ETTRICK HOMESTEAD SITE & GARDENS
WOOLSTHORPE-HEYWOOD ROAD, LOT 1 TP813240, HOMERTON, GLENELG SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Ettrick Homestead site is located near Homerton on the north-west bank of Darlot's Creek, in the south-east corner of the Pre-emptive Right, about 7.5km due north of Tyrendarra. The homestead was built about 1854 but was burnt down in 1914. The first owner, William Learmonth (1815-1889), was a prominent pastoralist, the first mayor of Portland Borough Council in 1863, and a member and later president of the Shire Council. The next owner, Sir William J. Clarke (1831-1897), was one of Victoria's greatest landowners and an important philanthropist. Clarke allowed the Learmonth family to remain at Ettrick as 'grace and favour' tenants until their deaths. The homestead and its outbuildings have been demolished but footings and some chimneys survive. An extensive garden also survives, including mature exotic trees and shrubs, fruit trees and bulbs. The most impressive tree is a very large Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) with an extensive and unusually large multi-trunk form. There is also a very substantial Viburnum which is perhaps one of the largest in the State. Much of the original layout of the garden can still be determined, including surviving drives, walks, terraces, fences and the orchard. Between the more intensively cultivated garden and the Creek there is an area of riparian meadow including Salix babylonica (Weeping Willow). Although the garden is overgrown and the homestead and outbuildings are now ruined, the site has an excellent degree of integrity to illustrate what was previously a substantial homestead and garden. The condition of the buildings is ruinous and the condition of the garden is good, while overgrown.
How is it significant?
The Ettrick Homestead site is of historical significance to the Glenelg Shire.
Why is it significant?
The former Ettrick Homestead site has historical significance for its association with the Learmonth family, particularly William Learmonth, and Sir William J. Clarke, pioneer Western District pastoralists. Of further historical significance is the clear evidence of a way of life presented by the remaining garden and the ruins of the homestead and outbuildings. The garden is so substantially intact that it is possible to understand the layout and form of the pleasure garden, the subsisitence garden, the carriageway and outer plantings. The ruins of the homestead viewed in relation to the gardens illustrate the important relationship between the two, and provide information about the Learmonth family, their values and aspirations over time.
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ETTRICK HOMESTEAD SITE & GARDENS - Physical Description 1
The Ettrick Homestead site comprises an extensive garden, indications of several buildings, including the homestead and outbuildings, and other landscaping works such as terracing, fencing and edging, and a meadow area beside Darlot's Creek. The absence of substantial amounts of stone and brick strongly suggests that the original homestead was timber. Nonetheless, there is evidence of light stone footings, sufficient for timber framed construction, and several stone chimneys survive. It is clear that the homestead was at the centre of the garden, faced south, and, at least at some stage, was approached by a drive from the north-west. Some garden beds, toward the front of the house, are evident from remnant bulbs such as snowdrops and at least two types of daffodils, as well as hardy shrubs and smaller trees. Snowdrops also line a driveway. There are remnant Bay Laurels, possibly forming a hedge, and Elms, Poplars and Alders have suckered extensively. Other trees include Figs and Prunus species, suggesting an orchard towards the rear of the house. One of the most distinctive trees is an extremely large Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) which has multiple trunks with a total diameter of several metres.
ETTRICK HOMESTEAD SITE & GARDENS - Historical Australian Themes
3 Developing local, regional and national economies
3.5 Developing primary production
3.5.1 Grazing stock
3.5.3 Developing agricultural industries5 Working
5.8 Working on the landETTRICK HOMESTEAD SITE & GARDENS - Physical Conditions
Although abandoned, the site offers an excellent opportunity for archaeological and botanical research.
ETTRICK HOMESTEAD SITE & GARDENS - Integrity
Garden- high
Buildings - ruinous, but footings intact
ETTRICK HOMESTEAD SITE & GARDENS - Usage/Former Usage
Abandoned
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ETTRICK HOMESTEADVictorian Heritage Inventory
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ETTRICK HOMESTEAD SITE & GARDENSGlenelg Shire
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Homerton State School Honour Roll (First World War)Vic. War Heritage Inventory
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