“Who was George Collingridge?” you might ask, standing here at Collingridge Reserve Plaque. Let’s uncover the story of this remarkable man. He was more than just a name on a plaque.
The Collingridge Reserve Plaque commemorates George Collingridge. He was a man of diverse talents and passions. Born in Oxfordshire, England, on October 29, 1847, George Collingridge’s journey eventually led him to Australia. He arrived in January 1879 and made Hornsby Shire his home from 1880 until his death in 1931.
Collingridge’s life was a tapestry of art, history, and adventure. Trained as an artist in Paris, he later migrated to Australia. With his brother Arthur, he co-founded the Royal Art Society of New South Wales in 1880. At the Garden Palace in Sydney, George showcased ten of his paintings during the Society’s inaugural exhibition.
He was also one of Europe’s leading wood engravers. In 1878, he received a commission to travel to Spain and illustrate the wedding festivities of King Alfonso XII. Interestingly, in 1879 he became the first artist to exhibit paintings of Berowra Creek.
But Collingridge’s interests extended far beyond art. He possessed a keen intellect and a thirst for knowledge. He excelled as a linguist, historian, and cartographer. His greatest passion was research on Australian maritime discovery.
In 1880, Collingridge acquired 88 acres of land on the bend of Berowra Creek. This area later became Collingridge Point. His stone cottage, “Capo di Monte,” still stands as a testament to his presence. Later in his life, he moved to Hornsby. There, his stone cottage “Jave-la-Grande” is now a non-denominational chapel within the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital grounds. His final home was “Nerola” on Balmoral Street in Hornsby.
Collingridge’s contributions extended to education as well. In 1905, he began teaching classes at Hornsby Technical College. He also served as an art teacher at Barker College from its foundation until 1930.
As an author, Collingridge is best known for his book, “The Discovery of Australia,” published in 1888. He even launched Hornsby’s first newspaper, “The Progress,” in 1894. Before his artistic endeavors, he fought against Garibaldi’s forces from 1867 to 1869. He received decorations like the Cross of St. Gregory, Bene Merenti medal, and the Mentana Cross.
Collingridge envisioned a thriving artistic community near Collingridge Point. He tirelessly campaigned to develop the area. He corrected a four-mile omission of foreshore from existing maps of Berowra Creek. In 1882, he petitioned for a postal service to Berowra via Hornsby. He successfully advocated for a railway station at Berowra in 1886. He even secured a road from Berowra station to Berowra Waters in 1888. He was also the first artist to paint the Hawkesbury River.
So, as you stand before this Collingridge Reserve Plaque, remember George Collingridge. He was a multifaceted man who left an indelible mark on Hornsby Shire and beyond. His legacy lives on through his art, writings, and contributions to the community.