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 comprised about 15 acres and was situated on the north north-east side of the homestead. Nothing remains of the vineyard today. Trimmings were apparently very professional in their approach and built a kiln for drying of the grapes - in contrast to other viticulturists in the district who had to hurriedly try to cover the racks if a thunderstorm approached during the drying season.

History

William Morris Trimming and family arrived from England in 1880 and made their way to the Snowy River Goldfields. Realising that there was little prospect of quick wealth to be gained here, Trimming took over the license of the Rising Sun Hotel in Auburn S.A. While there another daughter Ida was bom. William Trimming and his four boys left the Rising Sun Hotel in 1894 and made their way to the west to establish themselves before the womenfolk arrived.

Having selected a property at Woodanilling, a mud baft house was built and the rest of the family followed in 1899, some three years later. One of the boys, Arthur had contracted tuberculosis and is said to have lived in isolation in a tent for his last few years. Sometime after their arrival, Mrs Trimming became ill and died after an illness lasting several years. In 1910 William Trimming also passed on. However, by this time the family had become well established and pioneered the dried fruit industry in the Great Southern. The two boys, Morris William and Alf, had built up the vineyard from one vine planted by their father.

In October 1923, the State Governor, Sir Francis Newdegate and his wife were given a reception in the new Woodanilling hall. After visiting the hospital, the vice regal pair were guests at a civic dinner at the hotel. Following this they were given an inspection of the district which included Morris Trimming's vineyard, now 20 years old. Morris Trimming was a progressive and efficient farmer and used superphosphate to increase crop and pasture yields before many of his neighbours. He was also a very capable veterinarian and was frequently called to cure sick animals. After Morris Trimming's death in 1934, 'Woodlands' was managed for a time, but this was unsatisfactory and it was eventually sold to Luke Bell.

The Trimming family had expanded their holdings with 'Woodlands' comprising 1059
acres and an undeveloped block towards Boyerine of 1160 acres. Following Alfs
marriage the brothers split up their partnership. Alf later sold his block near Boyerine to Charles Watkins and they went to a farm at Cranbrook. They moved to Perth in the late '20's and returned to the country to buy the historic Mt Pleasant Inn property at Arthur River from the Spratt family. Alf Trimming established a vineyard there, which was in full production when he died in 1941.

Integrity/Authenticity

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