Elizabeth Bay had been the site of a fishing village established by Governor Macquarie in c.1815 for a composite group of Cadigal people - the indigenous inhabitants of the area surrounding Sydney Harbour - under the leadership of Bungaree. Elizabeth Bay had been named in honour of Mrs Macquarie. Bungaree's group continued their nomadic life around the harbour foreshores. Sir Thomas Brisbane, Governor 1821-5, designated Elizabeth Bay as site of an asylum for the insane. A pen sketch by Edward Mason from 1822-3 shows a series of bark huts for the natives in the locality. Governor DarlinggrantedColonial SecretaryAlexander Macleay at Elizabeth Bay in 1826. Macleay's estate was developed well before the mansion. The estate was widely considered at the time as "the finest house and garden in the colony". Its shrubbery below was where Edgerley was subdivided off and developed. After Alexander's bankruptcy his son George subdivided and sold leaseholds between 1841-82. Billyard Avenue was formed to access some of the earliest allotments. The house now known as Ramona at 18 Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay was previously named Haughly and Edgerley. It stands upon land identified as Lot 1, Deposited Plan 75455. The property consists of earthen terraces which descend from a high point on Billyard Ave to an area of reclaimed foreshore land granted by the Crown in 1909. Lot 1 was formerly identified as the majority of lot 38 and part of lot 37 of the third subdivision of the Elizabeth Bay Estate put up for 99-year leasehold at auction in July 1882.
1882Subdivision of part of the Macleay Estate.
1885 Construction of house known as Haughly by David Peter Dickson.
1887Construction of seawall and foreshore reclamation
1893-96The Hon. F. B. Suttor, pastoralist and politician of note resided at Haughly
The existing garage at the southwestern corner is a greatly modified version of an earlier garage that is known to have existed in 1952, and may date back to the 1920s.
The existing single garage attached to the northern side of the house was built after 1985
1984Intention to demolish the building.
1986Interim Conservation order placed over the property.
1986Heritage Council of NSW deferred consideration of alterations and additions and requested a Conservation Plan.
1986Conservation report prepared by Helen Proudfoot and Joy Hughes.
The existing landscaping in the forecourt area was introduced in relatively recent times
Ramona is possibly the last remaining single-family dwelling in this portion of Billyard Avenue. The original setting has, to a large extent, been compromised by subsequent higher density development comprising apartment blocks and converted grand houses.
Description
;Site Edgerley stands upon land identified as Lot 1, Deposited Plan 75455. The property consists of earthen terraces which descend from a high point on Billyard Ave to an area of reclaimed foreshore land granted by the Crown in 1909. Lot 1 was formerly identified as the majority of lot 38 and part of lot 37 of the third subdivision of the Elizabeth Bay Estate put up for 99 year leasehold at auction in July 1882. Ramona is possibly the last remaining single-family dwelling in this portion of Billyard Avenue. It is a grand house with particularly fine harbour views. The original setting has, to a large extent, been compromised by subsequent higher density development comprising apartment blocks and converted grand houses. The existing landscaping in the forecourt area was introduced in relatively recent times.
Heritage listing
As at 24 April 2009, Edgerley is a significant example of a large, late Victorian residence. The interior contains fine examples of cedar joinery including a staircase, fireplace surrounds as well as leadlight windows. The gardens are significant for the rare example of mature palms and ferns. Edgerley is also significant through its association with eminent poet, Kenneth Slessor, who lived there for a period in the 1930s. Edgerley was listed on the New South Wales StateHeritage Register on 2 April 1999.
