Brush Farm House - Ryde

 

George Blaxland purchased the Brush Farm Estate in 1807. Brush Farm House was built in 1820s. This is one of Australia's oldest houses and the most substantial surviving homes from the Macquarie period. Brush Farm House is of National importance as it stands on part of a grant made to Zadoc Petit of 25 acres in 1794.

Originally 25 acres was granted to Zadoc Petit in 1794. Then the land was sold along with other surrounding grants to William Cox. In 1807, William Cox sold the estate to Gregory Blaxland.  Brush Farm House was built by Gregory Blaxland 1820s.

In 1904 the State Government resumed the site and used it as a boy’s reformatory. Later this house was used as a girls institution until 1913. Brush Farm continued as an institution for mothers and their babies until 1988. After that the property was transferred to the Department of Corrective Services as a training academy. With the help of the State Government grant, Ryde Council purchased the house and 1.2 ha of land in 1990. The house and building was restored with the huge contribution from Corrective Services NSW. At present the ground floor is available for public use and there is a long term lease of the second floor rooms by Department of Corrective Services.

Corrective Services NSW have invested over four million dollars since 2001 on accommodation, parking and bistro facilities upgrade at Brush Farm. In 2010 Brush Farm Corrective services Academy have celebrated their 20thAnniversary. Over the years the Corrective Services Academy has become an important link to Australia’s convict past and also the future of corrections in NSW.