Swans icon’s family farewells Melbourne home after 115 years

Football player Paddy Scanlan is among the past residents of 91 Harold St, Middle Park.

A football legend’s family has sold their Middle Park house after 115 years of ownership.

Built in 1910, the abode at 91 Harold St has been home to three generations including Paddy Scanlan who played for South Melbourne in the VFL (which became the AFL in 1990).

Among the property’s earliest residents was Lieutenant George Leslie Makin, known as Les, who was one of six siblings.

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In 1914, Les joined the Australian Imperial Force at the age of 20.

He landed in Gallipoli with the Fifth Battalion during World War I on 25 April, 1915.

Les later served on the Western Front but was fatally injured in battle in 1918.

Five years later, his younger sister Rubina ‘Rube’ Makin married Paddy Scanlan.

A WWII veteran himself, Paddy captained South Melbourne from 1923 to 1925.

He played 100 games with the club before moving to Footscray (now the Western Bulldogs) as a captain-coach.

Paddy Scanlan playing football, circa-1925. Picture: Supplied.

The vintage-style kitchen with a modern gas cooktop and oven.

One of the house’s earliest residents, George Leslie ‘Les’ Makin in France, 1916. Les served in World War II and died after being injured during battle. Picture: Supplied.

The house has a large backyard with a shed.

Paddy later coached South Melbourne’s seniors for two seasons and North Melbourne in the 1930s.

His brother Joe also played for South Melbourne and captained the team in 1928, 1930 and 1931.

In the 1980s, South Melbourne relocated to NSW and was renamed the Sydney Swans.

Both Paddy and Joe were named in the club’s 2003 Team of the Century.

Paddy and Rube had six children, including daughter Kathleen, aka Kat.

A passionate Swans supporter, Kat, who is now aged in her nineties, listed the house for sale.

The Scanlan siblings Josie, Kath, Ray, Pat and Bet on Middle Park beach in the 1930s. Picture: Supplied.

The house is something of a time capsule thanks to its high ceilings and ornate cornices.

The home still retains Edwardian-era features including high ceilings and ornate cornices.

Before its sale, family memorabilia including football trophies and letters from WWI were displayed throughout the residence, while Les’ portrait hung on the dining room wall.

Marshall White Port Phillip partner Ben Manolitsas declined to comment on the sold price or the buyers but industry sources indicated the home sold at auction for $4.53m.

Paddy and Rube Scanlan’s daughter, and keen Swans supporter, Kat Scanlan with photos of her father, in 2016. Now aged in her nineties, Kat listed the house for sale. Picture: Sarah Matray.

Rubina ‘Rube’ Scanlan (nee Makin) in 1916. She worked as a milliner at the Buckley and Nunn Emporium in Bourke St until she married Paddy Scanlan. Picture: Supplied.

“It is pretty remarkable for a family to own a house for 100 years or more,” Mr Manolitsas said.

He said that prior to the house going under the hammer, most interested buyers had been families and downsizers.

Mr Manolitsas added that it was unusual for a Middle Park house to have a large backyard like the Harold St house which sits on a 373sq m block.

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