‘The feelings aroused in us by our old buildings are difficult to define. But they are none­the-less powerful feelings. There’s something of a dream-like quality in going back into the past; of projecting oneself into history; of identifying oneself with outstanding personalities and events in our national story; or perhaps with the simple and unknown pioneers who patiently laid the foundations of today. We, as heirs to this story, become one with our history. And the old buildings, which are visible reminders of that history, become ours in a very personal way.’

Developers and most politicians may not agree. I suspect, though, that more Australians than ever before would agree. One reason for this might be the influence of people as sensitive to their heritage as Ray and John Oldham, Ronald Wright and Hubert Smeed, and Jim Paterson.