In 1839 Mr George Peck completed a detailed model of Hobart Town. Not to be outdone, a Sydney version was soon under construction;
Since the arrival of Mr Peck’s Model of Hobart, Mr Barlow, the talented artist of Bridge Street, has commenced the design of getting up a similar Model of Sydney…..This is rather a stupendous undertaking, and will cost the enterprising projector some three years’ labour, besides great expense.
It was anticipated that both models would be exhibited in Great Britain, encouraging free settlers to emigrate;
When these models go home, and intending Emigrants pay a visit to the exhibitions of Mr Peck and Mr Barlow, they will have as complete an idea of the state of advancement and wealth in which they will find these colonies, as if they were on the spot. (Bent’s News & NSW Advertiser, Jun. 1 1839)
Below is a view of Sydney at that time .
Early Sydney. Source – Dictionary of Sydney.
George Peck’s model did go to England , but there is no evidence of Mr Barlow ever completing his Sydney version.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
On the ground floor of Customs House at Circular Quay, tourists can be seen orientating themselves with the help of a scale model of the city under glass. It represents ten square kilometres of Sydney. Originally it was displayed on the building’s fourth floor, in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
My partner Rob above the Opera House and Botanic Gardens.
The ‘big brother’ of the Customs House model is located at Town Hall House in Kent Street (behind the Town Hall itself). It is extraordinary; an enormous, ever evolving miniature version of inner Sydney. The model is used by city planners to assist with development applications, construction progress, heritage listings etc. Having outgrown the planning offices it is now located in the foyer of the building’s second level, available for ratepayers and the general public to marvel over.
The working 1:500 scale model was commissioned in 1986, with the first stage constructed between 1986 to 2000.
I spotted little Christ Church St Laurence church (see red arrow), which is only 100 metres or so from our Haymarket apartment. The church was consecrated in 1845. Sadly, the adjoining school and manse were demolished in 1904 to make way for Central Railway Station.
The blue arrow points to the Atlassian software company building, which is nearing completion. It will be the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower, standing 180 metres beside the railway station. History at a glance.
Here is an artist’s impression of the Atlassian project. On the right, Christ Church St Laurence is difficult to identify, but it remains as a precious symbol of the past. Its bells still ring out above the traffic noise of George Street.
Source – This is Construction.
Below is the view of the Town Hall model looking back from Circular Quay to the city skyline.
Recently changing its designation to ‘built’ is the recently opened Fish Market at Glebe, on the Blackwattle Bay foreshore. Note the row of proposed residential and retail buildings to be constructed on the site of the old fish market at neighbouring Pyrmont. Work is due to begin in 2027. The project will include parks and a foreshore promenade.
My partner Rob getting up close and personal with the Opera House.
A MODEL RESUME!
One of the original workers on the project was Richard Braddish. As a young man, Richard applied for a position with the planning department, and was delighted when he was called for an interview. He had always been interested in modeling, especially cityscapes. This was definitely his dream job!
When he attended the interview he took along a 1:200 model of the city he had once created from cereal packets. For perspective he used a street directory and a book of aerial views of Sydney. Honestly, how could the ‘city fathers’ fail to be impressed? The job was his.
The cardboard model may be looking it’s age now, but those cardboard towers are still standing proudly. It is on display in the library at Customs House.
Richard still works in the city planning department, making additions and adjustments to the giant models, though now he uses 3D technology.
To watch a short video on The Customs House model, CLICK HERE
