eHive Object Details

Name/TitleToorak House, Toorak, 1854

About this objectThis coloured drawing of Toorak House, the location of Victoria's second Government House, is situated on the west side of St Georges Road, south of Tahara Road. The artist, S. T. Gill, views the property from the south and depicts the west entrance with square tower, south wing and surrounding grounds.

Toorak house was the residence of the Governor of Victoria from 1854 to 1876. This Italianate Victorian style mansion was originally built, c. 1848-51, for Melbourne merchant James Jackson of Jackson, Rae & Co, to a design by architect Samuel Jackson, no relation, but James never occupied the building, dying in 1851. The house's and subsequently the suburb's name, Toorak, is believed to be from the Woiwurrung language meaning black crow or reedy swamp.

The Church of Sweden has occupied the property since 1956.

S. T. Gill (1818-1880) illustrated Australian colonial life, and produced a visual record of how the populace lived, loved, worked and played. This illustration of Toorak House was probably included in Gill's "Sketches in Victoria" series, which was in circulation in 1854, and included portraits of buildings showing their architectural details.

One of the many glass slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund. Selby gave a lecture on "Old Melbourne, Old Prahran and Toorak" at St John's parish hall in October 1929.

For more information about this image contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria

MakerGill, Samuel Thomas, 1818-1880

Maker RoleArtist

MakerGunn's Slides (Firm)

Maker RoleSlide Maker

Inscription and MarksInscribed on bottom right corner : "TOORAK The residence of the Lieut Govr of Victoria 1854"

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1850-1860

Object TypePhotograph

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsGill, Samuel Thomas, 1818-1880

Subject and Association KeywordsToorak (Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsGovernment House (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsJackson, Samuel, 1807-1876

Subject and Association KeywordsJackson, James, 1807-1851

Subject and Association KeywordsJackson, Rae & Co (firm) (1845-1852)

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-BCS-39

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved