Original building
In 1949 Victor Leslie Clarke applied for a permit to build the existing house at an estimated cost of £1750. Permit number 352 was issued on 25 March 1949.
J Hattersley and Sons of 32 Williamsons Road, Blackburn were engaged as the builders. The building specifications included:
J Hattersley and Sons of 32 Williamsons Road, Blackburn were engaged as the builders. The building specifications included:
- A fibro cement lavatory size six feet x three feet ‘complete with door and seat’.
- A fifty-gallon Calidaire hot water service.
- A twelve-gallon copper and cast iron frame.
- Three power points.
- A three-light fitting in lounge, a single-light fitting in hall and front bedroom and bracket light in bathroom.
Plan from building permit file.
1989 extension
An extension completed in 1989 added fourteen square metres of space to the house. This provided child-minding facilities complying with new government regulations. The extension involved adding another activity room, enlarging the child minding area, upgrading the office and toilet facilities, and installing ducted heating and insulation. When the extension was complete approximately fifty people donated time and effort to restore order, hem curtains, clean and move equipment.
1994 Extension
In 1994 the Nunawading City Council provided funds for an extension to more than double the size of the main activities room. This created space to accommodate the growing programs at the Cottage.
Federation window
Federation window, Koonung Cottage.
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To celebrate the centenary of Australian Federation 1901- 2001, the Federal Government provided funding for a series of leadlight windows for community and neighbourhood houses in the City of Whitehorse.
The Federation window at Koonung Cottage depicts the daviesia latifolia (hop bitter-pea) and the podargus strigoides (tawny frogmouth). Both are indigenous to the Blackburn North area. |
Image sources:
- Public Record Office Victoria, VPRS 10539, P0000, Unit 153, Item 352, Building Permits. Reproduced with the permission of the City of Whitehorse, Victoria, Australia.
- Federation centenary promotional leaflet.
- PROV, VPRS 10801, P0000, Unit 2, Permit Application Books.
- PROV, VPRS 10539, P0000, Unit 153, Item 352, Building Permits.
- Minutes of Koonung Cottage Community House meetings, 29 August 1988, 24 November 1988, 8 August 1989.
- Minutes of Koonung Cottage Community House AGM, 25 July 1989.
