Our History | Christopher and Violet Bennett escape to a Southern Highlands country life

Born in 1857 at Balmain, Violet was the third daughter of William Norman and Mary Ann Llewellin. William was a native of Taunton, England. He arrived in NSW in 1841, having been appointed to HM Customs by Lord Taunton, Secretary of State for the Colonies. In 1850 he married Mary Ann, a daughter of John Black, accountant and secretary of the Bank of NSW, Sydney. They raised three sons and four daughters. William died in 1885 and an obituary in Sydneys Evening News described him as a much respected colonist and a most faithful customs officer, who was ever proud of being from grand old Welsh stock. He was known as a well-informed man who took an interest in public events. Mary Ann died in 1892.

Their children would have received the best available education. In April 1880, Violet married Christopher Bennett at St Marys Church of England, Balmain.

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Christopher was the third son of Samuel and Eliza Bennett, born in 1857 in Sydney, where he attended school, then went to England to complete his education at Clare College, Cambridge. He returned to Australia, and in 1878 he and brothers Frank and Alfred and their sister Kate inherited Sydneys successful Evening News and the weekly Australian Town and Country Journal, both founded by their father who passed away that year. Christopher and Frank then ran the family newspaper business.

After their marriage in 1880, Christopher and Violet Bennett settled in Sydneys eastern suburbs where his family owned property.

In 1882, the government purchased Hillview at Sutton Forest as a country residence for NSW governors and, soon after, the Southern Highlands became a fashionable summer retreat for Sydneys elite. Christopher Bennett purchased Rockmoor (now Sutton Farm) from William Bede Dalley MP in 1883, and he and Violet used the house for several years. In February 1890 Bennett purchased several parcels of land on the opposite side of the road. This land was part of a 500-acre grant made in 1822 and acquired by Joseph Underwood in 1825, with subdivision occurring in 1884.

It would appear that, soon after purchasing the land in 1890, Bennett began building Rotherwood as a country residence. It was designed in a late Victorian style with Italianate influences, erected of brick with stone features, gables and a slate roof. The colonial-style front verandah had an iron roof and timber floorboards. Befitting a family of stature and refined tastes, the home included a servants quarters, a huge library, an internal courtyard and two annexes, housing a billiard room and large greenhouse. Foundations were laid for a magnificent garden designed along Italian lines with classical shapes and a formal structure.

Rotherwood became known as one of the districts finest homes. The property ran between 60 and 100 head of stock, with 10 acres under cultivation. Christopher and Violet became well-liked and respected members of the local community. They were very much a part of the local social scene and were regular visitors to Hillview.

In September 1894, the Bowral Free Press reported that Christopher was to give a piece of land free at Moss Vale and to erect a public hall at his own expense, provided the subscribers would allow him 5 percent interest on the outlay until the building was paid for. The paper declared this to be exceptionally liberal, and was glad to see that it was accepted at a public meeting. The hall was estimated to cost £685.

Bennetts Hall, described as one of the districts finest, was used for balls, concerts, meetings, flower shows and bazaars. Located where the Moss Vale Services Club now stands, unfortunately it burnt down in 1915.

Violet spent more time at Rotherwood than her businessman husband and was called upon to open fetes and present prizes. Functions were also held at Rotherwood including the annual fete of the Berrima District Ministering Childrens Fresh Air League, of which Violet was a co-founder.

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