• 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.

 

• 1905 Geelong Harbour Trust was formed and the property was included by the State Govt as an endowment.

• 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.

• 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.

• Osborne House is currently home to several community groups but in 2006 The Osborne House Precinct Master Plan was adopted by Council to create a 4 star hotel and marina. Anticipated start date 2012.