SYMONS' HOMESTEAD COMPLEX
off Billywing Track, GLENISLA VIC 3408 - Property No 0510
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Statement of Significance
The Symon's Homestead complex is located off the Billywing Track about 4.5kms to the west of Glenisla homestead. It was developed by the large Symons and Pooley families, who appear to have acted as tenant farmers to the Carters of Glenisla before becoming selectors and land owners in their own right. The complex is situated beside a small creek which has been dammed for domestic and irrigation purposes. The house is a rude timber-framed building of mixed materials including board and batten, weatherboard and corrugated iron. There is a range of linings including hessian and paper, lining boards and, where the structure was extended, weather boards. All of its parts are roofed with simple skillions. There is a simple timber verandah along the high side of the bedroom wing. The house is in a ruinous condition but retains an excellent archaeological potential. The outbuildings include an early stables and machinery shed and a structure now collapsed of later date. The stables and shed are both built with rude timber frames, using the forks in tree trunks to support timber-in-the-round beams. A light sawn frame sits above these to form the roofs. Both structures are partially demolished and are now roofless. There is one Cupressus sempervirens planted adjacent to the house, several fruit trees downstream from the dam and senescent Radiata Pines. The house is surrounded by Elm suckers.
How is it significant?
The Symon's Homestead complex is of historical and archeological significance to the Southern Grampians Shire.
Why is it significant?
The Symons Homestead complex is of historical significance for its primitive rude construction technique and materials reflecting both the living conditions and resourcefulness of early settlers. It is of further historical significance for its association with the Symons and Polley families, who were early small scale farmers operating in the Glenisla area from about the 1850s. The homestead complex has the potential to assist us to understand how people lived in the second phase of European land occupation in this remote area through archaeology.
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SYMONS' HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Conditions
The house, outbuildings, dam, bridge and garden are in ruinous condition.
SYMONS' HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 1
The homestead complex is situated beside a small creek which has been dammed for domestic and irrigation purposes. The complex is approached by a log bridge below the dam. The house is a rude timber-framed building of mixed materials including board and batten, weatherboard and corrugated iron. There is a range of linings including hessian and paper, lining boards and, where the structure was extended, weather boards. It appears to have been built in three main parts: the kitchen, the living room and two bedrooms, and the third bedroom. All of its parts are roofed with simple skillions. There is a simple timber verandah along the high side of the bedroom wing. The joinery is simple throughout with various small-paned windows and ledge and brace doors. One door has particularly wide boards which suggest a very early date, possibly the 1850s. The chimneys are corrugated iron lined with bricks and stones. An basic enamelled cast iron stove, dating from the early twentieth century, survives in what appears to have been the kitchen. There is an interesting corner cupboard in the first bedroom. The house is in ruinous condition.
The outbuildings include an early stables and machinery shed and a structure now collapsed of later date. The stables and shed are both built with rude timber frames, using the forks in tree trunks to support timber-in-the-round beams. A light sawn frame sits above these to form the roofs. Both structures are partially demolished and are now roofless. A substantial amount of rusted machinery stands within the shed, however.
There is one Cupressus sempervirens planted adjacent to the house, several fruit trees downstream from the dam and senescent Radiata Pines. The house is surrounded by Elm suckers.SYMONS' HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 2 Peopling Australia
2.4 Migrating
2.4.3 Migrating to seek opportunity
Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies
3.5 Developing primary production
3.5.1 Grazing stock
3.5.2 Breeding animals
3.5.3 Developing agricultural industries
3.16 Struggling with remoteness, hardship and failure
Theme 5: Working
5.8 Working on the landSYMONS' HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Usage/Former Usage
abandoned
SYMONS' HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Integrity
High degree of integrity
SYMONS' HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 2
John and Eleanor (Ellen and Helen) Symons, first owners and occupiers
John Pooley Symons, second owner and occupier.Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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