BROOKSDALE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX
C. Fry's Road, VICTORIA VALLEY VIC 3294 - Property No 0030
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Statement of Significance
The Brooksdale homestead complex has two homesteads, the older timber homestead, dating from prior to 1890, and a newer homestead, which dates from 1952, and was designed by Warrnambool architects, Walter and Aughty. The old homestead was taken up as a selection by M. C. McIntyre, who built the homestead, and sold out in 1900 after disastrous losses of stock from Liver Fluke, a prevalent problem in sheep in the Victoria Valley around the turn of the century. The property eventually passed into the hands of Charles Fry, the son of important pastoral selectors, Peter and Annie Fry of nearby Sierra Park. It is said that the first Victoria Valley Post Office operated from the old homestead. Charles Fry and his descendants have had continuous ownership of the property since 1917. The old homestead is in ruinous condition, although retains a high degree of integrity.
How is it significant?
The old homestead complex at Brooksdale is of historical significance to the district of Victoria Valley as a Heritage Inventory Site.
Why is it significant?
The Brooksdale Homestead complex has historical significance for a variety of different reasons. It is of significance for the association with the important local pastoral family, the Fry's, who have been continual land owners in Victoria Valley since 1872, when Peter and Annie Fry selected Sierra Park. Of further historical significance is the changing fortunes of pastoralists in the 1950s following the wool boom, which allowed people to build larger, more substantial homes, often designed by architects, as is the new homestead at Brooksdale, designed by important local architects from Warrnambool, Walter and Aughty. The two homesteads should be viewed together as they illustrate a changing attitude and way of life. The homesteads both allow us to understand a previous way of life, and how many of the early selectors in this area lived (as shown in the old homestead).
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BROOKSDALE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 1
The old homestead complex at Brooksdale is a six roomed timber house, with corrugated iron roof and brick chimneys, all in a ruinous condition.
Approximately 200 metres north of the homestead is a woolshed and workshop complex, in reasonably sound condition.
Adjacent to the woolshed is a circular depression in the ground, about 2 metres wide, which was the site of the homestead's homemade wool press.
Approximately 300 metres to the east of the old homestead is a substantial modern brick house, built in 1952-53, and designed by Warrnambool architects Walter and Aughty.BROOKSDALE 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
3.5.3 Developing agricultural industries
Theme 5: Working
5.8 working on the landBROOKSDALE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Usage/Former Usage
Grazing
BROOKSDALE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Integrity
Old Brooksdale Homestead has high degree of integrity, although in ruinous condition. The newer Walter and Aughty Brooksdale Homestead has a high degree of integrity.
BROOKSDALE HOMESTEAD COMPLEX - Physical Description 2
M C McIntyre, original selector
Charles Fry and descendentsHeritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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BROOKSDALE HOMESTEAD COMPLEXSouthern Grampians Shire
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"1890"Yarra City
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'BRAESIDE'Boroondara City
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'ELAINE'Boroondara City
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