Handwritten table listing main local pre-1950s subdivisions in the Ringwood area, with estate names, streets, number of allotments for sale, and where known, vendor agent, LP (Lodged Plan) title registration number, and auction/sale date, some with sale price.Pg1 RINGWOOD STATION ESTATE LP3070 (Year?) Station Street, William Street (now Kendall Street), Wantirna Road, Station Street Pg1 RINGWOOD TOWNSHIP ESTATE LP5577 (1913) Station Road (now Warrandyte Road), Pratt Street (part now Aird Street), Whitehorse Road Pg2 RINGWOOD ORCHARD ESTATE LP4315 (1914) Brysons Road, Hillcrest Road, Anzac Avenue, Sulva Road Pg3 RINGWOOD RAILWAY ESTATE LP7522 (1918) Whitehorse Road (now Mount Dandenong Road), Dublin Road, Freeman Street, Patterson Street, Bona Street Pg4 THE RINGWOOD ESTATE LP7578 (1919) Warrandyte Road, Hobart Street, Paxton Street, Arnold Street Pg5 GARDEN FARMS ESTATE (LP?) (1919) Canterbury Road, Armstrong Road, Bungalook Road, Orchard Road, Bayswater Road (now Mountain Highway) Pg6 THE RINGWOOD ESTATE (SECOND SUB-DIVISION) LP7604 (1919) Warrandyte Road, Tamar Street, Derwent Street, Mersey Street Pg7 RINGWOOD STATION ESTATE LP7703 (1919) Bedford Road, Williams Grove (now Lena Grove) Pg8 RINGWOOD TOWNSHIP ESTATE LP8198 (1919) Wantirna Road, Ellison Street, Haig Street, Greenwood Avenue Pg9 EASTFIELD ESTATE (LP?) (1920) Eastfield Road, Longview Road, Pleasant Rise, The Mount Pg10 ELECTRIC RAILWAY ESTATE RINGWOOD LP9473 (1922) Campbell Street, Myrtle Avenue, George Street (now Tudor Court), Henry Street (now Myrtle Avenue), Williams Grove (now Lena Grove) Pg11 RINGWOOD PARK ESTATE LP7884 (1922 - two stages) Wonga Road (now Loughnan Road), William Street, Andrew Street, Harrison Street Pg12 HEATHMONT STATION ESTATE LP11009 (Date? - after 1922) Lisgoold Street, Viviani Crescent, Balrour Avenue, Station Street (now part Heathmont Road and part Wainui Street) Pg13 RINGWOOD RAILWAY ESTATE LP10507 (1923) Whitehorse Road, Sherbrooke Avenue, Burwood Avenue, Bonview Avenue, Heatherbrae Avenue, Grant Crescent Pg14 GARDEN HOMES ESTATE (LP?) (1923) Mullum Road, The Centreway, Wattle Crescent (now Wattle Avenue) Reserve Crescent (now Reserve Road) Pg15 DUBLIN ROAD ESTATE LP11993 (1923) Alexandra Road, Vonadawn Avenue, Green Street, Wood Street, Howard Avenue, Bedford Road, Dublin Road Pg16 CARLINGA ESTATE RINGWOOD LP9620 (1923) Bourke Street, Bond Street, Ringwood Street Pg17 PRATT'S JUNCTION ESTATE (LP?) (1923) Junction Street, Georges Road, Oliver Street, Whitehorse Road Pg18 EAST RINGWOOD ESTATE LP10492 (1923) Bona Street, Patterson Street, Miller Grove, Fairview Avenue, Eastfield Road, Whitehorse Road (now Mount Dandenong Road) Pg19 COLEMAN'S HEATHMONT ESTATE LP9974 (1923) Canterbury Road, Bedford Road, Alvena Crescent, Coleman Street, Leonard Street (now Royal Avenue) Pg20 RINGWOOD HEIGHTS ESTATE LP10506 (1924) Whitehorse Road, Bonview Avenue, Grant Crescent, Hillcrest Avenue, Heatherbrae Avenue, Margaret Street, Mary Street Pg21 EAST RINGWOOD STATION ESTATE LP10551 (1924) Knaith Road, Wenwood Street, Lois Street, Victoria Street, Station Street (now Railway Avenue) Pg22 GRAND VIEW ESTATE LP11019 (1924) Whitehorse Road, Rupert Street, Herbert Street, Leonard Street Pg23 RINGWOOD RAILWAY ESTATE & RINGWOOD HEIGHTS ESTATE - FINAL SECTIONS LP10506 & LP10507 (1924) Whitehorse Road, Sherbrooke Avenue, Burwood