Living in history’s embrace

It’s easy to picture life in the 1890s when stepping inside Ravenscraig, the grand home of Melissa Hoffman and Glen Thomas in Murchison.

The house transports you to an era where everyday life for some was shaped by tradition and elegance — a time when the pace of life was slower, and homes were places for refined gatherings and social events.

For the wealthy, life was one of comfort, with servants attending to household chores, preparing meals and ensuring the home ran effortlessly.

Evenings were often filled with elegant entertainment, from formal dinners to live piano performances, infusing Ravenscraig with an air of refinement and grandeur that still echoes through its historic walls.

“When you live in a new house, you put your own energy into that space, and maybe in 100 years, someone will feel that,” Melissa said.

“But in this home, you can almost sense the stories of all the people who have lived here before, and you can tell it’s a home that comes with a history because you can really feel it.”

Built in 1893 by Alexander W. McRobert, Ravenscraig is a piece of Murchison’s pioneering past, if not Victoria’s.

The home was named after the famous Ravenscraig Castle, built in 1460 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland — McRobert’s ancestral home.

McRobert married Mary Florence Currie in 1892, just before building Ravenscraig next to the Commercial Bank, where at the time, he was the bank manager.

He played many roles in the Murchison and Rushworth communities, becoming a well-respected figure.

Elected to the Waranga Shire Council in 1892, he became president in 1902 and was instrumental in securing the contract for the construction of the Waranga Basin, a major infrastructure project at the time.

Tragically, just a year later, in 1903, he died of appendicitis while on a trip to Melbourne.

He left behind his wife and three children — one who sadly passed away at just three years old, while the others lived into the late 1950s and 60s.

But while McRobert and his family are long gone, Melissa and Glen believe that not everyone has left Ravenscraig behind.

“We’ve had friends stay over who swear they’ve seen a little girl skipping across the hallway,” Melissa said.

“It’s a 130-year-old house — it’s bound to have stories we’ll never know.”

Glenn added, “The dog often stares at the same spot above the old coal fire, and there’s a plate on display that keeps getting moved. I haven’t seen anything, but I can feel something is around.”

Ghost stories aside, Ravenscraig has become a place that Melissa and Glen truly cherish.

In just four short years since purchasing the property, they can’t imagine calling anywhere else home.

Every room is well-lived-in, thoughtfully designed, and exudes a relaxed, inviting atmosphere that extends throughout both the interior and the beautifully maintained grounds.

“Every morning before I go to work, Melissa and I will have a coffee in the front room,” Glenn said.

“With so many rooms and spaces within the home, it’s hard to imagine how two people can use all of them, but we do,” Melissa said.

“The front room is probably my favourite — a place where I play my piano, and I can feel that music has been played here many times before.

“There’s something magical about that room.”

Situated on half an acre in Murchison’s main street, the home has been well cared for throughout its 130-year history and still retains many of its original features.

Aside from the hallway roof collapsing in their very first week, the couple hasn’t had to make many major changes to the interior.

However, they did transform a walk-in robe into a beautiful ensuite and have added some much-needed storage throughout.

Upon entering the home, you’re immediately greeted by high ceilings, original doors, spacious rooms, chandeliers and grand, oversized windows.

The home is a seamless blend of old and new, as if each generation of residents has left its own mark.

A modern, spacious kitchen — complete with a butler’s pantry — adds contemporary comfort while complementing the home’s rich history.

It also feels as though there’s a fireplace in almost every room — or at least, there once was.

The home even boasts a cellar, and although they can’t confirm it yet, the couple suspects there may be a water well beneath their back decking.

“We might dig it up and take a look one day, but for now, I think we’ll just leave it be,” Melissa said.

“Maybe one day, while I’m out in the garden, I’ll say, ‘It’s time,”’ she added with a laugh.

“I really enjoy my time in the garden, and if anything, I think that is where most of the work and changes have been done — outside.”

The gardens, stretching from the front all the way to the back fence, are nothing short of spectacular — welcoming and full of charm.

Established trees, a vibrant mix of plants and shrubs, and an array of homewares come together to create a space that truly comes to life, attracting an abundance of birdlife all-year-round.

The grand entry of the front yard beautifully complements the home’s heritage, and from the moment you step onto the pathway, you’re drawn in by a welcoming sense that invites you to explore this magnificent piece of history.

Yet at times, you find yourself simply wanting to sit and take in its beauty.

“There’s something really special not only about the house and land but also about the community here in Murchison,” Glenn said.

“As soon as we arrived, we joined the historical society because of the house, but there’s also the bowls club, the town planning group, and the RSL.

“It’s a place where people just pop in — it’s a lovely place to live.”

Melissa added that after spending most of their lives in Brisbane and a few years in Melbourne, they now believe their charming little home in Murchison is where they’ll spend their remaining years.

“We just love it,” Melissa said.

“I’m sure we’ll always find something that needs doing, but that’s okay.

“Life would be boring if it were too simple.

“If there’s no challenge there’s no fun. So, if something breaks, we’ll just fix it and enjoy our home in the meantime.”

Glen adding, “As long as you have a good trades person, there’s nothing that can’t be fixed.”