Bridge Cottage - Mudbrick House

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

Bridge Cottage is significant for its picturesque form and location on the banks of the Blackwood River, and for its construction materials of hand made bricks.

Physical Description

This mud brick cottage is situated on the east bank of the Blackwood River at Wright's Bridge, on the Balingup-Nannup Rd, Balingup. The cottage is constructed of clay bricks hand made at the site. The interior walls are rendered. The house has tongue and groove timber ceilings and consists of a kitchen, sitting room, and three bedrooms (two internal, one external entrance from verandah). It also has verandahs and a narrow walkway to a separate building of bathroom, laundry and toilet. It is surrounded by shrubs and garden.

History

The cottage was the family home of Herbert and Selina Wright following their marriage in late 1906. A news report ten years later stated ‘in the corner formed by the road and the river, Mr. Herbert Wright has a small well-cared-for orchard and a neat home. Every corner of the property is under close cultivation in somewhat marked contrast with the larger properties around’ (West Australian 15 Jan. 1916. The Wrights reared a family of two boys and two girls at the place. Selina and their daughter, Sylvia, lived there until they sold the property to a cousin, Digby Wright, of ‘Rokewood’, and moved to Perth in the late 1960s. Miss Wright strongly supported the Balingup Red Cross and was noted for the beautiful flowers and vegetables that she grew. The cottage was subsequently owned by E. Michael, R. Benjamins, M. Morgan, and, R. Stubbs.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Lewana

Condition

Lewana is in good condition and has generally been well maintained as tourist accommodation by the current owners. The grounds and cottages are attractive and well maintained albeit with areas of intrusive invasions of some problematic and noxious weeds such as Blackberries. While the homestead house is in fair condition, and is well protected by the wrap around verandah, a number of general maintenance items require attention including the stumps and roof sheeting, some of which were being attended to in July 2011. The barn is in fair to poor condition with rusting roof sheeting and a number of other elements that are missing or require attention.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

Lewana is a picturesque property, where a group of simple vernacular timber buildings are set amongst a wide variety of mature exotic and indigenous tree plantings in a parkland formation, within the wider setting of the scenic Blackwood Valley; the place is an unusually intact former forestry settlement, one of four former forestry settlements converted to a recreation camp in the 1970s before being sold into private ownership, and so far as is known the only such place with an arboretum and extensive plantings of more than 50 varieties of exotic and indigenous trees; the place encompasses and illustrates the European development of the Blackwood Valley from pastoral to farming, then forestry, recreation and tourism, and thus demonstrates the lifestyles of the early settlers and subsequent farmers in the area, the farming opportunities taken by migrant farmers and workers, the development of the timber industry and the lifestyle of the timber workers and their families in the post World War II period to 1976, the types of complementary activities to supplement farming incomes, and the government policy in the late 1970s and 1980s of developing recreation camps to provide affordable accommodation to families to experience the lifestyle of the regional natural resource areas, and now illustrates the kinds of tourism opportunities in the area in the early 2000s; and, the trees planted throughout the place provide an extensive catalogue of productive and decorative exotic species suitable for cultivation in the southern area of the state.

Physical Description

Lewana comprises a homestead house and barn, five forestry cottages, a cabin, a workshop, seven single garages, all constructed of jarrah weatherboard with corrugated iron roofs in the vernacular style, and the concrete floor slab remains of a shop, all set on about 39 ha land, and surrounded by a wide variety of trees planted in the vicinity of the homestead and cottages and in an arboretum and pine plantation, Presently used as a unique holiday and recreational venue for families and small groups. Nestled in a magnificent valley amid lush pine plantations and natural forest next to the Blackwood River, approximately 17 kms from Balingup on the scenic Balingup/Nannup Road, the settlement consists of 5 cottages and the original home and store. This is a very old established farmland area and over the years, before the pine plantations, provided a home and living for families over many decades. "Running Brook" was always a source of fresh spring water vital in the summer months. A concrete and granite wall was built about 200m upstream from the settlement by Jim Anderson from Manjimup, under the supervision of a Water Supply Engineer from Collie. In 1961 the pipeline down to the houses was constructed by Forest Dept employees under the supervision of Harold Pears who was the overseer at that time. This was not an easy task as the terrain was very rough and the pipes were 6m in length and were carried to where they were required on the shoulders of the workers . They were then joined together and in some places 2.5m logs were put under the pipe to keep it level. This was connected direct to the houses and pressure reduction valves had to be used as the pressure was so great.

