WILLOWBROOK
Macarthur-Penshurst Road and Springfield Lane PENSHURST, Southern Grampians Shire
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Statement of Significance
The original Willowbrook farm was established about 1860 by Andreas Burger and his wife, Anna, nee Mirtschin. He was the fourth son of the pioneering family of Burgers and an important member of the community of Wendish settlers from Saxony in Germany who migrated for religious and economic reasons. Having arrived in south Australia and passed through Portland, this group of families established a close knit community around the area which they called Gnadenthal. Andreas and Anna built their house in 1861. This was demolished and a new house constructed, possibly recycling some of the bluestone, in 1909. The present Willowbrook is in very good condition and retains a high degree of integrity.
How is it significant?
Willowbrook is of historic and architectural significance to the township of Penshurst and to the Southern Grampians Shire.
Why is it significant?
Willowbrook is of historic significance as it represents the success over several generations of German Lutheran migrants, specifically the Burger, Mirtschin and Linke families, in the Gnadenthal area. It is is of architectural significance as a late use of Victorian style, form and materials reflecting the conservative values of the owners, and the German Lutheran community who settled in the area. The range of outbuildings represents a previous way of life, being a very small holding with a focus on self sufficiency.
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WILLOWBROOK - Physical Conditions
The house is in very good condition.
WILLOWBROOK - Physical Description 1
The present house at Willowbrook is a single storey and symmetrical about the central front door. It is built of rockface bluestone, some possibly recycled from the original house, and with vermiculated blocks as alternating quoins around the windows. The conventional front door has a fanlight and sidelights. The two front windows are tripartite with double hung sashes and the mantels of the brick chimneys are in the opposite walls. There is a projecting wing on the west elevation, presumably the original dining room, with a service wing beyond it. The tripartite double hung sash window has a conventional pressed metal hood over it. The front verandah continues around the west side and gives access by a door to the dining room. The verandah posts are turned timber and support simple curved timber brackets.
The stone walls of the house have been painted and the roof has been reclad with Decramastic sheeting imitating tiles. The windows of the service wing have been altered. (The interiors have not been inspected.)WILLOWBROOK - 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
Theme 8 Developing Australia's cultural life
8.12 Living in and around Australian homes
8.14 Living in the country and rural settlementsWILLOWBROOK - Usage/Former Usage
residential
WILLOWBROOK - Integrity
high degree of integrity
WILLOWBROOK - Physical Description 2
Andreas and Anna Burger, first owners
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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