Russell's Forlorn Garden

[Mike Duffy]

Visiting a property in the Frankston area (42 Kilometres south of Melbourne) yesterday morning, I couldn't help but notice the massive Spanish Mission-style house on the adjacent property.

It had an auction board outside, with the usual real estate glowing verbage attached to it.

It transpired that the mansion was the built by a Melbourne archtect in 1921 for the the later Prime Minister of Australia, Stanley Bruce.

Bruce had the misfortune to become Australia's Prime Minister during the years of the depression, 1929-1932.

During his time as Prime Minister, Stanley Bruce had as his Principal Private Secretary (would now be referred as to chief protocol adviser), Alex Russell.

Yes, Alex Russell of Royal Melbourne (East) fame.

Russell, like Bruce, was the product of a wealthy, influential, conversative Melbourne family. Both had similar interests, the military, classical music, Roman history - and golf.

In 1928, Bruce asked Russell if he would design a new garden for his country estate at Frankston, a task that Russell carried out with his usual brilliance and precision.

From all accounts, the landscaped gardens at Pinehill in Frankston became known as one of the finest gardens in the State of Victoria.

However, it is sad to report, that looking through the gates of the property yesterday morning, one would never know that the  property had once been so renowned for its beauty.

The gardens, or what is left of them, are overgrown and full of weeds, the trees have passed their best years, the contours of the garden beds and the bluestone surrounds are now covered in kykiku. The mansion has peeling paint, the terra cotta roof tiles are covered in moss and I was told by the people that I was visiting that the inside of the mansion is almost unliveable.

The mansion has had a chequered career over the years since the Bruce family sold it in 1937. It has been an aged care facility, a day nursery and a few other things in between.

It is believed that the owners want $1,300,000 for it on auction day, and my informants suggest that another $500,00 will be needed in order to restore the property to its former glory. If that is done, I hope that Russell's original design is faithfully restored. It is believed to be one of only two gardens that Russell designed during his life.

Russell, who attended Cambride University prior the the years of the First World War, was greatly influenced by the great gardens of England, and in particular, Kew Gardens, in London.

It was understandable then, that he designed an "English Country Garden", on the grounds of the Bruce property, for a future Australian Prime Minister, who was an Anglophile of the first order.

Whilst Russell is best remembered for RM East, Paraparaumu, Lake Karinyup and Yarra Yarra, his mentor, Lord Stanley Bruce of the Cinque Ports, as he was known in later years, is best remembered by students of Australian political history as the only Prime Minister to lose his seat in an election, that being the seat of Flinders at the 1932 General Election.

It would be nice to see someone buy this historical property, which carries a National Trust Classification, and restore the mansion - and just as importantly, Russell's landscaped gardens - to something  approaching its former grandeur

[Neil Crafter]

Mike. great stuff about Russell. Can't imagine the Dr. lowering himself to become a mere garden designer, even for a Prime Minister! Good luck to whoever takes this project on of restoring the place. Nice info.
cheers
Neil

[Danny Goss]

Nice story Mike.

I read a write up on this property a few weeks ago ( in "the Age"? ). It certainly did not go into the detail you did. In fact it was giving the place a bit of a wrap....but what would you expect from a real estate agency?
Alex Russell's contribution was not mentioned either but that would not mean as much to prospective purchasers as Stanley Melbourne Bruce.
Just one correction though. Bruce was Prime Minister from February 1923 to October 1929.

[Mark_Huxford]

Mike, very interesting information.

What has become of Russell's estate Mawallok since his death?

[Mike Duffy]

Danny:

Yes, you are right. I looked up the dates, but my eye ran into the next entry whilst typing, that being Scullin.

There are, as you probably know Danny, a number of plaques in the older golf clubs of Melbourne, bearing the news of some event that Prime Minister Bruce officiated at, such as clubhouse openings, or more importantly, the official opening day of a new course.

He was, by all accounts, great friends with the (Hon.) Michael Scott, the first winner of the Australian Open in 1904, and who, quite incredibly, won the British Amateur championship in 1933 at the age of 54.

Additionally, I just found out today Danny, that the whole of the Pinehill Estate in Frankston used be owned by the Bruce family, which at a guess, must have totalled some 500 hectares (2500 acres).

