Dwelling

History/Notes
In 1855, John Murchison acquired land adjoining the site now known as 317 Shannon Avenue. A four roomed dwelling seems to have been built soon after. His wife, Annie Murchison was the owner before 1862-63. Her dwelling appears to have been replaced in the Edwardian period with a new timber dwelling named "Dunbeath".

In 1917-18, the property was purchased by Mrs Grace Mason. In 1922-3, Mrs Mason acquired adjoining land that had previously formed part of William Jeffrey's neighbouring Fernery Hotel. She had this dwelling at 317 Shannon Avenue built in 1923. Apart from a year in the new dwelling after it was built, both houses were leased, the subject dwelling from 1926 to Herbert Elliott, a clerk. He resided there until the death of Mrs Mason in 1945. The earlier Edwardian dwelling appears to have been demolished in c.1938 when the land was consolidated with the neighbouring property at 319 Shannon Avenue. Miss Grace Jackson was born in c.1863 at Clunes, the daughter of Charles Alexander and Ellen (nee Moynahan) Jackson. She married George Mason (c.1862-1943) in 1883. It appears that they lived at Clunes before retiring to Geelong.

The timber interwar Californian Bungalow reflects its original design when viewed from the front. This includes the gabled roofs, a feature being the verandah gable supported by brick piers and square timber posts, with solid timber brackets and fretwork. Other early features include the timber framed windows (the front bank of windows having a bracketed hood), gable infill and front door opening with panelled timber and glazed door and sidelight.

Rear additions were constructed in 1998. There is also an introduced flat- roofed carport at the front and a high ripple iron front fence with solid timber capping, set behind a small garden bed supported by a bluestone retaining wall.

References:
Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Indexes, Dept. of Justice.
Newtown Rate Books, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1935, 1944, 1945, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.
Newtown Building Permit, 1923, City of Greater Geelong.
Building Permit 395/1998, City of Greater Geelong.
Certificate of Titles vol. 2087 fol. 201, 4725 fol. 893. Land Application 24195, General Law Library, Laverton.
GWST Fieldbook no. 147, 15 July 1912, p.12, Barwon Water

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House