PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Dr Robert V J Varman, Archaeologist.

Heritge Consultant

CURRICULUM VITAE

Department of Archaeology University of Sydney

Last updated: April 1, 2006

SPECIALIZATION: Building analysis and dating. Built-environment survey and research. Early sites excavation, analysis and dating of eighteenth and nineteenth century cultural material. Historic Flora and Fauna landscape analysis relating to archaeological sites. Construction site supervision. Section 60 and 140 Applications. Development Application related. Expert Witness.

It was here, mid upper left window, that was the official hub of my archaeological life from 1973-1981. Miss Judy M Birmingham's office. I gave tutorials in that room on and off from 1978-1980.

C U R R I C U L U M V I T A E

Robert V J Varman Ph D

Archaeologist & Heritage Consultant

Heritage Council of NSW Register of Consultants

tel: (02) 43 882169

fax: (02) 43 898450

varman@tpg.com.au

http://www.geocities.com/docroberre

31 Wombat Street, Berkeleyvale, Central Coast, N.S.W. 2261. Australia.

SPECIALIZING IN: Building analysis and dating. Built-environment survey and research. Early sites excavation, analysis and dating of eighteenth and nineteenth century cultural material. Historic Flora and Fauna landscape analysis. D.A. related surveys and reports. Expert Witness.

ACADEMIC: BA (Hons) 1977, University of Sydney. Tutor (sole/part-time) in Historical Archaeology, 1978 to 1982, with some post-graduate duties and lectures, University of Sydney. Ph D, 1994, University of Sydney.

PUBLICATIONS: Dating Marseille Tiles (1978); Bounty Mutineer descendants of Norfolk Island (1992); various chapters, photographs contributions; articles on building materials; article series on excavation results, and terrestrial mollusca. Publication credits mostly in relation to artefact and building material dating systems.

ARCHAEOLOGY: University of Sydney: undergraduate, postgraduate and as tutor, 1973-1982. Archaeologist & Heritage Consultant 1979-2006.

2003 - 2006 COMMISSIONS

--Alto Group (Nettleton Tribe). Archaeological Investigation, 3-5 Meriwa Street, Feb-April 2005.

--Architectural Projects. 2003-2006. Several minor surveys and assessments, including: Vine Lodge, Exeter and 1 Passy House, Hunters Hill; Kent Brewery Site -Cottages at Kensington and Abercrombie Streets; Archaeological Assessments 2a and 2b Hereford Street, Glebe; 4 Mary Street Glebe; Report - ‘Archaeological Overview of Glebe’ Dec 2005).

--Mirvac/Transfield (Walsh Bay Finance Pty Ltd). Archaeological Site Director: Walsh Bay Development Project. Report writing, Windmill/Pottinger Streets (full time) January-February. Part time: March-September.

--Henry Kendall Retirement Village Pty Ltd. Erowal Farm. Vincentia. January.

--Darcy P Smith (developer) ‘Strathhaven’, Wyong. Heritage Assessment. February/July.

--R. H. Creighton Holdings Pty Ltd. Creighton’s Funeral Parlour, Gosford, Heritage Assessment. April.

--Historic Houses Trust. Elizabeth Farm, Parramatta/Harris Park. Archaeological investigation of ca 1810 Kitchen – led to the discovery of the original baking oven. August/September.

2002 COMMISSIONS

--Kellaway Constructions Pty Ltd. No 10 The Park, Parramatta. Excavation Director. Comprehensive excavation of the property and recording and monitoring of the house demolition as approved by the Land & Environment Court. January-April. Post-excavation work, cataloguing etc., March-July.

--Architectural Projects. Inspections/assessments of several sites. January. St Columbans Seminary Bobbin Head Road, Turramurra, March-April. Sherwood Shrubs, Sherwood Road, Merrylands, June.

--Mirvac/Transfield (Walsh Bay Finance Pty Ltd). Archaeological Site Director: Pottinger and Downshire Streets/Ferry Lane and Pottinger Street/ Windmill Streets, Walsh Bay Development Project. Post excavation processing, cataloguing and report writing. June-December.

2001 COMMISSIONS

--Mirvac/Transfield (Walsh Bay Finance PtyLtd). Archaeological Site Director: Pottinger and Downshire Streets/Ferry Lane and Pottinger Street/ Windmill Streets, Walsh Bay Development Project. Excavations (May and August) and artefact processing throughout the year.

--Architectural Projects. Preliminary assessment 32-42 Union Street, North Sydney. January-February. Also ‘Vine Lodge’ Exeter. February-April.

