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ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE ANDEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE HERITAGE COUNCIL

NAME BARUNAH PLAINSLOCATION 4484 HAMILTON HIGHWAY, HESSEVHR NUMBER: VHR H2313CATEGORY: HERITAGE PLACEFILE NUMBER: FOL/15/20311HERMES NUMBER: 1857

Name: Barunah PlainsHermes Number: 1857

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EXTENT OF NOMINATIONMain house and outbuildings including stables and woolsheds, and incorporating several bluestone cottages. Diagram as provided below.


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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE HERITAGE COUNCIL: That Barunah Plains be included as a Heritage Place in the Victorian Heritage Register under the

Heritage Act 1995 [Section 32 (1)(a)].

TIM SMITHExecutive DirectorRecommendation Date: 22 January 2016

RECOMMENDED REGISTRATIONDRAFT ONLY: NOT ENDORSED BY THE HERITAGE COUNCIL

All of the place shown hatched on Diagram 2313 encompassing part of 1 on Plan of Subdivision 549946, all of Crown Allotment 17F and parts of Crown Allotments 2002 and 2008 Parish of Hesse, and all of a former unnamed road reserve.

The extent of registration of Barunah Plains in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 2313 including the land, all buildings (including the interiors and exteriors), roads, trees, landscape elements and other features.


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AERIAL PHOTO OF THE PLACE SHOWING PROPOSED REGISTRATION


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STATEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCEDRAFT ONLY: NOT ENDORSED BY THE HERITAGE COUNCIL

WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT?

Barunah Plains including the homestead, stables, dairy and bakehouse, coach house, engine house, farm shed, manager’s cottage, cottage, woolshed, shearers’ quarters, suspension bridge, gardener’s cottage, orchard shed, water tanks, meat houses, rams’ shed and remnant garden.

History Summary

Barunah Plains developed into a substantial and prosperous farming complex after acquisition by brothers Thomas and Philip Russell, and their cousin John Simson, in 1851. Originally known as Long Water Hole, the land was a pastoralist run from the late 1830s and leased by James Austin from the late 1840s. During the nineteenth century the pioneering Russell family became extensive landowners in western Victoria and by the 1880s Barunah Plains had developed into a leading merino sheep establishment. A house was constructed on the site in 1867 to designs by local architects Davidson and Henderson, and substantial additions increased the size of the homestead in the boom period of the 1880s. Further additions designed by Geelong architects Tombs and Durran in 1903 contain outstanding Arts and Crafts style interiors. A number of substantial bluestone outbuildings, including a large woolshed, were constructed at the property as it developed into a successful farming complex.

The 20,000 hectare property was reduced to about half its size after soldier settlement subdivision in 1949, however successive generations of the Russell family continued to live at Barunah Plains until 1978. In the 1990s a golf course was added to the property and this operated as a tourist facility for a period of time.

Description Summary

Barunah Plains is a farm complex situated on the Warrambine Creek. It includes a large single storey, bluestone homestead which has been constructed in stages. It consists of a number of protruding bays, turret-like roofs and a return verandah which address lawned areas to the north and east. Exceptional Arts and Crafts detailing can be seen throughout the house, in particular in the west wing and central ballroom, where outstanding examples of stained timber, metal and tile work and stained glass are located. Interior detailing from the boom period has also been retained, including embossed wallpaper in the main entrance and a timber lined coved ceiling in the billiard room.

A number of original outbuildings and structures have been retained. The majority are constructed of bluestone, including a large t-shaped woolshed, stables, dairy and bakehouse, coach house, farm shed, rams’ shed, manager’s house, cottage and water tanks. A corrugated iron clad engine house contains original electrical power plant machinery.

Remnants of the original formal homestead garden and parkland remain. Early structures include a suspension bridge over the Warrambine Creek.

This site is part of the traditional land of the people of the Kulin Nation.


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HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT?

Barunah Plains is of historical, architectural and aesthetic significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:

Criterion A

Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history.

Criterion D

Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.

Criterion E

Importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics.

Criterion H

Special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Victoria’s history.

WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT?

Barunah Plains is significant at the State level for the following reasons:

Barunah Plains is historically significant for its association with the early settlement of Victoria, with the development of its important wool industry and for its long association with the Russell family from 1851 to 1978. As one of the most successful merino sheep studs in Victoria, the property is associated with the heyday of the pastoral era in Victoria and the prosperity of the Western District pastoralists in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. [Criteria A]

Barunah Plains is architecturally significant for the homestead and its collection of intact outbuildings which help to illustrate the various activities undertaken at the property. Together with the homestead, these buildings display excellent craftsmanship in the execution of stonework. [Criterion D]

Barunah Plains is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding Arts and Crafts interiors, in particular in the ballroom and rooms in the west wing. The interiors of these additions were executed in a highly distinctive Federation Arts and Crafts style and contain unique hand-crafted fittings and elements. [Criterion E]

Barunah Plains is significant for its long association, from 1851 to 1978, with the Russell family who were amongst the most successful settlers of Victoria’s Western District and instrumental in the development of the wool industry in Victoria. [Criterion H]


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RECOMMENDATION REASONSREASONS FOR RECOMMENDING INCLUSION IN THE VICTORIAN HERITAGE REGISTER [s.34A(2)]

Following is the Executive Director's assessment of the place against the tests set out in The Victorian Heritage Register Criteria and Thresholds Guidelines (2014).

CRITERION A

Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION A

The place/object has a CLEAR ASSOCIATION with an event, phase, period, process, function, movement, custom or way of life in Victoria’s cultural history.

PlusThe association of the place/object to the event, phase, etc IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the

place/object and/or in documentary resources or oral history.Plus

The EVENT, PHASE, etc is of HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, having made a strong or influential contribution to Victoria.

Executive Director’s Response

Barunah Plains has strong associations with the early pastoral settlement of Victoria and the development of the wool industry. A collection of buildings remains from this period to clearly demonstrate this association. The Western District pastoralists made a strong contribution in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to the prosperity and economic development of Victoria.

Criterion A is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION A

The place/object allows the clear association with the event, phase etc. of historical importance to be UNDERSTOOD BETTER THAN MOST OTHER PLACES OR OBJECTS IN VICTORIA WITH

SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME ASSOCIATION.


A number of early pastoral properties remain in Victoria and good representative examples are included in the Victorian Heritage Register. These include Titanga Homestead, Lismore (VHR H0299), Mawallok, Beaufort (VHR H0563), Meningoort, Camperdown (VHR H0300) and Purrumbete, Weerite (VHR H0301). Barunah Plains has the same association as these and has retained sufficient fabric to demonstrate the associations at least as well as those already included in the VHR.

Criterion A is likely to be satisfied at the State level.


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CRITERION D

Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION D

The place/object is one of a CLASS of places/objects that has a clear ASSOCIATION with an event, phase, period, process, function, movement, important person(s), custom or way of life in Victoria’s

history.Plus

The EVENT, PHASE, etc is of HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, having made a strong or influential contribution to Victoria.

PlusThe principal characteristics of the class are EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the place/object.


Barunah Plains has strong associations with the early pastoral settlement of Victoria and the development of the wool industry and a collection of buildings remains from this period to clearly demonstrate this association and illustrate the operation of a farming property in Victoria.

