Churchill Island's heritage buildings undergo restoration

History

Churchill Island's historic European homestead, cottage and outbuildings have undergone significant conservation works as part of a State Government investment to bring ailing heritage places back to life.

The project included replacement of roofing and restoration works to the fascia, weatherboards, rotted timber and chimney on Amess House, the barn, cellar, Rogers Cottage, the cottage kitchen and laundry.

Phillip Island Nature Parks was awarded a $198,000 Heritage Victoria grant under a program that supports the repair and conservation of 'at risk' heritage places and objects included in the Victorian

Heritage Register. The Nature Parks contributed $25,000.

The project was undertaken by SIDA Constructions, which has vast experience in heritage conservation, including sensitive projects at Melbourne's Botanical Gardens. Minerva Heritage oversaw the works to ensure they met heritage standards.

Daniel Kallstrom, Attraction Manager at Phillip Island Nature Parks, said Churchill Island had an important place in the history of Victoria.

"Churchill Island has a rich legacy and important historical context to Phillip Island and to European settlement and farming in Victoria, with the buildings and remnants of past gardens a drawcard for tens of thousands of visitors a year," Mr Kallstrom said.

"We welcome this very generous grant by Heritage Victoria and the skills of the expert team who oversaw this work, which will ensure the island, and its original buildings remain intact for generations to come."

The name Churchill Island came from Lieutenant James Grant in 1801 - he named the island after John Churchill of Dawlish, Devon who had supplied him seeds, which he planted on the island, making it the site of Victoria's first European garden.

Since the 1850s, the 50ha island has been continuously farmed and in 1872 was purchased by Samuel Amess as a holiday retreat and farm, before the Pickersgills and Rogers families took ownership.

Amess, a builder and stonemason who later became the Mayor of Melbourne, modelled the homestead on the popular Italianate style of the time, but instead of the usual brick, stone, and slate, he used timber and corrugated iron which was all transported by boat.

Amess was instrumental in the design and construction of many of Melbourne's notable buildings, including Customs House, the Melbourne Post Office, Ballarat Railway Station, and Kew Asylum.

Churchill Island conservation by Phillip Island Nature Parks is supported by the Victorian Government through the Living Heritage Grants Program.