Reads Farm - Site

Statement of Significance

The site is significant as the first post office in the Narembeen district. It is significant for the associations with the Kumminin property and Emu Hills wells, as well as a pioneer of the district. It represents a way of life no longer practiced.

History

The original Kumminin Homestead had been a wheat property until 1909. At that time the "Survey before Selection" was introduced, and McGibbon took up some of the property as a freehold selection. In 1910 Harry Read took up 1000 acres of the property on freehold at Emu Hills, adjacent to the Rock, the property was called Narimbeen. The surveyor told Read if he could find water he could get more land, and after locating the water at the reserve (Emu Hill Well), received 36 acres of the reserve. Another well 300 metres away was used pre 1910. He constructed the first dwelling near the reserve boundary, but later constructed a more substantial house near Billaderin Rock. Harry Read travelled the district prospecting, and with his skills as a dentist and blacksmith, and collected some inland river gums which he planted on the south side of the house. He employed Seventh Day Adventist clearers on his property, as did his neighbour Fawcett. Harry Read provided the first official Post Office in the Narembeen district being the Post Master from 1910-1918. Charlie Davidson drove the mail coach came from Doodlakine to Read's East Kumminin Post Office. In 1918 the Post Office was relocated to Sanderson's store in the Emu Hills town (6 miles east of Emu Hills Rock), and in 1921 an unofficial post Office was operating at Narembeen siding. The name of Narembeen derived from this property.

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This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.