Writing
Building Bathurst is a biographical survey of those architects and builders who built Bathurst and much of Central New South Wales. The period covered is from 1815 when the city, the oldest inland European settlement in Australia, was founded, to the end of WWI. This extensive compendium details the contribution made by the major figures who lived in Bathurst, but spread their influence by working across much of NSW.
The two-volume 844 page book is lavishly illustrated with 1,172 photographs comprising historic images and architects’ original drawings, many of which have not been seen before. These are supplemented by my own photographs, measured drawings and artworks dating back to the mid 1960s, some featuring buildings long since demolished.
This book would never have happened without the support of the following people: my many sponsors too numerous to list; the management and staff of joint publisher, Bathurst Regional Council; Bathurst District Historical Society; Bathurst Family History Group; copy editor John Payne; graphic designer Tony O’Neill and, finally, my wife, Mona, for her unconditional support during the five years it took to write the book. To all the above, and many others, a great debt is owing.
The book is AUD$275 including GST. P&H is extra. It can be purchased from Bathurst Regional Council, ph. 02 6333 6111; Books Plus, Bathurst; Bathurst Visitor Information Centre; Bathurst Regional Art Gallery and City Library, and from Graham Lupp, graham@grahamlupp.art
'Logan Brae' 1875, for John Busby. Drawing by architect Edward Gell. Sisters of Mercy archives
City Bank, Bathurst, 1894–96. Architect James Hine. Photo: G. Lupp
St Stanislaus' College, 1871–1907. Architects Edward Gell and John Copeman. Photo: G. Lupp
Bark hut at Gallymont, NSW, c1910. Photo: Evan Lumme M1738, BDHS collection
All Saints' Cathedral, Bathurst. Benjamin Backhouse alterations 1873–75. Photo: W.H. Jones, BDHS collection
Soldiers' Memorial, Bathurst, 1910. John Copeman architect. Measured drawing G. Lupp
REVIEWS
Stephen Sinn
– October 22, 2018
‘Building Bathurst’ has been my breakfast companion for some time now. I am a newcomer to Bathurst and this book has made me “see” the buildings instead of just driving or walking past them. I now recognise their distinctiveness, the period they were built , the honest toil and humble pride that went into them. The town has come to life for me. The two volumes are wonderfully illustrated and great value. I leave them out on a table in my dining room for people to dip into.
John Van der Have – June 21, 2019
It is rare that an artist puts painting aside in order to write. Graham Lupp took five years out of his career as a painter to write this history of the architecture of his home town – Bathurst.
This two-volume book is a history of Bathurst and the surrounding Central West region of New South Wales, told through its buildings and those who designed and constructed them. The book is profusely illustrated with a combination of historical photographs, and also more recent photographs, paintings and drawings.
Most of the more recent photographs were taken by the author, reflecting an artistic eye, to portray the buildings and places described in his commentary. Many reproductions of Lupp’s paintings and drawings in oils, charcoal and pastel similarly illustrate the text. These two tomes are clearly a labour of love. A lifetime spent in Bathurst (with periodic interludes abroad) is reflected in these pages. John Van der Have, Architect.
Faulconbridge NSW