State Government grant restores Kellerberrin heritage icon

4/9/02
An historic homestead is being brought back to life thanks to an $8,000 grant from the State Government's 2001-02 Heritage Grants Program.
Acting Environment and Heritage Minister Jim McGinty said the Hill View House Group on Massingham Street in Kellerberrin had once been neglected and left in a state of disrepair.
Today, the eight-room homestead, semi-detached kitchen and cellar, wash house and garage are being lovingly restored by the current owner, who saved the buildings from demolition in 1997.
"Hill View is a rare example of an intact homestead that is typical of Western Australia's rural development in the early 20th century," Mr McGinty said.
"The homestead is an ornate and finely detailed example of the Federation Bungalow style, and the group of buildings form a picturesque complex set within a rural landscaped garden."
Mr McGinty said the Heritage Council's annual grants program aimed to encourage private owners to conserve places of heritage significance.
"The $8,000 grant has enabled the owners to restore the homestead's cellar, external brick walls, roof, stairs and hand rails, which has included removing, cleaning and replacing brickwork, and re-fitting windows, doors and stairs to match the building's original fabric," he said.
"In addition, the cellar roof has been raised and supported to allow below-ground walls to be replaced with formed concrete."
Mr McGinty said Hill View had been established in 1910 as a home for Michael Augustine McCabe, and had once been a show place for Kellerberrin.
"Michael McCabe was a prominent farmer and businessman, who was extremely active in the region's agricultural development," he said.
"He was chairman of the Kellerberrin Roads Board and local Farmers and Settlers' Association, a founding member of the Kellerberrin Farmer's Co-operative and an active member of the Catholic Church and local turf and trotting clubs.
"He was also mayor of Kanowna before he left for Kellerberrin in 1908. As such, Hill View hosted a number of community functions in the early 20th century."
Mr McGinty said the property's name was changed to Killaroe Farm when it was sold in 1950, and it was during this time that a number of prominent political figures stayed at the homestead.
"From 1963 to 1967, Hill View was leased as a boarding house, and between 1968 and 1973, the homestead was rented by six different families," he said.
"During 1974 and 1975, the Kellerberrin Catholic youth group used Hill View for gatherings and social events. The place has been unoccupied since 1975."
Minister's office: 9220 5050