Mt Sandiman Station

Values

The place has historic significance due to its close connection with the early settlement of the Gascoyne District and the development of the pastoral industry since the 1880s.

The place is associated with Robert Newman and Robert Bird, well known settlers in the district.

The place has high aesthetic significance due to the large scale of the buildings, the use of local stone and the intactness of the complex.

The place is a good example of an early pastoral homestead in the Gascoyne Region.

Physical Description

The place is situated on a flat in-between stony promontory. The homestead complex forms one small group and the remnants of a shearing shed and quarters, located approximately 15km west of the homestead, forms another.

The main homestead is constructed of stone with CGI roof and consists of two main buildings separated by a breezeway. The front verandah of the homestead has replacement steel rafters. Stone quarters are located to the southeast and CGI sheds to the north.

The remnants of the shearing shed, and quarters are stone and CGI. The cement floor which formed part of the shearing shed bears the date 1948.

History

In 1884 the Mt Sandiman Station formed part of Moogoorie Station, the lease of which was owned by Robert Newman. Later Newman sold the Moogoorie lease but retained the Mt Sandiman lease which he considered to be the better of the two properties. Newman had the homestead built of local quarried sandstone.

In 1918 the Mt Sandiman lease passed to Robert and Samuel Bird, teamsters and blacksmiths operating out of Carnarvon, for the purchase price of 12 000 pounds. Robert Bird and his wife, Lucy went to live at Mt Sandiman Station with their five daughters and Lucy’s sister. Samuel Bird sold his half share in Sandiman to Robert in 1936. During his years at Mt Sandiman Robert Bird added the stone bedroom wing to accommodate his large family as well as a cement brick room added to the store for use as the cook’s bedroom.

The drought of the 1930s and 40s severely depleted the stock on the station – sheep numbers had been built up to 13 000 prior to the drought but by the time it was over only 1 600 sheep remained.

By 1945 all five girls were married and had left Mt Sandiman. Robert & Lucy retired to the city in 1946 when Sandiman was sold to the Mosley family in partnership with Benjamin Sharp. Following several good seasons and increasing flock numbers the Mosley family bought the remaining share of Mt Sandiman in 1950. Under the management of Reg Mosley improvements were made to the property and the homestead, including replacing the worn flagstone verandah with concrete and building a new laundry.

When Reg and his wife Peg moved away from the area in 1958 the station was run by a manager. In 1973 Mt Sandiman was absorbed into Minnie Creek Station when its owners, the Meecham brothers, purchases the adjoining lease. Alan and his wife lived at Sandiman for several years until the economic downturn of the pastoral areas resulted in them leaving the station, following which a caretaker or station worker stayed at the property.

In 1980 Minnie Creek and Mt Sandiman were purchased by Ian and Jill Dobson, however following Ian’s tragic death the stations were sold to John and Pam Leeds.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Moderate
Authenticity- High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.