Interim heritage listing for Wonnerup Precinct

June 22, 1996

One of the South-West's most historic pioneering homesteads has had its unique heritage values recognised by the State Government.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said the Wonnerup Precinct had been placed on the State Register of Heritage Places on an interim basis.

Mr Lewis said Wonnerup, which included a number of homestead houses, school room, warden's cottage and tea rooms, was established near Busselton by the pioneering Layman family in the middle of last century.

The site marks the spot where George Layman was speared to death by Aborigines after an argument in 1841.

Mr Lewis said George Layman had emigrated from England to Van Dieman's Land in 1827, but set sail for the Swan River Colony in 1829 after an attack by escaped convicts, in which he lost virtually all his possessions.

After arriving in Western Australia, Layman was awarded a contract to build a barracks for the military establishment at Augusta, used to protect settlers from possible Aboriginal attacks.

Like many other settlers, Layman then explored other parts of the Vasse district and took up land at Wonnerup near the Abba River.

Layman was speared to death on February 22, 1841, after an argument over the distribution of rations given by Layman to the Aborigines in return for their labour.

Mr Lewis said the spearing was indicative of tensions between settlers and Aborigines at the time, and it had been alleged there were widespread killings of Aborigines after the death of Layman.

A year later, Layman's widow, Mary Ann, married Robert Heppingstone, who had taken up land at Wonnerup and who had occasionally worked for the Laymans.

They were happily married for 16 years until Heppingstone was drowned in a boating accident in Geograph Bay.

Management of the property was then taken over by George Layman II, who by then was 20 years old. George II built the first stage of one of the main Wonnerup houses.

In 1873, Layman handed over half an acre of land to the Government free of charge for the establishment of a school.

Wonnerup Precinct, which is now managed as a National Trust historic property, includes a pre-1859 house, a post-1859 house, a blacksmith's shop, stables, school room, teacher's house, memorial gates, warden's cottage and tea rooms.

Mr Lewis said Wonnerup demonstrated the main characteristics of the homesteads associated with the spread of European settlement throughout the South-West.

"The homestead and school room precincts have landmark qualities as seen from the Layman Road approach," he said.

"The beauty of the Tuart forest to the south, along with the cultivated gardens surrounding the homestead, also adds to the aesthetic value of Wonnerup.

"Wonnerup is highly valued not just by the Busselton community, but by Western Australians in general, largely through its management by the National Trust.

"Wonnerup is also significant to the Nyungar people as a result of the repercussions following the spearing of George Layman.

"It is one of the most historic sites in the South-West and deserves recognition of its outstanding heritage values."

Mr Lewis said most of the Wonnerup buildings were in good condition and its management by the National Trust would ensure the long-term sustainability of its heritage values.

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377