BY DI SNEDDON
Kate and Clayton wanted to move from Sydney.
Clayton grew up in a residential area of the city and it felt like a country town as a child but it changed. The sense of community and neighbourly connection also changed over time.
He and Kate lived in Campbeltown but after experiencing covid lockdowns, they reassessed their lives.
They began their search for a new forever home and looked across regional New South Wales, venturing to Lithgow, Goulburn and then Singleton and it was Singleton where they found a home they fell in love with instantly.
It had heritage, a story and they found the neighbourhood and community welcoming.
Three bedrooms, a living area, combined dining and kitchen situated on a lovely corner block in the middle of an older section of town ticked all their boxes.
The home, East Lynne, has a history they continue to discover each and every day with the help of Singleton Historical Society and Museum and their own research. Amongst the photos on the walls is a framed image of the home dated back to 1900.
Kate and Clayton understand their home was built in 1911, and was possibly owned by Gerald Doyle, built on a town allotment for the Redbournberry Estate auctioned in 1894.
Stepping inside and the walls tell Kate and Clayton’s own family history. Photos of weddings, even Kate’s parents photos from their wedding and honeymoon. The images capture the family story so beautifully and they are everywhere.
Over the front door in a leadlight featuring the flora of the time. The architectural design of the home incorporates so many distinct features such as the wide timber flooring, the architraves, and the original beta stove that Kate hopes to have functioning one day.
The interior design reflects Kate’s love of antiques. She calls it a mix of antiques and shabby chic. Clayton laughs when he admits he calls it something else.
Four poster beds, antique lounge, artwork and chandeliers, are beautifully styled to create a wonderful mix of memories of theirs and a bygone era.
There is plenty of renovation being undertaken and Clayton attributes his new-found talent to ‘Mr Google’.
Kate and Clayton met on a Contiki tour at Byron Bay, surprisingly discovered they lived in adjacent suburbs in Sydney, which were built in the 1950s.
They got married and moved to Campbelltown at a time when the area still retained some of its country charm and was a great place to raise children.
When Clayton and Kate were first looking around the State to establish their future they were struck by the friendly and welcoming feel of Singleton.
“You go downtown and people smile, they are caring people and extremely friendly, I think it is because there so many new people coming here from the mining industry and people are used to new residents, it really has been welcoming,” Clayton said.
They have been welcomed by neighbours and most unexpected was the contact and friendship they have formed with their home’s original owners.
Two years into the new lives in Singleton and the couple are enjoying the culture, the local theatre productions and the gallery exhibitions and both are certain their decision to live in Singleton has definitely been the right one for them.
