By Alesha Capone
A heritage-listed property in Werribee has been sold for $1.6 million.
Hocking Stuart Werribee director Eric Bartz said 56-58 Wattle Avenue sold at a mortgagee auction at the weekend.
The property, a former dairy, features a three-bedroom weatherboard house, shed, barn and tennis court on 6215 square metres.
Mr Bartz said the $1.6 million sale was “a very good price”.
“We did have a lot of interest from local residents, local buyers and there were a lot of investors looking at the property,” he said.
Mr Bartz said the buyer, a Werribee resident who wishes to remain anonymous, had not outlined his future plans for the site.
“It’s an iconic house and it’s heritage-listed, so council approval is needed in regards to what can happen with the house,” Mr Bartz said.
The house was formerly home to a prominent member of the Werribee community and World War I hero, Lieutenant Gerald Thompson, and his family.
Mr Thompson enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Werribee in July 1915, and was appointed as a sapper to the 11th Reinforcements for the 2nd Field Company Engineers. He was later appointed to 12th Field Coy Engineers.
Mr Thompson served in Egypt and France, and was wounded several times while carrying out his military duties. Mr Thompson’s right foot was amputated as a result of injuries received when he and other infantrymen were hit by a shell in April 1918.
In May 1918, Mr Thompson was awarded the Military Cross “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty”. After the war, he and his brother Leo were both presented with gold medals from the Shire of Werribee, at a ceremony held in the Werribee Mechanics Institute.
By the end of 1919, Mr Thompson had become the acting shire secretary for the Shire of Werribee.