--Clarendon Apartments. 16 Hickson Rd, The Rocks. Archaeological director. February-March and November. Excavation and report.

--National Trust of Australia (NSW). Federation Fund. Excavation and monitoring of conservation works at Old Government House, Parramatta. House and grounds. February-April.

--Shoalhaven City Council. Heritage Assessment. Avenue of Trees, Bridge Street, Nowra. March-April.

--Henry Kendall Retirement Village Pty Ltd. Erowal Farm. Vincentia. Heritage Listing and Section 140 Application. May, August.

--Darcy Smith. Bateau Bay property subdivision heritage assessment. May.

--Kellaway Constructions Pty Ltd. No 10 The Park, Parramatta. Comprehensive analysis, recording of house and grounds. April-July, December.

-- Kellaway Constructions Pty Ltd. No 10 The Park, Parramatta. Principal Expert Witness, Land & Environment Court. August-October. Successful Court outcome.

--Nettleton Tribe. The Stables Site. The Priory, Hunters Hill. Archaeological Assessment Report. Section 140 Application. Excavation. June-December.

2000 COMMISSIONS

--Architectural Projects: Analysis: 'Vine Lodge', Exeter, NSW. April.

--National Trust of Australia (NSW) via Geoffrey Britton (Heritage and Landscape Consultant). Federation Fund. Experiment Farm Archaeological Investigation. April.

--Clarendon Apartments. 16 Hickson Rd, The Rocks. Archaeological director. October-November. November Section 160 Application.

--Parramatta City Council. Queens Wharf Reserve. Seawall study and excavations. September-October.

--Roads & Traffic Authority. Site recording and excavation supervision. Former cottage site near Renwick Street, Wyoming.

1999 COMMISSIONS

--Continuation of previous reports. January-February.

--Henry Kendall Retirement Village Pty Ltd. Erowal Farm. Vincentia. Research and Archaeological Survey. February-March and September.

--National Trust of Australia (NSW). Old Government House, Parramatta. Fabric analysis of house. April-June.

--Gosford City Council: Goodayang Reserve - Point Clare. Preservation/ Interpretive Management Plan. June-September.

--Premier Club Constructions: RSL Club Car Park, Macquarie Street. September.

--Mirvac/Transfield with Tropman & Tropman. Archaeological Site Director: Pottinger Street area, Walsh Bay Development Project. October – December (cont).

--Henry Kendall Retirement Village Pty Ltd. Erowal Farm. Vincentia. Interpretation. December.

--Historic Houses Trust/Hyde Park Barracks Museum. ‘The Convicts’ Exhibition. Advice and photographic assistance (Norfolk Island).

1998 COMMISSIONS

--Australian Heritage Commission: Archaeological Zoning Plan Cockpit/ Phillipsburgh Historic Site. Completed January 1998. Two volumes.

--Australian Heritage Commission: Site Survey and Historical Values: Nominated Sites for the National Estate. Norfolk Island. February.

--Gosford City Council: Cottage Site; Wyoming, NSW. March/April.

--Clive Lucas & Partners. Walsh Bay Archaeological Report. May.

--Gosford City Council: Point Clair: Stone Footings: June.

--Norfolk Island Government: Re-establishing the Archaeological Museum. Processing and organizing the Archaeological Collection. July-September.

--Norfolk Island Restoration Program: consultation on Kingston signage and mortar analysis of the Bakehouse, Longridge.

--Premier Club Constructions: RSL Club Car Park, Macquarie Street. October.

--Geoff Bennett Pty Ltd: Antiquities consultation: Rome and Israel. October.

--What Bushcare, Toongabbie. Archaeological Survey of 1790s convict settlement and government farm. November-December.

1997 COMMISSIONS

Current Commissions and on-going work:

--Parramatta City Council: Archaeological Report: Hambledon Cottage. September .

--Parramatta Park Trust: Archaeological Zoning Plan. Final draft: February.

--Gosford City Council: Old Erina Wharf Report, Part 2. Completed February.

--Gosford City Council: Historic 'Wyoming' area, Pacific Highway extensions. Completed February.

--Gosford City Council: Historic 'Wyoming' area, Pacific Highway extensions. September and on-going.

--Private: Report on very early settlement site, Rouse Hill area. Completed February.

--Dennis & Dennis Investments Pty Ltd: 52 Harris Street, Pyrmont, Archaeology Report. Completed March.

--Private Sector Developer: Alpha House, King Street, Newtown. Report and Expert Witness. NSW Supreme Court. May.

--Historic Houses Trust: Rouse Hill House, report on ancient drainage and timber barn analysis. Completed June.

