In 1836 pioneer Victorian settler, Dr Alexander Thomson, former medical officer with the Port Phillip Association, took up land at Geelong on the Barwon River.

Kardinia, the two storey brick and stone house which now stands on this first site, was constructed in various stages with the stone house replacing the original timer structure between 1850 and 1855.  The extensive additions were made prior to 1869 with the verandah dating from the later 1880’s.  Kardinia stands on one of the first settled and most historic hestead sites in the Geelong region, that of the legendary pioneer colonist, politician, churchman and patriarch, Dr Alexander Thomson.

Matrons at the Home:

– Matron Smith

– Matron Boxford

Information Courtesy of Heritage Victoria.