Dappeto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dappeto |
|
|---|---|
Dappeto, 2006
|
|
| Location | 171 Wollongong Road, Arncliffe, Bayside Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1885 |
| Owner | The Salvation Army |
| Official name: Dappeto; Macquarie Lodge; Dapetto | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 638 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | Frederick Gibbins |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Dappeto is a special historic house in Arncliffe, Australia. It was built way back in 1885 by a man named Frederick Gibbins. You might also hear it called Macquarie Lodge or Dapetto. Today, the house is owned by the Salvation Army. It's considered very important, so it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
A Look Back at Dappeto's History
The Gibbins Family Home
Frederick John Gibbins, who built Dappeto, was born in 1841. He was named after an Aboriginal area near Wollongong. Frederick's family had been in Australia for a while. His mother's grandfather was even one of the first people to arrive on the "First Fleet."
In 1865, Frederick married Catherine Pickett. They had a big family with six sons and three daughters. Sadly, one of their sons, Percy, passed away just before the family moved into Dappeto in 1885.
Dappeto was the Gibbins family home from 1885 until 1917. The house was built on a large piece of land, about 11 acres. Frederick bought this land in 1881.
Frederick Gibbins: The Oyster King
Frederick Gibbins was a very successful businessman. He was an "oyster merchant," which means he sold oysters. He was also a "trawling magnate," meaning he owned big fishing boats. Around 1906, he joined with other oyster sellers. Their company, Woodward, Gibbons & Comino, became very powerful in the oyster business in New South Wales.
Dappeto Becomes a Children's Home
In 1917, the Salvation Army bought Dappeto. They wanted to use it as a home for children. It stayed a Children's Home for many years, until 1969. At that time, the children moved to another home.
After that, plans were made to turn Dappeto into a place for senior citizens. In 1971, the new Senior Citizen's Complex was finished. It had apartments, a hostel, and a nursing home. The complex was renamed Macquarie Lodge. Part of the old house, where the kitchen and laundry used to be, was taken down to make way for the new nursing home.
Protecting Dappeto's Heritage
Because Dappeto is such an important building, it was given special protection. In 1986, it received an "Interim Heritage Order." Then, in 1989, a "Permanent Conservation Order" was put in place. This order was later moved to the State Heritage Register in 1999, making sure Dappeto is protected for future generations.
What Dappeto Looks Like
Dappeto is a beautiful two-storey house built in the Victorian style. It was made with special bricks called "sand-stock face bricks." These bricks were even mixed with whale oil to help keep the building dry!
The roof is made of patterned slate. On top, there's a fancy "captain's walk," which is like a small viewing platform. You can reach it by a spiral staircase made of cast iron. The house also has a two-storey "verandah" (a covered porch). The upper part has an iron "balustrade" (a fancy railing) and trim. The lower part has a decorative "frieze" (a band of decoration). Inside, you'll find several lovely fireplaces with detailed wooden "overmantles" (decorations above the fireplace).
If you look closely, you'll see the name "Dapetto" above the "fanlight" (a window with fan-shaped bars) at the entrance. There's also a Coat of Arms with the initials "F. J. G." above the side "bay windows" (windows that stick out from the wall).
Why Dappeto is Important
Dappeto is very important because it's a fantastic example of Victorian-style architecture. It also has a strong connection to Frederick Gibbins, who was a very successful oyster merchant. Being listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register means Dappeto is a valuable part of New South Wales' history.
