Cattle Chosen

Statement of Significance

Cattle Chosen, settled by the Bussell family in 1834 as a family farm and remaining in the family as an active farm from that time to the present (2012), represents a pivotal moment in WA colonial history that led to the development of the Vasse region as an important agricultural district and service centre at the expense of the Augusta settlement. • Cattle Chosen was the first European settlement in the Vasse district, established from 1834 by John Bussell and his younger brothers and sisters, and the 1840 Cottage is the earliest remnant element of Colonial settlement on the property. Cattle Chosen is representative of the conflict between settlers and Aboriginal people in the early years of the development of the Vasse region, as a result of major impacts on the Aboriginal people’s traditional ways of living due to the attempts by Europeans to secure the expansion and development of Western Australia. First settled in 1834 by John Bussell and his younger brothers and sisters after whom the town of Busselton is named, Cattle Chosen has been continuously owned and occupied by descendants of this important colonial family. The 1840 Cottage was constructed by John Bussell as an addition to the main house, as a residence for himself and his new wife Charlotte (nee Cookworthy) Bussell. Both John and Charlotte Bussell, as heads of the large family of Bussells who came to the Vasse, were formidable local residents until John’s death in 1875 and Charlotte’s subsequent departure from the colony the following year. Cattle Chosen is associated with other original European settlers to the area, the Laymans, Chapmans, Dawsons and Greens, who lived and worked at the place before establishing their own local holdings. The historical artefacts collected at the place have the potential to reveal information about the way of life of early settlers in the area. The 1840 Cottage is an excellent example of wattle and daub construction retained in good condition, and has potential to reveal information about this vernacular form of construction. The place has the potential to reveal archaeological evidence relating to the former buildings on the site, and the change in social habits as the place moved from an isolated frontier farm to one located near a small regional town. Cattle Chosen is valued by the local and wider community as an intact remnant of the early colonial history of the State that significantly contributes to the local community’s sense of place, as demonstrated by its numerous heritage listings and use in architectural student projects, and, it being the subject of a 1926 book entitled ‘Cattle Chosen’ and articles about its history and value in several twentieth century publications.

Physical Description

This place was not visited as part of the review process. Previous assessments have described the homestead and outbuildings as comprising a two storey wattle and daub 1840 Cottage with random rubble basement and corrugated iron roof, sited in a rural setting on the banks of the Vasse River.

History

This homestead was built by the Bussell family in 1834‐1836. The selection of the landholding was determined by an escaped cow from the first Bussell property in Augusta. The name of the property was thus determined by a cow known as 'Yuliua'. In 1836, the remainder of the Bussell family moved from Augusta to “Cattle Chosen”. The open grassy country was described by John Bussell as being like an 'English Park, only instead of deer, you will see an abundance of kangaroos'. Relationships between the Bussells and the original inhabitants of this land, the Wadandi, deteriorated soon after the foundation of 'Cattle Chosen' and lead to mistrust and fear in the both communities and the establishment of a barracks in the region with soldiers. The homestead was one of the social centres of the small settler community during the 19th century. The site of the homestead adjacent to the Vasse River was to enable access to water for the farm and homestead. Almost directly opposite on the other side of the Vasse River is Fairlawn the homestead of the Molloy family. There was a close relationship between these families as early settlers in the region. The original timber homestead has been added to and evolved since its construction in many programs of work. Adjacent to the main building are other outbuildings and structures.

Archaeology

The site contains some archaic husbandry tools like ‘upping stones’ that were used for mounting horses. Old collection of books, portraits, furniture and letters in the house may illustrate mid 19th century way of life.

Integrity/Authenticity

The place retains a high degree of integrity. The place retains a high degree of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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