The history of Nathania

1950 - Present

 
1950's : The Guesthouse
Nathania Springs was owned by Helen Flannigan from December 1946 to December 1947. In 1947, Mavis Barry purchased the property. The main buildings were used as a guesthouse, a kiosk was built on the main street frontage and a two bedroom flat and bungalow were constructed at the rear of the property. Guest houses were very popular in the 50's and they sprang up throughout the Dandenongs. The 10 acre property was subdivided and sold off in 1952.

In May 1952, the bulk of the property was purchased by Harold Underhill and was successfully operated as a 'First Class' Guest House accommodating up to a dozen guests. Visitors during the 50's may well remember seeing peacocks wandering in the grounds, the bird and animal sanctuaries or dropping pennies in the wishing well. Pictures from this time depict the well manicured nature of the grounds and the happy groups of visitors.

The smaller subdivision, with the kiosk, was sold to Douglas Boak in 1952. This kiosk was later named the Nathania Springs Cafe. It was later a successful Hungarian restaurant - 'Bundy's Tavern' and is now known as 'The Rose Cottage Restaurant'.  

1960-1986 : The Restaurant
In late 1964, Bernard Miles and his family bought the property and built up a successful restaurant business, known then as the "Blue Peacock Restaurant" - culminating in it being listed in the top 40 eating places in Melbourne. In July 1977, John Frost purchased the property. With the help of restaurateurs, Robin Cran & Josef Moser (from Mietta's Queenscliff Hotel) they renamed it the "Waldhof", an Austrian style A-La-Carte Restaurant. They converted the buildings into an Austrian chalet featuring an extensive wine cellar and decorated with baltic pine and wrought iron.

In July 1986, the Waldhof property was purchased by John De Carteret, a builder, with ambitious plans for complete restoration. Unfortunately, the recession caused the project to be abandoned in late 1986. The property in the hands of the Mortgagees (ANZ Bank) fell into considerable disrepair and was completely vandalised when left vacant in late 1986. The gardens became overgrown and thieves uprooted any plants small enough to be taken away.  

Since 1987 : The Award Winning Function Centre
In May 1987 the neglected property was purchased by David Staughton, son of the owners of nearby Lyrebird Lodge Receptions. Major renovations of the building and gardens enabled the first Wedding Receptions to take place in February 1988. The large chapel and foyer extension was added in Winter 1990. Nathania Springs grew to be a first class function facility - three times winner of "Best Wedding Reception Centre" in Victoria.

In November 2001, Helen and JF (Jean-François) Célèrier bought Nathania Springs and they continue to operate the function centre with accolades won consistently as finalists and winners  of the Australian Bridal Industry Awards (ABIA), Restaurant and Catering Victoria Excellence Awards for the quality of the receptions generally, the ceremony and receptions services, the functions co-ordination, the wedding planning services, Disk Jockey and Master of Ceremony services. Over 2300 Brides have had a reception at Nathania Springs.

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