Criterion D is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION D

The place/object is a NOTABLE EXAMPLE of the class in Victoria (refer to Reference Tool D).


The homestead, outbuildings and structures at Barunah Plains form an outstanding collection of farm buildings which are amongst the most intact such groups in Victoria. This collection displays excellent workmanship and detailing in bluestone construction which demonstrates the importance and permanence of these farm structures.

Criterion D is likely to be satisfied at the State level.

CRITERION E

Importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION E

The PHYSICAL FABRIC of the place/object clearly exhibits particular aesthetic characteristics.


Barunah Plains contains a collection of intact interiors from 1903 that clearly exhibit the aesthetic characteristics of the Arts and Crafts period in Victoria.

Criterion E is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION E

The aesthetic characteristics are APPRECIATED OR VALUED by the wider community or an appropriately-related discipline as evidenced, for example, by:

critical recognition of the aesthetic characteristics of the place/object within a relevant art, design, architectural or related discipline as an outstanding example within Victoria; or


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wide public acknowledgement of exceptional merit in Victoria in medium such as songs, poetry, literature, painting, sculpture, publications, print media etc.


The Arts and Crafts period is widely acknowledged as an important phase in the development of architectural style in Victoria. The Arts and Crafts movement pursued good design and craftsmanship and commonly addressed decorative interiors of buildings.

The homestead at Barunah Plains contains outstanding Arts and Crafts interiors which contain distinctive and unique examples of hand-crafted fitting and elements. They include timber, metal and tile work and stained glass which clearly exhibit characteristics typical of this important early twentieth century period in Victoria.

Criterion E is likely to be satisfied at the State level.

CRITERION H

Special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Victoria’s history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION H

The place/object has a DIRECT ASSOCIATION with a person or group of persons who have made a strong or influential CONTRIBUTION to the course of Victoria’s history.

PlusThe ASSOCIATION of the place/object to the person(s) IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the

place/object and/or in documentary resources and/or oral history.Plus

The ASSOCIATION: directly relates to ACHIEVEMENTS of the person(s) at, or relating to, the place/object; or

relates to an enduring and/or close INTERACTION between the person(s) and the place/object.


The Russell family was instrumental in the development of the wool industry in Victoria. Barunah Plains was occupied by this family from 1851 to 1978 during which time the property developed into a substantial and prosperous wool growing establishment.

By 1910 Barunah Plains was described as one of the finest wool growing estates in the Western District of Victoria in the publication The Pastoral Homes of Australia. The Russell-run property was consistently described as one of the leading merino fine wool sheep breeding establishments in the country. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century many detailed articles about Barunah Plains appeared in newspapers, highlighting its importance as a merino sheep stud. It was described as holding one of the oldest merino flocks in Victoria in The Australasian, September 1918. In 1937 it was described as the home of one of the most famous and perhaps best known and largest merino flocks in Victoria and in 1938 as one of the best and most valuable pure merino breeding studs in Australia.

Criterion H is likely to be satisfied.


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STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION H

The place/object allows the clear association with the person or group of persons to be READILY APPRECIATED BETTER THAN MOST OTHER PLACES OR OBJECTS IN VICTORIA.


The association of Barunah Plains with the Russell family can be appreciated through documentary sources and the homestead and collection of outbuildings clearly show the association of the family with the Victorian wool growing industry. Together with the property Mawallock, Beaufort (VHR H0563), Barunah Plains has had associations with the Russell family for many generations.

Criterion H is likely to be satisfied at the State level.


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PROPOSED PERMIT POLICYDRAFT ONLY – NOT YET APPROVED BY THE HERITAGE COUNCIL

Preamble

The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.

The extent of registration of Barunah Plains, Hesse in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 2313 including the land, all buildings, roads, trees, landscape elements and other features. Under the Heritage Act 1995 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.

If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.

Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42 of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.66 of the Heritage Act).

It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the interior and exterior of existing buildings requires a permit, unless a specific permit exemption is granted.

Conservation management plans

It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is developed to manage the place in a manner which respects its cultural heritage significance.

Aboriginal cultural heritage

Under the Heritage Act 1995 permits are required for any works or activities which alter the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. This applies to all parts of the registered place including fabric associated with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultural heritage values.

If works are proposed which have the potential to disturb or have an impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage it is necessary to contact the Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria to ascertain any requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

If any Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered or exposed at any time it is necessary to immediately contact the Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria to ascertain requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.


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Other approvalsPlease be aware that approval from other authorities (such as local government) may be required to undertake works.

ArchaeologyGround disturbance may affect the archaeological significance of the place and, subject to the exemptions stated in this document, requires a permit.

Cultural heritage significance

Overview of significance

The cultural heritage significance of Barunah Plains, Hesse lies in its long history as an important Western District sheep stud. The large and intact collection of outbuildings and structures, many constructed of bluestone, make a significant contribution to the significance of the place. The significance of the homestead building lies in the main stages of its construction which are apparent in its external form and fabric, and in particular in its notable and highly intact Arts and Crafts interiors of the 1903 additions. This includes outstanding timber, metal and tile work and stained glass in the rooms of the west wing and the ballroom.

This section identifies buildings and features at the place and attributes a level of cultural heritage significance to them.

a) All of the buildings and features listed here are of primary cultural heritage significance in the context of the place. The buildings and features of cultural heritage significance are shown in red on the diagram. A permit is required for most works or alterations. See Permit Exemptions section for specific permit exempt activities:

• homestead• stables• dairy and bakehouse• coach house• engine house (including garage)• farm shed • manager’s cottage• bridge• cottage• woolshed• shearers’ quarters• suspension bridge• gate• picket fence• gardener’s cottage• orchard shed• seven water tanks• three meat houses• hut and yard• rams’ shed


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PROPOSED PERMIT EXEMPTIONS (UNDER SECTION 42 OF THE HERITAGE ACT)

DRAFT ONLY – NOT YET APPROVED BY THE HERITAGE COUNCIL – RECOMMENDED UNDER SECTION 33 OF THE HERITAGE ACT

It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42(4) of the Heritage Act). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.66 of the Heritage Act).

General Condition 1

All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.

General Condition 2

Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible.

General Condition 3

All works should be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan, and permits still must be obtained for works suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.

General Condition 4

Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

General Condition 5

Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.

Specific Permit Exemptions

Exterior of Buildings of Primary Significance

Repairs and maintenance which replace like with like. Removal of non-original items such as air conditioners, pipe work, ducting wiring, antennae,

aerials etc and making good in a manner appropriate to the heritage fabric of the place. Installation or removal of non-original external fixtures and fittings, such as hot water services

and taps, of contributory elements in a manner not detrimental to the cultural heritage significance of the place.


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Installation or repair of damp-proofing by either injection method or grouted pocket method in a manner which does not affect the cultural heritage significance of the place.

Interior of Buildings of Primary Significance

• Painting of previously painted walls and ceilings provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of any original paint or other decorative scheme.

