Browns Nature Reserve
92-118 Albion Crescent GREENSBOROUGH, BANYULE CITY
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
What is significant?
Browns Nature Reserve, formerly farmland from c.1919, and today consisting of 3.3 hectares of open grassy woodland, is of significance. It retains its early twentieth century house and this is also of significance.
How is it significant?
Browns Nature Reserve is of local historic, social, aesthetic and scientific significance to the City of Banyule.
Why is it significant?
Browns Nature Reserve is historically significant for its long and continuous operation as a farm for much of the twentieth century. This significance is enhanced by the retention of the original farmhouse on the site, enabling public appreciation of this history. (Criterion A)
The house is also historically significant as a survivor of physical relocation necessitated by the development of Australian Paper Mills on its site in Alphington / Fairfield in 1919. It is not known how many other relocated houses survive today. (Criterion A)
Browns Nature Reserve is historically significant as the home of long-serving Eltham Infant Welfare Sister Alma Brown, who lived on the site until her death. (Criterion H)
Browns Nature Reserve is socially significant as a place of passive recreation for the local community. This is demonstrated by the formation of a Friends group, installation of information boards, construction of paths, a bridge and seating,and erection of art works throughout the Reserve. (Criterion G)
Browns Nature Reserve is of aesthetic significance for its landscape qualities, created by a combination of hilly open grassland and eucalypt woodland, picturesque stream, seasonally visible wildflowers, and early farmhouse with garden nestled on a hillside. Views to the north-east across the valley to the grassy hillside beyond are particularly evocative. (Criterion E)
Browns Nature Reserve is of scientific (environmental) significance for its habitat values for both plants and animals. These are protected by a conservation covenant, and the Reserve has been designated of 'regional environmental significance' by the Warringal Conservation Society (Toomey, 1999). (Criterion B)-
-
Browns Nature Reserve - Physical Description 1
Browns Nature Reserve is approximately 3.3 hectares of sloping land bisected by a creek. It comprises open grassy woodland, with Candlebark vegetation on the slopes and Manna / Swamp Gum vegetation in the creek area. The Reserve also supports many species of wildflowers, orchids and ferns.
The original early twentieth century weatherboard house with tiled roof is extant on the Reserve and is leased. The house appears to be relatively unaltered externally, and in fairly good condition. A garden area surrounding the house is fenced. The Reserve was reported to contain remnant farm plants in 1999 (Toomey, 1999), but it is not known if these are extant in 2009.
A small car park has been formed inside the Reserve's gates, and information boards installed. A number of decorative mosaic murals have been installed along the path through the Reserve.
Heritage Study and Grading
Banyule - Banyule Heritage Review
Author: Context P/L
Year: 2009
Grading: Local
-
-
-
-
-
Saxam HomesteadBanyule City
-
ST KATHERINE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH AND CEMETERYBanyule City
-
Stained Glass Window at St Helena St. Katherine's Anglican ChurchVic. War Heritage Inventory
-
-