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Wilga
40-42 King Road HARKAWAY, CASEY CITY

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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

'Wilga', comprising the house originally constructed c.1885 (or earlier) and extended c.1940, associated timber outbuildings, mature garden and Cypress avenue and English Hawthorn hedge, at 40 King Road, Harkaway.


How is it significant?

'Wilga' is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Casey.


Why is it significant?

Historically, it is significant as a largely intact early farm complex that demonstrates the early dairying industry in this area. It is also significant for its early associations with the locally important John Fritzlaff, one of the earliest settlers in the Harkaway areas. (AHC criteria A4 and D2)

Aesthetically, it is significant as a interesting example of a house where the two stages of construction are clearly evident. It is particularly notable for its most picturesque setting within a fine garden at a end of a tree lined driveway and is complemented by a number of vernacular farm buildings and a well-maintained English Hawthorn hedge, which add a rustic air. (AHC criterion E1)
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    • Usage/Former Usage

      Wilga - Usage/Former Usage

      Residential, farming

      Physical Description 1

      Wilga - Physical Description 1

      The farming property 'Wilga' at 40 King Road Harkaway comprises a main homestead, several outbuildings and a large garden, located upon a hilltop site with spectacular views down into the valleys on both sides.

      The main homestead was originally constructed c.1870s and was extended c.1940s. It is a weatherboard house, L-shaped in plan, with a gabled glazed terracotta (?) tiled roof and two painted brick chimneys. The original c.1870s four-room weatherboard cottage is still discernable with a smaller extension to the east and the larger c.1940s L-plan extension to the west and north. The original portion of the homestead has double-hung multi-pane sash windows, the c.1940s extension has double-hung sash windows, some with multi-pane uppers. The c.1940s extension features an enclosed verandah with lattice detailing.

      The property has a number of outbuildings (one of which is the former dairy now converted to a shed), which feature a number of construction techniques including adzed timbers (vertical), corrugated iron walls (vertical) and some pise. Roofs are generally corrugated iron. The pise probably dates from the c.1940s. The date of construction of the adzed timbers is not known.

      'Wilga' is situated at the end of a serpentine driveway with a Cypress Avenue. It is surrounded by a large established garden with some remnant fencing, a tennis court and a number of notable mature trees including a fine specimen of a Japanese Chestnut Oak (Quercus acutissima) in excellent condition in the centre of the main driveway at rear of house. Other features include a tennis court, English Hawthorn hedges and a deciduous avenue (probably elms) in the house paddock.

      Physical Conditions

      Wilga - Physical Conditions

      Very Good.

      Intactness

      Wilga - Intactness

      High. The property retains its c.1870s/c.1940s homestead, outbuildings and garden including tennis court, fencing and vegetation. It is a very intact example of farming property in the area and retains much of its original character.

      Historical Australian Themes

      Wilga - Historical Australian Themes

      Settling and Working the land

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Casey - Casey Heritage Study

      Author: Context Pty Ltd
      Year: 2004
      Grading: Local

      Casey - Heritage of the City of Berwick

      Author: Context Pty Ltd
      Year: 1993
      Grading:

Public contributions

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