House Site

Statement of Significance

The site is important for its connection with the first European settlement of the area and for its
association with pioneering families.

Physical Description

The building remnants are situated some 30 - 40 metres north east of a creek, about 100 metres
from Quartermaine Road.

All that remains are portions of a stone chimney, part of a stone wall and some foundations. Two
jam posts are alongside the chimney.

Close by (to the north) are several remnant fruit trees.

History

The house was the home for Tim Quartermaine and his family. It was the second house
constructed - the first to the NE was close to Robinson Road and some remnants still remain. For
some reason this was not lived in.

Tim was the eldest surviving son of Elijah (jr) Quartermaine of Boyaminning. He ran this farm
until his death in 1956.

Tim Quartermaine was one of the very few part Aborigines to farm land (and successfully at that)
in Western Australia. He was fortunate that he had assistance from his father to get established.
Here he raised 12 children from his marriage to Elizabeth Cornwall, another part Aboriginal. After
Tim's death, Elizabeth moved into Woodanilling where she spent most of the remainder of her life
until her death in Katanning. Elizabeth's father was Jack (Nosey) Cornwall. He had been born at
the Beaufort in the 1860's. Jack had quite a large family and the boys were later paid to change
their surname to Jones. The prevailing attitudes in the early twentieth century, particularly with
many of the new arrivals who had little knowledge or experience with Aborigines, were strongly
against co-habitation of Europeans and the indigenous people.

Tim Quartermaine also undertook some carrying work in the district using horse and a dray.

Integrity/Authenticity

site only

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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.