Residence, Boynes

Statement of Significance

This is one of the first homes built in the district still in existence and its relationship to Millar's Timber and to an early prominent settler of the district, W.J. Boyne and his wife and family, give this property and residence significance and importance. Although it has been altered over the years its placement on its site and its ambience give a sense of continuity to the district. The existence of some mature palm trees add to this general feeling.

Physical Description

This is a weatherboard and corrugated iron residence lined with plasterboard with jarrah dados, fireplace surrounds, skirting boards and architraves. The original bullnosed verandah, wooden posts and wooden floor has been removed to be replaced with a verandah with a straight angled iron roof, steel poles with cement floor. The room placement of the interior has been altered with a new kitchen and with new french doors replacing the sash windows and the central hall being removed.

History

In 1906 Thomas Boyne arrived at Cowcowing looking for a sheep station with H. Teesdale Smith, who had been a prominent railway contractor and had built the Great Southern Line for Anthony Horden. Thomas Boyne had been Smith's accountant but in 1897 Teesdale Smith had become General Manager of Millars Bros., a timber firm, and Thomas Boyne was appointed Millar's manager at Fremantle. After seeing Cowcowing Thomas Boyne and his son William James selected Locations 124 and 127 of a thousand acres each. William Boyne, who had attended Hawkesbury Agricultural College in preparation for farming, set up camp in the Cowcowing forest and the surveying was done in June 1908. The rich red land looked good but the nearest water was at the Cowcowing Red Dam, so the first improvement carried out by W.J. Boyne was the excavation of a dam. In 1913 Thomas Boyne gave his son a house to be erected on the farm. It was built of all hand picked timber with all the joinery, paint and fittings being sent up from Millar's. By 1916, W.J. Boyne had his property almost fenced, three dams excavated, 600 acres of forest country cleared and the house and sheds erected. The first wedding on the eastern side of the lake was between Phleta, daughter of A.S. Lewis of Nalcain, and W.J. Boyne. They set up home in the house his farther, manager at Millars Timber & Trading Co., Fremantle, had sent up, a pre-cut, ready to be erected, house of specially chosen timber. W.J. Boyne was very prominent in all the activities of the new area of Cowcowing. He was one of the organisers of the popular Cowcowing Picnics and also an office bearer of the Cowcowing Progress Association. Mr. & Mrs. Boyne went on to be very prominent in many organisations in the Koorda district. Mrs. Boyne was noted for her magnificent garden, planting palms, roses and exotics the blooms of which were displayed at many functions. She was at one time the President of the C.W.A. and won many prizes including the President's Trophy at the Koorda Show. After Mr Boyne's death Mrs. Boyne left the district in 1952. The house was then lived in by her son Malcolm and his wife Colleen before they also left to live in Perth. The house is still maintained by the current owners, grandsons of W.J. and Mrs. Boyne, being the sons of Tom Boyne.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: It has been considerably altered.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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