Fortuna Villa and the Army Survey Corps Barracks

Figure 1: Side view of Fortuna Mansion in 2018

Fortuna Mansion, previously known as Lansell Villa, is best known for being the home of
George Lansell and the 180 mine. It is also well known for being home to the Army Survey
Corps, having a barracks built on the Booth Street side of the reef. In current times, Fortuna
Mansion is known for its availability of functions, wedding photos and high tea. Many
people have never had the chance to walk through Fortuna Mansion on a tour, since its
doors have been closed to the general public for quite some time. This however, has
changed since the current owners purchased the property. Fortuna Mansion was once a
very important location for the Cartographic Company, used for mapping during World War
2 (WWII), during the attack on various countries by the Japanese Army in late 1941 and
early 1942. Fortuna Mansion housed the Cartographic Company, later renamed the Army
Survey Corps, until late 2008.

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FORTUNA AND ITS PURPOSE

Figure 2: Fortuna Mansion in 1979

Fortuna Mansion, formally known as Lansell’s Villa, was not always a substantially large
building, composed of multiple different architectural stylings. “Fortuna was a substantial
but relatively small two storied villa when George Lansell acquired it in the late 1860’s. It
was purchased from Messrs T. Ballerstedt and Sons along with the 180 Mine for the sum of
£30,000.”i From this point, George Lansell used new methods for mining and made his
fortune. “Fortuna Villa grew with the Lansell fortune. The mansion sits astride the New
Chum Reef and its lower floor penetrates the reef thus giving three floors at the present
rear of the building and two at the front.”ii
The more money Lansell made from his
mining efforts, the further the Villa grew. “…in
his hands it grew to thirty main rooms and
seven bathrooms, with two large
conservatories and a swimming pool, not to
mention a Roman fountain.”iii In the time of
George Lansell, and even beforehand, it was
odd to see such a luscious estate built right
next to a mine. It was far more common to
see a mining cottage built near a mine rather Figure 3: Gold mining in Bendigo
than a main estate. Lovell states, “As a villa
estate, as opposed to a miner’s cottage, Fortuna is extremely unusual in Victoria for having
shared its site with a quartz mill.”iv Architecturally speaking, Fortuna was unusual as it was
built by various different architects at different times and in varying styles. “Although the
architect of the earliest development of Fortuna, during Ballerstedt’s ownership, is
unknown, a number of leading Bendigo architects worked on the mansion during its
subsequent evolution.”v These architects included William Charles Vahland and Robert

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Getzschmann, a pair of architects that were in business together from 1857, until
Getzschmann, originally born in Germany, died in 1875. Vahland, also born in Germany, is
also well known for the architectural design of his own home ‘The Vahlands’, located at 58
Barkly street and the Bendigo Advertiser offices in Bendigo.vi

Emil Mauermann was in the architecture business in Bendigo from 1887 to 1894. Emil was
born in Saxony in 1851 and arrived in Australia in 1885, residing here until his unfortunate
death in 1937. Emil is said to have been brought to Bendigo by Vahland.vii

And finally, William Beebe, born in Bendigo in 1857. Beebe succeeded Vahland after he left
the industry after his business partner, Robert Getzschmann, died. Beebe eventually
became Mayor of Bendigo in 1915-1916, before passing away a short four years later in
1920.viii

Fortuna was altered in small ways to

accommodate the Army Survey Corps
when they moved in, in 1942. The
mining process buildings were
replaced with new printing facilities
and new purpose-built structures
were added to Fortuna’s grounds.
Both temporary accommodation and
purpose-built accommodation were
added as well, however, the main
structure was kept in as original of
condition as was possible.ix
Figure 4: Believed to be the earliest known
photograph of Fortuna, taken in 1860

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GEORGE LANSELL, GOLD MINING TYCOON

