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93-686: Prince Alfred Square is a 1.5-hectare (3.7-acre) park on the northern side of the Parramatta River in the central business district of Parramatta . It is one of the oldest public parks in New South Wales and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register . St Patrick's Cathedral is located directly opposite the square to the west. The park site was the site of Parramatta's second gaol (1804–1841) and first female factory (1804–1821). Prisoners were transferred to

186-478: A sandstone rusticated edging. At the north-west corner of the square is the Anderson fountain , a granite drinking fountain, which was a bequest from Dr Anderson erected in 1882. It is square at the base, with large corner pedestals supporting short, vaguel Doric corner columns . Stumpy obelisk cap, topped with a large stone ball. Inscription on the west face, in a panel between the columns - "Anderson Fountain -

279-638: A bequest from the late Dr Anderson to the inhabitants of Parramatta. Erected February 1882 Trustee James Pye Esq. Rocky Hall." Below the inscription is a drinking fountain set into a curved niche (no longer working). Parramatta River Formed by the confluence of Toongabbie Creek and Darling Mills Creek at North Parramatta , the river flows in an easterly direction to a line between Yurulbin in Birchgrove and Manns Point in Greenwich . Here it flows into Port Jackson, about 21 kilometres (13 mi) from

372-608: A bequest from the late Dr Anderson. It was transferred from near the Town Hall to Alfred Square in 1888 when the larger Centennial Fountain was constructed. Its location was opposite Palmer Street. In 1922 it was relocated once again to its current position to make way for the War Memorial. The riverbank side of the site was the location of Parramatta's first public baths, c. 1888 (where Riverside Theatres now stand). The recognisable diagonal footpaths of today were first asphalted at

465-509: A camphor laurel and a Bunya pine that date from the mid Victorian period (c.1869–70s). It was named 'Alfred Square' in 1868 to commemorate the visit of Prince Alfred , Australia's first Royal visitor, during which he visited Parramatta . It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 28 August 2017. Aboriginal people have occupied the Parramatta region for tens of thousands of years. Evidence of their occupation can be found in

558-585: A champion sculler of his day, in the river at Henley. Some of the school rowing sheds are: There are also a number of rowing clubs: While a number of regattas are still held on the river each year, mainly in Iron Cove and Hen and Chicken Bay , many of the major regattas are now held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC), adjacent to the Nepean River , where rowing was held for

651-463: A crossing of the river. Historically, the river was dammed to provide reservoirs for the town. Currently, however, the function of the weirs is aesthetic, preventing the water from draining away during dry periods. As a consequence the river floods in heavy rain, particularly at the Charles Street Weir. The Charles Street Weir forms the boundary between fresh water and salt water, and is also

744-468: A sailor and a scholar, he explored the Parramatta River as early as 1788, and was the first to surmise that Tasmania might be an island. As governor, he tried to combat serious abuses by the military in the face of powerful local interests led by John MacArthur . Hunter's name is commemorated in historic locations such as Hunter Valley and Hunter Street, Sydney . John Hunter was born in Leith , Scotland ,

837-552: A series of reports regarding the structural deficiencies of the building. A larger space for the women was not forthcoming until 1817 when Governor Macquarie started arranging the design and construction of a new purpose-built barracks for female convicts. In 1821 the women were transferred to the new Parramatta Female Factory designed by Francis Greenway and located further up the Parramatta River on land previously granted to Governor Bligh . Before 1823 James Williamson had

930-516: A space where locals can enjoy festive events such as being the hub for Sydney Festival , Parramasala, and Winterlight, just as it was over one hundred years ago. Prince Alfred Square is bounded to the east by Church Street, to the north by Victoria Road, to the west by Marist Place and to the south by Market Street. The parkland is relatively flat, sloping very gently from north to south. It is formed on Wianamatta Shale series geology which forms clayey soils of poor fertility. The original vegetation of

1023-535: A two-storey stone structure consisting of two, 80 by 20 foot (5.5 by 6 metre) rooms " was allocated to female convicts and was called "The factory above the gaol". It was a wool and linen factory where women worked by day and it served as their refuge by night. From its inception, then, the factory was intended to be a place where women who had not been immediately assigned to masters upon arrival in New South Wales were gainfully employed in tasks that were beneficial to

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1116-600: A year on the island before being taken off. Hunter and some of his men returned to England aboard the chartered Dutch vessel Waaksamheyd after a long and arduous voyage. Finally arriving at Portsmouth in April 1792, Hunter was court-martialled for the loss of the Sirius but was honourably acquitted. Hunter then prepared for publication his interesting An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island, With

