Rippon Lea And Como Face Closure
The Age
Wednesday March 18, 1992
Two of Melbourne's most famous National Trust properties, Rippon Lea and Como, may close unless money is found for basic maintenance.
Rippon Lea and Como are on a nationwide list of 44 trust properties that are in danger of being closed unless $15 million is raised to maintain them, according to the Australian Council of National Trusts. Other Victorian properties in danger are Mulberry Hill and Barwon Park.
The general secretary of the council, Mr Duncan Marshall, said Como, built in the 1840s, and Rippon Lea, built in the 1860s, needed basic maintenance to survive.
This included repainting the exterior of Como and significant work in the gardens. Rippon Lea's leaking roof needed repair, and wallpaper and carpet had to be replaced.
Mr Marshall said the National Trust maintained about 340 heritage properties, in all states. It was supported by more than 8000 volunteers who acted as cleaners, guides, gardeners, architects and engineers.
He said the Federal Government provided about $1 million a year and the trust raised about $13million. ``The nation gets the tremendous work of the trust at bargain-basement prices. But the cost of doing its job is beginning to tell."
© 1992 The Age
