SPARROVALE FARMING COMPLEX

103 SPARROWVALE ROAD CHARLEMONT, GREATER GEELONG CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    SPARROVALE FARMING COMPLEX - History

    The property was probably first occupied by European settlers in the 1850s with a 640 acre racecourse marked in the location on the 1850 survey plan by Garrard and Shaw. This became the original Geelong racecourse and by 1878, a branch line of the Marshall Railway ran through the allotment. By 1909, the branch line was largely dismantled and the property was handed over to the newly formed Geelong Harbour Trust which developed it into the experimental 'Sparrovale Farm'. The farm was run by the Trust until 1927 and leased until 1934, when it was advertised for sale. During the 20 years of operation, the farm had undergone a range of improvements supervised by the Harbour Trusts engineer A.C.McKenzie and under the supervision of the farm manager William Baird. The most significant removal of most of the railway prior to 1910 and the construction of two large concrete silos designed by John Monash and constructed by McKenzie. Both the silos and the farm were not entirely successful and the farm was advertised to be sold in 1934 for 13,400 pounds; with excess buildings to be sold separately. At least some of the buildings were removed by 1935. The farm has been in private use since.

    Interpretation of Site

    SPARROVALE FARMING COMPLEX - Interpretation of Site

    The majority of the features identified were used as part of the Geelong Harbour Trust's Sparrovale Farm, dating to between 1909 and 1934. Many features such as the stables, sheds and the manager's house - as well as many of the irrigation features - have been modified since and continue to be used. The irrigation ditches closest to the Barwon have been utilised by Barwon Water. The silo bases date to the earliest period of the farm, while the remains of the stables may have been used earlier.

    Archaeological Significance

    SPARROVALE FARMING COMPLEX - Archaeological Significance

    The Sparrovale Farm is of medium significance archaeologically, comprising a suite of standing structures/features and archaeologoical remains representing different phases of the development of the Barwonside section of Geelong and a unique phase in local industrial and agricultural history.

    Historical Significance

    SPARROVALE FARMING COMPLEX - Historical Significance

    The site is historically significant as such farms are comparatively rare within the country. Most examples of these kind of farms were Government owned. The Sparrovale complex is unique because it was not research oriented nor set up for teaching, rather it set an example how this type of farm could run. It is also significant through its association with the Geelong Harbour Trust, its prominent engineer, A.C.Mckensie, and the farm manager William Baird. The site also includes the remains of two concrete silos designed by John Monash.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    SPARROVALE FARMING COMPLEX - Heritage Inventory Description

    The allotment is the lacation of stables, shed and associated structures after the 1934 sale of the Geelong Harbour Trust's experimental Sparrovale Farming Complex (1909-1934). This includes the remains of concrete silos designed by John Monash, as well as various irrigation features including drains and channels that extend throughout the adjoining property and the former "wyllies". Many features have been modified since and continue to be used.
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