Walebing

Statement of Significance

The place demonstrates significant associations with pioneer identities of the Moora region. It demonstrates associations with convicts and communication. The construction and labour is significant as one of the few examples in the region and certinly the most comprehensive farm complex of the period.

Physical Description

An extensive complex of stone farmhouses and outbuilding with corrugated iron roofs (not original). the 1880 homestead is constructed of locally quarried stone and timber from a forrest 72 kms away, bricks fired on site. A verandah surrounds the homestead which faces south over the valley. The roof was originally shingles. A large underground water tank was filled by the roof drainage system. The barn 1859/60- the mill is in the south end.

History

In 1842, brothers Gerald de Courcey and Anthony O'Gardy lefroy arrived in the colony and by 1844, were building their assets in Spring Hill. In 1846, G Lefroy arranged a squatting license for 80,000 acres at "Walebing" which was taken up for the purposes of providing grazing country for their stock. The base operation was moved to "Victoria Downs" (Bolgart) while the new property at Walebing was developed. AO Lefroy took up the lease in 1846 and acquired the freehold to Loc 9 (11acres) and Loc 12 (20 acres) in 1853 and 1856 respectively. The first dwelling on the property was a basic shelter built by the brothrs in 1846.

Shortage of labour was a problem, but the Lefroy brothers were of the opinion that convict labour would have to be imported. In May 1850, the first convicts arrived in the Swan River colony. Convict labour was responsible for most of the stone buildings at Walebing. The second dwelling was built of local stone in 1851 with convict labour under the direction of Gerald Lefroy.

In 1852/53, Gerald handed his interest in the property to Anthony who was at that time the secretary to the Governor of the Swan River Colony. The brother's partnership dissolved in 1855 and G Lefroy took a consignment of horses to India in 1856 for his father-in-law WL Brockman.

A Lefroy continued to live in Perth and John Joyce managed the Walebing property until the 1870's when Anthony's only surviving son Henry Bruce Lefroy took over and Joyce became the first settler in Bind Bindi in 1874.

Henry Bruce Lefroy took over the property after he completed his education in England. In 1872, he was elected to the Victoria Plains Road Board and was Chairman in 1876. His friend Bishop Salvado, supported his appointment of Justice of the Peace at aged 21. In 1879 he captained and coached the aboriginal cricket team at New Norcia and successfully toured Perth. He was involved in the formation of the Moora Roads Board and the inaugural Chairman from 1909 until 1917, as well as the chairman of the Moora Districts Hospital Board. In 1892, he entered pollitics as the first member for the Moora Electorate in the Legislative council. He was minister for Education in the Forrest Government and between 1901 and 1904 he was Agent General for Western Australia in London. His wife Rose (nee Wittenoom) died in London leaving him three sons. He remarried Madeline Walford in 1904, amd had two sons and a daughter with her. He was Premier of Western Australia between 1917-1919.

In 1867 the mail route from Perth to Geraldton was diverted inland from the coastal stock route to cater for the settlers along the inland route, including New Norcia, Walebing, Berkshire Valley and Marah (Watheroo). In 1873, constuction began on a continuous telegraph line from Toodyay to Geraldton, and Walebing and Berkshire Valley both original mail exchanges were turned into telegraph offices. Family members were taught morse code and operated the telephone exchange. In 1875, George Clarke sent a dispatch from the Walebing telegraph office to Perth to inform them of Earnest Giles arrival in Western Australia. GA Walpole was the first telegraph operator. In 1888, Walebing was one of the mail change-over points, and this continued after the railway went through to Moora. The mail would be coached to Walebing twice a week and distributed to further destinations. This practise continued until the official Post Office and Telegraph office was constructed in 1895 and opened in 1896.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity; iIntact or redeemable
Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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