History

In c. 1897, John Gillick leased Nelson Location 694, 100 acres in area, part of which was the future site of Lewana. This property on the Balingup-Nannup Road, on the banks of the Blackwood River, became known as Gillick’s. It continued to be known by this name after Robert Smith, who owned Riverton Farm on the opposite side of road, leased it in c. 1916, and purchased it in 1918. In 1926, Robert Smith moved to Nannup, where he managed Kauri Timber Co., leaving his sons, Donald ‘Don’ (aged 22) and Billy (aged 19), residing at Riverton Farm and operating his pastoral property. In 1931, Billy Smith married Hazel Wauchope, and his father built a timber weatherboard house for them at Gillick’s, where they took up residence. Henceforward Billy worked Gillick’s and Don worked Riverton. In the 1940s, Robert Smith leased Gillick’s to Wakelam Bros., earthmoving contractors, who cleared some of the property. During World War II, some Italian migrants were interned and worked on the property. In October 1946, a small portion of Nelson Location 694 was transferred to Donald Garton Smith, and his father retained the balance, which he continued to lease to various tenants. In 1954, Gillick’s was leased to Danish migrant Erik Slyns, who had arrived in Western Australia with his wife and three children in 1949. They took up residence at the homestead and ran dairy cattle, sheep and pigs on the property. In June 1956, portion of Nelson Location 694 was transferred to Wilfred Walter, storekeeper, of Balingup, who was a member of Balingup Road Board (1955-59). In early 1957, he sold it to Erik Slyns, who was recorded as farmer, of “Lewana”, Balingup, indicating it was already known by this name, which is an Aboriginal word for wind. Slyns made additions to the existing dairy was at the rear of the barn building to enable the introduction of mechanised milking, and the milk was sold to the cheese factory in Balingup. He planted a number of trees, including exotic and indigenous species, such as lilly pilly, and fruit trees such as apricots, apples and walnuts, whose produce he sold. In the 1950s, the Forests Department expanded its pine planting programme in the district. In 1959, after Nelson Location 750 was found to be unsuitable for establishment of a forestry settlement, Slyns’ offer to sell 9 acres from his homestead block was accepted. This land was on the lower and flatter contours of the land with a permanent water supply and was already cleared so construction could commence promptly. In 1960, the Department constructed a dam in the creek running through the property, and five Type 8 Forestry houses for forestry workers were relocated to Lewana Settlement, as it was to be known, although Lewana continued in common usage. In 1961, this portion of Nelson Location 694 (Lots 1 and 2 of Diagram 26531) was transferred to the Conservator of Forests; and, a Type 2D Office, Building, an oil store and drum ramp and a five bay garage were erected. In November 1963, a UK 7-2 Type house was erected at Lewana Settlement to accommodate the Officer in Charge (OIC). After Custom Credit foreclosed on Slyns’ mortgage on his portion of Nelson Location 694, it was offered for sale at auction. The sole bid at £500 was from the Forests Department, which subsequently purchased it for £700 in 1964. At Lewana Settlement in 1965, a storage shed was erected and for most of the individual houses a single timber weatherboard garage was erected. In 1969-70, an arboretum was established at Lewana Settlement, with plantings of a number of exotic species including three varieties of poplar (Populus deltoides, P. Alba and P. yunnanensis), European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Spanish Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), Tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla), and Cedar (Cedrus). In January 1976, it was decided Lewana Settlement would be closed at the end of the current fire season, and the Estimates for 1976-77 included transfer of House No. 1683 (the UK 7-2 Type house) from Lewana Settlement to Nannup. In August, Overseer Smith and Forestry Worker N. Allen moved to Grimwade, and Lewana Settlement was closed. The place was to be leased to the Community Recreation Council, which leased forestry settlements to provide low cost family holiday homes and alternative camps for youth and sporting organisations. It was decided the eastern boundary of the area leased to Community Recreation Council would be the creek as it would be desirable for the occupiers of the settlement to be able to gain access to it. On 10 October 1976, Community Recreation Council took over occupancy of Lewana Settlement. In mid-2001, ‘Lewana Cottages’, Lots 1 and 2, portion of Nelson Location 694, 29.83 ha. in area, and a second portion of Nelson Location 694, 8.73 ha. in area, was advertised for sale by tender. In 2002, Ben Albert Slyns (younger son of Erik Slyns), who had worked for the Forests Department for a number of years, and his wife, Melody Louise Slyns, purchased Lewana. They took up residence in the homestead house and have continued to operate the place as holiday accommodation, under the name of Lewana Cottages. In c. 2005, a metal construction shed was erected to accommodate a cheese factory operation and outlet for their son’s business, Heritage County.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Fair to Good