• Installation, removal or replacement of non-original carpets and/or flexible floor coverings. • Installation, removal or replacement of non-original curtain tracks, rods and blinds. • Installation, removal or replacement of hooks, nails and other devices for the hanging of

mirrors, paintings and other wall mounted art.• Demolition or removal of non-original stud/partition walls, suspended ceilings or non-

original wall linings (including plasterboard, laminate and Masonite), non-original glazed screens, non-original flush panel or part-glazed laminated doors, aluminium-framed windows, bathroom partitions and tiling, sanitary fixtures and fittings, kitchen wall tiling and equipment, lights, built-in cupboards, cubicle partitions, computer and office fitout and the like.

• Refurbishment of existing bathrooms, toilets and kitchens including removal, installation or replacement of non-original sanitary fixtures and associated piping, mirrors, wall and floor coverings.

• Removal of tiling or concrete slabs in wet areas provided there is no damage to or alteration of original structure or fabric.

• Installation, removal or replacement of ducted, hydronic or concealed radiant type heating provided that the installation does not damage existing skirtings and architraves and that the central plant is concealed, and is done in a manner not detrimental to the cultural heritage significance of the place.

• Installation, removal or replacement of electrical wiring provided that all new wiring is fully concealed and any original light switches, pull cords, push buttons or power outlets are retained in-situ. Note: if wiring original to the place was carried in timber conduits then the conduits should remain in situ.

• Installation, removal or replacement of bulk insulation in the roof space. • Installation of plant within the roof space.

Non-contributory Elements

Demolition and all works to buildings of no cultural heritage significance that do not increase the footprint of the building. This includes all farm structures and buildings not listed above in the proposed permit policy as being of primary cultural heritage significance.

Landscape

• The process of gardening, including mowing, hedge clipping, bedding displays, removal of dead shrubs and replanting the same species or cultivar, disease and weed control, and maintenance to care for existing plants.

• Repairs and maintenance to hard landscape elements, such as driveways, stone walls, steps, paths, tennis court, swimming pool, gutters, drainage and irrigation systems, in a manner which preserves the cultural heritage significance of the place.

• The removal or pruning of dead or dangerous trees to maintain safety and to protect buildings and structures. If the tree is identified as being of primary or contributory cultural


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heritage significance, the Executive Director must be notified of these works within 21 days of them being undertaken.

• Replanting of removed or dead trees and vegetation with the same plant species to conserve the significant landscape character and values.

• Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Pruning of Amenity Trees AS 4373-2007.

• Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Protection of Trees on Development Sites AS 4970-2009.

• Subsurface works involving the installation, removal or replacement of watering and drainage systems or services outside the canopy edge of significant trees in accordance with AS4970 and on the condition that works do not impact on archaeological features or deposits.

• Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.• Vegetation protection and management of possums and vermin.


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RELEVANT INFORMATIONLOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY Golden Plains Shire

HERITAGE LISTING INFORMATION

Heritage Overlay: Yes HO20

Heritage Overlay Controls: External Paint: Yes

Internal Alteration: No

Tree: No

HISTORY

Contextual History

Western District Settlement

European exploration and settlement of Victoria commenced in the 1830s and large numbers of squatters settled in the Western District of Victoria after the Henty brothers landed in Portland Bay in November 1834. Many settlers came from Scotland via Van Diemen’s Land in search of land on which to establish pastoral runs and by 1837 fleets of ships conveyed flocks of sheep from Van Diemen’s Land to Geelong, destined for the open plains to the west. By the mid-1840s there were some 282 runs in the rich Western District of Port Phillip and a population of nearly 3,500 compared to almost 11,000 in Melbourne and 1,300 in Geelong. Amongst the early pastoral settlers in Victoria was the Russell family. George Russell arrived in Van Diemen’s Land from Scotland in 1831, and in 1836 travelled to Port Phillip. He became manager of the pastoral Clyde Company, a joint stock concern formed in Scotland in 1836, and, together with his brother Philip, George represented this large Scottish company in Port Phillip.

George Russell moved his headquarters from the Moorabool River near Geelong to the Leigh River at Shelford in the Western District of Port Phillip in 1839. It was here that he secured his Golf Hill (originally Golfhill) homestead by the purchase of 4,231 acres (1,712 hectares) from the Crown in 1842. He farmed cattle and large numbers of sheep on this land and had a substantial brick cottage built in 1846-47. After the Clyde Company was dissolved in 1857-58, George Russell bought the central Golf Hill freehold of 8,500 acres (3,440 hectares) which he eventually enlarged to 28,000 acres (11,331 hectares). He lived there until his death in 1888.

A number of members of the Russell family left Scotland and settled in a similar part of the Western District of Victoria. This included George’s first cousin Thomas Russell who, in partnership with his brother Philip and cousin John Simson, acquired the run known as Long Water Hole (later Barunah Plains) from James Austin in 1851. James Austin, and his brother Thomas, had arrived in the district from Van Diemen’s Land in 1837 and they both acquired a number of pastoral holdings in Victoria. Austin had already established a sheep stud at Long Water Hole when the run was acquired by the Russell partnership.

Located on the Warrambine Creek, this run was situated to the west of George’s property Golf Hill. John Simson and Philip Russell soon withdrew from the ownership and were replaced by three


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British-based Russell brothers. Together they became constituents of the company known as Thomas Russell and Co. Thomas Russell continued to expand his land holdings at this location, and early in 1857 acquired the adjoining Wurrock station, which became his headquarters.

Thomas Russell was elected councillor and first President of the Shire of Leigh in 1862 and continued in this role for a number of years. In 1868-73 Thomas was member for Grenville in the Legislative Assembly. The Russell family continued their involvement in local government for a number of years. George Russell was President of the Leigh Shire from 1869-71 and James Russell from 1890-92 and 1899-1903.

Other Russell family members settled in the Western District, including Alexander Russell at Mawallok, Beaufort (VHR H0563), Philip (and later James) at Carngham, and George at Langi Willi, Skipton.

The Architects of Barunah Plains

1. Davidson and Henderson - Architects of the first stage of the existing Barunah Plains homestead in 1867. [Based on various reports by Allan Willingham]

Alexander Davidson and George Henderson were both trained in the office of Edinburgh architect John Henderson (George’s father) over the years 1858-62. Alexander Davidson arrived in Victoria from Scotland in 1864 and immediately went to live in Rokewood, north-west of Geelong, near the Barunah Plains station. He was familiar with the Presbyterian minister at Rokewood, John Cooper, and was introduced to many Scottish Western District settlers. As a result he established a successful architectural practice by 1866 and developed contacts and associations amongst the squattocracy in the immediate district. By mid-1867 Davidson had secured the patronage of Thomas Russell with a tender advertised for construction of a stone cottage at Wurrock and cutting drains through the swamp at Barunah Plains that year.

Former architectural associate, George Henderson, arrived from Scotland and joined Davidson in practice at Rokewood in May 1867. This partnership became a highly influential and significant Western District architectural practice for the next ten years. Henderson spent his first weeks in Victoria surveying a swamp at Barunah Plains for drainage. The partnership received its first important commission in July that year - a new homestead at Barunah Plains for Russell and James Kininmouth – and this was closely followed by a commission for additions to Yarima, Cressy for John Elder and additions to Wurrock for Thomas Russell. The design of many homesteads in the Western District of Victoria followed, including a major commission for Thomas Austin in 1869 at Barwon Park, Inverleigh (VHR H0365).

Davidson and Henderson formed an official partnership on 1 January 1869 and the practice moved to Geelong. A large volume of work was completed before the partnership was dissolved in 1877. Davidson continued to practise in Geelong and Henderson returned to Scotland.

