John Tebbutt's Observatory visit : 1 Nov 2026
Sydney City Skywatcher members, and family/friends, visited John Tebbutt's observatory in Windsor on Sunday 1 November. John Tebbutt was the first president of the New South Wales branch of the British Astronomical Association (now Sydney City Skywatchers). Want to find out more? Have a look in the Michael Chapman on-line library for papers by John Tebbutt, Wayne Orchiston and others.
We were very fortunate to have a tour of Tebbutt's Observatory with his grandson John Halley Tebbutt. Our November 'comet' speaker, Chris Wyatt, also added to the experience as he had previously observed using a modern telescope at this site, and is a visual comet observer.
Elizabeth wrote to thank John Halley Tebbutt after the tour:
'On behalf of Sydney City Skywatchers (Formerly British Astronomical Association NSW Branch – (BAA)) I would like to thank you and express our deep appreciation for your time today (Sunday 1st November 2026) in taking us on a tour of Tebbutts Observatory. It certainly is a building steeped in rich astronomical history. The tour was very special to us as John Tebbutt was our “founding father”” and our first President when the club formed in 1895. To be able to speak with you and hear stories of how the observatory was built and its history was memorable. The tour of the Grubb telescope was completely fascinating especially to the telescope gurus among the group. It is a remarkable piece of equipment.
Thank you for giving your valuable time to show us around. Everyone had a wonderful time and came away with a better understanding and appreciation of what astronomy was like a century or so ago. We are truly honoured as we know the observatory is not generally open to the public.'
Before the tour some of us visited the Hawkesbury Regional Museum and walked down the main street of Windsor to Tebbutt's grave at St Matthews Anglican Church in Windsor as it is also very interesting. The church was designed by Francis Greenway.
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