A Stately Statement Of Status
The Age
Wednesday March 17, 1999
Even their names conjure up a gracious age, times when garden parties were de rigueur. Raheen, Rippon Lea, Como: these stately mansions remain as monuments to Marvellous Melbourne, a period late last century when the city was Australia's most prosperous.
Victoria had one of the highest rates of home ownership in the world. And it was a time when a man's status was measured by the cut of his mansion.
``The `family castle' was a status symbol. The wealthier the family, generally the more ornate their home," said Dr Celestina Sagazio, a National Trust historian.
``The elaborate and fine craftsmanship of many stately homes that remain reflect the prosperity of the Victorian era. The gold rushes of the 1850s and the boom of 1880s (produced) ... a massive wealth."
Such homes were the seats of well-known identities such as Sir Frederick Sargood (Rippon Lea), the Armytage family (Como) and the Chirnsides (Werribee Park). These families showed off their prosperity with their homes, lavish gardens and retinues of staff.
The mansions were designed by notable architects: Joseph Reed (Rippon Lea), J.A.B. Koch (Labassa) and George Brown (Rupertswood).
And today they command multi-million-dollar prices on those rare occasions that they appear on the market. The historic Canterbury mansion Frognall, set on 1.3 hectares on Mont Albert Road, sold this year for $4.3million.
Maintaining the homes is costly. The National Trust estimates that Rippon Lea's operating costs alone, not counting maintenance, are about $600,000 each year.
``Some of the homes would be priceless," Dr Sagazio said. ``How can you put a price on Como and Rippon Lea?
``These are important reminders of our past and they must be preserved for future generations."
Ten of Victoria's leading stately mansions
COMO HOUSE
Como Ave, South Yarra
Started in 1847 it was built for Edward Williams, Colonial Advocate, and finished in 1874.
NOW: museum house/reception centre
RIPPONLEA
192 Hotham St, Elsternwick
built between 1868 and 1887 for importer and politician Fredrick Sargood.
NOW: museum house/reception centre
RAHEEN
Studley Park Rd, Kew
In 1885 construction was completed for brewer, Edward Latham.
NOW: Private home
RUPERTSWOOD
Macedon St, Sunbury
Built for Sir William Clarke in 1874.
NOW: Salesian College Sunbury
FORTUNA
Chum St, Bendigo
Mine owner JTC Ballerstedt spent #10,000 on construction in 1856.
NOW: military facility/gardens
MANDEVILLE HALL
10 Mandeville Cres, Toorak
Soft goods trader Alfred Watson had this home built in 1867.
NOW: Lereto Mandeville Hall school
FROGNALL
54 Mont Albert Rd, Canterbury
Built in 1899.
NOW: recently sold as private home
MIEGUNHYAH
641 Orrong Rd, Toorak
Built in 1866 by politician John Goodman, it was bought in 1910 by Sir Russell Grimwade as a wedding present for his bride.
NOW: believed to be university-owned
WERRIBEE PARK
K Rd, Werribee
Pastoralists Thomas and Andrew Chirnside took five years to complete its construction (1873-1878). In 1923 additions, with tower, were built.
NOW: museum house/ reception centre
LABASSA
2 Manor Gr, Caulfield
Built in 1890 for pastoralist and investor William Robertson.
NOW: museum house/private apartments
© 1999 The Age
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