CUYUAC HOMESTEAD COMPLEX
Chetwynd-Nareen Road, NAREEN VIC 3315 - Property No 144
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Cuyuac Homestead complex is located approximately six kilometers west of the village of Nareen, one
and a half kilometers south of the Chetwynd-Nareen Road, overlooking Webb's Creek. The land which
makes up Cuyuac was taken up in the 1880s, consisting of small portions of several larger pastoral runs. The
first owner of Cuyuac was Mrs. Martha Quarterman, the widow of John Quarterman, who was implicated in a
parliamentary corruption scandal with Hugh Glass involving the 1860s Land Acts. The first homestead and
gardens were laid out in the 1880s. Many of the mature trees in the garden are remnants from this period,
including the Monterey Pines (Pinus radiata), Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), English Elms (Ulmus procera) and Norfolk Island Pines
(Araucaria heterophylla). The modern garden, which dates from 1964, has been planted with an impressive Atlantica Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) and Pencil Pine or Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) as well as a variety of
exotic deciduous trees, which are of less significance. The property was sold to Mr. John Martin in 1898, who
subsequently sold it to R. H. Edgar in 1908. The original homestead remained until it was destroyed by fire
in 1964. The only buildings that survived were the stables, a shepherd's watch box, mounted on red gum wooden sledge,
and a hut made of split palings with a shingle roof. The woolshed, some distance from the house, survives as well. Local architect W. Langham Proud designed the current
Cuyuac homestead in 1964. It is a two-storey building constructed of cream brick with terracotta roofing
tiles, designed in the conventional and rather conservative Cape Cod style. The split paling hut and the shepherd's watch box are in good
condition, the garden and plantings too, are in good condition.
How is it significant?
The Cuyuac Homestead Complex is of historical significance to the Southern Grampians Shire.
Why is it significant?
The complex is historically important as an unusual example of a selection of land being taken up by a
woman in the nineteenth century. Mrs. Quarterman, the widow of a disgraced Member of the Legislative
Council, John Quarterman was unusual in that she chose not to return to her family home, nearby Wando
Dale, but to take up land in her own right, constructing a homestead and garden on a property which was
some distance from others. It is also historically important for the associations with John Quarterman
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CUYUAC HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Conditions
The nineteenth century timber structures are in very good condition. The trees which survive from the 1880s garden are also in very good condition.
CUYUAC HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 1
The Cuyuac Homestead complex is located approximately six kilometers west of the village of Nareen, one
and a half kilometers south of the Chetwynd-Nareen Road, on high ground overlooking Webb's Creek. The land which
makes up Cuyuac was taken up in the 1880s, consisting of small portions of several larger pastoral runs. The
current homestead was built in 1964 on the same site to replace the earlier 1880s homestead which was destroyed by bushfires in the same year.
The current homestead was designed by local architect, W. Langham Proud. It is constructed of
cream brick in the conservative 'Cape Cod' tradition, complete with dormer attic windows and terracotta tiled roof (Leake, 100.) Importantly, it was built on the footprint of the original house and continues the relationship with the creek below.
Several 19th century buildings survive close to the new house: the timber stables, a hut made of split palings, with wooden shingled roof and a shepherd's watch box, mounted on a red gum wooden sledge for transportation by bullocks. Further away is the large timber woolshed, with its modern extension.
Some of the garden associated with the 1880s homestead complex remains: Monterey Pines (Pinus radiata), Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), Pencil Pine or Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), English Elm (Ulmus procera), Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla). There is also a large Aloe near the stables. The modern garden, which dates from 1964, has been planted with a variety of exotic deciduous trees, which are of less significance.
CUYUAC HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 3 Developing local, regional and national economies
3.5 Developing primary production
3.5.1 Grazing stock
3.5.2 Breeding animals
3.9 Farming for commercial profit
3.14.1 Building to suit Australian conditions
3.14.1Using Australian materials in construction
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 settlements
CUYUAC HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Usage/Former Usage
Continues to be used as a pastoral property.
CUYUAC HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Integrity
Very high degree of integrity to 1964 period.
CUYUAC HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 2
John Quarterman, pastoralist
Martha Quarterman, nee Moodie, of Wando Dale
R H Edgar, son of David Edgar, pastoralist of Pine Hill, Harrow
W Langham Proud, architect of 1960s house
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading: No Signif.
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