Back to search results

NIGRETTA
39 Winter Street, COLERAINE VIC 3315 - Property No 11

All information on this page is maintained by Southern Grampians Shire. Click below for their website and contact details.
Southern Grampians Shire
23145 Nigretta Coleraine 0088
23145 Nigretta Coleraine 0088
23145 Nigretta Coleraine 0088
23145 Nigretta Coleraine 0089
On this page:

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Nigretta is located on the north west corner of Winter and McConochie Streets, approximately three blocks south of the centre of Coleraine. The house was originally a six room timber dwelling, built by and for a building contractor, timber merchant and undertaker originally from Horsham, Henry (Harry) Bradshaw, who also the ground level library and reading rooms of the new Mechanics Institute. The house is unusual as it is based on a Victorian Italianate style, yet has been designed as asymmetrical. The house has had several external additions since its construction in 1894, and substantial interior alterations in the latter twentieth century. The original verandah was removed in 1957, and an excellent copy has been made by the current owner, constructed from salvaged timbers, iron and aluminium lace. The house once had a tall paling fence which has been removed, and several garden beds have been planted out around the house. The house is associated with many local families, including the Gibson family (local merchants), Thomas Moore (saddler), E. R (Trangmar), and Thomas Constable, who have all occupied the house for periods of time. The most long standing residents have been the Vickery family, who continue to occupy the property.

How is it significant?
Nigretta is of historical significance to the township of Coleraine and the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
Nigretta is of historical significance for its links to Henry W. Bradbury, an important local building contractor, who designed and built the house for himself. Bradbury was also the contractor responsible for constructing the ground level library and reading rooms in Coleraine. Of further significance is its association with many local families associated with commerce in Coleraine, including the families of Gibson, Trangmar, Moore and Constable, and for its long association with the Vickery family. Nigretta is of architectural significance as a an unusual representative of the Italianate Style as it is asymmetrical, of which there are few examples in the Southern Grampians Shire.
Show more
Show less

    • Physical Conditions

      NIGRETTA - Physical Conditions

      Despite many minor additions and alterations over the years, the exterior fabric of the original house remains largely intact and in excellent condition. The interiors have undergone redecoration at various stages in the 20th century, with a number of internal walls removed. Apart from these changes, the original layout and interior fabric remain reasonably intact.

      Physical Description 1

      NIGRETTA - Physical Description 1

      Nigretta is located at 39 Winter Street, Coleraine, approximately three blocks south of the centre of town. The building is a late Victorian timber home, of 6 original rooms and verandah, with later additions. Although old fashioned, it is a typical example of the ornate decorative style of the late Victorian era, featuring an mock ashlar facade. The original verandah, which was removed in 1958 to modernise the house has been copied very well and reconstructed by Noel Vickery, using a mixture of salvaged and modern timbers, with new corrugated steel roofing and cast aluminium iron lace. The verandah was added to the house in 1996. Small rooms at the rear of the house have been created by filling in a back verandah. The kitchen extension on the north side of the house was constructed when the Vickery family took possession in 1957. There is a large cellar intact under the kitchen, which previously had an external entrance. The cellar is no longer in use.

      The interior of the house has been altered by successive owners. The master bedroom remains the most unchanged room, with pressed metal ceilings, cedar mantelpiece, and bay window. A wall has been removed between the second and third bedrooms to create a larger room, and the ceiling lowered. The sitting room has been converted into a bedroom, with lowered ceiling, but retains its original mantelpiece. The present sitting room, which probably functioned as the dining room, has been remodelled in the 1930s, with a brick fireplace and ceiling rose in the Moderne style.

      Historical Australian Themes

      NIGRETTA - Historical Australian Themes

      Theme 4: Building settlements, towns and cities
      4.5 Making settlements to serve rural Australia

      Usage/Former Usage

      NIGRETTA - Usage/Former Usage

      Private residence

      Integrity

      NIGRETTA - Integrity

      High degree of integrity.

      Physical Description 2

      NIGRETTA - Physical Description 2

      Henry Nickoll, first owner of the land
      H W Bradbury, building contractor
      Gibson Family, owners and local grocers
      E. R. Trangmar, owner and local merchant
      Thomas Moore, owner and local saddler
      Thomas Constable, owner
      Vickery Family, owners

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study

      Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
      Year: 2002
      Grading:

  • Notes See all notes

    Moore Family Occupation

    • 24/07/17

    Thomas & Annie Moore (nee Hutchins) purchased Nigretta in 1923/4 after Thomas, Coleraine saddler from 1901-1955, won the Tattersalls Lottery. They raised their 6 children there & sold the house in 1955, after Annie's 1953 death & Tom's advanced age. Originally a hedged garden was on its north side. An underground cellar under the kitchen. Original utility buildings were a dairy, storage shed, toilet and well. The rear land was subdivided in 1947 allowing their son Tom to build a home.

    Images See all images

Public contributions

Notes See all notes

Moore Family Occupation

• 24/07/17

Thomas & Annie Moore (nee Hutchins) purchased Nigretta in 1923/4 after Thomas, Coleraine saddler from 1901-1955, won the Tattersalls Lottery. They raised their 6 children there & sold the house in 1955, after Annie's 1953 death & Tom's advanced age. Originally a hedged garden was on its north side. An underground cellar under the kitchen. Original utility buildings were a dairy, storage shed, toilet and well. The rear land was subdivided in 1947 allowing their son Tom to build a home.

Images See all images

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
Timeline browser

< to 1849
< - 1849
1850 to 1879
1850 - 1879
1880 to 1909
1880 - 1909
1910 to 1939
1910 - 1939
1940 to 1969
1940 - 1969
1970 to 1999
1970 - 1999
2000 to >
2000 - >