By Cathy Jones 2025
‘Dunnottar’ 31 Homebush Road Strathfield was built in 1955.
This property is situated on the original Thomas Rose grant of 1793. The land passed to Edward Powell and by the 1880’s the land was generally owned by William Russell. In October 1888, six acres in the northern part of Russell’s land was acquired by the President and Fellows of Camden Congregational College, with the intention of building a theological college in Strathfield. An additional five perches fronting Homebush Road was added from the Frederick Meredith 1793 grant, thereby the land fronted Albert Road, Homebush Road and Beresford Road. The Congregational Church was well established in the Strathfield area in the late 19th century with many high profile members including merchant George Todman, architects Charles Slatyer and Harry Chambers Kent, and the extended members of the David Jones family (Jones, Thompson, Nott, Ross and Wilshire families). The Strathfield-Homebush Congregational Church (now Korean Uniting Church) was located opposite this land on the corner Homebush and Albert Road Strathfield. With the onset of the 1890’s economic depression, this plan became unviable and the College Trustees opted to subdivide the land and offer it for residential sale in 1898. This subdivision includes land in Albert Rd (65-103 Albert Rd), Homebush Rd (25-39 Homebush Rd) and Beresford Rd.
The grounds of ‘Huntingtower’ 33-35 Homebush Road Strathfield were subdivided in 1951 creating a new lot on which the house at 31 Homebush Rd was built.
The lot was transferred from Pan Pty Ltd to George Ikin, a builder in December 1954. While owned by Ikin, a prolific local builder in Strahfield, Ikin lodged an application to build a new dwelling consisting of 6 rooms & offices and garages at the estimated cost of ₤6000. The architects were Curtin & Cameron and the builder George Ikin.
Upon completion, the house was sold in September 1955 to William Christie, watchmaker, Peter Christie, optometrist, Mary Jane Christie, and Magdalina Christie, all of Strathfield as joint tenants. The house was named ‘Dunnotter’, when owned by the Christie’s. In 1962, the property transferred to John Horton Spurway of Strathfield, medical practioner.
In 1986 the property was transferred to new owners.
The house was originally numbered 21B Homebush Road but renumbered 31 in 1960.
