A newspaper article from the Port Phillip/ Caulfield Leader of 01/11/1999 about the renovation of Chiselhurst, located at 28 Sandham Street, Elsternwick, to be used as administrative offices for St Joseph’s Primary School. The article provides a brief history of Chiselhurst. The file also includes two undated, unattributed black and white photographs (90mm x 90mm; 90mm x 140mm) of the exterior of Chiselhurst. Also included is a one page printed undated, unattributed document with an exterior sketch (82mm x 111mm) and a brief history of Chiselhurst. The file also includes a one page handwritten, undated, unattributed research note containing a brief history of Chiselhurst.mansions, chiselhurst, cromarty, school houses, schools, primary schools, independent schools, st joseph’s primary school, cromarty school for girls, presentation covent, st joseph’s church, elsternwick, orrong road, sandham street, methodist ladies college, convents, architectural features, cast iron work, fireplaces, stairs, verandahs, chimneys, balconies, architectural styles, victorian style, living john, day annie, day jeannie, day louie, mangin wendy, presentation sisters, nuns, principals, students, education, beecham henry sir

Four unattributed colour photographs taken 30/05/1981. Three of the photographs (130mm x 90mm; 130mm x 90mm; 90mm x 130mm) depict the exterior of Fairfield Hall and one photograph (90mm x 130mm) depicts the auction board advertising the auction of the property to be held on 04/06/1981. A handwritten note on the back of the photograph of the auction board provides that the house sold for $431,000.fairfield hall, victorian style, architectural styles, fireplaces, stained glass, architectural features, caulfield south, north road, towers

These cane chairs are one of many 19th century items of furniture, linen and crockery donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by, Vera and Aurelin Giles. The items are associated with Warrnambool and the Giles Family history. Items donated by the family have come to be known as the “Giles Collection”. Many items in the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage were donated by Vera and Aurelin Giles and mostly came from the home of Vera’s parents-in-law, Henry Giles and his wife Mary Jane (nee Freckleton) who married in 1880 and whose photos are on display in the parlour. Henry was born at Tower Hill in 1858, and was a labourer on the construction of the Warrnambool Breakwater before leaving in 1895 for around seven years to build bridges in NSW. Mary Jane was born in 1860 at Cooramook and she attended Mailor’s Flat State School and where she eventually was to become a student teacher. After which she became a governess at “Injemiara” where her grandfather, Francis Freckleton, had once owned land. Henry and Mary’s family consisted of six, some of the children were born at Mailor’s Flat and later some children at Wangoom. They lived with their parents at Wangoom and Purnim west, and this is where Henry died in 1933 and Mary Jane in 1940. Heywood & Wakefield Furniture Co: The Heywood-Wakefield Company is an American furniture manufacturer established in 1897. It went on to become a major presence in the US. Its older products are considered collectibles and have been featured on television antique programs. The Heywood brothers established themselves in 1826, as furniture makers and the Wakefield Company began in 1855 as a separate company. Both firms produced wicker and rattan furniture, and as these products became increasingly popular towards the end of the century, they became serious rivals. In 1897 the companies merged as Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company (this name was changed to Heywood-Wakefield Company in 1921), purchasing Washburn-Heywood Chair Company in 1916, Oregon Chair Company in 1920, and Lloyd Manufacturing Company in 1921. While its wooden furniture plant in Gardner, Massachusetts closed in 1979, a branch in Menominee, Michigan continued to manufacture metal outdoor seats, auditorium seats, and school furniture. The Heywood-Wakefield Company Complex in Gardner was added to the National Historic Register in 1983. The South Beach Furniture Company acquired the rights to the name in 1994 and reproduces its wooden furniture. Both founding companies produced wicker and rattan furniture in the late 19th century.  The wicker styles drew on the Aesthetic Movement and Japanese influences simpler designs arose in the wake of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The merged entity stayed abreast of wicker furniture trends by hiring designers such as Paul Frankl and Donald Deskey during the 1920s. Its furniture was exhibited at the 1933 Century of Progress exhibition and the 1964 New York World's Fair. During the 1930s and 1940s, Heywood-Wakefield began producing furniture using sleek designs based on French Art Deco.The Giles family collection has social significance at a local level, because it illustrates the level of material support the Warrnambool community gave to Flagstaff Hill when the village and Museum was established. The wicker furniture is a fine example of late 19th and early 20th century light weight domestic furniture that are today very collectible items and quite rare and valuable.Pair of wicker armchairs, painted dark brown. The open wicker weave pattern extends from the seat up to the armrests and completely over the backrest, plus across the front of the chair below the seat. The seat is very firmly woven and fitted into a timber frame. A reinforcing pattern of wicker work covers the top edges of the armrests and backrest in one piece and folds around to the underside, referred to as ‘rolled serpentine arms and back’. The hollow ends of the armrests are filled with a circular knob of wicker work. The back legs are also completed with decorative wicker knobs. One chair base (3788.01) has been strengthened with metal bracing. The other chair (3788.02) has the remnants of an orange manufacture’s tag fixed to the base. The chairs were made 1897-1921 by Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company, USA. These chairs are part of the Giles Collection.Printed in black on an orange tag “MANUFA - Heywood B – GARDNE”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, giles collection, giles family, henry and mary jane giles, tower hill, cooramook, warrnambool breakwater, mailor’s flat, wangoom, 19th century furniture, wicker armchairs, rolled serpentine wicker work, cane armchair, classic wicker furniture, victorian style furniture, domestic furniture late 19th century, heywood-wakefield company

