Uncertain future surrounding former prime minister Alfred Deakin’s Point Lonsdale retreat

The Borough of Queenscliffe has committed $300,000 to help save the Point Lonsdale retreat of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin as some family members try to stave off its sale and subdivision.

Alfred Deakin’s great-grandson Tom Harley at the former prime minister’s private retreat in Point Lonsdale. Picture: Jason Edwards.

The campaign to save the Point Lonsdale home of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin from being auctioned off has received a $300,000 boost thanks to the Borough of Queenscliffe.

The financial commitment, confirmed at Wednesday night’s council meeting, comes as relatives of Mr Deakin prepare for a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing on Friday.

The $8m-plus home – Ballara – is owned by Mr Deakin’s last remaining grandchild and seven great-grandchildren.

Former prime minister Alfred Deakin. Picture: Judith Harley.

Great-grandson Tom Harley is leading the charge to raise the $5m needed to buy out family members who want to sell.

If successful, the 1.68ha property and all its remaining artefacts would be then be handed over to a trust, which would preserve the site.

Mr Harley fears that if Ballara was sold, it would be subdivided and an important part of Australian history would be lost.

He will seek a four-month postponement at the VCAT hearing, allowing him the time needed to raise the required funds – half of which he hopes will come from a federal government grant.

“It (Ballara) is very important to the Bellarine and Australia, and we’d hope the government would support it, as they have seven other prime ministerial houses,” he said.

It is understood the government, which was contacted for comment, is currently considering a $2.5m funding application.

“I have this informally, but from extremely senior members of the government, that is it now under consideration,” Mr Harley said.

Borough of Queenscliffe councillor Donnie Grigau led the charge for the funding commitment after widespread community consultation.

Donnie Grigau. Picture: Alison Wynd.

“There is wide community support for this property to be preserved,” he said.

“We only get one shot at this and we’ve got to put our money where our mouth is.”

Mr Grigau said an alternative motion put forward by Mayor Isabelle Tolhurst that would have halved the borough’s financial commitment was voted down.

The original motion calling for $300,000 eventually passed unanimously.

“The preservation of Ballara is an investment in our community’s future,” Mr Grigau told his fellow councillors.

“By maintaining our historical landmarks, we provide future generations with tangible connections to our past, fostering a sense of identity, pride, and belonging – something that is somewhat lacking currently.”

Mr Deakin became Australia’s second prime minister in September 1903 and used Ballara as his private retreat.

Deakin University is named after him, as is the Canberra suburb.

Tom Harley at Ballara. Picture: Jason Edwards.

More than 6000 people have signed a petition to save Ballara from sale, while a local committee has also been formed.

It includes former Bellarine MP and Labor minister Lisa Neville and retired County Court judge Philip Misso.

“Residents of Point Lonsdale and the wider Bellarine community clearly believe that the conservation of the Deakin house and its bush surrounds for public benefit should be made an urgent priority,” Mr Harley said.

Another great-grandson of Mr Deakin, Peter Sharp, last year revealed his belief that the former prime minister worked “to try to make Aboriginal Australia disappear”.

“The shame I felt was more as a citizen than a descendant, and … I would have most shame if I did not try to bring it into the light,” he said at the time.

Originally published as Uncertain future surrounding former prime minister Alfred Deakin’s Point Lonsdale retreat