Goulburn Valley farmer and history aficionado Evan Lloyd will present the Biennial Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture next month.
The presentation will be based on the contributions of John Augustus Kenny Clarke, an architect who had a hand in building some of Shepparton’s most iconic buildings — including the home Mr Lloyd grew up in.
“I am proud to have been asked to present the Bruce Wilson Memorial Lecture this year, to discuss the career of an architect whose buildings remain a major aspect of Greater Shepparton,” Mr Lloyd said.
St Brendan’s Primary School, the grandstand at the Shepparton Showgrounds and Ambermere Hospital in Orr St are among Mr Clarke’s designs, along with a number of houses in Corio St.
However, a number of Mr Clarke’s buildings have since been demolished.
“Growing up in a Clarke house has given me a passion for his work and his wider contribution to our district, and I hope to share this knowledge with the community during the lecture,” Mr Lloyd said.
Mr Lloyd moved to the ‘Fairley Downs’ homestead when he was 11 years old, and he described the 1906 Bunbartha home as a “wonderful place to grow up”.
Along with its own small cemetery and the Goulburn River at its doorstep, the property also has an 1840s slab hut owned by Sherbourne Sheppard — the man Shepparton is named after.
The rich history of the building led the way to Mr Lloyd’s future studies in architecture and cultural heritage management.
On returning to the Clarke-designed family home he was raised in 24 years ago to manage the farm, Mr Lloyd now sees it as one of his roles to protect its history and others like it.
This year’s event marks the fourth in Greater Shepparton City Council’s biennial heritage lecture series, named in honour of former mayor and inaugural chair of council’s Heritage Advisory Committee, Bruce Wilson.
The lecture will take place at the Senior Citizens’ Centre at 132 Welsford St, Shepparton on Wednesday, August 10.
There will be two sessions, one at 1pm and another at 6pm that will be livestreamed via council’s website.
To attend either lecture in person, contact council’s Building, Planning and Compliance Department via email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au (attention: Planning and Building Support) or phone 5832 9700.