PARK HILL AND WALNUT TREE
GRUBBED ROAD, LOT 3 TP847608, STRATHDOWNIE, GLENELG SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
NB Substantial new information has just come to light which will correct and amplify this SofS.
Park Hill, off the Myaring-Pieracle Road at Strathdownie, was built before 1876 on Limestone Creek, a tributary of the Glenelg River by the selector, George Henry Ball. It is a small, symmetrical vernacular, limestone cottage. Adjacent to the cottage there is a very large Walnut tree (Juglans regia) which almost certainly dates from the same time. The surrounding land was farmed by G. H. Ball and other members of his family. It was one of several small holdings occupied by selectors, usually young families, on both sides of the Glenelg River some of whom married into the Ball family. A rare plan, roughly drawn survives which names the families and states the number of children in them which accompanied a petition for a new state school. Land had been reserved for a state school on the east bank of the Glenelg. Eventually several small schools were provided but their history was chequered and all closed after the Second World War under the policy of consolidation. The cottage was abandoned in 1925. It remained in the Ball family until after World War Two. It came to be known as Cameron's Cottage after a subsequent owner. It had become derelict and was not repaired until after the land was purchased by Safcor for a pine plantation in 1984. It is now used as a weekender. It is in good condition but retains only a fair degree of integrity, with the doors, windows and roofing replaced. A new verandah and deck now project forward from the cottage. The Walnut tree is of outstanding size with an excellent form and remains in excellent condition.
How is it Significant?
Park Hill with its associated Walnut tree is of social, historical, architectural and scientific significance to the Glenelg Shire.
Why is it Significant?
Park Hill is of social and historical significance for representing the Selection period of land settlement in Victoria, particularly remote, tight-knit communities. It is of architectural significance as an example of the small, vernacular cottages first built by selectors. The Walnut tree is of scientific significance for its form, size and condition which are comparable with other specimens of Juglans regia on the Significant Tree Register.
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PARK HILL AND WALNUT TREE - Usage/Former Usage
weekend cottage
PARK HILL AND WALNUT TREE - Physical Description 1
Park Hill is a small, symmetrical, vernacular building built of coursed random rubble from field limestone. The walls may have been lime washed in the past. It faces northeast, towards the nearby Glenelg River. It has a central ledge and brace timber front door opening onto a new timber veranda extending forwards to form a deck. The front windows are modern timber casements with small panes. The two front rooms are located under the main gabled roof and have no ceilings, the roofs being lined with modern pine boards. The roof is corrugated sheet metal. The single room under the rear skillion roof, also pine-lined appears to have been used as the kitchen. Quoins at the junction of the front and rear sections suggests that the skillion was an addition. There are very small four-paned windows and a ledge and brace back door in the skillion section. The two chimneys are built on the south east wall. Adjacent to the chimneys are a tank stand, a concrete rain water tank and a small timber shed, all of which are modern. Immediately to the north of the cottage there is an extremely large Walnut tree (Juglans regia) in excellent condition and importantly retaining its lowest branches. Its form, its size and its condition are unusual and comparable with any specimen on the Significant Tree Register of the National Trust of Australia (Vic.).
PARK HILL AND WALNUT TREE - Physical Conditions
The cottage is in good condition. The Walnut tree is in excellent condition.
PARK HILL AND WALNUT TREE - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies
3.5 Developing primary production
3.5.3 Developing agricultural industries
3.9 Farming for commercial profit
3.16 Struggling with remoteness, hardship and failure
Theme 5: Working
5.8 Working on the landHeritage Study and Grading
Glenelg - Glenelg Shire Heritage Study Part One
Author: Carlotta Kellaway, David Rhodes Mandy Jean
Year: 2002
Grading:Glenelg - Glenelg Heritage Study Stage Two (a)
Author: Heritage Matters
Year: 2006
Grading:
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PARK HILL AND WALNUT TREEGlenelg Shire
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