OBSERVATORY HILL
Introduction
Located in Sydney, Observatory Hill is one of the oldest sites which dates back to 1796. During its inception, it served the purpose of being a windmill site in the colonial period. Up until today, remains of what existed in the past are still present. They serve as historical artifacts to the past and signifies some historical developments in Sydney.
Historical Development of the Observatory Hill
The Observatory hill became known as the Windmill Hill in its inception. In 1804, a signal station was established in the are and named Fort Philip. As the years went by, Sydney Observatory was built, and it became a site attraction. The primary purpose of Sydney Observatory was astronomy and navigation among other signal purposes (“History of Observatory Park – City of Sydney”, 2020). This is because it was strategically located and people on the hill had an excellent view of ships docking in the Sydney harbour. When it was converted to be a signal point, the station served as a time ball. At 1.00 pm, the bell in the station would sound a message to the people and give the correct time. The design of this station is credited to Alexander Dawson. In 1877, an additional wing was built to accommodate a library and offices and more space for telescopes. When Australia transitioned to a federated state in 1901, the responsibility of meteorology changed to the Commonwealth government. Nonetheless, the Observatory station retained its role. It continued providing crucial information to the people and giving informed opinions to newspapers and news outlets on the environment. In 1982, the station was changed to a museum. (Bhathal 2009).
Description of The Observatory Hill
The Observatory hill is home to several structures. When you get to the site, the first thing that amazes your eyes is the beautiful Moreton Bay trees. From the site, the harbour is easily visible. The buildings, albeit old, are breathtaking and a sight to behold. One can only imagine the architectural commitment that was incorporated in this landmark. There are structures of Fort Philip. Cannons and walls are still on site. The signal station is still present. The mast still stands, and the building which was home to the station still stands gracefully. The time ball is still in place, and one can see this structure clearly from the harbour. There is also a beautiful structure called the Rotunda, which was more of a musical point. From this point, there is an amazing scene of the harbour. There is also a war memorial.
How this landmark represents the Australian Identity
This heritage is essential to the Australian identity because it highlights the prosperity in its environment. It was built at a time when high rise buildings were not prevalent. Therefore, this observatory centre brought public prominence. Additionally, the meteorological station was a place of information dissemination to the public (Watson & Couch, 2017). It improved public consciousness. The war memorial is a stark remembrance of the people who fought for Australia’s liberty. Therefore, all these aspects are responsible for the development of the Australian identity in one way or another. When people visit the site and enjoy the scenic views, they sit back and recount on their history.
References
History of Observatory Park – City of Sydney. (2020). Retrieved 4 June 2020, from https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/archives-history/sydneys-history/people-and-places/park-histories/observatory-park
Ragbir Bhathal, 150 years of Sydney Observatory, Astronomy & Geophysics, Volume 50, Issue 3, June 2009, Pages 3.26–3.30, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-4004.2009.50326.x
Watson, F., & Couch, W. (2017). Astronomy in Australia. The Messenger, 170, 2-8.