By CASEY NEILL
DEIRDRE Hancock’s grandmother opened the Albion Hotel in Dandenong almost 125 years ago.
Today it stands as one of few 19th century commercial premises in Lonsdale Street.
Ms Hancock told the Journal that a Mr Bergin brought drays out to Springvale thinking it would be a good coach stop.
“He named Springvale after where they came from in Ireland,” she said.
Mr Bergin’s daughter Agnes married Peter James McQuade – Ms Hancock’s grandparents.
She said Peter was a councillor in the early days and Agnes was very generous.
“She was very big on the charity,” she said.
Agnes built the Albion in 1987.
“It cost 6000 pounds – now that’s a lot of money in those days,” Ms Hancock said.
“It was accommodation only. It wasn’t a beer house as such.
“The stables were at the back where the tin shed was, opposite the Journal office.”
Ms Hancock inherited the property from her father, Martin.
“We sold the tin shed showrooms, as I like to joke about, because the fellow who was in there wasn’t paying rent,” she said.
“That’s why that was pulled out. There was a blacksmith’s shop there, in the tin shed showroom.
“The coaches would come through for the horses.”
She said the internal layout had changed – “the stairway and everything” – but the facade was still the same and is subject to heritage protections.
In October last year, the Journal reported that the historic hotel was expanding.
City of Greater Dandenong councillors approved plans for the venue to incorporate a vacant retail premises next door.
Councillor Peter Brown told his fellow councillors that it was a wonderful venue.
“If they don’t keep the beautiful open fire and pressed metal ceiling in the dining room can we cancel the permit?” he joked.
“It really is one of Dandenong’s hidden gems. In winter it’s just absolutely delightful.”
Ms Hancock hasn’t spent much time there over the years.
“I don’t like hotels,” she said.
“We don’t have any children so when I go it will go to charity.”
Ms Hancock still calls Macpherson Street, Dandenong, home but doesn’t spend much time in the suburb.
“Any decent buildings in Dandenong have been pulled out in the main street,” she said.
“There’s no history or any thought about it.
“I think the council should be ashamed of themselves, building the council offices with all the colours and rubbish that they’ve put up in the new building.
“No taste whatsoever!”
She’s pleased to see the old town hall still standing as the Drum Theatre.
“But why put a red roof on a beautiful building?” she said.
“If they wanted to do the hall, keep it in the same colour as the facade.”
