Fremnells Dairy

Statement of Significance

Fremnells Dairy is a relatively intact example of an operational dairy farm established in the Serpentine Agricultural area and has historic value in its association with the Orton and Kargotich families.

Physical Description

At the front of the property is a set of modest industrial buildings comprising small stone/brick building with flat corrugated iron roof attached to a larger corrugated iron building with gable roof. A small timber building with a skillion corrugated iron roof is located to the south of the main building. A water tank on a tower is located outside the large corrugated iron building and a jarrah post and railing fence runs the length of the buildings along Hopkinson Road. A steel and mesh gate with the name "Fremnells" provides an entry statement to the dairy buildings aid the residence located at the eastern end. The property is located west of the railway.

History

In October 1902, John Poole of Fremantle was granted a conditional purchase lease of Serpentine Agricultural Area Lot 33 consisting of 312 acres 2 roods, for a cost of £7/16/4. Originally the land consisted of 313 acres, but this was amended in 1904 to allow for the road reserve. [CPL No. 4136/55. 1/10/1902] The property was one of several land holdings (homestead blocks) allocated in the Mundijong-Cardup sector of the Serpentine Agricultural Area at this time. In 1904, the lease was transferred to Thomas Brenehley and the following year it was again transferred to Thomas and Robert Cook. In 1911, the lease was transferred to Ethel Emily Ross of Beenup. In 1912, Ethel married Angus Clarke, a farmer also from Beenup. In 1912. the lease was transferred to A. E. Orton. a farmer of Byford, and established the property as "Fremnells". which was the name of the Orton family homestead in Essex. [Coy, p. 179] Orton more than likely constructed the buildings at this time. In 1924. Orton was granted purchase of Lot 33 for £156/5. [Grant Vol. 872 Fol. 78] The property remained in the Orton family until 1978 when it was transferred to Thomas. Stephen and Peter Kargotich. (Jack Orton - son of A. E. Orton - had married Anne Kargotich. hence the family connection.) Peter Kargotich and Jack Orton joined forces and worked on the farm together, and, in the 1950s, they had established a successful earth moving business, which became a major source of local employment. They became the first earth-moving contractors for Alcoa at Jarrahdale. [Coy. p. 221]

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update