Dwelling

History/Notes
In 1912, Harry Hooper engaged the well-known architects, Laird and Buchan, to design the brick dwelling at 5A Stephen Street in anticipation of his marriage. The land had been given by Hooper's father, Lloyd Hooper, as a wedding present. The house was called 'Monaro'.

Born in 1879. Harry Hooper was the son of Lloyd Hooper, successful grocer. He attended Geelong College from 1890 before taking up a position in the family business. He married Miss Dorothea Martha Hawkesworth in 1913. In 1929, he was elected as a Councillor with the Newtown Council, the Geelong Advertiser describing him as 'Happy Harry' given his 'happy, sunny- natured' personality with likeable qualities. In 1931, 'Monaro' was sold to Solomon Jacobs who transferred it to his son,
Henry Jacobs on his marriage to Miss Stella Mary Walker. Born in 1901, Henry Jacobs worked in the family drapery business in Malop Street first established in the 1850s by Henry Jacobs' grandfather, Morris Jacobs. In later years with the sale of the family business to Myer, Jacobs later served with the RAAF in World War Two. He also established another drapery and floor covering business in Colac. Henry Jacobs contributed much to community life, serving as a local councillor. He was elected Mayor in 1957. He awarded an MBE for his services to the community.
The main facade of 'Monaro' was designed to face the garden on the north side. The original composition of the hipped roofed forms survives, as does the return verandah at the north end and the main entrance on the east side. In 1945-46, the architect J.P. Mockridge (Stella Jacobs' cousin) redesigned the interior of the dwelling. In 1947, The Age featured the interior, describing it as a 'Modern interior of elegance and charm.'
Furniture was specially designed by Lester Bunbury. In 1993, a new verandah was added, with alterations occurring in 1998 and two storey additions being carried out in 2004.

References:
Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Indexes, Dept. of Justice.
W. Yates, 'Harry Hooper Residence', Conservation Analysis Report, Deakin University, 1991.
Newtown Rate Books, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1945, 1946, 1947, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
The Age, 5 November 1947.
City of Newtown & Chilwell Centenary 1858-1958 , City of Newtown & Chilwell, 1958.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House