Apartment 53, 68 Sir John Young Crescent, Woolloomooloo is for sale through Jason Boon and Geoff Cox https://www.rwebay.com.au/5904771/

Its address is taken from Sir John Young, former NSW Governor, who was influence in the political and judicial affairs of New South Wales.

Sir John Young, 1st Baron Lisgar (1807-1876), was Governor of New South Wales from 1861 to 1867.  Because of intercolonial jealousy he was not given the title Governor-General, borne by his two predecessors.

Sir John was the son of a director of the East India Co., born in Ireland, educated at Eton and Oxford, where he graduated in 1829, and was called to the Bar in 1834. While member for County Cavan in the English Parliament for 24 years from 1831 to 1855, he served as Secretary of the Treasury and Chief Secretary for Ireland. After a spell as Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands he was appointed Governor of New South Wales in 1861, aged 54.

As he arrived, the NSW Legislative Council (Upper House) was passing through a crisis. He intervened, offending the secretary of state for the colonies; nineteen members resigned, and the council had to be reconstructed over a dispute regarding whether the Upper House should be elected or appointed. In 1865, he caused the resignation of the Colonial Secretary, but the Colonial Office in London supported his actions. Throughout his term he gave frequent advice on policy; Henry Parkes wrote that ‘Fully informed on political subjects, he was frank and modest in communicating to others offering the lessons of his experience … ‘.

Young was tall, erect and clean-shaven, with long side-burns. He possessed an easy charm of manner and was an able public speaker. He was described as ‘a gentleman and a scholar.’ He was a dedicated Anglican but chaired a meeting to organise repairs to the burned St Mary’s Cathedral in 1865; he worked on behalf of the Sydney Ragged Schools (educating the poor), the Society for the Relief of Destitute Children, the Sydney Female Refuge Society, the Female School of Industry and the House of the Good Shepherd. At the end of 1867 Young and his wife left Sydney.

The Illustrated Sydney News of 16^th April 1867 observed that he possessed a “suavity of manner”.

He then became governor-general of Canada in 1869, but ill health forced his resignation by 1872. During his time in Canada he was created Baron Lisgar of Lisgar and Bailieborough, County Cavan.

The New South Wales country town of Lambing Flat was re-named Young in his honour and the Sir John Young Hotel, Woolloomooloo, also recognises his place in society.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions