History – Osborne House Geelong

The History of Osborne House

Built 1858 for the Squatter Robert Muirhead [died 1862] and his wife Mary [nee Adams died 1863].
Property empty – failed executors’ auction.
1865-73 - Leased by John Lang Currie as a townhouse.
1873-75 - Leased by E.J. Hogg.
1878 - Purchased by Mr Francis Maguire.
1886 Mrs Maguire sold to Andrew S Low but continued as a tenant.
1888 the property was sold to Philip Russell.
1900 Philip Russell sold Osborne House to the State Govt. for use as the Premier’s Country Retreat – never occupied.
Federation of 1901 created a push to form Australia’s own Navy and to train Naval Officers instead of being reliant on Britain & Osborne House was renovated & extended and offered by the Geelong Harbour Trust to the Federal Govt for same.
1905 Geelong Harbour Trust was formed and the property was included by the State Govt as an endowment.
1913-1915 Osborne House became Australia’s 1st Naval Training College.
1919 - WW1 - Osborne House became a Naval Convalescent Hospital.
1920-22 Osborne House became the home of Australia’s 1st SUBMARINE fleet.
1937 Osborne House was purchased by the Shire of Corio for use as their municipal offices.
In 1940 [during WW2] as their contribution to the war effort, the Corio Shire council moved into rented premises in Geelong to allow the Australian Army to use the property as a training base. They moved back in 1945.
For over 50 years Osborne House was headquarters to the Shire of Corio until amalgamation of the 9 municipal councils to form the City of Greater Geelong in 1993. It has been largely empty since.
In 2003 Council voted to retain Osborne House & Stables in community ownership for the use and benefit of the community.
In 2006 The Osborne House Precinct Master Plan was adopted by Council to create a 4 star hotel and marina. Anticipated start date was 2012. This proposal did not proceed.
In 2012 The Osborne Park Association put its Os Artz Poposal to the Geelong City Council to make Osborne Park into a Culture and Community Centre for Arts, Education and Tourism.
In 2013-15 the Geelong Council voted to retain the status quo with community groups as tenants. To be reviewed in 2015
In 2017 – Administrators appointed to replace the sacked Geelong Council locked all tenant groups out of the property on the grounds of maintenance issues and with a determination to sell the property.
2018 – Elected Councillors voted to retain Osborne House, the Stables and environs in community ownership. Consultants were appointed to create a Master Plan.
2019 – Councillors voted not to accept the Master Plan as it did not reflect the intent of the Councillor motion of 2018 and required it be re-scoped.
2020 – Council officers required to prepare a Sustainable Development Plan for Osborne House, the Stables and environs.