Governor’s Lodge Resort Hotel History
the original 50 acre grant ... Governor’s Lodge Resort Hotel stands on land that is part of an original fifty acre grant made to James Dawe, flour miller, soon after the arrival of the Pitcairners in 1856. The grant stretched from Taylors Road to Middlegate up the south-western side of Queen Elizabeth Avenue.
Charles Christian, grandson of Fletcher Christian purchased the land when James Dawe left the island. Charles left the land to Emily, one of his sixteen children. Emily married George Bailey, who came to Norfolk in the 1860’s to work in the Melanesian Mission, one of the first marriages between a Pitcairner and an ‘outsider’. They had six children. Seven acre lots were given to four of Emily’s offspring, and this particular lot was given to her eldest son Herbert.
Herbert built his home on the land in the early 1900’s, in time for the birth of his first son George in 1902. He named the homestead ‘Elouera’.
George’s son Bernie, who lives nearby in Devon House, spent much of his childhood in the family home with his grandparents Herbert and Clara (known as Sett). Bernie says of those early days, “It was a good life at Elouera, and while nobody was terribly well off, we were better off than many. My bedroom was where the main room of the restaurant is, and the original kitchen was where the bar is today. So much has changed on the inside, but the outside of the house is very much as I remember it all those years ago.”
The house remained in the family, and for many years was the home of Herbert and Clara’s son David Bailey, the island’s postmaster. When David died in 1980, the house was purchased and occupied by other family members, until the 1990’s, when it became part of Governor’s Lodge Resort.
the concept of a resort ... Mitchell Evans, a local Norfolk Islander, responded to a government policy change to seek expressions of interest in developing a new resort on Norfolk Island. Mitchell purchased two blocks, submitted his plans and later in partnership with Michael (Boo) Prentice purchased a third block. The land was amalgamated into one and the concept plans approved. As the development stage approached a building company in Brisbane purchased Mitchells interests and hence the resort construction as we know it today began in 2001.
During the construction phase it was deemed that the historic old Bailey Homestead should be restored to serve as the Bailey’s Restaurant. Whilst many internal walls were opened up and new timbers line the resulting arches wherever possible the original pit sawn timber ceilings and walls have been retained. The verandah floor is made from limestone flag stones removed from the old jail at Kingston and the exterior panelling original timbers. This magnificent old building is a must see for all visitors.
In 2005 a syndicate of local residents mounted a successful bid to purchase the property. Committed to excellence and customer service the group has invested heavily back into the business with a dedicated refurbishment programme and the construction of a large shade structure to house the alfresco Cafe. The resort has been re-established as a leading accommodation property and in November 2008 was a Gold Winner in the Norfolk Tourism 2008 Awards as the best 4 Star Deluxe Accommodation.
The mission statement simply states a pledge to
become
THE PROPERTY OF FIRST CHOICE
AFFORDABLE LUXURY ... ATTENTIVE SERVICE