Goulburn's historic buildings are a tourist attraction in themselves but for a group of artists, they're rich fodder with a story to tell.
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On Friday, Canberra woman, Sally Black and her Sydney friend, Judy Salleh sat themselves down in Montague Street to sketch and paint The Old Fire Station and its adjoining building in Montague Street, now occupied by Johnson and Sendall solicitors. They were joined by Goulburn artist, Martin Perera, who sat behind, sketching his friends going about their work.
Ms Salleh said the trio met through Urban Sketches, a worldwide online group that shares members' artwork.
"We sketch all around the world but Goulburn would have to be one of the friendliest places," she said.
"We've had about 20 people come up and chat to us while we've been here. It's a great place to meet people and a good way of discovering places. It's about soaking up the feel of the place."
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Ms Salleh teaches art privately on Sydney's northern beaches, while Ms Black is an early childhood teacher also studying a Diploma of Visual Arts in Canberra.
The latter also has a family connection with the iconic 1890, EC Manfred-designed building. Her great-grandfather, Alfred Sendall, was a longtime Goulburn solicitor in the 19th century. His portrait is hanging in the building.
By the time Ransome T Wyatt wrote his History of Goulburn in 1947, Alfred's son, Neville was operating Johnson and Sendall solicitors. Sendall descendants still live in the area.
Manfred designed the structure as a more imposing home for the city's Fire Brigade. Wyatt wrote that an early station was located in Verner Street, opposite the Catholic presbytery. Another one was built on the site of the McDermott Centre, currently being converted for a Performing Arts Centre.
"Next, a site was granted in the court house reserve. This was resumed and with the 500 pounds compensation, the present site in Montague Street was bought," Wyatt wrote.
By 1890, when it was commissioned, a branch fire station was also operating on the corner of Bradley and Grafton Streets.
Wyatt stated that the Montague Street building's belltower was at one time "the loudest fire alarm in Australia." It was cast by Vickers, Sons and Company of Sheffield, was erected in 1885 and weighed 758 pounds. The bell was later used at Saint Nicholas Church, North Goulburn.
By the 1990s the building was a popular night spot, The Old Fire Station wine bar.
Ms Black said she had friends and family in Goulburn but was also drawn by its "rich history."
"The buildings have so much character," she said.
"The city is not full of bland 1970s buildings; there's a mix, which gives it character. It has a lovely, laid-back country feel."
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The duo plan to do more sketching and painting in the city.
Mr Perera has been an artist for five years. He took up art during an overseas trip and, with the Urban Sketches group, has depicted buildings in Asia and several other countries. He is a member of the Goulburn and District Art Society.
"My aim is just to record buildings for posterity," he said.
"I often do streetscapes on site because rather than just working off a photo, you experience all the sensory aspects. It's quite meditative and people come up to you and talk to you about the history. It's lovely."
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