RIO VISTA HOUSE & ABBA

I wanted to do this blog about the Chaffey Brothers of Mildura as they established the first irrigation scheme in Australia. 

I’ll go back a bit though…….as for me……it  started with Abba who performed at the Arts Centre.
My sister in law surprised me with a ticket to see Bjorn Again…….which I have also learnt that my Aunt Bett loves to bits…..NOTTTTT🤣🤣🤣🤣 gotcha!!❤️❤️


We were suppose to go there together, but unfortunately she was in hospital and couldn’t make it. 
It was held in the Arts Centre, where I had never been before.

The Arts Centre is situated in beautiful grounds along with Rio Vista House. 
All the years I had lived here, and had never visited either place!

So I decided it would be on my list of “must visits”


RIO VISTA…THE STORY….

George Chaffey and his brother William arrived in Mildura in 1886, where they established the first irrigation scheme in Australia, following great success with irrigation in California
The brothers, originally from Canada, had been approached by Victorian Premier Alfred Deakin, who was under pressure to open up more land for farming and settlement.

Following the success of early irrigation development work, in Canada,  William began construction of Rio Vista in 1889.
The Spanish style name Rio Vista, meaning River View was influenced from the Queen Anne style house.

In 1889, Williams wife Hattie tragically died of pneumonia shortly after the birth of their sixth child. The baby died soon after and was buried with his mother, close to the homestead.

Whilst William continued on his many business trips to California, the rest of the family moved into the then completed Rio Vista, with William’s mother and sister who were left in charge of the children. 
 
On Williams last trip to America, he married his first wife’s niece,
also named Hattie…. and brought her back to live at Rio Vista. Six more children were born to William and his second wife.

Although the Mildura scheme was a remarkable achievement, the Chaffey brothers encountered financial difficulties and never realised the dream of prosperity that Rio Vista symbolised. 

George Chaffey returned to America in 1897. William died in 1926, and Hattie remained living in the house for twenty four years until her death in 1950.

Previously in 1944 a valuable art collection was bequeathed to the Mildura City Council, with condition that a suitable place be found to house the collection.

In 1950, Rio Vista was purchased for 18,000 pound and converted
Into an Art Gallery.

Several rooms in Rio Vista were converted for display purposes and many of the ordinal surfaces were painted over. Conversion into the Mildura Art Gallery saved the house from probable demolition and subdivision of the surrounding grounds.

Rio Vista is one of Mildura’s most important heritage buildings, and maintains a commanding presence in the Mildura Arts and Cultural Precinct.

Ongoing conservation and restoration works continue preservation of the facility for future generations, strengthening the story of its heritage and history within the cultural landscape.”


****** I will end the history here as i have quite a few photos to show….
But I just loved the place….for me, whenever I visit these homes, I walk in them and lose myself in their history. Ed and I were the only ones in there, and it was so quiet it enveloped you, being so large. 
The original tiles on the floors clicked and echoed down the halls……it truely was like stepping back in time.
(Can you tell i loved it?❤️❤️)




Take care ❤️❤️❤️



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