Avenue, Bonview Avenue, Heatherbrae Avenue, Margaret Street, Mary Street, Grant Crescent Pg24 RINGWOOD EAST ELECTRIC STATION ESTATE (LP?) (1924) Railway Parade (now Patterrson Street), Federal Road, Howship Avenue (part now French Street), Dublin Road, Rosedale Crescent Pg25 BEDFORD PARK (now Ringwood Secondary College) (LP?) (1924) Bedford Road, Adams Street, Anderson Street, Joyce Street, Graham Road Pg26 CROWN JEWEL ESTATE LP11645 (Private sales after 1924) Mount Dandenong Road, Mirabel Avenue, Valda Avenue, Evon Avenue, Velma Grove Pg27 GRAND CENTRAL ESTATE LP10917 (1925) Heathmont Road, Great Ryrie Street, Douglas Street, Garden Street, Bellevue Avenue Pg28 RINGWOOD (unnamed estate - 1926) Nelson Street, Seymour Street, Whitehorse Road Pg29 EAST RINGWOOD RAILWAY STATION ESTATE (YEAR? - 25 shops 60 villas) Railway Avenue, Dublin Road, Lawrence Grove, Stanley Avenue, Knaith Road Pg30 CHARM VIEW ESTATE (LP?) (year? - after 1926) Canterbury Road, Heathmont Road, Dickasons Road, Bennjett Avenue, Orchid Street Pg31 SUNBEAM ESTATE LP12150 (Circa 1925) Govt Road (now Old Lilydale Road), Sunbeam Avenue, Holland Road, Everard Street (now Everard Road) Pg32 FAIRVIEW ESTATE EAST RINGWOOD LP10853 (Circa 1924) Eastfield Road, Patterson Street, Margaret Street (now Short Street) Pg33 EAST RINGWOOD TOWNSHIP ESTATE LP3025 (Circa 1924 - 35 allotments) Mount Dandenong Road, Grey Street, Eastfield Road Pg34 EAST RINGWOOD TOWNSHIP ESTATE LP3025 (Circa 1924 - 49 allotments) and STATE SCHOOL ESTATE (26 allotments) and EAST RINGWOOD STATION ESTATE (14 shop sites) Mount Dandenong Road, Grety Street, Dunn Street, Eastfield Road, King Street, Holland Road, Dublin Road, Patterson Street, Bona Street Pg35 EAST RINGWOOD CENTRAL ESTATE LP17004 (1948) Knaith Road, Shasta Avenue, Talofa Avenue, Russet Road, Dublin Road Pg36 WARE ESTATE LP43360 (1958) Ware Crescent, Davey Drive, Grey Road (now Grey Street), Mount Dandenong Road Pg37 Lot 57 Kendall Street LP3070 (1939) £75.0.0 Pg37 Lot 14 LP7346 (year?) £225 Pg37 Lot 8 WHITE HORSE ESTATE LP14010 (year?) Maroondah Hwy, Seymour Street £98.9.0 Pg37 Lots 4-14 incl. LP10902 (year?) £300 Pg37 Lots 69&70 LP2216 (1939) Bedford Road, Pitt Street £500 Pg37 Lots 60&70 LP2216 (year?) £460 Pg37 MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATE LP10902 (1936) Lots 1&2, 19-22 Wantirna Road, Daisy Street £50 Pg38 RAILWAY STATION ESTATE RINGWOOD EAST LP7522 (1925) Lots 16 to 19 £250 Pg38 RINGWOOD PARK ESTATE (LP?) (1924) Lot 112 Munro Street £230 Pg38 RINGWOOD TOWNSHIP ESTATE (LP?) (1925) Lot 57 Wantirna Road £850 Pg38 ELECTRIC RAILWAY ESTATE LP9473 (1925) Lot 98 & 99 £180 (30/- foot) Pg38 ELECTRIC RAILWAY ESTATE LP9473 (year?) Lot 100 £233.12.6 incl improvements (£2.12.6 foot) Pg38 Lot 22&23 Bedford Road Heathmont (LP & year?) £675 incl improvements Pg39 Lot 9 Mullum Mullum Road LP8221 (1923) £150 Pg39 Lot 27 Haig Street LP8198 (1925) £825 Pg39 Lot 56 Haig Street cnr Wantirna Road LP8198 (1923) £171 Pg39 Lots 3 & 4 Loughnan Road LP9626 (192?) £147 Pg39 Lots 98 & 99 Myrtle Avenue LP9473 (1925) £180 Pg39 Lots 80 & 81 Myrtle Avenue LP9473 (1929) £150 Pg39 Lot 30 Sherbrooke Avenue LP10507 (1926) £700 incl improvements Pg40 Lot 10 (year?) LP7703 £750 Pg40 Lot 36 (year?) LP7522 £25 Pg40 Lot 38 Pitt Street LP2216 (year?) £350 Pg40 Lot 7 Dublin Road cnr Green Street LP11993 (year?) £300

