The Society of Women Writers, as part of their centenary celebrations had a booth at the recent open day of the National Heritage house ‘Woodlands’ in Killara the home where the woman writer Ethel Turner lived for some years and where she wrote the famous Seven Little Australians. We could stand and be inspired in the house, in the room, the corner, the desk, where she wrote at least 3 of her many books.
It gave the Society an opportunity to advertise the Society and to talk about writing and how Ethel was an early member of the Society.
Ethel Turner lived at a time in the late 19th century, when women would start earning recognition for their works and perhaps start to get their seat at the table alongside their male contemporaries more than ever before, even if there was still a lot of gatekeeping.
Albert and Eva Lin who bought the house in 2017 realised ‘Woodlands’ was included on the State Heritage Register and they decided to learn more about Ethel Turner.
Realising althought her iconic novel was still available, Ethel herself had been largely forgotten, they immediately set about to rectify that. In conjunction with local historians and the local council, Albert and Ava set about restoring both home and garden to their former glory days. Although keen to modernise the home for their young family, they have restored part of the house to reflect its 1890’s inspiration for Turner’s imagination including a library of her complete works . As Albert says:
‘Woodlands’ has been around before I existed. It will be around long after I cease to exist. As its present custodian, if i do not do this that I am doing, who else?
Albert Lin Private owner of Woodlands with two of his five daughters
who has restored his home ‘Woodlands’ into the period of history of Ethel Turner’s time.