The house at 190 George Street was built on part of the land once occupied by the original Trinity Church which burnt down on New Year’s Day 1905.  The land was sold in 1908 and the new church built on the corner of Clarendon and Hotham Streets. 

The house was built for Elizabeth Cotton Clark in 1909. It was designed by Christopher Cowper and built by R L Phillips.  Miss Clark called her house Murnell. 

Christopher Cowper was an architect well known for the many houses he designed during the Federation era.  33 of his houses form part of the Grace Park Estate in Hawthorn. 

Elizabeth Clark was a photographic colourist and a talented amateur botanical artist.  She had lived in East Melbourne prior to building this house, at 1113 Hoddle Street.  She died in 1910.

Her probate documents reveal a puzzling aspect regarding the design of the house.  Amongst the Disbursements listed is the following:

Amount owing to Messrs JJ & EJ Clark architects of 395 Collins Street Melbourne for professional services in the preparation of drawings and specifications for the erection of house in George Street East Melbourne aforesaid and obtaining tenders and advertising. £33.3.0.

J J (John James) Clark, was the well known architect who at the age of 19 designed the Old Treasury building in Spring Street, Melbourne.  He was also Elizabeth’s brother. 

Yet further down the page is the following item:

Amount due to Mr JR Thompson [solicitor] for money paid by him to Mr CA Cowper being balance of his claim for work done as architect for deceased on house situated George Street East Melbourne aforesaid £26.8.0.

Possibly Clark did do some drawings and then decided he was too busy to see the job through.  It was only for his kid sister, and he had just got the contract for the new Melbourne Hospital. 

The house was sold on 5 July 1910 and was described in the lead-up advertisements as:-

… containing fine entrance hall 7 x 15; drawing-room 15. ft. 6 in. x 19; dining-room 16 ft. x 13; kitchen, with 1 fire stove; pantry and washhouse. Upstairs: Best bedroom 11 ft. 9 in. x 18 ft. 6 ins.; with 1 ft. recess; 2 other bedrooms, 13 ft. 6 In. x 13 ft. 3 in. and 13 ft. 6 in x 11 ft; bathroom, with heater and lavatory basin; 3 other bedrooms, back balcony. Outside: brick- coach house. All bedrooms fitted with presses. Overmantels in all main rooms. Steel ceilings throughout. …

It was afterwards reported that ‘There was a large attendance at the sale, and after keen competition, the property was knocked down for the sum of £1395.’

The purchasers were four unmarried sisters, the Misses Roche. Their mother had died in 1908 leaving an estate of £8566.15.10.  They renamed the house Rosario.  Nothing is known about the women.  The electoral rolls give their occupations all as ‘home duties’.  They were generous benefactors to the Catholic Church.  When the last of them died in 1953 she left her estate of £20,038 to the Superior of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Francis’ Church, Lonsdale Street, ‘to be used for church purposes in Victoria at the Superior’s discretion’.

The house was sold and the next purchaser was the Tramways RSL sub-branch. Members of this institution had previously met at their quarters in Clarendon Street but felt the George Street property better suited their needs. Muir and Shepherd, architects of 349 Little Collins Street, Melbourne invited tenders for alterations and renovations soon after. 

The website of the Camberwell RSL tells us that the property, ‘a charming two-story Edwardian Terrace, provided ample space. The ground floor served as a meeting place and hosted social events, while the upper floor became the residence of the Sub-Branch Manager and their family.’

The serving of alcohol beyond the 6.00 p.m closing rule that hotels had to abide by did not apply to the RSL. Members naturally enjoyed this privilege and it was a popular spot to meet after work. But after the rule was repealed in 1966 membership declined. In 1972 the Tramways RSL merged with the East Melbourne RSL which met in the nearby church hall.  Eventually it was decided to sell and the property was auctioned in December 1990, bringing in $496,000.

The house has since been returned to a residence.