Sunnyside Homestead

Statement of Significance

Sunnyside has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is associated with the Rowbotham family who were well-known in the Kalgan and Albany community as active members of the social, sporting and cultural life and involved in many local associations with Walter Rowbotham being a well-known and recognised international artist. It is one of a number of historic homestead properties that were established in the Kalgan area that were established for orchards and market gardens as well as cattle owing to the good supply of water and transportation provided by the Kalgan River.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • The farmhouse is set on a slope going down to a stream alongside the boundary of the property • Weatherboard walls • Gabled corrugated iron roof • Verandah under main roof • Simple unadorned architectural features • Outbuildings corrugated iron

History

Sunnyside was originally established a market garden for fruit (especially apples) and vegetables and water was channelled to the garden from the river. A piggery and shearing shed were also established at the property. The simple homestead residence featured a generous verandah, pressed tin ceilings and fireplaces. The house had a living room and up to three bedrooms and also an external kitchen. Sunnyside was owned by Walter Rowbotham. In 1914, Rowbotham advertised tenders for clearing the orchard at Sunnyside, Kalgan River. (Albany Advertiser, 11/7/1914). However, Rowbotham didn’t come to live in Western Australia until 1927, when he settled at his property Sunnyside. It is not known if the homestead residence was already on the site when Rowbotham purchased it or he built it after he moved there in 1927. Rowbotham and his wife, Eveline, had five children: Jack, Harold, Jim, Bill and Marjory (who was also an artist). The Rowbothams became active members of the social, sporting and cultural life of Kalgan and Albany and involved in many local associations. Some of the children also married into local families including son John (Jack) who married Thelma Douglas of the Douglas family (refer Douglas House, Myola Dve, Kalgan). As well as the farming ventures, Rowbotham was also a talented and recognised artist who studied/taught at the Royal College of Art (ARCA) London). From Sunnyside, he also offered art teaching by correspondence and to provide critiques of artworks. (West Australian 26/7/1930) He also exhibited his own work in exhibitions in Albany, his work taking inspiration from his home and surrounding district: Mr Rowbotham resides in the Kalgan River district, and has found the river and its surroundings prodcctive (sic.) of some excellent subjects. His most recent work has dealt chiefly with landscapes, and includes a number of excellent studies, portraying faithfully the calm beauty of the bush and river. (Albany Advertiser 22/1/1934) In 1932, Rowbotham also won the West Australian Society of Arts landscape prize for his oil “In the Valley of the King River”. In 1934, Rowbotham was appointed art master of the Perth Technical College and he moved to Perth. However, he still retained ownership of Sunnyside. In 1950 Rowbotham advertised Sunnyside for sale for £4500 which then featured 60acres of pasture and an average of 2,600 cases of apples. (West Australian, 27/2/1950). Rowbotham was at this time living at his home in Salisbury Street, Leederville in Perth. The residence eventually became vacant and neglected and was in poor condition when purchased by the current owners, mainly due to owners after the Rowbothams only using the property to run cattle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderare Moderate Authenticity:

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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