Vineyard Site

Statement of Significance

The site is significant due to its association with the horticultural industry in the district and with pioneering families.

Physical Description

The vineyard site is across the creek from the remnants of the ruins of the 'Whitelaw Gully' homestead and is about 0.5kms south of Hope Farm Road opposite the homestead. About 15 acres were planted to sultanas and currants (and a few table grapes) which thrived on the heavy red soil. Drying racks were built near the Hope Farm sheds. The vineyard was bulldozed in about 1964 by Hamley Patterson and no remnants remain. The vineyard was designed to complement the cropping programme and provide additional income. The grapes would be picked after the grain harvest and the pruning done in the period following seeding. However it was very labour intensive and thunderstorms in summer while the grapes were on the drying racks proved costly on many occasions.

History

The vineyard is situated on the original selection of Andrew Patterson, who with his brother William had attended in their home town of Hamley Bridge in SA, where a WA land Co representative had proclaimed the prospects of the newly opened up land along the Great Southern Railway. Andrew and William Patterson loaded their four horses, wagons and goods at Port Adelaide in 1893 and arrived in Albany. Still ahead of them was over 100 miles of travel to reach the area where they intended selecting land. Andrew Patterson called his selection 'Whitelaw Gully, after the area near the Patterson property at Pinkerton Plains, near Gawler. He put in a saw pit and sawed timber for his house. Water shortage was a problem at Whitelaw Gully and the only evidence of permanent water is a soak in the gully about 0.3km from the original dwelling.

Church services were commenced in the home of Andrew Patterson as well as Sunday School for the children. Records show it was known as the Whitelaw Gully Sunday School, Miss Ethel Harvey being perhaps the first teacher from April 25, 1897. After Andrew left, William Patterson's Manna Flats home was used. The serious illness to Andrew Patterson forced him, Susan and their four children to return to South Australia where he died at the early age of 35.

Joseph Rolston Patterson (junior), his wife Polly, four sons and daughter came from Hamley Bridge in 1901 to take over the property left by his brother Andrew. Ultimately, this move was destined to bring another period of sorrow to the Patterson family. Polly died following the birth of Ruby, her second daughter to be bom in the west, in April 1907 at the age of 41. The eldest daughter, Lillian, was called upon to act as mother to the younger children; a situation that was often the case in those times. Joseph built a substantial homestead over the road from Andrew's Whitelaw Gully house. The youngest son Hamley stayed on 'Hope Farm' to help his father and continued here for many years after his father's death in 1942. In later years the farm was purchased by the Shackley family, descendants of William George Patterson.

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.