[4][1] Mr J. Upton senior was in charge of the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital's grounds for 16 years, a position he resigned to take up the business of carnation growing.

Upton Sen was born in England and received his training from experienced head gardeners near Birmingham and was last employed at Perry Hall, South Staffordshire.

In the intervening years, increased affluence and general living standards, the establishment of a broad range of government-funded social welfare provisions and the development of antibiotics meant that many debilitating illnesses such as scarlet fever and tuberculosis were virtually eliminated or at least rendered innocuous.

[6][1] In 1976 the Trustees decided that the use of the site as a convalescent hospital was no longer a viable proposition and entrusted it to the NSW Health Commission on the condition that it be used as closely as possible to Thomas Walker's intentions.

[3] The Joanna Walker Memorial Children's Convalescent Hospital was taken over by the Concord Historical Society in 1972, though later returned to the health service.

In the 1980s the hospital was administered by the Health Commission of NSW on the condition that it should keep as closely as possible to the convalescent ideal embodied in the will of Thomas Walker.

[1] An extensive garden principally of trees and lawn, unaltered in layout and adequately maintained, but in need of more careful and sympathetic replanting respecting the strict symmetry of its design.

Further drives extend from the water gate along the shore and then curve up to the extremities of the hospital's wings, enclosing areas of lawn on either side of the central path planted symmetrically with pines, Araucarias, figs etc.

[9][1] Plantings near the main complex feature mature Cook's pines (Araucaria columnaris) including a pair flanking a riverside wharf entry building, a collection of palms including Canary Island palms (Phoenix canariensis), P. Reclinata, coral trees (Erythrina indica) and others.

[1] Plantings as of 1 July 2004 included: The main Thomas Walker Hospital complex is of Federation style based on a pavilion format.

Each pavilion is planned to retain its functional integrity with the central block for administration and service wings on each side.

[1] The two-storeyed central block includes an intricately detailed three storeyed tower over the main entrance, an impressive vestibule and an entertainment hall for 300 people.

These include: The Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital is of national heritage significance as a rare major institution which has survived along the foreshores of the Parramatta River from the 19th century.

[1] The Estate is a rare surviving late 19th century major institution of a private architect's design in Australia and is John Sulman's finest work in this country.

They are a bold, effective piece of institutional gardening, integral with an architecturally exceptionally important late 19th century hospital building and probably designed by its architect, Sir John Sulman.

Other important garden elements of note are the axial driveway and the paths, edged in bricks, and fountains which feature in the courtyards.

[1] The prime cultural significance of the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital estate and its buildings is that it is a 'palimpsest'; a many layered site, which encompasses all of the above mentioned broad and capricious backgrounds from the first Aboriginal habitation, through the spectra of 200 years of white settlement, to that of its latest use by the Rivendell Adolescent Unit.

[1] The site is important for its connections with the Walker family and late 19th century philanthropy, its design quality and craftsmanship, its association with the architect John Sulman and its location with other local health and welfare facilities.

[1] Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.

[14][1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The elegance of the design and quality of craftsmanship evidenced by the stonework, brickwork, joinery, plasterwork and carpentry set it apart from many buildings of its time.

Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital is one of the finest examples of late 19th century philanthropy, an important aspect of society at that time.