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BLAIR MONA

Other Name BLAIR GOWEN Location 37 MALINGS ROAD PORTLAND WEST, GLENELG SHIRE File Number HER/2000/000167 Level Registered

[1/4] BLAIR MONA SOHE 2008 [2/4] BLAIR MONA SOHE 2008 [3/4] 1 blairmona portland front pm1 [4/4] blairmona plan

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
James Blair was appointed Police Magistrate in Portland on 18 August 1840 and arrived in October 1840. Blair Mona (or Blair Gowen as it is also known) was believed to have been built in 1841 for James Blair on 24 acres of land he had purchased. It is not known whether Blair actually lived in the house before he built his house known as "Greenmount", Wellington Road, in 1846. Blair Mona is situated on a hill south of Portland and enjoys a panoramic view of the town and the bay. It is a bluestone farmhouse with a verandah, timber sash windows, corrugated iron roof and a dormer window. The building exhibits the symmetry, proportions and simple rectangular form characteristic of the Victorian Georgian style.

How is it significant?
Blair Mona has architectural and historical significance to the state of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
Blair Mona has architectural and historical significance as one of a relatively small group of pre-1851 structures surviving in Victoria. It is a notable example of a farmhouse exhibiting early 19th century vernacular rural building traditions through its form and material.

As one of the earliest permanent buildings erected in Portland, Blair Mona has historical associations with Portland, Victoria's oldest settlement. It has historical significance for its associations with James Blair, who held the important position as first Police Magistrate in Portland. He was later appointed magistrate for Bourke as well as Portland. During his 26 years as magistrate he held other official positions including deputy sheriff and immigration agent. He was also director of the Union Bank and the Bank of Victoria and patron of many charities.