Look up, peasants!

Back to my stroll amongst the sandstones. Did you know that there is a group of universities within Australia which are termed the "sandstone" universities? This is a brickbat, rather than a bouquet, of course. Generally speaking, they are the oldest institutions, with the highest social standing. But, this is NOT a university. Rather, it is another view of the Department of Lands building, of which I have already shown you the Bent Street frontage, with its magnificent clock-tower. Both images today show the Bridge street frontage. In the lead image, the large statue on the left is in Macquarie Place Park, and depicts Thomas Sutcliffe Mort (1816-1878) who was a merchant, shipbuilder, wool broker and pioneer of the technique of freezing meat for export. Behind him, on the walls of the Lands building are a series of statues enclosed within the fabric of the building itself. Each facade has 12 niches whose sculpted occupants include explorers and legislators who made a major contribution to the opening up and settlement of the nation. Only 23 statues were commissioned, the last being added in 1901 leaving 25 niches unfilled. From memory, they are all blokes!