While Australia’s mainland colonies experienced a severe economic depression in the 1840s, Tasmania remained prosperous owing to unpaid convict labour and industries such as wool production and whaling. Runnymede represents Tasmania’s golden age. This Regency marine villa was built by lawyer Robert Pitcairn and Dorothea Pitcairn c1836-1840 and extended by Tasmania’s first Anglican Bishop, Francis Russell Nixon who resided there between 1850 and 1862. Captain Charles Bayley then acquired the house and named it Runnymede after his favourite whaling ship. The Bayley and Bayley families resided in the house for over a century. Runnymede boasts important original furnishings, scrimshaw and an original 19th century villa garden. Runnymede is a property of the National Trust of Australia (Tasmania).
Date: Friday 24 November
Time: 6pm for Christmas Drinks
5pm: Optional guided tour of Runnymede’s scrimshaw and Australiana collections with Colin Thomas, Gemma Webberley and Scott Carlin
Place: Runnymede, 61 Bay Road, New Town, Tasmania
Cost: $60.00 includes wine and nibbles
Payment: Electronic transfer to Australiana Society Westpac account
BSB 032-095 Acc 143464 or by cheque to
PO Box 2335, Bondi Junction NSW 1355
Please remember to identify the event and your name with your payment and also RSVP below to Anne so we can be sure of numbers.
RSVP/enquiries: Anne Edwards, Secretary, Australiana Society – Tasmanian Branch: anne.edwards7162@gmail.com