RECWENTLY I had the privilege of leading one of the tours of Fortuna Villa in the first open day since the new owner, Paul Banks, threw his iconic mansion open to the public after considerable restoration.
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Bendigonians and visitors to this magnificent site will be pleased to know that morning and afternoon tours will be available on July 25, 26, August 29, 30, September 26, 27, October 24, 25, November 28, 10 and December 19, 20 this year. Bookings are essential through the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) Pall Mall or online.
Also available from the VIC are DVDs on Fortuna. The famous Illuminated Letter addressed to George Lansell and signed by over 2600 Bendigo citizens is in the vast, varied and valuable collection of the Bendigo Historical Society and at present is in the keeping of the Bendigo Art Gallery.
A copy of this letter urging George Lansell to return to Bendigo to help revive its economy through gold mining may be seen at Specimen Cottage (178-80 Hargreaves Street).
One member of the Bendigo Historical Society, Dale O’Sullivan, and his son Tim, spent many days inspecting Fortuna to prior to its disposal by the Commonwealth Defence Department three years ago.
Dale and son were shown through the mansion on a set tour covering most of the interior and surroundings and he had time to look at the remaining part, an area not normally shown.
This included a reading and breakfast room. Inside this room they found what at the time seemed of little importance, a small window with an acid etched memorial commemorating the co-operation of Australia and the US during World War II through an exchange of officers.
It should be noted that the map makers of Fortuna (now DIGO) were responsible for keeping Fortuna in very good condition during their stay from 1942.
Further enquiries revealed that this long-forgotten plaque celebrated the map-makers at Fortuna that went back to World War II and to the battle plan maps for the US invasion of the Philippines at the landing on the Island of Mindanao, which enabled General McArthur to honour his promise to return and destroy the Japanese Empire forever.
This was one of the many important events in which the Fortuna Map Makers played a part and this re-discovered plaque is now an important part of Fortuna’s history. An image of the window may be seen in the online version of this article.
In July this year 400 guests will celebrate the important role Defence history played in the history of Fortuna.
Notices
Shamrock tours every Sunday at 2pm. Cost $10 includes cake and coffee. Book at Shamrock 5443 0333.
Songs of the Anzacs double CD featuring Peter Ellis and the Emu Creek Bush Band - cost $25, available from Visitor Information Centre Pall Mall and Specimen Cottage, 178 Hargreaves Street (5441 3443 Tuesday, Thursday).