1209-514: Is in that space either a very deep gulf, or a straight, which may separate Van Diemen's Land from New Holland." The French Revolutionary Wars having broken out during Hunter's time in England, he went to sea again as a volunteer aboard the 100-gun HMS  Queen Charlotte , the flagship of his old patron Lord Howe. Hunter was present at the Glorious First of June on 1 June 1794, and remained in

1302-620: The 2000 Summer Olympics . Early GPS Schoolboy Head of the River races were held on the Parramatta River before moving to the Nepean River and later SIRC. Most rowing training is done in the middle to upper reaches of the river between Abbotsford and Homebush Bay because there is less water traffic and therefore less waves and more protection from wind. Rowing also takes place in the Lane Cove River and Iron Cove which have less traffic. Much of

1395-519: The Carlingford railway line [REDACTED] (Putney Punt) Until 1970 the river was an open drain for Sydney's industry and consequently the southern central embayments are contaminated with a range of heavy metals and chemicals. The Northern Bays are less affected as the Sydney Harbour Bridge was not completed until 1932 and so industrial development was already well established on

1488-489: The Darug people. They used the river as an important source of food and a place for trade. The river was formed 15 to 29 million years ago as its waters began to cut a valley into sandstone and shale . The headwaters of the Parramatta River are formed by the confluence of Darling Mills Creek and Toongabbie Creek . The point of the confluence lies on the northern border of the grounds of Cumberland Hospital . It also lies on

1581-721: The Indigenous people of the land, the Wangal Clan, in 1788. William Bradley 's log says that this contact took place while Hunter was having breakfast and is remembered in the name of the suburb, Breakfast Point . Hunter was ordered to the Cape of Good Hope for supplies in October 1788. He sailed around Cape Horn to the Cape of Good Hope, and from there back to New South Wales in May 1789, thus circumnavigating

1674-667: The Tasman Sea . The total catchment area of the river is approximately 252.4 square kilometres (97.5 sq mi) and is tidal to Charles Street Weir in Parramatta, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the Sydney Heads . The land adjacent to the Parramatta River was occupied for many thousands of years by Aboriginal peoples of the Wallumettagal nations and the Wangal , Toongagal (or Tugagal), Burramattagal, and Wategora clans of

1767-513: The United Kingdom by John Hunter. In summer 1804 Hunter was given command of the 74-gun HMS  Venerable , serving with the fleet off Brest under Admiral William Cornwallis . While sailing out of Torbay on the evening of 24 November, a sudden fog came down. The ships of the fleet, unaware of each other's positions and their own location became disorganised. Hunter twice narrowly avoided colliding with other ships, but ran aground at 8pm on

1860-599: The rebellion which took place in William Bligh 's time. Anonymous letters were even sent to the home authorities charging Hunter with participation in the very abuses he was striving to prevent. In spite of Hunter's vehement defence of the charges made against him, he was recalled in a dispatch dated 5 November 1799 from the Duke of Portland , one of the three secretaries of state. Hunter acknowledged this dispatch on 20 April 1800, and left for England on 28 September 1800, handing over

1953-530: The 100 ft long building was basic but the plan, with individual cells for prisoners (twenty-two), was up with the latest English concept. It was destroyed by fire on 28 December 1799. Construction of a new Parramatta Gaol finally began in August 1802. It was located on the north side of the river, slightly away from the town, on what is now the Prince Alfred Square/Market Street site. The plan

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2046-637: The Admiralty refused to confirm the appointment and Hunter returned to the Berwick as a volunteer in 1780, and went out the West Indies. There he received a commission from the commander in chief, Sir George Rodney . Hunter returned to England aboard the Berwick in 1781, and was present at the Battle of Dogger Bank on 5 August that year. Howe appointed him third lieutenant of his flagship HMS  Victory in 1782, and

2139-617: The Discoveries That Have Been Made in New South Wales and the Southern Ocean Since the Publication of Phillip's Voyage , published at the beginning of 1793. An abridged edition appeared later in the same year. In the first edition of this work is found the earliest reference to the possibility of there being a strait between the mainland and Tasmania. On page 126 Hunter says: "There is reason thence to believe, that there

