by Tanya Steele
Healesville historian Bryn Jones hosted an informative session on the famous Healesville Guest Houses on 27 March at the Healesville Library.
Bryn is the author of ‘Free from City Cares – the story of Healesville’s Guest Houses’ and the president of the Healesville and District Historical Society.
The talk covered the extensive history of the guest houses, known throughout the Victorian region as popular accommodation, particularly in the early 1900’s.
“It was the 1920’s that saw a great surge in what were initially known as boarding houses, superseded eventually by the more upmarket guest houses,” he said.
“The guesthouse age in Healesville began in earnest after the period of the Great War and the Spanish flu when the Western world began to let its hair down.”
The event was very well attended, with 70 people there on the day and Bryn was pleased with how it went.
Healesville was a popular destination in Melbourne that people visited from all over, particularly during the holidays.
Bryn talked about one year in particular in 1928 where around 10,000 people came to Healesville for Easter, staying in the many guest houses in the area.
“Some camped, of course, but they came by train and were dressed quite elegantly,” he said.
Some of the guest houses were grand establishments, with tennis courts, swimming pools and they would host big dances and fancy dress balls.
One accommodation was located on Mt Toolebewong and offered guests sensational views but burnt down in 1939.
Previous owners and people who had worked in them also attended the event and were invited to share their experiences at the end of the talk.
“There’ll be people here who know more about the houses than me and I’ll be glad to see you,” said Bryn.
Gary, who worked as a kitchen hand come chef at one of the houses in the ‘60s, remembers being intimidated on his first day.
He went on to work at the RACV club, but recalled his work at the house and the weddings and dances that were held there.
Gary said the guesthouse used to source fresh produce from local farmers, which were just across the road.
“The farm opposite used to get farmhands to wheel over the meat and we’d prepare it,” he said.
Bob and Betty from Bendigo were prior owners of The Healesville Gables from 1987 to 2003.
During their ownership the couple held around 550 wedding receptions at the accommodation.
The guesthouse required some renovation while the couple ran it, with Bob recalling he just about rebuilt the whole place.
“The time spent there was absolutely lovely,” he said.
Betty enjoyed the weddings during her time running the Healesville Gables so much that when she moved to Bendigo, she went on to become a wedding celebrant.
Bryn’s discussion reflected detailed research into Healesville’s history and he highlighted how it has always been a popular destination, with tourists and residents alike.
“We love Healesville and what it has to offer and that’s why we live here,” he said.
