Millers Homestead, Boronia

Please note that due to the current pandemic and the declared State of Emergency, Miller’s Homestead is closed. No bookings for the facility will be accepted at this time.

On 30 March 2020, Council considered a report on the potential future uses of Miller’s Homestead. The report brought together your feedback, Council officer research and the results of the feasibility study.

Council agreed with the results of the community consultation, that 73% of the community preferred Miller’s Homestead to be used for proactive programming, and art and a history centre, managed by a community or not-for-profit group.

We are currently recruiting a Project Officer who will be focused on the work required for Miller’s Homestead, including undertaking the Expression of Interest to find a community or not-for-profit group, ad getting the facility ready for its new use.

The Project Officer will also set up a Community Reference Group, giving the community an opportunity to be more involved with Miller's in the future. The opportunity to apply for the Community Reference Group will be advertised via the Miller’s Homestead mailing list and Council’s website and social media channels.

If you would like to be kept up to date on the developments at Miller’s Homestead, please subscribe to receive updates about Miller's Homestead.

Building Citation for the National Trust Victoria

The stuccoed dwelling, which replaced an 1870's house, is believed to have been designed by English architect Thomas Hunter. Symmetrical in design, the dwelling is characterised by its two large bay windows with French doors instead of windows and by the encircling timber and cast iron verandah.

Construction is in brick with a corrugated iron hipped roof. (Melrose), Miller Road, The Basin, is an Italianate Boom style villa of consequence for its historical associations with the settlement of the district and especially with first Shire President James John Miller, who built the house. The house is part of the historic landscape of the district and is architecturally of note.

While a fairly typical house of its period, (Melrose) is unusual for the use of French doors instead of windows and for the mergings of the bay window roofs into the ridge, a most uncommon detail.

Statement of Significance

Stables and training facilities were established out of wilderness and scrub on the original property bounded by Miller Rd, Albert Ave and Mountain Hwy, which was just over 77 acres. Miller owned other blocks adjacent to this property including the entire shopping centre area in The Basin, well over 400 acres in total.

The building is the best example of the Victorian style boom era of the 1880's in the City of Knox, and has been restored faithfully. The garden has also been landscaped as far as possible to the original design with propagation of remnants of vegetation including a camellia walkway dating from the 1890's.

The gardens are available for hire for weddings. For further information about having your wedding at Millers Homestead please view the Miller's Homestead hire Information sheet below or contact Knox City Council Customer Service on 9298 8000.

View a map of Miller's Homestead

Address
Corner Melrose Court and Dorrigo Drive, Boronia VIC 3155.