Mt Sandiman Station

Statement of Significance

Mi Sandiman Station has high historic significance for its ciose connection with the early
settlement of the Gascoyne District and development of ihe pastoral industry since ihe i88Cs.
The place is associated with Robert Newman and Robert Bird, well known settlers in the
district. The homestead complex, together with a number of the outbuildings have high
aesthetic significance for their iarge scale, use of local sione and intactness. it is characteristic
of pastoral homesteads of that era. The aesthetic qualities of ihe place are further enhancec by
the picturesque location.

Physical Description

Located north of Gascoyne Junction, the Mt Sandiman Homestead is situated in a picturesque setting amongst hills. The homestead consists of three main stone buildings connected by breezeways which form a small courtyard in the centre. The dining, lounge and office building , the bedroom wing and the kitchen/store building are all of local stone construction with hipped corrugated iron roofs. The roofs extends to cover surrounding verandahs which are supported on a combination of timber posts and metal poles. The original flagstone verandah floor has been replaced by concrete. The verandah is partly enclosed with lattice to provide shade. The current office was originally a bathroom. The windows are generally large and timber framed with 12 panes to the dining building, while french doors open from the bedrooms onto the verandahs. Window and door surroundings are rendered. A concrete block extension to the kitchen building contains the laundry. To the south east of the homestead is the Jackaroos' Quarters which is a simple stone building with a corrugated iron gable roof and a verandah to the south side. The Shearing Shed is located approximately 20 Kilometres to the north west of the homestead. Believed to be the second shearing shed constructed on the property, the exact location of the original is not known however, it is thought to have been approximately 4 miles from the homestead. The existing shearing shed is of stone construction and features arched gable ends and a curved corrugated iron roof which is said to have been imported from England with the steel trusses. The building originally had lean to roofs on both sides, however,the east section was removed to allow for the extension of the shed in corrugated iron to house 8 stands. To the west of the shearing shed is the black mens' quarters. a simple long corrugated iron clad building, while to the east are several buildings including the meat house.

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
1926. 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 -
shep 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
and 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 snare 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 buiiding 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
station was absorbed into Minnie Creek Station when its owners, the Meecham brothers.
purchased ihe adjoining lease. Alan and his wife Cheryl lived at Sandiman for several years until
the economic downturn of the pastoral areas resulted in them leaving the station, following •-,r;cr:
a caretaker or station worker stayed at the property. In 1960 Minnie Creek and Mt Sandiman
were purcnased by Ian and Jill Dobson, however following Ian's tragic death the stations were
sold to John and Pam Leeds. They are currently owned by John and Jenny Fraser who live at
Minnie Creek. (McDonald, R., 'Winning the Gascoyne', Hesperian Press. Perth. 1951. pp.108-
114 & Mosley, R., "History of Mt Sandiman Station", September 1996.)

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: 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.