Figure 6: A Miner’s Right issued to George

Lansell, 6 May 1867
Figure 5: George Lansell 1880

George Lansell was a gold mining tycoon of Bendigo

during the years of 1865 and 1906, when he passed
away. Lansell hailed from a small town named
Margate, located in Kent, England. He was born on 24
August 1823 and initially worked as a Butcher, soap
and candle manufacturer with his brothers. Lansell
originally relocated from England to South Australia,
accompanied by his brothers in 1853. “In 1854 the
three brothers walked to Bendigo and set up as
butchers and soap and candle manufacturers.”x After
this, George Lansell had many failed ventures into the Figure 7 and 8: Illuminated Address to
gold mining industry, buying stocks and shares. “When George Lansell 1887
he first started investing in mining companies, he lost
money, but he paid experts to advise him and his ventures began to prosper.”xi In 1865
Lansell purchased shares in the old Advance Co. and the Cinderella mine, marking the
beginning of the tycoon’s reign as Quartz King. “Lansell spent the rest of his life in Bendigo,
where he was a highly respected figure. He built himself a fabulous four-storey mansion in
Bendigo and lived in it until he died in 1906.”xii Lansell was a highly respected member of
the Bendigo Community due to his contributions. Many people profited from both George
Lansell’s success and shares in his mines. “One mine in which he invested was called
‘Lansell’s 180’. Within weeks of buying it, he had made a profit of €180,000 – Considerably
more than the mine had cost him to buy.”xiii Lansell’s mines also offered employment
opportunities to thousands of people, except for a seven-year period when George Lansell
returned to England. In 1887, during the seven-year period that George Lansell was living in
England, the Sandhurst fell into despondency with a down turn in fortune. Believing that
the ‘Quartz King’ was needed to revive the economy the citizens of Bendigo sent a plea to
George Lansell. “Lansell received an illuminated letter signed by 2,628 men begging him to
return.”xiv Following this, George Lansell and his new wife Edith returned to Fortuna a few
months after receiving the plea from the citizens of Bendigo. When George Lansell died it

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was a widely reported piece of news. It can even be found in the New South Wales
newspaper ‘The Gundagai Times’ with a brief but large announcement stating,

“Mr. George Lansell, the quartz king of

Bendigo (Victoria), and who was a reputed
millionaire, died yesterday, aged 83.”xv

After George Lansell’s death, the Lansell family

continued to occupy Fortuna Mansion for some
time. “The Lansell family kept Fortuna until 1934,
the year after George Lansell’s widow died. It was
sold then, at the depression price of £2,400…”xvi
Hetherington states, “The buyer of the house, a
mining company, announced its intention of
Figure 9 and 10: Illuminated Address to
preserving Fortuna, but when the company ceased
Mrs. George Lansell 20 April 1906
activities some years later the old place appeared to
be doomed.”xvii After the mining company ceased activities Fortuna Mansion was leased to
the Army Survey Corps on a monthly basis, undergoing renovations and being used as a
headquarters for mapping.

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THE ARMY SURVEY CORPS BARRACKS

Figure 11: Army Survey Corps Barracks 2018

The Army barracks that adorns the edge of Fortuna’s land was built long after George
Lansell’s death. During Japan’s wartime efforts, with the attack on Pearl Harbour and
Japanese forces landing in the Philippines and the British colonies of Hong Kong and
Northern Malaysia, it became vital that the Australian Army Corporation make decisive
decisions on the locations of their headquarters. Major Sarll inspected many properties as
potential homes for the Cartographic Company Headquarters and only as a last-minute
decision decided to visit Fortuna on his way to Mildura. Upon inspection he found that
Fortuna offered a more than adequate site for the Survey Corps to be set up. After putting
the suggestion to his superiors, it was quickly decided that Fortuna would house the Survey
Corps, as “It was imperative that the Cartographic Company moved quickly as fears about
Japan’s intention to invade Australia appeared to be confirmed by its aggressive actions in
late 1941 and early 1942.”xviii “In 1942 the Army acquired a lease of the property for
wartime mapping. Fortuna was occupied by the Land Headquarters Cartographic Company
of the Australian Survey Corps and became the site of the base map plant of the Australian
Army during the war years.”xix The renovations to make Fortuna more suitable for mapping
and living started immediately after Fortuna was named as the new Cartographic
Headquarters. To oversee this “...an advance party took up residence while alterations and
additions were carried out to adapt it to its new purpose.”xx “The move by the unit’s 150
personnel was completed by 11 June, and here it remained for the rest of the war. The unit
steadily grew in size to more than 270 all ranks during the second half of 1942 and finally to
330 by the first half of 1945.”xxi After leasing the property for many years and making quite
a few changes to the interior and exterior of Fortuna, the Army Survey Corps became a
permanent resident of the property. “In 1951 Fortuna was purchased by the
Commonwealth Government and in 1955 following a large increase in establishment the
Unit was redesignated the Army Headquarter Survey Regiment, now the Army Survey
Regiment and the largest unit of the Royal Australian Survey Corps.”xxii After the initial

