Located on the banks of Dora Creek Cooranbong, the Industrial Art Deco style Sanitarium building is an interesting addition to a visit to the area. The nearby Swinging Bridge was built to enable workers to cross Dora Creek to get to work. This was the main reason we visited, but took time to look at the old factory and nearby Avondale University.
Visiting on a weekend, the carparks were mostly empty, so parking wasn’t an issue. There is a Visitors Carpark, so we parked there before walking around the buildings. If you walked from the Swinging Bridge, you will walk along a palm lined walk and cycleway that used to be the entrance workers to the factory. On a wet morning, it was very atmospheric walking along the path.
Although no longer in use, the factory represents the history of the Sanitarium company and its contribution to healthy foods. Sanitarium was founded by and it wholly owned by the Seventh Day Adventist Church which runs the adjacent University.
Palm lined walkway to the factoryThe Sanitarium BuildingOld North NSW Schools Office
Located in Cooranbong NSW, the Avondale University has several old heritage buildings that are worth looking at if you are in the area. We had been visiting the nearby Swinging Bridge and Sanitarium Building, so went for a walk around the campus.
Visiting on a weekend, the carparks were mostly empty, so parking wasn’t an issue. From the carpark we walked down a palm lined walk and cycleway that used to be the entrance the workers took to the nearby Sanitarium Factory. On a wet morning, it was very atmospheric walking along the path.
Affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the original architecture seems to reflect this heritage as the buildings are built in the New England Style and date from the late 1890s. The two-story wooden buildings are beautiful, and are well maintained and very photogenic.
As we walked through the grounds, we came across an amphitheater. All of these were within a few minutes walk from the carpark. After finishing here, we went for a look at the Sanitarium building.
Palm lined walkway to the UniversityCircular amphitheaterCollege HallAdministration Building
Opened on 21st September 1893 what is now Rivendell School was originally the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital. Built from money from Walker’s will, the hospital treated over 70,000 patients convalesced at the hospital, including servicemen from the 1914-18 and 1939-45 World Wars. In 1977, the hospital was transformed into a specialized educational institution for students with mental health concerns and was renamed Rivendell School. The name reflects Rivendell From J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit as a place to rest and recuperate – a sanctuary for those on difficult journeys.
Designed by John Sulman the brick and sandstone buildings are of the Federation Free Classical style and were.
Current Use
Located in West Concord on Sydney’s Parramatta River, Rivendell School is a specialized educational facility located in Sydney, Australia. It caters to students who have mental health concerns or psychiatric conditions, providing a supportive and comprehensive learning environment. The school focuses on fostering wellness, resilience, and academic achievement for its students. With a team of dedicated professionals, Rivendell School offers tailored programs to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring they receive the necessary support to thrive academically and personally.
Getting To Rivendell School
We travelled by train to Rhodes Train Station and then walked to the school. On the way we looked at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway and the Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial. Bus 410 runs from the station to near the school, so you can take this instead. If travelling by car, parking is difficult to find because of the other hospitals in the area. The best option would be to park in the Kokoda Parking area.
The Grounds and Buildings
Walking around the landscaped grounds, is very relaxing as you would expect from the building’s original purpose. Make sure to look at the inside of the entrance gate as there are many sandstone carvings on the walls. The sandstone carvings are perfectly preserved, with the columns on the upper balcony of the main building looking magnificent.
Directly opposite the main entrance, on the Parramatta River, an old water gate was the preferred entrance when the school was used as a hospital. Although this is no longer in use. This is a great building in its own right and unique in Australia.
Rivendell School Entrance GateLandscaped entry drivewayStone carving above the front entranceStone carving inside the front entranceCarving on the entranceThe main buildingFront door entranceSandstone carving around the clockCaryatid columns on the upper balconyWalkway to the disused ferry wharfDisused ferry wharf
