W. B. Fox's Villa facts for kids

W. B. Fox's Villa is an old farmhouse built in 1867 in Clifton Hill, Australia. It is a very important building with a long history. It was also known as The House of the Gentle Bunyip. This was a special Christian community started by Athol Gill.

In the 1990s, the building was in bad shape. There were plans to knock it down. But people living in Clifton Hill fought to save it. They protested for over 400 days! Their efforts stopped the demolition. In 2008, the building was given a new purpose. It became a home for people needing support. W.B. Fox's Villa is recognized as a significant historical site. It is listed in the Victorian Heritage Database.

What is W. B. Fox's Villa?

W. B. Fox's Villa is located at 94 Hodgkinson Street. It was built in 1867. The building is listed as historically important. It is also seen as "socially significant" because of the big fight to save it. Now, it is protected by a Heritage Overlay in the Victorian Planning Scheme.

Next door to the villa are two other buildings. The Baptist Church, now called the Community Church of St Mark, and its hall, now the Athol Gill Centre, were built in the early 1900s.

The villa still has a large garden. This garden is on the corner of Gold Street and Hodgkinson Street. It looks out over the Darling Gardens. These gardens were designed in 1864 by Clement Hodgkinson.

The House of the Gentle Bunyip got its name from a children's book. The book is called The Bunyip of Berkeleys Creek. It was written by Jenny Wagner. A bunyip is a mythical creature from Australian Aboriginal stories. The villa was also the final topic of a book called Brimstone to Bunyip.

Why Was the Villa Almost Demolished?

In November 1997, the Baptist Union of Victoria sold the house. It was sold to a company that wanted to build new things. The developers asked for permission to knock down the old house.

A group of local people, called The 3068 Group, wanted to protect the house. They asked for it to be listed as important for the whole state. This would put it on the Victorian Heritage Register. However, the Heritage Council only agreed that it was important for the local area.

The people of Clifton Hill and North Fitzroy worked together. They fought to save the historic property. They went to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). VCAT is like a court for certain types of disagreements. Sadly, VCAT gave permission for the house to be demolished.

How Did the Community Save the Villa?

After the VCAT decision, the residents started a protest. They set up a picket line to stop the demolition. They rented a caravan and got a brazier for warmth. Tarpaulins were put up to protect them from sun and storms. About 100 volunteers joined the effort. They ranged in age from 18 to 85 years old.

The picket line stayed active for 427 days. It was manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This was the longest community protest in Australian history.

The picket is now part of the history of the Clifton Hill West area. It shows how the community worked together. They showed how people can stand up for what they believe is important. The statement says the house was "the subject of controversy". It explains how the community "successfully saved the building from demolition". This happened after they protested for over 400 days.

What is the Villa Used for Now?

The house was changed into a place for social housing. This means it provides homes for people who need support. It had a big makeover that cost $3.4 million. The company pHArchitects did the work. The Hon Richard Wynne officially opened it in 2008. The project also included two other old houses next to the church.

In 2001, Fox's Villa was added to the Heritage Overlay. This means it is now officially protected from being knocked down.