Mortimer’s Lodge

13/11/2024

The cottage garden is starting to flourish in spring and shows off the garden art by local master craftsman, Busters rusty balls. If any of his Facebook followers wish to book Mortimer’s Lodge, mention ‘Buster’ in your booking and receive a free bottle of wine when you stay.
Go to www.mortimerslodge.com for more information and to book online.

30/05/2024

Today, while visiting Canberra, I popped by the statue of John McEwen, 18th Prime Minister of Australia, and son of David James McEwen, a previous owner of Mortimer’s Lodge and who brought the cottage in sections to Chiltern from Melbourne by bullock train, in 1895.

30/05/2024

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit the birthplace and home of David James McEwen, in Mountnorris, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He left here in the late 1880’s, setting off for new fortunes in Australia. In Melbourne, he married Sarah (“Saidie”), also from Northern Ireland, who sadly died in 1893. Travelling with her brother John McMillen, he set off for Chiltern in 1895 to run the Pharmacy in Conness Street. He brought the cottage in sections by bullock train to where it sits today (Mortimer’s Lodge).

His home in Northern Ireland, Rosehill, still stands and is owned by the same family that bought it from the Presbyterian Church.

His father, William Henry McEwen, was the minister at that Presbyterian Church and I was lucky to see the church records, recording the baptism of David James McEwen, written in his own fathers handwriting. For some reason, his father chose to not record the date of his birth.

25/04/2024

Dawn Service this morning in Chiltern. Lest we forget.

01/03/2024

Looking forward to an early morning walk through the vines on Saturday 9th March.

Rezdy Online Booking

27/01/2024

Very honoured to be recognised by guests who’ve booked us through Booking.com

19/01/2024

We’re loving the verandah and garden at Mortimer’s Lodge right now, where the rustic garden art of Busters Rusty Balls mingles. Buster has many wonderful rusty garden items available and the ingenuity of how they are repurposed never fails to impress ! Check them out Busters rusty balls

01/01/2024

With so many of Mortimer’s Lodge previous owners having Northern Irish and Scottish ancestry, there’s only one way to see in the New Year….

31/12/2023

24/12/2023

It’s a big night for the big fella in red and we saw him over the roof at Mortimer’s Lodge. Safe landings for you Santa and Merry Christmas to you all !

20/11/2023

If you get a chance, watch Channel 7 (Prime) news tonight at 6pm as Mortimer’s Lodge and Christine Hay from Chiltern Athenaeum Museum will be promoting their fundraising on McEwen Day, and ahead of our Wine & Cheese event on Sunday 26th November from 2-4pm. Contact us for the last remaining tickets.

SUNDAY 26th NOVEMBER, 2-4pm. Wine & Cheese afternoon at Mortimers Lodge. Wine supplied by Pfeiffer Vineyard & Winery. Live, easy-listening music by 'The Bould & The Beautiful'

20/11/2023

I was on ABC Radio this morning, talking about Prime Minister John McEwen’s links with Northern Ireland, and his early life in Chiltern, if anyone is interested…… I also mentioned the fact that we are helping to raise funds for Chiltern Athenaeum Museum.

Channel 7 also just left after an hour of filming with me and Christine Hay. Will air tonight at 6pm.

This is the radio interview this morning on ABC Radio. It lasts 12 minutes. Use the link, then scroll forward to 1.08, and it finishes at 1.20. I'm listening to 'Breakfast' with the ABC listen app

Get your day off to a great start with local news, views, weather and tunes.

26/10/2023

Another date for your calendar….. on the day that commemorates when Sir John McEwen passed away, we are holding a small event to learn more about his father, David James McEwen who came to Chiltern in 1895 to run the Pharmacy. We have been tracing David’s original homeland, his birthplace, and his incredible journey of migration and settlement. Limited numbers unfortunately, and the small cover charge will include a glass of wine and proceeds go to Chiltern Athenaeum Museum

https://www.mortimerslodge.com/service-page/john-mcewen-day-cottage-guided-tour?fbclid=IwAR2yd5WrdrPW3dd4i4JWm4AvpUW7tyInh1U5ppPqFMDkyW__pGBYdpdpqMk_aem_AZRZJc543HnGuM4kxXNQZcEbQaF2M0gn5JLmXjzFw0F6UKEExDgqwRbX-G_cqjfjxms

Why not make a booking to have a guided tour of one of Chiltern’s best kept secrets : Mortimer’s Lodge. The cottage was brought to Chiltern from Melbourne by bullock train in 1895 by David James McEwen as he established himself in the town’s now historic Pharmacy. Although modernised in part a...

21/10/2023

Mortimer’s Lodge goes international…..

15/10/2023

The heritage train at Wangaratta…..

15/10/2023

A sign of summer to come. Efflorescence on the vines…..

21/09/2023

Those beautiful Spring days when the garden at Mortimer’s Lodge comes to life with colour.

28/07/2023

We care about our rich and varied local history and the diverse, unique and often nationally important artefacts entrusted to the good people at Chiltern Athenaeum Trust. But it’s at risk without proper protection against temperature and humidity. We encourage you to support this important cause, if you can….