Other work by these architects includes: Geelong College (1871, VHR H0883), Titanga, Lismore (1872, VHR H0299), Larra Homestead stables (1873, VHR H0298) and Narrapumelap Homestead, Wickcliffe (1873-78, VHR H0492)

2. The architects of the second stage of the existing Barunah Plains homestead c1886 have not been established.

3. Tombs and Durran – Architects of the third stage of the existing Barunah Plains homestead in 1903.


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James Durran was born in Geelong in 1861 and his future partner, William Tombs, was born in New Zealand in 1866. Tombs began work in Geelong in 1889 and in 1895 joined the partnership of Watts and Durran. This architectural firm became Watts, Tombs and Durran and later Tombs and Durran.

Architects Tombs and Durran gained a number of commissions throughout the late 1890s and early 1900s, particularly domestic work. These early commissions were located in Geelong , however an increase in commissions in the Western District of Victoria led to the establishment of a branch office in Colac. This practice continued until the death of James Durran in a car accident in 1912.

These architects executed a variety of work including offices, hospitals, banks, hotels and a large number of private residences.

Place History

Barunah Plains Homestead is located approximately 48 kilometres west of Geelong in the Western District of Victoria. This volcanic stony country was occupied by squatters from the late 1830s and was held by the Russell family after acquisition in 1851 until 1978.

Barunah Plains commenced as a pastoral run in the late 1830s. In the late 1840s James Austin applied for the lease of the Long Water Hole run, later to become Barunah Plains. Consisting of approximately 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of land between Inverleigh and Cressy, it was a run he had already occupied for some time. Austin had established a sheep run on this property when he disposed of his land, stock and station to Philip Russell, John Simson and Thomas Russell.

In 1854 Thomas Russell’s 640 acre (260 hectares) pre-emptive section was clearly recorded on a Department of Lands and Survey Plan. The main allotment was situated on the east side of the Warrambine Creek, with an adjoining 80 acre (32 hectare) allotment to the west of the creek. A home station, woolshed (on adjoining land) and several huts clustered along the Warrambine Creek are shown on this plan and the station reportedly held some 26,000 sheep at this time.

The company, Thomas Russell & Co (Thomas Russell together with brothers William, James and George in Scotland) was formed when Philip Russell and Simson withdrew from the partnership, and the newly formed company had obtained the first freehold rights to the Long Water Hole run by 1856. Thomas Russell continued to expand his land holdings by purchasing substantial tracts of surrounding land after subdivision occurred in the area in the 1850s and he settled on a property to the north-west of the present Barunah Plains. Acquired in 1857, this property became known as Wurrook.

Long Water Hole had been renamed Barunah Plains by the late 1860s. In July 1867 Thomas Russell and James Kininmonth, the resident property manager from the early 1850s, commissioned architects Davidson and Henderson to design a homestead for Barunah Plains, and the next month Thomas Russell engaged these architects for additions to his residence Wurrook. This architectural partnership was not actually formed until early 1869 however Alexander Davidson had already established an architectural business by this time and Henderson arrived as his assistant in 1867. Designs for the Barunah Plains homestead were completed and tenders were called and advertised in the Geelong Advertiser on 4 October 1867. McLauchlin and Dobbie of Geelong were awarded the contract and the mason’s work was undertaken by Foyle and Baker. The total cost of works was £1596/13/- and the final account for the work was rendered in August 1868.

This original single storey bluestone house at barunah Plains formed the basis of the homestead that developed over the next 40 years. It was designed with a simple polygonal bay facing north towards the Warrambine Creek, in what has been described by Allan Willingham as amongst the first hesitant


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excursions into the comparatively unfamiliar language of the Italianate style. This first portion of homestead had a timber framed verandah along the north and east facades.

Thomas’s brother George Russell became the sole owner of the Barunah Plains property in 1877. Living in Fife, Scotland, George never visited Australia and sent his son James to manage the property. By 1888 Barunah Plains was a freehold property of 50,000 acres (20,234 hectares). James purchased Barunah Plains twenty years later in 1897 and managed it until his death in 1911. Barunah Plains continued to be managed by the Russell family, firstly by James’ eldest son George Kincraig Russell until his death in 1915, then by Trustees before James Kincraig Russell took over the property in 1922, residing at nearby Wingeel. He continued to manage the property until his death in 1966 and his nephew George then managed the property until the family finally sold it in 1978. At this time it had been in the possession of the Russell family since 1851.

Additions were reportedly made to the homestead in 1886. No record of this work has been found however it is physically and stylistically evident that work was undertaken at the homestead in the 1880s boom period. At this time a large bluestone wing was added to the south of the 1867 homestead and this remains largely extant. It is a single storey wing with prominent rendered polygonal bay and adjacent entrance through a pedimented Doric portico. At the time this became the main entrance to the house, with a wide hall and principal rooms either side, all with elaborate interiors. The billiard room to the south may also have been added at this time. A square bay window was added to the room at the south end of the original section and the adjacent original entrance retained.

After the financial crash of the 1890s, the second generation of pastoralists sought to modernise their homesteads and a number turned to the younger generation of Arts and Crafts architects. This included the owners of Barunah Plains who employed local architects, Tombs and Durran, to enlarge and modernise the homestead. In May 1903 Tombs and Durran called for tenders in the Geelong Advertiser, 30 May 1903 for bluestone additions to Barunah Plains for James Russell. A year later, in December 1904, Tombs and Durran called tenders for bluestone additions to the woolshed at Barunah Plains (Geelong Advertiser, 10 December 1904, p 8) and in April 1908 they called tenders to erect a brick homestead and stables at Barunah Plains (Geelong Advertiser, 25 April 1908, p 5). This homestead, named Wingeel, was built for G K Russell on land to the west of Barunah Plains.

The 1903 bluestone addition at Barunah Plains is an extension to the west of the original homestead. It is a single storey section, set slightly forward from the existing façade, with a small connecting conservatory section. The new building contains both a square bay and a polygonal bay with octagonal turret roof. Presumably at this time the original courtyard was enclosed to create a large ballroom with a raised highlight roof. The interiors of all these additions were executed in a highly distinctive Federation Arts and Crafts style and contain unique hand-crafted fittings. High quality examples of stained glass, timberwork and metal work, are seen throughout these additions and also thorughout the homestead.

It was reported in The Pastoral Homes of Australia in 1910 that an electric lighting plant had been installed in an engine house at the property with the capacity to store electricity in the batteries for a week. This provided power to drive twenty machines during the shearing period. It was also reported at this time that numerous tanks and windmills were working on the estate to water the property.

Like much of the surrounding countryside Barunah Plains was established as a merino sheep stud and developed into a substantial and prosperous establishment by the Russell family. From 1880 Barunah Plains was well represented at wool shows and the estate won numerous prizes. By 1910 Barunah Plains was described as one of the finest wool growing estates in the Western District of


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Victoria in the publication The Pastoral Homes of Australia. Comprising 51,000 acres (20,640 hectares) of volcanic stony rises and hard plains, the land was described as devoid of timber, but healthy for stock with a good climate for wool growing purposes.

