Chirrita Station (Ruins)

Statement of Significance

Chirrita Station has historic significance as one of the early pastoral stations in the Shire of Roebourne (c1865) with evidence of changes in station life in the North West over time. The station buildings are a mix of the stone remains of the original structures - homestead buildings, and wool shed and yards - with post 1950s additions at the homestead complex. There is clear research potential to explore over 150 years of station life. The station precinct has aesthetic significance as it is set within a landscape of rolling hills and ridge lines with views across the Maitland River floodplain. The station is part of a tradition of stock raising that continues into the present.

Physical Description

The station homestead complex is comprised of late 19th and early 20th century structures combined with a range of late 20th and early 21st century residential buildings. The earliest homestead buildings are located around a small stony outcrop. This includes the ruined remains of a stone-built homestead of three rooms, the verandah of which once looked over the plain towards the north and east. Another square stone walled building has complete walls, although no roof. In the immediate vicinity are six buildings predominantly made of corrugated iron cladding on wooden frames, with concrete floors. These were residences, quarters, kitchen, engine room, and working areas. They are still used in some instances as residences. The shearing shed on the other side of the outcrop is of corrugated iron cladding on a metal and wooden frame, with concrete and raised timber floors. It contains the remains of holding pens, shearing equipment, wool carding tables, engine rooms and wool pens. A nearby stone building may have served as an earlier engine room. On the road into the homestead are the remains of the early woolshed, which appear to relate to very early uses of the station, being made of local stone. This complex includes a low wall across the ridge to form part of a stock containment area (similar to that at Old Woodbrook Station). The main building is the shearing shed with surrounding stone walls (similar to Springs Station and Inthanoona Station). Some flagstones remain, as well as wooden posts at the gates and building walls.

History

Chirrita Station was one of the early pastoral stations in the region, taken up in approximately 1865 by Norman McLeod (Donald Norman). His son, Donald, managed the station until its sale to A C Gillam. It is unclear when the station was sold to Mr Gillam, but he certainly owned it in 1889, when an article records him sending 500 sheep on the Australind, bound for the Singapore market. 1 The Withnell brothers (part of the Withnell family who were early settlers in the Roebourne area) bought the station from Gillam in roughly 1903.2 The Stove Brothers purchased the station from Gillam in the early 1920s. The Stove brothers also owned Mount Welcome (HCWA Reference number 2343) and Cooya Pooya Station (HCWA Reference number 3376) around this time, 3 thus linking Chirrita Station to Mount Welcome Station. The links with Mt Welcome continue into the present as the station is now part of Mt Welcome Station and cattle are run on the station. Today the station continues to be an important place, as the site of the old homestead is home to a community of people.

Archaeology

There is significant archaeological potential for remains associated with the sheep and later cattle industry at Chirrita Station. The sequence of 19th and 20th century station buildings records the history of architecture, vernacular design and changes in stations and technology over 150 years. The contribution and realities of station life for Aboriginal people could also be reflected in the material remains as well as local memories.

Integrity/Authenticity

The earlier buildings are largely in a ruined and disused condition

Condition

Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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