Moondah Homestead

Statement of Significance

Moondah Homestead is significant as one of the early farming establishments in the district, and for association with the Brockman family.

Physical Description

Single storey three room brick house with separate kitchen and garden with mature trees, close to Moondah Brook. The building shows evidence of having been built in two stages. There is a brick outhouse.

History

William Locke Brockman and his wife and son were one of the first settlers in the Swan River Colony in 1830, taking up Swan Location 9 (Herne Hill) in 1832 and establishing a family residence. Attracted to Gingin area due to streams and fertility, he took up Swan Locations 96, 101 and 104, and became renowned for pedigree sheep and breeding blood horses for the Indian Army. He was the first to lease grazing land in the area and establish flocks, and also facilitated the Church of England church. On location 96 he established Ginginup Station- later named Cheriton. Moondah Homestead was located at the south end of Ginginup Station. In c.1860, Brockman's second son William was managing Moondah Homestead that bred cattle and horses up to the turn of the century. After his wife's death in c.1868 he hired Mr and Mrs John McWilliams who lived at the homestead, housekeeping and working the farm. And did so until William's death in 1898. In 1887 ownership had transferred to William's sons Edmund and Henry, and then Henry, before it transferred again in 1904, to Williams' daughter Mary Elizabeth Hare, wife of Frederick Hare, Commissioner of Police. They leased the property until moving in in 1906 after the Commissioner became the target of an assassination attempt. In 1907, the property was acquired by Walter McKenzie Grant, who on sold to neighbour John Musk, inherited by his wife Catherine in 1921. Richard Rennie owned between 1924 and 1936, adding a kitchen, after which time many owners until 1968 when the Western Australian winegrowers Association purchased and established Valencia Vineyards. After the property changed hands again in 1991, a new residence was constructed and Moondah Homestead was vacant in 2005.

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Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.