25/08/2026
I noticed these magnificent stables while visiting Kittelty's - there's your hint for location. After taking a few photos of the stables, I went around to the front and took a shot of "Ellaville" - 130 Victoria Street.
Ellaville was built in 1888 for Joseph Phillips, who commissioned the prominent Ballarat architectural firm James & Piper to design it.
Ellaville was named after Joseph and Susan's eldest daughter, Ella, and apparently, Ella participated in the laying of the foundation stone.
Joseph Phillips and his wife Susan lived at Ellaville for almost four decades.
Ellaville Timeline:
1888 – Ellaville was erected for Joseph Phillips.
1888–1907 – Joseph and Susan Phillips lived there.
1907 – Joseph Phillips died at Ellaville.
1907–1923 – Susan Phillips continued to live there.
1923 – Susan died at the house.
1924 – the property was purchased by Walter Davis, proprietor of the well-known Walter Davis store in Bridge Street, Ballarat.
c1946 -The building was sold to the Education Department to be used as a hostel for young ladies.
1990 - Developments to 128 and 130 Victoria Street were made, with new motel style units being built in between the two properties.
2026 - Currently owned by Federation University for its Fedliving Student Accommodation
More info at https://federation.edu.au/library2/search/cultural-collections2/geoffrey-blainey-research-centre/buildings-and-sites/130-victoria-street-ballarat
OBITUARY MR JOSEPH PHILLIPS.
Another of the very old identities of Ballarat, in the person of Mr Joseph Phillips, died yesterday at his residence, Ellaville, Victoria street, after a brief illness.
Mr Phillips had been at the Old Colonists’ Association on the Saturday night, and at about 11 o’clock he was met by his daughters, who accompanied him home. Shortly after his arrival there he was taken with an apoplectic seizure. Dr Salmon was summoned, but Mr Phillips lingered for only a few hours, passing away at five o'clock yesterday morning.
The deceased gentleman, who was one of the best known figures in Ballarat trade and commercial circles, was born in Lambeth, England, in 1830, being thus 77 years years of age at the time of his death.
He came to Ballarat in 1857, and started business in Main road as a potato merchant. The venture proved successful, and subsequently Mr Phillips became associated with Mr E. W. G. Chamberlain, and the present firm was founded, both gentlemen being in partnership up to a few months ago, when Mr Phillips, whose health had not for some time been robust, withdrew from the business.
The firm has been held in the highest respect for half a century in Ballarat, and was one of the best known in the produce business circles. Mr Phillips was a very charitable man, his charity being given in an unostentatious manner, and he was also closely identified with the leading public charities in the district, being on the boards of the Benevolent and Orphan Asylums and the Hospital and holding the position of treasurer of the first-named institution at his death.
He for some time figured in municipal life as a councillor of Ballarat East, and was also president of the Ballarat East Public Library, and a prominent member of the Masonic and Oddfellows fraternities. At the time “The Ballarat Star’' was in the hands of a company in the late fifties Mr Phillips was a member of the board of directors.
He leaves a widow and adult family to mourn their loss. The funeral will take place at the Old Cemetery today at 3.30 o'clock, at which time the cortege will leave the deceased’s late residence in Victoria street.
The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924) Mon 21 Oct 1907
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/211075605
OBITUARY MRS SUSAN PHILLIPS.
There passed away on Saturday evening one of Ballarat’s oldest pioneer native citizens in the person of Mrs Susan Phillips, widow of the late Joseph Phillips, of “Ellaville,” Victoria street, Ballarat East.
She was born in Ballarat in the year 1850, and had resided there ever since. She leaves a family of three sons and three daughters to mourn their loss, her husband having predeceased her 17 years ago.
Much sympathy was conveyed to the family who are held in very high esteem, by a large circle of friends. The funeral took place yesterday the remains of the deceased being laid to rest in the Old Cemetery in the presence of a large and representative gathering of citizens.
The pall bearers and other representative gentlemen being the Hons. Alex. Bell, M.L.A., and Robt. McGregor, M.L.A,, Messrs W. E. Longhurst, W. R. A. Porter, J. Jansen, Arnold Levey, A. Book, J. Bradley, C. Gordon, W. Ellis, C. T. and E. W. Little, A. Kenny (representing the Orphanage), J. Eddy (representing the Hospital),
T. Bradby (Gunn and Co.), W. A. Stark, J.P., L. Lederman (representing Benevolent Home), Wm. Haymes, N. Foord (J. T. Lawless and Co.), J.O’Shea (Heinz Bros.), E. W. G. Chamberlain (Cowley’s Foundry), E. Chamberlain (Davis and Chamberlain), C.Suffren (Tunbridge and Sons), J.O’Bern (representing John King), H.McGoldrick (Ballarat. Turf Club), C. J.King (“The Star”), C. H. Kennedy (Permewan, Wright and Co.), R.Pearlman, L. Vince, H. Pearlman, W.Gunn, G. Arbury, B. Stone, Val Purdue, Jim Farmer, A. Swan, Archie Hatrick, H. McKee, I. Berlin H. Pearlman, Joe Cohen, F. Wright, G. Burke, R. Corbet, J. Kennedy, A.G. Smith, S. Jacobs, J. Abrahams, W.Grimbalt, C. Palmer (representing Bond, George, and Co.), and others.
The coffin-bearers were — Charles Flohm, L. Vince, M. Lazarus, J.Solomon, S. Flohm, and F. Spielvogel.
Tbe Rev. Rabbi Rosenthal officiated at the house and grave. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr H. Laughlin.
The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924) Tue 10 Apr 1923
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213809369