The property was consistently described as one of the leading merino fine wool sheep breeding establishments in the country and throughout the first half of the twentieth century many detailed articles about Barunah Plains appeared in newspapers, highlighting its importance as a merino sheep stud. It was described as holding one of the oldest merino flocks in Victoria in The Australasian, September 1918. In 1937 it was described as the home of one of the most famous and perhaps best known and largest merino flocks in Victoria and in 1938 as one of the best and most valuable pure merino breeding studs in Australia.

As the homestead and the farm developed from the nineteenth century, numerous bluestone outbuildings were constructed at the property. These include a large T-shaped woolshed, a manager’s residence, stables, coach house, bakehouse and rams’ shed. The following description of the buildings and gardens was given in The Australasian 10 September 1927:

The homestead … is of solid bluestone and of pleasing design, showing workmanship that was only obtained in the early days of settlement … The garden and grounds are generously laid out and most picturesque, while all the outbuildings are substantially put up, mostly of bluestone. The woolshed is of stone, and is provided with 20 machine stand … there are over 70 miles of rabbit-proof stonewall.

In 1929 a booklet was produced about Barunah Plains, which was described as the property of the Executors of the late James Russell. The estate was described at the time as one of the most valuable assets possessed by the State of Victoria. It comprised 46,000 acres (18,600 hectares) of freehold at the time. Like many other properties in western Victoria, a large portion of Barunah Plains was acquired by the Soldier Settlement Commission in 1949. At this time some 21,000 acres (8,500 hectares) of the property was acquired and some 23,000 sheep were sold. As a result the Barunah Plains holding was reduced to almost half of its original size.

The Russell family sold the Barunah Plains property in 1978. It was subsequently opened as tourist accommodation to supplement the farm activities and a golf course was added to the property in the 1990s. The property was sold in 2001 and again in 2016 and no longer operates as a tourist facility.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Architect name: 1 Davidson and Henderson

2 Unknown

3 Tombs and Durran

Architectural style name: 1 Victorian Italianate

2 Victorian Italianate

3 Federation/Edwardian Arts and Crafts


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Construction started date: 1 1866-67

2 c1886

3 1903

VICTORIAN HISTORICAL THEMES

02 Peopling Victoria’s places and landscapes2.5 Migrating and making a home

04 Transforming and managing land and natural resources4.3 Grazing and raising livestock4.4 Farming4.7 Transforming the land and waterways

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Barunah Plains is a highly intact farm complex. It includes a large single storey bluestone homestead with slate roof, constructed in three main stages (1866-67, c1886 and 1903) and a large collection of bluestone outbuildings. A number of these are located at the home station and others are more remote from the homestead.

The homestead has been clearly built in a number of stages to form the present large house. It contains a series of rooms which face the Warrambine River to the north and a series of rooms, including the main entrance, which face to the east. Two wings have been added to the original homestead, one to the south and one to the west.

The original bluestone homestead section, with verandah, is of simple Italianate design. The house appears to have consisted of two wings, one facing north and the other west, with a detached service wing to the south west. This section contains simple detailing and incorporates a polygonal bay which faces the creek to the north. A photograph clearly shows this first homestead as viewed from the north-east.

Two wings have been added to the original homestead. A wing to the south (dating from c1886) contains the main entrance hall, two large reception rooms and a billiard room. A wing to the west (dating from 1903) contains a suite of bedrooms with a square bay and turreted polygonal bay. A small conservatory with shelving is placed at the junction of the original house and the 1903 addition. An internal ballroom has been formed by filling in a central courtyard in 1903. A timber amenities building (date unknown) is situated to the south west of the main homestead.

The interiors of the homestead contain decoration from the 1880s and the early twentieth century. The 1880s decoration includes embossed wallpaper dados, aedicule door surrounds, stepped cornices and a large arched opening in the main entrance, and a timber lined coved ceiling and decorative beams in the billiard room.

Other rooms throughout the house contain elements of twentieth century decoration which are outstanding examples of the Arts and Crafts period. These include stained glass, timber work, tiles and metal work. These are particularly evident in the west wing and ballroom, however rooms such


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as the ballroom (fireplace) and the main entrance hall (stained glass in front door and sidelights) also contain twentieth century detailing. The rooms in the west wing contain stained timber cabinetry and mantelpieces with stained glass and mirror inserts, tiled fireplace surrounds and hearths and copper detailing. The lobby between the early and later section has a raised skylight and an entrance door and sidelight containing stained glass. The ballroom contains two fireplaces with timber detailing (fireplace surrounds have been obscured by later applied finish), timber cabinetry and panelling (original stained finish since painted), stained glass door, window and highlight panes, and stained timber roof structure. In the early twentieth century detailing was applied to various elements throughout the house. This included specially designed bronze door handles and plates, large timber push plates and stained glass in windows and doors.

A number of bluestone outbuildings remain largely intact at the property. These include stables (with timber dovecote and intact interior), coach house, bakehouse and dairy, manager’s cottage, rams’ shed and woolshed. The dates of the various outbuildings are unknown, however it is likely that they were constructed in the later nineteenth century. In 1904 it was stated that the Barunah Plains Merino flock was 'the most noted in the Western District', comprising 50,000 sheep on the 51,000 acres. The ram building is one unusual manifestation of this once very large sheep property. Seven bluestone water storage tanks are located at the property.

Other notable features are the corrugated iron clad engine house with half-timbered gable end which was built by 1910. It contains the electrical power plant which provided power to light the homestead and stables, to drive twenty shearing machines and to cut chaff and all firewood needed.

The T-shaped bluestone woolshed is located on a rise on the north side of the Warrambine Creek. Its south wall is concealed by corrugated iron additions. The manager’s cottage and another bluestone cottage are situated on the east side of the creek and a timber gardener’s cottage to the west of the homestead. The bluestone cottage to the east of the property contains the fireplace surround that was once in the main drawing room in the homestead. A bluestone rams’ shed, with slatted floor and subfloor access, is located east of the main entrance driveway and a bluestone hut and yard, in a ruinous state, is located to the west of the property. It has been suggested that this was a dog kennel and yard complex.

A number of timber buildings are located in the vicinity of the original shearers’ quarters. The main building, containing a baker’s oven and sink with wooden drainer, had been constructed by 1929 and two other buildings appear to have been added soon after. This includes an ablutions building to the south which contains a large communal lead lined basin on timber base, with a series of taps fixed to a suspended timber beam above.

Other buildings and structures have been added to the property in the mid to late twentieth century. These include cottages, a tennis court, swimming pool/entertainment area and a number of structures associated with farm use. None of these elements have been identified as being of significance.

OBJECTS AND INTERIORS

A number of interior finishes and detailing have been retained (as described above) including embossed wallpaper from the nineteenth century and stained glass, tiles, timberwork and metal detailing from the early twentieth century. Some of these finishes have been obscured by later finishes including the fireplaces in the ballroom. A telephone switchboard and timber panel remains in the office to the west of the ballroom.


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LANDSCAPES, TREES & GARDENS

The Barunah Plains homestead complex is picturesquely sited on a flat plain to the east and south of the Warrambine Creek and on the undulating and stepped rocky escarpments along the water course. Directly to the north of the creek, and near the highest point of the property, is the woolshed and associated shearers’ quarters. A collection of plants and trees representative of the periods of development remains at Barunah Plains. The late nineteenth century planting is represented by mature specimens of conifers and early twentieth century Sugar Gums.

