Page 22 - NSW Senior Scene - 2022

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Langley Hall – Bendigo

A GOLDFIELDS LANDMARK SINCE 1904

angley Estate is located in August 1906, barely 17 months later. atrocities of the First World War. by the Anglican Church. The orphanage
Bendigo’s inner suburb of White From 1919 to 1926 the mansion, In 1926 the mansion was formally was named St Luke’s Toddlers’ Home.
LHills, at the north-eastern end of no longer occupied by the Anglican named ‘Langley Hall’, in honour of After a short period in the early
the Bendigo Valley, only five minutes Bishops of Bendigo but still known as the Langley brothers who had served 1980s when the various buildings on
from Pall Mall in the centre of Bendigo. ‘Bishopscourt’ or ‘Old Bishopscourt’, as the first two Anglican Bishops of Langley Estate were unoccupied and
The early history of the estate dates was leased by the Australian Red Cross Bendigo. its future was uncertain, the property
back to 1853, not long after gold to provide respite care for returned On 8 January 1932, it was reported passed from the Anglican Diocese of
had been first ‘officially’ discovered Australian soldiers from World War I. by The Age newspaper in Melbourne Bendigo into private ownership and
on Bendigo Creek in late October was used as a restaurant and recep-
1851 and the diggers then followed tion centre.
Bendigo Creek downstream along the Since the turn of the 21st century,
Bendigo Valley to ‘the famous White Langley Estate has operated as a wed-
Hills’ of Bendigo. ding and conference venue and has
In December 1902, it was suggested also been used for bed and breakfast
that White Hills be selected as the site accommodation.
for the new ‘Bishopscourt’ mansion In December 2020, just over 116
as St Luke’s Church in White Hills had, years after its official opening in 1904,
for four decades, ‘acres of land con- Langley Estate: ‘arguably Bendigo
nected with it lying idle. and the surrounding district’s grand-
A committee was appointed by the est residential property and one of
new Anglican Diocese to be responsi- the city’s most admired historic land-
ble for the planning of and fundrais- marks’ was purchased by Thomas and
ing for the Bishop’s new residence. Simone Heywood. The Heywoods will
Funds were raised to build the man- live at the property and continue its
sion throughout 1903 and, in February operations as an accommodation,
1904, it was announced that the conference and wedding venue, but
Bishop’s Palace ‘to be erected at White also plan to host musical events and
Hills is to be a handsome structure. the like at the estate.
Formally named ‘Bishopscourt’, the From classical chamber music con-
Memorial Stone for the mansion - certs, jazz evenings, solo song recit-
still prominent today - was dedicated, Operating as the ‘Diggers’ Red Cross that the Registrar of the Bendigo als, piano recitals and choral concerts
with much ceremony in the presence Convalescent Home, Langley became Diocese had signed a contract with the to art exhibitions, open gardens and
of about 800 people, on 7 September a place of peace and rest for the Bendigo building contractors Messrs special events such as champagne, or
1904. However, Henry Langley and ANZAC troops, known as ‘diggers’, Clough and Cotton ‘for the conversion food and wine, tastings, Langley will
his large family only occupied their suffering shell shock (now called of Langley Hall into a Toddlers’ Home.’ have something for you to enjoy as an
new home from mid-March 1905 until PTSD) and other mental and physical From 1932 to 1978 Langley Estate audience member or participate in as
Henry’s tragic death aged 65 on 5 injuries they had sustained during the functioned as an orphanage managed a connoisseur!

LangLey estate – Bendigo

EXPERIENCE BENDIGO’S GRAND ‘LANGLEY MAGIC’

An iconic Australian Federation-era estate offering unforgettable experiences 90 minutes from
Melbourne Airport in Victoria’s spectacular and historic Goldfields region.

Whether you’re a guest in our Accommodation at
Langley Hall, a happy couple on your Wedding
Day, in the audience enjoying a Concert, or a
delegate at a Conference, come and experience
the grand ‘Langley magic’ for yourself.

The iconic and much-loved mansion, with a fascinating
and varied history, was designed by the ‘premier architect
of the Victorian goldfields’ and built in 1904 as the
‘Bishop’s Palace’ for Henry Langley, the first Anglican
Bishop of Bendigo, after whom it was later named in 1926.
It is a surviving masterpiece of the uniquely Australian
‘Federation’ architectural style: a style developed from the
1890s as the ‘new architecture for a new nation’ anticipated
the Federation of Australia in 1901.

The mansion boasts magnificent stained glass windows
featuring Australian flora and fauna, expansive verandahs
with decorative timber fretwork, gargoyled gables, ornate
pressed tin ceilings and exquisitely carved mantelpieces.
All those features lend grandeur and elegance to the
opulent furnishings, fine antiques and abundance of original
artwork set within generously proportioned living, dining
and resting spaces; the internal floor space alone covers
over a quarter of an acre. ssmsyd18076

484 Napier Street, White Hills, Bendigo, Vic 3550 | 0410 662 735 | simone@langleyestate.com.au