Australia
Heritage garden estate
In 1910 the property was bought by Benjamin Nathan. This was the last time it would be sold. Nathan had made his money in the furniture business. He owned Maples Furniture and Music Stores. Maples had 15 stores in two states. Nathan moved to Rippon Lea with his wife and two daughters. He returned the house to a family home. An entrance lodge was built off Hotham Street. He continued to use the house for charity events such as those in aid of World War I-related causes. Like Sargood he was very interested in the garden, especially orchids. Rippon Lea orchids won numerous awards. Nathan introduced more native plants into the garden. He employed 14 – 17 gardeners. He built a large conservatory and 14 glasshouses. Visitors often came to see the garden. Timothy Jones died in 1958. In the early 1950s Mrs Jones sold some land to the ABC for their television studios. In 1963 the Federal Government put a Compulsory Acquisition Order on a further 4 acres of land to extend the studios. Mrs Jones fought the order to the High Court but lost. There was a demonstration against the acquisition that attracted 10 000 people. During 1963 Mrs Jones made arrangements so that, when she died, the house and land at Rippon Lea would pass to the National Trust. Her father had also wanted to see the gardens protected. Her children approved of these arrangements. Mrs Jones died in 1972. Following this, the Trust inherited the property and the Acquisition Order was withdrawn. The Rippon Lea that visitors see today is a tribute to Mrs Jones’ generosity as well as her tenacity in preserving the property. Rippon Lea was opened to the public for the first time on Friday 22 February 1974 and 100,000 people walked through the doors in the first three months. Visitors could see peacocks roaming the grounds while geese, swans and other water birds populated the lake. One-time property manager Bruce McBrien lived in the mansion itself, the last person to do so. Ken Webb, chauffeur to Mrs Jones, also lived on site in a flat adjoining the Coach House.
The tennis court is open for the season, available for bookings from 1 February to 6 June, 10.30am–3.30pm daily (except Wednesdays). Court hire is $55/hour and includes access for up to 4 players to our gardens and the court. Additional players are $15 per person. National Trust Members receive 10% discount on court hire fee.
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