NRS-16590 | Government House expenditure

Alterations and renovations were recommended for Government House; including air-conditioning, accommodation, power supply, fire prevention, kitchens, toilets, fences, pathways, external intruder detector wiring, electrical facilities, roof guttering and painting, tennis courts, security fences, Public Works Department costs, contingency costs, fountains, drainage around Tennis Courts, plus Stone and Painted Coat of Arms. A Sydney Eastside Meeting; representing numerous councils, hospitals, museums, gardens, banks, and churches, with two sub-committees formed from the Planning Forum to examine Legal Identity and Lobbying, with Rob Joyner nominated as Acting Chair for the formation meeting by the Steering Group with a draft Mission Statement adopted, 4 objectives covering Marketing Position, Physical Identity, Events and Promotion Programs, Consultative and precinct members, with 3 working groups and 1 management group to be established, with the management group consisting of the steering group nominated to continue in the co-ordinating role, and the working group consisting of the Marketing Group, the Physical Identity Group, and the Events Group.An inventory for Government House recommended an insurance value for improvements to the house and its contents, including internal finishes, plaster rendered walls, ground floor accommodation, house extensions and caretakers residence, secretary's residence, office and gatehouse, garage, villa, security room, covered walkway, public works lunch room, gardeners potting shed, sundry buildings and recreational facilities, ground improvements, and with a telephone system installed by Telecom Australia to Government House, listing proposed prices for a new PABX connection, including prices for supply, equipment, installation and maintenance. Purchases of crystal glassware for use at State occasions, with the recommended supplier Royal Doulton;, supplying 75 goblet, 75 red table wine, 75 white table wine, 75 sherry, and 110 flute champagne glasses, with a security proposal issued for a large variety of names, including governors, chauffeurs, building managers, housekeepers, cleaners, gatekeepers, butlers, footmen, housemaids, kitchen maids, chefs, gardeners, horticultural apprentices, clerical officers, secretaries, Aide-de-Camp officers, Public Works Department, and with a specification of work to be done and materials to be used for Government Security, listing special conditions and schedules to be assigned to the Department of Public Works and the Government Architect's Branch. Several Government House purchases were made, including several paintings and Victorian antique vases, but Mr Gary Appelhof returned a forged work of art to the Artarmon Galleries as he considered the etching in a frame was simply a photocopy and the original had been removed. (1)Mr Savage, a caretaker at Hillview; Sutton Forest, enclosed several petty cash receipts as he had insufficient funds to pay them, and requested an additional $5 for shoeing and advertisements in the local paper, plus another $5 as he has more accounts to pay and it will soon be time to get the horse shod again. Additional expenditure accounts, including bank fees and charges, freight and courier charges, assorted wines, spirits, and beers, soft drinks, books, food and household needs, account fees, catering, coffee lounges, hotels and in-house expenditure, telephone services, chocolates and bakeries, seafoods and meats, Historic Houses and Probus Clubs, plus laundries, buffets, and herb supplies.In 1992/93 a Capital Works Programme for Government House was organised with a Works Action Meeting listing major and minor works to be completed, including a horticultural work program for Government House to be carried out by the Royal Botanic Gardens staff, several main entrance driveways to Government House, Government House functions, problems with the swimming pool, road reconstruction and re-sheeting including drainage, conduit, edging and horticultural aspects, painting work, restoration of main entry doors, capital works proposals, conservation study and asset management plan. In 1996 Mr Appelhof moved to Petersham after being made redundant and losing his job as Building Manager at Government House following changes by the Governor, with Kent Relocations recommended as their fees were the lowest at $291, with him being assisted with the expenses involved in moving from Government House to Petersham.On 4 March 1996, the Office of the Governor was relocated to the Chief Secretary's Building on the corner of Macquarie and Bridge Streets. (2)Endnotes 1. Government House Expenditure, 25/6/1936; 1/8/1998. 2. Government House Expenditure (2), 25/6/1936, 1/8/1998