Edrington
132 High Street,BERWICK, Casey City
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
'Edrington', designed by Klingender & Alsop and constructed in 1906, at 134 High Street, Berwick.
How is it significant?
'Edrington' is of local historic, aesthetic and scientific (horticultural) significance to the City of Casey. It is also of historic and aesthetic significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
Historically, 'Edrington' is significant for its associations with the early pastoral history of colonial Victoria. Its first owner, the squatter Robert Gardiner, was the earliest and most important run holder within Berwick City boundaries. The remaining brick cottage and stone barn, built in the 1860s or earlier, dates from the Gardiner ownership. Other notable owners included the pastoralist Samuel MacKay, who commissioned the construction of the 1906 homestead (then known as Melville Park); the grazier Andrew S. Chirnside, who renamed the property; and, more recently, Lord and Lady Casey. The Caseys were both distinguished Australians. Lord Casey earned distinction in the fields of government, diplomacy and administration, while his wife Lady Casey was a well known author, artist and aviator.
Aesthetically, 'Edrington' is architecturally significant as an important Arts and Crafts bungalow mansion that is a prime example of the innovative designs of the architectural practice of Klingender and Alsop. The 1906 design is one of the earliest examples of the Vernacular Revival style which was to become popular for suburban residences over the next twenty years. Internally, features of the entrance foyer, bathroom and old kitchen are intact and are good examples of the period. The garden, also believed to date from c1906, provides an authentic setting.
Several plantings are significant, including a specimen of Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar) and Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya Bunya Pine), of state and regional significance respectively, plus several trees which are considered to be of local aesthetic, scientific and historic significance.
An assessment of the formal garden during this study, describes many of the species as dating from around the 1880s. Particular specimens of importance include a spectacular multi-stemmed Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar) of probable state significance for aesthetic reasons, and a large Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya Bunya Pine) of regional significance for its size and contribution to the landscape. Several trees have been identified as having local significance as relatively rare or good examples of their type, including: Araucaria cuninghamii (Hoop Pine or Moreton Bay Pine); Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir); Agathis robusta (Queensland Kauri); Macadamia integrifolia (Macadamia) Ulmus carpinifolia (Smooth Leaved Elm - variegated); Pinus canariensis (Canary Island Pine); Pinus roxburgii (Long leaved Indian Pine); Cassine crocea (Saffron Cassine); and Quercus canarensis (Algerian Oak). In addition to these plantings, a group of Pinus canariensis (Canary Island Pine) situated in a plantation off the highway, reputed to have been planted by James Gibb, is also of local significance for aesthetic and historic reasons.
-
-
Edrington - Physical Description 1
The symmetrical house is surrounded by a verandah supported on thick timber posts. Attached to the eastern wall is a gable roofed weatherboard extension, containing kitchen and bathroom. The house features six-paned double-hung sashes and stretcher coursing with header courses every third layer. The barn is a substantial structure composed of irregular sandstone blocks with tuck-pointed mortar. Two pairs of mezzanine doors are located in the end walls and several small window openings in the side walls. A red brick skillion extends from the centre of the western wall.
Situated on the top of a hill close to the north-east extension of the Berwick main street, Edrington is surrounded by a plantation of oaks, elms, pines and cypresses, appearing as a distinguished landmark from a distance. There are two distinct parts to the garden, the formal lawn area to the front of the house with specimen plantings plus rose gardens, and the domestic garden including orchard and vegetable patch.
A grand driveway approaches the house from the north and terminates at the entrance to the house with a turning circle. An alternative route circles the rear of the house to provide access to a public carpark once the farm yard area adjacent to the barn and cottage.
The main house is an externally intact example of a Federation Arts and Crafts mansion, reminiscent of English country villas in the late nineteenth century and influential in Australian suburban architecture in the 1920s. It contains a mix of architectural motifs including Queen Anne brick arched porch openings and bungalow features such as the dominant gable roof, clad in French terracotta tiles, stucco and shingled walls and boxed multi-paned windows.
The interior has been altered over the years, but retains most of the Californian cedar woodwork in the ground floor rooms. The entrance is particularly striking with its exposed wood in the ceiling, rafters, staircase, architraves and skirting boards. The large arched window off the staircase has coloured leadlight highlights and overlooks the rear garden. It is possible that this feature window originally contained gumnut and eucalyptus leaf stained glass motifs as mentioned in a 1985 National Trust Report. (1) The upstairs bathroom retains its Wunderlich embossed metal wall lining.
Several of the rooms have been refurbished to accommodate its present function as a community centre for the adjacent Edrington Park Retirement Village. The former servants quarters are now used as beauty salons and have been remodelled internally. The old kitchen scullery is still easily identifiable with its hip ceiling, beaded pine boards and cast iron stove with intact white tile surrounds.
Source
1. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) File No. 4461.Edrington - Physical Conditions
Excellent
Edrington - Historical Australian Themes
Settling and working the land
Heritage Study and Grading
Casey - Casey Heritage Study
Author: Context Pty Ltd
Year: 2004
Grading: StateCasey - Heritage of the City of Berwick
Author: Context Pty Ltd
Year: 1993
Grading:
-
-
-
-
-
EDRINGTONVictorian Heritage Register H0653
-
Berwick TownshipCasey City
-
Burr HillCasey City
-
..estervilleYarra City
-
1 Alfred CrescentYarra City
-
1 Barkly StreetYarra City
-
-