"Yemoneit", Residence

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

This substantial residence described by contempories as "truly the Home Beautiful in the Best Residential Locality in Newtown", has regional historical significance for its associations with Lewis Hirst, engineer, first owner in 1918-19, and the son of Godfrey Hirst, woollen manufacturer and reputedly "the man who made the city of Geelong the Bradford of Australia" Lewis and his brothers worked in the Hirst woollen mills which included the Excelsior Mill and produced the "Harris Tweeds", which became famous both in Austalia and overseas. It also has regional architectural significance as a fine complex Californian Bungalow with colonial and elclectic influences. Colonial influenced elements of interest include the decorative fretwork bargeboards and the Ionic porch columns. Eclectic elements include the barrel-vaulted attic and round headed vent. Contexural elements such as the stone fence and gate and the garden contribute to its significance. The paint colours are sympathetic. Also of interest is the wide use of local sandstone.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residence