Haddrill's House (Henley Brook) to have interim heritage listing

7/1/96

An historic Henley Brook home built in the early days of the Swan River Colony is to have its heritage values protected by the State Government.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said Haddrill's House on West Swan Road would be placed on the State Register of Heritage Places on an interim basis.

Mr Lewis said the homestead, built in 1835, was a rare example of a house constructed in the first six years of the Swan River Colony.

A simple 'L' shaped cottage overlooking the Swan, Haddrill's House was home to the Haddrill family for 150 years.

"This homestead is a good example of a house constructed in the early European settlement of the colony," Mr Lewis said.

"It is one of the few remaining places from this period of Western Australia's history and as such deserves the protection of the Heritage of Western Australia Act."

The Minister said William Haddrill was an agricultural labourer and thatcher who, with his wife Hannah and two children, arrived in the Swan River Colony on the ship Drummore in February 1831.

The land Haddrill bought was part of a 2,500-acre grant made to hotelier William Smithers. Haddrill, who like many labourers of the time had made good money in a short time, purchased 20 acres of the land.

"According to family tradition, Haddrill's House was built in 1835 by Richard Edwards, who is credited with building the Upper Swan Church," Mr Lewis said.

"The 1837 census records Haddrill as living on the property with his wife and three children. They had five acres under wheat, a quarter-acre of gardens, one horse and three swine.

"This was typical of small holdings at the time."

William Haddrill died in 1875 and the property was progressively passed down the family line. The family was still actively farming in the early 1900s.

Mr Lewis said two rooms of corrugated iron were added in 1926, making it 'L' shaped, and the original brick kitchen was demolished.

The property finally passed out of the Haddrill family in 1975 when it was sold to Justice Peter Brinsden. He subsequently undertook restoration and maintenance work, including replacement of rotting floorboards, repairs to fretting brickwork and a new ceiling for the utility/kitchen room.

The Minister said a feature of the property was the garden, which consists of the original lemon and orange trees, grape vine and a well.

"Haddrill's House contributes to the local community's sense of place by acting as a link with the colonial development of the area," he said.

"It is representative of the style and character of the simple accommodation built by settlers in the first few years of the Swan River Colony.

"The homestead is in sound condition and has retained its authenticity over the years."

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377