HERITAGE CITATION REPORT

Name TALISKER HOMESTEAD COMPLEX Address 221 TALISKER HOMESTEAD ROAD, MERINO Place Type Homestead Complex Citation Date 2006

52799 Talisker front of house

Recommended VHR - HI - PS - Heritage Protection

History and Historical Context

The site of the Talisker Homestead originally formed part of Francis Henty's Merino Downs pastoral property. In February 1848, Francis Henty (1815-1889), youngest son of Thomas Henty, farmer from Sussex in England, applied for the lease of the Merino Downs pastoral run, 23,500 acres of land near the township of Henty (Merino Downs Pastoral Run Papers, Henty Family Papers). He had occupied the land for about a decade previously, taking it up in 1837 soon after the expedition of the Surveyor General, Major Thomas Mitchell had reached Portland Bay with news of the excellent country to the north (Billis & Kenyon, p. 243). John Henty took up Sandford, Edward Henty took up Muntham and, as a partnership, the brothers took up Cape Bridgewater (B&K, p. 81). The original Henty homesteads at Merino Downs, Sandford and Cape Bridgewater are gone but Muntham survives more or less true to its late nineteenth century situation. The scale and style of Talisker Homestead is in marked contrast to the family's beginnings.

Francis Henty received a grant of 60 acres, which contained his homestead block on the west side of Wort Wort (Henty) Creek. In October 1855, Francis applied for the purchase under Pre-Emptive Right of 640 acres of land on the opposite (east) side of the creek. An early 1856 map showed a bridge linking the 60 acre homestead block with the 640 acres of PR land (Plan of Francis Henty's Pre-Emptive Purchase of 640 acres, 1856). The later history of Merino Downs, one of a number of important pastoral properties in Glenelg Shire held by the Henry family, is told in the Merino Downs citation.

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After the death of Francis Henty in 1889, his Merino Downs Estate was divided between his three daughters, Louisa (1847-1924), Caroline (1849-1914) and Alice (1852- 1932). Francis and his wife Mary Ann, nee Lawrence, had no surviving sons, their son Lawrence Shum dying at Merino Downs in 1877. Louisa became the new owner of the Merino Downs Estate, Caroline became the owner of the Talisker Estate, and Alice became the owner of the Wurt Wurt Koort Estate. The Deed of Partition was registered on 3 April 1900. It was signed by Miss Louisa Henty (who never married), Mrs Caroline McLeod, and Mrs Alice Hindson (Francis Henty and Louisa Henty Probate Papers). There are photographs of the three sisters in the publication, Back to Merino (Back to Merino, pp. 10, 15).

Some 10 years earlier, after her father's death, in 1890, Caroline Henry married Alexander Magnus McLeod (1846- 1910). He was the son of John Norman McLeod (1816-1886), Scottish pastoralist and parliamentarian, who owned Castlemaddie Station at Tyrendarra from 1855 to 1873. John Norman McLeod was MLA for Portland from 1856 to 1861. He was the owner from 1854 of the historic, architect-designed residence Maretimo at Portland, where he lived with his family before they settled at Castlemaddie. The history of J.N. McLeod and Castlemaddie is told in the Castlemaddie citation.

Alexander Magnus McLeod was born at Portland and educated at Scotch College in . According to one account, 'He engaged in pastoral pursuits at Talisker, Merino, and was Deputy Chief inspector of Stock in South . Married Caroline, daughter of Francis and Mary Ann Henly, pioneers of the Portland district' . Alexander and Caroline McLeod had two daughters, Caroline ('Line') Agnes Henty McLeod, and Alexandra ('Lex') Francis Henty McLeod. Caroline married Kenneth McWhae and had one son, John Henty McLeod. Alexandra married G.A. Silvester, a Casterton solicitor and member of a firm that became the McLeod family's legal advisors. Alexandra had a daughter, Caroline Mary, and two sons, Alexander Noel Henty Silvester born in 1918, and Francis Henty Silvester born in 1920 (Alexander Henderson, p. 392). The Talisker Estate was named after a McLeod family property on the Isle of Skye in . Alexander Magnus McLeod became the first manager of the Talisker Estate at Merino (Henderson, p. 392; Back to Merino, p. 14).

