BUDD'S STATION COMPLEX
625 NORTHERN HIGHWAY WALLAN, MITCHELL SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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BUDD'S STATION COMPLEX - History
Payne [1981 : 69] writes that William Hartley Budd opened the Strangeways Hotel on 11 May 1854. The hotel was located in the south-east corner of the pre-emptive section, at the junction of the Sydney (now Northern Highway) and Darraweit roads.
A geological survey map dated 1857 marks the location of the hotel, as well as a station in the northern half of the pre-emptive section (within the activity area) and quarries located on the northern, eastern, and southern boundaries. Payne [1981: 29] writes that Budd's pre-emptive section was divided into smaller portions, with rate books showing three farms and several dwellings in 1865. Budd paid rates on his hotel and land, together with what was described as Cooke's farm, Wilmot's farrn, and Coffee's farm. A number of other people paid rates on farm land that Budd owned. The 1865 rate book does not record the acreage of each portion of land so it is not clear which of the above were located in the activity area at this time [PROV, VPRS 2337, Unit 1, Rate Books, Shire of Merriang]. Payne [1981: 29] writes that Budd also purchased allotment 120 opposite the hotel, and allotment 62A west of the pre-emptive section.
An online family history of William Hartley Budd includes a report from the 'Weekly Times' in December 1879 that provides a contemporary account of the 'Strangeways' estate and Budd's history in the Wallan district [Budd Hartley Budd Family Genealogy website]. The report also describes the 'Lovely Banks' farm of William Hartley Budd jnr, as well as that of Mr T. Hogan, who rented 400 acres of the 'Strangeways' estate. At the time Budd snr's holdings amounted to 1000 acres, some of which was leased, and the remainder farmed by Budd snr. The report noted that the "greater part is richly grassed, well-watered, and subdivided, and in many places suitable for agricultural purposes. Not much cultivation has been done for years, Mr Budd devoting his attention to grazing and cattle-breeding." 'Lovely Banks', the farm of William Hartley Budd jnr, included a homestead that "occupies a healthy position on the slope of a hill, and is surrounded by a nice, well kept flower and vegetable garden. About five and twenty acres have been put under cultivation this year, half of which is oats, and the rernainder peas and potatoes." Clydesdale horses and half-bred Durham cattle were among the stock the reporter noted at 'Lovely Banks'. Hogan's rented land was partly hilly and partly flat. "The flat ground is mostly cleared and grubbed, and was under cultivation for several years, being first ploughed in 1836, but the hills are still thickly timbered, the trees having been left for the purpose of sheltering cattle in winter". The report also noted that Hogan's homestead was located on Pretty Sally Hill and that stone frorn a hill on Hogan's paddock had been used in the metalling of Sydney Road. [Budd Hartley Budd Family Genealogy website]
As Budd's holdings extended beyond the pre-emptive section on which the activity area is located it is not entirely clear if 'Lovely Banks' or Hogan's farm were part of the activity area. A comparison with rate books show that in 1874-75 William Hartley Budd jnr was paying rates on a 170 acre farm, while his father was paying rates on a 280 acre farm, a 404 acre farm owned by a Mr Murray, as well as several smaller allotments [PROV, VPRS 2337, Unit 1, Rate Books, Shire of Merriang].
In 1884 Budd applied to have the pre-emptive section brought under the Transfer of Land Act. The application notes that Budd mortgaged the activity area a number of times between the 1850s and 70s, requesting several extensions to payment. The application also includes a statutory declaration which refers to his son, William Hartley Budd's insolvency in 1870 [PROV, VPRS 460/PO, Unit 1634, File 18308]. In 1871 a certificate of discharge was issued for a W.H. Budd jnr, storekeeper of Wallan Wallan, but no further details are known about the case [Argus 25 Dec 1871].
William Hartley Budd died on 5 November 1888. An obituary described him as a 'very kind and genial neighbor" who was known locally as King Budd [Kilmore Free Press,8 Nov 1888]. In addition to his land holdings and the Strangeways Hotel, Budd's contribution to the district included representing the Wallan Wallan riding on the Shire of Merriang, as well as a term as Shire President. He was also involved in other community organisations such as the Wallan Cemetery Trust, the Wallan Church of England, and the Kilmore and Lancefield Agricultural Society [Budd Hartley Budd Family Genealogy website].
Probate of Budd snr's estate was granted to eldest son Wililiam Hartley Budd jnr and William Henry, a printer in South Melbourne [PROV, VPRS 28/P2, Unit 251 , File 38/335]. In 1891 the pre-emptive section of 'Strangeways' was subdivided with the larger part of the activity area, amounting to 276 acres, transferred to William Hartley Budd jnr, and the north-west corner allotment, amounting to 65 acres transferred to his son Henry Hartley BUdd. Other portions of the pre-emptive section were transferred to Samuel Budd, Elizabeth Budd, and Rosetta Budd [Certificate of Title 1564/697].
See attached report for more history.
BUDD'S STATION COMPLEX - Archaeological Significance
Although Budds station is in a poor state of repair, it is a relatively rare and representative example of early (i.e. mid.1800s) rural settlement Station remains. The remains have the potential to inform of the layout of the Station via footing and part wall remains. Additionally, the location has potential for archaeological material to be present, particularly within a well located approximately 24m west of the bluestone and brick Station remains. Therefore, the Station is considered to have potentially moderate archaeological significance.
However, the outbuildings, artefact scatter and quarries have little, if any potential for archaeological remains or potential to contribute substantial historic information. These components of the site are therefore considered to have low archaeological significance.
BUDD'S STATION COMPLEX - Interpretation of Site
William Hartley Budd built the Station (known as 'Strangeways') in the mid-1800s and likely resided there until his passing in 1888, after which time his son William Hartley Budd Jnr took possession. William Hartley Budd Jnr also likely resided at the Station until his passing in 1912. It is also likely that William Hartley Budd Jnr added the brick additions and outbuildings (cow shed, stable, dairy, engine house, smithy, hay shed. see attached historic report) to the original bluestone structure of the Station.
The Budd family utilised the land for agricultural purposes, particularly for grazing cattle and growing maize. William Hartley Budd Snr also opened the Strangeways Hotel in 1854 which was located on the corner of Northern highway and Darraweit Road and was part of the original Budd pre-emptive right.
Heritage Inventory Description
BUDD'S STATION COMPLEX - Heritage Inventory Description
Ruins of Budd's c.1857 Station and outbuildings, three smaIL and one large bluestone basalt quarries, historic fragmented portable artefact scatter, pine plantings and section of cobbled driveway. The Station was in the Budd family from between the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.
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BUDD'S STATION COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Inventory
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