Dwelling

History/Notes
The site at 10-12 Nantes Street originally formed part of a 3 acre landholding owned by George Alexander Stephen, merchant, in 1889. On his death in 1908, the land was subdivided into three allotments, with a large allotment fronting Nantes Street being sold to Daniel Organ McIntyre. In 1909 he subdivided the land into several allotments and lots 11-13 were sold to Richard Ince. In 1924, he sold the land to Donald Dunoon, retired architect. This house was built at this time (1924-25), presumably to a design by Dunoon.

Donald Campbell Dunoon was born at Colac in 1862, the son of Donald and Mary (nee Miller) Dunoon. In 1892, he entered the architectural practice of Alexander Hamilton as an assistant. In 1896, Dunoon married Miss Jessie Margaret Reddie, the same year he became a partner in Hamilton's architectural practice. In the ensuing years, Dunoon combined his practice as an architect with civic duties, being a Councillor of the Colac Shire. He was also secretary of the Newtown-Beeac Railway Trust. Dunoon was elected an associate of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects in 1922. He was a well-known architect in Colac, with one of his last designs being the Municipal Abattoirs at Colac before retiring to Nantes Street, Newtown. He died there in 1952, aged 79.

The elevated, single storey, timber and brick interwar Bungalow dwelling is reflective of its original design. This includes the principal gabled roof form, minor projecting gabled wing at the front, front faceted bay window, post- supported verandah on the east side (under the main gabled roof), timber framed double hung windows, gabled attic dormers on the east and west roof faces, attic windows, broad eaves and gable infill. The small skillion dormer on the east roof face has been introduced. At the rear is an early gabled outbuilding and introduced swimming pool. The substantial allotment has an introduced tennis court on the east side (constructed in 1992). The front is bound by an introduced, high, capped timber picket fence on a random stone retaining wall (added in 1995). It also has a gabled pedestrian gateway. There is also a retaining wall with brush fence (added
in 1992) forming the front boundary at the east end.

References:
Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Indexes, Dept. of Justice.
Newtown Rate Books, 1924, 1926, 1935, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.
Newtown Building Permit, 1924, CIty of Greater Geelong.
RAIA Past Members' Personal files 2, Box 86, Envelope 14, SLV.
The Argus, 28 April 1910, p.8, 2 March 1922, p.10.
Geelong Advertiser, 22 June 1910, p.3, 4, 15 November 1924, p.7.
Building Permits, 2534/1991, 2885/1992, 4213/1994, 4634/1995, CIty of Greater Geelong.
Dunoon, RVIA file, box 86, env. 14, SLV.
Certificates of Title, vol. 2121 fol. 075, vol. 3304 fol. 672, vol. 3358 fol. 483.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House