Sir Arthur Renwick (30 May 1837 – 23 November 1908)

Arthur Renwick was a prominent citizen of Canada Bay, philanthropist, politician and businessman. In 1877 – 1878, he built his home and named it Abbotsford after Sir Walter Scott’s mansion, Abbotsford in Scotland. Sir Walter Scott was Renwick’s favourite author.

The suburb of Abbotsford was originally part of Five Dock farm and was later named Abbotsford after Renwick’s Abbotsford House.  Abbotsford House is heritage listed and is one of the few surviving Victorian mansions in Canada Bay. Some of its features are cupolas, a private chapel, verandas and elaborate plaster. It is set within a park like setting on the banks of the Parramatta River. Owners have included Albert Edward Grace (one of the founders of Grace Bros) and Nestle. Between 1917 and 1991 Nestle owned Abbotsford House and surrounding land that included orchards, sporting fields, a boatshed and a large pavilion. Following the closure of Nestle in 1991, the site was sold and redeveloped for medium density housing. Abbotsford Cove is built around Abbotsford House which is a private home.

Early career

We have much to thank Arthur Renwick for. He was one of the first three BA graduates at the University of Sydney, but being determined to do medicine, he continued his studies in Edinburgh, returning to Sydney when qualified in 1862 to establish his medical practice.

While establishing his practice, he worked unpaid as a medical officer of the Benevolent Society at its asylum in George Street. At that time, the Government did little for the poor, abandoned women, orphans and the sick and elderly. This work was carried out by charities relying on donations and some Government grants. As the medical officer for the Benevolent Society, he came in close contact with the extreme vulnerability and health problems faced by the poor. When promoted to secretary, he re-organised and streamlined the way it was run.

As the medical officer, he also worked in pathology and carried out post-mortems at the “dead house”. He carried out the post-mortem of the victims of the Sussex Street murders. After examining the beaten, dismembered body parts, he was able to give an accurate description of her, and, most importantly, suggested the skilled severing of the limbs had been carried out by someone familiar with dissection – probably a butcher. This enabled the police to quickly identify the victim and murderer. His forensic skills made him a celebrity and gave an invaluable boost to his practice.

He continued his work with the Benevolent Society for over 20 years, and his compassion and administrative skills led him to a life of philanthropy, which he followed for the rest of his life. Through his advocacy he was able to involve the Government more in the life of its citizens while he continued to do what he could, to help those less fortunate.

Charitable works

As a long-term President of the Benevolent Society, he used his medical leadership to press for the establishment of a modern “lying-in” (obstetric hospital) – the Royal Hospital for Women in Paddington, which opened in 1902. In 1905, the Royal Hospital for Women opened the first antenatal clinic in the British Empire.

In 1879, one of Renwick’s most significant social welfare initiatives was to help create the State Children’s Relief Department, which he led as President from 1881 to 1901. He helped shepherd in the Children’s Protection Act to outlaw baby-farming (the disposal of unwanted illegitimate children by neglect and sometimes murder). He implemented a boarding-out system, placing destitute children with foster families in the community. The foster families were paid a small fee and were supposed to treat the children as part of the family. Sometimes, despite vetting, the families treated the children as cheap labour. Because of this, he amended the Act in 1897, to enable the fees to be paid to the mother of children, enabling the family to stay together. He also secured stronger guardianship laws for the department to protect wards of the state.

The foster care model, when it worked well, greatly improved the quality of life for many orphaned or abandoned children, who would otherwise reside in overcrowded asylums. Renwick additionally oversaw the creation of farm home settlements for these children at Mittagong, that were aimed to provide a healthier family-like environment and practical training for state wards.

He took an active interest in, and had many dealings with many hospitals, including Sydney Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He supervised the planning and building of the “deaf, dumb and blind institutions” building in Darlington, expanding services for the disabled.

He took an active interest in, and played a key role in expanding and modernising hospital care, becoming a director and consultant physician at major hospitals. In 1878, he was appointed President of The Sydney Infirmary (Sydney Hospital), and Director of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He also acted as a trustee or attending physician to others, such as The Carrington Centennial Hospital for Convalescents, The Hospital for Sick Children and The Thirlmere Home for Consumptives. He was appointed the first President of the NSW branch of The British Medical Association in the 1880s.

He encouraged the University of Sydney to establish a medical faulty, which opened in 1883. He donated 1,000 pounds to support a scholarship in anatomy. He also served as Vice-Chancellor on several occasions.

Political Career

Renwick entered politics in August 1885 and was Minister for Public Instruction (1886-1887). He was responsible for introducing the savings’ bank system in schools, and helped shape public education policy. He supported education for all. In 1887, he was nominated to the Legislative Council and remained a member for the rest of his life until 1908.

Perhaps his most significant political achievement was his work on the old-age pension. In 1896, he drew-up the manifesto for the old-age pension for The Pension’s League and became its President. He actively campaigned for it, held meetings, enlisted press support and lobbied politicians to support the idea.

On November 27th 1900, Renwick rose to his feet in the Legislative Council on behalf of the law to introduce an old-age pension in New South Wales. He argued: “Why should we not pay for the poor? Poverty is no crime […] Old age itself works against the power of any man to maintain himself.”. He also argued it was fallacious that the prospect of a pension would discourage young people from saving for their old age. He insisted that New South Wales, as the Premier State, should set an example to the rest of the country.

Despite fears it would beggar the State, reward the feckless and attract old people from all over the country – the law was passed – the first in Australia, and introduced in 1901.

Pensioners would:

• Have to be over 65 years of age
• Have lived in New South Wales for 25 years
• Have an income of not more than £52 a year
• Be of good moral character (no criminal record and nobody who had deserted a wife and child)

Single pensioners would receive 10 shillings and married couples 15 shillings per week. The scheme was costed at £400 a year.

Personal wealth

As a businessman, he had made a considerable fortune; he became director of an insurance company, a building society and the Australian Widow’s front. He also invested in mining ventures and his medical practice was very successful. Unfortunately, in 1904, he lost most of his money in mining ventures and was forced to sell his mansion Abbotsford House and to move to Woodstock in Burwood.

Conclusion

Arthur Renwick died in his Woodstock home in Burwood on the 23^rd of November 1908.

His legacy is deeply engrained in the fabric of New South Wales civic and social institutions. Through a lifetime of service, Sir Arthur Renwick (knighted in 1894), helped transform healthcare, social services, education, with initiatives and hospitals, pension laws, child welfare, support for universities.

Renwick is remembered as a visionary, who combined medical knowledge, administrative skills, political acumen and compassion to build a fairer society.

Hilary Morrissey