6|Page
wartime period, it was undecided as to whether the Survey Corps would be moved to
another location. An audit that looked at the current locations of Army based headquarters
and smaller regiments was the cause of some confusion. Being unsure of whether the Army
Survey Corps regiment would stay at Fortuna “…had contributed to a run down of facilities
and resulted in inadequacies in accommodation, maintenance, and security at the unit.”xxiii
This continued on for a significant amount of time until another audit was ordered.
Coulthard-Clark states, “Although another review into the regiments need for new facilities
had been conducted in 1985, action to rectify deficiencies had then been delayed pending
a decision on the future of the Fortuna site.”xxiv The Army Survey Corps vacated Fortuna in
late 2008, by this time it was better known as DIGO (Defence Imagery Geospatial
Organisation).xxv

THE CURRENT FORTUNA MANSION

There have been many plans submitted to the Bendigo Council for potential changes and
uses for Fortuna Mansion. “The Villa Fortuna Action Group - currently the only party to
publicly show its hand - expects to present City of Greater Bendigo councillors with a
detailed plan for the development of an arts and cultural precinct at the site in coming
weeks”xxvi This was, of course, quite a while ago. Since then, Fortuna has been purchased by
the current owners who have begun renovations, keeping to the original architecture of
the building. Fortuna Mansion is currently available for functions; with various rooms
available depending on numbers, tours, wedding receptions and photography and high
tea.xxvii Tours throughout Fortuna Mansion take about 3 hours and include a tour of each
room as well as facts and titbits about the building and previous residents. High tea is in
high demand and requires booking months in advance. The attendees dress to impress and
are served coffee, tea, sandwiches and various other nibbles. The cost of high tea comes to
about $90 Australian dollars.xxviii

As of present, Fortuna Mansion is undergoing renovations and the land on the Booth Street
side adorns a sign stating, ‘Fortuna Villa Estate’. Future plans appear to indicate that the
Army Survey Corps barracks will be
demolished, and the land surrounding
Fortuna Mansion will be developed. Fortuna
Mansion has come a long way since the time
of the Army Survey Corps. Previously it was
kept in a liveable condition with various
alterations made to suit the needs of the
Cartographic Company’s needs. However, in
the present-day Fortuna has been restored
to its former glory, with some modern
alterations. The Army Survey Corps barracks
has been left as is and will not be renovated. Figure 12: Fortuna Villa Estates Sign
It currently stands in a delipidated state. 2018

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FORTUNA OF THE FUTURE
“Since being vacated by the Defence Department the future of the site has been the
subject of considerable debate and its future is unknown after its purchase in 2013.”xxix
However, it did not take long after Fortuna’s purchase for new plans to be drawn up and
handed into the City Council for consideration. Fortuna’s future now looks bright, as it
comes into the 21st century, with renovations already in motion.

As of May 2014, there has been a

development plan submitted to the
Bendigo Council suggesting the
development of half of Fortuna’s land
into residential area, for new houses.
The other half will be the original
buildings and most of the original
grounds, that will be restored. This
will mean that the Army Survey Corps
barracks will be demolished.xxx As of
2016 the plans for Fortuna were
approved, the set date for
Figure 13: Map of proposed Fortuna Mansion development was late 2017. The job
development plans. was given to the Tomkinson Group,
known for various other
development projects around Victoria, such as Edgewood in Woodend, the Torquay Golf
Club and apartment buildings in both Footscray and Preston, Melbourne. The development
will include 79 high end houses, overlooking the remaining part of Fortuna’s garden.xxxi

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 Figure 14: Master plan of Fortuna Villa Estates upon completion.

The Fortuna Villa estate will be worked on in 8 stages, with both stand alone and double
storey joined dwelling available. The first stage of the development is scheduled to be
completed by mid-2018.xxxii The original building of Fortuna Villa will continue to be
renovated and upon completion will hold weddings, meetings, high tea and many other
activities.

9|Page
Bibliography

Primary Sources

Army Survey Regiment, Lansell’s Fortuna (Melbourne, Victoria: Army Survey Regiment,
1988), pp. 2-15, 22-23

Bendigo Goldfields Library, Lansell’s Fortuna (Bendigo, Victoria: Unknown), p. 3-5

Bendigo Advertiser, ‘New Housing Development at Fortuna Villa Estate’, Bendigo

Advertiser, 6 April 2017, https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/4580368/own-a-
slice-of-history-at-fortuna-villa-estate/, Accessed 17 October 2018

