‘My earliest memories were the many stayover visits from my elder siblings and their ever-expanding families,’ says Mary Dussin of her childhood home Valli, now an impeccably renovated Myrtleford accommodation offering. ‘Home was always centred around Mum (Adele) and Dad – it was like Grand Central Station. And how could I forget Mum’s endless supply of homemade pasta that filled many rooms in the house as it was laid out to dry. There were many card nights, always punctuated with discussion about the tobacco crop, the common denominator in everyone’s life. I loved being a part of the spontaneous sing-offs that would end an evening. That was our Italian immigrant lifestyle, Myrtleford’s past.’
Stepping into the home today, the feeling is that of a comforting safe haven. Functional mod-cons and subtle renovations gracefully place the home firmly in the 21st century, but many of its beautiful period features remain. The house, built in the ’50s by local builder Tom McGeehan, is a surprising treasure chest of Art Deco features including stepped cornices, eye-catching Statue of Liberty-inspired ‘flame’ lampshades and wall sconces, ivory-toned bakelite door handles and delightful timberwork throughout, all in immaculate condition. It’s a beautifully preserved and maintained property that perhaps owes its collection of deco adornments to Tom’s family, who owned a hardware store in town.
Valli, on the outskirts of town and just a couple of hundred metres from the banks of the Ovens River, offers glorious rural views, ample family space and direct access to the hiking and bike trails along the river, via the adjacent Apex Park. The park marks the beginning of the Myrtleford Ovens River loop trail that follows the river downstream beside the Merriang Road produce farms and on toward Rotary Park north of the town’s centre. It’s a peaceful journey whether you cycle or do it by foot. Along the way, you can visit the river’s edge, and dip your toes in the sparkling shallow summer waters, enjoying the smoothly sensual delight of the golden river rocks underfoot.
Back home, Valli contains all the family and/or small group amenities you’d expect, and more. The kitchen is large enough to feed a tribe and features a six-seater (eight at a squeeze) natural timber dining setting and windows furnished with decorative plantation shutters. This open-plan space includes new appliances – large refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, sandwich press, kettle – and all the pots ‘n’ pans, crockery, cutlery and wine glasses you’d expect to find in an Italian chef’s homestead. There’s even a Nespresso Pod coffee machine with a range of pod blends available and a handy booklet explaining the roasts. A reverse-cycle split-system air conditioner serves the fully equipped kitchen and adjoining lounge space extremely well. While the rest of the house enjoys a trickle of this heating/cooling, it is protected also by underfloor and ceiling insulation. Extra seasonal comfort is provided by wall panel heaters and pedestal fans (though guests will find most summer evenings deliver cooling breezes flowing from the nearby cliff-tops of Mount Buffalo).
In the lounge, three- and two-seater leather lounges face a small fireplace with a huge LCD TV hanging above. A selection of Foxtel channels is provided and WiFi internet is available throughout the house. There’s a second TV room cum kids’ hang-out with free-to-air TV via a second LCD TV with in-built DVD player and funky beanbags, loads of cushions and wicker-style woven side tables for drinks and snacks (or extra seating). The large garden and entertaining area feature a three-burner BBQ plus wok. A complimentary hamper of sparkling prosecco, chocolates and Pasta Adele gourmet pasta and sauce is provided. Valli sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms – a king and two queens; all linen is supplied and there are laundry facilties. Toiletries are not supplied. There is secure garaged parking for two cars.
Valli Accommodation Myrtleford
16 Standish Street, Myrtleford
Bookings can be made directly with Mary, tel 0447 506 203, or email vallimyrtle@gmail.com
or via Paul & Scollard (local real estate agents), tel 03 5752 2232 or online at stayz.com.au
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