Glen Ellie

Statement of Significance

Glen Ellie is of significance: • As the rural retreat and later retirement home of Col. Ernest Albert Le Souef, the founding director of the Perth Zoo, and an important figure in the history of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. This relates to the historical associations of the site and is not embodied in the current buildings.

Physical Description

Glenellie has been extensively modified in the late-twentieth to early twenty-first century. Some evidence of the original framework for an original gable roofed cottage may remain, but the high quality detailing, extensions and garden setting are modern throughout and the form of the building does not reflect its original design.

History

Glen Ellie was originally built as a coastal beach house for Colonel Ernest Albert Le Souef, who was reported to have taken up 500 acres on the upper Margaret in 1905 (and has been recorded as a rate-payer from 1909).Colonel Le Souef was an eminent veterinarian and zoologist who was brought to Western Australia in 1897 by the government to establish the Perth Zoological Gardens. He also worked with the Agricultural Department in the experimental development of grasses and was renowned for his work in this field, introducing kikuyu in 1907.In 1901 Le Souef was commissioned lieutenant in the Australian Army Veterinary Corps. He served in the Boer War, and when he left the military in 1930 he had achieved the rank of Colonel.During this time he remained active at Margaret River and is believed to have erected Glen Ellie in about 1915. In 1922 it was reported that he was breeding ponies “extensively” at the Margaret, including the Welsh and Shetland breeds.Le Souef moved permanently to Margaret River after his retirement from the Perth Zoo in 1932, taking up an appointment as Veterinary Adviser for the Agricultural Bank (subsequently providing advice to Group Settlers and other local farmers). He was also on the Augusta Roads Board from 1934-1937. When Le Souef died in 1937 the local flags flew at half-mast and Sir James Mitchell, who was in the area at the time, attended the funeral. His gravestone at the Margaret River Cemetery (Place # MR(L)-05) simply reads: ‘The Colonel.’After his death his son, Dr Leslie Le Souef, developed and maintained the property. Dr Le Souef was to later form a partnership with John Hohnen Snr and Allan Salmon, and eventually the property was bought by the Hohnen family – a well-known winemaking family.As at 2012, it is a private residence.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: The original use has been maintained. Low: The place has been considerably altered, with the loss of significant fabric. The original intent/character is no longer clearly evident.

Condition

Good *Assessed from streetscape survey only.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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