Melba House – Dame Nellie Melba (Yellow House)

Melba House is named after Nellie Melba, the famous Australian coloratura soprano. Her real name was Helen Porter Mitchell and she was born on May 19th, 1861 in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond. She adopted her stage name from the name Melbourne.

Nellie Melba was 6 years old when she first sang in public. She made her operatic debut in 1887 in Brussels, Belgium, singing the role of Gilda in Rigoletto. She performed in Italy, Russia, Denmark and England, and made her American debut in New York City in 1893. She was made Dame Commander in the Order of the British Empire in 1918 and died on February 23rd, 1931.

Mackellar House – Dorothea Mackellar (Purple House)

Poet and fiction writer Dorothea Mackellar is the name-sake for Mackellar House. Born Isobel Marion Dorothea Mackellar in Sydney, 1885, Dorothea became known for her descriptive lyrics about her native land. Her well-known poem “My Country” was first published in the London “Spectator” in 1908, and has been part of Australian children’s education for many years.

Her books of poetry include:

• “The Closed Door” (1911), which includes “My Country”
• “The Witch-Maid” (1914)
• “Dream-Harbour” (1923).

Her works of fiction include:

• “Outlaw’s Luck” (1913)
• “The Little Blue Devil” (1912) and “Two’s Company” (1914) in collaboration with Ruth Bedford.

Note:
This historical information about Dorothea Mackellar, Nellie Melba, Elizabeth Kenny and Marjorie Jackson is based on articles from World Book.