In the book ‘Australian Aborigines’ by James Dawson, published in 1881, he documents the Aboriginal word Tuurak, translating to Duck Weed in English – and therefore, quite possibly, the origin of the name ‘Toorak Estate’.
Interestingly, ‘Toorak’ would later become the name of the wealthy and exclusive inner suburb of Melbourne . . .
In describing the region from Melbourne to Toorak – Prahran – St Kilda as well as ‘Toorak House’ in the late 1850’s, the following provides an interesting insight into the property, the region and the opinions of the time:
” . . . In this region of contrasts and contrarieties, the transition from one extreme to another — from the Nadir to the Zenith, seems the most natural proceeding possible. And accordingly I pass on from the notice of a shilling ball, to the Governor’s residence at Toorak. A morning drive thither showed us the simple entrance and lodge, and the pleasant approach, of gravelled carriageway, skirted and shaded by plantations of trees and shrubs, native and exotic; which at our former visit, to a large late dinner party, had only seemed the culmination of the mysterious turns and twists, which our hired charioteer seemed to make twice the length of the real distance. The house looks like the mansion of some wealthy English gentleman. It was built by a rich tradesman of Melbourne, for his own residence on retiring from business, and by him let on a three or five years’ lease, for the use of Sir Charles Hotham. The Government expended £30,000 in making a road to it, and £45,000 more in additions and improvements; an outlay for so short a term, which in any other community would argue against the sanity of all concerned, but which in Victoria, at that time, was simply a consequence of goldfever delirium. Nothing in the aspect of Toorak would suggest the idea of such expenditure. The house, except that it is too new looking, might be the country mansion of a Squire Hazeldean; it is a plain, square building, with the door in the centre, two windows on each side, and two upper floors. The dining and drawing rooms are comfortable and well proportioned, but of no unusual dimensions; and the interior arrangements are in keeping with the aspect of the house — handsome, without any aim at magnificence. Nor would anything magnificent be expected in a Colonial Governor’s establishment, even in the Land of Gold; did not certain of our Australian newspapers who delight to emulate the grandiloquent paragraphs of the Morning Post, on a small scale, usher in any mention of their respective governors with a flourish of (penny) trumpets; as, “The viceregal carriages were ordered,” &c.; “The viceregal children were observed to laugh heartily at the farce,” &c., &c.: which is all the more gratuitously absurd, as the English gentlemen who usually fill the office of Governor (or, according to “Jenkins,” Viceroy) in the Colonies, have little need or inclination to gild their solid respectability with more than is indispensable of the glitter of temporary importance . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Over The Straits: A Visit To Victoria’ – by Louisa Anne Meredith – published 1861
A Brief Overview of the ‘Toorak Estate’ Timeline . . .
In the time before Gold Fever had hit the infant township of Melbourne, and when regions known as as South Yarra and Toorak were considered the outskirts of the city, large plots of riverfront land were allocated for farming and available at inconceivably low prices – especially by today’s standards. One has to comprehend this was barely 180 years ago – i.e. just 2 to 3 lifetimes ago !!
The land that would become the ‘Toorak Estate’ initially consisted of two lots:
10th June 1840 – Lot 16 was purchased at Auction by Sylvester Brown, a sea captain and merchant, for £18 per acre. This lot consisted of 70 acres thus involving a total investment of £1,260
10th June 1840 – Lot 17 was purchased at Auction by James Campbell. This lot consisted of 78 acres, being purchased at a cost of £20 per acre. Campbell’s total investment equated to £1,560
One must remember that at this time, it had only been 5 years since John Batman had first arrived in Port Phillip in the May of 1835, proclaiming that “This will be the Place for a Village” at the very location on which city centre of Victoria’s capital city of Melbourne would soon occupy. Prior to this there had been no successful settlement of the south-eastern reaches of Victoria . . .
Later that Decade – Lots 17 & 18 would be sold to James Jackson – purportedly Lot 16 due to bankruptcy, and Lot 17 as a deceased estate. Jackson purchased the 2 lots, being a total of 148 acres, for a mere £608 – that equates to just £4 per acre !!
1849 – James Jackson selected a site for his new home on a high point of his land, on which he built his Victorian Italianate style manision, surrounded it with formal gardens, as well as all the necessary outbuildings, carriageways, etc. He would name his mansion ‘Toorak House’
1851 – It would seem that the beginnings of this precinct would be shrouded in tragedy as James Jackson would perish at sea on his way to London. Hence, he and his family would never enjoy, nor occupy, this stunning property. He was but 43 years old. This was also the year that Gold Fever struck Melbourne, and the year that the colony of Victoria was formed – thus separating from the colony of New South Wales
1852 to 1853 – Charles Williamson, a city draper, leased the property
Government House
1853 to 1874 – At the end of Governor La Trobe’s reign in 1853, ‘Toorak House’ became Victoria’s Government House until such time that a permanent establishment could be completed. Though is was anticipated that ‘Toorak House’ would only be required for some two years:
” . . . The Government expended £30,000 in making a road to it, and £45,000 more in additions and improvements; an outlay for so short a term, which in any other community would argue against the sanity of all concerned, but which in Victoria, at that time, was simply a consequence of goldfever delirium . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Over The Straits: A Visit To Victoria’ – by Louisa Anne Meredith – published 1861
‘Toorak House’ was leased to the governance at a cost of £10,000 per annum
June 1854 – Governor Hotham arrived
31 December 1855 – Governor Hotham dies at the age of just 49
1856 to 1863 – Sir Henry Barkly resides
1863 to 1866 – Sir Charles Darling resides
1866 to 1873 – Sir John Manners-Sutton resides
1873 to 1874 – Sir George Bowen resides
Subdivision
1875 – The entire ‘Toorak Estate’ was purchased by George Lansell of Bendigo for £100,000. He promptly proceeded to subdivide the 148 acre estate into 137 allotments, maintaining 5¼ acres for ‘Toorak House’. Through time the subdivisions have continued as land prices in the area sky-rocketed.
1957 – ‘Toorak House’ was purchased by the Swedish Lutheran Church who continue to own the property until this very day . . .
Helpful Hints:
– Located approximately 1 km North-East of the Toorak Town Centre – obtain Directions here
Discover Toorak:
– Shopping
– Facilities available at Toorak
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- Sealed Road