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WOODLANDS, LATER FERN HILL
Topp Road BUNYIP, Cardinia Shire

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Cardinia Shire

Woodlands - Later Fern Hill

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

Built in the late 1890s, Woodlands (later Fern Hill) is significant to the Cardinia Shire as an early farm house which uses brick construction, a relatively unusual wall material for the area. Its brick construction also make it a good illustration of a city businessman investing in rural property and having the capital to improve the farm above what was typical in the area.

The property also symbolises the development of orcharding in the district.

Woodlands is also significant for its comparative age, judged among other extant farm houses within the shire, as an expression of the lives of locally important people (Topp), its local landmark quality being elevated and axial to Topp Road; and, although altered, as a demonstration of design accomplishment for the type (small farm house) and area.

Regional Significance

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- Physical Description 1
  
  WOODLANDS, LATER FERN HILL - Physical Description 1
  
  This is a hipped roofed and verandahed brick farm house prominently sited on top of a hill facing Topp Road, on axis. Gum forest is close to the house while one of the few mature exotic plantings at the house is an oak.
  
  The bricks were reputedly burnt from clay dug on the property and the house is one of the few in the district from this era built using bricks.
  
  The verandah has been rebuilt in an extended and simplified form to the original using off-saw hardwood framing and the main roof (which was pictured as having a Dutch hip) has been converted to a standard hip. Alterations to the room plan have also occurred. An unusual aspect about the house is the number of marble mantel pieces (2 white marble, with one grey probably added).
  
  There is a well on the property but none of the other outbuildings noted at the turn of the century have survived.
  
  Physical Conditions
  
  WOODLANDS, LATER FERN HILL - Physical Conditions
  
  The verandah has been rebuilt, the roof reclad and visually related rear additions made.
  
  Historical Australian Themes
  
  WOODLANDS, LATER FERN HILL - Historical Australian Themes
  
  Historical Themes
  
  3.1 Squatters/pastoralists and grazing
  
  3.4Orchardists and market gardeners, cool stores, packing sheds, etc
  
  10.4 Selectors' houses, gardens
  
  10.7 Farmhouses/farm complexes & outbuildings, gardens
  
  11.0 Evidence of: Life style, housing and landscape choice of notable figures residing in the district
  
  Physical Description 2
  
  WOODLANDS, LATER FERN HILL - Physical Description 2
  
  Associations - Topp, Dan SC
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Cardinia - Cardinia Shire Heritage Study 1996
  
  Author: Graeme Butler & Associates
  Year: 1996
  Grading: Local
- Show:
- WOODLANDS, LATER FERN HILL
  
  Cardinia Shire
- 13 Flinders Street, Queenscliff
  
  Queenscliffe Borough
- 162 Nicholson Street
  
  Yarra City
- 164 Nicholson Street
  
  Yarra City