Mt. Florence Homestead

Statement of Significance

Mount Florence Station, comprising two timber-framed, corrugated iron clad structures (c.1890, 1915) located around an open landscaped yard, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the buildings are a good example of North-West vernacular architecture, designed to meet local climatic conditions with their distinctive barrel-vaulted roofs. the place has associations with the development of the pastoral industry in the Pilbara district and demonstrates the evolution of a pastoral settlement since the 1890s. the place has close associations with William Edward Robinson, an early pastoralist in the Pilbara region who has helped pioneer the northern half of the Ashburton district opening up the country; and the place has close associations with Mr. J. H. Church, a well-known Perth figure, prominent pastoralist, former member for Roebourne in the Legislative Assembly, and a member of the committee of the Western Australian Turf Club.

Physical Description

Exterior: The Mount Florence Station consists of a group of buildings arranged around a central landscaped area. There are two particular buildings of interest, which are timber framed buildings with corrugated barrel-vaulted iron roofs and vertically hung corrugated iron wall cladding. One of these barrel-vaulted buildings was built as the kitchen/dining block circa 1890. This building consists of a large kitchen/dining room and a bedroom at one end. There is a verandah facing the central landscaped area. The other barrel-vaulted building, on a lower level and removed from the kitchen, is similar in construction but has a verandah to all sides. The verandah floor is mostly paved with large flagstones. Interior: The kitchen/dining block is corrugated iron lined externally and hardboard lined internally with level ceilings. It is understood that this building was adapted in the 1980s to accommodate a kitchen, living and dining area. At this time the hardboard lining was installed as the corrugated iron was black from the fireplace.

History

Around 1884, William Edward Robinson arrived at Mount Florence, then about 100,000 acres, and spent roughly 15 years pioneering the property. Robinson, originally from Brookton, had travelled north in 1878 with his uncle’s John Seabrook and Edward Robinson, droving 3,000 sheep from Brookton to Croydon Station near Roebourne. They departed on 7 November 1878 and reached Roebourne on 7 June 1879. During Robinson’s ownership, the distinctive curved corrugated-iron buildings were constructed around 1890. The iron was brought from Cossack, then hand-curved and riveted on site using a specialised machine. Mount Florence’s machine was also used for similar structures. The curved form was valued for its resilience in cyclones. In 1903, J. H. Church purchased Mount Florence and retained it until his death in 1937. Church was a well-known pastoralist, former assembly member for Roebourne, and a committee member of the WA Turf Club. In 1948, Dalgety and Company advertised the Mount Florence Estate for auction, listing 295,529 acres under pastoral lease 394/432. The property included about 300 miles of fencing, 19 sheep paddocks, five horse and ram paddocks, and a six-room stone homestead (built circa 1905), along with various outbuildings. The stone homestead was later demolished in the late twentieth century. Richard “Bullock” Andrews, who began managing Mount Florence around 1910, is believed to have purchased the station in 1948. According to oral history from his daughter, Adele Hudson, the station once employed 22 Aboriginal workers, including eight musterers, with the women assisting in domestic work. Every fortnight, the Roebourne mail truck visited the homestead, drawing people from surrounding stations including Hamersley, Coolawanyah, Hooley and Mulga Downs. A number of historic graves are located on the property, including several associated with former workers. Two notable burials are Mr Williams, who died after a fall from his horse, and Mr Swan, who succumbed to injuries in 1904 despite treatment attempts by a young station worker with prior London hospital experience. As of 2016, Mount Florence Station remains in the ownership of the Andrews family.

Archaeology

Mount Florence Station has the potential, through its built fabric and site remnants, to yield information regarding the evolution of pastoral industry practices from the 1890s to the present.

Integrity/Authenticity

High. The barrel-vaulted buildings continue to be used for living and accommodation purposes associated with the station. The external original fabric of the barrel-vaulted buildings is mostly in place. Although internally the buildings have been subject to change, their authenticity is only marginally diminished.

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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