Gowan Brae 1038 Bridge Road Teesdale
1038 Bannockburn-Shelford Road TEESDALE, GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
Gowan Brae, 1038 Bridge Road Teesdale, is located east of the township, approximately 20 km west of Geelong. The original bluestone cottage stands on land originally purchased from the Crown by Robert Reeves in the 1855 subdivision of the Teesdale township. It was erected in the 1865 for David Miller, a farmer and early settler. Miller arrived in Victoria in 1854 from the Orkney Islands Scotland where he worked as a farm laborer before purchasing 55 acres of land on allotments 4 & 5, section 3, Parish of Burtwarrah in 1863. Miller married Mary (nee Miller) (1845-1927) also from the Orkney Islands in 1864. Miller continued to expand his land holdings and by the 1880s owned at least 248 acres in the Parish of Burtwarrah. Following David's death in 1905, Mary Miller continued to live at Gowan Brae, with her unmarried daughter Ida Matilda. William Miller occupied the property from 1929, followed by his son, David Keith Pitcairn Miller from 1938. By the 1940s the property is rated as a residence, outbuildings and orchard, situated on a parcel of 16 acres.
Both William and David K. P. Miller were past President's of the Shire of Leigh and three generations of the family have been generous patrons of the Teesdale Presbyterian Church, continuing a strong family tradition serving the local community. David Miller (jr) was appointed Justice of the Peace from 1947-56. The bluestone cottage was enlarged during D. K. P. Miller's ownership, with the addition of a relocated Edwardian house, attached to the rear. Gowan Brae was sold in 1970 and has since undergone four phases of ownership. The current owners have resided at the property since 1995, undertaking further additions to the residence. Gowan Brae is in good condition and the original bluestone cottage retains a high degree of integrity.
How is it Significant?
Gowan Brae, 1038 Bridge Road Teesdale is of historical and architectural significance to the Golden Plains Shire.
Why is it Significant?
Gowan Brae, 1038 Bridge Road Teesdale is of historical significance for its association with the Miller family, beginning with David Miller who constructed the cottage in 1865. It has particular significance as the home William Miller and his son, David Keith Pitcairn Miller, both Leigh Shire Presidents, Elders and generous patrons of the Teesdale Presbyterian Church. David Miller (jr) was Justice of the Peace from 1947-56.
It is representative of the modest farmlets established in the shire from the 1850s, following the freehold settlement of cultivation allotments, in contrast to the broad-acre occupation of the land by squatters. Gowan Brae is of architectural significance as a representative example of the humble vernacular dwellings that accommodate generations of families on small farms.
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Gowan Brae 1038 Bridge Road Teesdale - Physical Description 1
Gowan Brae is situated on allotment TP1096, Parish of Burtwarrah, township of Teesdale. The simple, single-storey bluestone cottage was constructed in 1865 and a relocated Edwardian weatherboard house was attached to the rear in the 1940s. The original stone cottage is oriented to the south facing Bridge Road, with a deep set back. The windows of the front rooms are paired double hung sashes with dressed basalt sills. Set between them is a recessed four panel front door, featuring a glass transom window. The corrugated iron hipped roof is of a medium pitch. The verandah has been removed, although a surviving photograph of the house, presumed to have been taken at the turn of the century, shows a corrugated iron bull-nose verandah with small entrance gablet. The western elevation of the timber section continues the line of the bluestone wall. The introduced porch on the eastern elevation provides a formal entrance. The facade of the Edwardian section is oriented to the east and features a bay window located on the projecting gable. A recent kitchen addition has extended the timber section in a northerly direction and introduced a steep skillion verandah along the northern and eastern elevations.
The property comprises approximately 3 ½ acres, with an ornamental garden, including mature trees and outbuildings. There is a significant stone and brick well c1866 located to the west of the original bluestone section.
Gowan Brae 1038 Bridge Road Teesdale - Integrity
Gowan Brae is in good condition and the original bluestone cottage retains a high degree of integrity.
Gowan Brae 1038 Bridge Road Teesdale - Physical Description 2
Extent of Registration: The whole of the original stone cottage but excluding the interiors, the outbuildings and the garden located on allotment TP1096, Parish of Burtwarrah.
Gowan Brae 1038 Bridge Road Teesdale - Historical Australian Themes
The Australian Heritage Commission devised the Australian Historic Themes in 2001. The following themes have influenced the historical development of Gowan Brae.
5 Working
5.8 Working on the land
8 Developing Australia's Cultural Life
8.14 Living in the county and rural settlements
Heritage Study and Grading
Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 2
Author: Heritage Matters P/L
Year: 2009
Grading:
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Teesdale State School No. 2065Golden Plains Shire
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