Geraldine and Max Walsh’s Mosman bungalow is on the market with a guide of $6m-$6.5m.
One of the nation’s most powerful journalism couples, the late Max and Geraldine Walsh, lived tucked away for decades in a Mosman bungalow with knockout views of the Heads.
After being held for 50 years it is now going to auction with a guide of $6m-$6.5m.
Max Walsh was editor and editor in chief of The Financial Review from 1974-81 and before that was the paper’s chief political correspondent from 1966 to 74.
He had a stellar and influential career as an economics commentator and strategist and through his writing and editorship he helped shape modern Australia.
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Number 215a Spit Rd goes to auction on Saturday November 16.
The home includes sweeping coastal views.
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Geraldine trained as a teacher but when the couple moved to Canberra she went into public relations, helped Gough Whitlam roll out Medicare, ran her own PR firm and on returning to Sydney worked as letters editors for the Sydney Morning Herald for almost a decade.
Daughter Sophie Walsh remembers large parties at the 1920s house with Gough Whitlam, John Howard, George Negus and Andrew Ollie all rubbing shoulders with lawyers and leaders. The parties would start at 2pm and go on until 3am the next morning.
“It wouldn’t happen now, a gathering like that,” Sophie said.
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The property has been in the Walsh family for more than 50 years.
Max Walsh was editor and editor in chief of The Financial Review from 1974-81.
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“Social media would mean leaders wouldn’t risk being seen at private homes all together like that,” she said.
“It was different then.”
She also remembered swimming in the pool with her sister Felicity. A flourishing passionfruit vine hung beside the pool and the girls would eat passionfruit in the pool and throw the shells over the back fence. Now the pool has a proper glass fence.
Max’s favourite room was the sunroom with its views of the garden, pool and Middle Harbour while Geraldine, who was a keen cook, loved the kitchen, recalls Sophie.
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The home is selling with a price guide of $6m-$6.5m.
Gough Whitlam at a party at Max Walsh’s home in Mosman. Picture: Walsh personal family album
David Smeallie, of Pello, said despite the Spit Rd address the house was hidden away 80m from the road on a 839sqm parcel of land with rare R3 zoning which would allow for two more storeys on the house.
The four-bedroom two-bathroom house has high ornate ceilings, original timber floorboard, grand formal lounge and dining rooms, an eat-in kitchen, a large sunroom, bevelled doors and leadlight windows and a garage.
It is close to foreshore reserves, fine dining and boating at The Spit and is within walking distance to both public and private schools.
Number 215a Spit Rd goes to auction on Saturday November 16.
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