The Homestead

Statement of Significance

The Homestead has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place was built for Herbert (Bert) Cole Haynes who was born in Albany in 1899, the only child and son of Samuel and Isabella Haynes (nee Cole), his father being a prominent Albany solicitor. The place established and developed by Herbert and Freda Haynes quickly became regarded as one of the best farming properties in the Albany district and was developing into a successful venture and stud in Western Australia at the time of Haynes sudden and premature death in 1932. The homestead residence and associated buildings and infrastructure reflected the best design, quality and craftsmanship of the time owning to the skill and acumen of Haynes and the builder Lionel Austin. The place was associated with the Norman family, who were subsequent owners and a family who were important in the commercial, civic and community life of Albany as well as agriculturalists, being one of the earliest settlers in the Mt Manypeaks area. The place has social and historic significance, becoming an important part of the post-World War Two War Service Land Settlement Scheme and the Mt Manypeaks Settlement Area, with the Homestead residence temporarily used as the Scheme’s headquarters.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Set amongst mature trees in the middle of a rural property • Very large homestead • Walls constructed from Albany brown brick • Appears single storey but there is a second storey within the roof space • Verandah under roof with unadorned timber posts • Gable asbestos roof • Attic windows under small gable in roof • Interesting round concrete silo outbuilding

History

“The Homestead” in Mt Manypeaks was built for Herbert (Bert) Cole Haynes. Haynes was born in Albany in 1899, and the only child and son of Samuel and Isabella Haynes (nee Cole). His father was prominent local Albany solicitor who established the partnership of Haynes Robinson (based in the Law Offices, York Street). After completing his education in Melbourne, Haynes returned to Albany. Although he studied law, he was keenly interested in agriculture and turned his attentions to land to the north-east of Albany at Mt Manypeaks. One of the first permanent settlers to this area was another well-known Albany identity, John Norman Jnr, former Mayor of Albany, who had established his property there which he named “Caringa”. Haynes initially purchased land originally owned by another early settler to the area, Diggory Geake, being Location 4172 but added to this substantially by acquiring further parcels. The first ratebook that includes the Warriup ward in 1927 shows Haynes as owning Locations 4172 as well as 4348, 4456 and 4457. His property, comprising 5000 acres, was named Mt Manypeaks. The Location numbers soon changed to 2350, 2227, 2870 and 4776. Haynes’ Mt Manypeaks station quickly became known as one of the best farming properties in Albany, with Haynes breeding and stocking cattle, horses, pigs and sheep with plans to later expand to dairy cattle and to become a well-recognised stud in Western Australia for cattle. He also excavated several dams and erected jarrah and wire fencing dividing the property into paddocks. Haynes was also a keen sailor, and he became an active member of the Princess Royal Sailing Club holding the office of Commodore for five years then becoming Patron after moving to Mt Manypeaks. In 1931 Haynes married Freda King and they had a son Samuel the following year, who was named after Haynes’ father who passed away in February 1932. By the end of 1932 a new brick homestead to accommodate his family was completed at his Mt Manypeaks station. The builder was Mr Lionel Austin. A story told by the present owner about the construction of the house states that the bricks were made in Albany and transported out to the property in small loads of 46 at a time on the back of a Model T Ford. A very detailed description of Haynes’ property, in particular the residence, was given in the Albany Advertiser on 1st December 1932: Solid construction characterises the buildings on Manypeaks. They are grouped in a convenient block, and comprise workshops, feed rooms, a large machinery shed which already houses a pretty full assortment old farm machines, including mowers, reaper-binder, harvester, seed drill, etc. Adjacent to the machine shed is a large concrete silo, with a capacity of 100 tons of green ensilage, or 50 tons of chaff. New milking sheds and bails are being erected new, while close handy is a well constructed milk and separator room. The buildings are built round a rickyard, where a hay stack is already in course of construction. Possibly the feature of the property that will most interest the womenfolk is the new house which Mr. Lionel Austin has just completed for Mr. Haynes. Considerable difficulties in transport made a modification of the original plans necessary, perhaps to the advantage of local industry, for the house in constructed of Albany bricks, instead of reinforced concrete, as was originally proposed. Viewed from the exterior, the house presents a somewhat plain appearance, though it is far from ugly. It is of bungalow design, with a wide verandah all round. The roof is covered with corrugated asbestos, of a red tint, and is of rather unusual construction, with high gable ends. This style has been adopted to make room for attic rooms, giving three extra large rooms in what normally would be waste space. From the front door entry is gained to a large hall. Opening from this on the right is the drawing room a commodious room, 20 feet by 20 feet, and designed for spacious comfort. The attic stairway runs from the passage. Beyond the stairs the dining room is situated, of the same dimensions as the drawing room - a delightfully large, cool room. A great open fireplace is provided, carried out in red brick and surmounted by a massive plain mantel of solid jarrah. Architraves and other interior fittings are carried out in similar style, with heavy jarrah for material. All are finished in natural shades, brought up to a fine polish. The kitchen would be a joy to any woman's heat. It is a very large room, well-lighted, and apparently very cool and airy. The convenience of the housewife has been studied throughout. A large range is provided, with a hot water system, which is connected to the kitchen sink, the scullery and washhouse, and the bathroom. This provides an unfailing supply of hot water at any hour of the day or night, the water staying hot, not merely warm, for twenty-four hours after the kitchen fire is extinguished. The whole system is built in, and is out of sight, though readily accessible. The kitchen walls are panelled about two-thirds of their height in glazed asbestos, so that they, can be washed down when necessary. A positively enormous cupboard dresser stands in the corner, providing ready access to kitchen utensils or cooking