The Andrews Labor Government is taking action to repair one of Victoria’s oldest buildings, the former Harbour Master’s house at Port Fairy.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney today announced the historic Captain John Mills House would undergo urgent interior and exterior conservation works, including specialist wallpaper repairs.
The repairs are possible thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Labor Government’s Living Heritage Grants Program.
The earliest section of the home is believed to have been built in late 1843. While the house now faces the street, the original section faced the west bank of the Moyne River, then developing as a Port.
John and brother Charles were sealers and whalers who settled at Port Fairy. Charles originally lived in the cottage until he moved to his farm, Woodbine. John was Harbour Master at Port Fairy from 1853 to 1871, living in the house from the mid 1850s until 1871.
The project is one of 20 at Heritage sites across Victoria receiving funding under the Living Heritage Grants Program.
The Living Heritage Grants Program supports the repair and conservation of ‘at risk’ heritage places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register.
The program provides opportunities for community and not-for-profit organisations, committees of management and local councils to obtain funding for heritage works.
Applications for the second round of the community heritage grants program are now open, and will close on 1 June 2017. For more information on these grants, please visit: http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/heritage/about-heritage-in-victoria/living-heritage-program
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“We’re taking action to secure the future of this iconic site. Our heritage means so much to so many locals – it’s a reminder of our significant history and contributes to our sense of identity.”
“This work will protect sites from further deterioration for years to come.”
“I am very pleased that the Andrews Labor Government is funding the preservation of a piece of country Victorian history.”
“The Living Heritage grants are an investment in both the past and future and I look forward to seeing the historic Captain John Mills House preserved for generations to enjoy.”