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Miegunyah House & Garden

Location

641 Orrong road,, TOORAK VIC 3142 - Property No B3689

File Number

B3689

Level

Local

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B3689 Miegunyah House

Statement of Significance

The original small nineteenth century house has been almost totally engulfed by twentieth century extensions and additions to make it the large dwelling that it is today. It is worthy of note for its elegant landscaped setting and for its association with the Melbourne industrialist and art parton, the late Sir Russell Grimwade.
Classified: 06/05/1976

Garden Significance
Miegunyah, the site developed in the 1850s, part of the present residence erected in the 1880s, the property purchased by Russell Grimwade in 1910, land in Selborne Road purchased in 1911, and the house and garden subsequently altered and extended from the 1920s to 1950s, is of State significance:

- for its combination of diverse elements and garden types; these include open lawn with specimen trees, woodland planting, an arboretum of Australian trees, a formal garden, and works areas. These are enhanced by their siting in distinct compartments (which reflects prevailing garden trends), intactness from their date of development and relative rarity as an ensemble;

- for its arboretum of Australian trees reflecting Russell Grimwade's interest in the field of Australian flora, especially the genus Eucalyptus; the arboretum is enhanced by its concentration of rare specimens, absence of exotic species, informal character, and early date of planting;

- as a city mansion garden from the late nineteenth century; attributes include a large open lawn, mature exotic trees, plantings of shrubs and perennials, collection of Camellia japonica cultivars, general alignment of the entry drive, long vistas across the gently sloping site, siting of outbuildings, and integrity of the original boundary;

- for its woodland plantings, a characteristic work of Ellis Stones; attributes include informal plantings of silver birches, naturalised bulbs and stone steps;

- for its formal garden characteristic of the period 1920-40; attributes include the use of hedges, axial planning, masonry walling, steps and paving;

- for the brick fencing, gate pillars and metal entry gates, a fine example of craftsmanship from the inter-war period;

- for the manner in which the garden, house and outbuildings combine to form a harmonious unit, with no one element overshadowing the other in significance or visual dominance. The ensemble reflects the life of Melbourne's wealthy class during the middle decades of this century;

- for its considerable aesthetic qualities derived from the contrast between large open lawns and massive exotic trees, formal elements and more informal areas such as the woodland and Australian arboretum.
File note 26/6/2012: G13017 (Miegunyah Garden) amalgamated & filed with B3689.

Group