THE ARCHITECT OF ELWOOD

 

James Henry Esmond Dorney (1906-1991), was an Elwood resident who changed the face of Elwood, designing at least 16 distinctive buildings.  A one-time employee of Walter Burley Griffin, he formed his own practice in 1930.  At first his style was conventional, such as the delightful Tudor Revival block ‘Surrey Court’ at 71 Ormond Road (p.88) in 1933.  He soon evolved to become an exponent of the popular Functionalist style of the 1930s.  His parents obviously thought highly of his talents and allowed him to convert the family home ‘Chenier’ (corner Glenhuntly and Ormond Roads) into flats in 1934.  His mother, Marie Kiernan, engaged him in Antigone flats 1937 at 34 Docker Street and in St Kiernan Flats 1939 at 51 Ormond Esplanade.  He built many other blocks including Garden Court 73 Marine Parade funded by his father-in-law, Del Monte Rose at I Broadway, L’Espoir at 39 Shelley Street and the marvellous Streamline Windermere at 49 Broadway (now listed on the Register of the National Estate).  Dorney joined the RAAF during the second world war but was captured and reported as missing in action.  Upon release he found that his wife was in a new relationship.  He married again and resumed his career becoming a highly regarded modern architect in Tasmania.