SPRING VALE

Hillview Road (Coleraine-Brit Brit Rd) COOJAR, Southern Grampians Shire

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Southern Grampians Shire

23162 Springvale 0201

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Physical Conditions

    SPRING VALE - Physical Conditions

    The whole is in a delapidated condition, including some collapsed parts, although it retains a very high degree of integrity to the Interwar period. The site has high archaeological potential.

    Physical Description 1

    SPRING VALE - Physical Description 1

    Springvale Homestead is a complex of interlinked buildings, of various dates, demonstrating a range of different building techniques and materials. All are single storey and all have corrugated iron roofs although some original shingle roofs survive under the iron. A two roomed vertical slab hut with a shingle roof, perhaps dating from the 1840s, appears to be the earliest stage. It has the lowest floor level. The four corners of the hut are supported by large, hand-adzed timber posts. The walls consist of vertical slabs overlaid with horizontal split laths, with a tongue in groove, beaded edge dado. The ceiling consists of beaded edge lining boards. The dado and ceiling are probably of a later date. The west wall of the slab hut has been removed, and replaced by a wall of handmade bricks, which are part of the 1850s brick section.
    
    Immediately to the north of the primitive hut is a substantial section of pise, used as a kitchen, measuring approximately 12 metres by 6 metres, with a verandah of about 1.6 metres in width, originally on all sides. An imitation ashlar finish has been rendered over the pise. Two windows and a door on the east side appear to be original, while a second door in the east wall has been created during the 20th century when the room was enlarged by infilling the verandah. A 20th century timber wall is the only internal partitioning, dividing the space into a parlour with Edwardian fireplace and mantlepiece, and a kitchen. At the north end of the kitchen are three large ovens, and extensive shelving, which would appear to date from Springvale's era as an inn. The verandah on the west side has been enclosed to create two bathrooms.
    
    The next phase of development appears to be the construction of a substantial brick building to the south of, and at right angles to the slab hut. The handmade bricks, with timber nogging, appear to date from the 1850s. The brick section contains three substantial rooms with open fireplaces. The remains of a verandah which extended along the front of the brick section can be seen. This verandah, with paired timber posts, is clearly visible in photographs from the 1880s in the possession of the Botterill family.
    
    To the east of the brick section is a later section built in dressed granite blocks, finely tuckpointed, which consists of a formal sitting room with fireplace and a finely crafted bay window, which faces north. To the east, two 12 pane double hung sash windows have surrounds made of pre-cast cement in a classical design of arch with keystone, with simple pilastered side columns. The remains of Edwardian wallpapers can be seen on the walls, badly affected by damp. The east facing verandah on this side utilises a simple Edwardian fretwork decorative motif. The chimneys of this section also have pre-cast cement detailing.
    
    Another well-made bay window, this time extending from floor to ceiling, is the dominant feature of the adjacent east-facing dining room, constructed in timber, possibly at a later stage again. A timber gallery, of similar materials, has been built along the south and east sides of the buildings, creating a link between all of the separate phases of construction.
    
    The last section of building appears to be a two roomed timber structure built on the south end of the pise section, which was known as the old Coojar Post Office. Various outbuildings survive on the site. The stables, which had 8 stalls, buggy shed and harness room have not survived (HHC file note). The present woolshed, on the south side of Hillview Road has replaced the original.
    
    The whole is in a delapidated condition, including some collapsed parts, although it retains a very high degree of integrity to the Interwar period.
    
    There are several over mature senescent Monterey Pines, Pinus radiata to the east which appear to have been planted in a curve, possible the turning circle of a drive. The drive is lined on the east side with a row of young Sugar Gums, Eucalyptus cladocalyx. There are the remnants of an orchard on the west side. There are no other significant plantings although the ground appears to have been disturbed through major earthworks.

    Historical Australian Themes

    SPRING VALE - Historical Australian Themes

    Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies
    3.5 Developing primary production
    3.5.1 Grazing stock
    
    Theme 5: Working
    5.8 Working on the land.

    Usage/Former Usage

    SPRING VALE - Usage/Former Usage

    Abandoned and ruinous.

    Integrity

    SPRING VALE - Integrity

    High degree of integrity to Interwar period.

    Physical Description 2

    SPRING VALE - Physical Description 2

    John Campbell, first owner of squatting lease
    William and John McConochie, second owners of squatting lease
    Donald Swan, third owner of squatting lease
    Edward Byam Wight, Senior or Junior, fourth and final owner of squatting lease
    Broughton, Moffat and Edkins partnership
    Eldridge family
    J. C. Watson
    Plush family, present owners

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study

    Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
    Year: 2002
    Grading:

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