"Carinya" Residence

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

This house has regional historical significance for its association with the first tenant, W. W. Miles owner of the famous nursery, mercer's Hill Gardens, in 1861. It is a rare survivor of a time when Newtown and Chilwel were semi-rural areas with many orchards, Chinese market gardens and nurseries, which were already in decline by the 1930s. "Carinya" has historical significance, also for its association in the 1870s with its owner, Michael McDermott, railway contractor, who played a role in railway development in Geelong, a vital factor in the district's commercial growth. It has regional architectural significance as an unusual early Victorian design with medieval characteristics and possibly derived from a pattern book (not identified). Of further interest are the various additions around the courtyard, illustrating the development of the needs of subsequent owners.

RECCOMENDATIONS

Existing Listings - None

Recommendations - RNE LPS

Other - Check pattern books for design e.g Loudon

REFERENCES

IBID 1870-71 - No 614

IBID 1874-75 - No 615

Geelong Advertiser - 5 April, 1875

Newtown Rate Book 1875-76 - No 614 (the previous year the NAV was only 25 pounds).

IBID 1885-6 - No 614

IBID 1888-89 - No 641; 1892-93 - No 756.

IBID 1885-86 - No 614; 1895-96 - No 771; 1904-5 No 801.

IBID 1908-09 - No 796; 1911-12 No 893.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residence