On 24 August 1901, a notice appeared in the Building, Engineering and Mining Journal (BEMJ) reporting that the notable Victorian architect, Charles D' Ebro (1850-1820) had 'recently completed a residence at "Talisker', Merino Downs Estate, for Mr. A.M. McLeod' (BEMJ, 24 August 1901). According to Mrs Diana Henty Silvester, descendant of Stephen Henty, Talisker Homestead was constructed between 1898 and 1904 (D. Henty Silvester, pers. comm., April 2006). The 1937 publication, Back to Merino, contains two photographs of the Talisker Estate Homestead. One is a view across a large grassy paddock to the homestead, a district landmark, with its long front veranda and domed tower. There is a small cottage on the east side of the homestead. A long timber fence encloses both buildings. A small hut is also shown in the foreground. A second photograph shows the Talisker Homestead in greater detail. This grand residence is shown in its garden setting with stone steps leading up to the front veranda and its distinctive domed viewing tower (Back to Merino).

Charles D'Ebro was responsible in the 1880s, 1890s and the early years of the 20th century, for the design of a number of fine residences for prominent Victorian pastoralists and businessmen. He was also a very successful commercial architect. D'Ebro was born in London, where he practised as an engineer and an architect. In 1881, at the beginning of his Australian career, D'Ebro was taken into partnership by John Grainger, formerly of , to build Princes Bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne. The partnership was dissolved on 14 April 1885. He was also in partnership with John Shanks Jenkins, another architect and engineer. Jenkins had begun his professional practice in Warrnambool where he traded as a timber merchant, building contractor and machine maker. After a brief and troubled partnership with local 'architect', William Keddie Paterson, Jenkins became town surveyor of Belfast [Port Fairy] (Warrnambool Examiner, 15 Feb 1859). He claims that he 'went to Hamilton in a similar capacity in 1860, to Mount Rouse as shire engineer in 1870, and to Richmond as town surveyor in 1876, where he was also a councillor for five years (Sutherland, Vol. 2, p. 521). According to Hamilton's historian, he was Town Clerk of the Borough of Hamilton until 1866 (Garden, p. 73). Jenkins also practised privately, having several distinguished clients including the Officers of Mount Talbot, Balmoral and the Robertsons of Skene. Stephen Henty, one of the founders of Victoria, commissioned Jenkins to design his new homestead Warrayure at Strathkellar near Hamilton in 1860, which commission probably included the fine substantial woolshed. D'Ebro was responsible for the completion of the historic Meningoort Homestead at Camperdown which was built in stages in 1842, 1851 and 1886. Some years later, on II January 1890, D'Ebro accepted tenders for a mansion for

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John Wagner now known as Stonnington at 336 Glenferrie Road, Malvern. From 1901 to 1927 it was used as Victoria's State Government House. In 1902, D'Ebro was commissioned to design a large brick residence at Langi Willi Station near Skipton for George Russell, manager of the Clyde Companythatwas very important in the development of the Western District. In August 1903, D'Ebro gave a paper on the 'Design of Australian Country Houses', a subject close to his heart. Two years later, in 1905, he was elected President of the RVIA (Australian Architectural Index).

When A.M. McLeod died in 1910, an obituary in the district press told how, after his marriage to Caroline Henty, he 'resided at 'Merino Downs' and, 'since the division of that estate, at Talisker.' By 1910, the couple had 'two grown-up daughters'. McLeod was described as 'a well-known figure in Merino, which he often visited, seldom missing a cricket or football match if the weather was at all favourable'. He was also a 'devoted and loyal supporter of the Church of England' and 'a zealous worker on its committee, ever ready to render substantial financial assistance'. The writer concluded that, 'although not a public man in the usual sense of the word, he took much interest in public affairs, had a good deal of business tact, and in this respect his judgement and advice could be relied on' (Casterton News, 25 July 1910).

