Liz and Frank: The lights in Macquarie

The following notes and photos are for a few overseas friends who have visited Sydney and might be interested.

VIVID SYDNEY, has also embarked on the "Macquarie Visions Experience" dedicated to Governor Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie (1810 - 1821) - featuring the historic buildings along Macquarie Street, Sydney. It began with a dazzling light spectacle at St Mary's Cathedral. a building for which Lachlan Macquarie himself laid the foundation stone in 1821.

Lachlan Macquarie was the first military Governor of NSW, unlike his predecesssors, who were all naval men - he actually took over from William Bligh (Mutiny of the Bounty fame - his governship ended with the "Rum Rebellion") Fortunately Macquarie had experience in urban planning and land management- Mrs Macquarie arrived with architectural and design journals that indicated her interest and subsequent influence on much of the urban design in the colony. She played a large part in the creation of the Botanic Gardens - her "chair" a carved rock ledge at the point - named Mrs. Macquarie's chair - still exists today.

When Macquarie began his tenure as Governor, "rum" was the prevailing currency of the Colony. He not only introduced coinage, but also overcame an acute currency shortage by purchasing Spanish silver coins, punching out the centres and creating two new coins - the "Holey Dollar" and the "Dump". This innovative move doubled the number of coins in circulation and increased their total worth by 25 per cent. To facilitate trade and commerce, Macquarie also established the first Bank of New South Wales.

Hyde Park's Barracks (below) presently has an electrified timeline of Governor Macquarie's achievements scrolls on the walls, reflecting hundreds of projects and achievements, in a tribute to a man regarded as the originator of the Australian value of the "Fair-Go". The Governor and his wife instilled a feeling of hope in the inhabitants of the new colony, and along with it the belief that an opportunity existed for a second chance at life. Many many convicts with specific skills, e.g. convict architect, Francis Greenway, were given opportunities to design and work for for the public works in Sydney. He dealt with an increase in the number of convicts sent to the colony by employing them in ambitious programs of public works - he saw the Colony of NSW as a settled community as well as a penal settlement. These public works still stand today, and many are "lit up" to commemorate this Governor during VIVID SYDNEY.

The Macquarie's also introduced a broader cultural life to Sydney, art, literature, education, gardens and music. Horse racing, along with farming tactics from overseas (the merino sheep) fairs, balls etc. etc. were all introduced during their reign.

One of Sydney's newer universities, named after this Governor - Macquarie University - is where Frank was awarded his "Honorary Doctorate of Science" in May 1997 - he received this because he helped the University create a Bachelor of Technology program, which succeeded in providing hundreds of new University places with a 4 year program training graduates complete with business skills ready for work (97% placement within 6 months).

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The Brig in his robes in May 1997