"Progress Report 2008"

Progress Report 2009

The Organ returns in December
as reported in Open Gate – December 2008
For The Chapel Society by Ann Henderson

Packed into 2 temperature-controlled containers, the organ was loaded onto MS/MSC REGINA which sailed from the port of Fos-sur-Mer near Marseille on 29 November. Estimated arrival date in Botany Bay, Sydney, is 31 December.

At the beginning of October, I spent several days in Provence with organ builder Charles Henry and Consultant Michel Colin, inspecting the almost completed organ and finalising details for the shipment and arrival arrangements.
Here is a preview of the console, the gift of the NSW Sacré Coeur Association, which was nearing completion when I visited. It is now finished, packed and loaded, with the precious original 1890 Puget nameplate attached. The carving detail on the console and matching bench replicates the carving on the original console.

This photo shows the stop knobs which replicate those in the photograph of Sisters Cecilie Amiet and Margaret Lentaigne taken in the 1950’s. Some are from old Puget organs and some will be replicated.

On 19 November, 2008, a glorious still autumn day in Provence, packed into two 20 ft containers, the 1890 Puget organ began its last long voyage home to the Chapel in Rose Bay.  For the third time in its 119-year old life, it crossed the seas from France to Australia.  The containers went to the large container port of Fos-sur-Mer and were loaded onto Ms/MSC REGINA sailing for Sydney.

Check photos on the packing of the organ on the following web page
http://www.puget-organ-restoration.org.au/restoration/packing.htm

The organ builders arrived in late December 2008 and the two containers arrived in early January when installation commenced.

We will have one of the very finest instruments in Australia and a great cultural treasure.