Sharon Mulholland Launches An Invitation to the Table at Retford Park

The din of chatting and laughter filled the cool winter air, the clang of champagne glasses and the shuffle of more than 100 guests’ feet brought the grounds of Retford Park out of its sleepy slumber and back to its prime, if only for a day. No longer a museum, Retford Park was once again a home, filled with those who love and cherish the estate on a level casual visitors could never fully comprehend.

Built on Gundungurra Country in 1887, this Victorian Italianate homestead stands proudly over acres of immaculately maintained grounds and gardens on the outskirts of Bowral in the New South Wales Southern Highlands. Purchased in 1964 by James Fairfax AC, he lovingly restored and transformed the property into a gentleman’s estate. James loved his country home and remained there along with his beloved Ridgeback dogs and his dedicated staff, managed by Sharon and John Mulholland, until his passing in 2017. James donated the estate to the National Trust in 2016, ensuring that the property continued to be maintained and shared with future generations.

Launched at Retford Park Itself

Under the porte cochère, Ann Frederick, the current Estate Manager, approached the microphone and welcomed all the honoured guests to the launch of Sharon Mulholland’s memoir, An Invitation to the Table: A memoir of life, art, dedication and companionship with James Fairfax at Retford Park.

What followed was a fascinating lineup of guest speakers, including John Mulholland who reflected on life at the estate. William Webster, the Managing Director of ASPG/Inspiring Publishers, spoke about the publishing of the book and how Sharon’s words captured the very essence of the life that was lived within the Portuguese pink walls.

This speech was followed by Annalise Fairfax, younger sister of James Fairfax AC. She recalled with joy, memories from the home, her time spent with Sharon and John as well as her late brother. Her words were warm, humorous, and intimate and by the time she finished, there were not many dry eyes left in the crowd. With a voice, brimming with pride, Annalise held up a copy of Sharon’s book and announced it officially launched, to a loud applause.

Sharon Mulholland’s speech followed. The love she holds for Retford Park shone through, her face brimmed with delight as she recalled memories of a time when her grandparents managed the estate and the childhood memories of visiting their ‘Pink Castle’. She spoke of her passion for management, the joy of living at the estate with her parents as a child and then raising her three children there, and the pride of her son stepping into a managing role in the later years, completing a remarkable four-generation odyssey of care and dedication.

The spirit of James Fairfax was very much felt by all who attended, as a cacophony of kookaburras almost drowned out the speech as Sharon spoke about the evolving relationship with James and her motivations for writing the book. The need to preserve the stories and memories of the time spent at Retford, memories which would otherwise have been lost and details only they could know. James Fairfax had a passion for heritage conservation, and this memoir not only preserves Sharon’s legacy but honours his enduring wish to preserve his former home for future generations.

The formal proceedings were wrapped up by Ann Frederick, who thanked Sharon for her dedication and the writing of the book, and invited the guests to enter the home, enjoy the grounds, and meet Sharon inside for a book signing in the Morning Room.

With purchased copies in their hands, the crowd lined up and, under a life-size portrait of James Fairfax AC, Sharon signed the hundreds of copies that crossed the desk, with smiles, laughter, and a kind word for each and every one of her guests.

Visit Retford Park With Sharon

Readers who would like to experience Retford Park through Sharon’s eyes can join her in person. The National Trust is hosting An Invitation to the Table, a guided insider’s tour of the estate led by Sharon herself, on Saturday 24 October and Saturday 14 November 2026. The tour includes rarely seen “back of house” areas such as the kitchen, Butler’s Pantry and cellar, concluding with refreshments on the front verandah. Tickets and full details are available on the National Trust’s event page.

About the Book

An Invitation to the Table, by Sharon Mulholland, is not just a tribute to Retford Park and James Fairfax; it is a tribute to her own family legacy. From her grandparents, parents, her husband John, and her three children. It is a memoir about how one ordinary Australian family was able to, for four generations, bring life, laughter, and order to this prestigious estate.

Retford Park is not just an elegant Victorian Italianate homestead, in Portuguese pink with white lacework, it is a legacy, not only to those who built it back in 1887, but to those who lived and cared for it over the centuries. Now held by the National Trust, this book’s most lasting message is that Retford Park is not a museum, or the sum of the events which happened within its walls. Retford Park has always been and will always remain, home.

An Invitation to the Table: A memoir of life, art, dedication and companionship with James Fairfax at Retford Park is available now through Inspiring Bookshop.

View An Invitation to the Table on Inspiring Bookshop →

Words by Lodie Webster, ASPG/Inspiring Publishers.