RIVERSIDE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX
Falkenbergs Road, WANNON VIC 3301 - Property No 1529
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Statement of Significance
Riverside Homestead is located on the east side of Falkenberg's Road about 5.5kms south-west of Wannon overlooking the Wannon River valley. It is a single storey timber house with an irregular plan and demonstrates a late interpretation of the Italianate style with Queen Anne influences. No architect or builder has been associated with its construction. The original occupants were Wilhelm and Ellen Falkenberg. Wilhelm was the son of a Prussian migrant, Johann Falkenberg with South Australian connections and an English migrant, Ann Hallam who selected land successfully at Byaduk. The Falkenbergs were, at first, apiarists but this was superseded by a very successful sheep and cattle-breeding program, which led to prizes, top prices and general recognition for the excellence of their flock and herd. Their sons Stanley and John continued to manage the property. The house is set within a garden unusual for its circular plan but typical of its late nineteenth and early twentieth plantings. The house and garden were substantially improved in the Interwar years and remain substantially intact to that period. The house is in good condition. The house is surrounded by the usual outbuildings, which complete the complex. Substantial outbuildings, including a large woolshed, complement the homestead.
How is it Significant?
The Riverside Homestead complex is of historic and architectural significance to the communities of Wannon and Byaduk and to the Southern Grampians Shire.
Why is it significant?
The Riverside Homestead complex is of historic significance because of its associations with the Falkenberg family of mixed Prussian and British descent who succeeded both at Byaduk and at Wannon. Their success in sheep and cattle breeding is particularly notable and this is reflected in the woolshed. The Riverside Homestead is of architectural significance for reflecting that success over several generations and specifically for its unusual circular garden and for its picturesque form and setting.
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RIVERSIDE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Conditions
Very good
RIVERSIDE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 1
Riverside homestead is located on the east side of Falkenberg's Road about 5.5kms south-west of Wannon overlooking the Wannon River valley. It is a single storey weatherboard house painted white with a hipped corrugated iron roof, built after 1886. Its form is irregular and its style transitional between Italianate and the Federation period with some features, such as the gable detailing, suggesting the local Queen Anne movement. The verandah has been modified, probably in the 1920s, suggesting that the entrance to the house has been reoriented. Several rooms in the house have been remodelled, probably in the 1920s, thus presenting an eclectic mix of interior decorative styles.
The house addresses the view to the Wannon River valley and is situated within an unusual circular garden, with substantial garden beds and paths, now planted out in a style typical of the Interwar years but with many substantial earlier trees. The major plantings are typical and include: a pair of Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) at the pedestrian gate; a Canary Island Palm (Phoenix canariensis) at the entrance; a Peppercorn (Schinus molle), a Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum), a Loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica); a Golden Elm (Ulmus procera 'Aurea'); and an Ash (Fraxinus sp.). Generally the garden is planted out with low shrubs and perennials, including many camellias and other common 'cottage' garden types. Privet hedges are used as borders to the path and drives and sections of the boundary fence. There are also Tree Ferns (Dicksonia antarctica). Several mature specimens of conifer form a background to the garden. The whole is enclosed within a circular capped post and wire fence. In the garden there is a summerhouse covered by a very old Wisteria.
Near the entrance to the garden there are timber stables and coach houses with men's quarters at the rear. These are comprised of several gabled forms, suggesting additions over the years. More recently the building has been used as garages. It is painted white.
Beyond the house and garden are several outbuildings, including woolshed, workshop or barn, storehouses and garages. Of these the woolshed is the most important. It appears to date from after the First World War, the time of Riverside's greatest success in sheep breeding. It is large, built of corrugated iron and had up to twelve stands. It is in good condition and, with various modernisations, remains significantly intact. The workshop or barn appears to date from after the Second World War, possibly from the 1950s wool boom. It is also corrugated iron, has a monitor ventilator along the roof ridge, is in excellent condition and retains a high degree of integrity. Nearby there is an old Caltex petrol pump and a newer tall Caltex oil sign. There are two water tanks, one elevated and the other of concrete on the ground.RIVERSIDE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies
3.5 Developing primary production
3.5.1 Grazing stock
Theme 5: Working
5.8 Working on the land.RIVERSIDE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Usage/Former Usage
Pastoral
RIVERSIDE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Integrity
High
RIVERSIDE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 2
Johann and Ann Falkenberg
Wilhelm and Ellen Falkenberg
Stanley Falkenberg
John FalkenbergHeritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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