McLeod's 1908 will named his wife as his sole executor. The Trustees of his Estate were the Perpetual Executors and Trustees Association of Australia Ltd. and Eugene Silvester, the Coleraine solicitor. They were charged with holding the property in trust for his wife and daughters, and to 'continue the share system of dairy farming at the Talisker Estate'. If there was a threat of any of the estate being compulsorily acquired by the Closer Settlement Board, the Trustees were to handle the necessary valuations and negotiations. McLeod left gifts of 250 pounds to his sisters, Caroline Agnes and Constance Margaret of Portland. He was especially generous to his nephew, Hugh Vernon McLeod, former overseer of the Merino Downs Estate. He left 1,000 pounds to his nephew and also his interest in the Mount Birnie Copper Mining Syndicate in the Cloncurry District of Queensland. Probate was granted to McLeod's widow, Caroline on 17 January 1911. Probate documents confirmed that the Estate was a substantial one with real estate valued at 52,345 pounds and personal estate at 3,707 pounds. The probate duty was 1,141 pounds (A.M. McLeod Will and Probate Papers). McLeod's nephew, Hugh Vernon, son of Donald Norman McLeod (1848-1914), worked on his uncle's Queensland property until 1907. After his uncle's death, Hugh Vernon came back to manage Talisker for his aunt Caroline (Henderson, p. 392, Back to Merino, p. 14).

Caroline McLeod died at Henty on I October 1914. An obituary in the district press told how, as Caroline Henty, she was born at the Merino Downs Homestead. She married A.M. McLeod, 'son of Mr. Norm Macleod (sic) of 'Castlemaddie', Portland, an old pioneer of that district'. A later article described Caroline as 'the chatelaine of Talisker,' who had 'endeared herself through her amiable and unassuming character enumerable acts of kindness.' She was buried in the Merino Cemetery (Casterton News, I October 1914).

Probate documents prepared after Caroline's death by her solicitors, Silvester and Silvester of Casterton and Coleraine, confirmed that she left real estate valued at slightly over 79,935 pounds. This included the Talisker Estate valued at 77,367 pounds; 'Claremont', a two-storey stone dwelling house on 2 acres in Portland valued at 1600 pounds; suburban land in Portland valued at 505 pounds; 'Merino Cottage,' a weatherboard cottage in Merino township valued at 450 pounds; and a one-third interest in Digby township land valued at just over 13 pounds. Caroline's total assets, which included her personal estate, were 114,217 pounds. Her Estate was held in trust for her daughters, Caroline ('Line') and Alexandra ('Alex') by the Perpetual Executors and Trustees Association and Norman Alexander Peebles of Casterton, who replaced as trustee Eugene Silvester, who died on 19 July 1912 (Caroline McLeod Probate Papers).

In 1918, Caroline's nephew, Hugh Vernon McLeod, former manager of Talisker, returned to Australia after serving with the 13th Light Horse in Gallipoli. Hugh Vernon did not return to Talisker but went to another McLeod family property, Minilya, in Western Australia, 'of which he had inherited portion on the death of his father. ' He 'sold out his interest in Minilya in 1920 and purchased his grandfather's old estate, Castlemaddie, Vic.' Here he 'engaged in breeding stud Jersey cattle, grazing and dairying' (Henderson, p. 392).

The McWhae family took over the Talisker property after Caroline McLeod's death. As discussed earlier, her daughter Caroline ('Line') was married to Ken McWhae. The McWhaes remained at Talisker until the Second

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World War years (D. Henty Silvester, pers.comm.). Victorian Country Telephone Directories listed Mrs. K. McWhae at Talisker during those years and also listed the two managers of the Talisker.Estate, P.J. Bridgman and then, from c 1936, W. Baird. James Harvey was also listed as estate manager in the Back to Merino publication (Back to Merino, p. 64).

Tragedy struck the McWhaes during the Second World War. The couple went overseas to be with their only son, John, who was serving in the Air Force. Jobn McLeod was killed and his parents, returning from Scotland to Australia, were on a ship that was torpedoed ( D. Henty Silvester, pers. comm.).

