IVANHOE HOUSE, AVIARY

Ivanhoe, at 46 (Lot 5) Victoria Avenue, was built in 1899-1900 by Sydney Stubbs (Mayor of Claremont, 1902 & 03, and later Lord Mayor of Perth) Ivanhoe was built by Mr Stubb's brothers Octavius, Arthur and Wilfred in early 1900's. Very much a social focus, the house had a ballroom which was used for many social functions. Mrs Stubbs an active fundraiser, held meetings there to organise events. The local choir practised there, and Mr Stubbs played bridge there weekly. The house was later purchased by pastoralist A Hawden Drake-Brockman. Daisy Corunna, grandmother of author Sally Morgan, lived and worked at Ivanhoe during this period. Ivanhoe was subsequently purchased by Rob Rowell, WA Municipal Association President and Cottesloe Councillor and grandson of Sydney Stubbs's sister. Ivanhoe was listed in the Claremont Built Environment Survey in 1991 (later adopted by Claremont Town Council as the Municipal Heritage Inventory] by architect, Ron Bodycoat. Rob Rowell, objected to its listing and applied for a demolition licence claiming this was a means of opening debate on the local heritage list. He argued that substantial alterations to both interior and exterior of the home meant it no longer had any significance. Bodycoat maintained the building was not beyond restoration and the community supported its listing as the site was an original subdivision of land given to Pensioner Guards, the house had been owned by prominent citizens and it was an integral part of the streetscape. Claremont Town Council applied unsuccessfully to the Heritage Council to have Ivanhoe placed on the state register of heritage places.