It is with a heavy heart that we announce the Friends of Old Government House and Experiment Farm Cottage will cease operation at the end of 2025. This decision has not been made lightly, but we believe it is the right time to bid farewell.

Since our inception in 1989, the Friends have served as the fundraising committee for the National Trust’s Parramatta Properties. We have thoroughly enjoyed raising funds for these two historic sites through various events, including Sunday Teas, Opera in the Courtyard, Cavalcade of Fashion, an evening with Gilbert and Sullivan, Jazz at the Farm, Carols by Candlelight, Macquarie Feasts, Australia Day BBQs, and, of course, the Ghost Tours of Old Government House. Ghost Tours will continue throughout this year, with our final tour scheduled for November 21, 2025. We remain hopeful that these tours will be carried on in the future under the management of the National Trust.

The Friends Committee would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the visitors who have supported our events over the past 36 years, helping to preserve the legacy of Old Government House and Experiment Farm Cottage. We also appreciate the many organisations and the Parramatta Properties Managers and staff who have assisted us throughout our journey.

Finally, we wish to thank the numerous volunteers and committee members, including those who are sadly no longer with us, who have dedicated their time and effort to make our events successful. Their commitment has ensured that all funds raised are reinvested into the properties, allowing us to keep them open to the public and share their stories.

Old Government House, Parramatta, is the oldest remaining public building in Australia, and together with its site, one of the most historic. Its history traces back to within a few months of the establishment of the penal colony and Sydney Cove in January 1788 and is closely associated with all the early Governors of New South Wales, prior to the granting of responsible government in 1856. The house also contains a major collection of Australian colonial furniture.

Following much anticipation, Old Government House and Parramatta Park have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The prestigious listing of the 11 convict sites was made early on Sunday morning, 1st August 2010, when the United National World Heritage Council met in Brasilia, Brazil.

The world heritage listing of Old Government House confirms the global significance of the site. Convicts helped build this country and the process of convicts being shipped over from Britain in the colonial era is part of the global story of colonization, slavery and humanity.

The 11 sites included on the world heritage list tell the story of the largest forced migration in global history. Their protection as world heritage sites will help preserve this heritage for the benefit of future generations.

The Friends of Old Government House & Experiment Farm Cottage was formed as a fund-raising body to help maintain the House and its collection.

The Friends conduct ghost night tours, social occasions, informative lectures and exhibitions, the proceeds of which assist in the maintenance of the property.