Queenslander on Western Avenue lovingly restored
Highgrove is a relocated Queenslander cottage, and is an excellent example of residential subdivision of the original farmland along Western Avenue.
This Old House: Highgrove, 210-212 Western Avenue, Montville. A column contributed by Montville History Group
Highgrove is a lovely, genuine 19th century Queenslander with many of its original features intact or lovingly restored. It has high ceilings, French windows, decorative veranda brackets, pull chain light switches, fretwork breezeway panels above the doorways, polished timber floors, VJ’s throughout and casement windows with window hoods.
The current colours of the cottage are wattle yellow, with prophetic purple and vivid white trims and heritage green decking. The inside has been painted a soft yellow with antique white trims, and antique white in the dining room and hallway with vivid white trims.
The house has a box roof and had originally wrap around verandas. This building style was in vogue in Queensland in the period from 1880 to 1900.
There are no details of when the house was constructed, but it is assumed to have been completed in 1886. It became known as “Highgrove” and was relocated to Western Avenue in Montville.
The land that the house currently resides on at 210-212 Western Avenue was subdivided in 1992. The farmland has had a range of crops, and there are currently still a dozen macadamia trees left surrounding the resulting one-acre plot.
The site was a great choice, with views over Lake Baroon towards Witta and North Maleny, framed by hills and the neighbours’ paddock with half a dozen pet cows and two donkeys.
The house was moved on site in two sections and placed on concrete stumps.
The original single skin wall is still preserved at the front of the house. The two side verandas were enclosed to provide an ensuite to each of the two bedrooms and a study and dressing room. The side and rear walls of the property have been cladded and insulated.
At some time, before or after the move, the living room was extended onto the old veranda, and a new kitchen was added. A new veranda was added behind the living room.
The large square deck behind the kitchen was added to the rear of the property in 2008, providing a great spot to watch the sunsets over Baroon Pocket.
Recent occupants have included Garth and Christine Greenaway, who owned this home between 2002 and 2006 while trying to develop a golf course in Montville. After that it served as a holiday home to Greg and Joanne Bess from Brisbane for 12 years before again becoming home to permanent residents, Brian and Wanita Morgan.
Current owners Mike Spilsbury and Janny Spilsbury-Schakel moved here in early March 2021. They have done a large number of repairs and updates, taking away modern additions where possible, as well as replacing the dated kitchen and bathrooms. The new kitchen and bathrooms with their walk-in showers are sympathetic to this Queenslander, simple with clean lines while also practical, using the latest materials.
The focus is now on the garden, which will be a project for many years to come.