Osborne House Geelong & the Osborne Park Association Inc

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Osborne House Geelong & the Osborne Park Association Inc

Historic Osborne House & Stables are community owned, heritage listed buildings within Osborne Park For 52 years it was the headquarters for the Shire of Corio.

Built in 1858 Osborne House which sits within Osborne Park, has seen use as a home to various pastoralists , a Victorian Governor's country retreat, a Geelong Harbour Trust endowment and a guest house. Of national significance, Osborne House was established as the 1st Royal Australian Naval College 1913-1915, a repatriation hospital for returned servicemen during WW1, a Red Cross Convalescent home

for WW1 nurses 1917-1919, Australia's 1st submarine base 1920 -22, an army training base during WW2 (1940-45). Closed and left vacant following amalgamation of Geelong's municipal councils in 1993 this property is owned by the people of Geelong. Currently the property is again vacant pending finalization of a Sustainable Development Plan but from 2010 -2017 it was occupied by 15 community groups. Lease holders included the Geelong Maritime Museum, Geelong Museum Association Inc, the Osborne Park Association Inc, the Vietnam Veterans Association [Geelong Branch] and several auspiced community groups. In 2018 elected Councillors voted to retain Osborne House and environs in community ownership. It belongs to all of us.

13/04/2026

Love our heritage? Too bad! OPA, along with other interested parties submitted objections to Heritage Victoria for Barwon Water's application to demolish the Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct at Breakwater. Heritage Victoria has now issued permit P40334 for complete span demolition" with the retention of pier bases at ground level and the stair landings at either end including stabilisation works to those features; opportunistic salvage during demolition; delivery of a comprehensive heritage interpretation program." Good job we don't have the Pyramids, Pantheon or Coloseum here.

24/03/2026

Do you know the history of the historic Osborne House boat shed? It's attributed to navy cadets who were training at Australia's 1st RANC (established there in 1913) but we've found a news article concerning the attempted death of a man in the boatshed in 1910 - well before the Defence Dept took out the lease. The man survived BTW. It is more likely that former property owner Philip Russell had it built at the base of the cliffs. Philip was a prolific sportsman, bred polo ponies & had a team which played against the Chirnsides of Werribee Park Mansion & he started the Nondescrripts Cricket Club on site. Why would he not have a boat? This century old building is a survivor!

14/03/2026

The March OPA meeting is on Wednesday 18th at 2pm at the Osborne House Stables

23/02/2026

I was recently asked: What is OPA?
OPA is a not-for-profit community group which currently holds a lease on the Stables at Osborne House. We are an umbrella group of individuals & other community organisations and we have advocated for the retention of Osborne House, Stables & grounds in community ownership for the benefit & use of the community for 2 decades through succssive councils. We will continue to do so through the current development phase & in accordance with the October 2025 CoGG council resolution & associated principles. New members interested in the preservation of our history are always welcome to join us.
We meet informally on alternate Tuesdays from 10am-12 (tomorrow)
and on the 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 2pm at the Stables

11/02/2026

The next OPA meeting is Feb.18 @ 2pm at the Osborne House Stables. New members welcome!

08/01/2026

OPA's casual Tuesday gather will resume on January 20
Our formal monthly meetings resume 18 February

Send a message to learn more

31/12/2025

From Us to You:

23/12/2025

To our Followers & Supporters, Merry Christmas & thank you from OPA Members & Friends

17/12/2025

18/11/2025

OPA's November meeting is today at 2pm at the Stables of Osborne House

01/11/2025

The article in today's Geelong Adveriser in case you missed it:

28/10/2025

Council voted unanimously tonight to accept Gurner Montgomery's proposal for development of Osborne House & environs. Exciting!

Address

Osborne House 53 Swinburne Street
North Geelong, VIC
3215

Telephone

+61418324100

Website

http://www.osbornehousegeelong.org.au/

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