Millbank House - Ruins

Statement of Significance

Millbank is significant in that it is the site of one of the very earliest properties on the river. It stayed in the Edwards family for 137 years.

Physical Description

Millbank was a substantial house built on the high ground above the river on SL 190. There were also a Horse Works Flour Mill and a Cottage (to the south-west of the house occupied by John and Catherine Theresa Christian).

History

The Edwards family was among the very first settlers on the Moore River. Joshua Edwards was issued with Lease Swan 91 at Millbank in January 1851 for 6,000 acres. Matthew and Ann Edwards went there to live in January 1853 and selected SL 190 and built the house. They had three sons and six daughters. In 1852 the lease increased to 12,000 acres. Another 17 acres was selected in the 1860's. The 1872 floods severely damaged the Flour Mill. About 1894 Millbank was leased to Thomas Darch of Wanneroo (son-in- law of Matthew Edwards) and Matthew returned to Perth and died in 1916. He was the first settler to still have connections in the Moore River district, having lived there as early as 1849 RMB Edwards took over Millbank from approximately 1924 but the house was not always occupied. The Edwards children camped there and went to school at Baramba in the mid 1930's.

Condition

Poor

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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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.