“Carrington Hall” moves towards heritage protection…
September 3rd, 2017 | C. J. Dennis, Camberwell, Significant dates in the life of C. J. Dennis
The property, “Carrington Hall” (formerly 107 Burke Road, now 832 – 834 Burke Road, Camberwell) is moving closer to receiving heritage protection.
This is the boarding house in which C. J. Dennis lived for most of 1915 and 1916. It was here that he wrote “The Moods of Ginger Mick”, and it was from this property that the manuscript of “The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke” was posted to its eventual publisher, Angus & Robertson.
Interestingly, the property is still run as a boarding house. Last year it changed hands. Two similar neighbouring properties were recently removed to make way for apartments.
My application for the property to be registered with Heritage Victoria was unsuccessful. However, a letter I wrote to the Shire of Boroondara appears to be bearing fruit. A citation concerning the property, as part of a recently completed Camberwell Heritage Gap Study, has recommended that the property be given a heritage overlay, on the basis of its association with C. J. Dennis. The proposal passed through council last Monday night without amendment. The process is complex and this is just the beginning, but the early signs are promising!
The citation can be viewed in full here (pp 292 – 301):
https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2017-05/Camberwell-Heritage-Gap-Assessment-draft.pdf
Congrats on the excellent work you have done Stephen. My forebears would not have been in any way connected with Carrington Hall. Coincidentally my Great Grandmother on the ‘Carrington’ side, originally from Yorkshire, ran and later owned some boarding houses in Sydney for many years prior to 1900 and after.
Interesting. Thanks, Colin.
Well done for standing up for this house. Each knevsaved will be treasured for generations
Thanks, Lelle. I don’t think we do enough to preserve and honour our literary heritage.
Thanks for keeping us up to date, Stephen. Congratulations on the early promising signs for the preservation of this property – such an important chapter in the creative life of CJ Dennis.
Thanks, Shelley.