Faversham

Statement of Significance

"Ballindown /Faversham" has very high social and historic significance for: • its associations with a prominent local and State recognised person in Alexander McCallum; • as a reminder of how the hills developed as a holiday destination for the wealthy; • as an example of a hills retreat built for the wealthy at the turn of the century and of which there are few remaining examples with such integrity (scarcity value); • as one of the most significant private houses built in Mundaring especially at that time; • and as an example of the adaptive use of large residences as convalescent homes which were formerly an important part of post hospital care; and more recently for bed and breakfast accommodation.

Physical Description

"Ballindown" sits among large trees and landscaped gardens of Jacoby Street in the western outskirts of the Mundaring townsite. Building son the site include the main residence, servants quarters, stables and loft. A former head gardener's cottage, now a separate property was also built on the northern side of the 5 acre property fronting Great Eastern highway. The main residence is a large rambling house using an eclectic but unified combination of materials and 'federation' styling. A large hipped corrugated iron/zincalume roof encompasses the main residence with it's surrounding wide, timber floor boarded verandahs. The walls of the house are local laterite stone on the western half and weatherboard on the east. Whether this is indicative of the house being built on stages has not yet been determined. French doors open out onto the verandahs and the entry door and sidelights have leadlight stained glass with a floral motif which is also carried through onto other windows and doors. The entry leads to central hall which has a coloured glass roof light ceiling. Off the entry tot he east is a large living/dining room in the weatherboard section of the house. It has decorative lath plaster vaulted ceilings with ribbed mouldings and ceiling roses. Detailing throughout the house is of a consistently high standard with moulded timber skirtings, architraves and Art Nouveau door furniture. The servants quarters tot e rear of the main residence are of matching style with stone walls and brick quoins but instead of verandahs there are decorative timber window canopies and entry porches. The quarters have now been converted to a bed and breakfast type accommodation. The stables, barn and loft are separated somewhat tot he north-east of the residence and are of weatherboard and corrugated iron construction.

History

Coach-builder and ironmonger Alexander McCallum, who came here from South Australia in 1895, built "Ballindown" at Mundaring as a weekender for himself and wife Rosa. At the same time, they retained a house in Beach Street, Cottesloe. Title deed information indicates that the 8-acre lot on which "Ballindown" was built was first purchased by George Rae in 1911, and sold later that year to Rosa McCallum. In 1913, the McCallums purchased Lot 65 on the eastern side of their property, and it is likely that the house dates from about this time. Although the McCallums used "Ballindown" as a weekender and were away overseas every winter, they still actively participated in the local community. Alex McCallum was patron of many sporting teams, including the local cricket club. They were benefactors of the 1914 Anglican Church of the Epiphany (Site 48), and it has been suggested that the stonemasons employed by McCallum to build parts of his house were responsible for the church. As well as being the first person in Mundaring with a motor car and a home lighting plant, McCallum was an Administrator of the World War I Trench Comforts Fund. To the delight of local children, he was also the annual "Father Christmas". During their time at Ballindown, the McCallums also added a billiard room, servant's quarters and close to the York Road (Great Eastern Highway), a gardener's cottage (Site 24). McCallum's gardener, Mr. Atkinson, a local orchardist, supervised the property in their absence and is reputed to have looked after his employer's donated roses at the Mundaring War Memorial (Site 42). In 1941, when McCallum died, Rosa sold the property, and in 1948, it was purchased by the Monger sisters from York who re-named it "Faversham", after their family's home. After making some alterations to the veranda and billiard room, Ethel, Norma and Eileen Monger operated "Faversham" as a convalescent home for short stay patients who had been discharged from hospital. In c. 1968, when the Lenegens purchased "Faversham" they continued the convalescent home. In 1970, the Wilkinson-Cox family re-named the property "Ballindown" and restored the house as a family home and altered the outbuildings. When the Wiltshires purchased the property in June 1993, they re-used the name "Faversham" At present "Faversham" is a family home, with overnight guest accommodation.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Very High Modifications: Verandahs added 1948 and various internal modifications over the years.

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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