Less than 24 hours before it’s scheduled auction, a modest brick home in its original state in Sydney’s west which was once owned by former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, has been sold and is now set to be restored to its former glory.
Late today the Whitlam Heritage Home Ltd paid $1.15 million to secure the modest home at 32 Albert St, Cabramatta.
Former NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth and NSW Labor President Mark Lennon arrived at Ray White Canterbury determined to do a deal with Principal Manuel Roussakis and his vendor.
The marathon negotiations lasted three and a half hours.
“During the campaign I had 97 interested buyers through and it came down to these two parties. So many people wanted to restore the house. I had the Labor elders in my office and the other interested party, a private couple, on the phone. I held live negotiations between the two parties and we finally secured a deal at 4pm,” Mr Roussakis said.
The price guide on the deceased estate was $720,000-750,000.
The ALP elders have said they will restore the house to its former glory and build a museum.
The original four-bedroom home at 32 Albert St, Cabramatta was owned by the Whitlams from 1956 until 1978.
One of the giants of Australian politics, Mr Whitlam’s most memorable moment by far was being dismissed as Prime Minister by the Queen’s representative in Australia, Sir John Kerr, on November 11, 1975.
“This home was a true slice of Australian history and it’s the first time it’s been offered to the market in more than 30 years," the agent said.