2232-512: The Municipality of Parramatta was proclaimed and by January 1862 Parramatta had its first mayor. On 10 February 1868 Parramatta was visited by Prince Alfred , Australia's first Royal visitor, as part of a six-month tour of Australian colonies. Alfred was the second son of then Queen Victoria , and Duke of Edinburgh (he lived 1844-1900). On 31 August 1869 the "Old Gaol Green" was renamed "Alfred Square" to commemorate his visit. In September 1869,

2325-747: The Parramatta CBD. Both banks are largely open to the public, with parkland and walkways, downstream to James Ruse Drive . The river is fed by a number of small creeks and stormwater drains. The waters are controlled by a series of weirs : the weir at the edge of the hospital grounds, the Kiosk Weir in Parramatta Park, the Marsden Street Weir, and the Charles Street Weir at the ferry wharf. The weirs have been equipped with fish ladders . Kiosk Weir and Charles Street Weir also include footbridges enabling

2418-543: The Parramatta River west of the Harbour Bridge, which remained in place until 2011. The Parramatta River is one of the few significant coastal rivers in New South Wales which has not been the subject of an investigation by the Healthy Rivers Commission. The Cooks River and Botany Bay have been subject to such an investigation. Some have campaigned for a Healthy Rivers Commission inquiry to bring together all

2511-518: The Parramatta River. The Sir William Dixson Research Library at the State Library of New South Wales holds the original copy of the chart of the expedition, entitled "Chart of the coasts and harbours of Botany-Bay, Port-Jackson and Broken-Bay, as survey'd by Capt.n John Hunter of H.M.S. Sirius". The expedition was significant because it may have marked the first contact to take place between the British and

2604-453: The Parramatta river system. The main contaminated areas of the Parramatta River are: Water quality is monitored by the Office of Environment and Heritage (New South Wales) (OEH) for faecal coliforms and e. coli , but only as far west as Cabarita . OEH does not monitor water quality further west on the river, despite increasing development and the use of the river for recreational boating. In

2697-482: The Prevailing Abuses , which has become a valuable document in early Australian history. Hunter explored and opened up the country near Sydney, and also encouraged the explorations of Matthew Flinders and George Bass . A contemporary, midshipman Daniel Southwell described Hunter as "devoid of stiff pride, most accomplished in his profession, and, to sum up all, a worthy man." But the circumstances in which he

2790-488: The area on a lease. By 1830, Major Lockyer applied for land near the gaol on behalf of the School of Industry for the site of an institution, but Surveyor-General Major Thomas Mitchell opposed the alienation of the land for this purpose. In 1833, the gaol was described as in a "falling state". Rather than undertaking major work, the building was shored up until a new gaol could be built. In 1837, Governor Bourke decided that

2883-442: The area would have consisted of open woodland composed of species such as forest red gum ( Eucalyptus tereticornis ) and grey gum ( Eucalyptus moluccana ). The square is connected to the town water supply. Key elements that enhance the setting of the square are the former St. Peter's Congretational Church (1871) on Church/Palmer Streets to its east, St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral (1854-1936) and Our Lady of Mercy College (1889) on

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2976-526: The areas monitored, the water quality is generally acceptable except after heavy rains. The Parramatta River is subject to a number of fishing bans because of its contaminated sediments. There is a complete fishing ban in Homebush Bay because of the dioxin contamination. In 2006 the NSW Government imposed a complete commercial fishing ban throughout the rest of Sydney Harbour and its tributaries, including

3069-402: The boundary of the suburbs of Westmead , Northmead , and North Parramatta . Waterways flowing into the Parramatta River, west–to–east include: From its start at the confluence of Toongabbie Creek and Darling Mills Creek at North Parramatta, the river flows in a southerly direction through the grounds of Cumberland Hospital . Entering Parramatta Park , it then turns east and flows through

3162-634: The churchyard of St John-at-Hackney . The Hunter River and Hunter Valley north of Sydney are both named after him, as is the suburb of Hunters Hill in Sydney, and the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle . In 1986 he was honoured on a postage stamp depicting his portrait issued by Australia Post . HMAS Hunter the lead ship of the new Hunter -Class frigates of the Royal Australian Navy

3255-617: The cliff near Paignton , and soon afterwards bilged. A gale then struck the area, and with Venerable fast going to pieces, her crew were evacuated with little loss by HMS Impetueux . Hunter again underwent a court-martial, and was again fully acquitted. Hunter was promoted to rear-admiral on 2 October 1807, and then to vice-admiral on 31 July 1810 but never hoisted his flag at sea. Vice-Admiral John Hunter spent his final years in his home town of Leith, living at 6 Cassels Place. He died at his London home at Judd Street, New Road, Hackney , London on 13 March 1821. His tomb can be seen in

