As a result of the current works, it is a great delight to see the main state rooms, including the dining room, reception, study and bedroom looking so well. The voice and data cabling in the main house has been replaced and the transformation of the gardens in our term is quite remarkable, with a good plan in place for their continuing improvement.
The landscape projects include the pergola, water tank paving, main drive bookleaf wall installation, the summer house and upgraded pathways. Air conditioning is soon to follow.
In all, the complete establishment of house and grounds is now brought to a level of beauty and excellence, which not only reflects great credit on all here today, but also makes me very proud to pass it on to Her Excellency Quentin Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce in a few months’ time.
I thank the many experts, craftsmen and women, and gardening staff who have brought these improvements about and Matthew McDonald, the Custodian and the staff here who have overseen and managed the transformation.
In particular, I should like to make a special mention of: George Phillips of Tanner Architects; Matthew Taylor of Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects; Ignite, who replaced the communications equipment; Peter Carlino and the team from Sydney Building Projects; Peyton Butler, our Property and Services Manager; and Lee, David, Michael and Norm – our gardeners.
Well done to you all and thank you from Marlena and me.