An extensive designed landscape exists at Barunah Plains amongst a few remnant River Red Gums. This incorporates extensive windbreak plantings of Monterey Cypress, Monterey Pines, Aleppo Pines, Stone Pines, and Sugar Gums in rows and stands. The windbreak plantings are a dominant feature at Barunah Plains. Commencing at the entrance to the property on the Hamilton Highway, a large plantation occurs along the west side of the drive and this is planted with Sugar Gum, Monterey Pine, Stone Pine Monterey Cypress, and Elms. On the east side are remnant rows and stands of Sugar Gums.

The windbreak planting continues around the homestead, outbuildings, garden and orchard to almost enclose the complex. Additional trees, rows and stands of Monterey Pines and Monterey Cypress occur within the homestead garden and Sugar Gums, Dutch Elms, Canary Island Pine, and Italian, and Bhutan Cypress are located south of the orchard. Nearby is a circle planting of Pepper Trees, a ‘horseshoe’ planting of Monterey Pines west of the gardener’s cottage, and a row of seven Osage Orange trees south of the orchard.

The homestead garden is laid out on the south side of Warrambine Creek and is nestled into a large ‘S’ bend of the creek in an enclosed oasis. This contrasts with the surrounding open farmland. The garden design and planting provided for leisure activities, horticultural pursuits, plant diversity, food production and Barunah Plains includes an important example of a homestead garden and extensive windbreak plantations.

The homestead garden is likely to have been first established in the 1860s and developed further in the 1880s. Early images from 1910 and 1929 indicate that the general layout of the garden and homestead remain largely intact however the garden itself has become depleted. Losses include shrubs, Cordylines, and extensive rose and flower gardens. There is an ongoing loss of early conifer planting, which reflects the age of trees planted in the 1880s.

The garden is partially enclosed by a section of timber picket fence and rail fences. The latter also occur around parts of the drive to the outbuildings. An important feature of the garden is an ornate timber gate at the eastern entry. (An identical gate has been removed from the south entry). Contained within the garden are gravel drives and paths, steps, bluestone wall remains and timber post, a tennis court on the east side, a sunken croquet lawn to the north and a swimming pool and pavilion to the west. West of the homestead is a large orchard containing apples, pears, plums and citrus, and timber orchard shed.

Important plantings near the homestead include three River Red Gums, a row of seven Dutch elms south of the homestead, between the store and bakehouse, an exceptionally large Monterey Cypress which is in a declining condition and a large, leaning Bunya Bunya Pine near the north west corner of the homestead. Part of the west and east sides of the homestead is covered in Virginia Creeper. The west lawn is planted with four Canary Island Date Palms, a uncommon Queensland Kauri, Bay Laurel, two Norfolk Island Hibiscus and a Claret Ash, Dutch Elm, and Silky Oak now in poor condition. The tennis court and lawn is enclosed on the east and south sides by Monterey Cypress,


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Monterey Pine, Golden Cypress and Sugar Gums. One of three outstanding River Red Gums in the park grows on the east side of the tennis court .

The most extensive ornamental planting occurs between the homestead, drive and creek and also north of the creek. A decorative timber suspension bridge, which is located across Warrambine Creek in this area, is a rare garden structure in Victoria. The park (arboretum) has a number of contrasting conifers, including Monterey Cypress, Monterey Pine, Aleppo Pine, Canary Island Pine, Italian Cypress (two forms), two Hoop Pines, and Bunya Bunya Pine. A fine stand of Aleppo Pines grow south east of the manager’s cottage. Other trees in this area include Dutch Elm, Pepper Tree, Ironbark and other eucalypts. Directly north of the suspension bridge is a large and outstanding example of a Norfolk Island Hibiscus.

Between the croquet lawn and creek is a row of seven Monterey Cypress, and to the east a very large Monterey Cypress, Monterey Pine and Atlantic Cedar, Glossy Privet, Japanese Spindlewood, Periwinkle, Aloe arborescens, and an old Olive tree to the south. A group of Agave Americana, Aloe arborescens and other succulents grow near the gate.

There is a rare and large Phillyrea latifolia north of the homestead entrance and steps, a rare unknown Malus sp. (multi stemmed), a very rare coppiced Phillyrea angustifolia, and a rare but dying Juniperus excelsa. West of the path to the bridge is a large Bay Laurel and a Corynocarus laevigata and two seedlings occur to the east.

The garden at the bluestone cottage to the east of the property has remnant Briar Rose and privet hedges , Bottlebrush, two Melaleuca styphelioides, two Cherry Plums, Crabapple, two Moonah trees along the south fence and many elm suckers.

In the 1990s a golf course was developed at the property. This was planted with many trees including Gums, Paperbark, River Sheoak, Ash, Claret Ash, Golden Ash, Golden Elm, Pin Oak, Silver Birch, Monterey Cypress, Golden Cypress and Monterey Pines. These were planted in rows and as specimen trees.

ARCHAEOLOGY

Barunah Plains has the potential to contain historical archaeological features, deposits and artefacts relating to its settlement and use. The archaeological remains may include building foundations; occupation deposits; ceramic, glass and metal artefacts; and other material.

INTEGRITY/INTACTNESS

The complex is largely intact with many outbuildings extant on the property. Significant fabric has been retained at the homestead and at a number of these outbuildings.

A number of internal changes have been made to the configuration of the homestead since initial construction in 1866-67. The reconfiguring of the homestead as it was enlarged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries has obscured the original plan form of the homestead, however the exterior indicates the broad development of the building. Other changes include an inappropriate addition to the south of the billiard room in the mid-late twentieth century. [January 2016]

The integrity of the property is high and the heritage values are clearly evident and can be readily appreciated. Despite the homestead undergoing two substantial stages of development since initial construction in 1867, the present building clearly reflects the important pastoral phase of Barunah


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Plains. This is reinforced by the retention of a significant collection of outbuildings, many of which have had little change made to their fabric. The use of outbuildings such as the stables, woolshed, rams’ shed and engine house is readily discernible. [January 2016].

CONDITION

The homestead and main outbuildings are in very good condition. This includes the stables, bakehouse and dairy, woolshed, manager’s cottage, rams’ shed, shearers’ quarters and engine house. Two cottages, one of bluestone and one of timber, are in poor condition however appear to be structurally sound. [January 2016].


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COMPARISONS

Western District pastoral propertiesMany large pastoral properties were established in Victoria in the nineteenth century, including many in the Western District of the state. A number of these remain to reflect the prosperity of the colony from the 1850s and the fortunes made from farming. Although these properties have generally been reduced in size, they typically retain the main homestead (often added to over a period of time) and many retain collections of outbuildings and well established nineteenth and early twentieth century gardens and landscapes.

Barunah Plains is an example of a large Western District pastoral property in Victoria. It has long associations with one pioneering family and retains an extensive collection of outbuildings. Little fabric of the once well established garden has been retained.

