Windy Hill

Statement of Significance

Windy Hill has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place was associated with Nathanial William McKail the son of John and Henrietta McKail, and a notable public figure in the Albany commercial scene, who was the original owner and the first to purchase land on the Kalgan River under the Commercial Purchase Act. The place became the family home of the McKails and a well-known and popular social hub for the local community and organisations and successful farming property. Their sons Henry (Hal) ‘Tintacks’ McKail who established the first Lower Kalgan School in 1909 and Albany Sea Scouts Patrol and also Cedric McKail also lived at the place. The place was associated with its second owner Mr C A Spershott who became well-known for his experiments with grasses and pasture and for his successful sheep breeding and also maintaining the social value of the place in the local community.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Set high on hill with views to Oyster Harbour and up the Kalgan River • Mixture of building fabric, timber, fibreboard, corrugated iron • Cottage extended into house with three different sections – parts of the house are raised on wooden stumps some have solid footings Some obvious modifications include: • A number of changes made overtime – it is difficult to tell where the original building is.

History

Windy Hill is appropriately named situated high on the east bank of the Lower Kalgan and offers views of Oyster Harbour and the Upper Kalgan River. The land was first purchased in 1888 by Nathaniel William McKail, a notable public figure in the Albany commercial scene. He was the son of Henrietta and John McKail and born in Albany in his parent’s cottage on Stirling Terrace where the Royal George is now located. John McKail was one of the earliest settlers in Albany who built the first Albany Jetty, became a successful merchant with a store on Stirling Terrace and the first to export sandalwood from Albany. The site of Windy Hill was the first on the Kalgan River which was attained under the Commercial Purchase Act. Windy Hill was the family home Mr and Mrs McKail and their family and became a popular social hub for the local community and organisations. One of their sons who lived there was Henry ‘Tintacks’ (Hal) McKail who was also born in Albany. He became a teacher and established the first Lower Kalgan School in 1909, and also formed the first Sea Scout patrol in Albany. After moving to Perth with the Education Department he founded the WA Sea Scouts and also became involved in the Royal Life Saving Society. Sadly Henry was found dead in June 1944 in a park near the Swan Brewery in Perth believed to have died by poisoning. He was 57. Nathanial McKail died in February 1937 at 87 years of age. Another son, Cedric McKail also lived at Windy Hill with his parents until they sold the property to Mr C A Spershott in 1926. Spershott was well-known for his experiments with grasses and pasture at Windy Hill and sheep breeding. He also maintained Windy Hill’s reputation as a place for social gatherings and meetings for the local community and was active on the local Settlers’ Association. Spershott sold the property in 1938 to Mr D A Box who had been farming in Tambellup. The house which began as a small cottage comprised of two large rooms and a lean-to kitchen itself has undergone a number of modifications over time.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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