was firmly established and, after the unfortunate death of Minister Fairbairn in 1940 due to an air crash, any attempts by the family to re-acquire the Macquarie Grove property were in vain. In a final effort, Edward achieved a five-year lease from 1946 in which he was able to re-open the flying school. The Royal Australian Air Force remained at Macquarie Grove for some time after World War II and the cottages were only able to be re-purchased (on small land parcels) by the Macarthur-Onslow family in 1987. The remainder of the 468-acre Macquarie Grove property remains under the ownership of the Commonwealth Government which has established the Camden Airport on the site. Description Overlooking the Nepean River and 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 was constructed of brick and stone on a modest scale but with steeply pitched gable roof and highly decorated bargeboards. In keeping with the picturesque style, the house is sited to take full advantage of the aesthetic values of the surrounding natural environment and cultural scenery. The core of the house is a four-roomed cottage which was extended with balanced wings on either end to create an "H" plan. The added wings were completed in face brick with plastered window dressings, bay windows, elaborate timber bargeboards with finials, Victorian brick chimneys and a decorative Gothic side porch on the western elevation. The gabled roofs are sheeted with corrugated iron. Macquarie Grove is complemented by outbuildings (a cottage residence/nursery and garage/studio) that enclose the rear garden. The 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. Modifications and dates Early 1900s - construction of outbuildings (brick servant's quarters and weatherboard nursery) 1940s - outbuildings modified to accommodated aviation defence use and brick garage constructed Heritage listing Macquarie Grove is of state heritage significance as part of the Macquarie Grove property, a very early and substantial land grant from Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1812. The property was one of the first allotments granted in the Cowpastures district and Macquarie Grove was the second residence constructed on the property. Macquarie Grove was, however, the main