On this basis, Barunah Plains can be compared to a number of large Western District pastoral properties which are included in the Victorian Heritage Register. These include the following:

Titanga Homestead, Lismore (VHR H0299), associated with Currie family from1886-present Mawallok, Beaufort (VHR H0563), associated with Russell family from 1847-1980 Meningoort, Camperdown (VHR H0300), associated with McArthur family from 1837-

present Purrumbete, Weerite (VHR H0301), associated with Manifold family from 1836-1983 Carranballac, Skipton (VHR H0424), associated with Chirnside 1850s, and owned by five

generations for over 130 years) Merrang Homestead, Hexham (VHR H0322), associated with Hood family from 1856-present Glenormiston Homestead, Glenormiston (VHR H1611), associated with Black family from

1840s-1949 Gringegalgona Homestead, Gringegalona (VHR H1925) Moranghurk, Lethbridge (VHR H0266) Murndal Homestead, Tahara (VHR H0289) Narrapumelap Homestead, Wickliffe (VHR H0492), associated with Wyselaskie family 1840-

1883 Kongbool, Balmoral (VHR H0361), associated with Fairbairn family from 1845 for 9 years Narada Homestead, Anakie (VHR H0282) Glenfine Homestead Precinct, Werneth (VHR H1206) Barwon Park, Winchelsea (VHR H0365).

These properties are of historical significance for their association with the early pastoral settlement of Victoria, in particular the Western District, and often their long association with families where succeeding generations have made substantial contributions to Western District pastoral and civic affairs. The properties are associated with the heyday of the pastoral era in Victoria and the prosperity of the Western District pastoralists in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

All of these places retain sufficient fabric to reflect these early pastoral settlement associations. Some retain collections of early buildings, including homesteads and outbuildings.

Collections of early buildings remain at the following properties:

Titanga Homestead, Lismore including homestead, cottage, woolshed Mawallok, Beaufort including homestead, original homestead complex, laundry, men's

quarters, stables, coach house, manager's house, cottage, hut, blacksmiths shop, pump house, woolshed, meat house


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Meningoort , Camperdown including homestead, woolshed, stables Purrumbete, Weerite including homestead, coach house, dairy, manager’s house, cool

house, cart shed, store, men’s stables, men’s quarters Caranballac, Skipton including homestead, men’s huts, timber cottage with dormer

windows, woolshed, shearers’ quarters, octagonal dairy, meat houses, powder magazine, stables

Moranghurk , Lethbridge including homestead, maids quarters, manager’s office, laundry, single men’s hut, grain store, fowl house, kennels, motor garage, stables, old manager’s house, dairy, meat house, shearers’ quarters, pump house, gatehouse

Koogbool , Balmoral including homestead and garden, woolshed , brick storeroom, stables, buggy sheds and workshop.

A number of Western District properties are included in the VHR for their architectural significance as fine examples of the work of a particular architect, as notable examples of a particular style or for their retention of intact interiors. These include:

Notable examples of the work of particular architects: Davidson & Henderson at Titanga Homestead, Lismore and Narrapumelap, Wickliffe P S Richards at Kongbool, Balmoral Andrew Kerr at Merrang Homestead, Hexham John Young and Joseph Watts at Narada Homestead, Anakie H R Caselli at Glenfine Homestead Precinct, Werneth.

Notable example of a particular style: Arts & Crafts at Mawallock, Purrumbete and Murndal Homestead – addition (Arts & Crafts) Italianate at Merrang Homestead and Gringegalona Homestead.

Specific Examples

1 Titanga Homestead, Lismore (VHR H0299)

Titanga, near Lismore, is located on the original Mt Elephant No 2 pastoral lease which was acquired by a number of Scottish squatters from 1840 onwards. Alexander Buchanan acquired the Titanga portion of the property when subdivision occurred in 1871. The following year local architects Davidson and Henderson were commissioned to design the Titanga homestead, cottage and woolshed. The property was sold to John Lang Currie in 1886 and by the mid-1890s Currie owned 80,000 acres of freehold land in this area.

Titanga is a single storey bluestone homestead, with hipped slate roofs and a later verandah. It is of simple Italianate design. Eucalypts were planted by Buchanan and Currie to provide shelter for stock and this developed into an extremely large collections of eucalypts at the property. The homestead garden retains a number of features including the formal drive and turning circle, an arboretum along the drive, a formal garden, ornamental lake, shelter belts and specimen trees.

Titanga is of historical, architectural, aesthetic and scientific significance at a state level . It is of historical significance for its demonstration of the early pastoral development of the Western District of Victoria and its long associations with the pioneering Currie family. It is of architectural significance as a notable example of the work of prolific architects Davidson and Henderson and for the demonstration of excellent craftsmanship in the execution of stonework. It is of aesthetic significance as a fine example of a nineteenth century homestead garden, further developed in the


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twentieth century and of scientific significance for its collection of eucalypts, one of the largest private collections in Australia.

Titanga Homestead

2 Mawallok, Beaufort (VHR H0563)

Mawallok was acquired by Alexander Russell in 1847 and remained in the Russell family until 1980. The pre-emptive right was granted in 1858 at which time the first wing of the house, woolshed, stables, overseer’s hut, dip and two dams had been built. The original homestead was extended in the 1860s with a bluestone wing and cellar. A new homestead was built in 1907-08 in the Arts and Crafts style to designs by Klingender and Alsop, and the garden laid out to a plan prepared by William Guilfoyle in 1909. The house was constructed in reinforced concrete and features distinctive elements such as dominant steep roofs with gables, dormers and tall chimneys, and internal timber staircase and gallery.

Mawallok is of historical significance for its associations with the early pastoral settlement of Victoria and with the Russell family. The different phases of construction of the original homestead, the 1908 house and the 1909 garden demonstrate the development of a successful pastoral station and the retention of numbers of outbuildings, and the intactness of the house and garden, enhance the significance. The 1908 house at Mawollok is of architectural significance as an important example of the Arts and Crafts style and for its early use of concrete in residential work in Victoria. Mawallok is of aesthetic significance for the designed landscape and the involvement of William Guilfoyle.

Mawallok


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Mawallock

3 Meningoort, Camperdown (VHR H0300)

Scottish immigrant Peter McArthur took over the Meningoort run in the early 1840s and in 1851 built a house on a terrace cut from the side of the extinct volcano Mount Meningoort. In 1887, the house was partially rebuilt and enlarged to a design by Melbourne architect Charles D'Ebro. The house is a single-storey bluestone homestead designed in the Italianate style, with decorative cast-iron verandah and corrugated iron roof. Many interiors remain intact. Two long rectangular bluestone buildings at the rear contain service rooms, including a dairy, and a billiard room. South of the house are a large bluestone woolshed, two-storey bluestone stables, and a number of other timber and stone outbuildings.

The homestead is sited directly facing Mount Leura with an unusual axial approach along a long avenue of red gums. The homestead garden is shaped by hedging and low plantings, with large mature species in extensive park-like surrounds. Aspects of the original landscape plan have survived, including the terracing and a number of mature species, including pines and conifers.

Meningoort has remained in the possession of the McArthur family since its construction and the family has made a long and distinguished contribution to public life.

Meningoort is of historical significance for its association with the period of early pastoral settlement in western Victoria. This significance is enhanced by its being maintained in near original condition, and being held by the same family since its construction. Meningoort is of architectural significance as an important example of a Western District bluestone pastoral homestead. Its grand scale and setting reflects the wealth and importance of the Western District pastoralists, and the ongoing and prominent role of pastoral families such as the McArthurs in the social and political life in Victoria. The station outbuildings, especially the bluestone woolshed and stables, contribute to an understanding of the complex workings of the pastoral station.

