Beleura House Garden

Beleura House Garden – The John Tallis Bequest …“a theatre of the past”…

“Beleura is a wonderful time capsule, a theatre of the past, yet it appears that life in the house goes on. Unlike a theatre, Beleura and its contents are real – were ever thus; the world it contains will continue if the world as we know it continues. The future will find the past preserved, and be able to understand a life, even into the 21st Century and beyond. The magic of Beleura is the depth of its provenanced collection of household things – some grand but much ephemeral, trivial, amusing…”

Beleura, an Italianate villa was erected in 1864 for James Butchard. In 1916, the auction of Beleura attracted Mr & Mrs George Tallis (later Sir George & Lady Tallis), who also purchased most of the surrounding land.

Sir George spent his retirement farming, however, he is better known as a theatrical entrepreneur who for many years was the major shareholder and Chairman of Directors of the giant entertainment company, J.C. Williamson Ltd.

His wife, formerly an actress, became a doyenne of Melbourne society and charity worker. Sir George died in 1948, when by family agreement Beleura was acquired by his youngest son, John Morton Tallis, gentleman, composer of music - John Tallis bequeathed Beleura, its contents and the Tallis Foundation, to the people of Victoria in 1996.

Beleura continues this marvellous theatrical tradition and has an exciting schedule of Events and Landmark Events, and the ever-popular, House & Garden Tours.

If you would like to see our Events Calendar, or join our mailing list, then please go to our website.

Strictly by appointment only – to visit, telephone, write, email or go to our website.