family does retain ownership of the original farmhouse and homestead on the property. Macquarie Grove, and the greater Macquarie Grove property, also has associations with the establishment of the Macquarie Grove Flying and Glider School and the operation of the site by the Commonwealth Government as an air-force base during World War II. Following the war, the site has been developed into the Camden Airport. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. Purposefully sited overlooking the Nepean River towards the township of Camden, Macquarie Grove is a picturesque Victorian Rustic Gothic brick cottage residence. Like many Australian versions of the Rustic Gothic style, Macquarie Grove is positioned in its landscape to take in the aesthetic values of the surrounding natural environment and cultural scenery. Upon visiting the Macquarie Grove property in 1815, Governor Macquarie referred to it as "Mr Hassall's finely appointed and beautiful farm". The Macquarie Grove property contains a number of significant cultural plantings including an established White Cedar tree (Melia azedarach), Common Holly tree (Ilex aquifolium) and mature Camphor Laurel tree (Cinnamomum camphora). It is estimated that the Camphor Laurel tree dates from the mid-19th century. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. With a longheld use as a private residence, the social significance of Macquarie Grove is limited. However, Macquarie Grove is widely recognised as an early colonial property and has some social significance for the greater Camden district (once the Cowpastures). The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. As a very early land grant and mid-19th century construction, there is potential for further investigation into the property to reveal new information about its construction and use. The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. Macquarie Grove is of state heritage significance as a rare surviving example of an early residential homestead built on one of the first allotments granted by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. Granted in 1812, the Macquarie Grove property was one of the first large landholdings of the Cowpastures district. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural