Bidura

Hidden amidst the bustling energy of Glebe Point Road stands Bidura, a place etched with tales of both elegance and sorrow. Bidura began its life in 1860, not as a children’s home or court, but as the private residence of renowned architect Edmund Blacket. He designed the two-story Victorian Regency house himself. Can you imagine Blacket, after a long day working on the University of Sydney, navigating the dense bush that then surrounded his home? He even needed escorts to guide him safely through the thick timber. Bidura, sketched by his daughter Edith and affectionately labeled “Our House,” was a haven for the Blacket family. However, tragedy struck in 1870 with the death of Blacket’s wife, Sarah, prompting him to sell the property. Bidura then entered a new chapter, transforming into a place of both hope and hardship. In 1920, the NSW government acquired Bidura, establishing it as a receiving home for wards of the state. Imagine children arriving at Bidura, scared and uncertain, after being separated from their families. This became the entry point for many Forgotten Australians and Stolen Generations, marking the start of their time in “care.” Bidura’s role expanded to include a remand facility, housing children awaiting trial. The very walls we stand before witnessed the merging of child welfare and juvenile justice. Later, a separate building was erected on the site to house the Metropolitan Girls’ Shelter, yet both operated under the same administration. Bidura’s legacy is complex. While it served as a central hub for child welfare, it also became known for alleged cruelty and abuse, a painful history recognized in the Forgotten Australians’ report of 2004. The building itself echoes these shifts in purpose. The layout changed over the years, reflecting evolving philosophies in child care, from open dormitories to individual rooms. Even the ballroom was repurposed as a school. Bidura finally closed its doors as a residential facility in 1977. The building, restored by the NSW Department of Public Works, now offers a quiet presence on Glebe Point Road. It serves as a stark reminder of its layered past. The echoes of children’s laughter and tears mingle with the elegance of Blacket’s original design. Bidura stands as a testament to the enduring power of place, a place where history whispers from every corner.