Urgent works to fix cast-iron arch at Rippon Lea Estate fernery
It houses one of the largest and last-known ferneries in the southern hemisphere, and now a 40m-long cast-iron arch at Elsternwick’s Rippon Lea Estate is being restored. Here’s how it will affect visitors to the historic site.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Urgent works are being done to fix a unique cast-iron arch at Rippon Lea Estate’s iconic fernery.
The fernery is one of the largest and last known of its kind in the southern hemisphere and is home to 200 different native and exotic species.
Community members raised almost $100,000 for the restoration works via last year’s National Trust Spring Appeal.
National Trust of Australia (Victoria) chief executive Simon Ambrose said the works — which include completely removing the northern wall and putting in new footings — would ensure the unique lattice arch would “remain sound” into the future.
Mr Ambrose said the fernery was “an irreplaceable piece of Australia’s past”.
“Rippon Lea Estate was the first property in Australia to be saved specifically for its garden and there is no underestimating the fernery’s national and international significance,” Mr Ambrose said.
“(This fernery) is a timeless design from the Victorian gold boom amidst what was internationally known as ‘fern fever’.
MORE: COUNCIL PLANS TO SPLASH $55K OF PUBLIC MONEY ON ARTWORK
WHY SO MANY HISTORIC BUILDINGS FACE WRECKING BALL
FINAL BID FOR HERITAGE PROTECTION OF FORMER ABC STUDIO
“It is nearly 40m in length, with serpentine garden paths winding through a babbling creek, waterfall and elegant rock beds, with a unique subterranean irrigation and drainage system that continues in use today.”
Mr Ambrose said the northern entrance to the fernery would be closed during the works, which were expected to take about eight weeks, but the rest of the site would still be accessible to the public.
The fernery is open daily from 10am to 4pm at Rippon Lea Estate, 192 Hotham St, Elsternwick.
To help preserve the fernery, contact 9656 9871 or make a donation online at givenow.com.au/springappeal2018
Tradies to admit to bribing VBA staff
Three tradies exposed in an anti-corruption investigators will admit to bribing staffers at the state’s building regulator.
‘Do you like the food?’: VIC aged care home food rating revealed
In Victoria, there are 284 aged care homes where one person or more claimed to never be happy with the food they were served. See who is serving up culinary delights and who falls short.