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Category: Famous Person Memorial

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St. James Church Sydney

Children's Chapel St James Church

St. James Church Sydney

Designed by convict architect Francis Greenway, St James Church Sydney is the city’s oldest church. Built between 1819 and 1824 using convict labour and consecrated on 11 February 1824 it has been in continuous use to the present day. Located at the end of King Street, the closest train station is St James which only a three-minute walk away.

During our visit, the altar area and organ were undergoing repairs. Unfortunately, Covid has caused delays to the replacement parts for the organ, however, the rest of the church is open to look around.

St James Church
St James Church

The Undercroft (The Crypt)

We were lucky to be able to see the undercroft (crypt), because it is not always open. One of the highlights, the Children’s Chapel is located here. Unique in Australia the murals were painted by the Turramurra Painters, a collaborative partnership of artists.

Also stored in the crypt are the ashes of former parishioners, including former prime minister Gough Whitlam.

The Crypt
The Crypt
Children's Chapel St James Church
Left Wall of the Children’s Chapel
Children's Chapel
Right wall of the Children’s Chapel
Children's Chapel
Children’s Chapel
Stored Ashes, including ex-Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
Stored Ashes, including ex-Prime Minister Gough Whitlam

Interior

The interior of the church was totally remodelled in 1900–1902, although the marble memorials were retained. It has also retained its original character as a Georgian town church. It has remained this way with the exception of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (south portico) which was rebuilt in 1988.

This is an interesting and historic little church, with the highlight being the undercroft and the Children’s chapel.

Central Aisle looking forward
Central Aisle looking forward
Central Aisle looking back
Central Aisle looking back
Stained glass window and memorials
Stained glass window and memorials
Stained glass window and memorials
Stained glass window and memorials
Stained glass window and memorials St James Church
St Peter stained glass window and memorials
Beautiful stained glass window St James Church
Beautiful stained glass window
Memorial stained glass window to William Broughton the First Bishop of Sydney
Memorial stained glass window to William Broughton the First Bishop of Sydney
Chapel of the Holy Spirit St James Church
Chapel of the Holy Spirit
Chapel of the Holy Spirit St James Church
Chapel of the Holy Spirit
Baptismal Font St James Church
Baptismal Font

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Commonwealth Park Canberra

Commonwealth Park walking tracks

Commonwealth Park Canberra

Located in the centre of Canberra, Commonwealth Park is full of walking tracks, memorials and sculptures. With Lake Burley Griffin as a backdrop, it’s an excellent place for a relaxing stroll, picnic or simply sit and admire the views.

Car parks within the park make access easy, but if you want to walk from the city, there are several overpasses crossing Parks Ways to avoid the traffic.

Lake Burley Griffin

With Lake Burley Griffin as a backdrop, there are some great sights to see from Commonwealth Park. The most spectacular is the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, a giant fountain shooting water up to 147m high. Check its operating times, as it only operates at certain period during the day.

Across the water, you get some great views of Parliament house (old and new) as well as the National Library, Art Gallery, Portrait Gallery, and High Court.

Captain Cook Memorial Jet
Captain Cook Memorial Jet
Old Parliament House with New Parliament House Behinf
Old Parliament House with New Parliament House Behinf

Tracks and Walks

The best way to enjoy the park is to walk along its many tracks. We walked along the lake shore because we wanted to see the sights across the water. The tracks take you past most of the sculptures and memorials, so you can structure your walk to see them all.

With plenty of trees, shade, and seating there are opportunities to stop, relax and take in the scenery.

Commonwealth Park walking tracks
Commonwealth Park walking tracks

Memorials in Commonwealth Park Canberra

Scattered throughout the park, memorials to famous Australians and groups such as the Police and Emergency Services commemorate their memory. Some are not strictly within the park itself, but further east in Kings Park.

A special memorial dedicated to HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser which sunk during World War Two sits on the shoreline.

Overall, a great place to visit with plenty to keep you busy, while providing places to sit and relax.

Captain James Cook Memorial Commonwealth Park Canberra
Captain James Cook Memorial
National Emergency Services Memorial Commonwealth Park Canberra
National Emergency Services Memorial
HMAS Canberra Memorial
HMAS Canberra Memorial
National Police Memorial Commonwealth Park Canberra
Australian Merchant Navy Memorial
Australian Merchant Navy Memorial
Sir Robert Menzies
Sir Robert Menzies
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Yass New South Wales

Yass Courthouse

Yass New South Wales

An hour’s drive north of Canberra, or west from Goulburn, Yass is an historic New South Wales Town. We were passing through on a drive from Canberra to Orange so stopped to have a quick look around. Being early morning, parking was easy, and we found a spot outside the Banjo Patterson Park, named after the famous Australia poet.

Several coffee shops were open, so we ordered a coffee before setting off to explore the town. The main street, Comur St contains several well preserved nineteenth-century buildings. The Post Office looks great, but the courthouse looks like a small palace!

Yass Post Office Yass New South Wales
Yass Post Office
Yass Courthouse Yass New South Wales
Yass Courthouse
Banjo Patterson Bust Yass
Banjo Patterson Bust
Banjo Patterson Park Yass New South Wales
Banjo Patterson Park
Tootsie Gallery and Café Yass New South Wales
Tootsie Gallery and Café

Yass Railway Museum

The Yass Railway Museum is small with only a few trains and pieces of rolling stock on display. However, it’s a great place to visit, see some interesting trains, memorabilia and find out about the history of trains in Yass. You can find a full story of our visit here.

1307 Steam Locomotive Yass New South Wales
1307 Steam Locomotive

Abandoned Railway Bridge

We drove to the old railway bridge over the Yass River, parking at Joe O’Conner Park and walking down to the river. Disused since 1988 when the rail line closed it’s now a tourist attraction and heritage listed. It was interesting to walk around, especially as there are trees growing through parts of it.

Old Tramway Bridge Yass
Old Tramway Bridge
Old Tramway Bridge
The Old Tramway Bridge
Old Tramway Bridge
Old Tramway Bridge

What Did We Think Of Yass?

Although this was only a quick visit, we enjoyed our time here. The lovely old buildings on the main street, abandoned bridge and railway museum are all worth stopping to see.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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