If you drove from Ballarat, through Waubra and onto Lexton you may have missed the sign for Mt Mitchell Estate. Mount Mitchell was designed by renowned architect Charles Webb. Building commenced in 1860 and the homestead was completed late in 1861 where it remained in the Robertson family until around 1926. During this time substantial extensions were added to almost double the size of the homestead.
The Barrett family became the new owners around 1926 and set about extending the garden and planting the now imposing pine trees that line the driveway from the gate to the homestead itself.
Sadly, Mount Mitchell homestead fell into disrepair until the 1980’s when Richard Salter purchased the property and set about refurbishing the home to its original state. This classic Victorian historical gem was brought back to its former splendour and is now classified by the National Trust and Heritage Victoria has listed the property.
In 2015, Mount Mitchell is entering a new and exciting phase with the current owners, Kate and Simon Tol, who have opened up the property with stunning wedding venues throughout the grounds and buildings and as a country holiday accommodation venue here in the famed Pyrenees region (Source: Information from Mt Mitchell webpage).
Here at the cemetery you will find that the biggest memorial belongs to that of the Robertson family, the original owners of Mt Mitchell Estate. Read the headstones within the fence to learn a little more about the family. Answering the below questions will help you find the cache.
Cache can be found at S 37 16.ABC E 143 32.DEF
A = Hester Mary (née Kay) was born in 19?1
B = Eldest son Thomas Robertson died on 2? of April
C = Third son John Gordon Roberson was born in 186?
D = Mary Ann Laidlaw was 1? Years old when she died
E = Second son James Gordon Robertson died in 19?3
F = Mary his grandchild was 1? years old when she died