"Brocklesby", constructed in 1928, was located on a large

landscaped site overlooking the township of Lilydale and the surrounding

country side to the east and North. The site is now occupied by the

Bible College of Victoria campus for which many substantial buildings

surrounding the original building have been constructed - to the extent

that the original landscaped setting of "Brocklesby" has been

essentially replaced with a variety of buildings of small to very large

scale.The original building, presumably built as a large dwelling

is in single storey Interwar bungalow style. It later became a

charitable Rest Home for women recovering from illness, but there is

no apparent physical evidence of change for this function. It remains

essentially intact at the centre of its site although it is now

surrounded by recent structures and its former views are blocked. It

is notable for its symmetrical built form under a massive roof with

gabled porticos facing the main east entry and the east and west ends.

Diagonal rooms set into the returns of the cruciform roof form create

additional complexity and interest to the external form and the

internal layout. The interiors of the main rooms are also very intact

with an eclectic range of high quality timber panel details, built in

cupboards, fireplace surrounds and fibrous plaster ceilings. The whole

of the building, externally and internally, is of high integrity and

excellent condition and is a notably comprehensive example of design

themes of the Interwar period.

"Brocklesby" is of historic and architectural significance to

the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

"Brocklesby" is historically significant as an Interwar

example of the development of the region by wealthy newcomers to the

area, drawn by the beauty of the countryside and the fine views that

could be obtained from elevated sites. The area had long had appeal to

this class, stemming from its substantial and wealthy wineries and rural

properties and its occupation by such prominent citizens as Dame Nellie

Melba and her father, David Mitchell. The original owner of the

property, Mrs. Ann M White, had come from a major rural property, Devon

Park near Dunkeld, and was sufficiently wealthy to donate the building

and site for charitable use and provide a large endowment for its

operation. The site can be compared with the hill top to the east of

Lilydale above the intersection of the Maroondah and Warburton Highways

which was also occupied in the interwar period and on which another

major architectural contribution to the area was added by the prominent

architect, Marcus Martin - in this case in Spanish Mission

style."Brocklesby" is architecturally and aesthetically

significant as major example of the Interwar bungalow style in the

municipality expressed in a notably grander scale than the typical

domestic bungalow. It illustrates in intact form a wide range of the

external and internal themes of the style in a complex but controlled

built form.