Local Government
Williams
Region
Wheatbelt
Williams to Quindanning Rd Williams
Marling, (Location 99)
Williams
Wheatbelt
Constructed from 1926
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
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| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 30 Jun 2000 | Category 2 | |
The building is a good example of the building style of the period. It is an important part of the district's building stock and makes a positive contribution to the landscape. A substantial homestead indicative of the optimism of the mid 1920's. It's association with the Lavender family, pioneers of this district and the original adjoining homesites, give it added significance.
Approximately 23.5km west of Williams on the Quindanning Road. It is on the south side of the road opposite the old Marling site. The homestead is on a rise about 0.5km from the road. A very substantial brick dwelling with a bay window facing east and a verandah on portion of the east, whole of the north. Located parallel with the homestead, about 15 metres to the west is another brick building. (Site 128) Behind the main bpldings are a number of lesser outbuildings.
For many years it was the home of Thomas Lavender. When he celebrated his 100th birthday a publication of the time (1962) stated: "He is the last survivor of a hard working pioneer family of three boys and five girls. He began farming as soon as he was old enough to control a team of horses. In his lat "teens" he went to the Kimberley's where he worked as a partner in a syndicate developing a station property. But he liked farming better than life on a station and he returned to Quindanning and the "Marling" property. At "Marling" he and his late younger brother John, trading as T and JH Lavender, successfully farmed the then 15,000 acres property and on it kept about 10,000 sheep. The sheep were divided into ten flocks and each flock was individually cared for by its own shepherd. That sheep raising method was unlike today's modern methods but it gave good results. The "Marling" wool clip used to be transported by wagon to Fremantle and forwarded through Elder Shenton and Co. for sale in Loudon. Those trips to Fremantle took a fortnight to complete. Over the years the original "Marling" property was divided and reduced until today it represents a holding of about 3,000 acres. Sheep are not longer run on the property, the main interest being a herd of200 beef Shorthorn cattle. Mr Lavender served on the Williams Roads Board from 1892 to 1913 and from 1926 to 1937. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1913. He was a director of the Great Southern Roller Flour Mills at Narrogin and Fremantle until 1938. Mr Lavender has had remarkably good health all his life and has never had a day in hospital. At 95 years of age he still mustered his sheep on horseback. This year he was awarded the M.B.E. in the Queen's birthday honours." (1)
Modifications: Some Extent of Original Fabric: Most
Very Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Farming Personalities of Western Australia". p.64b | Commonwealth Games Edition | 1962 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Homestead |
| Original Use | FARMING\PASTORAL | Homestead |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
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