Built between 1849 and 1850 for the wealthy and well-known merchant James Jackson, “Toorak House” is a grand mansion that may be found high on a hill in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak. The suburb of Toorak (an Aboriginal word that means “a swamp with rushes”) derived its name from “Toorak House” which used to be in the middle of 148 acres of grounds, most of which has been sold off as subdivisions over subsequent years to form the suburb of Toorak of today. The original property’s boundaries ran from Kooyong Road in the east to Orrong Road in the West, and from Toorak Road in the south all the way to the banks of the Yarra River in the north.
“Toorak House” was designed by well-known architect Samuel Jackson (1807 – 1876) and is purported to be the first house in Melbourne to have a tower. It has been built in Victorian Italianate style, an architectural movement that was very popular between the mid and late Nineteenth Century. The prominent central tower with classical balustrading is very typical of the movement, as are its arcaded loggia, rounded windows and general use of classical motifs. The Victorian Italianate movement gained popularity in Britain and her dominions after architect Thomas Cubitt assisted Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, to design Osborne, the Royal Family's residence on the Isle of White.
“Toorak House” was built as a palatial home for Mr. Jackson and his wife from which they could entertain Melbourne society in grand style. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, as just after its completion, Mr. Jackson sailed for Europe and died whilst on the Continent. When Mr. Jackson died in 1851, “Toorak House” stood empty for several years, until in 1854 it was leased by Mr. Jackson’s sons to the Victorian Government who used it as a home for several Governors of Victoria before Government House was built. “Toorak House” was renovated and redecorated for the princely sum of £34,000.00 as a temporary measure, with the idea that it would only be two years before a proper Government House would be built. In fact it took twenty one years before Government House was completed, so the money was well spent. Therefore “Toorak House” was occupied by the first Governor of Victoria, Captain Sir Charles Hotham (1806 – 1855) between 1854 and 1855. It was then occupied by four subsequent Governors of Victoria: Sir Henry Barkley (1815 – 1898) between 1856 and 1863, Sir Charles Darling (1809 – 1870) between 1863 and 1866, Sir John Manners Sutton, Third Viscount of Canterbury (1814 – 1877) between 1866 and 1873 and Sir George Bowen (1821 – 1899) between 1873 and 1876. “Bishopscourt” in East Melbourne was then used before the present Government House was occupied in 1876. With the decampment of the Governor General, “Toorak House” reverted back to private ownership, and became a private home once more when it was sold for £10,000.00 to the Bendigo mining magnate, George Lansell (1823 – 1906). It featured greatly in Melbourne society, and was used for glittering balls and garden parties in the ensuing years. However, the owners of “Toorak House” could not always afford their lavish lifestyles, and the 148 acres of property surrounding the house was slowly subdivided, the first of which began during George Lansell’s occupation of the house. In the early Twentieth Century, the house and its reduced park was purchased by owner of Melbourne’s “Argus Newspaper”, Colonel Allan Spowers (1892 – 1968), who continued “Toorak House’s” subdivision. Colonel Spowers was also a big game hunter, and a set of bison horns still hang in the Arts and Crafts stairwell of “Toorak House” to this day! During the Second World War, “Toorak House” was requisitioned by the Australian Government and was used by the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) as a hostel, and it was temporarily renamed “WAAAF House”. In 1956, Colonel Spowers sold “Toorak House” to the Church of Sweden, who still owns the house to this day, who converted the property into a church and also used it for community care, a kindergarten and gourmet café. They continued the slow subdivision of the highly reduced property to ensure it has been well maintained. Today it stands on only 4 or its original 148 acres, but maintains some of the original trees from the first garden which, like “Toorak House” itself, are heritage listed. “Toorak House” affords wonderful views of Melbourne from its Italianate tower, across its Welsh slate tiled roofs. Original owner Mr. Jackson wanted the front of the property to face west so that he might use his telescope to observe his ships sailing into the busy Port of Melbourne.
“Toorak House” is also known for another reason. Its exteriors were used for a mansion inherited by hated “Sons and Daughters” character Pat “the Rat” Hamilton in the Australian Channel 7 drama series between 1982 and 1985.
Samuel Jackson (1807-1876) was a pastoralist and architect, who was born in London to Henry Jackson and Jane Paynter. He sailed from London in 1829 and arrived in Hobart Town in August of that year. He established himself as a builder in Launceston. By the 1830s, he had moved to new premises and established a very successful architectural practice. In 1836, Mr. Jackson and his brother William set up a homestead, “Koorakooracup”, situated between the present “Rupertswood Mansion” and Jackson's Creek. However by 1839 Mr. Jackson had resumed his career in architecture and established his practice in Little Collins Street at the rear of the present Scots Church. Mr. Jackson built amongst other buildings; the first St Francis' Church in 1839, the second St Francis' Church in 1841, the first Scots Church in 1841, St Patrick's Hall in 1847, St Mary of the Angels in 1846, the Melbourne Hospital in 1846, St Patrick's Church in 1850, St Paul's Church in Coburg in 1850. In 1845 Mr. Jackson moved to the bayside Melbourne suburb of St Kilda, which then was prime real estate to acquire by acre blocks. He took up residence in the present Acland Street where he built his own home “Wattle House”, and eventually owned 200 acres of land between Fitzroy and Grey Streets from which he later profited greatly. In July 1847 he bought “Sandford Station”, a 15,000 acre pastoral property near Casterton. In 1852 he married Anne Lowther at St James' Cathedral in Melbourne. They had one daughter, Mary Ann. In 1862 Mr. Jackson, his wife and daughter returned to England and resided in a fine Georgian mansion in Middlesex, which he named “Yarra House”. He died there in 1876, leaving a substantial estate, and was buried in the Highgate cemetery in London.
