Brookside

Statement of Significance

·         The place has aesthetic value as a large farmhouse set within a well maintained landscaped setting.
·         The place has historic value for its association with the development of the district in the 1890s for fruit growing.
·         The place has historic value for its association with the Robinson family who made a significant contribution to the development of the district.

Physical Description

Single storey timber framed dwelling with weatherboard cladding, corrugated roof and brick undercroft that takes into account the changing topography of the site. Timber framed double hung sash windows and timber framed French doors to the front elevation overlooking the adjacent winery and creek. Extensive verandah wrapping around the house accessed via centrally placed steps, with simple timber balustrade. Hipped roof with separate skillion verandah canopy supported on turned timber columns with carved timber brackets. The side elevation (east) is asymmetric in plan form with a projecting wing with a gabled roof above, topped with timber finial. The verandah continues to wrap around the elevation, following the plan form of the house. A former bed and breakfast addition has been constructed to the rear of the house which does not form part of this assessment.
The house is set in well maintained gardens with a creak to the south of the house and vineyard to the east. The house is set below Aldersyde Road and apart from the roof, cannot be seen from the road. The gardens slope down from the upper road to the creak.

History

Technology, orchards, vineyards

Integrity/Authenticity

Level of Integrity - High; Level of Authenticity - Moderate

Condition

Good This property was originally part of the 'Lawnbrook' estate which was subdivided in the 1920s. The first owner was Arthur Everton Robinson (c1870-1948) who married Alice Maud Taylor in 1894 in Murrurundi, NSW. The couple relocated to Western Australia in the early 1900s and had seven children. The family moved to the property in 1926 and built the timber home which was known as 'The Retreat'. Arthur Robinson was an orchardist and family members continued to work the property until the 1940s. The second owner was Cecil Arthur Robert Wright (1911-1999) who lived at the property with his wife Grace in the 1940s. In 1984, vines were planted on the property by the Ohrt family. In the late 20th and early 21st century the residence has undergone alterations and additions and new facilities have been added on the property to enable the operation of a commercial kitchen for wine tasting and meals.

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.