'Nurrewin' at the top of Macquarie Pass was built for William Mann Thompson in 1902-1904 from local Yellow Rock sandstone. William was a surveyor and engineer from Sydney. Builders and stonemasons took about two years to build the home. William farmed the property and planted and orchard.
In 1926 the home was sold to Edward Thomas, a Mining Surveyor and bother of Harry Thomas who farmed the adjoining property at Clover Hill. In 1933 Edward sold the home to his nephew, Kenneth Thomas.
In 1969 Nurrewin became the property of the National Parks and Wildlife Service when it was resumed for the Macquarie Pass National Park.
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| Nurrewin Macquarie Pass Photograph John Street |
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| Nurrewin Macquarie Pass Photograph John Street |
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| Nurrewin Yellow Rock sandstone walls Photograph John Street |
I have such wonderful memories of visiting Nurrewin when my grandparents lived there for over 40 years. Anne Maree
ReplyDeleteI loved Nurrewin too, visiting Aunty Mary and Uncle Bob when I was a kid!
DeleteIt certainly is a beautiful property Anne Maree. Were your grandparents the Sawtell's? We would love to hear more about them and your time there.
ReplyDeleteMy husbands great great grandfather was Edward Sawtell and his great great grandmother was Caroline Rogan who was Edwards first wife of four... My husbands great grandfather was William E Sawtell who was the only son of Edward and Caroline together. We have only just started researching my husbands family history and am chasing down any of his family that might have old photos or stories.
DeleteHi Sandy, thats great information - thanks for sharing. We have loads of information at Tongarra Museum on the Sawtells and the Rogans. Please give us a ring Mon and Wed (02) 4256 6698. You can start at home by looking at our historic photographs online at this link. There are many photos of these two families available. http://photosau.com/Shellharbour/scripts/home.asp
DeleteMy parents came to Nurrewin for some months in 1949/50 when a couple named Sutton lived there & it was a guesthouse. I have an old photo. Years later my sister visited with permission from Nat Parks & took many lovely photographs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know. Love to see the old photo if you are willing.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteMy Great-grandfather was William Mann Thompson. I am currently sorting some old photos and would be happy to send you some early photos of Nurrewin if you are interested. Won't happen overnight, but it will happen....... If you had any information on William I'd be keen to hear.
Hi Will, we would be grateful for any photographs you have of your family and Nurrewin and will gladly add them to the collection.
DeleteI believe William Mann Thompson's son is featured in our online Shellharbour Centenary of Anzac exhibition. You can view it at this link http://www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/anzaconline/ANZACindex.html
I think we have a little on the family in the Tongarra Museum archives. Be happy to send you what we have :)