Birthplace of the Ashes
Sunbury is the site where a tiny terracotta urn, believed to be a perfume bottle bought by Lady Janet Clarke at an Egyptian bazaar, was presented to Ivo Bligh, the captain of the English touring team of 1882-83.Although the date of the presentation is not confirmed, it is generally thought the urn was presented at Christmas in 1882 after a game at the mansion.
When England next toured Australia those ashes became real - a pair of
bails were burned and the ashes put into the now-famous urn. The England cricket team toured Australia during the winter of 1882, and after it had won two out of three Tests its captain was presented with an urn containing the ashes. Since then, The Ashes is the trophy England and Australia play for in Test match cricket. The winning players are given a replica to celebrate with. The real trophy is kept in the Lord's Cricket Ground museum because the Poms claim that it is far too fragile to transport.Rupertswood Mansion
“Rupertswood” is one of Australia’s most important mansions, both historically and architecturally. Built as a residence for Sir William John Clarke, (first Australian born Baronet), in 1874-76 it became a power seat in the great English tradition. The property covered an area of 31,000 acres. Today the estate has been reduced to 1,100 acres. “Rupertswood” is a 50room mansion built in the Italianate style, surmounted by a 100 foot tower. The grand entrance is paved with Victorian tessellated tiles and there are six magnificent stained glass panels made by Urie and Fergeson in 1874-76, considered some of the finest examples in the world. Find out more about Rupertswood Mansion.
