Glenelg Auctions

After more than seven years, Margaret McLelland is retiring as the managing director and custodian of Rupertswood Mansion – birthplace of The Ashes – and handing it back to its owners The Salesian Order Victoria to run.

During this time, Rupertswood gained an enviable reputation as a boutique bed and breakfast and reception centre.

Many of the items currently in the old mansion at 3 Macedon Street, Sunbury will be auctioned from 11am Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6 by Glenelg Auctions.

Never one to pass up a business opportunity, at age 60 the late Nancy Leeson decided to turn the family property, known as “The Poplars” in Bolwarra, into a successful tourism venture.

Born in 1911, she left Portland aged nine only to return in 1953 when her father retired and bought The Poplars that her uncle Charles Keiller and his family had lived in several years earlier.

Working the property as an orchardist, Nancy helped care for her disabled sister and ailing mother.

The estate of Karen Esposito, whose grandfather David Sterry in 1857 established the iconic Gold Mines Hotel in Bendigo, will be among 1900 lots to be auctioned from 11am Saturday April 19 and Sunday April 20 by Glenelg Auctions at 37 East Street, Daylesford.

Born in 1832 in Suffolk, England, David Sterry became a sailor and his adventurous spirit led him to seek gold in Australia.

In 1853, he arrived in Bendigo and three years later formed Luftsmann, Sterry and Company to begin quartz reefing on the rich Victoria Reef.

Following its recent successful clearing sale for Peter Brummell, Glenelg Auctions is faced with another huge auction of 1600 lots from 10.30am Sunday April 6 at 109 Learmonth Street, Portland.

The auction features a comprehensive range of Australian art including six works by leading artist Hugh Sawrey, Cathleen Edkins’ Still Life – Her Garden, and paintings by Joseph Frost, Ray Crooke, Ernest Buckmaster, Tom Offord, John Eldershaw, Norman Lindsay, Basil Hadley, Follen Bishop and Taylor Ghee.