7039
Bonnyrigg House / Male Orphan School
Main
DescriptionThe Male Orphan School land is a heritage-listed former vineyard and orchard and now vacant land at Lot 1 Cartwright Street, Bonnyrigg, City of Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia. It was built during 1803 by James Busby. It is also known as Land Next to Male Orphan School, The Homestead, Male Schoolmaster's Residence and Bonnyrigg House. The property is owned by Department of Planning and Environment, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 and is also listed in Fairfield City Council's Local Environmental Plan. Bonnyrigg House is located at 19-21 Cartwright Street, Bonnyrigg Heights.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (Bonnyrigg House):
Bonnyrigg House is thought to be the oldest standing building in the City of Fairfield (1826). It has architectural and aesthetic significance as a rare surviving example of Colonial Georgian architecture and is thought to have been designed by Colonial Architect Francis Greenway as the master's residence of the Male Orphan School complex. It has strong social and historical associations with the early 19th century Male Orphanage and School and the emergence of social welfare in Australia. It is also important for its association with James Busby, a pioneer of the Australian wine industry. (Stedinger Associates, 2003, Temple & Davies, 1981)
The house is the only remaining standing structure of the first male orphan school complex in Australia, apparently designed by Alexander Kinghorne, and the only complete example of his building design. Kinghorne was a civil engineer whose name has been briefly connected with colonial institutional building programmes at this time (1826) (Temple & Davies, 1981).
The site has associations with James Busby and the development of the Australian wine industry. Busby was appointed to teach viticulture to boys at the Orphan School in 1825 and planted a vinyard here in 1825. While not the first to import or grow vines, Busby was the prophet of the Australian wine industry, publishing the first book (1825, Sydney) in Australia on wine growing and making, donating a huge private collection of European grape varieties to the Botanic Gardens, Sydney in 1833 (which was thence distributed across the state, to SA and Victoria), and responsible for the first plantings in the Hunter Valley in 1825. Wine from the Orphan School estate was exported receiving favourable mention in England in 1831. (Stuart Read, from Norrie, P., Vineyards of Sydney, 1990) and Ramsden, E. James Busby, Prophet of Australian Viticulture, 1941).
The area has historic and archaeological significance as the primary site of the first male orphan school in Australia from 1826-1840, during which time it was a sizable administrative and domestic establishment which functioned in conjunction with its agricultural estate, known as New Farm, located nearby.
The orphanage, important in the development of social welfare in Australia, represents one of the earliest attempts at a combined welfare and training programme, due to the social and educational policies of the institution's administrators.
The institution was closely associated with prominent colonial figures, including Samuel Marsden, Archdeacon Scott, Reverend Cartwright, Governor Macquarie and James Busby.
The site has identified structural remains and other evidence of occupation which is attributed to the orphanage period. It has potential archaeological significance, with potential to provide information on the functions, layout and activities of the orphanage and its growth and decline. (Temple & Davies, 1981).
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (Land Next to Male Orphan School):
The site has high social and historical significance as the site of an early nineteenth century Male Orphanage and School and was one of few such institutions to be established at this time. It was the second such orphanage to be established in the colony, the associated Female orphanage being the first. The land adjoining the former orphanage is also of high significance for its use for pioneering work in viticulture by James Busby and early orcharding uses. The land (along with adjoining Bonnyrigg House - the former School Master's residence (a separate SHR item)) is all that remains of the once extensive grounds which were worked by the boys of the orphanage as a form of rehabilitation. (Stedinger, 2003)
The site has associations with James Busby and the development of the Australian wine industry. Busby was appointed to teach viticulture to boys at the Orphan School in 1825 and planted a vinyard here in 1825. While not the first to import or grow vines, Busby was the prophet of the Australian wine industry, publishing the first book (1825, Sydney) in Australia on wine growing and making, donating a huge private collection of European grape varieties to the Botanic Gardens, Sydney in 1833 (which was thence distributed across the state, to SA and Victoria), and responsible for the first plantings in the Hunter Valley in 1825. Wine from the Orphan School estate was exported receiving favourable mention in England in 1831. (Stuart Read, from Norrie, P., Vineyards of Sydney, 1990) and Ramsden, E. James Busby, Prophet of Australian Viticulture, 1941)
The area has historic and archaeological significance as the primary site of the first Male Orphan School in Australia from 1826-1840, during which time it was a sizable administrative and domestic establishment which functioned in conjunction with its agricultural estate, known as New Farm, located nearby.
The orphanage, important in the development of social welfare in Australia, represents one of the earliest attempts at a combined welfare and training programme, due to the social and educational policies of the institution's administrators.
The institution was closely associated with prominent colonial figures, including Samuel Marsden, Archdeacon Scott, Reverend Cartwright, Governor Macquarie and James Busby.
The site has identified structural remains and other evidence of occupation which is attributed to the orphanage period. It has potential archaeological significance, with potential to provide information on the functions, layout and activities of the orphanage and its growth and decline. (Temple & Davies, 1981)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS
The Male Orphan School site has the potential to provide physical evidence relating to the welfare, training and education of destitute and under-privileged male children in this period. The archaeological remains of the site represent the most complete record available of the style and distribution of buildings and amenities made available to the boys housed at the school. This evidence has a potential to provide a voice to the otherwise silent orphans and to reveal their experiences within the institution. The material culture of the site can help to reveal the processes of the institution, revealing a complex combination of purpose, intention, belief and action that is not necessarily discernible in the historical record.
