A rare treasure currently held in private hands has emerged in the form of a painting entitled ‘View of Infirmary, Gaol, Nobbys, Harbour Master’s House and Nobby’. Dated to around the early 1870s, our colleague Ms Ann Hardy has identified the work as being by painter Margaret Laidler.
We know of at least another version of the work of which we have an image in the Hunter Photobank:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10924993?q=laidler&c=picture
http://www.daao.org.au/main/read/3816
Margaret Laidler’s maiden name was probably Lamb – her father was William Lamb and mother Margaret Brown, and we believe that her husband was William. He was involved in some way with the Geelong Infirmary – they may have been in Newcastle for a visit which may explain the specific mention of the ‘Infirmary’.
If anyone has anything further to add we would be very interested in hearing from you. Please feel free to leave comments below.