Harewood
3380 South Gippsland Highway KOO WEE RUP, Cardinia Shire
Statement of Significance
Statement of Cultural Significance - draft (derived from one proposed by Helen Lardner, 1997)
Harewood is of outstanding significance to the State of Victoria for the following reasons.
The property demonstrates cultural overlay between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people on an environmentally significant coastal site. Archaeological survey suggests human occupation of the site followed the marine incursion of Western Port Bay after the last Ice Age 6000 BC. The Yallock Bulluk clan of the Bunurong tribe had occupancy of the site at the time of European arrival. The French were the first to chart the coast, during a brief visit in April 1802, followed in February 1827 by exploration by William Hovell in the company of convicts.
The Aboriginal Protectors William Thomas and George Augustus Robinson both describe passing by the site in the 1840s, the later meeting with Edwin Cockayne, the first European settler, who, from 1844-53, would ferry settlers past the four inlets that led into the northern part of Western Port Bay. The stables at Harewood, although altered, have a long history of association with this site and retain the characteristic form of a modest early pioneer's hut. They are thought to date from Cockayne's occupancy. The larger hipped roof section retains vernacular construction techniques of bush pole roof framing and large square posts and are a good example of Early Victorian vernacular building.
Harewood House has State historical significance as the last and remaining permanent home of William and Annabella Lyall, notable pastoral pioneers in the Western Port Bay district during the early 1850s. William was a member of parliament from 1859-61 and founding member of the Victorian Agricultural Society, Zoological Society, Acclimatisation Society and Victoria Racing Club. He was the first to import Shetland ponies, Romney Marsh Sheep, Cotswold Sheep, Sambar Deer and hare into Victoria. He was also a pioneer in the drainage and reclamation of swamp land in Victoria, carrying out drainage schemes on his various properties, probably in consultation with the Italian architect, Alessandro Martelli, the designer of Harewood House. Lyall was associated with the growth of Tooradin last century as a popular fishing and resort town. The property has important links with the maritime history of Western Port with historical records of ships regularly docking at Lyall's Inlet.
The property remained in the ownership of the Lyall family until 1967, a period of more than a century and much original furniture, an extensive library, clothes, photographs and other Lyall family objects still remain with the house. A large collection of Lyall diaries, letter books and account books held in the State library of Victoria, which together with family documentation held at Harewood, add to the property's significance as a valuable resource for interpreting its history.
Harewood House, although altered, retains its unusual form of four distinct blocks, substantially intact from construction during the period 1857-68. Major alterations have been confined to the north west block, the entry porch and fenestration to the dining room, with the rest of the house retaining a high degree of integrity. Harewood House is an unusual example of the Early Victorian period and retains notable Early Victorian features including: French doors, casement windows and narrow double hung windows; architraves and skirtings; unusual coved ceilings; and boxed and scalloped eaves The landscape of Harewood is of significance for the mature tree canopy surrounding the house and contrasting with the coastal setting. Elements of note include Bunya pines, Cypress pines (sic), Hoop pines and lemon scented gum. Two urns which have been continually associated with the house from c1870 and still retained on the property are also important.'
Australian Heritage Commission statement of significance:
`Harewood, South Gippsland Highway, Tooradin, is one of the earliest homesteads in the district, is of particular importance in the surrounding landscape, is architecturally notable for some details and has considerable historic associations with the early settlement of the district and with William Lyall. Lyall was a well known early settler and member of the acclimatisation and other societies and the Harewood estate reflected his diverse interests. The house has been much altered over the years.'
State Significance
NB. There is ongoing debate as to the time sequence of development of the site.
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HAREWOOD
Victorian Heritage Register H0284 -
Harewood
Cardinia Shire -
The Inlets
National Trust
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..esterville
Yarra City -
1 Alfred Crescent
Yarra City
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1 Barkly Street
Yarra City
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