Alfred Andrew Patterson

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Margaret Mary Griffin and Alfred Andrew Patterson on their wedding day, Orange, 27 July 1887. Image courtesy Virginia Rundle.


Alfred Andrew Patterson (1859-1932) was born in Drottningholm, Sweden, and following study at Uppsala University lectured at Hamburg University. His field of study is not known, but it seems reasonable to assume either surveying or botany. He then worked in England before migrating to Tasmania, where he was employed during the 1880s as a surveyor on the Mount Bischoff railway. Following botanical research in Queensland, he was engaged as a surveyor / engineer for the Nyngan Byrock railway in New South Wales. Whilst there he enlisted for the Sudan War (1885), but en route to Sydney was taken from the train in Orange suffering typhoid fever. Upon his recovery he was employed by James Dalton, MLA for Orange, owner of the large properties Kangaroobie and Duntryleague.

When Cook Park was opened in 1887, through Dalton’s influence Patterson gained the position of inaugural head gardener. Patterson’s horticultural expertise soon attracted attention. In September 1889 the Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser noted:

The approach of spring is very pleasingly displayed by many of the plants in Cook Park. Most of the shrubs and trees are bursting into life,
and the willows in particular are casting off their sober garb of winter and beginning to show the charming tresses of spring.
Most of the earlier flowers and shrubs are coming into bloom, among which are the highly-perfumed wattles. Mr. Patterson, the curator,
has planted this season 500 trees and shrubs in the park. About 150 trees have also been planted in the streets under his supervision.

In early 1890 a deputation from local worthies from Bathurst visited Orange – ostensibly to examine the gravitational water supply scheme. At Cook Park they met Patterson, mentioning that Bathurst Council was seeking a head gardener to lay out the new Machattie Park and that a competition was being held to find a design for the park. Patterson decided to offer a design, and later applied for the position of head gardener. He was appointed as head gardener of Bathurst’s Machattie Park in April 1890.

Minutes of the special meeting of Council 10 April 1890 state that Mr A Patteron on 3rd April 1890 resigned from his position as caretaker of Cook Park. Alderman Tanner moved that Mr Patterson’s resignation be accepted.

In 1900 he was seconded by the NSW Government to organise the floral displays for the Federation celebrations in Centennial Park, Sydney.

In 1907 Patterson accepted the position of engineer for Turon Shire Council. He was later engineer for the Weddin and Demondrille Shires. In 1909 he designed Cameron Park in Wellington, based on Princes Street Park in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Patterson developed a great interest in civic affairs and became quite opinionated in his views. His close friends included Sir Henry Parkes and former premier of NSW, later prime minister, Sir George Reid.

In retirement, Patterson lived in Orange with his eldest son, Andrew William Patterson, who operated a Summer Street newsagency for more than twenty years.

Alfred Andrew Patterson, pioneer landscape gardener of the state’s Central West, died in Sydney on 17 July 1932, aged 73.


  • “Orange Blossoms” (2009) Orange City Council, Orange NSW.
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