Local couple Digby and Jo McNeil have secured a $100,000 heritage grant to assist in the restoration of an important piece of Inverell’s history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Almost 12 months ago, the McNeil’s purchased the former Sacred Heart Convent in Vivian Street, after having been in the hands of US businessman Gabriel Sheridan for about 15 years.
“I think it may have been a moment of madness,” Digby laughed, “it had been sitting vacant for so long I think everybody knew something good had to happen to it.”
The ex-Sisters of Mercy building, built 110 years ago, will be turned into accommodation.
The double-brick, two-storey building features eight bedrooms, two dining rooms, a formal lounge room, sitting room and a library.
“We wanted the public to have access to it. We’ve got plans for accommodation but downstairs in the chapel will be a common area for potential small conferences or art showcases,” Jo said.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall was given a tour of the historic gem on Monday, after announcing the good news.
Mr Marshall said the grant was funded through the NSW Government’s Heritage Near Me Incentive Program; the same to have aided the Premier’s Farmhouse last year.
Funding will assist costs associated with installation of disability access and certain compliance issues.
“This program is great because it allows local people to restore historic gems back to life and give them a whole new lease on life.
“Otherwise this building would just sit here and continue to deteriorate and eventually have needed to be knocked down,” he said.
Hoping to have the complete restoration finished in three to four years, the local couple plan to re-purpose the property into something that’ll add value to the township.
Mr Marshall believes the finished product will drive up tourism in the area.
“There’s no more of these being built; all we’ve got is what we’ve got and I think this is a terrific project, and a real asset to the community.”
After a grand tour of the convent, and the unique collection left behind by Mr Sheridan, Mr Marshall wished Digby and Jo all the best.
SEE MORE: Piece of history goes under the hammer
“I’m absolutely astounded by the collection of items. It’s a bit of an eclectic collection, varying in age and origins around the world.
“There are some real gems, I’m sure some of which will be incorporated into the new re-purposed building,” Mr Marshall said.
Since purchasing the piece of history, Digby and Jo have been amazed at the stories and facts they’ve uncovered.
Jo said before owning the property, they had no idea that Egan House wasn’t originally part of the convent.
“I think there’s generations of people who do not know it was a stand-alone house for 30-odd years where Charles Egan raised 15 kids before selling it to the Catholic Church,” she said.
The couple have since reinstated the building as an independent house, to “give it back it’s heritage”.
Because Charles Egan had the first cordial factory in Inverell, they’ve sourced a number of C.Egan bottles.
“We found some when we moved the tank stands out the back. There was a beautiful Egan bottle that must have rolled off the verandah.
“We’ve built a wall in the house that has a cut out to display the history of Egan House so it never loses its history again,” Jo said.