Located in the heart of Sydney, the NSW Masonic Club was built in 1927 incorporating Gothic Revival and Art Deco styles. Meticulously restored, the building is heritage listed ensuring its preservation for future generations to enjoy.
As a functioning hotel, access to the many rooms is not always possible. However, during the Sydney Open Museums Weekend, access was permitted along with staff available who explained the use and features of each room.
The Rooms
Featuring marble floors and a magnificent staircase, the interior is as impressive as the exterior. Containing several function rooms, each with their own unique character, exploring the building is fascinating. The largest room, Cellos Grand Dining Room can seat up to 600 guests and like the other rooms is available for hire.
Although an elevator (lift) is available, the grand staircase is a more fun way to explore. Alternately, take the elevator up and walk back down the stairs.
Probably the most interesting room was the boardroom, with it’s huge mahogany table and chairs. This is where the Board of Directors meet and is the same as when it was first built.
It was wonderful that Sydney Open Museums could arrange for this amazing building to be open to the public.
Cellos Grand Dining RoomWall decorations in Cellos Grand Dining RoomWall decorations in Cellos Grand Dining RoomLooking down the staircaseCastlereagh LoungeAlcove off the Castlereagh LoungeComfortable seating in the Castlereagh LoungeThe BoardroomThe BoardroomClock in The BoardroomLooking up the staircase
Running until May 19, 2024, The Australian Museum is currently hosting an exhibition centred on the Egyptian Pharoah Ramses II. This was a great opportunity to see some of the most important artifacts from ancient Egypt, without having to leave Australia.
Featuring over 180 artifacts, this is a large exhibition that we found fascinating from beginning to end. Starting with a short video presentation covering Ramses II’s life, it then proceeds through a series of display rooms containing the exhibits. Each section also has videos playing describing the artefacts in more detail.
Additional displays covered other aspects of Ancient Egypt, with one of the most striking being Sennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father Seti while working on his own coffin on his days off.
Amazing jewelry, mummies of cats and crocodiles, masks and weapons gave diversity to what was displayed. As usual, the last room was a gift shop, where books and souvenirs could be purchased.
Head of a Colossal Statue of Ramses IIUpper part of an obeliskStatue of Ramses II as a sphynxRamses II showing him capturing enemies: a Nubian, a Libyan and a Syrian.Queen Tuya, Ramses motherSennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father SetiGilded wooden mask from the tomb of Amenemope a scribe and sageGirdle of Princess Merit (bottom) and collar of Princess Neferuptah (top)Mummified catCoffin of a cat mummyCoffin and coffinettes of Sheshonq IIGold funerary mask of General WendjebauendjedBust of Merenptah, Ramses successorOuter coffin lid of Pinudjem II’s wife Princess Nesikhonsu (left) and inner coffin lid of Pinudjem ICoffin of Ramses IIRamses II
Located in the Capertee Valley the Glen Davis Oil Shale Ruins were once a thriving industrial complex. Established in 1940, the Glen Davis Shale Oil Works were a strategic investment that produced petrol for New South Wales while at the same time providing work for unemployed miners. The process involved mining shale using the underground bord and pillar method. This shale then underwent treatment at the adjoining plant to extract the oil. Refining the oil produced petrol which at the time was important for the war effort.
Dwindling shale reserves, old machinery, and poor productivity led to the facility closing in 1952. All removable items were sold leaving only the buildings which are now ruins.
Getting There
Located in the Capertee Valley, the ruins are on private property, with access by guided tour only. We drove from Kandos, through the beautiful Capertee Valley and met our guide at the gates to the property. Payment is either by bank transfer prior to the tour, or cash on the day. Electronic payments can’t be processed because there is no phone reception.
On arrival, wait at the gates to “The Poplars” in your car until the guide arrives. They will let you through the gates and run through a safety briefing before starting the tour. While we waited we took the chance to look at the amazing valley walls that make up the Capertee Valley. Covered in gum trees, with the setting sun giving the rocks a red glow was a bonus to the trip.
Remember to bring lots of water and sunscreen because it can get very hot.
The Capertee Valley walls
The Glen Davis Oil Shale RuinsTour
Running around two hours, the tour takes you through the remaining structures on site. The guide was very informative and covered everything from the area’s history, how the plant worked and why it closed. For many of the buildings, he had photos of how it used to look.
The site has been used for TV show such as SAS Australia, so the guide pointed out where it took place.
The tour takes a loop through the site, so you are always seeing new sites, rather than back-tracking through places you have already see. This is great because it means the whole two hours was full with no repetition.
Unfortunately the ruins are not heritage listed, so have no protection. Also, the current owner is selling the property (as of November 2023), so a new owner is not obliged to provide tours, or even keep the buildings as they are.
Entrance to the Poplars and surrounding Capertee Valley wallsBrick building in ruinsTrees growing in and around the ruinsRuins with the valley wall as a backdropRemains of the processing plantTrees growing in and around the ruinsRusty bus
