National Trust of Australia (Victoria) opens its gates to the City of Glen Eira
The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) at the end of last year announced an exciting new partnership with the City of Glen Eira to open the gardens of Rippon Lea Estate free to local residents. Glen Eira residents will be able to enjoy the beautiful heritage gardens from 10am on Monday 22 January.
Rippon Lea Estate is regarded as ‘one of Australia’s grandest suburban estates…constructed at a time when there was considerable wealth in Victoria due to the gold boom’. It is also the only National Trust property on the National Heritage List which is listed as highly significant; as one of the finest examples of an original suburban estate in Australia. (The National Heritage List is Australia’s list of natural, historic and Indigenous places of outstanding significance to the Nation).
The property is noted for its magnificent ornamental gardens which surround the house, featuring a large open lawn, extensive shrubberies, flower gardens, kitchen garden, an orchard of historically significant fruit varieties, farm paddocks and a lake. The Estate is identified as a biodiversity hotspot and a home to many rare plants and animals to the area.
Simon Ambrose CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) said “We look forward to welcoming Glen Eira locals to Rippon Lea Estate in its 150th anniversary year to celebrate and enjoy our 14 acres of magnificent gardens.”
Glen Eira Mayor Cr Tony Athanasopoulos said “It’s one of Melbourne’s true open space treasures and by partnering with the National Trust many more Glen Eira residents will get to enjoy this special place.”
Rippon Lea is open daily, 10am to 5pm excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day with events held all year round. For more information visit www.ripponleaestate.com.au.
Full media release attached below –