Dwelling

History/Notes
The undeveloped land at 37-39 Upper Skene Street was owned by Edwardian Dickson and his successors for 70 years from 1852. It was purchased by Matthew Foggo, labourer, in 1922. The following year, 1923, he had this house built at 39 Upper Skene Street by J.H. Sampson. Foggo subdivided his property in 1924, selling the eastern portion (37 Upper Street Street) to Ronald Condie (his brother in law). A 39 Upper Skene Street, Foggo lived there with his wife, Janet Elizabeth (nee Condie) Foggo until 1929 when they relocated to St. Mary's, N.S.W. The house in Upper Skene Street was initially leased to George Condie, grocer, and brother of Janet Foggo. In 1939, Matthew Foggo sold the property to Edward Chegwin.

Matthew Wilson Foggo was born at Fyansford in 1888, the son of Matthew and Ellen (nee Wilson) Foggo. After finishing school, M.W. Foggo became at farmer at Fyansford. He enlisted in the A.I.F. in 1915 and served in France. In 1916, he suffered trench feet but more serious illnesses came in 1917 and 1918 when he suffered shell shock and 'nervous debility' respectively. For the latter he was treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital, England, before returning home in 1918. From 1929, he farmed at St. Mary's, N.S.W., presumably until his death in 1964.

The asymmetrical, single storey, timber interwar Bungalow styled dwelling is predominantly intact when viewed from the front, as shown in the original main gabled roof form and front gabled verandah, flat-roofed faceted bay window, broad eaves with exposed timber, brick chimney, gable infill and the timber framed double hung windows (including the highlight windows in the bay window). At the rear are hipped roofed additions and a carport built in 1991. There is an introduced timber picket fence on the front boundary that returns along the Ruthven Street side to the front of the dwelling.

References:
Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Indexes, Dept. of Justice.
Newtown Rate Books, 1923-1940, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House