Heywood & Wakefield Furniture Co: The Heywood-Wakefield Company is an American furniture manufacturer established in 1897 that went on to become a major presence in the US. Its older products are considered collectibles and have been featured on television antique programs. The Heywood brothers established themselves in 1826, as furniture makers and the Wakefield Company began in 1855 as a separate company. Both firms produced wicker and rattan furniture, and as these products became increasingly popular towards the end of the century, they became serious rivals. In 1897 the companies merged as Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company (this name was changed to Heywood-Wakefield Company in 1921), purchasing Washburn-Heywood Chair Company in 1916, Oregon Chair Company in 1920, and Lloyd Manufacturing Company in 1921. While its wooden furniture plant in Gardner, Massachusetts closed in 1979, a branch in Menominee, Michigan continued to manufacture metal outdoor seats, auditorium seats, and school furniture. The Heywood-Wakefield Company Complex in Gardner was added to the National Historic Register in 1983. The South Beach Furniture Company acquired the rights to the name in 1994 and reproduces its wooden furniture. Both founding companies produced wicker and rattan furniture in the late 19th century.  The wicker styles drew on the Aesthetic Movement and Japanese influences simpler designs arose in the wake of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The merged entity stayed abreast of wicker furniture trends by hiring designers such as Paul Frankl and Donald Deskey during the 1920s. Its furniture was exhibited at the 1933 Century of Progress exhibition and the 1964 New York World's Fair. During the 1930s and 1940s, Heywood-Wakefield began producing furniture using sleek designs based on French Art Deco.The chair has social significance at a local level, because it illustrates the level of material support the Warrnambool community gave to Flagstaff Hill when the village and Museum was established. The wicker nursing chair is a fine example of late 19th century light weight domestic furniture that today are very collectible items and quite rare and valuable.Nurse wicker chair, wood, cane and rattan with round rushed seat. The one left arm being that to support the infant during feeding. 1870s-1890s. Believed to have been made by Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company, USA. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, 19th century furniture, rolled serpentine wicker work, cane armchair, classic wicker furniture, victorian style furniture, domestic furniture late 19th century, heywood-wakefield company, feeding chair, nursing chair, mother's chair, nursery furniture