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Ferndale

Condition

Poor, all structures in state of disrepair and neglect

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

The homestead was built on the site of the first piece of land surveyed in the Nelson District. It was taken up by Walter Padbury, (but managed by Mark Padbury, Walter's brother) one of the earliest leaseholders in the district, in 1856. Ferndale demonstrates the lifestyle of the earliest settlers to the area, and contributes to an understanding of early colonial building techniques and farming practices. The combination of aesthetically pleasing simple early colonial buildings in a culturally modified landscaped gives the place a picturesque quality.

Physical Description

Ferndale is a single-storey mud brick and corrugated iron homestead in the Victorian Georgian style, with related outbuildings and a hewn log trough located in a culturally modified landscape setting.

History

Ferndale, one of the earliest homesteads in the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup, was built in 1859, by William May for Walter Padbury (b. 1820, arr. 1830, d. 1907), the first European settler to take up land in the Balingup district, namely Location 8 (Ferndale) in 1859, and Location 3 in 1860. James Forrest, father of Sir John Forrest, set out the Victorian Georgian style homestead constructed of mud bricks, with jarrah floors and a shingled roof. To accommodate workers, a 'humpy', a single roomed dwelling, with a fireplace was also constructed of similar materials. Walter Padbury, who was orphaned shortly after his arrival at the Swan River Colony, rose from working as a shepherd to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the Colony and was renowned for his philanthropy. He established his brothers, Mark (b. 1822) and Edwin (b. 1811), at Ferndale and (nearby) Brooklands respectively to manage his large holdings in the district. From 1859, Mark resided at Ferndale with his wife, Louisa, and later with his second wife, Charlotte (m. Nov. 1860). Ferndale was initially used mainly for cattle grazing, with some land under tillage. In 1868-1869, large flocks of sheep were introduced. Mark died in 1886, and, in 1887, Walter Padbury sold Ferndale to William Byers Wood, of Bunbury, for £400, who continued to use it for pastoral purposes. In 1906, Ferndale was purchased by W. Catton Grasby, an agricultural writer, and Charles Harper, of Woodbridge, and Dr. H. T Kelsall, and in 1908, his share was assigned to Grasby and Harper. They had a keen interest in fruit growing and fruit trees were planted and a pome (apple and pears) nursery established under nurseryman A. H. Haines, who had trained at Woodbridge. Catton Grasby was responsible for the planting of the first walnut trees at Ferndale. The property manager resided at the homestead. In 1920, the Ferndale property was sub-divided for closer settlement. The homestead Lot was bought by Charles Somerset, who took up residence with his family and continued to use the property mainly for grazing and dairying. In the mid-1930s, a new dairy was built. In 1970, H. C. F. (John) Somerset sold Ferndale to the Forests Department but continued to lease it until 1974. The Forests Department carried out pine planting at Ferndale, and a caretaker resided at the homestead for some years. Subsequently it was vacated and was in a run-down condition in the late 1990s, before being sold to private owners, under whom conservation work was implemented. In 2012, the place is well maintained.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Statement of Significance