Plan of Part of Crown Allotments 16 & 18, Parish of Ringwood, County of Mornington. Subdivision includes Site for Heathmont Station, Heathmont Road, George Street, Lilian Street, Edith Street, Edna Street, Great Ryrie Street. Inset locality plan also shows nearby Electric Railway Estate and Heathmont Station Estate. L.H. Webber, Licensed Surveyor, 440 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.

Twenty page land sale brochure including photographs, subdivision features and local facilities. Additional flyer with conditions of sale and prices for estate blocks.Seven delightful and valuable Ringwood Estates called Bestpart, Paradise, Hill Top, Greenwood, Creek, Station, and School Estates. These nestle amidst the hills and valleys of beautiful Ringwood district. Also Goodluck Estate at Clarinda. Pamphlet marked as being From Mr. Farmer, No. 5 Flinders Court, Melbourne. Phone 988, 989 Central, or 55 Ringwood after 7 p.m. Plan of Ringwood School Estate includes William Street (later Kendall Street), Greenwood Avenue, Alton Street and Locke Street. Plan of Bestpart Estate, Ringwood, includes Bedford Road, Wilana Street, Greenwood Avenue, Caroline Street, Henry Street and Haig Street. Plan of Ringwood Station Estate includes Pitt Street, Bedford Road, Greenwood Avenue, Station Street, William Street (later Kendall Street, James Street, Wantirna Road, Caroline Street, Henry Street, Ellison Street and Haig Street. Plan of Geenwood Estate, Ringwood, includes Prussian Road (later Geenwood Avenue). Plan of Paradise Estate, Ringwood, includes Canterbury Road, Dandenong Road (Wantirna Road), Luck Street and Paradise Road. Plan of Creek Estate, Ringwood, includes Dandenong Creek, Wantirna Road and Gordon Crescent. Plan of Hill Top Estate, Ringwood (later Heathmont area), includes Heathmont Railway Station, Heathmont Road, Balfour Avenue, Lilian Street, Edith Street, Edna Street and Great Ryrie Street. Plan of Goodluck Estate, Clarinda, includes Talbot Avenue, Good Street, Luck Street, and Centre Road in locality plan between Oakleigh and Clayton Railway Stations.

