Government House, Melbourne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Government House |
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Main façade of Government House
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Vice-regal residence |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Location | Kings Domain, 1 Government House Drive, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°49′41″S 144°58′37″E / 37.827939°S 144.976939°E |
| Construction started | 1871 |
| Completed | 1876 |
| Owner | Government of Victoria |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William Wardell |
| Official name | Government House Complex |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 20 August 1982 |
| Reference no. | H1620 |
| Heritage Overlay number | HO397 |
Government House is a very important building in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It's the official home for the governor of Victoria, who is currently Margaret Gardner. You can find it in Kings Domain, right next to the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens.
This grand house first opened its doors in 1876. It was designed by William Wardell in a style called Italianate. This means it looks a bit like the large, fancy homes you might see in Italy. It even reminds some people of Queen Victoria's own summer home, Osborne House, in England. For a while, from 1901 to 1930, Government House was also the home for the governor-general of Australia. This was when Canberra was still being built, and Melbourne was the temporary capital city.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Government House
Early Plans and Building the House
The land where Government House now stands was set aside a long time ago, in the 1840s. Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria Charles La Trobe thought it would be a perfect spot. Part of the land was planned for the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the hill was chosen for a future Government House.
There were a few ideas for the house's design over the years. In 1853, a design in the Elizabethan style won a competition, but it was never built. Later, in 1864, another Italianate design won, but that didn't happen either. Finally, the building we see today was supervised by the chief architect, William Wardell. Construction began in 1871 and finished in 1876.
Before this grand house was ready, governors lived in other places. From 1839 to 1854, they lived in a smaller home called La Trobe's Cottage. Then, from 1854 to 1874, they moved to Toorak House. Just before Government House was finished, they briefly stayed at Bishopscourt.
Home for Governors and Governor-Generals
When Australia became a country in 1901, Government House took on a new role. It became the official home for the governor-general of Australia. This important person represents the King or Queen in Australia. This arrangement lasted until 1930.
During this time, Canberra was being built to become Australia's capital. Even after Parliament House opened in Canberra in 1927, the governor-general still spent time in Melbourne. They didn't fully move to Yarralumla in Canberra until 1930. While the governor-general lived in Government House, the governors of Victoria stayed at a different mansion called Stonington mansion.
Since 1934, Government House has been the continuous home for the governors of Victoria. It has served this important purpose for many decades.
Inside and Out: The Design of Government House
Grand Architecture and Rooms
Government House was designed by William Wardell and John James Clark. It's a great example of the Victorian period Italianate style. The building's design shows the hopeful spirit of the time, especially after the Victorian gold rush made Victoria very wealthy.
The main building has three parts. There's a large south wing with an amazing single-story State Ballroom. This ballroom was once thought to be the biggest in the entire British Empire! There are also formal State rooms, and smaller dining and drawing rooms. A tall tower, called a belvedere, rises 145 feet (about 44 meters) from the building. Nearby, you'll find the mews, which is a paved area that used to house stables and coach houses.
The Beautiful Gardens
The gardens around Government House are also very special. They were first designed by John Sayce in 1873. Experts from the Victorian Heritage Register believe it's the "most intact 19th century mansion garden remaining in Melbourne."
William Guilfoyle, who was in charge of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, helped make the garden even better. He added many beautiful old trees, including conifers, Australian rainforest plants, and trees that lose their leaves in autumn. These choices show the style of the time and Guilfoyle's own taste.
Images for kids
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The belvedere tower of Government House with the
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The State Ballroom was once reputed to be the largest in the British Empire.
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The table of the State Dining Room sits 54 people.
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The interior of Government House is decorated in the neoclassical style.
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Seating area
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The emblem above the seating area
Find Out More
- William Wardell
- Governor of Victoria
- Governor-General of Australia
- Government Houses of Australia
