Alfred Deakin’s Point Lonsdale home in limbo as family plead for help

The great-grandson of a former prime minister has been granted a lifeline to save a historic site – but he needs $4m from the federal government to close the deal.

Great-grandson of Alfred Deakin, Tom Harley (pictured), is locked in a battle to save the historic home from development. Picture: Jason Edwards

The fight to save a former prime minister’s Point Lonsdale home now hinges on a $4m commitment from the federal government – but time is running out.

Alfred Deakin’s Ballara residency, which he built himself in 1907, will be sold and likely demolished unless an offer is made on the $8m property before June this year.

An agreement between its 10 owners, who are all descendants of Deakin, was reached earlier this month.

Great-grandson Tom Harley, who has led the campaign to preserve the house and its original contents, has an exclusive right to make the first offer before the sale goes public.

So far, Mr Harley has managed to raise $4m in donations from other family members, Deakin University, the Borough of Queenscliffe, philanthropic supporters and locals.

Ballara is 118 years old and is of “significance” to the local community as well as descendants of Alfred Deakin. Picture: Jason Edwards

Corangamite MP Libby Coker said:“Our government is continuing to consider options and is working with the community to get the best possible outcome.”

The commonwealth have supported the preservation of seven other houses owned or built by former prime ministers.

Mr Harley said he was concerned that a failure to secure the property would lead to the loss of a historic site.

“It is of great danger to be developed – I don’t think the heritage listings afford it any real protection,” he said.

A change.org petition launched in December 2023 to protect Ballara from private development has attracted more than 6200 signatures.

Mr Harley said his great-grandfather’s house was “well loved” by residents.

The inside of the home is still preserved and contains pieces of historical significance. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The house is one of the oldest buildings around – it is a landmark that people are keen to see preserved as part of the Bellarine’s identity,” he said.

“It’s been so rewarding having the support of the community … people I’ve never met have come forward asking to help.”

The house has historic and environmental significance to the area, Mr Harley said.

“It is the most intact home of an early Australian prime minister … a lot of important people visited over the years.

“Unlike his contemporaries, (Deakin) wanted a native garden and the house is designed to embrace the local environment.”

Mr Harley said the house and surrounding land would be “opened up” for the public to use if it was saved.

Originally published as Alfred Deakin’s Point Lonsdale home in limbo as family plead for help