Renovating Fortuna Villa for community use could cost tens of millions of dollars and take up to four years. The restoration alone is estimated at a minimum of $15 million, with ongoing maintenance costs of several million dollars per year. Meeting heritage, building, and workplace health and safety requirements would add significant expenses. The City of Greater Bendigo council is considering future uses for the building after the army vacates it. Community groups have suggested uses such as an artists' retreat or health-related facility. There is consensus that the property should remain in community hands. Architect Dennis Carter warns that the scale and cost of restoration are much higher than many realize. He describes ideas like an arts centre as romantic but unrealistic given the financial and logistical challenges. Carter emphasizes the need for patience, thorough studies, and expert consultation before any decisions are made. Fortuna Villa is considered one of the most significant historic complexes in Australia, comparable to Werribee Park. There is strong sentiment that the property should not be allowed to deteriorate.History Lives Article - "Fortuna Refit Not an Easy Option" - The Bendigo Weekly Friday Jul 25 2008 - Author Anthony Radford This item contains the following: 11217.14a Colour Photo of Fortuna 11217.14b Part of page 7 - Fortuna Refit Not an Easy Optionnon-fictionbendigo, fortuna, george lansell, george victor lansell, fortuna renovations

These documents discuss the relocation of the School of Survey to firstly Canberra and then to Bendigo. It also discusses the possibility of extensive renovations at Fortuna and the construction of additional buildings for accommodation and messing facilities. It was envisaged that 15 x officers and 144 other ranks would comprise the AHQ Survey Regiment. On the reverse side of the first page of the handwritten notes is a hand drawn (not to scale) overall plan of the Fortuna site. The notes are believed to be written by Valerie Lovejoy as part of her research for the writing of her Master's Thesis and the book "Mapmakers of Fortuna" (Catalog item number 6000). The remaining photocopies are official letters to the Director General of the Department of Works about the Fortuna Master Plan dated 24 July 1961.Four Foolscap sized typed text photocopied pages, torn back to A4 Size and stapled top left hand corner. There area a further two A4 sized typed text photocopies and four pages of hand written notes on A4 lined paper with reinforced hole punching and stapled.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

George and Edith Lansell returned to Sandhurst (Bendigo) in 1887, initiating major renovations to Fortuna Villa to accommodate their growing family and staff. Significant architectural additions included a three-storey extension, master bedroom suite, indoor bathrooms, central heating (the first private home in Victoria to have it), and a grand picture gallery/billiard room. The house saw continuous expansion: a mansard attic (1890), new entrance hall and bay window (1893–1895), extended eastern front (by 1900), decorative plasterwork and metal ceilings (by 1904), and the iconic 'candle snuffer' roof feature. The grounds were beautified with trees, rose gardens, marble statues, and removal of industrial elements. The Lansell family grew to include six children, with the house and grounds providing ample space for play and family gatherings. The extended Lansell and Bassford families were closely involved in social events at Fortuna. Fortuna Villa became a center for social life in Bendigo, hosting vice-regal visits and large family occasions. George Lansell contributed to civic pride, donating a gold Mayoral chain to the Bendigo Council and previously to Margate, Kent.Music and cultural events were prominent at Fortuna, reflecting the vibrant community life. Lansell celebrated Bendigo's pioneers and the town's development, notably hosting a dinner for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 for notable local citizens.The document highlights the transformation of Sandhurst to Bendigo and the area's role in broader Australian history.Fortuna's Age of Growth Article - The Bendigo Advertiser Monday Sept 08 2008 by Beveley Carter, Photo by Julian Prowd This item contains the following: 11217.17a Coloured photo of the impressive Fortuna Villa and surrounding gardens 11217.17b Part of page 8 - Article "Fortuna's Age of Growth"non-fictionbendigo, fortuna, george lansell, edith lansell

Theodore Batterstedt and his father bought five acres of land on which they built a quartz crushing mill and a two storied, 8 roomed home in 1855. In 1869 they added 2 large rooms to each floor. In 1870 they sold the property to George Lansell. Further additions and renovations too place in 1888' 1890, 1900 and 1907. In 1942 the largely derelict building was compulsorily acquired by the army to house the Land Headquarters Cartographic Company and later the Army Survey Regiment.A 2 page document detailing the history of George Lansell's 'Fortuna' estate.george lansell, fortuna, military

This is a set of eight informal photographs taken in the Army Survey Regiment SGTs Mess function at Fortuna Villa, Bendigo in 1990. They encapsulate activities enjoyed by members of the Mess. It includes photos taken during renovations to the bar area.This is a collection of eight photographs taken in the Army Survey Regiment SGTs Mess function at Fortuna Villa, Bendigo in 1990. The colour photographs are on 35mm negative film and scanned at 2400 dpi. They are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. .1) - Photo, colour, 1990. L to R: SGT Sherri (Dally) Burke, WO2 Adrian ‘Charlie’ Creedy promote the 1990 SGTs Mess Easter Draw. .2) - Photo, colour, 1990. L to R: WO2 George Graham, SGT Martin Evans, SGT Mick Minchin and SSGT Bob Garritty catch up with the latest news during Morning Tea. .3) - Photo, colour, 1990. L to R: WO2 George Graham, SGT Martin Evans, SSGT Bob Garritty and, SGT Mick Minchin and catch up with the latest news during Morning Tea. .4) - Photo, colour, 1990. Australian Army Catering Corps (AACC) steward PTE MJ Barker serves slices of roast lamb during a SGTs Mess function. .5) & .6) - Photo, colour, 1990. Tradesman lay a new concrete floor in bar area during renovations to the SGTs Mess. .7) & .8) - Photo, colour, 1990. New concrete floor in bar area during renovations to the SGTs Mess.There are no annotations.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna

The article outlines the launch of the Fortuna program's new computer mapping project at the Army Topographic Support Establishment (ATSE). Workforce ExpansionATSE will increase its staff from 135 to 150, adding 15 new jobs as a result of the project. The project, named Parare, is valued between $8 million and $10 million.Its goal is to position ATSE as a leading defence mapping organization in Australia and internationally.The initiative addresses outdated hardware, enabling the production and distribution of digital defence data across Australia.Project TimelineTenders for the project are set to close soon, indicating the project is in its early procurement phase. The historic Fortuna property is undergoing a $1.5 million refurbishment to restore the main building and outbuildings to their original 1870s grandeur. Over 40 workers spent at least two months on the project, which includes new carpets, painting, lighting, rewiring, and rehabilitation of a former stone crushing area. Fortuna Villa was built by George Lansell, a prominent figure in Bendigo's gold mining history, and designed by architects W. C. Vahland and William Beebe. The property has served as home to the Army Survey Regiment for 54 years and was recently taken over by the Army Topographic Support Establishment (ATSE). The fully restored three-level building will open to the public on March 16, with guided tours every Sunday for $8 per person, including devonshire teas in the hall. ATSE will move its production and administrative staff into the villa after renovations, with printing operations at the rehabilitated stone crushing site. State-of-the-art computer equipment will be installed in the building. 20 beer bottles from the 1940s were found in a ceiling.Fortuna Restoration Article - "Villa fit for a Quartz King" - Bendigo Advertiser Sat Mar 08 1997 - Author Ashok Verma This item contains the following: 11217.1a Couloured photo of Brad Murray fixing a light shade as part of the retoration work 11217.1b Part of page 2 - Fortuna Program Maps out new jobs 11217.1c Part of page 2 - Fortuna Program Maps out new jobsnon-fictionbendigo, fortuna, army tropographic support establishment