KOLOR-PURDEET HOMESTEAD (FORMER SITE)
Penshurst-Warrnambool Road, PENSHURST VIC 3289 - Property No 0006
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Statement of Significance
The original Kolor or Purdeet homestead site was established in the early 1850s after the closure of the Mount Rouse Aboriginal Protectorate and the settlement of Penshurst either by John Joseph Twomey, an Irishman or by David Hutton, an Englishman. One or other built a timber house, stables and, presumably, other working buildings probably by the end of 1851. It may be that the Hutton family lived in the homestead until a new house, called Cheviot Hills was built for them on the land which they had secured as freehold. Alternatively, the Twomey family may have occupied it because John Twomey purchased the freehold including the old homestead site. He and his son Joseph built the present Kolor homestead in 1868. Who occupied the house after this time is not known but Joseph Twomey owned the land until it was sold in 1928 after he died. It was then purchased by the Morton family who lived in the house until a new cream brick house was built after the Second World War. The old house was moved to Penshurst where it survives at 11 Burchett Street. Little remains above ground at the original site.
How is it significant?
The original Kolor or Purdeet homestead site is of historical significance to the community of Penshurst and to the Southern Grampians Shire as a Heritage Inventory Site.
Why is it significant?
The original Kolor or Purdeet homestead site is of historical significance for its connections with the Huttons and the Twomeys, both important and influential pastoral families in the area, and for providing a contrast to their later more substantial homesteads. It reflects the unusual subdivision of the land around Penshurst and its sale under the Land Selection Acts. The place has further significance for its subsequent subdivision and sale under the Closer Settlements Act and conversion to a dairy farm under the Morton family's ownership which continues to the present.
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KOLOR-PURDEET HOMESTEAD (FORMER SITE) - Physical Conditions
A very high degree of archaeological potential around the house and possibly at other points associated with the homestead.
KOLOR-PURDEET HOMESTEAD (FORMER SITE) - Physical Description 1
There is little evidence of the original homestead and other works surviving at ground level other than some flat bluestone blocks which may be paving slabs immediately in front of the modern shearing shed. These do not appear to be the footings of a wall and are too flat to be natural. Nor do any of the plantings appear to be of any great age other than the row of Elm trees along the highway frontage. Some of these may now be missing and they have suckered in recent years. The original house is said to have been burnt down. The second house, built for the Rowe family about the turn of last century has been relocated to 17 Burchett Street, Penshurst. The third house, built for the Morton family in 1956, a cream brick break-fronted bungalow survives in good condition. Other farm buildings of corrugated iron including the shearing shed, a barn and sheds survive from recent times. Otherwise, there are works and the remnants of a garden and orchard associated with the second house and a row of senescent Cypruss trees across the rear of the homestead site and along the southern boundary. There is a rubbish dump, perhaps dating from very early times, north-east of the barn. The springs which attracted the first occupants and were clear are now boggy. The whole estate was extensively planted, mostly with Radiata Pines on outcrops of rock, after it was purchased in 1928 by the Morton family. Only footings survive from the earlier buildings with elm suckers marking the site. There were two walnut trees but they have now gone. The stables were pulled down about the same time.
KOLOR-PURDEET HOMESTEAD (FORMER SITE) - 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 landKOLOR-PURDEET HOMESTEAD (FORMER SITE) - Usage/Former Usage
abandoned
KOLOR-PURDEET HOMESTEAD (FORMER SITE) - Integrity
low integrity
KOLOR-PURDEET HOMESTEAD (FORMER SITE) - Physical Description 2
John Twomey and family, first owners
Rowe family, owners around 1900
Morton family, owners from 1928Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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KOLOR HOMESTEAD COMPLEXSouthern Grampians Shire H0541
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KOLOR WOOLSHED (Former)Southern Grampians Shire H0324
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Kolor HomesteadNational Trust H0541
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