By Jamie Salter
A Berwick farmhouse tracing its roots back to 1854 is on the market for an expected $4 million to $4.4 million.
At 31 Quarry Hills Drive, the homestead is the oldest property in Berwick, covering a sprawling 1.16 acres.
The home features three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a four-car garage as well as views towards Westernport Bay.
Bonus elements to the house include an in-ground solar-heated pool, a cool store for wine and a fully automated English-style conservatory for entertaining.
The property still possesses a decommissioned WWII bunker, a fully functioning well and an original black crayon impression of the Wilson family adorning the dining room wall.
The artwork dates back to 1963 and was drawn by famous Australian artist Russell Drysdale.
Current home owners David and Diana Nutter said they hoped the new owners would be attune to the historical and heritage nature of the building.
“We’re getting on and were finding the property is a bit too big for us to manage,” they said.
“We’re disappointed to have to leave because it’s a unique property, including the Drysdale artwork embedded into the wall, the history and the ambience of the property, but it’s time for a change.”
The couple have made many upgrades to the home over the past 32 years.
“It’s paid off in making the house more liveable – it’s up to date with the 21st-century so we hope it will be lived in comfortably,” Mr Nutter said.
“We feel like custodians of the property because of its history and we’ve melded modern technology with the heritage of the old fittings.”
Mr Nutter ran the David Nutter Ford car dealership for 27 years before retiring in 2013.
He was heavily involved in the Berwick community and has been a Rotary Club member for 30 years.
With a strong fondness for the area, the pair will now be moving into an apartment in Berwick.
Peake Real Estate director Kristen Turner said they were currently accepting expressions of interest.
“We’ve had quite a few groups of local Berwick families that have come through because they do appreciate the history of Berwick, and this property is oozing history,” she said.
“This was the first home built in Berwick and if the artwork on the wall was movable, it would actually be worth more than the house,” Ms Turner said.
“Some of the most beautiful pine trees and palm trees on the property are stunning, which the original pioneers brought in from their travels.
“We’re looking for the new custodians of the property who are going to love the home.
“It’s totally incomparable to anything else in Berwick and the history around it is magnificent, with only four owners in its lifetime.”
EOI close on Friday 16 September at 5pm.