This page of photographs is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. First 2 images: milkbar and residence corner Kambrook and Balaclava Roads ie south west corner - building named Airdrie 3rd image: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/43737 - re 26 Kambrook Road and 345 Balaclava Road corner building ie south east corner: A prominently situated two-storeyed complex of late Victorian buildings consisting of "Wybar's Buildings" occupying the Balaclava Road/ Kambrook Road corner and the "Caulfield Bakery" facing Kambrook Road, separated by a driveway from a single storeyed shop. The main building has a comer splay and balustraded parapet with curved pediments, the words "Wybar's Buildings 1887" having been obliterated but "Caulfield Bakery 1887" with the characteristic wheatsheaf surviving in raised cement work. The walls are stuccoed and richly ornamented with bracketed cornices and keystones with masks extending to the Bakery. The main building is further distinguished by the Masonic symbol of the mason's dividers in the pediment whilst the upper level of the bakery is in overpainted brickwork. The single storeyed shop incorporates the bracketed cornice and consoles characteristic of the main buildings and is in other respects a utilitarian structure. 4th image: https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/42415 (on 24/01/2021) - 196 Kambrook Road An imposing late Victorian poly-chrome brick asymmetrical villa with corner verandah and projecting west facing wing with faceted window bay to the facade. Body bricks are red and relieved by cream and black brick banding and by cream bricks to the bracketed eaves. The fretted barge with king post treatment and timber posted verandah are unique in the Municipality and unusual in the metropolitan area and demonstrate an understated appreciation of the emerging Queen Anne mode.345 Balaclava and 26 Kambrook Roads HO91 - City of Glen Eira https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/43737 (on 24/01/2021) "Wybar's Buildings" at the corner of Balaclava Road and Kambrook Road are important as a prominent late Victorian commercial development incorporating a variety of activities including a bakery and possibly a coffee palace, the latter understood to be unique within the municipality, but characteristic of the period. It is a rare complex of its type in Caulfield and is important also as evocative evidence of the late Victorian Land Boom and the creation of a small now defunct commercial centre at this location by the George Wybrow. 196 Kambrook Road HO122 - City of Glen Eira https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/42415 "Glencoe" is situated at no. 196 Kambrook Road, Caulfield North and was built for the boot manufacturer, Robert Bruce Mair, in 1888. It is of historic and aesthetic significance. It is historically significant (Criterion A) as the home of an inner suburban industrialist, notable a boot manufacturer, demonstrating the attraction of Caulfield as a residential location for the manufacturers of the metropolis during the late Victorian Boom period. It is aesthetically significant (Criterion E) as a very early example of a Queen Anne influenced late Victorian villa, comparing at the State level with ''Woodlands'' (1888), North Essendon, generally acknowledged to be one of Australia's earliest houses to fully exploit this emerging style. The ornamental timberwork is especially expressive of the new architectural fashion and compares with the house at 33 Clarence Street, Elsternwick (1888-89).Page 105 of Photograph Album with two photographs of a milk bar and attached residence, one older photograph of Wybar's Building and another photograph of a house on Kambrook Road (all are landscape).Handwritten: 196 KAMBROOK ROAD / 1970 - GAFFNEY MRS S.M. [under bottom right photo] / 100 [bottom left]trevor hart, kambrook road, victorian style, caulfield north, parapets, wybar's buildings 1887, caulfield bakery 1887, architectural features, painted bricks, balaclava road, george wybrow, shops, milk bars, airdrie, polychrome bricks, verandahs, queen anne architectural style, houses, glencoe, robert mair

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Rosemont HO124 - 112 Kooyong Road Caulfield North https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/35588 Rosemont'' is situated at no.112A Kooyong Road, Caulfield North and was built in 1869 for Godfrey Howitt, physician, president and honorary physician of the Melbourne Benevolent Society, Council member of the University of Melbourne and founding vice president of the Royal Society of Victoria. It is historically significant (Criterion A) as an early and substantial villa residence demonstrating Caulfield's early attraction as a residential retreat for Melbourne's elite. This significance is enhanced by the associations of the place with Godfrey Howitt and later James Grice, National Bank chairman and owner of "Stonnington" in Glenferrie Road, Malvern and Thomas King, councillor and successful negotiator for the extension of the electric tramway system to the Municipality.Page 110 of photograph album with 4 photos (portraits) of varying views of Rosemont's exterior and garden.Handwritten: "Rosemont" 112 Kooyong Road [top right] / Neg 97 1972 / [under top right photo] / 110 [bottom right]trevor hart, caulfield, john bakewell, francis mcdonnell, gabled slate roofs, rosemont, caulfield north, kooyong road, 1860's, godfrey howitt, james grice, thomas king, villa residence, decorative brickwork, curved windows, bay window, garden, victorian style, mansions, polychrome bricks, porches, arches, parapets, verandahs, slate roofs

