Dozens of historic and iconic buildings across Corowa and Rutherglen opened their doors to visitors for the first Rutherglen & Corowa Unlocked at the weekend.
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Inspired by Open House Melbourne and hosted by Federation Council and Destination Rutherglen, the event gave the public a rare glimpse into the region’s architectural past.
It was the first time the Olive Hills Estate homestead has been open, with tours of the home and surroundings selling out on both days.
The magnificent homestead, which sits on 148 hectares, was originally built for Hugh Fraser, a Scottish baker, in 1886.
An original Scotch bakers oven still has pride of place in the kitchen.
“Hugh Fraser was a baker, and we often think maybe it was divine intervention we’ve come to this house. Ross was a baker, back to his roots,” said Kay Perry, who bought Olive Hill with her husband Ross in 1996.
The Perrys moved in with their young family in 1997, beginning a long process of repairing and restoring the grand old building.
“It’s been great,” Mrs Perry said of the Unlocked weekend.
“There’s all different sorts of people coming along, it’s been lovely.”
Those who missed the rare Olive Hills tour could catch a glimpse on the new Ned Kelly movie, based on Peter Carey’s novel True History of the Kelly Gang.
The homestead, and its dining room, was used in the film featuring Russell Crowe, Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam and Love My Way’s Claudia Karvan.
“They lit the fire place in there for the movie, I don’t know how it went. It hasn’t been lit for years,” Mrs Perry said.
“It was very full-on, there were 70 people here and seven B-Double trucks.”
Also open for the weekend was Mount Carmel Convent which overlooks Rutherglen and has just changed hands and is undergoing renovations.
Other venues participating in the Unlocked weekend were Morris Wines, The Hermitage, Mount Ophir, Rutherglen Agricultural Research Station, Rutherglen Estates Winery and Art Gallery, Clendon House, Circa 1936, Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory, Oddfellows Hall, Corowa Country Women’s Association Hall, Pfeiffer Wines and The Royal Hotel.
Many sites hosted guided tours, allowing access to areas not normally open to the public.
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