3348-402: The colony in 1793, at the end of his term as governor, and for the following two years the military were in complete control. During the lieutenant-governorship of Francis Grose , who unmercifully exploited the convicts, a great traffic in alcoholic spirits sprang up, on which there was an enormous profit for the officers concerned. They had obtained the control of the courts and the management of

3441-425: The colony, and where corrupting influences could be kept at bay. In reality, this space was inadequate for achieving all of its aims as the majority of factory women could not find shelter there. Floggings took place within the gaol yard and executions took place outside the gaol, probably in the empty ground to the north of the complex. Stocks at the entrance were used to punish minor offenders. Hangings took place at

3534-472: The construction of a bandstand in Alfred Square for the local band concerts that had become a regular occurrence. The beautification of the reserve, however, was not without its challenges. Freak storms led to the costly damage of railings and "trespassing cattle" tore and bruised the park's only oak tree. Young "Sunday Larrikins" and "hoodlums" were also known to be "violently opening the large gates...defacing

3627-512: The council also opened tenders for Alfred Square "for the purpose of depasturing stock" and "carting". The council even considered the area for the location of the greatly desired and much needed Parramatta Town Hall before the current site (the old market site in Church Street) was deemed more suitable. In 1874, the Council was gazetted as Trustees of the reserve. Since its foundation at this time

3720-456: The end of 1889. In 1891 the bandstand was completed specifically in the shape of a late Victorian rotunda featuring decorative cast iron posts, brackets and valance capped with a copper roof. In c.  1900 Lennox Bridge and Church Street north was widened to accommodate the tram line to Castle Hill . In the Federation era, particularly, the park began to adopt its current visage with

3813-616: The fleet . He was active in the Chesapeake raid and the expeditions on the Delaware, as well as the defence of Sandy Hook . On Howe's recall, his reputation by now stale with the Sandwich administration , Hunter was not able to have his request to be made lieutenant honoured. Instead he joined the 74-gun HMS  Berwick as a volunteer in 1779, under her captain, Keith Stewart . He was appointed lieutenant of HMS Union by Sir Charles Hardy , but

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3906-404: The focus of residential, commercial and industrial development. The establishment of the town of Parramatta and cultivation of the surrounding land, would have resulted in many Aboriginal sites being disturbed or destroyed without being recorded. To date only a relatively few Aboriginal sites have been recorded in the Parramatta local government area. It is believed the site of Prince Alfred Square

3999-466: The food chain and claim that the companies are trying to avoid the costs incurred in pollution cleanup. There are a number of sailing and yachting clubs on the River: Sailing and rowing take place under an aquatic licence granted annually by Roads and Maritime Services. There are Sea Scouts at: The river has a long historical association with rowing. There is a monument in honour of Henry Searle,

4092-440: The foreshore is still in the hands of industry and private individuals as residences, however there is an increasing amount of waterfront land available as foreshore reserve with walkways and cycleways. As former industrial sites undergo remediation and redevelopment, the foreshores are opened up for public access. Where there is no foreshore access, cycleways are routed through quiet residential streets with clearly marked sections of

4185-442: The form of rock shelters with deposits, open campsites, middens , axe-grinding groove sites, scarred trees , hand stencils and drawings. In pre-colonial times, Parramatta would have been very attractive to Aboriginal people as the landscape would have supported a wide variety of plant and animal life. The City of Parramatta is located on Parramatta River at what is effectively the head of Sydney Harbour . Permanent fresh water

4278-634: The gaol from 1804 - c.  1829 , including on 8 March 1804 three men identified as ringleaders in the Castle Hill convict rebellion (Battle of Vinegar Hill) - convicts Samuel Hughs, Samuel Humes and John Place, as well as free settler Charles Hill for his participation in the rebellion. Samuel Humes was also gibbeted, in which the body is hung in chains from the gallows as a deterrence to others. The factory continued to function until December 1807 when both factory and gaol were damaged by fire. The factory reopened in May 1809. The following decades included

4371-444: The globe. The voyage was made more difficult by leaky state of the ship, which rendered continual pumping necessary. Sirius was then refitted and sent to Norfolk Island with a large party of convicts, but was caught in a violent storm while anchored there. She was driven onto a coral reef and wrecked. A number of the crew returned to Port Jackson aboard the brig HMS  Supply , the remainder, including Hunter, waited for nearly

