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Coolart

Location Sandy Point Road,, SOMERS VIC 3927 - Property No B4683 File Number B4683 Level State

[1/2] B4683 Coolart [2/2] B4683 Coolart

Statement of Significance

Coolart, or Colourt (meaning sandy area in local aboriginal dialect) was first taken up in 1840 by Alfred and Henry Meyrick after whom the nearby creek and township of Merricks are named. After changing hands several times the property was bought by Mr F S Grimwade in 1895 and the two-storey residence was designed by Reed, Smart & Tappin and built in 1897. The numerous brick outhouses include the original homestead probably built in the 1860s, the dairy and butchers shop, a toilet and stable building with a harness and blacksmith's shop.
When clay was dug out to make bricks for the various buildings, a small lagoon was formed by natural catchment and in 1937 the property was bought by Mr T J Luxton, who enlarged the lagoon, built embankments, planted trees and formed islands to provide breeding facitlties for the very extensive bird life in the area. The lagoon, which now covers an area of about 5 hectares (12 acres) has been Classified by the Landscape Committee of the National Trust. In order to prevent a proposed subdivision in 1977 the property, including the lagoon and about 88 hectares (216 acres), was bought by the Victorian Government and is now used for conservation and education purposes. The substantial two-storey homestead was built in local brick with rendered window trim, quions etc. and a slate mansard type roof.
There is a square lookout tower over the main entrance, the verandah columns have a simple timber trim and the flow to the verandah and the main entrance hall still has the original attractively patterned mosaic tile. The basic plan and the external elevations of the main building have had few alterations and are mainly still as originally designed. The various brick outhouses are included.
Classified: 21/08/1980