The transformation of Ercildoune Homestead

It was a dark day in 1999 when John and Christine Dever purchased one of Victoria’s most significant properties.

The couple had noticed that Ercildoune Homestead in Burrumbeet was on the market and couldn’t resist a peek inside on auction day.

“An elderly lady approached us and said we were the bidders she would like to own the property. I don’t know who she was, but we saw it as a sign,” John says.

The couple forked out more than they intended that day and purchased the property, moving out of their Melbourne home and embarking on the back-breaking renovation work. They wanted to restore the dilapidated property and 200 acres of overgrown garden to their original glory, but soon realised they were in over their heads.

"It was an unmitigated disaster"

The house was inhabitable for the first few years, so we slept in the laundry. As we started the rebuilding process we uncovered problem after problem.”

But the couple ploughed on with the aid of a small army of tradesmen, installing electricity and water to the decrepit homestead and tearing down sections that hadn’t stood the test of time.

“We’ve put truckloads of cement and plaster on the walls and thousands of plants in the garden. It’s cost us well over a million dollars.”

"We've got a major historical property on our hands, and the sense of accountability we feel is huge."

Ercildoune Homestead is constructed of large granite blocks cut by hand from the quarry on the property.

John and Christine have now completed the painstaking renovation of the nine-bedroom home, sourcing furniture similar to that used by Scottish-born brothers Livingstone-Learmonth, who first furnished the property in the 1840s.

In its day Ercildoune Homestead was one of the most famous ram stations in the country, changing hands a few times before internationallyrenowned singer Dame Nellie Melba leased a portion of the home around 1907, and had the tennis court rebuilt.

“Previous owners had numerous auctions, selling off anything that wasn’t tied down. We’ve been buying back as much as we can, but it’s been a difficult process given there wasn’t a stick of furniture left.”

The couple say the renovation has cost at least 10 times more than they thought it would, but say the trials and tribulations have been well worth it. John still travels three hours to Melbourne for work every day but has no intention of returning to city life.

“I love leaving the city and coming home to the country. We feel a sense of responsibility to this place. We’ve got a major historical property on our hands, and the sense of accountability we feel is huge. We are caretakers of a local and national treasure.

“Some people have broken down in tears when they’ve seen what we’ve done. Most locals know someone who worked on the property, and that instills a sense of responsibility to restore and maintain the place for them and their children.”

An Exceptional Opportunity

Visitors will be given a rare opportunity to wander Ercildoune Homestead’s beautifully manicured 80.9 hectares garden during the Ballarat Heritage Weekend. This is an exceptional opportunity to see the fully restored private property. Visitors are invited to peer in the windows of the house to see the restoration work.