ATHENRY
13-15 DIGGERS REST-COIMADAI ROAD DIGGERS REST, MELTON CITY
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Statement of Significance
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ATHENRY - History
The original house was constructed in 1906 as part of a farm, and was possibly built by Archibald Funston, a renowned dry stonewaller, before passing first to his son, J. C. Funston, then to J. Henry and D. Hunter before finally coming into the possession of Albert Edward Tame. Tame was an elite sportsman who played football for the Collingwood club in 1896 and in 1902 when Collingwood won its first VFL premiership. Tame was also a bicycle racer. He owned businesses including ironmongers, spouting manufacturing, wire and wire nail manufacturing and such like.
Tame expanded and embellished the house in the style of an architectural folly, combining elements of a medieval castle with the original dwelling and incorporating pieces that are thought to have come from the steamer the SS Edina (built in 1854); the fittings of which were sold at auction in 1936. Tame had a private zoo and a model railway at the property. A number of buildings are located to the south of the house, one of which was used as a dairy in the mid-20th century. There are also stock pens and a shearing shed.
From 1951 the house was owned by the Kilgariff family; Michael Kilgariff was a former Mayor of Melton. The property was sold in 2001 to a developer and the house remained vacant from then until the time of its partial destruction by a fire in 2014.
ATHENRY - Interpretation of Site
The site represents a twentieth century domestic site within a pastoral/agricultural setting. Domestic artefacts are scattered across the site, and there are extant structures associated with the pastoral use of the land. Artefacts are located within the shearing shed, in the ruins of the house and are scattered across the yard to the south of the house.
Little remains of the timber features of the house, but three brick fireplaces and four pillars remain.
ATHENRY - Historical Significance
The site is of historical significance due to its association with Albert Tame and Michael Kilgariff. The site also contains dry stone walls in various states of repair, including some in very good condition.
Heritage Inventory Description
ATHENRY - Heritage Inventory Description
Burned ruins of a house and outbuildings with further in tact farm buildings to the south; includes tree plantations and stone walls across the study area
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VINEYARD ROAD HISTORIC SITEVictorian Heritage Inventory
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HO42 - Diggers Rest Railway Station & PlatformsMelton City
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HO44 - Former Diggers Rest SchoolMelton City
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