WHEELER RESIDENCE

110 SACKVILLE STREET MERNDA, WHITTLESEA CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    WHEELER RESIDENCE - History

    In 1852 Josiah Holloway, a shoe and boot maker based in Swanston Street, purchased 520 acres of land from Henry Miller for £675 (Howell-Meurs and Rood 2011:2; Meredith Gould Architects 1991). The land was the location of a planned township named Separation to commemorate the separation of the states of Victoria and New South Wales (Orr and Ford 2006:37). It consisted of gridded acre lots divided by wide roads with names such as Regent Circus, Oxford and Wellington Streets, reminiscent of London. Holloway sold the acre allotments under the pseudonym 'Nimble Ninepence' for three pounds per acre (Howell-Meurs and Rood 2011:3). By the 1860's, Separation had a population of 104 with 65 houses, a school and a church (Orr and Ford 2006:37). The old miner's cottage at 110 Sackville was built on Separation Lot 173. Lots 173 and 174 were purchased from Holloway by Charles Scuffam in 1854 for £4. Scuffam was also the licensee of the Red Lion Hotel in Hawthorn where he resided from 1855-1864 and possibly until his death in 1873. After he died, the lots were eventually sold to Samuel Oak in 1875. As a fire has destroyed many of the records from this time, there is a gap in the timeline of this property; however, the 1895 rate book names Alfred Wheeler as an owner of land/house and land at Separation. There is also a Henry Wheeler recorded as living on land owner by Alfred Wheeler in 1920. It is possible that this entry is referring to lots 173 and 174 as Alfred Wheeler is the grandfather, and Henry the father, of Sir Kenneth Wheeler who is known to have lived at the cottage on lot 173. At some stage in the 1960's, Don Bayliss demolished the cottage to construct farm sheds, leaving only the outhouse which still stands today.

    Interpretation of Site

    WHEELER RESIDENCE - Interpretation of Site

    Until the settlement of Separation in 1852 the area was vacant. The small miner's cottage, outhouse and well were constructed sometime between 1870-1890. From the 1920s the property changed hands a few times and the cottage was demolished and several farm shed were built on the property with at least some of the recycled materials. At some stage the dome from the well was also demolished.

    Archaeological Significance

    WHEELER RESIDENCE - Archaeological Significance

    The site is considered to have archaeological potential in the form of sub-surface deposits at the site of the old cottage and at the site of a possible refuse pit. It is possible these deposits could contain material information on the lifestyles of the residents of the township of Separation.

    Historical Significance

    WHEELER RESIDENCE - Historical Significance

    The site holds some significance for its broad associations with the populating of Victoria, in particular land speculation as part of the early Township of Separation. The location of the original subdivision itself indicates the prominence of the Plenty River in the early development of the Melbourne area.

    In addition, the site has significance for its association with a prominent community member. Sir Kenneth Wheeler, Member of the legislative Assembly representing the liberal Party in the electorate of Essendon from 1958-79, spent his childhood years in the cottage that was present at the site.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    WHEELER RESIDENCE - Heritage Inventory Description

    The site comprises an outhouse and well associated with a cottage (demolished) constructed during the settlement of Separation Township and former residence of notable Victorian Sir Kenneth Wheeler.

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