Stroud, NSW, Australia

A view of Stroud from Silo Hill

Nestling in the heart of the Karuah Valley, Stroud is one of the nearest small towns to Suzi and Neil's home. It is an historic settlement, part of the original land grant made to the Australian Agricultural Company (AAco) in 1826. Robert Dawson, the company's first superintendent, named the settlement after Stroud in Gloucestershire, England, as the lush rolling hills reminded him of the Gloucestershire countryside.

Stroud has an old world charm, as many of the original convict-built buildings have been preserved. Yes, this was a place where British convicts were sent to the penal colony to work. Thanks to the Stroud & District Historical Society Inc, much of the history of this town has been documented, and old buildings preserved. I popped into the newsagent's to get a copy of the Stroud Heritage Walk, that lists all the places of interest, before setting off to explore.

The Stroud Court House, dating from 1877, replaced the original 

Police Station/Court House (circa 1840). It ceased being a court house in 1974.

The Anglican Rectory - built by convict labour in 1836

St John's Anglican Church, dating from 1833, also built by convicts using locally made bricks.

Quambi House, formally a school, built in the 1830s, and now a museum of local artifacts

Stroud School of Arts, where Katelyn goes for her ballet and tap classes

One of the two cannons on Silo Hill

These cannons were made in England, and shipped to Sydney  in 1866 to help protect the harbour during the Crimean War. When the war ended, they were sent to Fort Scratchley in Newcastle, but by 1909 they were obsolete, and sent to Stroud to decorate Silo Hill.

Stroud Post Office, originally built in 1884, was restored for its centenary in 1984. 

It is said to be one of the best examples of an early Australian post office 

in the whole of the Hunter Region.

Stroud remains a fascinating snapshot of early Australia. I was intrigued, and charmed, by this small rural town, buried in the countryside.