Winderie Station

Statement of Significance

The two outbuildings of the Winderie Station have local significance only, as evidence of the developing pastoral industry in the district. The place is evidence of the way in which buildings were often relocated for re-use in remote areas, highlighting the resourcefulness of the local population.

Physical Description

Located south west of Gascoyne Junction. Winderie Station consists of the current house which was built in the c1950s. Little evidence remains of the original mud brick homestead which was badly damaged in a flood in previous years. To the west of the house is the workers' quarters, comprising of an old Road Board building which was relocated from Gascoyne Junction. The simple timber framed building is clad with asbestos sheeting and has a hipped corrugated iron roof. The roof extends to cover surrounding verandahs which are supported on timber posts. The posts show signs of white ant damage. The building contains five rooms, including a kitchen, lounge room and bedroom. The bathroom and laundry are located on the south-west corner of the building which has timber casement windows. A metal pole and wire fence surrounds the building. Located approximately 4 kilometres north-east of the Winderie Homestead are the ruins of a small stone cottage. The two-roomed structure had a corrugated iron roof, as evident by the sheets lying on the ground in close proximity. The chimney to the north wall remains in good condition. Nearby glass bottles mark out what would have been a garden. About 100 metres to the east is a well called 'Secret Well'. Winderie Station also has a lonely grave located approximately 15 miles from the homestead along the rabbit proof fence. No name is indicated on the grave which is marked by a pipe frame and netting to prevent damage. However, it is known that the grave belongs to a man who worked on the rabbit proof fence and perished while returning to the camp on Mooka Station.

History

Winderie Station 'was first taken up on 1 April 1905 by Thomas Binning, a police officer who had worked in Northampton and Thomas River before being transferred to Gascoyne Junction. Together 'with his wife, Hester, and young family. Thomas Binning worked the station leases which also included part of Mooka Station. By 1922, Winderie carried 5,000 sheep, 40 horses. 90 cattle and 10 camels. In 1924 Thomas Binning took up the Callytharra lease and in the following year he sold the Mooka lease to George Hutton. By 1934, sheep numbers on the station had increased to 14,049, however then a disastrous drought struck the next year and depleted the numbers to 2,900. Following the death of his wife, Hester, Thomas Binning stayed on the property, even after mortgagees took over the station in 1939. in November 1948 the leases were transferred to Joseph Kempton of Carnarvon. The Kempton family were 'well known as early pioneers of the transport business through the Ashburton (Pilbara) and Gascoyne districts, the workers' cottage, located adjacent to the house at Winderie Station, is said to have been, relocated approximately 40 years ago from Gascoyne Junction where it was used by the Upper Gascoyne Road Board. According to Elaine Kempton one room of the building, which was purchased from the Road Board for 300 pounds, was used as the local post office and shire office while the remaining rooms were used for living quarters. The stone cottage ruin was originally built by the manager of Bidgemia who was developing the country on what 'was later to become Winderie Station, it is said that he -was undertaking this 'work without the knowledge of the owners of Bidgemia and intended to move there at a later date. (Eiaine Kempton & McDonald. Winning the Gascoyne. Hesperian Press. Perth. 1991 p. 178-181

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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