Koobabbie Homestead and Outbuildings

Statement of Significance

Koobabbie farm homestead, stables, shearing sheds, workers houses and associated outbuildings have considerable historical significance given they are a large group of buildings which portray the development of the pastoral industry in the Coorow district from the early part of the twentieth century. Further the buildings have been renovated and maintained so that their original use is continued. The property has been in the same family was selected since 1906..

Physical Description

The property Koobabbie consists of a main homestead and several outbuildings. The history of each building and the property was provided by Alison Doley. The Homestead b.1936 is large and constructed of rendered concrete block with a tiled gable roof. There is a main entry to the south with entry verandah supported on concrete pillars, and double entry doors. Chimneys are of unusual design with rendered band surrounding. Windows are double hung, timber framed with 12 small panes. A skillion roof to the south covers a sleepout area enclosed with fly wire and blinds. Internally, the rooms are large with high ceilings, some with decorative plasterwork. There is a tennis court to the south of the house and the front entrance is enhanced by plantings of large phoenix canariensis. Maid's Room and Storage Room is a small rectangular building adjacent to and to the west of the homestead. Roofed and clad with corrugated iron and set on railway iron stumps, the building is divide into two sections. Each section has an single entry door and four paned timber framed window to the north elevation. The maid's room to the west has a timber ceiling, the storage section is unlined. The building was previously occupied by Irene Long (nee Dee). Arnold's Camp is a small house constructed of timber frame, set on railway iron stumps, clad with weatherboard and a corrugated iron roof. The building is adjacent to and southeast of the homestead. Access doors are located to the north and south elevations and verandahs are supported on timber posts and enclosed with lattice. Internally timber matchboarding is used as lining to half height. Now used as guest accommodation. The Bough Shed The building is located immediately north of the homestead. Originally constructed of bush timber poles and a thatched roof, the roof has been replaced with corrugated asbestos. The roof is pyramid shaped and forms low eaves on three sides. There is an entry door to the south and a concrete floor inside. The Garage/Engine Room is a timber framed corrugated iron building with a corrugated iron dutch gable roof. Rolling ripple iron clad doors open to the south, there is a lean-to to the west elevation. Referred to as the 'Buggy Shed'. Immediately behind the garage to the north, there is a small rectangular building known as the 'Engine Shed' and beyond this there is a small piggery with a concrete floor and animal shelter, apparently never used. The Stables b. 1910 is a large rectangular building, a low pitched roof of colorbond over thatch is supported on bush timber poles. Internally, the space is divided into stables and a killing room to the southeast corner. This section has a concrete floor and brush walls. The Shearers Quarters b.1925 is a small rectangular shaped timber framed building with corrugated iron cladding and roof. The roof spreads to cover the surrounding verandahs, which are supported on timber posts. Windows are timber framed with louvres and there is an attached metal fireplace and chimney to the west elevation. The shearers, quarters is now used for storage. Leo's Camp is a single room constructed of a timber frame with weatherboard cladding set on railway iron stumps. A gable corrugated iron roof extends to form verandahs, north and south. There is an attached metal fireplace and chimney to the east. There are entrance doors to the north and south elevations, with two small timber framed four paned windows each side of the entry door. The building is named for stockman Leo Stamp who occupied the building until his death in 1961. Workers Houses b.1925. Two identical brick structures with a corrugated iron roof, each building has two corbelled brick chimneys and the dutch gable roof with gablets, spreads to cover the surrounding verandahs. The verandahs are supported on timber posts and the southeast and southwest corners have been enclosed with colorbond. Entry is via french doors, with decorative brickwork surrounds to the doorway. Both houses are surrounded by a metal post and wire fence. The Shearing Shed b.1912 is a large rectangular corrugated iron shed with a corrugated iron gable roof and a lean-to roof to the east elevation.. Internally, centrally placed bush poles with a mixture of timber and steel trusses support the roof. The floor in the main shed is concrete while in the leanto section has a raised slatted floor and is divided into sheep pens with steel fencing. The Oat Bin A small rectangular timber framed corrugated iron building with a timber floor. There is a gable roof with a skylight and trapdoor to allow entry of grain via an elevator. There is an external timber staircase to the south elevation. The capacity of the oat bin was 300 bags, it is now used for storage. The New Stables b. 1914 A large rectangular building constructed of timber with a corrugated iron roof. Internally it is divided to accommodate many horses. A central feeding aisle with a trolley way allows feed to be delivered to each stable via a sliding access window. The northeast section of the building is used for machinery storage. Adjacent to the stables is a workshop, fertiliser shed and grain silos. The stables were constructed 1914-15 and restored in 1982. An adjoining chaff room was dismantled in 1970.

History

The property was selected in 1906 by Samuel Burton & Alice Mary Ruddock. The house is the second on the property being built about 1936. The property has remained in the Ruddock family since 1906, being presently owned by Alison Doley (nee Rudduck) and John Doley.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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