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Lirrewa - HO39 Tarqua and Stables, 1-3 Lirrewa Grove Caulfield South https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/120932 (as at 26/10/2020) "Tarqua", now "Lirrewa", is situated at nos. 1-3 Lirrewa Grove, Caulfield South, and was built in 1886 for Montague William Langdon, son of the merchant Joseph Henry Langdon of nearby "Rosecraddock". It is historically and aesthetically significant. It is historically significant (Criterion A) as one of the Langdon family residences, comparing in Glen Eira also with "Rosecraddock" at 10 Craddock Avenue (1857) and "Hengar" at 356 Glen Eira Road (1889-90). It is aesthetically significant (Criterion E) for its capacity to demonstrate the stylistic influences prevailing at the time especially for substantial residences. At "Tarqua", the design acknowledges the prevailing popularity of the Italian Style in the shallow hipped roof form and symmetrical facade as well as the picturesque Gothic Revival style demonstrated especially by the use of pointed arches, fretted barges and the battlemented parapeted section. This latter style was particularly attractive to persons of means on account of its English precedents, the combination of influences being skillfully handled in this instance.Page 120 of Photograph Album with six photographs (all landscape) of views of Lirrewa, mostly including its garden.Handwritten: "Lirrewa" 1-3 Lirrewa Grove [top right] / 120 [bottom right]trevor hart, verandah, lirrewa, tarqua, 1880's, montague william langdon, italian style, shallow hipped roof, symmetrical facade, gothic revival, pointed arches, fretted barges, battlemented parapet, terraces, boom era, single storey, timber roof brackets, frieze, gables, cast iron ridging, lirrewa grove, cast iron work, caulfield, arches, parapets, gardens, houses, victorian style, caulfield south

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for - HO39 Tarqua and Stables, 1-3 Lirrewa Grove Caulfield South https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/120932 as at (26/10/2020) "Tarqua", now "Lirrewa", is situated at nos. 1-3 Lirrewa Grove, Caulfield South, and was built in 1886 for Montague William Langdon, son of the merchant Joseph Henry Langdon of nearby "Rosecraddock". It is historically and aesthetically significant. It is historically significant (Criterion A) as one of the Langdon family residences, comparing in Glen Eira also with "Rosecraddock" at 10 Craddock Avenue (1857) and "Hengar" at 356 Glen Eira Road (1889-90). It is aesthetically significant (Criterion E) for its capacity to demonstrate the stylistic influences prevailing at the time especially for substantial residences. At "Tarqua", the design acknowledges the prevailing popularity of the Italian Style in the shallow hipped roof form and symmetrical facade as well as the picturesque Gothic Revival style demonstrated especially by the use of pointed arches, fretted barges and the battlemented parapeted section. This latter style was particularly attractive to persons of means on account of its English precedents, the combination of influences being skillfully handled in this instance.Page 121 of Photograph Album with one landscape photograph of Lirrewa - external view of a bay window.Handwritten: Lirrewa [top left ] / 121 [bottom left]trevor hart, verandah, lirrewa, tarqua, 1880's, montague william langdon, italian style, shallow hipped roof, symmetrical facade, gothic revival, pointed arches, fretted barges, battlemented parapet, ornamented parapets, terraces, boom era, timber roof brackets, frieze, gables, cast iron ridging, lirrewa grove, bay window, cast iron work, lead lights, houses, victorian style, caulfield, caulfield south

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. Page 122 of Photograph Album with one landscape photograph of a house at 7 Lucan Street.Handwritten: 7 Lucan Street [top right] / 122 [bottom right]trevor hart, caulfield north, villa residence, verandah, terraces, timber roof brackets, gables, cast iron ridging, ornate plasterwork, arched windows, curved windows, chimneys, lucan street, victorian style, cast iron work, houses

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. Page 126 of Photograph Album with two landscape photographs of a Victorian house.Handwritten: Malakoff Street [top right] / 126 [bottom right]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, slate roof, bay windows, decorative brackets, verandah, caulfield north, malakoff street, cast iron work, stairs, victorian style

