Larra Homestead & Stables
Lara Road, DERRINALLUM VIC 3325 - Property No B1143
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Statement of Significance
Larra Homestead was established by emigrant Scottish lowland farmer J L Currie following a most fortuitous acquisition of the Mt Elephant pastoral run in 1884. The original rubble stone cottages were progressively extended and finally integrated with the present single storey basalt homestead which was erected in 1875 from a design by architects Davidson and Henderson of Geelong.
In 1944, fire destroyed all the station buildings excepting the stables and 1875 homestead.
Larra Homestead was for many years the centre of an extensive pastoral empire controlled by J L Currie, a shrewd pioneer and successful western district pastoralist. The present homestead complex, despite the devastations of the 1844 fires, removal of the graceful perimeter iron veranda and recent alterations survives to illustrate the fusion of severe Scottish building traditions with a developing mid-Victorian preoccupation with the picturesque.
Larra Homestead is maintained in excellent condition. The 1875 cast iron veranda has been removed and the interior modernised.
The stables at Larra Homestead near Derrinallum were erected in 1873 for John Lang Currie, a Scottish born western district pioneer pastoralist. The extensive single storey stables, offices and enclosed yards were constructed of western plains basalt with a slate roof to a design by George Henderson of the Geelong architectural firm of Davidson and Henderson.
Larra Stables are of outstanding design and craftsmanship and are certainly the finest stable buildings in the western district, and perhaps Victoria. The distinctively planned and detailed building is reminiscent of scottish lowland agricultural building traditions and is most notable for the finely axed masonary, restrained gothic revival imagery and the central and imposing bellcote. The stables are dramitically situated on the western lava plains and an important work of architects Davidson and Henderson.
The Larra Stables have survived several destructive fires in the western district and remain virtually intact and in good conditions. The north compound was extended early in the 20th century.
Classified: State: 03/08/1998
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Derrinallum Avenue of HonourVic. War Heritage Inventory
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Derrinallum Avenue of ElmsVic. War Heritage Inventory
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Derrinallum War MemorialVic. War Heritage Inventory
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