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Mansion tour captivates visitors amid uncertain future

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Kristy Rudd from the Shepparton Heritage Centre and Dhurringile Prison acting general manager Justin Spedding. Photo by Megan Fisher

The News was lucky enough to see beyond the gates and inside Dhurringile Mansion during Greater Shepparton’s Heritage Open Days event last week.

The event, which spanned two days on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, saw more than 40 places of heritage and historic significance across the region opened to bus and walking tour ticket holders, and independent visitors.

Twenty-five guests were lucky enough to get tickets to the popular tour of the mansion. Photo by Megan Fisher

Twenty-five guests quickly snatched up tickets to the Dhurringile Mansion tour before any of the others in the program were filled.

The former prison is currently being decommissioned and the site’s future remains unknown, so it’s unsurprising that a tour of the grounds was popular.

While the land and building’s current owner, the Victorian Government, earlier this month said it hoped to have a public open day in the first half of next year “subject to the progress of Dhurringile’s decommissioning”, the task might not be progressing as quickly as those in their city offices predict.

A team of around 50 staff remained on site for the decommissioning when the prison closed at the end of August this year.

Those on-site on Friday said their task at hand was huge and not likely to be complete by the end of the year as initially hinted.

Old-fashioned grandeur. Photo by Megan Fisher

“We understand locals are keen to know what the future use of the Dhurringile site will be — we’ll make sure they’re kept informed of any major developments,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.

“We’re continuing to work with community and other stakeholders to determine what this important site will become.”

In the meantime, take a pictorial journey through the immaculate mansion with images snapped by News staff at the site on Friday.

The News’ Geoff Adams also took some footage from inside the mansion on the tour.

See below.

An exercise yard outside the dungeon. Photo by Megan Fisher
Some staircases are wider and easier to navigate than others inside the mansion. Photo by Megan Fisher
Beautiful antique features can be seen every which way you look. Photo by Megan Fisher
Large rooms sport high ceilings and broad windows. Photo by Megan Fisher
No attention to details has been spared. Photo by Megan Fisher
Intricate leadlight designs have been meticulously preserved. Photo by Megan Fisher
A different perspective than many of us have seen before. Photo by Megan Fisher
A cell in the mansion’s basement. Photo by Megan Fisher
The views from up high in the mansion are spectacular. Photo by Megan Fisher
The view from the mansion’s rear yard. Photo by Bree Harding
There are several outbuildings on the property. Not all of them are historic, but the ones that are are pleasing to the eye. Photo by Bree Harding
The rural setting makes certain there are plenty of wildlife visitors. Photo by Bree Harding
They just don’t build them like they used to. Photo by Bree Harding
Ornate furniture remains in a boardroom. Photo by Megan Fisher
A well in the ground at the front of the mansion. Photo by Megan Fisher
The view from the tower. Photo by Megan Fisher
Antiquated light switches still function today. Photo by Megan Fisher
Inside the tower. Photo by Megan Fisher
If these walls could talk... Photo by Megan Fisher
Luxurious decadence. Photo by Megan Fisher
The small group split into two to enter certain areas. Photo by Megan Fisher
The feedback from bus passengers was positive. Photo by Megan Fisher
Rooms inside the mansion have been used as official offices for corrections staff for years. Photo by Megan Fisher