materials. Handy to the stove is a large wood-box, filled through the wall from outside, providing a constant supply of fuel right in the kitchen without any dirt nuisance. Opening off the kitchen is the wash house, with cement tubs and copper, the tubs being equipped with hot and cold water. The bathroom is situated conveniently to the bedrooms, of which there are two downstairs. It also is panelled in glazed asbestos, for complete cleanliness. The floor is of cement. A large porcelain bath is equipped with hot and cold water, both taps and showers, and a neat wash-hand basin is similarly equipped. The house is sewered. Two roomy bedrooms complete the downstairs accommodation. Upstairs, the central portion of the house is occupied by a large lounge room, with windows at either side commanding extensive views of the surrounding country and sea. At the east end a very bright bedroom is situated, while a large room at the west end is being used by Mr. Haynes as his office. From each room windows provide sweeping views. The house is electrically lighted throughout, the plant being of an ingenious nature, by which the turning of a lighting switch in any room is sufficient to start the engine. The only batteries used are self-charging storage batteries to start the engine, which gives a very clear light. The lighting unit also provides power to run the pump which lifts water for household purposes to a water tower beside the building. The large roof area provides a splendid catchment, and rain water is conserved in two reinforced concrete tanks, each of 10,000 gallons capacity, closely roofed over. Ingenious use of the water tower has been made for the construction of a meat room, the walls being built on a louvre system, and the whole of the interior lined with fly proof zinc gauze, so that there is a continuous circulation of fresh air, without the menace of flies. The 200 gallon tank of water on top of the tower aids materially in keeping it cool. Lionel Austin started his own building and construction business in Albany in 1929 after 11 years working for the Millars Timber Co. As a keen sailor, he was also well acquainted with Haynes through the Princess Royal Sailing Club where he would later serve as President. Sadly on 4th December 1932, after only four years working on his property and 18 months after marrying, Haynes died unexpectedly aged 33 from complications after an acute appendicitis operation. In 1933 the ratebook shows the Mt Manypeaks station now as the deceased estate of Haynes and coming under the auspices of his wife Freda Haynes and the WA Trustees. In 1935, Freda Haynes sold The Homestead to John Norman Jr and his two sons Gordon and Walter Norman, the details of the property given at this time as being an 8 room brick residence, with 3000 acres, stock plant and machinery. [West Australian, 3 August 1935, p. 5] John Norman Jnr was born in Albany. His father, John Norman snr, was the Postmaster in Albany for many years. John Norman Jnr also worked for the Postal Department before he and his brother Arthur, took over the Norman Bros business in Stirling Terrace. John Norman Jnr also became President of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, and was active within the Methodist Church. John Norman Jnr later assumed full control of the Norman Bros business, but sold his interests when he purchased Haynes’ Mt. Manypeaks station. At the time of purchase, Mt Manypeaks had ‘…already attained prominence for the excellence of its stock’. [Western Mail, 17 November 1939, p. 49]. Under the management of the Normans, Mt Manypeaks continued to build upon its reputation as a successful and important property: A property destined to later take an important part in the lamb export trade from Albany is Mt. Manypeaks station, owned by Mr. Jno. Norman, jun., the president of the Albany and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and a former president of the Albany Chamber of Commerce. This fine property is situated on the coast to the east of Albany, under the brow of the peak from which it derives its name, and is about 21 miles from the port. It was originally taken up by the late Mr. Diggory Geake, but very extensive additions to the acreage were made when it was acquired by the late Mr. H. C. Haynes, a young man of vision, whose death robbed the district of a progressive citizen. Mr. Norman then bought the station and installed his son Gordon thereon. A fine homestead graces the station, and fertile paddocks will, under the scheme set out, shortly be carrying flocks of breeding ewes and prize rams selected for the production of types suited to the export trade. [Western Mail 3 August 1935, p. 5] On 11th August 1949, Normans’ Mt Manypeaks properties Caringa and The Homestead were purchased by the Crown to form the Mt Manypeaks Settlement Area. This purchase was noted in the ratebook for that year. The Crown had purchased this land for the Department of Post-war Reconstruction and the War Service Land Settlement (WSLS) Scheme - a land acquisition program by the Government to establish farming in the area to resettle returned solders. [Albany Advertiser, 11 September 1953, p. 9] Haynes “modern” Homestead was used for the WSLS executive headquarters. [West Australian, 3 August 1949 p. 15] By 1950 the first 12 settlers had been selected by the WSLS and on 26th July 1951, the allotment of the first twelve farms at Mt Manypeaks Settlement took place – the names and farms drawn out by two of the ex-soldier settlers, Mr Taylor and Mr Warren. [Albany Advertiser, 2 August 1951, p. 3] Matthew Taylor drew the “Homestead”. The other farms were only given a number. About half of The Homestead farm was the original farm established by Haynes and Norman, and the northern portion was new land as were all other blocks allocated to the other 11 first ex-soldier settlers. This was done to make all farms equal for all and of similar acreage. Although Taylor had a home to live in, the other settlers whose farm had no residence initially lived in tents near where the Mt Manypeaks Hall was built. All the men worked together as a team, they cleared land, erected fences and established pastures, houses were built and other farming infrastructure erected. [Information from Irene Mills, daughter of Matthew Taylor, Jan 2022] By 1954 a school was built for the thriving local farming community, opening with 36 students. The Mt Manypeaks townsite was also formerly gazetted. As the area developed, other farms were established on surrounding land, accommodating around 45 ex-servicemen. The Mt Manypeaks farms were mainly dedicated to sheepraising. On 4 March 1964, Matthew Taylor sold The Homestead - now Location 5310 - to Rita Maud and William H Sullivan. [City of Albany ratebooks]. Subsequent owners were the Bakers and Harry Carroll. By 2020 – The Homestead was located on Lot 1, 681 Homestead Road, Manypeaks.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update