City of Greater Bendigo Council, ‘C204 Fortuna Comprehensive Development Plan’, City of
Greater Bendigo Council [website], (2014),
https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2016-
09/Fortuna_Comprehensive_Development_Plan_May_2014_-_C204.pdf, Accessed 17
October 2018

Fortuna Villa, ‘Fortuna Villa’, Fortuna Villa {website], (2018), http://www.fortuna-

villa.com/wedding/

‘George Lansell Dead’, The Gundagai Times, 20 March 1906, page 2, in Trove [online
database], Accessed 26 September 2018

Heritage Council Victoria, Victorian Heritage Database Report: Fortuna Villa (Bendigo,
Victoria: Victorian Heritage Database)

Tomkinson Group, ‘Fortuna Villa’, Tomkinson Group [website], (2016),

https://tomkinson.com/?projects=fortuna-villa, Accessed 17 October 2018

Figure List

Figure 4: Defence Topographic Agency, ‘Believed to be the earliest known photograph of

Fortuna c. 1860’, 1860, Lovell, Allom et al, Fortuna: 30 Chum Street, Bendigo – Conservation
Management Plan (Melbourne, Victoria: Conservation Architects, 2002), p. 17, Figure 9

Figure 5: Foster & Martin, George Lansell [image], (1880)

https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/167559413?q=George+Lansell&c=picture&versionId=18262
2295, Accessed 19 September 2018

Figure 6: Lansell’s Fortuna, A Miner’s Right [image], (1867), Viewed 17 October 2018

Figure 7: Bendigo Historical Society, Illuminated Address to George Lansell [image], (1887),
Viewed 4 September 2018

Figure 8: Ibid.

Figure 9: Bendigo Historical Society, Illuminated Address to Mrs. George Lansell [image],
(1906), Viewed 4 September 2018

Figure 10: Ibid.

Figure 11: Photo taken by me, Army Survey Corps Barracks 2018

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Figure 12: Photo taken by me, Fortuna Villa Estates Sign 2018

Figure 13: City of Greater Bendigo Council, C204 Fortuna Comprehensive Development Plan
[image], (2014), Viewed 17 October 2018

Figure 14: Bendigo Advertiser, New Housing Development at Fortuna Villa Estate [image],
(2017), https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/4580368/own-a-slice-of-history-at-
fortuna-villa-estate/, Viewed 17 October 2018

Secondary Sources

Bendigo Advertiser, ‘Strategic withdrawal from Villa’, Bendigo Advertiser, 26 September

2008, https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/694109/strategic-withdrawal-from-
villa/, Accessed 17 October 2018

Butcher, Mike, Bendigo Historic Buildings (Melbourne, Victoria: National Trust of Australia,
1987), p. 82

Coulthard-Clark, D. C, Australia’s Military Map-Makers: The Royal Australian Survey Corps

1915-96 (South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press, 2000), p. 85 & 188

Coupe, Robert, Australia’s Gold Rushes Frenches Forest, NSW: New Holland Publishers,
2000), pp. 25-26

Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants, Fortuna, Bendigo: Heritage Management Plan
Final Report (Bendigo, Victoria: Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants, 2009), pp. 12-
14, 19-22, 25, 27-29

Hetherington, John, Witness to things Past: Stone, Brick, Wood and Men in Early Victoria
(Melbourne, Victoria: F. W Cheshire Pty Ltd, 1964), pp. 56-62

Lovell, Allom et al, Fortuna: 30 Chum Street, Bendigo – Conservation Management Plan
(Melbourne, Victoria: Conservation Architects, 2002), pp. 5-10, 12-18, 20-22, 24-25, 27-29

Lovejoy, Valerie, Mapmakers of Fortuna: A History of the Army Survey Regiment (Bendigo,
Australia: Latrobe University Bendigo, 2000), pp. 146-156

Lovejoy, Valerie, Mapmakers of Fortuna: A History of the Army Survey Regiment 1st ed.
(Bendigo, Victoria: Ex-Fortuna Survey Association, 2003), pp. 17-19, 22-29

Mellor, G. Suzanne, ‘Lansell, George (1823-1906)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography

[website], (1974), http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lansell-george-3992, Accessed 26
September 2018

Figure List

Figure 1: City of Greater Bendigo Council, Bendigo Heritage After Dark | City of Greater
Bendigo [image], (2018) https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Things-To-Do/Community-
Event/bendigo-heritage-after-dark, Accessed 19 September 2018

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Figure 2: AHC, Fortuna [image], (1979)
https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/13104877?q&versionId=50233890, Accessed 19 September
2018

