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Have you ever heard of Shepparton architect J A K Clarke but know little about him? Ever wonder which buildings he had designed? Come to the Greater Shepparton Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture 2022 to find out.
Times: There will be two opportunities to hear the lecture, 1pm and 6pm
This year's lecture will be live-streamed below (6pm session only).
Watch on YouTube and join the Live Chat
To RSVP, contact Council’s Building, Planning and Compliance Department via email: council@shepparton.vic.gov.au (attn: Planning and Building Support) or telephone: (03) 5832 9730
This year the topic of the Greater Shepparton Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture will be ‘The contribution of architect J A K Clarke to Shepparton and district,’ to be delivered by Clarke researcher, heritage enthusiast, and Tallygaroopna local, Evan Lloyd.
Evan grew up in a homestead designed by Clarke, and when studying Architecture and Cultural Heritage Management at university, researched the architect Clarke and his buildings.
The Lecture will provide a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this fascinating man: architect, farmer, Agricultural Society stalwart and cycling enthusiast.
The 6pm session will also be available to watch and interact with online for those who cannot attend in person. This ensures that those who cannot attend the event in person can still watch the Lecture and ask questions of the guest speaker, Evan Lloyd.
Audiences are invited to watch and interact with the 6pm livestream session via video conference. The link will be made available soon. Please check back later.
John Augustus Kenny Clarke can be thought of as Shepparton’s own architect, often referred to, but little-known. Clarke designed many of Shepparton’s prominent buildings, including Ambermere, St Brendan’s Catholic Church, Hurlstone homestead, and the picturesque grandstand at the Shepparton Showgrounds. He also designed a number of graceful and substantial houses in Corio Street and elsewhere, including Nettlecoe, his own house, and Ivanhoe. Sadly, a number of Clarke’s buildings have suffered demolition.
Aside from his architectural practice, Clark was also a leading orchardist, vinegrower, and a convinced ‘irrigationist’. He was a leader in the early years of the Shepparton Agricultural Society. An affable man, he was also a cycling enthusiast.
Evan Lloyd’s interest in the architect was piqued by having grown up in a Clarke-designed building. Evan was eleven when his family moved onto Fairley Downs, a property located on the Goulburn River nine kilometres north of Shepparton at the site of the home station of the Tallygaroopna squatting run. The large Clarke-designed homestead was constructed in 1906 for successful selector Hamilton Coldwell, with some alterations carried out by the Fairley family in the 1920s.
Evan describes the property as a wonderful place to grow up, with its own small cemetery, the Goulburn River, the 1840s slab hut connected with Sherbourne Sheppard (after whom Shepparton is named) and an old Model T Ford rusting away in a billabong.
At university, Evan studied Architecture and then Cultural Heritage Management. During his studies, he researched local topics such as the now demolished Old Shire Hall in Nixon Street and the architect Clarke.
Evan returned to the property 24 years ago to manage the farm, and sees one of his roles as protecting its history for the future. He was an inaugural community representative on Council's Heritage Advisory Committee and often hosts groups visiting the property.
Though he describes himself now as ‘simply a farmer,’ Evan has retained his interest in J A K Clarke and his work.
Evan says he is proud to have been asked to present the Bruce Wilson Memorial Lecture this year, discussing the career of an architect whose buildings remain a major aspect of Shepparton and district.
