Berrilea

The house was designed by J. J. Copeman and built by J. H. Gain for Mrs Robert Frost in 1902.[1]

Being located in the main street of the town, opposite Cook Park, it is a key domestic architectural element in the townscape of Orange. Its location, landscape setting and high architectural quality indicate its importance.[1]

The house was first owned by Robert Frost (a major local brick-maker), and eventually was bought by P. C. Weston, whose daughter Miss F. Weston left it to the church for use in association with the adjacent Wontoma Private Hospital.[2] Its bathroom was modified in the 1930s.[1][2]

Miss Weston became a patient in the nursing home in 1980 until her death on 14 December 1981.[1][3]

In 1983 Berrilea cottage bequeathed to the Uniting Church. The church's Wontama Village Nursing Home has been operating on parts of the site since 1967.[3] The home (cottage) was initially considered for self-contained flats, but in May 1987 it became the Wontama Day Care Centre and incorporated the administration office. 24 self-contained units called "Carinya" (Happy home)') were opened in 1991.[3] 1990 plans of the Wontama site show the proposed use of Berrilea as a day therapy centre, a use which did not eventuate at the location of the former stables.[3] Another plan from 1990 approved by the Heritage Council was for demolition of the former tack room at the north of the stables to construct the Wontama Workshop.[1][3]

Orange City Council listed Berrilea on its Local Environmental Plan in 2011 as an item of state heritage significance.[1][3]

The Edwardian house has wide wooden vernadahs, external lacework and a large formal garden and includes stables at rear (now a double garage). The house is a particularly fine example of Edwardian architecture with excellent external detailing. Being located in the main street of the town, opposite Cook Park, it is a key domestic architectural element in the townscape of Orange. Its location, landscape setting and high architectural quality indicate its importance.[1][2] The house is set in a peaceful shadowy garden with large trees. Curtilage to be the lot boundary.[1][2]

The house was designed by J. J. Copeman and built by J. H. Gain in 1902. It is of tuckpointed Flemish bond brick with a hipped slate roof, moulded chimneys and projecting roughcast gable. The verandah to three sides has cast iron corinthian columns and excellent decorative cast iron brackets and valances. It has a straight-pitched iron roof and a gabled portico above the main door. Windows have moulded brackets and there is a rendered string course at sill height. The front door has leadlighting, and three french doors open onto the verandah. Other than a few alterations such as the 1930s bathroom and the fireplaces in the drawing room and dining room, the interior layout and detail remain in substantially original condition.[1][2]

The stables at the rear (now a double garage) are of plain brick like the house with a timber extension at the back. They are in fair condition.[1][2] A tankstand on very high piers is attached to the stables - it is still used in drought.[1][2] The house in made of Flemish bond brick, with tuckpointing, slate roof, cast iron, leadlighting, and timber.[1]

Berrilea was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[1]

• Australian residential architectural styles