Figure 3: Benjamin Pierce, Goldmines (Bendigo) [image], (1861)

https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/167595736?q&sort=holdings+desc&_=1537334851469&ver
sionId=182662904, Accessed 19 September 2018

i Bendigo Goldfields Library, Lansell’s Fortuna (Bendigo: Unknown), p. 3

ii Ibid.
iii John Hetherington, Witness to things Past: Stone, Brick, Wood and Men in Early

Victoria (Melbourne, Victoria: F. W Cheshire Pty Ltd, 1964), p. 58

iv Allom Lovell et al, Fortuna: 30 Chum Street, Bendigo – Conservation Management

Plan (Melbourne, Victoria: Conservation Architects, 2002), p. 9

v Allom Lovell et al, Fortuna: 30 Chum Street, Bendigo – Conservation Management

Plan (Melbourne, Victoria: Conservation Architects, 2002), p. 14

vi Ibid.
vii Allom Lovell et al, Fortuna: 30 Chum Street, Bendigo – Conservation Management

Plan (Melbourne, Victoria: Conservation Architects, 2002), p. 16

viii Ibid.
ix Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants, Fortuna, Bendigo: Heritage

Management Plan Final Report (Bendigo, Victoria: Godden Mackay Logan Heritage
Consultants, 2009), p. 13
x Suzanne G. Mellor, ‘Lansell, George (1823-1906)’, Australian Dictionary of

Biography [website], (1974), http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lansell-george-3992,

Accessed 26 September 2018
xi Robert Coupe, Australia’s Gold Rushes (Frenches Forest, NSW: New Holland

Publishers, 2000), p. 25
xii Robert Coupe, Australia’s Gold Rushes (Frenches Forest, NSW: New Holland

Publishers, 2000) p. 26
xiii Robert Coupe, Australia’s Gold Rushes (Frenches Forest, NSW: New Holland

Publishers, 2000), p. 25
xiv Bendigo Goldfields Library, Lansell’s Fortuna (Bendigo: Unknown), p. 4
xv ‘George Lansell Dead’, The Gundagai Times, 20 March 1906, page 2, in Trove

[online database], Accessed 26 September 2018

xvi John Hetherington, Witness to things Past: Stone, Brick, Wood and Men in Early

Victoria (Melbourne, Victoria: F. W Cheshire Pty Ltd, 1964), p. 57

xvii Ibid.
xviii Valerie Lovejoy, Mapmakers of Fortuna: A History of the Army Survey Regiment

1st ed. (Bendigo, Victoria: Ex-Fortuna Survey Association, 2003), p. 18

xix Bendigo Goldfields Library, Lansell’s Fortuna (Bendigo: Unknown), p. 5
xx C D. Coulthard-Clark, Australia’s Military Map-Makers: The Royal Australian

Survey Corps 1915-96 (South Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press, 2000),
p. 85
xxi Ibid.
xxii Bendigo Goldfields Library, Lansell’s Fortuna (Bendigo: Unknown), p. 5

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xxiii C D. Coulthard-Clark, Australia’s Military Map-Makers: The Royal Australian
Survey Corps 1915-96 (South Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press, 2000),
p. 188
xxiv Ibid.
xxv Bendigo Advertiser, ‘Strategic withdrawal from Villa’, Bendigo Advertiser, 26

September 2008, https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/694109/strategic-

withdrawal-from-villa/, Accessed 17 October 2018
xxvi Ibid.
xxvii Fortuna Villa, ‘Fortuna Villa’, Fortuna Villa {website], (2018),

http://www.fortuna-villa.com/wedding/
xxviii Ibid.
xxix Mike Butcher, Bendigo Historic Buildings (Melbourne, Victoria: National Trust of

Australia, 1987), p. 82
xxx City of Greater Bendigo Council, ‘C204 Fortuna Comprehensive Development

Plan’, City of Greater Bendigo Council [website], (2014),

https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2016-
09/Fortuna_Comprehensive_Development_Plan_May_2014_-_C204.pdf, Accessed
17 October 2018
xxxi Tomkinson Group, ‘Fortuna Villa’, Tomkinson Group [website], (2016),

https://tomkinson.com/?projects=fortuna-villa, Accessed 17 October 2018

xxxii Bendigo Advertiser, ‘New Housing Development at Fortuna Villa Estate, Bendigo

Advertiser, 6 April 2017,

https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/4580368/own-a-slice-of-history-at-
fortuna-villa-estate/, Accessed 17 October 2018

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