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Mt Rothwell Homestead

Location 985 Little River Road, LITTLE RIVER VIC 3211 - Property No B1726 File Number B1726 Level State

[1/6] B1726 Mount Rothwell Homestead [2/6] B1726 Mount Rothwell Homestead [3/6] B1726 Mount Rothwell Homestead [4/6] B1726 Mount Rothwell Homestead [5/6] B1726 Mount Rothwell Homestead [6/6] B1726 Mount Rothwell Homestead

Statement of Significance

Mt Rothwell Homestead, Little River, was constructed for Pastoralist Robert Chirnside after 1871 to the designs, it is understood, of Architect P Colquhuoun. Chirnside came to Victoria in 1857 to manage the Werribee run for his uncle Thomas Chirnside and bought the Mount Rothwell land in 1865.

The large, single storeyed bluestone homestead, possibly built in stages, is asymmetrically composed with a projecting wing and bay window. There is a finely detailed cast iron verandah to two sides and the front door with its round-headed openings is located in the centre of a pair of triple windows. Construction is in coursed bluestone rubble masonry with stucco dressings and hipped slate roofs. The drawing room and the ceilings of the vestibule and dining-room retain fine examples of original decoration. Subtle, subdued colour combinations are employed with some superb effects achieved by the use of fine stencil patterns and hand painted floral arrangements, beautifully executed in a naturalistic style. An unusual and striking result is achieved in the drawing-room where the conventionally painted ceiling rose is surrounded by a circular, flowing wreath of foliage. The hand painted door panels of the drawing-room were added later by a member of the family.
Classified: 23/07/1969
Re-classified: 5/03/1981