4464-625: The government to Lieutenant-Governor Philip Gidley King . When Hunter arrived he endeavoured to vindicate his character with the authorities but was given no opportunity. Hunter was obliged to state his case in a long pamphlet printed in 1802, Governor Hunter's Remarks on the Causes of the Colonial Expense of the Establishment of New South Wales. Hints for the Reduction of Such Expense and for Reforming

4557-581: The inclusion of an avenue of Canary Island palms ( Phoenix canariensis ), along the south-east/north-west diagonal pathway in 1918. In 1922 the War Memorial Foundation stone was laid. It was unveiled by Lord Forster , Governor General of Australia . In 1923 the Parramatta Soldiers' Memorial was completed, with a stone obelisk and platform base, to commemorate World War I and, eventually, other subsequent conflicts. In 1921 Parramatta City

4650-511: The information on the state of the river and its sediments and fish and assist in watershed management . Major wetlands include: There are significant stands of mangroves along the river west of Henley (on the river's northern shore) and Mortlake (on the river's southern shore) and in the Lane Cove River. The mangroves have actually colonised areas that were previously salt marsh. Research into historical drawings and writings indicates that

4743-401: The land known for many years as the "Gaol Green" was planted with trees by members of the 'tree planting committee' comprising Councillors and local school children. The Bunya pine ( Araucaria bidwillii ), pepper tree ( Schinus areira ), camphor laurels ( Cinnamomum camphora ) and Moreton Bay figs ( Ficus macrophylla ) seen today were probably planted at this time or soon after. By 1871,

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4836-422: The land should be measured for a reserve for the townspeople. It was authorised as a "village green" on 27 November 1837 and covered an area of more than three acres. Locals still referred to it as Gaol Green or Hanging Green. From 1836–39 Lennox Bridge was built nearby, linking Church Street north and south. In 1842 the new Parramatta Gaol opened and all prisoners are transferred from the old gaol. The land

4929-472: The lands, public stores, and convict labour. Hunter realised that these powers had to be restored to the civil administration, a difficult task. And in John Macarthur he had an opponent who would ruthlessly defend his commercial interests. Hunter found himself practically helpless. A stronger man might have sent the officers home under arrest, but had Hunter attempted to do so he likely would have precipitated

5022-470: The limit of tides. The whole of Sydney Harbour including its tributary rivers is subject to a long range Catchment Management Plan. The Government has almost eliminated local representation by eliminating the former local catchment management boards. The New South Wales Government has a documented policy in relation to access to the harbour and river foreshores, including public access to intertidal lands where landowners have absolute waterfronts but where

5115-529: The loss of her masts and guns. Hunter served as master of HMS  Intrepid in the East Indies between 1772 and 1775, after which he became master of HMS  Kent . The Kent was at this time commanded by Captain John Jervis, Hunter's companion from HMS Neptune . Jervis took Hunter with him to his next command, HMS  Foudroyant . Also serving aboard Foudroyant at this time was Evan Nepean , then

5208-460: The mangroves were far fewer at English colonisation. Council information panels in Glades Bay explain that the bay's now extensive mangrove stands would once have been open water, sandy beaches and outcrops of rock. Land clearing and development has allowed soil and various nutrients to be washed into the river. This has provided an ideal environment for mangroves to colonise. The excessive siltation of

5301-510: The navy as a captain's servant to Thomas Knackston on HMS Grampus in May 1754. In 1755 Hunter was enrolled as able seaman on HMS Centaur, became a midshipman and served on HMS  Union and then HMS  Neptune . While aboard Neptune he was present at the Raid on Rochefort in 1757, and afterwards served during cruises off Brest in 1758 and the capture of Quebec in 1759 . Serving aboard Neptune at this time as her first lieutenant

5394-424: The new Parramatta Gaol upon opening in 1842 and the gaol was subsequently demolished. It was authorised as a 'village green' for the people of Parramatta by Governor Bourke on 27 November 1837, and was referred to as the old Gaol Green or Hanging Green by local townspeople. A perimeter fence was subsequently erected and games such as cricket were played. The oldest plantings in the park include Moreton Bay figs,

5487-744: The northwest corner of Victoria Road and Marist Place, the Old King's School/Marsden Rehabilitation Centre (1836-1970s) and Murphy House (1904) on Marist Place to the south-west, and the Parramatta Riverside Theatres (1988) to the south on Market Street facing the river. The layout consists of a square divided by two diagonal paths formed into avenues by trees. The current style of the square is predominantly Federation, however there are some Victorian period elements and later twentieth century elements present. The two diagonal paths are paved with herringbone brick paving. The southeast-northwest path has

