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Vic Branch: Self-drive visits to Beleura House and Garden and Peter Nicholson’s garden, Mornington
1 March 2023 @ 9:40 am - 3:45 pm AEDT
Join us for a day at Beleura House and Garden and Peter Nicholson’s garden, Mornington
This will be a co-event with Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society.
Beleura, an Italianate villa, was designed by architect Joseph Reed in 1863 and it remained as a private residence for 120 years. The elegant original furnishings of the last owner, John Tallis, are in place today. The five-hectare pleasure grounds unfold from one garden into another to create a lively sense of theatre, aligning with the stewardship of Sir George Tallis of the JC Williamson entertainment empire. Features include huge specimen trees and a rear stone courtyard from the original nineteenth century garden with later overlays such as, large hedges, reflective pools, and a charming kitchen garden. The romantic ambience existing today is the Italianate style realised by benefactor, John Tallis, with his 1953 research trip in northern Italy yielding much antique statuary.
Peter Nicholson’s garden, just a few minutes’ walk away, has been created as a naturalistic counterpoint to the steadily encroaching urban sprawl. The property has been in the family since 1916 and has been returned to shrubland with garden terraces built into the steep slopes. We will see the Beleura Cliff Path where Eugene von Guérard painted Dandenong Ranges from ‘Beleura’ 1870 with views over Port Phillip Bay.
Cost: Members only – $75
Book: at Trybooking. This event is now fully booked.
Bookings: limited to 20 members.
Self-drive: to Mornington Golf Club car park, Tallis Drive for a 9.40am courtesy transfer to Beleura. Courtesy transfer returns to the car park by approx. 3.45pm.
Includes: entry fees, courtesy transfers, morning tea, house tour and garden tour with a light lunch in the Melba Room. Tour of the Nicholson garden with Peter.
Bring: AGHS name badge, water, mask, hand sanitiser, insect repellent.
NOTE: THERE IS A LOT OF UNEVEN GROUND SO MEMBERS MUST BE CAPABLE AND PREPARED FOR THIS AND WEAR STURDY SHOES.