The Werribee Park Mansion is an Australian heritage treasure offering a brief glimpse back into a rich pastoral age.
Thomas and Andrew Chirnside, leaders of the Victorian squattocracy, travelled to Australia from the lowlands of Scotland in the mid 1800’s. Armed with determination and motivated by their family motto ‘Do or Die’, the brothers set about creating a vast pastoral empire. The exquisite mansion and extensive gardens at their stately property of Werribee Park are a testament to their successful business venture. Built between 1874 and 1877, their 60-roomed Italianate-style mansion is Victoria’s largest and most elaborate private residence. Source
Ownership of Werribee Park by the Chirnsides ceased in 1922. It was purchased by Philip Lock, a wealthy grazier from Warrnambool, who then sold it a year later to the Roman Catholic Bishops of Australia to be used as a training facility for young men interested in entering priesthood. The Victorian Government acquired Werribee Park in 1973 and have since progressively restored the property back to its former splendour.
Very cool documentary style post. Hard to imagine anyone setting out to create something like this today, isn’t it?
yes Bob, very hard to imagine, especially if the animals are endangered in any way. as for taxidermy decoration, a lot of country Victorian pubs have deer heads and ducks hanging around the interior – i saw a cat skin hanging in a general store not long ago – we loathe vermin in Australia!
Been looking through your Pentax 67 shots on your photostream. That shot of Apollo Bay is just WOW.
i’m really enjoying the 67 – and that sunrise, never seen anything like it – cheers