5580-426: The opening of Lake Parramatta in 2014. Thirteen councils sit within the Parramatta River catchment group and all have committed to tackling the two major polluters: sewer overflows and stormwater . There are River Cat services along the Parramatta River to Circular Quay . The main wharves, west–to–east are: The Parramatta River, along with Sydney Harbour, is the most significant waterway in Sydney. Since settlement,

5673-609: The order confirmed. His first appointment was to the 28-gun HMS  Carysfort for service in the West Indies. Hunter spent his time there making charts and plans of parts of the coast and of the Spanish fortifications at Havana , which he sent back to the Admiralty . Carysfort was nearly lost after running aground on Martyr Reef in the Gulf of Florida in 1771, while being sailed by a pilot , but Hunter's exertions allowed her to be saved with

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5766-404: The palisade fence," and throwing rocks at the trees, causing them - as well as innocent bystanders - serious injury. The fences were in a constant state of dilapidation but limited funds meant temporary repairs were favoured over replacements and when new fences were authorised, the contractor could not be compelled to finish the work in a timely manner. In 1882 The Anderson Fountain was erected as

5859-504: The perimeter wall, and was the domain of female convicts. The gaol and factory was completed in 1804. Poorly constructed of sandstone for the ground floor of the Gaol and timber upper floor for the Factory, with a sandstone perimeter wall. Sheds and subsidiary buildings used as work areas, particularly as "rope walks" for spinning flax rope. The second floor of the second gaol built at that location "

5952-464: The river and the harbour have presented a formidable barrier between the early–European settled southern Farm Cove precinct, to development north of the waterway. Together, Parramatta River and Port Jackson literally cut Sydney in half along its north–south axis. As a result, the many crossings are extremely important to the life of the city. From west–to–east, the crossings of the Parramatta River are located at: With adjacent water pipe bridge on

6045-475: The river is an ongoing problem. Many areas of the river, particularly the swampy heads of bays, have been reclaimed , often being used as rubbish dumps before being converted into playing fields. Large sections of Meadowbank Park were created in this manner. Some industrial sites were also reclaimed heavily from the river, particularly in Homebush Bay. Most creeks leading into the bays have been channelised (lined with concrete walls and floor). While some areas of

6138-498: The river with heavily contaminated sediments have not been remediated , there is significant remediation of sediments about to start in Homebush Bay. These include the dioxin contaminated sediments near the former Union Carbide plant and the lead contaminated sediments near the former Berger Paints plant. The former AGL site has been analysed, a remediation plan developed and approved, remediation completed and construction commenced on medium to high density residential development, but

6231-596: The road reserved for cyclists. Major foreshore parks include: Major heritage buildings, all listed on the Register of the National Estate , on or near the foreshore include: John Hunter (Royal Navy officer) Vice Admiral John Hunter (29 August 1737 – 13 March 1821) was an officer of the Royal Navy , who succeeded Arthur Phillip as the second Governor of New South Wales , serving from 1795 to 1800. Both

6324-471: The sediments, which independent research shows to be contaminated with pollutants from the AGL operations, have not yet had the investigation stage finalised (as of 2000 ). Other areas have had sediments covered with concrete to prevent the fish eating the benthos . Some of these companies claim that the contamination is best left alone, but environmentalists have argued that the contamination could be being passed up

6417-585: The ship until 1795. With Arthur Phillip's resignation from the governorship of New South Wales in July 1793, Hunter had applied for the position in October and was appointed governor in January 1794. Various delays occurred, and it was not until February 1795 that he was able to sail. Hunter arrived at Sydney on 7 September 1795 on HMS Reliance and took up the office of governor on 11 September 1795. Hunter's difficulties began before he arrived back in Sydney. Phillip left

6510-459: The ship's purser , but later a leading civil servant and First Secretary to the Admiralty . From Foudroyant Hunter was moved into HMS  Eagle in 1776, at the request of Admiral Lord Howe , who was then going out to North America as commander-in-chief of the fleet, with Eagle as his flagship . When the American Revolutionary War broke out, Hunter served under Howe for the duration of his time in command, acting virtually as master of

