Osborne House historical timeline

“Corio” Dr Jenny Murray-Jones Osborne House circa 1870s. J Class submarine crew at Osborne House in the 1920s.

Osborne House resides on Wadawurrung Country that has been cared for by generations of the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners for over 60,000 years.

June 1857 Melbourne architects Webb and Taylor call for tenders for the construction of a house for Robert Muirhead, Esq

1858 Osborne House is completed. The stables are completed later in the year.

1858 Osborne House appears in Geelong’s Villamanta Ward rate book for 1857- 1858 valued £100. 15 March 1862 Robert Muirhead dies at the age of 48 and is buried in an elaborate sandstone tomb at Eastern Cemetery, Geelong. 1864 – 1900 The property is leased to John Lang Currie in 1865, who oversees major improvements to the property. The interior and exterior appearance of the building change dramatically in 1869.

1900 Osborne House is bought by the State of Victoria for use as the Premier’s country home, but it is never used for this purpose.

1905 The Geelong Harbor Trust purchases Osborne House from the Victorian Government for £6000.

1 March 1913 – Australia’s first Royal Australian Naval College is opened at Osborne House.

1915 During World War One, a Military Convalescent Hospital is established at Osborne House. 1917 – 1919 Red Cross Rest Home for war-worn nurses opens at Osborne House.

1919 – 1924 Osborne House and grounds are used by the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service as the Flotilla Headquarters for the six J-class.

25 November 1937 The Shire of Corio purchases Osborne House from the Geelong Harbor Trust for an upset price of £4500.

26 January 1938 The Shire of Corio holds the first meeting in their new headquarters.

1941 – 1945 During World War Two, Osborne House is occupied by the Department of Defence as an army training centre.

Sketch of Osborne House by local artist Winnie Trigg.

The Geelong Memorial Brass Band.

The Geelong Maritime Museum. Osborne House, 2021.

1948 The Shire of Corio purchases the stables building and adjacent land from the Geelong Harbor Trust. 1959 Osborne House is placed on the National Trust Register at state level of significance

1961 Geelong Ex-Servicemen’s Memorial Band (now known as the Geelong Memorial Brass Band) takes up rooms in the stables of Osborne House. They occupy these rooms for the next 56 years.

30 November 1967 Following extensive renovations, Sir Rohan Delacombe opens the new municipal offices at Osborne House.

1993 The Shire of Corio joins five other local councils in becoming the City of Greater Geelong, and the ownership of Osborne House transfers to the new amalgamated council.

1 October 1995 – The Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial is unveiled, and The Vietnam Veterans’ Avenue of Honour was planted to formally recognise the sacrifices made by local Vietnam veterans, who served and died in the Vietnam War 1962-1975. 1989 – The Geelong Maritime Museum opens in the stables alongside Osborne House.

October 2007 - Osborne Precinct Masterplan & Feasibility Report – City of Greater Geelong. December 2008 - Osborne Precinct Environmental Studies Flora & Fauna Assessment.

2009 Osborne House and Stables Conservation Management Plan written by Lovell Chen. 2010 City of Greater Geelong offers the Vietnam Veteran’s Association of Australia a space within Osborne House for a Veterans’ Welfare Centre.

2010-2017 the Osborne Park Association Inc and many other groups occupy areas within Osborne House, Stables and former polo ground. The Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia is given a space for a Veterans’ Welfare Centre.

April 2017 - Mould discovered in Osborne House and tenants removed from building. July 2018 - Osborne House retained in public ownership. August 2018 - Osborne House Schedule of Works Update – Lovell Chen. July 2019 - Osborne Precinct Masterplan - Hansen Partnership Pty Ltd Draft.

August 2019 - Council asks City officers to re-scope draft Osborne Park Precinct Master Plan.

September 2019 - Cost Management Plan for remedial works.

June 2020 – Development of a Sustainable Development Plan for Osborne House and Stables and adjoining lands. February 2020 - $10 million maintenance and improvement works approved by Council.

September 2020 - Council seeks partners for Osborne House restoration with EOI Process.

Osborne House and surrounding lands from the air.