Our Story
Alfred Smallbrook Brown purchased the land, in 1892. By 1893 he erected a substantial sandstone villa and stables on the property, at first installing tenants. A. S. Brown was a prominent Warrnambool hotelier, land speculator and captain of the Warrnambool Rowing Club. He resided at Goldicott from 1898, undertaking substantial improvements in 1903. Following Brown's death in 1937, his wife Ella Louise Brown continued to reside at Goldicott until1955. From 1955 until 1983 Goldicott was owned by the Fletcher Jones company, which operated a major clothing manufacturing plant on the corner of Flaxman Street and Raglan Parade and home to the famous “FJ Gardens”. Goldicott was occupied by staff in 1964 as a 'hostel'. As a result of the sale of Fletcher Jones Pty Ltd, Goldicott was sold in the 1980s to Alan Lane and subsequently the Alan Lane Foundation, a local charitable trust in 1983. Goldicott began operating as an art gallery during the late 1980s. Goldicott was purchased in 1996 and remains a private residence.
A two-storey sandstone stable, with a traditional form and a simple gable roof, is immediately north of the house. The stable had a hay loft in the upper storey, accessed internally by narrow steps and externally through a large door. This was converted into a large window c1950. Other openings have been made in the upper storey for window spaces when it was converted for use by the Fletcher Jones Factory cook and family as a residence. A stairwell clad in weatherboards added on the east side to provide safe access to the loft space which was converted to 3 bedrooms. Recent renovations have converted the middle bedroom by dividing it into two ensuites for the remaining two bedrooms. The back bedroom overlooks the flower garden, while the front bedroom overlooks the vegetable garden. You can see the train coming and going along the elevated track and railway bridge from the front bedroom. This bridge is the location of the Warrnambool wombat, just 1 minute walk away. The Kitchen has been modernised from the 50s to bring it into the current century, gas/electric stove and dishwasher have been added. The balance of the downstairs is open living and dining areas. The back door of the stables gives access to a courtyard that has been created for the exclusive use of our guests. Goldicott stables are set in a large garden, and located a short walk from the Hopkins River and walking tracks that run along the ocean. We are offering accommodation in Warrnambool, stay somewhere different with a bit of history. |