Sunnybrae Farm
From Enfield Historical Society
History of Sunnybrae Farm
The 1.8 hectares (4.5 acres) of Sunnybrae Farm is a small portion of land originally called Tam O'Shanter Belt. In 1870 the Government established the Islington Sewage Farm, the first waterborne sewerage system in the Southern hemisphere. The area extended from Regency Rd to Grand Junction Rd and Days Rd to the railway. A major portion of the land was purchased from Richard Day, whose farm was located on the present Regency Park Golf Course. Existing buildings date from the 1880s and were purpose built for the farm which was closed in 1966, when the Bolivar Sewage Treatment Works became operational. Between 1975 - 81 the area was subdivided for light industry and renamed Regency Park.
Sunnybrae was heritage listed and transferred to Enfield Council in 1981 who, with assistance from State & Bicentennial grants, carried out restoration of the buildings.
Sunnybrae is leased to Mr. Louie Simola who has established it as attractive Sunnybrae Function Centre offering a wide variety of venues for weddings, seminars, conferences and events.
Sunnybrae Tour
Cow Shed (The Coach House): Was built in 1882 and restored in 1987. Used 1882 - 84 for milking, then general purposes and mechanical shearing from 1925. This building was served by a tramway during this time. It is currently used for large weddings, functions and conferences.
The Terrace and Pavillion<span style="color: #000080" />: Built in 1999 due to growing demand and used for a variety of functions.
The Smokehouse: Was built in 1885 and restored in 1993. The Smokehouse was used for smoking ham, bacon and other products until the 1950s, when it was used as a pigeon loft
Piggeries (Aviary): Was built in 1883 and restored in 1993. Only a small portion is in existence now, which is used as an aviary, housing a variety of colourful birds.
Palm Garden: To be established in 2009 and promising to be a popular wedding "oasis".
Rose Garden: Established by Enfield Council in 1986 and patterned on an 1880s English Garden. Garden includes old world roses that were 2 years old when planted and specially grown by Walter Duncan at Watervale. In season the Arbour is covered with dense hanging wisteria.
Manager's Residence and Dairymen's Quarters: The name of the residence was Sunnybrae and was built in 1883 and restored in 1993. Sunnybrae was constructed around a central courtyard (The Atrium). On entering, the Manager's Residence is on the left, now used as offices. To the right is the original Dairymen's dining room (now Richard Day Room), the adjacent long room was their bunk room (now the Heritage Room).
Pepper Tree Gazebo: Was built in 2001. This is a favoured wedding venue containing fountains, a stream and a rockery with shady pepper trees and a selection of the Society's old farm carts.
Sunnybrae Farm Federation Pavilion: The Society had the specifically designed and built in 2001, with assistance from a $28,041 Commonwealth Federation Fund grant, plus $8,000 of Society funds. It echoes the form of buildings 100 years ago, using present day materials and construction methods. Displays are in the covered front section, with the workshop and volunteer's kitchen in the rear enclosed area.
Stables and Harness Room: Was built in 1883 and restored in 1992. Horses were stable in the front with harnesses stored at the rear. The tramway served this building. Society displays are in the front covered section with ploughs in the adjacent garden area. The Function Centre now uses the rear section for offices. A tramway trolley, called a dobbin, and used in the construction of the farm, is on display at the front of the stables.
Giant Flywheel and No1 Compressor: Probably built in 1900 and operated 1924-84 at the Metropolitan Abattoirs, Gepps Cross. It compressed ammonia gas, generating refrigeration for freezing and chilling meat products. The Flywheel is 6 meters (20 feet) in diameter, weighing 15 tonnes, with the Compressor weighing 17 tonnes. These mammoths of a bygone era were donated to the society in 1997 by Management of SAMCOR. They were then erected on site, free of charge, by Mr Louie Semola. A grant of $5 000 from the Enfield Council and $1 000 from the Society assisted with costs and materials. The Society purchased the paint and three Society member spent approximately 1 000 hours preparing and painting the display.
Cheese Room and Cellars: Was built in 1882 and restored in 1992. From 1882-84 this was used for making cheese, after 1984 the primary purpose was mainly as a fodder store and workshop. This area is now used for seminars, conferences, and other events.
Breezeway: Originally both ends were open with the farm's tramway running between the two buildings. The trolleys were pushed by farmhands and used for general cartage. The Breezeway is now used as a pleasant refreshment area for seminars, and entertaining by the Society.
Machinery Shed (Enfield Heritage Museum): Was built in 1882 and restored in 1992. This shed housed machinery used to work the farm. Exhibits of great interest are now displayed here, representing a cross section of life from the late 1880s to more recent times.
The Palm Garden was established in 2007 and is also a popular wedding area.
