The Astra was originally called the Commercial Hotel when it opened in 1886. Then, in 1891, it was rebuilt in brick and stone when a second storey and a verandah were added. In 1954, owner and American professional wrestler, Johnny Paradise, renamed the pub to the Astra.
Source: The Land.
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Built in 1890 by W.B. Chaffey, the Rio Vista (Spanish for river view) mansion is being restored to its original condition. The comprehensive restoration program has included replacing ornate timberwork on verandahs, reinstating original doorways and staircases, and returning the drawing room to its original décor with recreation Victorian wallpaper and original colour schemes.
Built in Queen Anne style, the house features original furniture and fittings such as Italian marble fireplaces and Victorian leadlight and stained glass windows.
Rio Vista was first occupied by WB Chaffey and his family in 1892. It stayed a family home until the 1950s. The house was built during the height of the Chaffeys’ success, but the Chaffey Brothers Ltd Company went into liquidation in December 1895 and the brothers suffered financial ruin, causing Rio Vista to fall into a state of disrepair.
WB Chaffey moved into Rio Vista with his second wife Heather (Hattie) Sexton Chaffey and lived here until his death in 1926. Hattie Chaffey lived in the house until her death in 1950 at which time the house was purchased by the Mildura City Council for conversion into an art gallery.
Source: Chaffey Trail.
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Erected in the late 1890s, this fountain originally stood in the gardens of the home of W. B. Chaffey - at what is now known as Rio Vista Historic House on Cureton Avenue, Mildura.
The fountain was turned off and left idle following the tragic drowning of one-year-old Edward Chaffey in May, 1897.
Mrs W. B. Chaffey gifted the fountain to the City of Mildura in 1936 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the coronation of King George V, who also died the same year.
Using funds donated by Mrs W. B. Chaffey and the citizens of Mildura, the fountain was relocated to its current Deakin Avenue site in 1938, where a shelter shed previously stood. The surrounding memorial stone seat was also erected in 1938 to complement the fountain.
In 1991 the Mildura Shire had a replica fountain forged in Bendigo, Victoria, and erected the original site in the gardens of Rio Vista where it stands today.
The King George V Memorial Fountain was re-painted in 2022 in colours believed to closely match its original scheme.
Source: Mildura Rural City Council.
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