Committee For Lorne: MANTRA GARDEN PARTY – Celebrating 150 Years

The township of Lorne, originally settled in the 1840s by Europeans for its timber and grazing potential, soon became a popular resort for fishing, sea bathing and bushwalking with the Mountjoy family and Erskine House playing a pivotal role in this development.

This year we celebrate 150 years since Caleb and Thomas Mountjoy started to take paying guests in their home, which became Lorne’s first boarding house. It was a low building with three gable ends separated by verandahs onto which small bedrooms opened by French doors. Over the next few decades additions were built without any continuity of design, or materials used, as the tourist trade boomed. The ballroom, which still exists, was commissioned in 1890 and was originally called the Assembly Hall.

A visitor in 1872 describes a visit to Erskine House thus: “I found that Mr Mountjoy had erected a large, substantial wooden building (there is a fine cellar underneath) in which he can, when required, provide 40 beds. During the summer he will, doubtless, find his catering abilities taxed to their utmost – for few will care to camp out when they can obtain clean beds and substantial meals, at one shilling each. I was really surprised at the low charges made and the liberal manner in which we were treated – having unpleasant reminiscences of paying four shillings for a chop, at a certain fashionable seaside town”.

The gardens, very much a feature of Erskine House, were first laid out in 1875, when Mr Jesse Allen and his brother William came to Lorne and they were employed by Thomas Mountjoy to lay out the garden and orchard. Jesse went on to create Allenvale and the garden is now the Kia Ora caravan park.

A major renovation occurred in the 1930’s, with most of this façade currently on the north side to the Mantra entrance. This extension was described by Robin Boyd as an example of the “Victorian type” of modern architecture. At this stage, the building, official known as Erskine House was affectionately known by the locals as “The House”. Erskine House was purchased by Hector Stribling in 1957 when he acquired a controlling interest in what was then a publically listed company. Mr. Stribling sold Erskine House to the Victorian Government in 1970 to be used for the benefit of the people of Victoria. The property is now leased and managed by the Mantra Group.

Erskine House was a guest house, post office, temperance hotel and a centre for concerts and entertainment in Lorne. It provides a reference to a long tradition of guest houses in Victoria, and more broadly, to the history and development of resort accommodation and leisure activities in the state.

Over the years, Mantra Lorne has been at the forefront in organising annual garden parties to symbolise the start of the warm weather. If you have not attended Mantra Lorne’s previous Garden Parties – you can expect live music, food, drinks, games, raffles, face painting, bouncy castle, tennis tournament, treasure hunt, silent auctions and many more family friendly activities.

The Garden Party will be held on Saturday October 27 beginning at 2pm with the unveiling of a Plaque by Cr Clive Goldsworthy and Doug Flavell, Regional General Manager for Mantra Group, followed by a range of fun-filled activities throughout the day. The day will conclude with an inspired dinner cooked by the chef, Bevan Vahland. Apart from a plaque displaying the 150 year history being unveiled, a choir by the students from the Lorne school will also be another highlight of the day. This year’s event is a special celebration as it marks 150 years since the first accommodation was built on this site.

Surrounded by picturesque scenery the grounds are situated along the seaside and coastal bush backdrop, reinforcing the exclusivity and aesthetic appeal of the Erskine House experience. The rich history has a social significance in the community for remaining on the same site and maintaining elements that relate to various phases of its development over the years. The resort style property offers a range of modern apartments and heritage hotel rooms with impeccable facilities including; a day spa, croquet lawns, an indoor heated mineral pool and broadband internet to enhance every experience.

Along with hosting a community event that celebrates the historical site in Lorne, this event aims to raise funds for the Australian Childhood Foundation, a partner of The Accor Hotels Community Fund Australia, committed to building healthy families by supporting the three focus areas of youth, health & wellbeing and diversity. To raise funds for this worthwhile cause, Mantra Lorne will be holding a silent auction for two weeks leading up to the Garden Party. The auction items will be showcased in the lobby for those who are unable to be in Lorne on the day.

Entry to the Garden Party, as well as kid’s games, outdoor movies and entertainment, with food and drinks available to purchase.