She calls it Torquay’s personality, the spirits of the original owners remaining within the walls.

A gentleman in a top hat and tails has been seen walking along the hall and there is a female presence that is protective of the house, Mrs Saccaro said.

“I have always had a feeling about the history of this house, the people who lived here before us,” she said.

“The families that lived here are still present.

“I have seen a man out of the corner of my eye, a shadow walked past while I was in the kitchen, but I dismissed it at first.

“But my nine-year-old confirmed it for me when she told me she saw a man walk down the hallway.”

Mrs Saccaro believes it is the presence of Thomas Samual Petherbridge and his wife Ada, who moved into Torquay in 1890 and undertook significant renovations in the 1920s.

They had 11 children, and two sons and five daughters survived.

Torquay was built as a seven-room Victorian residence at 50 King Street, East Maitland, in 1886 by William Petherbridge (Thomas’ father), who was a wine and spirit merchant.

William died in 1889. The house was also used as a Sisters of Mercy convent for 30 years until 2001.

The house will be open to the public for the first time as a fund-raiser for Friends of Grossmann House on Sunday from 2pm to 3.30pm.

Admission is $15 and includes afternoon tea.

Bookings are essential and can be made with Lynn on 4932 0518 or Holly on 4934 4314.