6603-435: The son of William Hunter, a captain in the merchant service, and Helen, née Drummond, daughter of J. Drummond and niece of George Drummond , several-time lord provost of Edinburgh . As a boy Hunter was sent to live with an uncle in the town of King's Lynn in Norfolk , where, and also at Edinburgh , he received the classical education of the time. Hunter was sent to the University of Edinburgh , but soon left it to join

6696-569: The southern side of the Harbour. Gavin Birch of the University of Sydney has published a number of papers which show that Sydney Harbour is as contaminated as most other harbours in industrialised cities, that the main sediment contamination is in the southern central embayments (Blackwattle to Homebush Bays), that there are five particularly contaminated areas of Sydney Harbour, and that four of them are in

6789-494: The square has been managed by Parramatta City Council . Alfred Square was a vibrant community space that hosted a wide range of local events. In the 1880s, for example, events included open-air moonlight and afternoon concerts, a "great...go-as-you-please" 48-hour tournament in a "monster marquee" capable of holding 3,000 people and "brilliantly illuminated each evening," as well as a "Words of Grace Tent" where locals could attend evangelistic services. In late 1889, council discussed

6882-471: The time in a penitentiary". His service as Governor was ultimately recognised through the grant of an annual pension of £300, approved by then-Prime Minister Henry Addington in October 1802. Hunter continued his interest in Australia long after he left it, and the suggested reforms in his pamphlet were of much value. When the platypus was first seen by Europeans in 1798, a pelt and sketch were sent back to

6975-481: The time of European settlement, is thought to have been the territorial lands of the Burramattagal (also spelt Boromedegal, Boora me di-gal, Booramedegal and Burramedigal). The Burramattagal appear to have belonged to a larger cultural group that extended across western Sydney , although exact language group affilitations of pre-contact groups in the Parramatta region is open to some debate. Much of our knowledge about

7068-493: The traditional life style of Aboriginal people living in the Parramatta CBD area is reliant on archaeological investigation, as the Burramatta People (as a distinct population group) disappeared very soon after European settlement of the area. European settlers, attracted to Parramatta for its fertile soils and its suitability for water transport, began arriving in the region in the late 18th Century. Parramatta quickly became

7161-444: The waterfront is exposed at low tide. Moorings and jetties are the responsibility of Transport for NSW , who are also responsible for the management of the Harbour and river seabed. Many bays contain swing moorings, mostly privately owned, but some associated with commercial marinas. Along the Parramatta River many hands have made lighter work, in the community-wide effort to make the entire river swimmable again by 2025 , starting with

7254-701: Was John Jervis , later Earl of St Vincent and First Sea Lord, who became an acquaintance of Hunter. Hunter spent the rest of the Seven Years' War as midshipman on several of Admiral Philip Durell 's flagships, serving aboard HMS Royal Anne , HMS  Princess Amelia and the 100-gun HMS  Royal George , the latter in the Bay of Biscay until the Treaty of Paris ended the war in 1763. Hunter passed examinations and qualified for promotion to lieutenant in February 1760. (He

7347-519: Was a Burramatta women's site. This area is indicated as the site of Governor Phillip 's government farm "Land in Cultivation" on a plan of Parramatta c. 1790. The Government Farm was run by superintendent Henry Dodd, and produced some of the first successful crops in the colony. It is uncertain how long this portion of land remained under cultivation before it was chosen as the site of Parramtta's permanent gaol in 1802. In 1796, Governor John Hunter

7440-462: Was a modest variant of an army barrack; a symmetrical plan with a central transverse corridor and wards to the left and right and cells at both ends with external access. The rear wall of the gaol formed part of the perimeter wall so there was no external access. The construction of the gaol was the responsibility of Rev Samuel Marsden . Of all the early ashlar stone buildings in NSW, the second Parramatta Gaol

7533-559: Was advanced to first lieutenant by the time she took part in the relief of Gibraltar and the Battle of Cape Spartel . Following these engagements Hunter was appointed to his first command, that of the 14-gun sloop Marquis de Seignelay , on 12 November 1782. When the preparation of the First Fleet was in progress, Lord Howe, by then first lord of the admiralty , arranged for Hunter to be promoted to post captain on 15 December 1786, and appointed to command HMS  Sirius . The fleet

7626-579: Was allociated a 105mm field gun by the Commonwealth War Trophies Committee. This was placed in Prince Alfred Park some time later although not near the War Memorial. A single photograph from 1933 shows the gun in the north-western quarter of the park towards a large Moreton Bay fig tree and the Anderson fountain. The gun has since been relocated although its whereabouts are not known. The second, south-west/north-east diagonal avenue

