Rippon Lea Estate is a historic property located in Elsternwick, built in 1868 in the Lombardic Romanesque style, it was one of the first in Melbourne to install electricity. Built for Sir Frederick Sargood, a wealthy Melbourne businessman, politician and philanthropist. He was an Australian politician, Minister of Defence and Education in the Government of Victoria 1890–1892 and Senator in the Australian Senate 1901–03. They must make a lot of money, but it does help that he came from money too. 

The extensive garden retains 14 of the original 45 acres, and features a lake, grotto, gardens, buildings and a magnificent fernery. The garden was preserved by the last owners Ben Nathan and his daughter Louisa Jones. Mrs Jones modified the interior of the house in the 1930s, adding a glamorous Hollywood-style swimming pool. Mrs Jones gave Rippon Lea to the Nation, in care of The National Trust in the 1970s.

Sargood's wife Marian died in childbirth on 6 January 1880, they had nine children. The last owner Mrs. Louisa Jones, died in 1972, aged seventy-eight. 

The Trust now runs Rippon Lea as a museum, conserving the architecture and the landscape, and presenting the social history of the owners and their servants. Visitors to Rippon Lea enter a mansion preserved as the Jones family lived in it after the 1938 modernization. 

And that reads like a conclusion to a post but isn't. :P



Running and late and lost (we ended up in Brighton) we got to Ripponlea at 12.30pm for their wedding open day. Out front there's a mini nursery, cafe and gift shop that leads to a long driveway (totally walkable - just not in heels) to the mansion.






Since we were here for the wedding open day we went to the ballroom on the side of the mansion beside the pool, rather than just start with exploring everything.

There's a balcony and stairs between the the main floor and upper area.

The room was nice, with the colour scheme being cream/beige and goes well with latte/cappacino/peach/nude and lighter colours. Not my style, which is sad as I really wanted to like it. Well I do like it, it's just not my style. That and the chandelieer was tiny compared to how big the room was. 


Min for Sunday is 100 guests, Fri/Sat is 130. Starting from $155 a head you're looking at 15,000-20,150. That is just food/venue. Not sure if it includes a 5hr beverages package (probably does). And that's with basic settings, no centerpieces, cake (other than stuff served for dessert) or anything. The bathroom were located to the side of the small stage and were old like retro 50s with honeycomb tiles. 


Peter Rowland is the main catering company in Melbourne, and does good food. Even the pasta they made for our college cafeteria is good, though the prices matched our school fees. We received a bag of flyers and business cards for their preferred vendors and box of loose tea leaves, English breakfast, for le beau. 

We met a baker who did lovely cakes, Jas likes the mud cake, while I like the frosting and salted caramel swirled over it. A tip with cakes - everyone has a church going friend who knows that little old lady who makes amazing cakes, ask your friend for help and offer than commision. 

Afterwards we went for a wander. Oh and the ballroom and pool is amazing at night, but for the day you might prefer the gardens. Also you can't float floating candles in the pool, only things the size of a beach ball and above.

Glad this was here, I'm accident prone :P.

The grounds here are huge! There's a lake (man-made), bridge, and a tree top high gazebo. I did find an archway I like. I also stepped into the lake, as it was covered in moss and therefore looked like grass, thank god for the signs. Saw a huge bird at least 30cms tall that moved fast like a cat. Ducks in the lake. Lots of spiderweb out there. I am reminded of why I don't like nature.














In the gardens there was a fairy photo shoot going on and an out of cinq couple performing. A hedge lined the path with stops to a windmill-ish thing, and a garden patch of greens I don't recognize. 

At the end was an apple orchid, unfortunately all the apples were miniature and dried up. I saw a very small bird and two parrots. More veggie patch this time I see dill. Meanwhile Jas had wandered off to the stables. Old carriages with dust, look but do not touch.

The Servant's Sitting Room

"The rooms of the basement kitchen complex are also of special interest, having been built in the 1880s and then abandoned in 1938 following the installation of a modern kitchen on the ground floor. Today they are a rare surviving Australian example of a 19th century kitchen suite; comprising kitchen, scullery, pantries, cool rooms (old fashioned fridge room), servants' hall and wine cellar." 


It was like seeing a version of Downton which as cool, Jas really liked it and he's into history too. Though my area is the Tudors. He showed me the ice box and how it works. And there was a cool room and by the stairs one of those boards with bells and room names when upstairs called for service, but instead it lit up (powered by electricity). 











On weekends they do tours of the mansion, though it's advised you call to check the time before you come or arrive before 1pm. We're looking forwards to returning, with a picnic and exploring areas we didn't see on this visit. Tickets are $15 and there's more info here. While we didn't go on the tour we did meet people (a week later, at an event) who did go and they all recommended it.

Saturday 22nd March



I've never heard Beethoven's 5th live before, so it was very good. Even though we got the highest seats possible on the balcony which is like 5 levels up from ground level. Clung to le beau's arm like a koala even when I got bored and took a nap.




Afterwards we went exploring, got some sunscreen samples and had sushi as a pre-dinner healthy snack. We weren't hanging out tonight as he as going out to dinner with friends and then to the comedy show, that I'd watch at home with subtitles.




Home. Made scones, though I manhandled them so they turned out doughy instead of fluffy. First time this has happened though I've made it a couple times before. Added chocolate chips so that wasted :( this is why I rarely cook/bake chocolate. No pictures were taken.


Tomorrow

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