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. HISTORY:-- From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Labassa https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) Labassa, Caulfield is one of Melbourne's most lavishly decorated nineteenth century mansions. It resulted from the extensive remodelling in 1890, of an earlier house, known as Sylliott Hill, which was begun in 1862-3 for lawyer, Richard A. Billing. The land at the corner of Balaclava and Orrong Roads was first acquired in 1854 by William Lyall, transferred to his partner, John Mickle, in 1859, who also acquired the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road, and the three allotments were conveyed to Billing. His first eight-roomed house was extended significantly in 1873 into a twenty-roomed house by architects Crouch and Wilson, who were possibly also responsible for the first house. This reflected Billing's success as a barrister, and he resided at this property until his death in 1882. In 1883 prominent Melbourne businessman, Alexander William Robertson, leased the Sylliott Hill property from Billing's widow, and in 1885 he purchased the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road. He purchased the Billing's property in 1887 and renamed the 6.31 hectare property, Ontario. In 1889-90, Robertson commissioned the German born architect, John A. B. Koch, to extensively remodel the house into a thirty-five roomed mansion. The existing house was extended and altered, largely resulting in the nineteenth century mansion as it now appears. After Robertson's death in 1896, the house was tenanted until it was eventually sold to the mining millionaire, John Boyd Watson, in 1904. He renamed the property Labassa and carried out repair and re-decoration work to the house. In the early twentieth century, many large estates were subdivided into smaller allotments as the demand for land grew and it became difficult to maintain such large estates. After Watson's death in 1911, portions of the Labassa estate were offered for sale, with Mrs Watson retaining a 1.73 hectare portion containing the house. In 1913 forty-six allotments were auctioned at Labassa Estate, with the formation of Labassa Grove and Ontario Street to the east of the property. Labassa was first recorded as containing flats in 1923 and in the late 1920s, the owner, Robert Hannon, built a red brick block of flats adjacent to the house. Subdivision continued, until the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) purchased the house in 1980 and subsequently purchased adjoining sites, one to the south-east in 1984 (house demolished in 1988) and to the west in 1988. Labassa as it now stands is substantially as it appeared when Koch completed the work in 1890. The original two storey house was transformed into a French Renaissance style mansion, with the addition of a two level L-shaped arcaded verandah and two prominent terminating bays to the south and the east. The building is of unpainted cement render with dressed bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet and steep, slate covered, flat topped mansard roofs behind. A truncated conical roof is a feature of the south bay and a helmeted head is incorporated in the parapet over the east bay. The main south and east facades incorporate many cast cement details, including sculptures, elaborate cornices, swagged Corinthian columns and caryatid consoles flanking the entrance porch, as well as pink marble panels and imitation marble, or scagliola, on curved surfaces. At the rear of the building is a two storey wing and a single storey cottage, the former being connected to the main house by a tower. This section of the house was constructed in 1873. The estate at its peak included stables (1873), conservatory (probably 1890) and a tennis pavilion (probably 1890). All of these outbuildings survive, with the stables and conservatory being converted for residential use after 1922. Internally a range of decorative treatments remain from the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, both from the Robertson and Watson periods of occupancy. These include wallpapers, ceiling decoration, chimney pieces, mouldings, joinery and decorative glass.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for H0135 Labassa 2/2A Manor Grove Caulfield North https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria. WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural significance as the most prominent example of a small number of houses built in Australia in the French Renaissance style. It is of further note due to the German interpretation of the style and the use of Hellenistic sources, via Germany. It is exceptional for its lavish treatment externally, including marble, scagliola, caryatids, swagged columns, mansard roofs and ornamental cresting. Labassa is of architectural significance as the most important surviving example of German architect, John Koch's domestic work. He undertook a large variety of work in Melbourne, including a number of houses, however Labassa is the most lavish example of his work. Labassa is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding assemblage of late nineteenth and early twentieth century European style interior decoration, which remain remarkably intact. These include a trompe l'oeil ceiling, painted ceilings, embossed imitation leather and other papers, chimney pieces, ceramic tilework, oak parquetry and stained glass, including a tripartite window by Ferguson and Urie, probably dating from the 1873 period. Labassa is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the wealth acquired by a number of prominent Victorian families in the second half of the 19th century. The early development of the property, Sylliott Hill, was due to the wealth acquired by Richard Billing, barrister and fifth Victorian to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 1878. The significant development in 1890 of Ontario, is illustrative of the wealth of Alexander Robertson, a partner in Cobb and Co., a director of Goldsborough Mort & Co., and a pastoral speculator. John B. Watson, whose father had acquired great wealth from the goldfields of Bendigo and subsequently invested in city and country properties, was the third resident to impact on the house, particularly the interiors. The Labassa estate is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the development that occurred in such suburbs as Caulfield in the 1880s due to the land boom, its proximity to Melbourne and the establishment of the Melbourne to Gippsland railway in 1879. It is also illustrative of an estate which succumbed to the pressures of subdividing in the early twentieth century, as properties became difficult to maintain and demand for land close to the city grew. It was typically divided into flats in the 1920s and was used as such for about sixty years. It is of historical significance for its associations with the remnants of the earlier estate which remain extant. These include the stables, conservatory (H2005) and tennis pavilion which all remain on separate sites. Also significant are the remains of early electrical wiring and fittings. Labassa was one of the first houses in Caulfield to be electrified and some of the original wires remain. [Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]Page 129 of Photograph Album with three landscape photographs of Labassa. One of the photographs is of Labassa's drive and gates.Handwritten: 4 JUNE 1910 / SALE JUNE 28 1910 "LA BASSA' / "AUSTRALASIAN" FORMERLY "ONTARIO"/ RES OF JOHN B WATSON / 15 ACRES 3 ROADS [under bottom left photo] / 4 JUNE 1910 [under bottom right photo] / 129 [bottom left]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, intricate lacework, slate roof, bay windows, decorative brackets, caulfield north, labassa, richard a. billing, balaclava road, orrong road, sylliott hill, william lyall, crouch and wilson, alexander william robertson, ontario, 1880's, john a. b. koch, mansion, john boyd watson, labassa grove, french renaissance style, l-shaped arcaded verandah, bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet, flat topped mansard roofs, conical roof, elaborate cornices, corinthian columns, caryatid consoles, marble panels, imitation marble, scagliola, tower, conservatory, stables, tennis pavilion, mouldings, decorative glass, caryatids, swagged columns, ornamental cresting, trompe l'oeil ceiling, embossed imitation leather, oak parquetry, stained glass, tripartite window, triple window, ferguson and urie, 1870's, flats, 1920's, electric wiring, 1860's, verandahs, curved windows, arched windows, italianate, terraces, gargoyles, ornamentation, ornate entrance, la bassa, manor grove, st kilda east, gates, cast iron work, richard billing, architects, john koch, electrification, victorian style, drives, john mickle, land subdivision, mrs watson, labassa estate, robert hannon, national trust of australia (victoria), sculpture

