The Friends of Linnwood
The Friends of Linnwood Inc formed in 2002 after a community led campaign was successful in saving the Linnwood Estate from being sold and redeveloped. The Friends hold regular Open Days to raise money for continued restoration and conservation work on the house. The Friends are all volunteers, working together to promote Linnwood throughout the local and wider community.
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THE LAND CLAIM HAS BEEN SETTLED OUT OF COURT
OUR ONLINE PETITION IS STILL 'LIVE' AT :
https://www.change.org/p/save-linnwood-estate-under-threat-of-being-subdivided
ANY QUESTIONS? Contact us at: friendsoflinnwood@gmail.com
THE RESULT OF THE COURT CASE..............
The legal jargon for the outcome is as follows:
1. The appeal be upheld in relation to the whole of the 'Back Subject Area' identified by the red hatched area on the left-hand side of the diagram below:
2. The Respondent do all things necessary to transfer that part of Lot 1 Deposited Plan 169485 (now known as Lot 50 in Deposited Plan 1322629) described in Order 1 within 6 months of the date of the Court's orders, or at such other time as agreed in writing between the parties;
3. The appeal in relation to the whole of the 'Front Subject Area' identified by the red hatched area on the right-hand side of the diagram at Order 1 be discontinued.
This is not the decision we were hoping for, but it is better than it could have been, so we need to accept it and 'carry on' as best we can, and make the relevant adjustments to ensure that all of our events can still go ahead.
You might notice that there is a yellow line at the rear of the property and that line shows the rear of the Linnwood Estate. (See diagram above)
The land from that yellow line to the Tamplin Road frontage is a separate lot and is the subject of a separate claim which the Land Council will need to win, to be able to gain access to the hatched 'Back Subject Area' from Tamplin Road in the future. We have not heard when that claim will go to court.
Hoping that our members and supporters, will continue to attend our events, perhaps volunteer in the house or the gardens or just continue to turn up to our events and ensure that Linnwood is there for the local and wider community to enjoy in the years ahead.
Thank you all for your support,
Friends of Linnwood Inc.
If interested or have any queries, please contact us by email at:
friendsoflinnwood@gmail.com
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Part of Linnwood's State Heritage Listing on the NSW Heritage Office website:
Statement of Significance (copied in part)
https://www.hms.heritage.nsw.gov.au/App/Item/ViewItem...
Linnwood, including its associated buildings and landscape, is of state significance as a welfare site that was in operation and use for over 80 years. Since 1917, the site was continually adapted and developed specifically for various welfare uses such as housing and educating state wards. Of particular significance is the use of Linnwood as the first and only Truant School that was in existence in NSW between 1917 and 1936 and was later used by the Department of Welfare as a Girls Home Science Domestic School for state wards.
Linnwood is also significant as an example of a prominent and wealthy city businessman's country retreat that was constructed on a large estate beyond the then outskirts of Sydney. The size and fine detail of this late Victorian residence demonstrates the wealth, aspirations and lifestyle of this class in society.
Specifically, Linnwood is in part representative of its original designer and occupier George McCredie. George McCredie was prominent for a time in the local community through his involvement in the political arena and in community activities. On a broader level George McCredie is known historically for his role in conducting the cleansing of The Rocks following the outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1900, and the building activities of his family firm A.L. & G. McCredie and Sons. The remnant of Linwood estate can still demonstrate by its scale within its urban setting the former extent of the land holdings of Susan McCredie, who was also a prominent local figure in her own right. (City Plan and Heritage Office)
*** OTHER NEWS***
Dear Friends,
We are taking bookings for Group Tours, so if you have a group of friends (minimum 15 people), or belong to a community group (Probus, Historical Society, Church Group etc.) who would like to visit in 2025, please contact us.
Cost is $15.00 per person and includes Devonshire Tea, presentation on the history of Linnwood and tour through the house.
Payment by Card or Cash.
We hope to see you at Linnwood in the near future.
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OUR NEXT EVENT:
Open Day - Sunday 13th September 2026 - The house is open from 10.00am-3.00pm.
Grounds open earlier
Address: 25 Byron Road, Guildford NSW 2161
