Alfred Deakin’s descendants push for public acquisition of former PM’s seaside home

Australia’s second prime minister, Alfred Deakin, built his holiday home, “Ballara”, in 1907 as a sanctuary from the stress of public life. It was a place of writing, reading, relaxing and reflecting on some of the great moments in the nation’s political history.

Unusually for the time, Deakin and his wife, Pattie, cultivated a native garden at the property in Point Lonsdale, about 100 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, rather than establishing European-style grounds.

Crowds inspecting former prime minister Alfred Deakin’s house, Ballara, on Monday. Credit: Jason South

The house, which has remained in the Deakin family’s hands since, is remarkably well-preserved. Some original furniture remains. Red pine architraves, Baltic pine ceilings and white lathen plaster walls add to the two-storey building’s historic gravitas.

Now some family members are campaigning for the property to be passed into public hands rather than being sold on the private market.

Leaders across the political spectrum, including former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and ex-Labor premier Steve Bracks, have signed a letter to the federal government supporting the campaign.

One of Deakin’s great-grandsons, Tom Harley, is helping lead the campaign for the Commonwealth to help fund the acquisition of the 1.6 hectare estate.

“This is a now or never proposition,” he said.

Tom Harley with a picture of Alfred Deakin inside his home at Point Lonsdale. Credit: Jason South

Harley is proposing the creation of a legal entity that would own the property so it could be preserved for the public. Under that proposal, Deakin University would manage the estate much like a museum.

He said private donors, including some of Deakin’s descendants, had raised funds with the expectation that the Commonwealth would match them. The Borough of Queenscliffe, which covers the towns of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, has pledged $300,000 towards the project.

Harley said more than 6000 people had signed a petition supporting the proposal while over 500 turned up to an open day on Monday.

A photograph of Alfred Deakin, which hangs at his former seaside residence in Point Lonsdale. Credit: Jason South

Harley said Ballara was the most intact house of an early prime minister. He said original art works, documents and furnishings were still there, too.

Last year, The Age revealed Deakin family members were divided over what to do with the property. Some wanted to sell it on the private market, while others, including Harley, wanted the house and grounds preserved for public use.

The matter was taken to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, but in March, the family agreed to delay the sale so they could try to put the property into public hands.

Under the terms of that agreement, the federal government has three months to make an offer.

Harley is aiming to raise $8.2 million to fund the property’s acquisition, which includes a potential contribution from the federal government as well as the funds already raised through his family’s donations and the community campaign. He said the figure was based on the estimated value by the family members wishing to sell the home.

Other signatories of the letter to the government include former Labor minister Barry Jones, ex-foreign minister Julie Bishop and La Trobe University emeritus professor Judith Brett, whose 2017 book on Deakin won Australia’s top biography award.

The letter, addressed to Arts Minister Tony Burke, urges the Commonwealth to consider contributing to the acquisition of Ballara from the Deakin family.

“It is important to note that the Deakin family would be financially better off selling the property to a private owner,” the letter says. “However, they are prepared to donate a significant portion to ensure Ballara’s future in a way that clearly benefits the community.”

The letter maintains the proposal would offer myriad benefits, including creating educational opportunities, local jobs and environmental awareness.

“It would be well received by the local community, who have provided pledges for much of the matching funding.”

Tom Harley talking to visitors at the property during an open day on Monday. Credit: Jason South

The letter warns there is a risk the grounds could be subdivided if the property lands in private hands, despite heritage protections.

Judith Brett worked on her biography of Alfred Deakin while staying at the property. She said it was fortunate the house was still intact.

“It would be a great loss if it went into private hands,” she said.

Brett said Deakin spent much time at Ballara after losing the 1910 election.

One of the original documents at Ballara. Credit: Jason South

“It was a place where he was able to reflect on the reasons for the Liberals’ loss – to stand back and think about the meaning of what had happened.”

She said it was significant that leaders across the political spectrum had signed the letter – particularly in the midst of an election campaign.

Burke said he expected the Museum of Australian Democracy to be able to give advice to the government on the matter over the next few months.

“There’s been some complexity with this over the years,” he said.

Deakin’s great-great-grandson, John Harley, said he felt the weight of history in the house even when holidaying there as a child.

John Harley on the rooftop lookout at Ballara. Credit: Jason South

“Coming down here in the holidays even as a kid you’d be able to escape and reflect,” he said. “It held a very special place.”

He said the house had long been a gathering place for Deakin’s descendants and their friends. Now, he said, it was time for it to begin the next chapter.

“Having been family custodians of this place, we have really tried to share it. Now if it does go into public hands, we would feel really proud.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.