Remembrance of Things Past - Central Station

Professional Associations

When talking about passion projects from my career, I would have to say that Central Station has brought me the most joy. This is both because I learned so much from the late George Proudman during this time and fell in love with all things made from sandstone. My interest reaches as far back as Ancient Greek and Roman buildings.

George Proudman was the Master Mason in Sydney, a key and passionate advocate for the stonework conservation of public heritage buildings. He was particularly active in the 1970s, 80s and 90s when many sandstone buildings in Sydney were being restored. Among these buildings was Central Station.

Medium close-up shot of the late George Proudman, a Sydney-based Master Mason. In black and white. — Fig. 2 Master Mason George Proudman (In *The George Proudman Fellowship 2023*. By NSW Public Works., 2022.)

In 1994, I joined Public Works as an external consultant and was almost immediately put in charge of the entire Central Station project.

From 1994 to 1996, I oversaw the documentation of the project – not only the sandstone conservation components, but also other services and associated disciplines, including structural, architectural, hydraulic, mechanical, lifts and escalators, etcetera. While I was at Public Works, I produced documentation for the entire building, including the Pyrmont tunnels, the Clock Tower, the upper parapets and the inner and northern concourse shops and restaurants. I left Public Works in 1996 and continued to attend to my own heritage architectural practice.

However, it was not long before our services were required. In 2013, we were asked by Rail Corp to produce a Conservation Management Plan for their entire site. The site is broken up into five precincts as follows:

Precinct 1: The Western Yard

Precinct 2: Prince Alfred Siding

Precinct 3: Sydney Terminal

Precinct 4: Sydney Yards

Precinct 5: Central Electric

In 1999-2000, Heritage 21 also completed a Conservation Management Plan on the nearby Mortuary Station, which is visible when approaching Central Station.

Exterior shot of Central Station, capturing the sandstone arches, the Clock Tower, the tram concourse and the shops connected to the train station with blue sky in background. — Fig. 3 Central Station Exterior (*In Pocket Guide to Sydney*. By PocketOz, Visit Sydney Australia., 2015).

The late George Proudman must be mentioned with any reference made to Central Station. He was an enormous source of inspiration and teaching. Without him, I and many others would never have acquired so much knowledge in such a short span of time. The documents that were produced in 1994 served the conservation of Central Station for over twenty years.

Paul Rappoport

Conservation Architect and Heritage Planner

4 September 2024

Image References

Julie, “Then & Now – Central Railway Station (aka Sydney Station),” Thru my Sydney Eye. July 3, 2015. Thru my Sydney Eye: Then & Now – Central Railway Station (aka Sydney Station) (sydney-eye.blogspot.com)

NSW Public Works. Master Mason George Proudman. “The George Proudman Fellowship 2023,” NSW Public Works, October 17, 2022. The George Proudman Fellowship 2023 | Public Works (nsw.gov.au)

PocketOz. “Central Station,” Visit Sydney Australia – Pocket Guide to Sydney. August 26, 2015. Central Station (visitsydneyaustralia.com.au)