From 1942, the Talisker property was listed in telephone directories as 'Talisker Estate (Manager's Residence)' and 'Stockman's Cottage' (Victorian Country Telephone Directory). During the post-Second World War years, Talisker became one of the Glenelg Shire properties selected by the Government to purchase under the Soldier Settlement Scheme. This scheme was established after the passage of the Soldier Settlement Act 1945. Under this Act, 'Land was bought by the Commission and subdivided into blocks considered to be a living area for a settler to raise a family.' According to one account, these land purchases for settlement 'began in the Shire of Glenelg in 1947, when portions of well-known properties (such as) Wurt Wurt Koort, at Henty (now koown as Hindson's Estate) was subdivided into 25 blocks of about 150 to 180 acres each, suitable fpr dairying, and was occupied by successful applicants early in 1948' (Shire of Glenelg Centenary, p. 33). This was the Estate left by Francis Henty to his daughter Alice after the division of the Merino Downs property. Alice, who became Mrs Hindson, died in 1932 (see above).

In the same year, 1947, ten blocks of land of about 150 to 160 aces on the 'well known Talisker Estate', at Merino, were 'made available for dairying' (Shire of Glenelg Centenary, p. 33). Like the Hindson Estate, this property was originally part of the Merino Downs Estate. However, when land was acquired under the Soldier Settlement Scheme, it was possible for the family who had originally developed the property, to buy back small portions of the Estate. Alexander N. Henty Silvester, grandson of Alexander Magnus McLeod who built Talisker Homestead in 1901, bought back the homestead block and three farms (D Henty Silvester, pers. comm.).

In 1960, A.N.H. Silvester was listed in Victorian Telephone Directories at Talisker Nos. 3 and 4. However, he held the historic Talisker Homestead for a relatively short time (D. Henty Silvester, pers. comm.). By c1970, Duncan A. McLeod, grazier, and his wife Verna, the parents of the present owner of Talisker, had taken over the Talisker property with its historic homestead. A 1995 Country Fire Authorily (CFA) Map of Region 4, South West Victoria, indicated Talisker on the north side of Talisker Homestead Road, north of the Merino Township (CFA Map 429 FI6).

References:

Australian Architectural Index Back to Merino and Henty Centenary Celebrations, Back to Committee, 1937. Building Engineering and Mining Journal (BEMJ), 24 August 1901. Casterton News, 25 July 1910, 1 October 1914. Henderson, Alexander (1936) Early Pioneer Families of Victotria and Riverena,1974 edn., McCarron Bird & Co. Learmonth, Noel F. (1970) Four Towns and a survey, Hawthorn Press. Probate Papers, VPRS 28/P3, Unit 536, File 149/654 (PROV), Henty, Louisa. Probate Papers, VPRS 28/P3, Unit 536, File 32/296 (PROV), McLeod, Caroline. Probate Papers, VPRS 28/P2, Unit 202, File 32/296 (PROV), McLeod, John Norman. Merino Downs (State Library Victoria Map Collection), 1856. Parish of Merino, Department of Lands and Survey, State Library of Victoria Map Collection. Plan of Grant of 60 acres to Francis Henty, 1848, State Library of Victoria Maps Collection. Plan of Francis Henty's Pre-Emptive Purchase, 640 acres, State Library of Victoria Maps Collection. Shire of Glenelg Centenary 1863-1963, Glenelg Shire Centenary Committee, 1963, Glenelg Shire Council. Personal Communication, April 2006, Silvester, Diana Henty. Sutherland, Alexander (1888) Victoria and Its Metropolis, Vol 2.

