Honouring our Foundations
Across the Cottage Homes sites, you can find markers from throughout time that help to tell our story.
Foundation stones and plaques recognise dates a site was established, honour generous donors, volunteers or visionary founders, and patrons or patronesses who ceremonially laid some of the stones.
Some dating all the way back to 1877 can also be found on original and previously owned properties throughout Adelaide.
Each plaque and inscription are a reminder of the dedication, philanthropy, and community spirit that shaped our mission to provide secure, affordable homes for older South Australians.
For example, at Findon you will find a plaque from 1971 recognising our organisation’s founding in 1872 by Charles Marryat, where an initial 28 homes were built at North Adelaide. 24 cottages at Findon were built after the sale of the North Adelaide site in 1970.
At Glenelg you will find a 1952 plaque featuring Mrs J. Alwyn Mudge. Her donation allowed three cottages to be built there in loving memory of her parents George Wright and Emily Twyford Murray, now known as ‘the Murray Homes’.
Also at Glenelg, the ‘David Mundy cottages’ are marked in commemoration of his 1926 gift of three cottages.
At Mitcham, you can find the foundation stone for ‘the Andrews’ Homes’ laid by Lady Victoria Buxton in 1896 (they were rebuilt in 1962 but the original stone remains). The seven original cottages were built there in 1896 thanks to the estate of Mrs E W Andrews. You will also find recognition of others who have generously donated homes and Roy and Roma Hooper, who were loving caretakers at the site for almost 30 years.
Prospect’s foundation stone was laid at by Patroness, Lady Tennyson in October 1900. Seven ‘Wallaroo Homes’ and a reading room were built there on land donated by Mr J M Richman of Wallaroo, who also paid for the construction of the buildings.
At Prospect you will also spot a special acknowledgement of Maj Gen G W Symes, president of the Cottage Homes from 1955-1973 and Mrs Patricia Shaw who was a volunteer Visitor there for over 20 years.
Parkside pays homage to Sir Joseph and Lady Verco whose funds provided the land and initial three cottages in 1939, and other generous people whose donations that led to the growth of the site.
On a walk through our Toorak Gardens location, you will find stones recognising several benefactors that contributed to its establishment, along with a homage to Cedric Wells, president from 1973 to 2006.
Foundation stones on some of the original cottages can also still be found in North Adelaide, with the oldest one from 1877 marking ‘The Andrews Homes’ built thanks to Margaret Andrews in memory of her mother and father.
We invite you to explore this unique collection and reflect on the legacy that continues to inspire our work today – and make sure you look out for the foundation stones and plaques next time you visit a Cottage Homes location!
