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BARRA HEAD HOMESTEAD COMPLEX
Mirranatwa School Road, MIRRANATWA VIC 3294 - Property No 0050

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Southern Grampians Shire
23406 Barra Head Homestead Mirranatwa 863
23406 Barra Head Homestead Mirranatwa 863
23406 Barra Head Homestead Mirranatwa 863
23406 Barra Head Homestead Mirranatwa remnant trees 867
23406 Barra Head Homestead Mirranatwa rear building 861
23406 Barra Head Homestead Mirranatwa view over swamp 866
23406 Barra Head Homestead Mirranatwa front verandah 865
On this page:

Statement of Significance

Amendment C6 - Revised Statement of Significance after submission and site inspection. Considered to be of local significance rather than state significance (AW 31/10/08)

What is significant?
Barra Head is of historical significance for its early history as part ofthe original squatting run, Victoria Valley, and its subsequent development and of architectural significance as a typical and representative example of a homestead complex. The present Barra Head homestead complex is the second establishment associated with the original Victoria Valley squatting run. The first, a slab hut constructed by Henry Dwyer was located about 9.5kms to the south-west somewhere on the present Old Sierra Park property. The site, at least of the woolshed, is still marked by the so-called Woolpress Tree, an extremely rare example of a tree used to press wool into bales for transport. Henry Dwyer had taken up the Victoria Valley run in 1841. In 1855 the large and influential pastoral partnership, Thomas Robertsons and Sons purchased the licence, apparently for Thomas Robertson's second son, John. John left Moora Moora, the Robertson run immediately to the north of Barrahead and took his new bride, Mary Jane Carter to live at the slab hut homestead. A new homestead was built in 1859. No architect or builder has been associated with its construction. The second homestead is a conservative single-storey, symmetrical stone house typical of the 1850s. The windows, doors and corners are delineated by rock-faced quoins. A pavilion room on the west side is said to have been used as a school room. There is a timber building to the rear, now clad with metal siding which probably dates from the early 1900s. A timber woolshed some distance from the house isin ruinous condition. The property was subdivided, as usual, for selection in the 1870s with several families establishing themselves in the area, working at timber getting and shingle splitting as well as grazing and some agriculture.The selectors in the area had particular difficulties with fluke worm and rabbits, some abandoning their properties. In 1872 Peter Fry selected the original Victoria Valley site and called it Sierra Park, now Old Sierra Park. He married Annie McNeill, the daughter of another selector family, in 1874. In 1881, the Robertsons sold the second Victoria Valley homestead to the McNeill family who renamed it Barra Head. Subsequently Barra Head was purchased by another selector family, the Darks who appear to have been associated with Victoria Valley from 1858, possibly as employees of the Robertsons or as independent timber getters and shingle splitters. The Dark family still owns Barra Head. The house appears to be in good condition and remains substantially intact although it has been altered and extended. It is set within a modern garden which includes remnant trees (River Red Gums, Eucalyptus camalduensis), overlooks a water feature, now dry, and acknowledges a broader borrowed landscape.

How is it significant?
Barra Head is of historical and architectural significance to the community of Mirranatwa and the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
Barra Head is of historical significance as the descendant of one of the earliest squatting runs to be established in the Grampians and, in particular for its connection with the network of runs owned by the Thomas Robertson and Sons partnership, one of the largest and most successful pastoral dynasties in Victoria. Its subsequent ownership by families who established themselves and succeeded in the Victoria Valley as selectors adds an important further dimension to the property's history. Barrahead is of architectural significance as an excellent example of a conservative homestead complex from the 1850s which is picturesquely sited to maximise itsaspect and prospect.

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    • Physical Conditions

      BARRA HEAD HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Conditions

      The homestead appears to be in good condition.

      Physical Description 1

      BARRA HEAD HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 1

      Amendment C6 - Updated after site inspection 2008

      Barra Head homestead is a conservative single storey, symmetrical stone house typical of the 1850s. The walls are roughly coursed. The corners of the walls, the doors and the windows have rock-faced quoins. There is a simple U-shaped verandah, which terminates, at least on the west elevation, with a pavilion room, said to have been used as a schoolroom. The eastern end of the verandah has been enclosed in modern times. Steel posts and a straight timber beam have replaced the original timber posts and valance. The hipped roof is low pitched and is now clad with corrugated iron. Interestingly, the bluestone chimneys of the two front rooms are in the side rather than the back walls. Behind the two front rooms and under a modern skillion roof, there are smaller rooms and the service areas, possibly now much altered. It may be that there was a verandah across the rear elevation and a detached kitchen wing.


      The house appears to have been sited deliberately on a slight rise to take advantage of its remarkable aspect and prospect. It overlooks a marsh or lake which is now a water reserve. The house, which is surrounded by a modern garden which includes some remnant trees, is approached by a drive along which there are modern buildings. Immediately behind the house is a detached timber building, possibly dating from the early 1900s with a gabled roof and skillion side extension. This building is clad with modern metal siding and is in fair condition. To the south-west of the house there is a timber woolshed which is now ruinous. The roof is covered with ABbrand iron, the only dated and recorded example being on a 1902 Briagolong building but also seen elswhere by the authors of this study. To the west of the house is the remnant of an orchard. Behind the house on the highest land there is a long plantation of pine trees.Lambing Hut Creek, a tributary of Dwyer's Creek flows behind the hill.

      Historical Australian Themes

      BARRA HEAD HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Historical Australian Themes

      Theme 2: Peopling Australia
      2.4 Migrating
      2.4.2 Migrating to seek opportunity.

      Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies
      3.5 Developing primary production
      3.5.1 Grazing stock
      3.5.2 Breeding animals
      3.5.3 Developing agricultural industries

      Theme 5: Working
      5.8 working on the land

      Usage/Former Usage

      BARRA HEAD HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Usage/Former Usage

      continuing as a pastoral property

      Integrity

      BARRA HEAD HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Integrity

      The house appears to be substantially intact but with major alterations and additions at the rear . The verandah posts, presumably timberhave been replaced with metal posts. The main windows, now standard double hung sashes, are likely to have been 12-paned sashes. The roofs are modern corrugated sheeting. The woolshed, probably extended in the past,retains a high degree of integrity although it is in a ruinous condition.

      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: Local

  • Notes See all notes

    Correction, Barra Head Homestead Information

    17/06/19

    Hi, Re: Barra Head Homestead. I am a descendants of Thomas Dark. As such have been researching the family tree for a long time. Re: Peter Fry and Annie McNeil. They married in 1870, not 1874. Vic BDM: Event: marriages Registration number 870 / 1870 Family name: MCNEILL Given name(s) Annie Spouse's family name: FRY Spouse's given name(s) Peter Regards Jilly

Public contributions

Notes See all notes

Correction, Barra Head Homestead Information

17/06/19

Hi, Re: Barra Head Homestead. I am a descendants of Thomas Dark. As such have been researching the family tree for a long time. Re: Peter Fry and Annie McNeil. They married in 1870, not 1874. Vic BDM: Event: marriages Registration number 870 / 1870 Family name: MCNEILL Given name(s) Annie Spouse's family name: FRY Spouse's given name(s) Peter Regards Jilly

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