The archaeological resource also has the potential to address broader research questions relating to such issues as social welfare policy, institutional practices, health and education. In addition, this physical evidence has high comparative value in relation to the Rydalmere Female Orphan site, in terms of investigating differences in gender roles, perceptions and expectations in the early colonial period. (Godden Mackay Logan, 2001 summarised by Peter Douglas 2004)
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (Bonnyrigg House):
Bonnyrigg House is thought to be the oldest standing building in the City of Fairfield (1826). It has architectural and aesthetic significance as a rare surviving example of Colonial Georgian architecture and is thought to have been designed by Colonial Architect Francis Greenway as the master's residence of the Male Orphan School complex. It has strong social and historical associations with the early 19th century Male Orphanage and School and the emergence of social welfare in Australia. It is also important for its association with James Busby, a pioneer of the Australian wine industry. (Stedinger Associates, 2003, Temple & Davies, 1981)
The house is the only remaining standing structure of the first male orphan school complex in Australia, apparently designed by Alexander Kinghorne, and the only complete example of his building design. Kinghorne was a civil engineer whose name has been briefly connected with colonial institutional building programmes at this time (1826) (Temple & Davies, 1981).
The site has associations with James Busby and the development of the Australian wine industry. Busby was appointed to teach viticulture to boys at the Orphan School in 1825 and planted a vinyard here in 1825. While not the first to import or grow vines, Busby was the prophet of the Australian wine industry, publishing the first book (1825, Sydney) in Australia on wine growing and making, donating a huge private collection of European grape varieties to the Botanic Gardens, Sydney in 1833 (which was thence distributed across the state, to SA and Victoria), and responsible for the first plantings in the Hunter Valley in 1825. Wine from the Orphan School estate was exported receiving favourable mention in England in 1831. (Stuart Read, from Norrie, P., Vineyards of Sydney, 1990) and Ramsden, E. James Busby, Prophet of Australian Viticulture, 1941).
The area has historic and archaeological significance as the primary site of the first male orphan school in Australia from 1826-1840, during which time it was a sizable administrative and domestic establishment which functioned in conjunction with its agricultural estate, known as New Farm, located nearby.
The orphanage, important in the development of social welfare in Australia, represents one of the earliest attempts at a combined welfare and training programme, due to the social and educational policies of the institution's administrators.
The institution was closely associated with prominent colonial figures, including Samuel Marsden, Archdeacon Scott, Reverend Cartwright, Governor Macquarie and James Busby.
The site has identified structural remains and other evidence of occupation which is attributed to the orphanage period. It has potential archaeological significance, with potential to provide information on the functions, layout and activities of the orphanage and its growth and decline. (Temple & Davies, 1981).
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (Land Next to Male Orphan School):
The site has high social and historical significance as the site of an early nineteenth century Male Orphanage and School and was one of few such institutions to be established at this time. It was the second such orphanage to be established in the colony, the associated Female orphanage being the first. The land adjoining the former orphanage is also of high significance for its use for pioneering work in viticulture by James Busby and early orcharding uses. The land (along with adjoining Bonnyrigg House - the former School Master's residence (a separate SHR item)) is all that remains of the once extensive grounds which were worked by the boys of the orphanage as a form of rehabilitation. (Stedinger, 2003)
The site has associations with James Busby and the development of the Australian wine industry. Busby was appointed to teach viticulture to boys at the Orphan School in 1825 and planted a vinyard here in 1825. While not the first to import or grow vines, Busby was the prophet of the Australian wine industry, publishing the first book (1825, Sydney) in Australia on wine growing and making, donating a huge private collection of European grape varieties to the Botanic Gardens, Sydney in 1833 (which was thence distributed across the state, to SA and Victoria), and responsible for the first plantings in the Hunter Valley in 1825. Wine from the Orphan School estate was exported receiving favourable mention in England in 1831. (Stuart Read, from Norrie, P., Vineyards of Sydney, 1990) and Ramsden, E. James Busby, Prophet of Australian Viticulture, 1941)
The area has historic and archaeological significance as the primary site of the first Male Orphan School in Australia from 1826-1840, during which time it was a sizable administrative and domestic establishment which functioned in conjunction with its agricultural estate, known as New Farm, located nearby.
The orphanage, important in the development of social welfare in Australia, represents one of the earliest attempts at a combined welfare and training programme, due to the social and educational policies of the institution's administrators.
The institution was closely associated with prominent colonial figures, including Samuel Marsden, Archdeacon Scott, Reverend Cartwright, Governor Macquarie and James Busby.
The site has identified structural remains and other evidence of occupation which is attributed to the orphanage period. It has potential archaeological significance, with potential to provide information on the functions, layout and activities of the orphanage and its growth and decline. (Temple & Davies, 1981)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS
The Male Orphan School site has the potential to provide physical evidence relating to the welfare, training and education of destitute and under-privileged male children in this period. The archaeological remains of the site represent the most complete record available of the style and distribution of buildings and amenities made available to the boys housed at the school. This evidence has a potential to provide a voice to the otherwise silent orphans and to reveal their experiences within the institution. The material culture of the site can help to reveal the processes of the institution, revealing a complex combination of purpose, intention, belief and action that is not necessarily discernible in the historical record.
The archaeological resource also has the potential to address broader research questions relating to such issues as social welfare policy, institutional practices, health and education. In addition, this physical evidence has high comparative value in relation to the Rydalmere Female Orphan site, in terms of investigating differences in gender roles, perceptions and expectations in the early colonial period. (Godden Mackay Logan, 2001 summarised by Peter Douglas 2004)
Details
DisclaimerStatement of Significance has been sourced from the State Heritage InventoryExternal linkLand Next to Male Orphan School - State Heritage InventoryBonnyrigg House - State Heritage Inventory
Connections
SuburbBonnyrigg HeightsBonnyriggPlace[1] 21 Cartwright St, Bonnyrigg HeightsCollectionSchoolsHeritage Listed SitesOrganisations & Businesses
Bonnyrigg House / Male Orphan School. Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 11/03/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/7039