HISTORIC BEAUTY

'Laverstock'Historic beauty

‘LAVERSTOCK’ — ON THE CORNER OF GEORGE AND MACAULEY STS IN DENILIQUIN — HAS BEEN A TOWERING EXAMPLE OF ELEGANCE IN DENILIQUIN FOR 160 YEARS.

For the last 43 years, the caretakers of this historic home have been Ian and Cheryl Fuller. They purchased ‘Laverstock’ in 1978 and have lovingly restored it over a number of decades.

The home retains many of the original features, including two substantial cellars, while new renovations and maintenance has been carefully planned to match the original design. Formerly a doctor’s residence, lived in by Dr Alfred William Finch Noyes from 1864 until his death in 1902, the property once housed a number of separate buildings. Two of the buildings, the residence and the kitchen wing, have been joined to create a stately home. Large bay windows are a feature of the home, along with ornate detail flaunting old world charm.

The front entrance of the home, which faces George St, boasts original tiles, which have recently been cleaned, levelled and re-cemented.

A large cedar staircase leads up to three bedrooms, two bathrooms and the large balconies which overlook the bordering streets.

At the right of the entrance is the sitting room, which still houses the original marble fireplace. Other features of the room include French doors which open out into the garden, several large cedar doors, pressed metal ceilings and the original, but restored, Murray Pine floor.

To the left is the dining room which is equally as beautiful. The entrance also leads you to the rear of the house, where a purpose-built hallway brings together the home and the former kitchen wing. It’s been developed into a bedroom and study wing, and the bedroom still displays the original stove. The property ‘Laverstock’ was once quite expansive, stretching as far back as the Edward River, and the land was first owned by Conargo stockman James Verdon.

He bought the land from the Crown for £2/5/0 on July 30, 1855, and then sold it to George Murray, a builder, on June 3, 1861 for £30.

Three years later, on December 29, 1864, Dr Alfred William Finch Noyes purchased the property for £200, and one may assume that the sudden increase in value would indicate that improvements had been made.

‘Laverstock’ took its name from Dr Noyes’ birthplace in Wiltshire, England. During the next few years Dr Noyes increased his holdings to include the former premises of Dr Harper’s surgery in George St, through to Charlotte St. The grounds of ‘Laverstock’ encompassed a tennis court, rose garden, nursery, conservatory, stables and surgery. Just after Dr Noyes’ death, on March 19, 1903, his eldest daughter Ellen Louise married his medical partner, Dr John Edward Francis Hosking. Dr Hosking then bought the house from the executors on February 19, 1915 for £1160. Hosking’s retirement to Melbourne, he leased ‘Laverstock’ until 1941.

On May 6, 1941 Miss Lorna Darbyshire, who came to the district in 1936 as a French-speaking governess for the Millear children at the property ‘Stud Park’, purchased the house for £850 from Dr Hosking. Miss Darbyshire established the Deniliquin College in 1938 and operated it from Harfleur St and the property ‘Aratong’ before moving to ‘Laverstock’. She lived here with her mother, a former actress and musician. The boarding school catered for up to 23 boys and girls. Hard economic times led to the relinquishment of surrounding land. Miss Darbyshire passed away in 1990 at the age of 91.

‘Laverstock’ became ‘home’ for the Armstrong family in 1967 and then the Turner family in 1973, and was then purchased by the Fullers in 1978. And while they love the home, the Fullers said ‘‘the time has come to downsize and pass the baton to Laverstock’s future caretaker’’.

When asked what they love about living at ‘Laverstock’, Ian and Cheryl spoke of the magnificent high ceilings and the joy which comes from viewing exquisite original features such as Victorian iron work, pressed metal ceilings and marble fireplaces. ‘‘The swimming pool, spa and beautiful garden have also provided a fabulous place to raise our family and to entertain our friends.

‘‘It has been a privilege to maintain and improve such an iconic property.’’ Laverstock is currently for sale with Elders Real Estate Deniliquin.