Kitchen, Chirnside Mansion (Werribee Park)

The Kitchen formed a small but important part of the large and rather grand 60-room Italianate Mansion built at Werribee Park near the Werribee River by two wealthy Squatters, the Scottish Immigrant Brothers, Thomas and Andrew Chirnside between 1874-77.

From 1877 until 1922 the Mansion stayed in Chirnside Family ownership, whereupon (after a brief ownership by Grazier from Warrnambool) it was acquired by the Catholic Church in 1923 for development as a Seminary. In 1973 the Victorian Government acquired the Property from the Church and undertook (over many years) extensive renovation and restoration works.

A Hotel and Restaraunt is also attached to the Mansion along with a Reception Area, that is popular for Functions, especially Weddings.

The Mansion (which is approximately 30 minutes drive from Melbourne) is open daily (an admission charge applies to enter) and you are more or less free to wander the large Grounds and most of the Mansion and its attendant buildings. Tours are also conducted.

I found the smaller less glamorous sections of the Mansion, (such as the Kitchen) apart from the magnificent entrance Hallway with its grand Stairs and superbly fitted and decorated Rooms, the real 'soul' if you like of the building.

It is, (on the whole) as you may imagine, a Photographers paradise.