PHOTOGRAPH: 135 HAMERSLEY ROAD, NATIONAL ESTATE SURVEY COLLECTION

The house was constructed from 1906.

Built for Joseph Duffell, later Mayor of Subiaco in 1914, designed by Hine & Selby. Bricks were from France, brought to Australia as ship's ballast. Folklore has it that the ornate tower, since it had no windows or access, contained treasure.

Research by others has concluded that it was constructed by local builders, Totterdell Brothers. By July 1905 Joseph Duffell had commenced work as the attorney and manager for Harrison San Miguel (Cork Merchants). Approximately four years later he acquired the Western Australian branch of this company and established the firm of Duffell & Sons, Wine & Spirits Merchants. Joseph Duffell served as a councillor (1906-1911) and Mayor of Subiaco (1912- 1914). He then went on to represent the Metropolitan Suburban Province in the Legislative Council from 1914 to 1926. Joseph lived at 135 Hamersley Road with his wife, Mary, and, during the early years at least, their three children - John (born 1884), Harold (born 1891) and Ruby (born 1895). During this period the house was known as “Ambeena”. He moved away from Hamersley Road at about the time of his wife’s death in January 1919, later settling in Cottesloe. The house was then occupied by Ernest Terry (a senior, and later head-brewer with the Emu Brewing Company), followed by Frederick Synnott (a wool classer). By the late 1920s the name of the house had been changed to “Canberra”, as referenced in the following newspaper article:

Mrs. Margaret Synnott gave a reception at her home, “Canberra,” 135 Hamersley-road, Subiaco, last Sunday evening to Count and Contessa Filippini and some of the principals of the company. (Contessa Filippini was conductor of the Western Australian Grand Opera Company)

The next long-term resident was William Murphy (a manufacturer), who settled here with his wife, Barbara, in 1933. The 1943 electoral roll also listed their sons, Robert Frederick Murphy (a traveller) and William Richard Murphy (a bank officer). William (snr) died in 1947 and Barbara was the only member of the family still listed at this address in 1949, after which she returned to NSW (where she had been born and married).

In 2017, the property was purchased by the current owners. At the time the slate roof (believed to be the original) was showing signs of significant wear and that replacement would soon be necessary. In 2020, the slate roof was removed and replaced by Welsh slate of similar colour. The roofing company (Carter Roofing and Slating Pty Ltd) advised that the original slate was likely sourced from one of the two major Welsh quarries operating at the start of the 20th Century. The new roofing slates used to re-roof the residence in 2020 were sourced from one of these quarries.