Work continues to restore Wollongong's oldest house, 'Keera Vale'

Efforts to rejuvenate Wollongong's oldest house were afforded a funding boost recently.

For the past several years, the owners of the 1844 mansion named ‘Keera Vale’ have been working to restore the Georgian structure to its former glory.

Harold Cosier and Jenny Dixon bought the historic West Wollongong house in late 2012.

They soon outlined plans for a large-scale renovation project to transform the run-down building into a grand family home.

The plans included reinstating the Bukari Street mansion’s Georgian balconies, which were removed in earlier renovations, and building a separate modern extension to preserve the original building’s structural integrity.

The house, not currently heritage-listed - although council have an Environmental Protection Order on it - was built for Judge Roger Therry, attorney-general and sitting member of the NSW Legislative Council from 1841 to 1843.

The house was featured on ABC TV’s Restoration Australia in 2015, and is a regular source of curiosity for passing motorists.

“The house, sited on a crest, is prominent in the landscape, aesthetically distinctive and presents a local landmark... In spite of unsympathetic superficial alterations, the building retains its Georgian character,” the Office of Environment and Heritage website says.

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