The remnant homestead garden, and the broader landscaped grounds, is of aesthetic significance for its park-like and picturesque setting, which was characteristic of pastoral homesteads in Victoria. The bold landscaping treatment at Meningoort reflects the visual importance given to the siting of the homestead in the early pastoral period, and the place of the homestead in the natural landscape.


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Meningoort

4 Purrumbete, Weerite (VHR H0301)

Purrumbete was established by the brothers John and Peter Manifold in 1839, when they became squatters on the land around Lake Purrumbete. During the nineteenth century the Manifold family became one of the largest landholders in Victoria, and Purrumbete developed into a substantial and prosperous farming complex, accommodating the growing demands of cattle, sheep and later bullock and dairy farming. A small house was constructed on the site of the present homestead in 1842, and in 1857-1860 a large bluestone wing was added, part of which remains. Major additions by architect Alexander Hamilton doubled the size of the homestead in 1882 and the resulting single storey bluestone Italianate style house included a verandah with elaborate ironwork and an extensive cellar. By the early 1890s at least twenty outbuildings had been constructed at Purrumbete, some of which remain. The Manifolds made good use of the lake as a water resource, and installed an advanced water reticulation system. In 1901 the architect Guyon Purchas designed major alterations and additions to the house, resulting in an unusual Federation Arts and Crafts style building, with remnants of the earlier building phases retained. The most significant changes were made to the main rooms along the north front, which were rebuilt with outstanding Art Nouveau interiors. After the World War I, much of the Manifold family landholdings were sold for soldier settlement.

The landscape and garden created in a picturesque style on the shore of Lake Purrumbete retain features from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This includes the layout and the character of the planting in the different parts of the garden, the driveway and avenues of elms, oaks, poplars, pine and cypress, the tennis court, stone walling and pond, and the southern set of basalt steps leading down to the lake.


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Purrumbete is historically significant for its association with the early settlement of Victoria and with the Manifold family, who were among the earliest and most successful of the settlers in Victoria's Western District. During the nineteenth century the Manifolds were among the largest landholders in Victoria and one of Australia's most influential families. Purrumbete became one of the largest farming properties in Victoria and remained in Manifold ownership until 1983. The property is associated with the heyday of the pastoral era in Victoria and the prosperity of the Western District pastoralists in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Purrumbete is significant for its unusually intact collection of picturesque Victorian-era farm buildings, which is one of the most intact such groups in Victoria, and for its unusual nineteenth century water reticulation system of underground cast iron pipes, drains and above ground bluestone water tanks.

Purrumbete homestead is architecturally significant as an outstanding example of Arts and Crafts architecture in Victoria. The interiors display highly developed Art Nouveau interior design and integrate original paintings by Walter Withers which record the history of the Manifold family at Purrumbete. It is also significant for the intricate timber work produced by Murray and Crow. Purrumbete is also of architectural significance for its collection of intact nineteenth century outbuildings, which help to illustrate the various activities undertaken at the property.

Purrumbete homestead is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding Art Nouveau interiors, its rare lake-side setting and the retention of plantings from the later nineteenth and early twentieth century. The picturesque landscape is of outstanding beauty and quality, with a rich collection of plants more typical of public than private gardens.

Purrumbete is of scientific (technical) significance for the remnants of the water reticulation system, which is an advanced example of nineteenth century technology adapted for use on a private farm.

Purrumbete is significant for its long association, from 1836 until 1983, with the Manifold family. The homestead is an important example of the work of the architect Guyon Purchas, one of the pioneers of the Australian Arts and Crafts movement, who designed some of the movement's most spectacular domestic interiors. It is significant for its association with the artist Walter Withers, a major and influential member of the Heidelberg School of artists.

Purrumbete

ConclusionBarunah Plains is an intact example of a large Western District pastoral property in Victoria. It has


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long associations with one pioneering family and retains an extensive collection of substantial outbuildings. Together with the comparative examples described above, Barunah Plains clearly illustrates the prosperity of the Western District pastoralists in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. As surviving examples, all these places, including Barunah Plains, contribute to the understanding of this period of development in Victoria.

KEY REFERENCES USED TO PREPARE ASSESSMENT

J Smith. Cyclopedia of Victoria. Vol II. Melbourne 1904A Sutherland. Victoria and its Metropolis: Past and Present, vol 2. 1888The Pastoral Homes of Australia 1910-14Barunah Plains, Hesse Victoria; the property of the Trustees of the late James Russell, 1929M Kiddle, Men of Yesterday. A social history of the Western District of Victoria 1834-1890. 1961Billis & Kenyon. Pastoral Pioneers of Port Phillip. Melbourne 1974P Watts. Historic Gardens of Victoria. Melbourne 1983National Trust of Australia (Victoria) fileAustralian Dictionary of Biography: entries for George Russell, Thomas Russell, James AustinBarunah Plains Reducing Sale brochure, 1949

Newspapers:The Australasian, 23 August 1884, p 10; 18 September 1897, p 40; 4 February 1911, p 814 September 1918, p 6; 8 September 1923, p 4; 10 September 1927, p 6; 14 November 1931, pp 27 & 32; 20 July 1935, p 58; 24 July 1937, p 50; 23 July 1938, p 26; 8 March 1941, p 30; The Pastoral Review, 16 August 1915, p 742Examiner (Launceston), 18 June 1949, p 11Geelong Advertiser, 26 September 1978, p 7

Maps: Parish of Hesse, County of Grenville, 1854Country Lots, Parish of Hesse, County of Grenville, Dept of Lands and Survey 1859Hesse, County of Grenville, Dept of Lands and Survey, 1880


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ADDITIONAL IMAGES

Image of the original 1867 homestead [from Russell family descendant, Fiona East]

Image of the homestead in 1906, showing late 1880s and 1903 additions [News of the Week, 15 November 1906]


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Homestead in 2015

Stables, with timber dovecote on north wall, bluestone tank and farm shed at rear


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Interior of stables

View to stables in 1910 [The Pastoral Homes of Australia 1910-14]


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View to the south east of the homestead showing the engine house in foreground, dairy and bakehouse building to left, coach house, and stables in background. These buildings all remain intact

[The Pastoral Homes of Australia 1910-14]

View to the north towards the homestead showing from left: engine house, coach house and stables [ Barunah Plains, Hesse, Victoria, auction brochure, 1929]


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Engine house, with workshop and garage

Rams’ shed


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Woolshed and large bluestone water tank to right

Interior of woolshed


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Shearers’ quarters, showing buildings added after 1929

Original shearers’ quarters building before construction of two additional timber buildings, meat house and recent rotunda. The woolshed is in the background [ Barunah Plains, Hesse, Victoria,

auction brochure, 1929]


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Bluestone cottage

Gardener’s cottage


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1880s section of house

1903 section of house


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Details of 1880s decoration in main hall


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Billiard room ceiling

Roof light over ballroom


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Raised skylight above lobby in west wing 1903

Door in lobby in west wing 1903


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Joinery in west wing 1903

Joinery in west wing 1903


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Arts and Crafts details


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Suspension bridge to the west of the homestead, over the Warrambine Creek


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