The Story Of Zammit House

An impressive abode overlooking Macmillan Street in Ayr, Zammit House recently hit the market for the first time, changing hands and allowing former owner and granddaughter, Giselle Lennox, to reflect on its incredible history.
The parcel of land at 113-115 Macmillan Street was originally entered into the Land Registry in 1883.  
It was purchased on April 6, 1933 by PJ Mellick and his wife, Nafley, Lebanese migrants for their daughter Lyla and husband Michael as a wedding gift.
The land was in prime location and surrounded by important and significant structures including the Masonic Lodge, Anzac Memorial Park, Ayr Shire Council, Ayr Post Office and Ayr Town Clock.  
“It was to be an impressive modern brick home placed in the centre of the half acre parcel”, Giselle shared.  
“Plans were drawn and building commenced.
“It was to be the Zammit family home.”
One of the first homes in Ayr to showcase architectural styles prominent to the early days of settlement, the Zammit home was designed in a classic English colonial style.
It stood as a brick and concrete building featuring imposing columns and a large wrap around veranda, the red coloured concrete floor of the veranda a modern application for its time.  
The original red and white chequered concrete walkways still lead and invite you into the home.
The entrance to the home is through a large welcoming front door or access from the veranda through the large silky oak French doors, leading you into the formal lounge and dining room.
The house features two generous bedrooms and one extra generous master suite with a particularly modern feature for its day: a connecting door directly into the family bathroom.
The 1930’s art deco styled bathroom still has the original mosaic tiled floor and pedestal basin and the tiled built-in rectangular bathtub would have been considered a luxury back in the day.
A large private kitchen still has the original tiled hearth and chimney.  
The back door from the kitchen allowed access to a similar smaller building that served as the laundry and staff sleeping quarters.  
Original pendant lights, wide pine floors and extensive silky oak detailed joinery all contribute to the classic and stately character of the home; qualities and craftsmanship original to the home and no longer found in contemporary houses.  
Lyla and Michael moved into the home in 1934 with their children, Josephine, Michael “Mickey” and Lorraine.
Michael had migrated from Malta in 1916, had purchased a cane farm in 1920 and also became a registered Bookmaker in 1926.  
He travelled extensively to attend race meets while Lyla was the homemaker and the children attended school.
Josephine was a boarder at St Patricks College Townsville and Mickey and Lorraine went to St Francis School in Ayr.
As the only grandchildren living in Ayr, Mickey and Lorraine spent a lot of time with their grandparents and also in the stores they owned.  
PJ Mellick had also opened a store in Home Hill.
In December 1940, Mickey, aged 10, went to spend time with his grandmother who was managing the store in Home Hill.  
“Always the prankster, he would pull out the seamstresses sewing machine cords when they left to attend the front of store,” Giselle said.  
“Unfortunately, this particular day, a horrible accident resulted, and Mickey received a fatal shock.  
“The family never recovered.”
Lyla was sent to a Sydney hospital to recover and Giselle’s mother, Lorraine, was sent to St Patrick’s College in Townsville to continue her education at the age of 9.  
Her sister Josephine had already finished school and was living in Sydney.
Michael visited Lyla in Sydney and eventually she returned home before they separated in 1944 and divorced in 1946.  
Lyla was awarded the family home and furniture, property and an alimony of 32 pounds per month.
Lorraine returned to Ayr in her 20’s and later married local Italian shoemaker Luigi Lazzarin before Giselle was born in 1965.
“Lyla’s House has been a home to the Zammit, Lazzarin and Lennox families for 90 years: four generations have lived in this house,” Giselle said.
“Lyla’s house was her home until she passed in 1989.
“My Grandmother loved her home and loved sharing it with her family and friends.
“Grandma loved her garden especially her roses and orchids.  
“She hosted bridge games and enjoyed playing her pianola for guests.
“No matter what time of the day you visited, there would always be someone that had just ‘dropped in’, sitting at her kitchen table or on her front veranda waiting for their tea to be poured.
“As the only grandchild and having spent a lot of time in the house growing up, I have wonderful memories of a very happy and beloved Grandmother” Giselle said.  
As the only grandchild, it was expected that Lyla’s house would be the last home Giselle would live in.
However, Giselle has made the decision to pass the house along and leave the Burdekin to be closer to her family, including her own little Granddaughter, Lyla.
“The Zammit House, Lyla’s House, has always had a strong and special association with the Burdekin community as a local landmark”, Giselle said.  
“Even in her 90th year, she is still a majestic and historical piece of the Burdekin and I hope one that will be truly appreciated and treated with the respect her history deserves”.

Michael, Lyla, Lorraine, Mickey and Josephine in front of Zammit House circa 1936

‍