Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Caretaker's Cottage

— Wesley Place Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

1. Caretaker's Cottage Marker

Inscription. The Derrick family's legacy

The Caretaker's Cottage was built in 1914 by Ronald A. Derrick, the secretary of the Wesleyan Sunday School. It was erected with the boundary wall along Little Lonsdale Street for a cost of £850. The architecture is faithful to the Gothic Revival features of the original 1850s buildings designed by Joseph Reed. The cottage was still home to a caretaker until the late 1990s.

Erected by Wesley Place. (Marker Number A6.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 37° 48.577′ S, 144° 58.08′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It can be reached from Little Lonsdale Street 0.1 kilometers south of Bennetts Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 139-141 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

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it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Archaeology and Artefacts (a few steps from this marker); Wesley Place Archaeological Excavations (a few steps from this marker); Former School House (a few steps from this marker); Former Leitrim Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Manse (within shouting distance of this marker); Nicholas Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); John Wesley Statue (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Wesley Church (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Stop A6: Caretaker's Cottage. Wesley Place

The Derrick family’s legacy

The Caretaker’s Cottage was built in 1914 by the Ronald A Derrick, the secretary of the Wesleyan Sunday School. It was erected with the boundary wall along Little Lonsdale Street for a cost of £850. The architecture is faithful to the Gothic Revival features of the original 1850s church buildings designed by Joseph Reed. The cottage was still home to a caretaker until the late 1990s.

The dedication of the Derricks

The
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

2. Caretaker's Cottage Marker near archway
Derrick family had a long association with the Wesleyan Church. Albert James (AJ) Derrick was an architect and the first organising secretary of the Wesley Central Mission. He had seven children and two of his sons, Ronald A and Edgar Marsh, were involved with the Church and the Mission. AJ published several books on the history of the Wesley Church and the Central Mission.

(Submitted on June 19, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.