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Relevant Historical Australian Themes

3 Developing local, regional and national economies 3.5 Developing primary production 3.5.1 Grazing stock 3.5.3 Developing agricultural industries

5 Working 5.8 Working on the land

8 Developing Australia's Cultural Life 8.10 Pursuing excellence in the arts and sciences 8.10.3 Designing and building fine buildings

Description

Physical Description

Talisker was built for Alexander Magnus and Caroline Macleod and designed by Melbourne architect Charles D'Ebro in 1901. Importantly, the original drawings survive and are held in the State Library (SLV, Architectural Drawings collection, Residences, Acc No. H91.148/1, H92.148/2). Two early photographs of Talisker exist showing the front elevation and a view from the side showing the back elevation across the homestead to a valley beyond (SLV, Acc. No. H91.148/3, H91.148/4).

Talisker is a large single storey Edwardian homestead of 'Ballarat black' bricks with red brick bands and a corrugated metal roof. The bricks are believed to have been railed to Merino and then hauled to the site by bullock dray (John McIntosh, pers. comm., 11/10.06). The facade is highly embellished with Edwardian architectural elements including a timber posted veranda, gables, banded brickwork and tuck-pointing. Over the front door, there is a crest with a bull's head set between two flags and a banner with the motto 'Hold Fast' and the name 'Talisker'. By contrast, the rear of the \"U\" shaped plan is unadorned apart from the device of placing three windows together in the wall. The whole composition of the building is dominated by a massive three-level tower, including a room on the first floor with a large Elizabethan style box window, and an open balcony on the second floor. The roof of the tower is double-curved, and is supported on turned timber columns. The tower is an Edwardian equivalent of the tall slender tower on Narrapumelap at Skipton. It is designed to allow an elevated view of the property below and is intended as much to be seen from a distance.

Talisker has a fairly typical homestead form from the nineteenth century with a long verandah to the front elevation. This is overlaid with Edwardian building elements such as gable ends decorated with timber strapping, substantial timber posts, capitals and friezes. The most unusual elements are the large bay window with brick parapet that extends through the roof and the tower. The plan separates the various functions of the household and the people who lived and worked there. 'The house, when completed, covered eighty-six squares [approximately 860m2] and comprised twenty-five rooms in three wings. The section designed for the servants' quarters, contained two maid's rooms, a large kitchen, laundry, meat room, a cream room with its huge slate topped benches and fly proofed safes, a scullery, servery, pantry and a cellar' (Leake, pp. 45).

The interior is finely crafted with extensive use of timber joinery and plaster cornice decoration. The front door and sidelights are of decorative coloured leadlight glass and the joinery appears to be either polished or wood grained. The stair spandrel is panelled and the handrail and balusters of polished timber. Some doors have an unusual panelled detailing. There is an art nouveau inspired painted frieze to at least one room, and some ceilings are of polished timber. The exterior and interior of Talisker are in excellent condition and the architectural details appear to be intact in the main rooms. Talisker may be compared with Charles D'Ebro's other large homestead commission of Langi Willi built in 1893, the architectural drawings for which also survive (SLV, Acc No. H37688/1-10). Langi Willi is a picturesque composition including a mock castellated tower, an Elizabethan window similar to the one at Talisker and Arts and Crafts roof forms. By comparison, Talisker is a more modest

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example of the Edwardian style in a traditional homestead plan. It can also be compared with contemporary homesteads designed or remodelled by other leading architects. The similar but smaller Mount Koroite Homestead at Coleraine, which was remodelled for J.F. Kirby supposedly on the winnings of the 1911 Melbourne Cup, has not yet been attributed to any architect. The architect, Guyon Purchas remodelled Purrumbete at Camperdown in 1901 for the Manifold family. The interiors of Purrumbete are more richly Art Nouveau with Robert Prentzel carvings featuring Australian motifs and Walter Withers murals depicting the history of the Manifolds. Prentzel carvings also contribute to the interiors of Glenormiston, remodelled in 1908 for the Black family but its exterior is a late interpretation of the Italianate style. Other Western district homesteads include Ettrick at Derrinallum and Woolongoon at Mortlake.

