Residence

The residence at 46 Retreat Road, Newtown, has significance as an intact and representative example of a late interwar Old English style and is reflective of the standard designs prepared for the State Savings Bank as part of its Credit Foncier Loan Scheme. Built in 1938 for Marjorie N. Rushbrook, the dwelling appears to be in good condition when viewed from the street. The low front brick fence and metal gate also contribute to the significance of the place.

The residence at 46 Retreat Road is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level (AHC D.2, E.1). It demonstrates original design qualities of a late interwar Old English style, and has a particular affinity with the State Savings Bank's "Design C.F.4" as part of its Credit Foncier Loan Scheme. These qualities include the picturesque arrangement of gable roof forms, with a dominant traversing gable and two minor gables projecting towards the front, and another projecting at the side towards the rear. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the asymmetrical composition, single storey height, clinker brick wall construction, terra cotta tile roof cladding, front porch with round-arched entrance and small timber framed window formed under the extension of the projecting front gable, stepped brick chimneys with terra cotta pots, brick corbelling to the gable ends, timber framed double hung windows (arranged in a bank of three on the front gable and as corner and single windows), and the modest eaves. The front low brick fence and metal gate also contribute to the significance of the property.

The residence at 46 Retreat Road, is historically significant at a LOCAL level (AHC A.4, H.1). It is associated with residential developments in Newtown during the late interwar period, and probably with the State Savings Bank of Victoria's finance, design and construction (Credit Foncier) scheme. It was built in 1938 for Marjorie N. Rushbrook.

Overall, the residence at 46 Retreat Road is of LOCAL significance.

External Paint Controls: Yes

Internal Alteration Controls: No

Tree Controls: No

Outbuildings and/or Fences: Yes- front fence

The HO apply to the whole of the site.

Nil

City of Newtown and Chilwell Rate Books 1860-1950, digital copies on CD, Geelong Heritage Centre.

Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Field Book 167-008 (Nov 1912).

Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust Plan of Drainage N4782 (1938).

P. Cuffley, Australian Houses of the '20s and '30s, The Five Mile Press, 1989, pp. 14-20.

G. Butler, The Californian Bungalow in Australia, Lothian Books, 1992, pp. 31-46.

D. Rowe, 'Building a National Image: The Architecture of John Smith Murdoch, Australia's First Commonwealth Government Architect', PhD (Architecture) Thesis, Deakin University, 1997.

State Savings Bank of Victoria, Designs for Homes under Credit Foncier Loan Conditions, January 1940, City of Greater Geelong collection.

Aitken, Huddle & Honman, City of Geelong West Urban Conservation Study, vol.2, prepared for the City of Geelong West, 1986.

W. Pomroy & P. Naughtin, Eric J. Lyons Master Builder, Patsey Pacific Publications, Belmont, 2004.

City of Greater Geelong, 'Eastern Park & Geelong Botanic Gardens: Heritage Council Registrations Committee Hearing', August 2006.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House