Minderoo Homestead

Statement of Significance

Minderoo, comprising a complex of single-storey homestead buildings with hipped corrugated iron roofs located in a garden setting, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the homestead has some aesthetic value for its overall form and some remaining elements of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture within a formal garden setting.
the place is a good representative example of a pastoral station complex dating from the late nineteenth century, having been established as part of the early pastoral development of the Ashburton region (1878). It predates the gazettal of the town and port of Old Onslow (1885).
the place’s early and ongoing success relied in part on the Aboriginal workers and their families who lived and worked at the place from its inception.
the place has value through its association with brothers Sir John Forrest (former Premier of Western Australia), David Forrest and Alexander Forrest influential early pioneers, explorers, public figures, and pastoralists in Western Australia.

Physical Description

Exterior: Minderoo Homestead sits off Twitchin Road on the east side of the Ashburton River, within a fenced, grassed yard featuring mature shade trees and a large water feature added during the 2009–2011 renovations. The homestead has grown over time through additions by successive generations of the Forrest family. The earliest section, built by David and Mary Forrest, sits centrally and is constructed of corrugated iron with a deep verandah later adapted in the 2009–2011 works. To the northwest are the jackeroo quarters, and to the southeast is a building believed to date to around 1917–18, likely built by Mervyn Forrest. All buildings have hipped roofs.
Interior: The 2009–2011 renovations retained key original features, including timber floors and decorative pressed-tin wall and ceiling linings.

History

Minderoo is located in Thalanyji Country and was traditionally known as Mindurru. Aboriginal people played central roles in the Station’s development, working as stockmen, shearers and domestic staff.
European presence began after F. T. Gregory’s 1861 expedition. Edward T. Hooley later secured a one-million-acre lease and briefly established a camp at Ten Mile Pool, before relocating after a cyclone; the later Minderoo homestead was built near his second campsite. Hooley soon departed, and in 1878 John and David Forrest were granted a pastoral lease.
David and Mary Forrest settled at Minderoo in 1881. Their first dwelling was a basic one-room structure that was later extended using parts of a prefabricated house shipped from Perth. The Forrest’s became influential locally, supporting Onslow’s development, before retiring to Perth in 1898.
Minderoo became known for early adoption of technology. A new shearing shed was the first of its kind in Western Australia and engineered for the region’s winds. Minderoo also installed the first telephone outside the town area in 1922 and was among the first in the district to own a car.
In 1910 the original dwelling was upgraded into a larger homestead with pressed-metal internal linings and glass double doors opening to the verandah. Nearby stood the office, storeroom, staff quarters and kitchen.
David Forrest died in 1917, and the station was passed to his son Mervyn. Mervyn expanded Minderoo into a major sheep station, developing infrastructure such as buildings, fencing, windmills and dams, and advocating for investment in the North West. Minderoo also became a social hub, hosting community events including fundraisers, sports and garden fetes.
After 120 years of Forrest family ownership, the station was sold in 1998 following drought, declining returns and financial pressures. Murion Pastoral Company purchased Minderoo for $2.45 million, including 30,000 sheep and 1,200 cattle, and over 11 years transitioned the property from sheep to cattle. In 2009, Andrew Forrest repurchased the family property.
Between 2009 and 2011, architect Luigi Rosselli led major conservation works to restore and adapt the homestead and surrounding buildings. Original materials and features were retained or reconstructed, including pressed metal linings and conserved corrugated iron cladding. Timber from the old shearing shed was reused, floors were waxed, and buildings such as the old store, Scotty’s cottage, blacksmith’s shop and workshop were restored and repurposed.

Archaeology

The place may contain material or subsurface remains that have the potential to contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of human occupation and development in the remote Northwest, including the evolution of pastoral industry practices from the 1870s to the present.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium. The homestead continues to be used for its original purpose as a farming property. The original homestead building has undergone changes over time, including additions and replacement of original fabric.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.