The homestead is approached by a sweeping drive and enhanced by its garden. Two mature Araucaria Bidwillii (Bunya Bunya pines) survive as a pair half way along the drive. The garden is compartmentalised in the conventional manner. The front garden is laid out formally with a large circular bed and path at its centre. It overlooks the valleys of Miakite or Henty Creek and Tea Tree Creek towards a vast pastoral landscape in all directions. A Prunus dulcis, (Almond) tree survives at the north-west corner of the homestead. To the north west of the main homestead, on a slope, there are the remnants of an extensive orchard. This was once part of a much larger subsistence garden, with vegetable beds. There are a number of smaller trees immediately to the north of the house, in particular, a fine example of Brachychiton acerfolius (Kurrajong). To the south there is a 'wild' garden. It contains many original plantings now mature, if not senescent including many different types of Prunus spp. and Crataegus spp., an Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya Bunya Pine), Washingtonia filifera, as well as many bulbs and shrubs. Unfortunately, this area has fallen into disrepair and many of the fine specimen trees, such as the Araucaria bidwillii and the Washingtonia filifera are now in demise. The wild garden extends some 600m down the hill, overlooking the Wurt Wurt Creek valley. The wild garden appears to date from the 1920s, whereas the rest of the garden and most of the significant trees probably date from the same time as the main homestead. The rear garden is a plain service yard, with an underground well, but it does include two significant mature trees, a Quercus robur (English Oak) and a Corymbia ficifolia (Red Flowering Gum).

Physical Condition

Very Good

Usage / Former Usage

Continues as a pastoral property and residence

Recommended Management

Undertake CMP for homestead and garden

Comparative Analysis

Langi Willi Homestead, Linton/Skipton Northbrook, Malvern Stonnington, Malvern Purrumbete, Camperdown, Guyon Purchas Mount Koroite Homestead, Coleraine Woolongoon, Mortlake Ettrick, Derrinallum

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?

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Talisker Homestead Complex, Talisker Homestead Road, Merino was built for the grazier, Alexander Magnus McLeod (1846-1910) and his wife Caroline in 1901. Talisker was a sub-division of Merino Downs, one of the first three squatting runs in Victoria. Francis Henty (1815-1889), a Sussex sheep farmer then based in Portland with his father and brothers had established the run by August 1837, a year after Major Thomas Mitchell had told the Hentys about the excellent country he had discovered on his expedition from Sydney to the mouth of the Glenelg. After Francis' death, Merino Downs was divided into three Estates, one for each of his three daughters, Louisa, Caroline and Alice. Caroline Henty (1849-1914) became the owner of Talisker. She married A.M. McLeod and they lived there from 1901 until his death there in 1910. She continued there until her death at Talisker in 1914. Mrs K. McWhae, Caroline's daughter, owned Talisker after her mother's death until the Second World War years. In c1946/47, A.N. Silvester bought back the homestead block. The Silvesters had been McLeod family solicitors over a number of years and the families had intermarried. The Silvester family owned Talisker Homestead until the sale of the property in c1970 to its present owner. There were many links over many years between Talisker, Merino Downs, Castlemaddie and Mount Clay, all important early pastoral properties although Talisker was the grandest. For example, Hugh Vernon McLeod, nephew of A.M. McLeod and his wife, the former Caroline Henty, was at one time overseer at Merino Downs. The links between Talisker, Castlemaddie and Mount Clay related to McLeod family connexions. After his uncle's death in 1889, Hugh Vernon McLeod managed Talisker for his aunt Caroline. In 1920, Hugh Vernon bought back Castlemaddie, originally owned in the 1850s by his grandfather, J.N. McLeod (1816-1886).

A.M. and Caroline McLeod commissioned Charles D'Ebro (1850-1920), to design the new homestead. Born in London and trained as an engineer, D'Ebro became a successful, well-connected and fashionable Melbourne architect with a practice which extended to other Australian states and to . He had already designed Northbrook, Malvern, c.1888 for Donald Munro, son of the Victorian Premier and Stonnington, Malvern after 1886 for John Wagner, owner of Cobb & Co. coaches and a successful gold mining entrepreneur. He also designed the Prahran Town Hall and the Prahran Municipal Market. For a short time D'Ebro was in partnership with John Grainger and John Shanks Jenkins, both architects and engineers, when he was associated with the construction of the present Princes Bridge, Melbourne. Jenkins had direct personal and professional connections with the Western District, particularly in and around Hamilton. Jenkins, who by 1901 was aged 67, may have influenced the commissioning of Talisker. Stephen Henty, brother of Francis Henty and uncle of Caroline McLeod, had commissioned Jenkins to design his new homestead Warrayure at Strathkellar near Hamilton in 1860.