Douglas Street shown in the estate plan did not eventuate, but was developed as a public reserve. Refer also to Reg. No. 5149 for 1924 auction sale of land also titled Grand View Estate situated further north in Ringwood.Double sided multi-folded page advertising public auction sale on Saturday, 31st October, 1925, of residential allotments highlighting local facilities, services and layout of the estate. Includes panoramic view of Ringwood and other local photographic images.Subdivision includes Great Ryrie Street, Heathmont Road, Douglas Street, Garden Street, and Bellevue Avenue. Agents - Knight & Harwood, 315 Collins Street, Melbourne, Phone 10615, 10616 Central, in conjunction with J.B. McAlpin, Opposite Railway Station, Ringwood. Phone Ringwood 7.

Plenty Township Estate "The rapid growth of Greensborough and the great traffic development on the main road between Heidelberg and Eltham augurs well for Plenty Township Estate. Already a Store, Post Office and State School have been started, and the activities of the Local Progress Association will help the district forward considerably. Within walking distance of the Montmorency and Greensborough stations." Bryn Teg Hill's Estate "Better known as "The Old Sand Hill, "within walking distance of the Montmorency and Greensborough railways stations." "Some few years back Mrs Thomas subdivided portion of the Sand Hill Paddocks, and the areas sold have been settled and many converted into charming outer suburban garden homes with cultivation and orchard plots. The south-eastern slope gives the land a grand outlook over the Yarra Valley on to the Dandenoings, and the are is very picturesque and homely." "A number of the blocks contain large deposits of valuable building sand, which should prove good speculation in view of the forecast for further rapid home development along the Eltham Suburban Electric Service." Sand Hills Road (Old Eltham Road) Date estimated as c.1924 - Electricification of railway line to Eltham referenced on map occured April 1923 and Mrs Mary Thomas died August 1925. Her home Bryn Teg became part of the Heidelberg Golf Club in 1927.The establishment of Lower Plenty as a suburban growth area supported by easy commuting facilitated by the elctrification of the Eltham railway linebonds road, bridge, bryn teg hill's estate, coghill & haughton, eltham road, heidelberg golf club hotel, houses, lower plenty, lower plenty bridge, lower plenty road, main road, plenty hotel, plenty river, plenty township estate, real estate agent, sales brochure, sand hills road, the old sand hill, sand hill paddocks, woodfull road, old eltham road, bryn teg, mrs m thomas

Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Stanhope Estate, Eltham; great suburban subdivisional auction, New Year's Day - Tuesday 1st January 1924 Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Stanhope Estate, Eltham; great suburban subdivisional auction, New Year's Day - Tuesday 1st January 1924 Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Stanhope Estate, Eltham; great suburban subdivisional auction, New Year's Day - Tuesday 1st January 1924 Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

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 128 of Photograph Album with four photographs (two portrait and two landscape) of Labassa.Handwritten: "Labassa" 4 Manor Grove [top right] / Neg 232 8 Oct 1966 [under bottom right photo] / 128 [bottom right]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, 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, victorian, cast iron work, john koch, richard billing, architects, electrification, 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. 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

Sepia photograph of workers employed ' on making the Bendigo Railway'. Workmen seated on rails with small girl. Group of men standing and seated in front of corrugated iron shed with Union Jack flag on pole. Adult females back left of photo. Hills with trees in background. Inscriptions: on back - handwritten in pen 'Employees in the making of the Bendigo Railway'. Top front R corner 'GP85'. On back - handwritten in ball point pen 'Presented to the Bendigo Historical Society by Stevenson McGilchrist, great grandson of the late William Robertson of 'Woding' Estate near Gisborne'. History: Prev. Acc. No. GP85person, group, male group of workers

Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 80 magnificent blocks Coghill and Haughton Auctioneer H.H. Clark Real Esate Agent Elthambutcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house, horace harold clark, russell yeoman collection