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. Page 132 of Photograph Album with two photographs (one landscape, one portrait) of "Maysbury".Handwritten: "Maysbury" Maysbury Street/Avenue [top right] / 1972 Neg 47 [under top photo] / 132 [bottom right]trevor hart, windows, victorian, 1880's, maysbury, maysbury mansions, flats, decorative brackets, double storey, italianate, cast iron stair balustrading, cast iron balustrading, bay window, protruding rooms, bluestone fence, elsternwick, maysbury avenue, mansion, victorian style, arches, entrances

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. Page 134 of Photograph Album with one landscape photograph of a Victorian house on Meadow Street.Handwritten: Meadow Street [top right] / 134 [bottom right]trevor hart, east st kilda, decorative brackets, picket fence, slate roof, chimneys, garden, cast iron columns, cast iron frieze, meadow street, st kilda east, caulfield, victorian style, cast iron work, verandahs

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. Houses shown at 35, 58 and 32 Murray Street Elsternwick are still all extant (Google map image capture Dec 2018). Victorian Heritage Database - HO130 32 Murray Street Caulfield https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/35535 (at 14/08/2021) No. 32 Murray Street is locally distinguished as the most imposing villa of its period in Murray Street whilst its association with J. W. Doyles, builder of several houses in the same street, is of interest. Its importance is enhanced by its substantially intact state.Page 138 of Photograph Album with four photographs (three landscape, one portrait) of 3 different houses on Murray Street. Handwritten: Murray Street [top right] / 35 [under top left photo] / 58 [under top right photo] / 32 [under bottom left photo] / 32 [under bottom right photo] / 138 [bottom right]trevor hart, garden, verandah, murray street, elsternwick, victorian style, houses, cast iron work, bay windows