HERITAGE LISTING Due to the rapid commercial expansion of this area of North Sydney, the school was closed in 1969 and its grounds and additional surrounding land scheduled for major commercial redevelopment. The building itself fell into extreme disrepair and became a site for graffiti. Before site development was approved, former students—with support from North Shore Historical Society and North Sydney Municipal Council—rallied to have the school building and the two large Moreton Bay fig trees in the Blue Street grounds listed as a part of this nation’s proud heritage. It was further argued that the site should have “Greenwood” as part of its name, acknowledging Mr Nimrod Greenwood who was headmaster for more than 30 years. The school had been affectionately known as “Greeny’s” for nearly 50 years. After considerable lobbying, the entire complex was officially named “Greenwood Plaza”. From military records, some 167 boys/men (including Nimrod’s two sons) who served during the First World War, listed North Sydney Superior Public School as their school. Fifty-two of these did not make it home—27 of these have no known grave! The school building—and the fig trees—are now listed on the Heritage Register which has assessed the building as *** “historically rare, regionally” and *** “aesthetically rare, State-wide”. SITE RE-DEVELOPMENT Excavation, begun in the late 1980s, was one of the largest rock excavations ever undertaken in Sydney. Nearly 350,000 tonnes of sandstone were removed from under and around Greeny’s building to a depth of 22 metres below ground level. Two-level corridors of retail from North Sydney railway station through Mount Street Plaza with access from Miller Street and the Pacific Highway as well as five levels of underground parking now exist beneath Greeny’s building. The most challenging aspect of the development was the excavation around the footing of the building. Enormous steel girders were moved into place under the wall foundations literally propping the school up on two huge columns of sandstone whilst burrowing underneath. These underpinnings were a very sensitive issue in terms of protecting the heritage of the building. The old Moreton Bay Figs had to have a special draining system implemented to re-instate their original environment. BUILDING RESTORATION Developer, John Tierney, and his partners, Maurice and Tony Green of The Green Hotel Corporation, were awarded the contract for the restoration and conversion of the former school into a boutique hotel/restaurant. The challenge for the builders was to restore the school building to the original specifications. This required that the materials must be sound and of the best quality and “all the work must be finished in a good and workman-like manner and all minor works which are obviously necessary for the proper completion of the job” An example of care and caution is the thought put to checking the potential risk for damage to the old building from excessive wind gusts caused by the nearby tower block. As a result of wind tunnel tests, all the school’s tall chimneys were reinforced with steel rods, drilled through the stone and anchored into the main building structure. In all, approximately $4 million was spent just on restoration of the building. The project was awarded the Engineering Excellence Awards for Building & Civic Design in 1992. THE OLD LIONS FOUNDATION The alumni groupings of North Sydney Technical High School and its predecessors have had many forms over the past century. The most recent incorporated association was established after the school was closed in 1969. In 2016, the incumbent committee came to the belief that, with an aging membership and no ‘new’ blood to freshen the pride, the Association had only limited years ahead. At the 2016 Annual General Meeting, members present were advised that a decision had been taken to wind-up the Incorporated Association in 2019, and that the outgoing committee would focus on a suitable and lasting memorial to North Tech and The Old Lions. Various approaches were made to the School of Engineering at University of Sydney as well as the Institution of Engineers with the aim of establishing a scholarship to be financed by the Association’s residual funds. It was then suggested that attention should be turned to the few Technical High Schools still existing in Sydney. It became apparent that one school, in particular, was worthy: Doonside Technology High School, which was established in 1964, about the same time that the Department of Education was working towards the closure of NSTHS. Doonside Technology High School has a technology focus, however 41% of students are from families with household income less than $1,000 pw; 35% of students are from “English as a Second Language” families and 15% of students are of Aboriginal background. During 2019, The Old Lions ceased to be: all the incorporated association’s funds were transferred, in trust, to the newly created Old Lions Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to assist DTHS students who, in the opinion of Doonside School and with the agreement of Trustees, have special needs and would benefit from financial assistance to improve their education and their future academic opportunities.
Nimrod Greenwood
Aerial view of whole of site excavation click to enlarge
Rotting timber and rusty roofing of the former Headmaster’s Office c 1979. click to enlarge
Moreton Bay Fig tree preservation
Above: Even though the records clearly state that the building was designed specifically as a schoolhouse (with porch, vane and bell) in Gothic Revival style by Department of Public Instruction’s architect, G. Allen Mansfield, and construction was completed in 1877, -- the website of the new and current Greenwood Hotel lessee states “Originally built in 1878 as a church” which appears to be a deliberate, commercially-motivated, false statement… even the original schoolroom - now converted to a bar - has been renamed “The Chapel”!
