Isaac Hart lived in Collingwood for over thirty years, was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1870 and took an interest in the Collingwood School of Design. He was a well-known Melbourne identity as a founding member of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, a committee member of the Board of Education, a board member of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and a trustee of the Melbourne General Cemetery. In the last role he was very active in the establishment and development of the Jewish section of the cemetery.

Hart arrived in Melbourne in 1840 and soon established an importing business in Collins Street. In 1865 the family moved from Collins Street into Walmer House, originally built by Captain Hutton around 1851 and sited in Victoria Parade behind extensive gardens. The last four of the numerous Hart children were born in the house, and several married there.

At some point the original plot had been subdivided, and by the time of Hart’s death the land was reduced to 60 feet in width but retained its depth of 279 feet, running through to Mason Street. In the twentieth century the house was divided into flats, then auctioned in 1920 after which it was demolished. In 1926 the After Care Hospital for the sick poor, conducted by the Melbourne District Nursing Society, opened on the site. More recently that hospital building has been converted to residences.

Walmer House in 1920

The Argus; Leader; Jewish Herald; MMBW Detail Plan 1208; Sydney Arnold and Co archives
Obituaries Australia Hart

SLV photo by T F Chuck 1872