(A talk given by Andy Smith, National Trust Volunteer Guide at Lake View, Chiltern on January 3, 2026)
Good evening everyone,
It’s a privilege to speak with you today as we celebrate the life and legacy of Henry Handel Richardson. I come to you not as a scholar, but as a storyteller—one of the National Trust volunteer guides at Lake View House in Chiltern, where Ethel Florence Richardson spent part of her childhood.
Lake View isn’t just a charming 1870s cottage perched above Lake Anderson. It’s a place where history breathes through every room—from the drawing room’s elegant bone china to the cellar’s cool, earthen quiet. And while we don’t take visitors into the cellar—Dr Walter Richardson once described it as an “earth closet”—we do include it in the story, especially when we guide guests through the outdoor kitchen.
What drew me to Lake View wasn’t just the architecture or the antiques. It was the alignment of social and built history—the way stories live within walls and linger in gardens. Before I began guiding, I knew of Henry Handel Richardson as a literary figure. Now, I see her as a child navigating family life, absorbing the sights and sounds of Chiltern that would later shape her writing.
Her time at Lake View was brief, but formative. In Ultima Thule, we glimpse golden wattles, bluest skies, and emotional undercurrents that echo her early years. One of my favourite moments on the tour is pausing at the room originally intended as the guest’s room—later Dr Richardson’s surgery. I link the front door to the dining room, once a waiting room, and describe how patients would exit discretely through the back door to avoid the gaze of fellow townsfolk. That same dining room doubled as a schoolroom for Ethel and her sister Ada.
Guiding at Lake View has taught me the power of storytelling in preserving heritage. I’ve learned to challenge assumptions and invite curiosity. Visitors often arrive with romantic notions—like HHR sitting on the verandah with a typewriter, composing her novels while admiring Lake Anderson. We gently correct that: she was a child at the time, writing in pencil, and most of her literary work was done in the northern hemisphere. But we temper the disappointment with the fact that she was already composing fiction as a young girl.
We get all sorts of questions. “Did she have children?” “Where is she buried?” “Did Mary Richardson really take the family to Germany?” And yes—ghosts come up too. Visitors are especially curious about the dining room where Dr Richardson reportedly held séances, the Ouija board identical to HHR’s own, and the friendly French‑speaking ghost said to occupy the nursery—originally Dr Richardson’s surgery. Some visitors swear they feel something.
Over time, these stories have become part of Lake View’s rich oral tradition, shared by volunteer guides and long‑time visitors alike. The nursery, with its layered history and spiritual associations, has become a focal point for ghost‑related curiosity. Some guests claim to sense a presence or report unusual feelings in the room, while others simply enjoy the tale.
The “French‑speaking” detail appears to be anecdotal—possibly linked to the Ouija board on display, an identical model to the one HHR used, and her known interest in spiritualism. Whether the ghost’s language or temperament was ever formally recorded is unclear, but the story persists, adding charm and mystique to the visitor experience.
Regardless of whether visitors are believers or sceptics, Dr Richardson stands out as a trendsetter in Lake View’s spiritualist history. After the Richardsons left, Dr Charles Harkin occupied the house from 1905 to 1928. Though not a cleric in the formal sense, he was known locally for his spiritual practices and community leadership. He, too, held séances in the dining room and was remembered by some as a “colourful cleric,” likely due to his blend of medical, civic, and spiritual pursuits.
Dr Harkin was deeply involved in Chiltern’s civic life: he served as Shire President, Justice of the Peace, and was the first President of the Chiltern Rifle Club. His eclectic interests included wine making, golf, and spiritualism, contributing to his reputation as a memorable and unconventional figure in Lake View’s history.
One of the most touching moments I’ve had was with a visitor whose parents lived at Lake View in the 1950s. They became emotional just sitting in the spring garden. Another remembered the colourful cleric who lived there after the Richardsons moved on to Koroit. These stories remind me that heritage is a living conversation.
Mary Richardson, mother of Henry Handel Richardson, served as postmistress at the Richmond South Post Office in the inner east of Melbourne—a role that reflected both her resilience and independence following the death of her husband, Dr Walter Richardson. Her time in Richmond marked a significant chapter in the family’s life, and for me, it holds personal resonance. I lived in Swan Street, Richmond for nearly 20 years prior to moving to Albury-Wodonga, and the Richmond South Post Office was my local post office until its closure nearly 10 years ago. Walking past its familiar façade now known as The Posty bar, I now think of Mary’s quiet strength and the everyday rhythms of an industrial community she helped serve.
Young visitors to Lake View often notice what’s missing—no televisions, no taps. “Where’s the water?” they ask. We point to the hand pump outside the kitchen and the jug beside the range. “What about the toilet?” is a common question as we conclude the tour.
As for HHR herself, I’d estimate 30–50% of visitors know her name. The Getting of Wisdom is the most commonly read, followed by The Fortunes of Richard Mahoney. Some confuse her with Joan Lindsay, author of Picnic at Hanging Rock or Miles Franklin and My Brilliant Career. But most leave curious to learn more—especially about her music which we play in the house, and the letters between Dr Walter and Mary Richardson.
When I don’t know the answer, I refer them to the HHR Society website, the display in the servant’s room, or our collection of Richardson works. And I always welcome fellow volunteers to add their insights.
My own journey—from the Wimmera plains to the North East’s diverse landscape and communities —has helped me connect with visitors. I always wanted to volunteer at a National Trust property, and lockdown only strengthened that desire. Lake View drew me in. I love the role women played in the house and the stories of those who passed through, including Bonegilla residents en route to Rushworth and Millewa.
Lake View House stands as a rare intersection of literary legacy and built heritage—where the formative years of Henry Handel Richardson meet the enduring charm of 19th-century Chiltern. Its long-term preservation depends not only on bricks and mortar, but on the stories that continue to be told.
The partnership between National Trust Australia (Victoria) and the Henry Handel Richardson Society is vital to this stewardship. Together, they bring historical rigour, community engagement, and cultural insight to the task of protecting Lake View’s future. The Trust ensures the integrity of the site; the Society ensures the integrity of an important part of the Lake View story.
By working together, they honour both the physical space and the creative spirit that shaped it—ensuring that Lake View remains a living, learning, and literary landmark for generations to come.
Every time I open the house, I ask it: “What are you going to tell me today?” Because Lake View continues to guide me, just as I guide others. It’s a privilege to walk its rooms, share its stories, and watch new generations discover the richness of our social and built history.
As I close, I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks to John and Mary Ann Hancock, the Richardsons, and all those who have called Lake View home. Each left their mark—not only on the walls and gardens of that remarkable house, but on the story of Chiltern itself. Their lives, layered across time, have deepened my own interest in the intersection of social and built history. It’s a privilege to help share their legacy, and to walk in the footsteps of those who shaped this place we continue to cherish.
Presenter’s Reflection:
During my presentation to the HHR Society and the Chiltern community, I found myself unexpectedly overcome with emotion. While I cannot attribute this to any single cause, it was likely a combination of the significance of the audience, the deep personal connection I feel to Lake View’s history, and the fatigue of an unusually busy day of visitations. I offer this note for the Society’s records as an acknowledgment of the moment and the sincerity with which the presentation was delivered.