Doonside Technology High
Doonside Technology student
The schoolhouse fully restored. Aerial photos kindly donated by professional photographer, Mark Merton click to enlarge
 RETURN
HERITAGE LISTING Due to the rapid commercial expansion of this area of North Sydney, the school was closed in 1969 and its grounds and additional surrounding land scheduled for major commercial redevelopment. The building itself fell into extreme disrepair and became a site for graffiti. Before site development was approved, former students—with support from North Shore Historical Society and North Sydney Municipal Council—rallied to have the school building and the two large Moreton Bay fig trees in the Blue Street grounds listed as a part of this nation’s proud heritage. It was further argued that the site should have “Greenwood” as part of its name, acknowledging Mr Nimrod Greenwood who was headmaster for more than 30 years. The school had been affectionately known as “Greeny’s” for nearly 50 years. After considerable lobbying, the entire complex was officially named “Greenwood Plaza”. From military records, some 167 boys/men (including Nimrod’s two sons) who served during the First World War, listed North Sydney Superior Public School as their school. Fifty-two of these did not make it home—27 of these have no known grave! The school building—and the fig trees—are now listed on the Heritage Register which has assessed the building as *** “historically rare, regionally” and *** “aesthetically rare, State-wide”. SITE RE-DEVELOPMENT Excavation, begun in the late 1980s, was one of the largest rock excavations ever undertaken in Sydney. Nearly 350,000 tonnes of sandstone were removed from under and around Greeny’s building to a depth of 22 metres below ground level. Two-level corridors of retail from North Sydney railway station through Mount Street Plaza with access from Miller Street and the Pacific Highway as well as five levels of underground parking now exist beneath Greeny’s building. The most challenging aspect of the development was the excavation around the footing of the building. Enormous steel girders were moved into place under the wall foundations literally propping the school up on two huge columns of sandstone whilst burrowing underneath. These underpinnings were a very sensitive issue in terms of protecting the heritage of the building. The old Moreton Bay Figs had to have a special draining system implemented to re-instate their original environment. BUILDING RESTORATION Developer, John Tierney, and his partners, Maurice and Tony Green of The Green Hotel Corporation, were awarded the contract for the restoration and conversion of the former school into a boutique hotel/restaurant. The challenge for the builders was to restore the school building to the original specifications. This required that the materials must be sound and of the best quality and “all the work must be finished in a good and workman-like manner and all minor works which are obviously necessary for the proper completion of the job” An example of care and caution is the thought put to checking the potential risk for damage to the old building from excessive wind gusts caused by the nearby tower block. As a result of wind tunnel tests, all the school’s tall chimneys were reinforced with steel rods, drilled through the stone and anchored into the main building structure. In all, approximately $4 million was spent just on restoration of the building. The project was awarded the Engineering Excellence Awards for Building & Civic Design in 1992. THE OLD LIONS FOUNDATION The alumni groupings of North Sydney Technical High School and its predecessors have had many forms over the past century. The most recent incorporated association was established after the school was closed in 1969. In 2016, the incumbent committee came to the belief that, with an aging membership and no ‘new’ blood to freshen the pride, the Association had only limited years ahead. At the 2016 Annual General Meeting, members present were advised that a decision had been taken to wind-up the Incorporated Association in 2019, and that the outgoing committee would focus on a suitable and lasting memorial to North Tech and The Old Lions. Various approaches were made to the School of Engineering at University of Sydney as well as the Institution of Engineers with the aim of establishing a scholarship to be financed by the Association’s residual funds. It was then suggested that attention should be turned to the few Technical High Schools still existing in Sydney. It became apparent that one school, in particular, was worthy: Doonside Technology High School, which was established in 1964, about the same time that the Department of Education was working towards the closure of NSTHS. Doonside Technology High School has a technology focus, however 41% of students are from families with household income less than $1,000 pw; 35% of students are from “English as a Second Language” families and 15% of students are of Aboriginal background. During 2019, The Old Lions ceased to be: all the incorporated association’s funds were transferred, in trust, to the newly created Old Lions Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to assist DTHS students who, in the opinion of Doonside School and with the agreement of Trustees, have special needs and would benefit from financial assistance to improve their education and their future academic opportunities.
Nimrod Greenwood
Aerial view of whole of site excavation click to enlarge
Rotting timber and rusty roofing of the former Headmaster’s Office c 1979. click to enlarge
Moreton Bay Fig tree preservation
Above: Even though the records clearly state that the building was designed specifically as a schoolhouse (with porch, vane and bell) in Gothic Revival style by Department of Public Instruction’s architect, G. Allen Mansfield, and construction was completed in 1877, -- the website of the new and current Greenwood Hotel lessee states “Originally built in 1878 as a church” which appears to be a deliberate, commercially- motivated, false statement… even the original schoolroom - now converted to a bar - has been renamed “The Chapel”!