Evidently the mansion had commanding views of Port Phillip Bay, from its prime position atop Pine Hill. Today sadly, there is barely a glimpse of the bay, as the double storied structures erected on the estate in the late 1960s and early 1970s have obstructed the once-panoramic views.

MARK:
I am not sure what became of the Russell property in the Western District of Victoria. I know that he bequeathed most of his possessions to one of his nieces, who was married to a Fraser, the Hamilton district graziers.

Simon Fraser was born in Canada, but became a squatter in the the Western District sometime in the 1860s, hence the term, "he belongs to the squatocracy". Russell was also a descendent of a "squatter".

Simon Fraser had a son also named Simon, who in turn had four sons, one of whom married into the Russell family sometime in the 1920s.

As a matter of interest, Malcolm Fraser, Prime Minster of Australia from 1975-1982, is the great-grandson of  Simon Fraser.

[Danny Goss]

Mike,

And just to add a little more about the Hon. Michael Scott.

He was the owner of some 114 acres just out of Warragul and at the inaugural meeting of the Warragul Golf Club on March 4 1907 he was elected the first Vice President of the Club. I think, from memory, he held the position for two years.

There is no record of him being Club Champion though!! ( the records are lost ) Although it should not have been too hard for a player like him. He returned overseas in 1910 with 2 Australian Opens, 4 Australian Amateur titles and 6 Victorian, 2 NSW and 4 Royal Melbourne victories. Not a bad haul.

[Mark_Huxford]

I found this on Alex & Jessie Russell's son Philip. Alex's father was also named Philip. What was his mothers name?


Educated at Geelong Grammar he then served six years overseas with the AIF during the Second World War before returning to manage the family property Mawallok at Beaufort in Western Victoria.

For 34 years, Philip and his wife Alethea enjoyed the challenges encountered while administering a large sheep property, both playing a major role while serving on local agricultural, state and political councils.

In the late 1970s, after selling Mawallok, the Russells moved to Kenton' 0cean Grove where Philip found that he could devote more time to his favourite hobby and interests, painting and art work.

Not only would he spend many hours at his own easel, but as chairman of the Geelong Art Gallery Foundation he was responsible for the introduction of the mammoth and successful fund raising campaign. As president of the Art Gallery he instituted a number of new principles, all of which proved beneficial to the gallery.

He was also responsible for founding the Geelong and District Branch of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society ADFAS, an international association.


Paul Daley, have you read Philip Russell's book An interesting life - People I have known? Anything about golf in there?

[Mike Duffy]

Danny,

Yes the (Hon.) Michael Scott is very much the forgotten man of Australian Golf.

The list that you have appended of his antipodean achievements would not have been bettered by anyone with the possible exception of Ivo Whitton.

The Hon. prefix to his name has always puzzled me. Was he the honourary secretary of some society, or did he carry that nomenclature around with him from possibly having served in the British Houses of Parliament?

Or did it, as someone mischieviously suggested some years ago, that he alone was the only honourable golfer of his time in a land of convict descendants, whilst his opponents were dishonourable?

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Mike, sad as this story may be--A grand palace destroyed over a peroid of time from neglect......

Just imagine how true to Russell's vision if Tom Fazio or Tom Marzloff could get ahold of it?

[Mike duffy]

Tommy,

I'm familiar with the first name and your dislike of his work, however, the second name is completely foreign to me. What is Mr Marzloff's claim to fame or infamy?

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Mike, Tom Marzloff is Dr. T. Fazio's chief brain surgeon (Senior architect if a title is needed) in charge of aquisitions and restorations.

[Tim_Weiman]

Tommy N:

Not to be picky......but it is Tom Marzolf....not Marzloff.

Anyway, for Mike Duffy's benefit, I would point out Marzolf's association with the controversial work done at Riviera.  You can certainly comment on that better than I.  But, other prominent clubs where Tom did work include Pine Valley and Winged Foot.

It is interesting to note that the PV and WF work hasn't really received much criticism or even attention.  Maybe that says something.

I'm guessing Marzolf will be involved with Oakmont as he has a good relationship with John Zimmers.  Also, I'd be surprised if he didn't play a role in the recent work done at Augusta.