we couldn't wait for her as we had the family staying. They arrived as a surprise for my birthday today. Tonight we are all going out for dinner.