pÅ svenska History of the house
Toorak House in St George's Road, Toorak, constructed c.1848-51 was designed by architect Samuel Jackson, and erected for but never occupied by wealthy Melbourne merchant James Jackson. Llike Como, further down river, it was situated in its large estate running down to the Yarra River. The name of the estate and house, which may have been Aboriginal, was later adopted by the suburb of Toorak. Jackson died in 1851 and the house was leased by the Government of the Colony of Victoria to serve as a residence for the colonial governor. The government of the day spent a large amount of money upgrading the building for the arrival of Governor Hotham whose tenure was short and tumultuous, covering as it did the events of the Eureka Stockade. It served as Victoria's Government House from 1854 until 1876 when the current purpose-built Government House took over that role. A sketch of the building by S.T.Gill presents us with a reminder of Toorak House in its days in its days as Government House
The mansion reverted to being a family home until it was pressed into service during World War II as the Women's Australian Air Force hostel. The property was bought in 1956 by the The Swedish Church who undertook further renovations. In particular an impressive chapel was created on the ground floor.
The estate has long since disappeared and is now occupied by some of the most expensive homes in Melbourne, and the Victorian Italianate mansion now stands in a much smaller but delightful setting.
The building
The asymmetrical, rectangular plan two storey brick and stucco Italianate style mansion, complete with dominant tower and ground floor colonnade was leased and then extravagantly extended as the residence of the Governor of Victoria from 1854-74. Toorak House is of special historical importance as the first substantial Government House in Victoria and the centre of Vice-Regal Administration from 1854-74.
The structure is perhaps the oldest surviving mansion house in the State and of paramount architectural importance as an original example of the Italianate tradition in residential design in Victoria by important pioneer architect Samuel Jackson. Toorak House survives essentially intact although the character of the original mansion has been partially obliterated by alterations and embellishment. The extensive outbuildings and quarters have been demolished and the interior sympathetically converted for use of the Swedish Church in Victoria. Of national significance.
You can find som pictures from the early days by follow this link, and there search for Toorak House Swedish
For more information, visit "White Hat" 