Yasmar opens its doors to the community

The Department of Primary Industries is encouraging the community to visit Yasmar Reserve in Haberfield on Saturday 28 July and see for themselves one of the last remaining 19th century villa style estates left in Sydney’s inner west.

“Yasmar” (Ramsay spelt backwards) holds an important place in the history of Sydney’s inner west, having been the stately home of the Ramsay, Learmonth and Grace families, an army camp, children’s court and juvenile justice centre.

“The department has recently released a draft Plan of Management and Conservation Management Plan which will help steer the future direction of the Reserve,” said Graham Harding, general manager of the Crown Lands Division.

“The house will be open for restricted viewing on the 28th and copies of the draft Plan of Management, Conservation Management Plan, and advice on how to have input into these two documents will be available on the day.

“The community has until 3 August to provide comments on the two draft plans and the details can be found at www.crownland.nsw.gov.au

“The open day is a great opportunity for the community to come along, visit the reserve, and have a say.

“The day is also a chance for interested members of the public to roll up their sleeves and join in a garden action day to help efforts to maintain the grounds around the historic homestead.

“Along with Crown Lands staff, representatives of Ashfield Council, Juvenile Justice and the Haberfield Association will attend and participate in tackling the overgrown gardens, which contain many rare species of plants and trees.

“The garden action day has been planned with advice from the Heritage Branch and will be fully supervised.”

The open day is on Saturday 28 July from 10am to 3pm. Details of the event can be obtained from Mr Craig Brown, Manager of Strategic Projects at Crown Lands South, on 8836 5357

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