Dairy Creek Station

Values

The place has aesthetic and landmark values as a homestead complex, incorporating a number of buildings of local stone construction, located on the banks of the Geeranoo River in a rural setting.

The place has associations with the development of the Gascoyne region for pastoralism.

The place has associations with early settlers the Fitzpatrick family.

The place is a good representative example pf a pastoral homestead group in the region.

Physical Description

The current homestead and outbuildings on the north side of Geeranoo Creek form one group; and the shearing shed, quarters and ruins of c. 1890 homestead make up the other group.

The original c. 1890 homestead ruin and the shearers quarters are of stone and CGI construction. Other buildings nearby including the shearing shed are CGI clad.

The 1904 homestead on the north side of Geeranoo Creek is rendered mud brick with CGI roof. The 1926 stone homestead alongside also has a CGI roof. Nearby quarters are part stone and part CGI construction and have recently been renovated. All other buildings are CGI clad.

History

‘In the early 1880s John Bernard Fitzpatrick inspected virgin land on the Duri Creek with a view to establishing sheep station. On 31 January 1883 he purchased the property and 2,000 sheep from Gooch and Wheelock for 1,300 pounds. John Fitzpatrick moved to the station with his wife Rose, and their family. The station takes its name from the creek on which it was situated. The Aboriginal name from the creek was ‘Duri’ or ‘Durni’ [?], but it has since been anglicized to ‘Dairy Creek’. In 1890, after 8 years of makeshift accommodation, a small homestead was built by the family. By 1904 a spacious homestead made of local stone was built overlooking the Duri Creek. The new homestead was built by Ted Harris, a carpenter, and Billy Jackson, a stonemason. Sections of the Dairy Creek Station were divided off to create Dalgety Downs for John and Rose’s sons, James and Merton as well as Carey Downs for the Glass brothers. Following the deaths of Rose in 1906, and then John Fitzpatrick in 1909, their son Jim Fitzpatrick carried on the management of the station until 1921 when he died. All three were buried at Dairy Creek Station. Subsequently the station was run by a succession of managers, during which time the homestead fell into disrepair. In addition, the 1935-43 drought took its toll on the Station’s stock numbers, going from 32,799 sheep in 1936 to 3,735 in 1943. When the beneficiaries of Dairy Creek finally decided to sell the station, the lease was held by Norman Armstrong for a short time and then, on 23 March 1965, by Richard Kingsley Cornish. In 1973 the Dairy Creek leases were bought by the Steadman family who continue to run the property today [1999].’

Integrity/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.