Pelican Cove

PELICAN COVE

Records compiled by the Melville History Society tell the story of one of the last remaining rural homesteads in the city. In 1919 Arthur and Muriel Groves came to live in Alfred Cove between the river and Canning Highway (then Fremantle Road). They bought up 28 acres of rural land and settled in to develop a dairy which was to become very well known throughout the Melville district. During the early 1920s Arthur built a cement brick home making all the blocks on a site with imported cement. This graceful rural homestead with its tiled roof and airy verandahs overlooking the tranquil Alfred Cove was to become a prominent landmark between Perth and Fremantle in the early years of Melville's development.

The dairy flourished and the Groves' cattle herd supplied milk to many Melville customers and to people living as far afield as South Fremantle and Como. As the herd increased, Arthur leased cattle grazing land along the Attadale foreshore as far as Point Walter. With the increase of motor traffic, Canning Highway became busier and straying cattle became a problem as it had been for the Atwell's. The Pound keeper at the Melville Roads Board was constantly advertising in the local press of cows impounded at Stock Road, many of which belonged to the Groves' dairy. So, in 1939 Arthur moved his 260 milking cows to a property at Wagerup.

The lovely home which once commanded beautiful views across peaceful Alfred Cove to the city of Perth has seen many changes. It was restored and renovated in the 1970s but lost its outstanding views to the controversial Pelican Cove development. Despite the massive renovations, the demolition of the dairy buildings and loss of views, this piece of Melville's heritage is a survivor and is currently an Indian restaurant.

· Jenny Wildy from MHS archives