--Historic Houses Trust: Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney: Misc: studies North Guardhouse, Deputy Superintendent. Completed July.

--Architectural Projects: Great Southern Hotel, George Street, Sydney. (Development Application). Completed July.

--Australian Heritage Commission: Phillipsburgh Archaeological Zoning Plan, Norfolk Island. Current September/October.

--Australian Heritage Commission: Heritage nominations, Norfolk Island. Current September/October.

--Norfolk Island Museums: Advice on the Archaeological Collection (which I founded and developed from 1981-1989).

--National Trust of Australia: Section 60 Appl., for selected test squares. To Norfolk Island September - October.

--National Trust: Old Government House, Parramatta, Project Team, 1995-2000.

1996 COMMISSIONS

--Parramatta City Council: major report on the Queens Wharf Reserve.

--Parramatta Park Trust: General Section 60 report; Old Kings Oval report; Fencing report; major report on the Heritage Flora and Fauna of the Park; Dairy Precinct, minor works throughout Park 'on call'.

--Historic Houses Trust, Hyde Park Barracks; fabric analysis of the North guardhouse.

--Gosford City Council: Erina Wharf, report and supervision; Wyoming road extensions impact on Verge designed home and land.

--Architectural Projects/City West Development Corporation; 52 Harris Street, Pyrmont; supervision and excavation. Parramatta Park Trust: Archaeological Zoning Plan (with Park inventory).

PAST COMMISSIONS

1994/1995: Historic Houses Trust - Museum of Sydney/First Government House, Sydney--senior archaeologist. Parramatta City Council—principal archaeologist, Dairy Precinct (1790s), Murray Gardens (1790s residential), Lumber Yard site (1790s-ca1818) at Parramatta Park and Hambledon Cottage (1824), Parramatta. National Trust of Australia (NSW)--Major report on the

fabric of Old Government House (1799-), Parramatta; and colour scheme analysis of the Old Government House plaster dump; Various minor commissions based on the Sydney area and Norfolk Island.

1992-1993: Long-term projects at the Hyde Park Barracks (Historic Houses Trust). Major site reports for Australian Construction Services (Sydney/Canberra) on Norfolk Island buildings and archaeological sites.

1990-1991: Site assessments and reports, Kingston, Norfolk Island for Australian Construction Services and the Norfolk Island Administration. Major work on the terrestrial mollusca of Norfolk Island. Participation in annual global survey of endangered species (Australian Museum).

1987-1989: As for 1990-1991 and including: Australian Bicentennial Authority, Canberra, as founding director/curator of the Bicentennial Museums housing the Sirius and Kingston archaeological and local collections. Conservation/archaeology reports on current Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) projects--Commonwealth Government. Survey of rare indigenous plants; terrestrial mollusca; and weeds. 1981-1986: Co-responsibility with Philip Cox and Partners under the Inter Departmental Committee (IDC) Canberra for the program of conservation of KAVHA buildings (1790s-1850s) on Norfolk Island. I was responsible for the building analysis, excavation, research and consequent recommendations, detailed reports and supervision of works. (Assessed by the IDC; Australian Heritage Commission, Commonwealth Department of Administrative Services--Construction Group, Departments of Territories and Finance, and the Department of Housing and Construction). Excavation highlights include the discovery of the 1788 and 1792 footings of the first government houses; identification of a late 1790s house; 180 metre trench through the 1788-1814 township with identifiable strata from 1788; discovery of fossiliferous deposits and Polynesian activity. The bulk of the period was as described above. Other commissions through the Australian Heritage Commission; Norfolk Island Government; National Trust of Australia, Victoria; Victoria Archaeological Survey; University of Sydney; and local government authorities (Sydney) and private landowners.

1979-1981: N S W Department of Public Works; Department of Planning and Environment of NSW; J M Birmingham/Heritage Council of NSW; University of Sydney; Ryde Municipal Council etc. Excavation and fabric analysis: Hyde Park Barracks and the Old Sydney Mint, Macquarie Street, Sydney. Largely structural and fabric analysis and dating.

1977-1980: Research assistant to David Saunders/Australian Heritage Commission, built-environment related research. Ditto J M Birmingham, University of Sydney. Tutor in Historical Archaeology, University of Sydney (sole tutor, part-time, 'in charge' duties). Postgraduate studies.

1973-1977: Undergraduate Research, University of Sydney. Attended all major excavations from 1973, including: Irrawang Pottery; Hill End surveys/ excavations; and Old Sydney Burial Ground (St Andrews) .

Dr Robert V J P Varman.

Updated April 1, 2006

As of June 6, 1997. . . . . . . . .Last Updated: June 16, 1998