D'Ebro's design for Talisker was at the same time very daring in its confident use of strong details and bold forms but conventional in its planning, with a strict hierarchy of rooms and practical separation of people and functions. It is an individual interpretation of the Federation style although with many standard details for the period, such as the coloured leadlight, elaborate plasterwork, handsome timber mantelpieces and stained joinery, especially for the main staircase. It is a gentleman's country house, a very late example of a villa in the landscape. The dramatic siting of the house takes full advantage of the prospect over the whole of the original Merino Downs Estate seen from the dominating viewing tower. The house is also sited to be seen. The grounds supported the house, formerly including a decorative pleasure garden immediately to the front and side, an orchard to the north and a 'wild' garden to the south. Talisker can be compared with D'Ebro's earlier designs for Stonnington, which is heavily Classical and Langi Willi at Skipton, for George Russell which adopts a more conservative interpretation of the Queen Anne/Arts and Crafts house. It can also be compared with the lighter design for Purrumbete at Camperdown by Guyon Purchas for the Manifold Family and the similar but smaller Mount Koroite Homestead at Coleraine, for J.F. Kirby supposedly on the winnings of the 1911 Melbourne Cup, which has not yet been attributed to any architect.

The homestead at Talisker remains significantly intact. The interiors are particularly intact with some original wallpapers surviving and all of the extensive original joinery still stained and polished. Only minor changes have been made to the service areas. The house is in good condition. The garden is reduced but it also retains important original plantings including: two Araucaria bidwillii, Bunya Bunya pines in the drive; a Prunus dulcis, Almond tree in the front garden; a Brachychiton acerfolius, Kurrajong in the side garden; a Quercus robur, English Oak and a Corymbia ficifolia, Red Flowering Gum in the rear garden; and all of the mature plantings in the wild garden and the orchard. Its original layout including the drive, various compartments and small works, is easily discernable. The outbuildings also survive well.

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How is it Significant? Talisker Homestead Complex is of historical, social and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it Significant The Talisker Homestead Complex has historical and social significance as a fine example of a residence, garden and supporting outbuildings established by a member of a major Western District pioneer pastoral family and for demonstrating their success and position in society. Through his marriage to Caroline Henty in 1890, A.M. McLeod formed an association with the Hentys, the family generally acknowledged as the founders of Victoria. The site of Talisker has historical significance as originally part of the very early Merino Downs, one of the first three squatting runs established by the Henty family. Talisker Homestead also has historical significance for its long association with the McLeod family and its descendants. It has social significance for its association with a number of other important Glenelg Shire pastoral properties as a result of family links between the Henty and McLeod families. The homestead complex demonstrates through the hierarchy and separation of rooms, the surrounding garden used for both pleasure and production and the outbuildings, a lifestyle now long passed.

Talisker Homestead, a substantial brick residence in the Federation style with a distinctive domed tower, a district landmark, has architectural significance as an important example of an Australian country home designed by the notableVictorian architect, Charles D'Ebro. It compares well with D'Ebro's other domestic work and with homesteads of the same period and pretension across Victoria. It is a very late example of a villa set in a landscape claimed by the ow ners. It can be contrasted with Muntham, the only surviving Henty homestead from the earliest phase of squatting.

Recommendations 2006

External Paint Controls - Internal Alteration Controls - Tree Controls - Fences & Outbuildings - Prohibited Uses May Be Permitted - Incorporated Plan - Aboriginal Heritage Place -

This information is provided for guidance only and does not supersede official documents, particularly the planning scheme. Planning controls should be verified by checking the relevant municipal planning scheme.

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