Melrose Farm pt of Fair View Farm

Statement of Significance

Farming in Ravensthorpe was a sequel to the mining boom when a few men with previous experience in farming approached the Mines Department for blocks of land. Seven men applied in 1900 and were granted up to 500 acres each, this was the maximum allowed in a goldfield area as a miner's homestead lease. The first farmers' meeting was held in a tent on the Annabel Creek in April 1901. The names of those present included W & J Stevenson, TF Smith, H Walkington. W Evans, Dave Neil and AS Chambers. Chambers and Neil had cleared 29 acres with axes and it was burnt and ready for cropping so the main discussion was how to obtain the necessary horses and machinery, plus seed for the first crop. Alt horses in the district were engaged for carting goods backwards and forwards between the port of Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe. One of the men at the meeting, with a little more finance than the others, offered to ride a push bike over to Broomehill on the Great Southern Railway to search for the horses, ploughs and harrows needed. It appears that Broomehill in those days was the nearest farming area, it was reached on a rough track and a journey of 180 miles. Should this man succeed in his venture, he would put in all crop required for that year for one pound per acre (two dollars), the farmer to find horse feed and water, purchase seed and sow it by hand. Whilst this man was pushing his bike overland, arrangements had been made with Captain Fred Douglas of the schooner Grace Darling to purchase seed and chaff in the Albany area. This came to hand at one pound (two dollars) a bushel for seed and fifteen pounds a ton for chaff, with freight from Hopetoun to Ravensthorpe by wagon at five pounds (ten dollars) a ton. All land cleared was ready for seeding but it was die beginning of June before the man turned up with what was thought to be (he two most dilapidated crocks ever seen in Western Australia, a set of stump jump harrows and a tip dray. This was the equipment with which lie intended to pul in the first crop and create, as he supposed, the first half dozen independent farmers in Ravensthorpe. An argument and disagreement arose next morning and that was the end of the cooperative movement. One of the disappointed farmers had a pony and spring cart he used for deliveries around the town so he was despatched next day to Cocanarup Sheep Station, ten miles (16km) out, to sec what could be found there. He said the only animals available were a big draught mare in poor condition and a big jack mule. These he could have for hire at 101- ($ 1) per week if they were fed well and a two furrow plough at 10/- (SI) per week- With die pony he arrived back at the camp and tethered then to the trees around. The men had a good supper of black lea, tinned dog and damper, filled some bags with mallee leaves as mattresses and turned in for the night. Some lime during the dark hours they were awakened by a blood curdling scream, only to find it was the jack mule crying out to go home, which apparently he did. Dave Neil sowed the wheat broadcast by hand and Arthur Chambers ploughed it in. The crop was a good one and others decided to follow on and thus the farming industry was established. The farm was named Melrose Farm approximately 5km west of Ravensthorpe on Jerramungup Road and il is now part of Fair View Farm. In 1910 Charles Chapman bought the farm. He built a small flour mill on the property which was used to crush the grain and make flour for his own family use and to supply the early settlers. The previous owner to die Websters, Kevin Hosking is the grandson of Charles Chapman. John Archer, grandson of Arthur Chambers, still has the two furrow plough they used.

Physical Description

Melrose Farm located 5kms west of Ravensthorpe and is now part of Fairview Farm.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: All

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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