Benalla’s miniature house destroyed by vandals

By Simon Ruppert

Nov 28, 2023

Gone: The miniature house by renowned artist Gay Stell, which resided in Benalla's Costume and Kelly Museum, has been destroyed by vandals. Photo by Benalla Ensign

In 1970, artist Gay Stell, who would later be awarded an Order of Australia Medal, began working on a project that would take a decade to complete.

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Ms Stell, who has art displayed all over the world, including a painting hanging in the White House, created a 14-room miniature house complete with furnishings and decorations.

Initially displayed in Nagambie, then Wangaratta, the house would find a home in the rooms of Benalla’s Costume and Kelly Museum.

It remained as one of the museum’s feature exhibits until its redevelopment, which was recently completed.

Efforts were initially made to find it a new home, with no luck.

As a new location was sought, the Rotary Club of Benalla helped move the house into a Benalla Rural City Council depot.

Within days, vandals had gained access to the depot and destroyed it.

If there is one silver lining, all the furniture and fittings from inside the house had been removed for safekeeping.

Benalla’s Shirley Robertson, a friend of Ms Stell’s who had been assisting in finding it a new home, said she had been looking into ways to have it rebuilt and restored.

“Gay loved this community,” Shirley said.

“She moved here from Nagambie when her sister was unwell but fell in love with Benalla.”

Ms Robertson said she was very talented and poured her heart and soul into creating the miniature house.

“I’ve got a few of her paintings at home,” she said.

“And, of course, one of hers is hanging in the White House.

“We had been trying to find a new home for the house when I got the news it was gone.

“I was distraught when I found out. I just couldn’t believe it.”

Ms Robertson said her mission now was to see if it could be rebuilt.

“We saved all the furniture, and the good news is that it was insured,” she said.

“I have approached the Men’s Shed to see if they can help, but they would have to see the damage first to know if it is repairable. They haven’t had that chance yet.”

Ms Robertson said she’d follow up with the group, and if that doesn’t work out, she’d look for an alternative.

“Gay was such a lovely lady who loved the community and gifted the miniature house to Benalla,” she said.

In Ms Stell’s memory, Ms Roberts is now intent on making sure it is not lost to history.