For over a century, Dame Nellie Melba's billiards table sat frozen in Coombe Cottage, the 19th-century homestead the Australian operatic icon called home. Now, the custom-made table has been given a new lease of life after being purchased and refurbished by Ryman Healthcare.
The table is now located at the Nellie Melba Retirement Village in Wheelers Hill, so residents can have a piece of Melba history to call their own. Village pool sharks Peter Waterworth and Robert Stubberfield played a central role in bringing the table to its new home, travelling to Coombe Cottage to inspect the table and ensure it met their exacting standards.
"It was really exciting to be involved in attaining the table and I'm glad I was. I thought it would be marvellous if we could get her billiards table. They'd be putting some history and heritage in our village," said Robert.
"Nellie Melba epitomised the values and the character of the people we hope come into our village and to have an actual item of hers is just remarkable," said Peter.
"We play [billiards] three times a week now. It's something to really look forward to, the camaraderie between the guys is just great."
Alcocks, the same company that built the table in 1920, took care of the refurbishing.
"Everything in there is Queensland maple, which makes it unique. It also has a very special kit of accessories; very high-end pool cues and cue rack all made from Queensland maple to match the table," said Tim Lowe, Alcocks Factory Manager.
Ryman Healthcare names all its retirement villages after outstanding people, and Dame Nellie's great-grandson, the late Lord Vestey, travelled from the UK to officially open the village in 2018.
"The village really becomes a homage to the contribution that person made to the world, so we're always looking for ways we can connect with their history and honour it. Not only do our residents now have a magnificent billiards table, but they can also say, 'this was Dame Nellie's, she played on it with her friends, and now we have a small piece of her history to enjoy and share with others,'" said Michael Cummings, Rymans Communications and External Relations Manager.