Doonside Technology High School
Doonside Technology student
The schoolhouse fully restored. Aerial photos kindly donated by professional photographer, Mark Merton click to enlarge
Excavation commences Photo by Terry Collins click to enlarge
Vew of excavation click to enlarge
 RETURN
HERITAGE LISTING Due to the rapid commercial expansion of this area of North Sydney, the school was closed in 1969 and its grounds and additional surrounding land scheduled for major commercial redevelopment. The building itself fell into extreme disrepair and became a site for graffiti. Before site development was approved, former students—with support from North Shore Historical Society and North Sydney Municipal Council—rallied to have the school building and the two large Moreton Bay fig trees in the Blue Street grounds listed as a part of this nation’s proud heritage. It was further argued that the site should have “Greenwood” as part of its name, acknowledging Mr Nimrod Greenwood who was headmaster for more than 30 years. The school had been affectionately known as “Greeny’s” for nearly 50 years. After considerable lobbying, the entire complex was officially named “Greenwood Plaza”. From military records, some 167 boys/men (including Nimrod’s two sons) who served during the First World War, listed North Sydney Superior Public School as their school. Fifty-two of these did not make it home—27 of these have no known grave! The school building—and the fig trees—are now listed on the Heritage Register which has assessed the building as *** “historically rare, regionally” and *** “aesthetically rare, State-wide”. SITE RE-DEVELOPMENT Excavation, begun in the late 1980s, was one of the largest rock excavations ever undertaken in Sydney. Nearly 350,000 tonnes of sandstone were removed from under and around Greeny’s building to a depth of 22 metres below ground level. Two-level corridors of retail from North Sydney railway station through Mount Street Plaza with access from Miller Street and the Pacific Highway as well as five levels of underground parking now exist beneath Greeny’s building. The most challenging aspect of the development was the excavation around the footing of the building. Enormous steel girders were moved into place under the wall foundations literally propping the school up on two huge columns of sandstone whilst burrowing underneath. These underpinnings were a very sensitive issue in terms of protecting the heritage of the building. The old Moreton Bay Figs had to have a special draining system implemented to re-instate their original environment. BUILDING RESTORATION Developer, John Tierney, and his partners, Maurice and Tony Green of The Green Hotel Corporation, were awarded the contract for the restoration and conversion of the former school into a boutique hotel/restaurant. The challenge for the builders was to restore the school building to the original specifications. This required that the materials must be sound and of the best quality and “all the work must be finished in a good and workman-like manner and all minor works which are obviously necessary for the proper completion of the job” An example of care and caution is the thought put to checking the potential risk for damage to the old building from excessive wind gusts caused by the nearby tower block. As a result of wind tunnel tests, all the school’s tall chimneys were reinforced with steel rods, drilled through the stone and anchored into the main building structure. In all, approximately $4 million was spent just on restoration of the building. The project was awarded the Engineering Excellence Awards for Building & Civic Design in 1992. THE OLD LIONS FOUNDATION The alumni groupings of North Sydney Technical High School and its predecessors have had many forms over the past century. The most recent incorporated association was established after the school was closed in 1969. In 2016, the incumbent committee came to the belief that, with an aging membership and no ‘new’ blood to freshen the pride, the Association had only limited years ahead. At the 2016 Annual General Meeting, members present were advised that a decision had been taken to wind-up the Incorporated Association in 2019, and that the outgoing committee would focus on a suitable and lasting memorial to North Tech and The Old Lions. Various approaches were made to the School of Engineering at University of Sydney as well as the Institution of Engineers with the aim of establishing a scholarship to be financed by the Association’s residual funds. It was then suggested that attention should be turned to the few Technical High Schools still existing in Sydney. It became apparent that one school, in particular, was worthy: Doonside Technology High School, which was established in 1964, about the same time that the Department of Education was working towards the closure of NSTHS. Doonside Technology High School has a technology focus, however 41% of students are from families with household income less than $1,000 pw; 35% of students are from “English as a Second Language” families and 15% of students are of Aboriginal background. During 2019, The Old Lions ceased to be: all the incorporated association’s funds were transferred, in trust, to the newly created Old Lions Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to assist DTHS students who, in the opinion of Doonside School and with the agreement of Trustees, have special needs and would benefit from financial assistance to improve their education and their future academic opportunities.
Nimrod Greenwood
Aerial view of whole of site excavation click to enlarge
Rotting timber and rusty roofing of the former Headmaster’s Office c 1979. click to enlarge
Moreton Bay Fig tree preservation
Above: Even though the records clearly state that the building was designed specifically as a schoolhouse (with porch, vane and bell) in Gothic Revival style by Department of Public Instruction’s architect, G. Allen Mansfield, and construction was completed in 1877, -- the website of the new and current Greenwood Hotel lessee states “Originally built in 1878 as a church” which appears to be a deliberate, commercially-motivated, false statement… even the original schoolroom - now converted to a bar - has been renamed “The Chapel”!
Doonside Technology High School
Doonside Technology student
The schoolhouse fully restored. Aerial photos kindly donated by professional photographer, Mark Merton click to enlarge
 RETURN