by Greg Martin

I could well understand why Alex Lister’ s favourite place is sitting in his chair, having a cuppa or a glass of fine wine with friends and taking in a fabulous view.

A view that extends from his Kurrajong Heights home down to Sydney Harbour, where he can see the red light atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Your writer and photographer, Kathryn Johnston, has worked with Alex over the past half dozen years through his being a member of the prestigious Hawkesbury Art Prize committee.

Subsequently we regard ourselves as our host’ s friends and worthy enough to join him enjoying the extraordinary view.

So, sitting comfortably on what we tabbed“ the viewing room”, enjoying a cuppa and a couple of bikkies, Kathryn and I could fully understand why Alex says it is his favourite place.

The distant view is fantastic, but Kathryn and I totally agreed with Alex that the foreground view is the jewel in the crown.

Alex’ s home is set on 15 picturesque acres, featuring rolling lawns and a fabulous array of trees, ornamentals, natives, and shrubs.

“ The ornamentals- maples, elms and ashes- feature a range of colours which change from summer into

autumn and look absolutely beautiful,” Alex said.

“ As do the lillypillies, frangipanis and lemon – scented myrtles which not only provide wonderful colours but also produce fantastic scents.”

Alex, a divorcee, and his mother, Stella, moved to the property in 2007 and both worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the place which was overgrown with black wattle trees and invasive privet.

“ The lawns you see now were rough paddocks and the place was littered with struggling black wattle trees and privet was all over the place,” Alex explained.

“ I did the tougher work out in the paddocks while mum concentrated on establishing those lovely gardens you see around the house.”

Sadly, Alex lost his beloved mum in 2016 when she passed away after 95 years in this place.

“ Mum and my dad, John, were inspirational parents who were great role models for me and my younger siblings, Dudley and Ann,” Alex said.“ They ensured we had a solid education, good manners, respect for those who earned respect, and a great work ethic.”

Those who have had the pleasure of getting to know Alex through his dedicated contribution as a member of the Hawkesbury Art Prize( HAP) committee, would certainly attest the latter attribute.

It was only natural that Alex would become involved with the HAP as he always had a strong interest in art and antiques throughout his life.

“ I bought my first antique when I was 14 years old, when mum and dad piled us into his FJ Holden and drove out to the bush, the Hawkesbury, for a day out,” Alex said.

“ We stopped at a little sandstone cottage which is now part of The Fiddler Hotel but back then it was an antique shop, and for a few shillings I bought a little cup and saucer.

“ I’ ve been a collector ever since, but that little cup and saucer are still among my favourite possessions.”

Alex has been a frequenter of art galleries and museums throughout his life, and it was only natural that he would seek out local galleries when he and Stella relocated to Kurrajong Heights.

“ Back then there was just the two galleries – Hawkesbury Regional Gallery and Dr Robyn Williams’ Purple Noon gallery at Freeman’ s Reach,” Alex said.

“ I became involved with Robyn and her gallery in 2011, was asked to judge the HAP in 2016 and ever since I have been a committee member as the public officer looking after State Government regulations in regard to not-for-profit organisations.”

Alex brings a laudable business career to the HAP committee.

Educated at Auburn Public School

Alex Lister relaxing over a cuppa and taking in the magnificent views from his Kurrajong Heights home. That’ s shower-haze in the distance, otherwise Alex would be able to view as far away as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Photo: Kathryn Johnston.

and later Granville Technical High School after which he commenced a six-year indenture as a carpenter-joiner during which time he also studied to attain a building inspector diploma.

Over the ensuing years, his expertise saw him hold positions with the Australian Broadcasting Commission, the CSIRO and with the Australian navy, army and airforce, overseeing building projects.

From 1970 until 2010 when he retired, Alex was the building service manager at the Department of Civil Aviation, operating out of Kingsford Smith Airport.

Yep, the 78-year-old has, as they say, led a fulfilling life and thoroughly deserves to sit back, relax and enjoy his favourite place.