7719-637: Was available in the river upstream of the tidal limit and fresh water would also have been available from creeks and surface waterholes, in more clayey parts of the sand terrace. Aboriginal people living in this location would have had access to freshwater and saltwater food resources such as: ducks, eels, shellfish, crayfish, fish and turtles. Terrestrial resources in the Parramatta area included woodland and grassland mammals such as: kangaroos, possums and flying foxes. The grassy woodlands would also have provided access to smaller animals and insects and to native fruits, berries, seeds, yams and roots. Parramatta CBD, at

7812-455: Was committed to building much-wanted gaols in Sydney and Parramatta. Lack of masons and the need for urgent action convinced him to build in double log and thatch and he issued a "General Order" which required every settler and householder to furnish and deliver "ten logs weekly each". The first formal gaol in Parramatta was in George Street was probably complete by May 1797. The construction of

7905-437: Was levelled and fenced but complaints were made in 1853 that this ground which was set aside as a promenade was being used as a rubbish dump. The difficulty of maintaining and developing communal spaces was soon to be improved by the introduction of the new Municipalities Act 1858, which localised government and gave the subsequent council the authority to allocate funds to improve community services and spaces. On 27 November 1861,

7998-505: Was not, however, appointed lieutenant until 1780.) Hunter remained active in the navy during the years of peace, going out to Newfoundland aboard the frigate HMS  Tweed and then serving as master's mate aboard HMS Launceston during her time in North America in 1767 with the fleet under Commodore Samuel Hood . Hood gave Hunter an acting-order as master in 1768, and after passing his exams with Trinity House in 1769, Hunter had

8091-467: Was placed made it very difficult for him to be completely successful as a governor. As his successor Philip Gidley King said, his conduct was "guided by the most upright intentions", and he was "most shamefully deceived by those on whom he had every reason to depend for assistance, information, and advice." Of his sojourn in the colony Hunter said that he "could not have had less comfort, although he would certainly have had greater peace of mind, had he spent

8184-555: Was planted by the international founders of Rotary Club, Paul and Jean Harris, on the occasion of their visit to Parramatta. In the 1930s a Bills horse trough was installed on the Victoria Road side of Prince Alfred Park. George and Annis Bills were animal welfare philanthropists. Upon the death of George Bills in 1927 a trust fund was set up to build and distribute horse troughs throughout NSW and Victoria to provide relief for working horses. During World War II Prince Alfred Park

8277-432: Was planted with brush box ( Lophostemon confertus ) and jacaranda ( Jacaranda mimosifolia ), along with other later tree plantings such as lemon scented gum ( Corymbia citriodora ), camphor laurel ( Cinnamomum camphora ), Yatay palms ( Butia capitata ) and firewheel trees ( Stenocarpus sinuatus ) being added c.  1930 s-50s. In April 1935, acommemorative Illawarra flame tree ( Brachychiton acerifolius )

8370-459: Was probably the one that deteriorated the most rapidly and required the most frequent repair and reconstruction. At some time during construction, Governor King decided to add a "linen and woollen manufactory" to the gaol. The layout of the complex consisted of two functionally separate precincts; gaol to the south and factory to the north. Access to the second floor factory was via a yard that also contained auxiliary workrooms and sheds set against

8463-564: Was re-purposed as an Information Bureau in the 1970s. The building was demolished in the 1990s. The square has been known by many names - Village Green, Hanging Green, Gaol Green, Alfred Square. During the twentieth century the preferred name was Prince Alfred Park. 2014 the name of the park was officially changed through the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales to Prince Alfred Square. For all its superficial changes, Prince Alfred Square has retained its fundamental function as

8556-493: Was the site of community air raid shelters cut in a zig-zag pattern on the southern side of the south-east/north-west diagonal pathway. In 1954 The Gollan Memorial Clock Tower was erected by the citizens of Parramatta in appreciation of the services of George Gollan , the Parramatta member of the Legislative Assembly 1932-1953. In 1956 Parramatta Children's Library was constructed on southern side (facing Market St). It

8649-539: Was under the overall command of Commodore Arthur Phillip who was going out to find and be governor of the new colony of New South Wales . Hunter carried a dormant commission as successor to Phillip if he should have died or was absent. The expedition arrived in Port Jackson in January 1788. Hunter led an expedition to explore the Parramatta River early in 1788. This expedition explored and made soundings as far as Iron Cove , Five Dock Bay and Hen and Chicken Bay on

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