• 1858 – pastoralist Robert Muirhead built Osborne House at Osborne Park: he died 1863 & wife Mary Jane (nee Adams) died 1864

• 1864 – full possessions inventory published for sale in Geelong Advertiser. Executors’ auction of property unsuccessful.

• 1865-73 – Leased by John Lang Currie as a townhouse

• 1873-75 – Leased by E.J. Hogg

• 1878 – Sold to Francis Maguire

• 1886 – Widowed, Mrs Maguire sold to Andrew S. Low but continued as a tenant

• 1888 – Osborne Park sold to Philip Russell

• 1900 – Philip Russell sold Osborne Park to the State Govt. for use as the Victorian Governor’s Country Retreat – not occupied

• Federation 1901 – the Australian Government resolved to establish an Australian Navy and an officer training college

• 1905 – creation of the Geelong Harbour Trust – Osborne House was purchased from the State Govt to generate revenue

• Osborne House was twice offered for naval college by the Geelong Harbour Trust to the Federal Govt. and declined

• 1909 -1910 – leased to Mrs Parrington of The Oaks South Yarra to operate a high class guest house.

• 1912 – Australian Defence Department leased Osborne House, renovated and extended facilities

• 1913-1915 – Osborne House became the 1st Royal Australian Naval Training College

• 1916 – still under lease to ADD Osborne House was a WW1 Military Convalescent depot

• 1917-1919 – Red Cross established Victoria’s 1st Rest Home for WW1 convalescent nurses

• 1920-22 – Osborne House became Australia’s 1st submarine base

• 1922-29 – Defence Dept. appointed a resident caretaker

• 1929-37- Vacant

• 1937- purchased by Corio Shire for their municipal offices

• 1940-45 – WW2: the Army took possession for use as a transport training base.

 

• 1993 – Amalgamation of 6 municipal councils created the City of Greater Geelong. Osborne House was an endowment to the Geelong community. Ad hoc leases ensued

• 2003 – CoGG Council voted to retain Osborne House & Stables in community ownership

• 2006 – Council adopted The Osborne House Precinct Master Plan to create a 4 star hotel and marina. Start date 2012 – no action taken

• 2010-17- Osborne House and Stables leased/occupied by 12 community groups

• 2017– buildings closed to tenants & the public due to maintenance concerns

• 2018 – CoGG voted to retain in community ownership & produce a masterplan.

• 2020 – Council seeks partners for Osborne House restoration with an EOI Process for a Public Private Partnership

• 2021-2023 – Proponents selected, process determining validity of proposal commenced but no outcome to date