Hill Farm

Child Places

• 06643 First Aircraft Landing in Bridgetown (site only)

Statement of Significance

Hill Farm is one of a number of local examples of relatively large and well-built farmhouses dating from the 1930's (e.g, Hill Farm, Greystones, Myola, and Blackwood House) – each of which has a distinctive architectural character. Collectively these help to illustrate an important period of consolidation and prosperity for local farmers. Hill Farm is significant for its aesthetic and historic values, as well as its authenticity. Aesthetic Value Hill Farm homestead is significant as a local example of a house influenced by the Inter-War California Bungalow style. Although the home is now difficult to see from the South Western Highway, it is a highly aesthetically pleasing and interesting building and a landmark on the Bridgetown landscape. Historic Value Hill Farm is of historic significance as the long-term home of members of the Giblett family. Hill Farm is one of a number of fine examples of relatively large and well-built farmhouses dating from the 1930's, which collectively illustrate a period of consolidation and prosperity for local farmers. It is also one of a collection of places that represent the building work of the Bazzo Bros., who built a moderate number of fine homes in the area in the 1930’s. Research Value NA Social Value Hill Farm is of social value as the Giblett family farm and for its hosting of events which attracted many locals of the district to the farm.

Physical Description

A two storey home, with rendered walls over a face brick skirt, and a tiled, half-hipped gable (jerkinhead) roof. The facade displays numerous decorative brickwork features, banks of four casement windows (with each pane divided into ten panes), tall brick and render cement chimneys, and separate entry porch and verandah with concrete floors. The second floor gables are lined with fibre cement panels. The exterior of the home is in original condition with no changes, as with most of the interior (vents, skirtings, flooring etc are presumed to be original). The eight foot ceilings heights also remain.

History

Walter John Giblett was born in Balbarrup in 1872 (where his father, Thomas, established a property named Dingup). Thomas was listed as a famer of Dingup in the Electoral Rolls of 1903, and of Padburys Hill, Ballingup, in 1918. During that period, his brother, Frank Thomas Giblett, was living at Hill Farm, Bridgetown. This may have been the same property referred to as “Mr T Giblett’s Hill Field, near Bridgetown”, which was used for a ploughing match in connection with the Central Southern Districts Agricultural Society in July 1890. Hill Farm paddocks were also used as an airstrip in April of 1920, for the first ever aeroplane landing in the Bridgetown District, performed by Major Norman Brierley (D.S.O., M.C. & A.F.C). Walter John Giblett married Enid Maud Blechynden in 1920 and they had settled at Hill Farm, Bridgetown, by 1922. At the same time, Frank moved to Oakleigh, Balbarrup. The present house was designed by Walter Giblett and built by the Bazzo Bros circa 1935. After Walter’s death in c.1957 the property continued to be run by his descendants.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Hill Farm homestead remains a home and the surrounding land is still used for sheep grazing. High Hill Farm homestead is of very high authenticity, with very few changes made to the internal or external fabric, bar the updated bathroom furnishings and some modern convenience to the kitchen.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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