State Government heritage lists The Grange

28/6/02
An historic Mid-West pastoral station has been interim listed by the State Government in Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said The Grange was significant for its role in both early European settlement and continuing pastoral activity in the Irwin region.
"Located at Yardarino near Dongara, The Grange group of rural buildings includes a homestead in the Federation bungalow style, a former kitchen, Shepherd's Cottage, shearers' quarters, granary, stables, slaughterhouse (ruin) and Grange Cottage, which is located one kilometre south-west of the main group," Dr Edwards said.
"As part of the Cattle Company landholdings in the 1850s, The Grange ran cattle and horses, which had contracts to supply beef to the British Government and horses to the Indian market. Beef was also supplied to Perth and Fremantle markets."
Today, The Grange continues to operate as a wheat, sheep and cattle property, and surprisingly, continues to provide beef to Perth and Fremantle.
Dr Edwards said The Grange was significant as it demonstrated a way of life associated with the early establishment of the State's pastoral industry.
"The Grange was established by Samuel Pole Phillips, and the 1850s Grange Cottage was the property's first building," she said.
"The homestead was built in 1881 by his son, Samuel James Phillips.
"While the Cattle Company was reasonably successful, high expenses and disagreement amongst the partners led to its dissolution in 1869.
"The partners each took control of a portion of the leaseholdings and continued to operate on an individual basis."
Dr Edwards said The Grange was purchased in 1987 by the John Roberts Company, Astrik Pty Ltd, and the property was now operated by a resident manager.
"Most farm buildings have been reconstructed to some degree," she said.
"In particular, Shepherd's Cottage has almost entirely been reconstructed, and the rooms in the stables have been fitted out to show their original functions such as the blacksmith shop and milking shed.
"The homestead, Grange Cottage and shearers' quarters all continue to be used as residences, and the homestead has also undergone changes to facilitate modern living."
Shepherd's Cottage and the former stables are now museums. The slaughterhouse is a ruin and the granary is being used for storage.
The listing follows the State Government's recent announcement to slash the backlog of buildings waiting for heritage assessment and potential listing. Under the Government's accelerated registration program, 550 assessments are anticipated to be completed over the next three years.
Minister's office: 9220 5050