The once-grand house at the corner of Williams and Stawell roads has seen better days and may be in line for demolition.
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In the area known as Green Park the house was built for Frederick and Elizabeth Rodda in 1920 after their retirement from farming and the homecoming of their youngest son from WW1 and his marriage.
Frederick's son Wes Rodda established the Burnlea Dairy in 1922.
Historians believe the house was known as 'The Nook'. Frederick held the office of mayor in 1941 and died in 1948 at the age of 87.
The house, influenced by English Federation Manor style, was built using 30,000 Sawyer Horsham bricks and is double brick with interior plaster.
It had a large front entrance hall, front bedroom on the right hand side of the photo, front lounge with corner windows, and a rear dining or sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, and a rear verandah with laundry opening off the verandah. The upper floor had a full length bedroom opening onto a verandah.
The house has had several owners over the years including the Harper family and Col Robertson and his wife Nancy.
The Robertson family were there for 36 years and lived there in 1995.
Col was the owner of the local crane company Roblift and he started his business in the old Duldig building, a few doors south of his house in Stawell Road, later employing many people and working in several states.
The tramway shown in the picture had its line starting at the Horsham Railway Station and from there it ran from the top end of McPherson Street in Horsham, passing south to the Wimmera River where it crossed the bridge, continuing along the east side of what is now known as Stawell Road.
It then crossed the Western Highway and followed the eastern side of the road towards Hamilton Road now known as the Henty Highway, travelling through the small settlement of Haven and terminating at its destination.
It serviced the McKenzie Creek Quarry where sandstone was quarried.
The McKenzie Creek tramway was originally horse-drawn then later had a loco truck with a Daimler engine. It was owned by Francis 'Dookie' Turnbull.
Church picnics were held at Bungallaly around Easter and at other times and the tram was packed with people for the occasion.
Researched by Wendy Donald
- The Historical Society rooms are open to the public on Tuesday and Wednesdays from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
