The house was built in 1895 by John Stone for Edward Henry Newing, an oil and colour merchant. He lived there with his wife, Elizabeth, and family until approximately 1909 when he and Elizabeth moved to Brighton and the house was put up for sale. It was then advertised as follows: 

THIS DAY. At half-past Two O'clock. At Our Rooms, 350 Collins-street, SALE by AUCTION of "IONA," 80 VALE-STREET EAST, MELBOURNE: SUBSTANTIAL. TWO-STORY BRICK RESIDENCE, Containing 9 Rooms and all Conveniences, in Excellent Order, and Fitted with Electric Light Throughout. Stable, Buggy-shed, &c. Land 31.1 x 105 to Pitched R.O.W. 
Also, VACANT ALLOTMENT, Close to above, 33ft. to VALE-STREET by 105ft. to R.O.W. Orders to Inspect, and Fuller Particulars from T U C K E T T and  S T Y L E S, auctioneers, 350 Collins-street. Tel. 827. City. [Argus, 10 Feb 1909, p.2]

It appears that the house did not sell as Elizabeth Newing is recorded as the owner until her death in 1922. However the land next door did sell and was subsequently developed. The house was rented out during this period and in 1911-12 was known as the Invermay Nurses’ Home.

The next owner was Jessie Bankier Clelland.  She was the daughter of David Clelland and Jane Bankier and was born in Heathcote in 1872. She first appears in the electoral rolls as a milliner living in Warrnambool. She then moved to Leongatha, and finally set up her business at 212 Bridge Road, Richmond. She retired about 1925 and embarked on a trip to Scotland. In 1929 she spent a year in London ‘where she received class Instruction from Mrs Bill, leader of the Christian Science Parent Church. Miss Clelland will assist in the formation of a branch in Melbourne.’ [The Herald, 19 Sep 1929, p.22]

In 1933 Jessie submitted plans to have the house divided into four flats.  The flats were finished by January 1934 when they were advertised for rent. It is not clear whether the original plans were followed exactly as on her death in 1941 the flats were advertised as a block of six, as below:

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17 AT THREE O’CLOCK ON THE PROPERTY 80 VALE STREET, EAST MELBOURNE Under Instructions from the Executrices of the Estate of the late Miss J B Clelland Deceased. SIX SELF CONTAINED FLATS AND 2 GARAGES. Returning £9/15/ Per Week Showing gross Annual Return or £507. LAND 34ft 3in x 105ft TITLE CERTIFICATE. TERMS £250 Deposit Balance 30 Days. [Argus, 27 Aug 1941, p.7].

They sold for £5.000 [Argus, 19 Sep 1941, p.2]

At some later stage the building has been extended forward, almost to the footpath, meaning that the old house is now almost invisible.