A treasure in life and beyond. Newcastle woman, Lily Fardell, dubbed the 'Fair Lady of The Hill', has left a personal legacy which will raise an estimated $4 million for St Vincent de Paul.
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The 96-year-old died earlier this year but her charity and generosity has been extended to one final, extraordinary act - helping the homeless.
In her final will, she ordered that her grand old home be auctioned along with its contents, with all the proceeds going towards services for homeless children run by St Vincent de Paul in Newcastle.
"She couldn't have children of her own," her nephew, Michael Ellis said.
"But she loved children and left almost everything she had to a charity which supported them."
Her four-bedroom, three bathroom home, Pacific House, in the prestigious suburb, The Hill, sold for $2.35 million in June.
It overlooked King Edward Park on The Terrace.
Bought in 1958 by Lily and her husband Noel, both teachers, they were only the second owners of the two-storey house.
This weekend, all its contents including a vast collection of antiques and fine Victoriana will also go under the hammer.
Combined with the sale of a share portfolio, the bequest will total more than $4 million.
Born in 1919 at Minmi, Mrs Fardell moved into Pacific House with her husband Noel in 1958. Following Noel's death, nephew Michael Ellis cared for Mrs Fardell for her final 15 years.
Her extraordinary charity and generosity was renowned, along with the wonderful tea parties she would host on the verandah which overlooks King Edward Park.
When the Christmas carols were on across the road, she would host 40 friends who would sing along, drink tea and enjoy the odd tipple of good wine.
The home itself was built in 1871 and was sold to a couple living in nearby High Street. It originally housed Thomas Smith, a pioneering Newcastle builder who served on Newcastle council and was elected mayor in 1896. But now its contents are also looking for a new home.
"It's hard to estimate what the collection will bring," Sid Brown from Swan Murray and Hain auctions said.
"There has been a lot of collector interest, but also a lot of general interest from people who knew Lily or had contact with the family."
There are more than 400 lots to be auctioned. Bronze statues, garden statues. Ornate banquet lamps, artworks, fine glassware and silver service sets. Australiana, Victoriana, cedar and mahogany. Even a 1752 bronze replica of the famous Liberty Bell.
The contents of every room of the house, all going, and all proceeds going to where Ms Fardell had wished.
The Newcastle Herald
