Burnside Homestead

Values

The place is rare as an early colonial Homestead in the Peel Region in Western Australia.

The place is associated with the settlement and development of the Peel Region.

The place has the potential to yield scientific information as an early example of building techniques used in the 1860s.

The place is representative of a number of family farms established throughout Western Australia from the 1850s.

The place contributes to the community’s sense of place.

Physical Description

Burnside homestead comprises;

A main residence/homestead (high pitched broken back roof)

Gardeners cottage,

Original caretakers cottage

Blacksmith shed

New double brick steel shed

Other ancillary buildings for housing animals and stores.

The buildings are not visible from the road and are set back with a eucalypt lined formal

driveway entry.

The homestead is set on the Banks of Tea Tree Brook.

History

‘Originally the residence of the Murray family, originally from Scotland, who first settled in the area in the 1840s. Both David Smythe Murray and his eldest son, John Gray Murray, served as Resident Magistrate and George Murray. Daivd Symthe Murray dies in 1864, but Burnside remained with the Murray family for the next 50 years.’

‘The Murray family bought up parts of the surrounding countryside and leased huge acreages from the Crown at a small annual rental. They grazed sheep and cattle on their large runs, under the charge of Ticket-of-Leave convicts. They also successfully bred horses. The Murray family were a well-known and prosperous pioneering family of Pinjarra, especially in the Coolup / Meelon locality where they donated much of their time and money to support the local community facilities and activities and where Burnside was the social focus of the community.’

‘In the mid 1910’s Burnside was left in the hands of the two surviving Murray sisters and although still remained a formidable property, a downward spiral was starting. In the 1920’s with the declining influence and prosperity of the Murray family with the Murray sisters having left Western Australia, Burnside was placed in the hands of managers who failed to keep the property viable. The property was auctioned in 1927 to clear the mortgage and purchased by a Mrs Hargreaves. Much of the Furniture and other artifacts of the Murray family were sold off at this time.’

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.