Newminster Park was built in 1901 by Mr Andrew Chirnside. Named after one of his racehorses, the two-storied brick mansion with it some 52 rooms, was unique to the area as it was built from brick, which was transported by train from Melbourne, not bluestone like most other homesteads in the area.
This was a home of many fine race horses in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The stables were built just before the house was, which are south of the house ruins. The no expense spared stables are nearly more impressive than the house was!! The stables are still standing today, and quite visible from the road.
A brief glance at the interior of the homestead building showed that no expense was spared either. The artistic carvings on the main landing and the adornment of the balustrade leading down to the ballroom and the elaborate mantelpieces in the lounges giving one the impression of wealth and good taste. An outside entrance to the tower was by a spiral stairway that took one up to a staggering sixty feet, from which an amazing view of the whole surrounding country, taking in Camperdown on the south, the Cloven Hills to the north, and Lake Bookaar to the west.
No sooner had Andrew and his family (wife Winifred and daughter Joan) moved into the newly built home he sold it to Lady Janet Clarke and her son Reginald. Andrew and family then moved to Coragulac House near Colac (GC73EW6).
The Clarke family lived here for several years before selling it to Mr. Sandy Pekin. Who sold it to Mr Neylon in 1921. Two years later it was sold to the Le Roux family. Then in 1934 the Clancey family bought it, and it was then it was turned into a dairy farm. In 1939 the house was extensively damaged by fire, and had to be demolished for safety reasons, but the tower survived, which is what we can see today.
As it seemed to be the norm with this property, it was only a few years later in 1937, the Clancey family sold it to the Goonan family, which remained in the family until the mid 1990’s.
Please note the ruins are on private property. Absolutely no trespassing. Just admire it from the road please.