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE The following aspects of the buildings are of significance. (a) The plan form of the two houses and the elevational treatment identifying the place as belonging to the early architectural tradition of the Western Australian country side. (b) The rafter and shingle roofing under the iron cladding and the tie beam.5 visible (c) inside room 1. The coved ripple iron ceiling of rooms 10, 11 and 12. (d) The wide butt jointed floor boards in each of the houses. ll HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Ferndale was one of the earliest houses in the Balingup district. The property was first taken up by Walter Padbury who was prominent in many enterprises throughout the State. Later it was occupied for 50 years by the Somerset family. The house together with the farm buildings demonstrate a past way of life. ll ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE The homestead and other buildings are set in an impressive landscape with extensive views over the river valley. The houses are set in the remnants of a beautiful garden with numbers of exotic trees, a grove of walnuts and a forest of poplars nearby. E

Physical Description

The homestead complex is adjacent to the junction of Hay Road and the Balingup-Nannup Road. The buildings stand on a flat portion of land high above the spacious flood plains of the Blackwood River. There are a number of exotic trees scattered about the house and a grove of walnut trees at the entrance to the site. The homestead complex consists of two houses set at right angles to each other and almost joined by timber framed additions, a workman's room, a large shed and timber clad farm buildings and stock yards. Rooms 1& 2 (see plan) comprise one house while rooms 6 to 14 comprise the other. Rooms 3, 4 and 5 form a linkage between the two and were apparently added on later. bathroom. Rooms 1and 2 are of Flemish Bond brickwork, painted externally and rendered internally. Room 1has no ceiling and the rafters, close spaced battens and shingles are exposed to view. Room 2 has a boarded coved ceiling. The roof is gabled and the roof covering of Zincalum corrugated iron has recently been fixed to replace and earlier covering. The flooring is 172 mm wide butt jointed boards. The house comprised of room 6 to 14 is of brick walls rendered in a cement render in parts lined out to simulate stonework. The external walls to room 8 are timber framed and contain glass louvres. Rooms 10, 11 and 12 have ripple iron ceilings coved to the shape of the hip roof over. The walls to Room 9 have been battened and lined with fibrous plaster lining with cover battens over the joints. The ceilings are of the same material. Room 6 is fitted out as a bathroom with Tilux sheeting. The roof is corrugated galvanised iron hip roof over the central core - rooms 10, 11 and 12. The pitch of the hip roof is carried down over the minor rooms and vera ndah surrounding the central core - rooms 6, 7, 13 and 14. Room 9 has a hip roof independent of the roofing system described above. THE MA N'S ROOM: The room is of Flemish Bond brickwork about 4m x 4m with a pyramid roof which was shingled some 10 years ago. It is some 80 metres to the south west of the house. THE LARGE SHED: This shed is some 30m x lOm. It is framed up with round poles reminiscent of telegraph poles and is quite high. It has a galvanised corrugated iron roof and galvanised corrugated iron cladding on the side walls, the ends are open. THE FARM BIJILDINGS AND STOCKYARDS: These were not inspected in detail but hoppers constructed on the south face of the building suggest that may have been associated with walnut production. More research into this aspect could uncover interesting material. The buildings are of unpainted weatherboard on timber framing with corrugated galvanised iron roof. The stockyards are of post and rail fencing.

History

Assessment 1993 Original Owner: Walter Padbury Walter Padbury was one of the first to take up land in the Balingup district. This enterprise was part of a general movement of settlers south from Donnybrook into the Blackwood Valley in late 1850's. Amongst others in its southerly rush were the Hesters, Blechyndens and the Jones. Padbury's land was taken up in parcels between 1859 and 1878. He also took up a pastoral lease of 16,500 ha from which Ferndale and Brooklands was sub-divided. These properties were managed by Padbury's brothers Mark (Ferndale) and Edwin (Brooklands). After the death of Mark Padbury in 1886 Ferndale was sold to W Wood and then to Harper and Grasby. The property was sub-divided into smaller fanns in 1920. Charles Somerset acquired the homestead farm and his family occupied it for 50 years. The house is also known as Somerset House. The Forests Department acquired the property in the early 1970'a for pine plantations and CALM, the Department's successor, has until recently kept a caretaker in residence.

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update