A Newport home known as Rose’s Cottage, because of a little girl who played there, is listed for sale for the first time in 43 years.
Rose Eracleous was born next door to Rose’s Cottage in Collingwood Road, where she was raised by her Greek parents who arrived in Australia as immigrants.
Her mother, who was pronounced dead when Rose was born but was revived, was often ill in hospital. With her father busy working, Rose would venture next door to play with the couple who lived there, Mr and Mrs Williams.
The Williams’ home came to be known by locals as Rose’s Place or Rose’s Cottage.
The couple loved Rose so much that in their will they said they wanted her family to have the first option to buy their home because they had so many happy memories of her playing there. Ms Eracleous’s parents eventually did buy the house for $18,000.
Now in her 40s, Ms Eracleous has lived in Rose’s Cottage for 22 years. As a carer for her parents, she is selling up to plan for their future needs.
“It’s extremely emotional leaving my home, leaving this beautiful place that I’ve had all my life. Mr and Mrs Williams were wonderful people and it’s just a nice completion for me to know they’re not forgotten.”
Village Real Estate has listed Rose’s Cottage for auction at 10.30am on May 2, and it is expected to fetch more than $1.5million.
The original handwritten deed of the property dates back to 1885.
Located in The Grindlay’s Estate Heritage Precinct, which was mapped out by Thomas Braim in 1888, the property has land size of about 1169 square metres.
It was previously on the market in 1972 with only two previous owners.
