Musk Cottage garden a labour of love

Landscape designer Rick Eckersley has listed Musk Cottage at Flinders on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula through RT Edgar.

Landscape designer Rick Eckersley has listed Musk Cottage at Flinders on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula through RT Edgar. It is Eckersley’s 12-year labour of love on Musk Creek Road, having paid $2 million in 2006. Eckersley, who grew up on a cattle and sheep grazing property in Macarthur, in the Western District, studied at Burnley Horticultural College as a mature-age student. He worked for Berwick City Council for three weeks, before starting his own landscaping business. The 4ha weekender was bought when it was mostly lawn, with St Kilda-based Eckersley wanting the garden “to look like a Fred Williams painting”. Using mostly Australian plants, it is a low-maintenance private garden, but also the test bed for his business, with Scott Leung and Myles Broad having shared credit for the garden’s design. Open Gardens Victoria’s spring season launches this weekend with the opening of the Musk Cottage garden.

Sherwood up for grabs

Sherwood, the 1913 Brighton residence, has been listed by Fiona Hardgrave, wife of investment banker Mark Hardgrave. The couple have owned the home since paying $852,500 in 1994, when Mark was involved in the establishment of Jamison Equity. It now has an asking price of $6.9m through Kay & Burton Bayside agents Alex Schiavo and Nathan Berrill.

Sherwood in Brighton.

Set on 1700sq m on the corner of New Street and Seymour Grove, Sherwood has five bedrooms and a study. A glass-wrapped billiards room flows to the bluestone terraces overlooking grounds that feature a mod-grass tennis court and heated pool. The Hardgraves fought hard to add the four floodlights. The listing follows the quick sale of the French-inspired Brighton home of Rob Dalton, Richmond Football Club’s vice-president. Biggin & Scott Brighton selling agent Elizabeth Lopez had a guide of $5.75m-$6.325m.

Mayor to offload estate

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and wife Ruth are selling their expanded Gold Coast amalgamation. The Tates paid $3.3m in 2015 for the Sorrento riverfront on 4425sq m, shortly before securing the vacant 835sq m neighbouring block for $1.7m. Now they’re selling the combined 5200sq m estate. The grand home was built in the late 1970s for the family of former Gold Cost mayor Sir Bruce Small. Ray White Surfers Paradise agent Matt Gates says the home is widely regarded as one of the finest family estates within the city boundary. The couple were previous based at Paradise Waters before selling for $3.5m in 2016. Tate has been mayor since 2012.

Mining veteran’s new digs

Millionaire mining veteran Charlie Bass and wife Sylvia have spent $7.95m on a hillside home in Applecross, in Perth’s south. The home sits on 1305sq m on the highest point of the Duncraig Road dress circle, with views over the Swan River. Built in the 1970s, the home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a swimming pool. Acton Consolidated Fremantle agent Bob Oliver sold the home.

[e-mail]