BELVOIR FORMER HOMESTEAD
2 HIGH STREET WODONGA, WODONGA CITY
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Statement of Significance
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BELVOIR FORMER HOMESTEAD - History
Belvoir is the original mud brick homestead built by Charles Huon, c. 1836 which burned down, is reported as being located behind Cambourne (H233). According to the original site card:
Charles Huon sent by his brother Paul to occupy land in his name gave the name 'Belvoir' to the homestead erected 100 yards south of Wodonga Creek (east side of Wodonga/Albury Road on the "Woodonga Station").
In the book 'A Tale of Twin Cities' by Desmond Martin, page 27 reads: 'In 1836 Paul Huon sent his brother Charles to take up Wodoonga. Charles built a mud brick home. This first homestead was named Belvoir [pronounced beaver] in direct reference to the Duke of Buckingham's residence, and acknowledgment of his assistance to Charles' father'. In 1835 William Wyse took up Mungabareena on the north side of the Murray River on behalf of Charles Hotson Ebden, then crossed the water to Bonegilla which became Ebden's permanent run and station.'
A search of Parish and Geological Maps for the Wodonga area, as well as other histories, did not recover further details regarding the exact location of the earliest buildings on the land around Cambourne which was built in 1900-1903 (VHR 233). The VHR does note the following:
Cambourne is situated on the original Wodonga run which was established in 1836. The township of Belvoir, renamed Wodonga in 1874, was surveyed in 1852, and in 1855 the pre-emptive right of 171 acres of the Wodonga run was granted and sold the following year. The property was subdivided and the allotments, upon which the five acre Cambourne property developed, were purchased in 1873 and 1876, coinciding with the opening of the railway from Melbourne. After a series of owners, the property was purchased by Rebecca Carkeek in June 1899, wife of William Carkeek, publican of Wodonga and shire councillor.
Newby's 2000 report on Cambourne, also noted that the area behind 'Cambourne' is of high archaeological potential as material may exist in the sub-surface relating to Belvoir one of the first homesteads in the area, and possibly St. Dunphy's Hospital, and other sites associated with the initial settlement of Wodonga (Newby 2000:27).
Damage Cambourne was clearly avoided during this development, although it is clear that most of the land around has been destroyed by the recent Hume Highway construction.BELVOIR FORMER HOMESTEAD - Interpretation of Site
No archaeological remains may be definitively associated with Belvoir (or Dunphy's Hospital) due to the location and the original mud-brick structure. All that remains visible on the surface is a scatter of non-diagnostic pottery (despite some blue willow pattern pottery) which cannot definitively be associated with any particular phase of occupation. There is still a potential for sub-surface material, should the location be secure.
BELVOIR FORMER HOMESTEAD - Archaeological Significance
The site is of low archaeological significance due to its location and associated disturbance. The remnants of the mud-brick home are unlikely to survive unless sealed under the latter housing and road development. The adjacent Cambourne is on the Heritage Overlay for the City of Wodonga. However, the location within the Highway Reserve has destroyed the integrity of the location and association with the Murray River.
If remains do exist for the original Belvoir Homestead and they have good contextual integrity then it would be high for it is one of the early homesteads in the north east.BELVOIR FORMER HOMESTEAD - Historical Significance
As a potential location for the site of Belvoir, there is an association with early pioneering and the earliest settlement of Wodonga. Belvoir is also the earliest name for the town of Wodonga and the settlement was constructed after the homestead and has important connections to the settlement of the area.
Heritage Inventory Description
BELVOIR FORMER HOMESTEAD - Heritage Inventory Description
On inspection, the back of Cambourne the new Hume Highway on-ramp (to Albury), has been built directly adjacent to the recently renovated Cambourne Mansion Complex (used as offices by a local business). It is unlikely that any structural remains are present, given the original construction technique and that the land behind the back of the mansion building has been shaped by the approach to the Hume Highway, levelled for parking and excavated utilities and construction of a large corrugated iron shed. A scatter of artefacts remains, but may relate to Cambourne. No visible features were identified.
BELVOIR - THE ORIGINAL MUD BRICK HOMESTEAD BUILT BY CHARLES HUON IN C.1836 WHICH BURNT DOWN. IT IS REPORTED AS BEING LOCATED BEHIND CRANBOURNE (H233).
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CAMBOURNEVictorian Heritage Register H0233
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HALFWAY HOTELVictorian Heritage Inventory
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StonleighNational Trust
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