Christine Eliott B. Sc. Dip. Ed. B.L Arch (Hon1) AILA
(1945- 2008)
Christine Eliott, Landscape Architect, Scientist, High School Teacher and Consultant to the Albury –Wodonga Development Corporation passed away in February 2008 age 63.
Born in Epping NSW just before the end of World War 2 she was the eldest of three children.
At the time of her death Christine was the Landscape Architect for Sydney Water a position she had held since 1990. During her years in the position her responsibilities broadened into project management and she acquired a reputation as a ”fix-it” person within the organization.
Christine from the outset of her education and various career paths demonstrated a passionate love for matters related to the natural sciences and the environment. Knowledge gained through her studies was shared without reservation with a broad range of contacts from secondary school children, allied professionals, contractors and acquaintances. |
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A quietly spoken elegant woman with a wicked sense of humour she appreciated fine music, good wine and loved to cook, garden and faithfully restore old houses. For the past four years prior to her passing Christine with her partner David restored and transformed not only the building but also the garden that surrounds their 1913 home in Copeland Road, Beecroft.
The original garden was designed and built in the Edna Walling style that was popular in the early 1940’s. The garden was faithfully refreshed with attention thoughtfully paid to every aspect of the restoration.
Christine’s other interests in life included flying, target shooting and Formula 1 motor sports, with a strange passion for the Ferrari team.
During her many years at Sydney Water she was passionate about detail and executing landscape and building works strictly in accordance with the approved design and documentation. This was most important to Christine. Just ask any contractor who tried to take a short cut! Christine was known to say many times in her quiet respectful yet forceful manner “take it up and build it again in accordance with the plans, specification and the best possible standards”
“She was not afraid to go outside standard practice where sites were challenging, incorporating bush regeneration teams into projects by obtaining funding for very long maintenance periods where effective restoration and establishment could only be achieved over several years”.
In 1965 Christine graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in botany and zoology followed in 1966 with a Diploma of Education from Sydney University.
Following completion of her studies she took a position with the NSW Department of Education teaching Biological Science to Secondary Students. In 1971 & 1972 Christine taught the same subject with the Victorian Education Department.
Between late 1972 & 1974 she worked as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in Canberra, then from 1975 to 1978 taught Biological Science in the ACT.
It was following this time in Canberra that in 1978 Christine was appointed as a consultant to the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation to prepare a report on the ‘Social Impact of the Relocation of Army Personnel in Bandiana’ for the Department of Defence.
In October 1988 Christine as a mature aged student completed a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with 1st class honours at the University of NSW. Christine was awarded the Lindsay Robertson Memorial Prize in landscape design and construction. Her thesis topic Design and Management of Trunk Drainage Open Space Systems – a review of the Dual Use Policy in Penrith NSW and the ACT is still widely referred to, today.
During her student years at the University of NSW Christine gained valuable hands on experience with the landscape architectural practice of Edmond Bull & Corkery and the contractors Sutherland Shire Landscapes.
During 1982 -1983 she worked with Harry Howard & Associates in the now famous landscape architects environment known as 7 Ridge Street, North Sydney.
After leaving the Howard practice Christine worked for the NSW Public Works Department, Landscape Section, Government Architect’s Branch where she designed and documented schools at Shoal Bay, Sunshine Bay and the Special Uses and Open Space Corridor at Horsley Park as a Community Farm.
From 1984 –1989 Christine was employed as a Landscape Architect with Penrith City Council where she was responsible for a number of major projects ranging from neighbourhood parks, plans of management, numerous land release projects throughout the Penrith LGA and the historic Mamre Homestead precinct.
Prior to Christine’s appointment with Sydney Water she spent18 months as the Landscape Architect for Blacktown City Council where she was responsible for preparing amongst many other tasks the LEP for Parklea Release Area with a projected population of 50,000 and was Project Manager for the development of Plumpton Park, a Greenspace project.
Christine Eliott will be remembered as being a remarkable woman, a self-motivated professional with excellent oral and written skills and great negotiation skills. In her own words she “loved new challenges with enthusiasm, enjoyed the initiation of projects and expected to take full responsibility for their implementation at the highest possible standard within budget and time constraints”.
Christine right up to three days before her passing remained committed and focused on her work as project manager for the Warragamba Dam Visitors Centre.
Her partner David, her parents, brother and sister, survives her.
Text provided by Stuart Pittendrigh FAILA.
