The dwelling at 3 Tiuna Grove, Elwood is a rare example of period home which retains virtually all its original interior fittings. In particular, is the famous "Red Room" (original dining room) which still boasts of its beautiful Tudor style wooden beams and wall to ceiling wooden panelling. Many artistic endeavours and lively events have taken place in the "Red Room".
The dwelling was built c. 1912 by an officer or soldier in the Australian Imperial Forces on one lot of a three lot purchase, with a 100 year covenant. In 1922, Leslie Taylor, known as Squizzy Taylor was 'in hiding' in the backroom of Tiuna Grove after fleeing from another hideout in a house on Glenhuntly Road, Elwood. In the 1940's, the then leasee was killed in the Second World War. The dwelling became a share house in the late 1980's and in 1994, the famous Australian playwright Julia Britton (Hilda Hartt) leased the property. The back garden originally had three large and beautiful 100+ year palm trees, two of which have disappeared over time, and one that still stands today. A beautiful 100+ year gum tree originally stood in the right hard corner of the front garden but was destroyed (for no apparent reason) in 2016, by the then owners.
Julia Britton wrote 14 or more of her successful plays in the house, many of them produced worldwide. From 1994-2016, the dwelling became well-known as a creative hub under Julia Britton's tenancy. Fourteen play and screenplay readings were presented in the "Red Room" along with many, many rehearsals for stage productions of "The Death of Peter Pan", "Teleny", "Half A Person", "The Object of Desire" amongst them. In 2001, the legendary La Mama Theatre staged the open air season of "The Murderer's Barbeque" for Port Phillip residents in the back garden of Tiuna Grove. Also, during Mrs. Britton's time, four films were made at the property - the Australian feature film "The Dream Children", the short film "Come Said the Boy", the horror feature "Swallow" and a documentary produced in association with Screen Australian entitled "Fearless" - the story of Julia Britton. The documentary aired on ABC TV, cable channels and world wide networks.
In 2009, Tiuna Grove and Elwood residents battled to save the dwelling from demolition by developers attempting to remove the original 100 year covenant. Fortunately, the residents were successful. 3 Tiuna Grove has also had a long and successful association with the National Trust of Victoria's property, Rippon Lea (from 1990-2001), with Julia and others creating events and site specific productions for the estate. Mrs. Britton passed away in 2012 and her housemates Christopher Pender, Marc Opitz and Robert Chuter took over the lease and continued Mrs. Britton's legacy.
Following is a list of some of the famous, infamous and the many personalities that have lived, stayed or been associated with 3 Tuna Grove:
- Mirka Mora, artist
Squizzy Taylor, criminal
Paul Cox, filmmaker
Clifford Firth, artist
John Clarke, TV commentator
Bryan Dawe, TV commentator
Julia Britton, playwright
Jane Turner, actress and comedian - "Kath and Kim"
Barry Lowe, playwright
Heather Ellyard, artist
Anthony Breslin, artist
Maestro Richard Divall, composer
John Ruane, filmmaker
Wayne Groom, filmmaker
Manu Bennett, actor - "Spartacus"
Andrew Domink, filmmaker - "Chopper"
Sarah Roberts, actress - "Home and Away"
Kate Llewellyn - novelist
Stephen Kavalouis - Greek actor, writer and director (from Athens)
Mark Lee - actor - "Gallipoli"
John Muirhead - ABC-TV reporter
Rob George, playwright
Andrew Bishop, composer
Ronald Woodcock, violinist
Annie Fox, journalist
Sam Sejavka, playwright and musician
Kerri Simpson, jazz and blues singer
Dr. Lisa Dethridge
Kevin Stanton, lyricist and musician - "Mi-Sex"
Paul O'Brien, actor - "Home and Away"
and many, many more...
3 Tiuna Grove, Elwood is an important and essential component to the City of Port Phillip's historical and cultural identity and should be classified as Heritage property.
Originally compiled by Julia Britton, updated by Robert Chuter
ROBERTO CHUTER; Theatre & Film Director/Producer; Arts Journalist