27 November 1996

Lady Lindsay was a journalist and writer and is probably best known for writing the classic, Picnic at Hanging Rock in 1967. Sir Daryl was the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria from 1941 to 1956 and was knighted for his services to Australian art in 1957.

The Lindsays lived at the house, which has views across Mornington Peninsula, from 1926 till 1984.

Announcing the decision to interim list Mulberry Hill and its grounds, the Chair of the Australian Heritage Commission, Ms Wendy McCarthy AO, said the listing was particularly special as Sir Daryl was the founding president of the Victorian Branch of the National Trust of Australia, and obviously cared deeply for Australia's heritage.

"The entire contents of Mulberry Hill remain in the house, reflecting over fifty years of the Lindsays' lives," Ms McCarthy said.

"Australian and overseas artists would often visit the Lindsays at their home which contains an impressive collection of artworks which were either chosen by or given to them.

When the couple bought Mulberry Hill it was a tiny 1880's cottage.

"Sir Daryl spent many hours drawing plans for what was to become the current house. Eventually, though, the well known 1920's Melbourne architect, Harold Annear, was hired to further develop the couple's ideas and to supervise construction.

"The new house incorporated the existing cottage into its design. It was unusual as the design was based on the Spanish Mission style which was popular overseas but uncommon in Australia at the time.

"The design of Mulberry Hill is not the only factor which makes it a significant part of our heritage. It is the impact that the people who lived there had in shaping Australia's collective culture&emdash;the place's social value&emdash;which makes it important," Ms McCarthy said.

Mulberry Hill is owned by the Victorian National Trust and is open to the public for guided tours on Sundays. For tour enquiries contact 059 71 4138.

The Register is Australia's national list of natural and cultural heritage places as is compiled by the Australian Heritage Commission.

Entry in the Register is a public recognition of the heritage values of a place and means that it has met criteria for national estate significance. Places in the Register are not managed by the Commission and listing does not give the Commonwealth Government any rights to acquire nor enable people to enter a national estate place which is privately owned.

Interim Listing means the public is allowed up to three months to object to the identified place being included in the Register of the National Estate.

Mulberry Hill, house and grounds will be formally Interim Listed on 17 December 1996.