ROSEMUNDY HOUSE

Rosemundy House is a substantial and evolved single-storey Italianate red brick and stuccoed house. It was built in multiple stages from 1858. As originally built, a weatherboard factory was located to the east of the house. The factory was used for the manufacture of the quartz stamper components that made Goyne's fortune. A depression to the east of the house indicates the location of the factory. Goyne's original house was a small brick construction at the south of the present house, now known as the scullery. As his business prospered, the house was expanded to the north, with a passage leading from the scullery providing access to bedrooms and reception rooms. At its height the property comprised eight hectares (20 acres). As well as the main house, built structures included a laundry, stables (also demolished) and a 'gold office'. The latter is extant and is assumed to have had an administrative function associated with the factory operation, rather than a role involving the storage or holding of gold, or perhaps even a household/domestic role. 

Rosemundy House is of local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance. 

Rosemundy House at Epsom, an essentially Italianate residence built in stages from 1858, is of local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance. Historically (Criterion A), Rosemundy House was established by the successful miner turned quartz stamper component manufacturer, John Goyne (1826-1907). The property was originally developed with a timber factory (since demolished) and a small red brick 1858 dwelling to its east, which survives as the scullery to the enlarged residence. The expansion of Rosemundy House in 1867 and again in the 1890s reflects Goyne's growing commercial success and social status; the 1867 addition also provided for Goyne's family with whom he was reunited after a long separation. At its height, the estate extended for over eight hectares, and included a substantial orchard and two-storey stables, of which the footings survive. Rosemundy House is also significant for the combination of private residence and factory/place of work at a single property. The survival of the free standing 'gold office' is also an unusual element, which enhances the significance of the property. The association with John Goyne is additionally important (Criterion F), as he was a prominent and respected member of the local community, a councillor for 15 years from 1881, and president of Huntly Shire in 1883 and 1895. His son, Davey, continued to manage the factory after John's retirement, although business slowed from the 1890s with the decline of quartz reef mining. 

Rosemundy House is of local aesthetic/architectural significance (Criterion E). It is a substantial evolved nineteenth century dwelling set within a generous garden setting. The earliest (1858) component is a humble red brick building with limited architectural pretension, typical of goldfields buildings of the period. The 1867 and 1890s additions are essentially Italianate in character and of greater scale and substance. All these elements are substantially intact to their periods of construction. The 'gold office', although modest, is also significant. Its simple detailing and vertical proportions are distinctive; its visual relationship with the main house and former factory site is additionally an aspect of its significance, emphasising its original role within the property. The property overall is further enhanced by the substantial garden setting, with open fields to the east.