"The Lodge" Gatekeeper's House, Rupertswood Estate - Sunbury
"Rupertswood" in Sunbury on the outskirts of Melbourne is one of Australia's most important mansions, both historically and architecturally. Built as a residence for Sir William John Clarke (1831 – 1897), the first Australian born Baronet, in 1874 – 1876 it became a power seat in the great English tradition. The property covered an area of 31,000 acres. Today the estate has been greatly reduced due to subdivision to a more modest 1,100 acres.
At the entrance to the estate stands “The Lodge”, a gatekeeper’s house built in the Italianate style to match the “Rupertswood” mansion. Built in 1875, it served as the gatehouse to “Rupertswood” until the death of William John Clarke. Constructed of bluestone bricks with sandstone detailing and slate roofs, it is one of the largest and most ornate gatehouses to any property in Australia. Today it serves as a café for visiting tourists and to the passing traffic on Macedon Street.
William Sangster designed the gardens at "Rupertswood" originally covering an area of 99 acres, and once boasted tennis courts, croquet lawns and an underground fernery. "Rupertswood" also had its own private railway station were guests to grand balls would arrive from Spencer Street. Balls, hunt meets and weekend house parties were frequent. Anyone of note, in Victorian and Edwardian society, was entertained by Sir John and Lady Eliza Clarke. Many historical figures visited "Rupertswood" during its history, including the then Duke and Duchess of York, (later to become King George V and Queen Mary), Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and several Governors of Victoria.
"Rupertswood" holds a place in the great sporting rivalry between Australia and England, as it was on a field at "Rupertswood" that the "Ashes" were created. On Christmas Eve of 1882, after a congenial lunch, Sir William Clarke suggested a social game between the English Cricket team and a local side, made up largely of “Rupertswood” staff. By all accounts, it was an enjoyable game with no one really keeping score, however, it was generally agreed that the English won. Pat Lyons, a worker at "Rupertswood", clearly remembered the afternoon many years later. It was his understanding that Lady Clarke, at dinner that evening, had presented Ivo Bligh with a pottery urn. It was purported to contain the ashes of a burnt bail. This was a light hearted gesture to commemorate England's win at "Rupertswood".
By 1922, "Rupertswood" had passed from the Clarke family into the possession of Hugh Victor McKay (1865 – 1926), a self-made millionaire, industrialist and inventor of "Sunshine Harvester". His dream of owning "Rupertswood" had been realised, if however, a little short lived. He died at "Rupertswood" only four years after acquiring it. A short time later one of Australia's greatest pastoralist, Queenslander William Naughton acquired the property. One year later he sold the mansion and 1,100 acres to the Roman Catholic Salesian Order. The mansion then became a school for under privileged boys.
Today “Rupertswood” is open to the public. The mansion has undergone extensive restoration, with the help of interior designer and Victorian architecture specialist Jacqui Robertson, reinstating elaborate Victorian colour and decorative schemes, and operating as a boutique hotel.
"The Lodge" Gatekeeper's House, Rupertswood Estate - Sunbury
"Rupertswood" in Sunbury on the outskirts of Melbourne is one of Australia's most important mansions, both historically and architecturally. Built as a residence for Sir William John Clarke (1831 – 1897), the first Australian born Baronet, in 1874 – 1876 it became a power seat in the great English tradition. The property covered an area of 31,000 acres. Today the estate has been greatly reduced due to subdivision to a more modest 1,100 acres.
At the entrance to the estate stands “The Lodge”, a gatekeeper’s house built in the Italianate style to match the “Rupertswood” mansion. Built in 1875, it served as the gatehouse to “Rupertswood” until the death of William John Clarke. Constructed of bluestone bricks with sandstone detailing and slate roofs, it is one of the largest and most ornate gatehouses to any property in Australia. Today it serves as a café for visiting tourists and to the passing traffic on Macedon Street.
William Sangster designed the gardens at "Rupertswood" originally covering an area of 99 acres, and once boasted tennis courts, croquet lawns and an underground fernery. "Rupertswood" also had its own private railway station were guests to grand balls would arrive from Spencer Street. Balls, hunt meets and weekend house parties were frequent. Anyone of note, in Victorian and Edwardian society, was entertained by Sir John and Lady Eliza Clarke. Many historical figures visited "Rupertswood" during its history, including the then Duke and Duchess of York, (later to become King George V and Queen Mary), Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and several Governors of Victoria.
"Rupertswood" holds a place in the great sporting rivalry between Australia and England, as it was on a field at "Rupertswood" that the "Ashes" were created. On Christmas Eve of 1882, after a congenial lunch, Sir William Clarke suggested a social game between the English Cricket team and a local side, made up largely of “Rupertswood” staff. By all accounts, it was an enjoyable game with no one really keeping score, however, it was generally agreed that the English won. Pat Lyons, a worker at "Rupertswood", clearly remembered the afternoon many years later. It was his understanding that Lady Clarke, at dinner that evening, had presented Ivo Bligh with a pottery urn. It was purported to contain the ashes of a burnt bail. This was a light hearted gesture to commemorate England's win at "Rupertswood".
By 1922, "Rupertswood" had passed from the Clarke family into the possession of Hugh Victor McKay (1865 – 1926), a self-made millionaire, industrialist and inventor of "Sunshine Harvester". His dream of owning "Rupertswood" had been realised, if however, a little short lived. He died at "Rupertswood" only four years after acquiring it. A short time later one of Australia's greatest pastoralist, Queenslander William Naughton acquired the property. One year later he sold the mansion and 1,100 acres to the Roman Catholic Salesian Order. The mansion then became a school for under privileged boys.
Today “Rupertswood” is open to the public. The mansion has undergone extensive restoration, with the help of interior designer and Victorian architecture specialist Jacqui Robertson, reinstating elaborate Victorian colour and decorative schemes, and operating as a boutique hotel.