Goblup estate
An Historical Property.
Western Mail
7 September, 1939
When early in 1938 Earl De La Warr Lord Privy Seal, visited the Great Southern districts in the course of tour of Western Australia, he was particularly interested in the areas embraced in what was formerly Goblup Estate, near Broomehill, formerly owned by his grandfather, Lord Brassey, a former Governor of Victoria.
The pleasure of this visit was subsequently enhanced by the fact that Mr H. V. Piesse, M.L.C., a member for the South-East Province (which embraced the old Goblup holdings), gathered more historical facts which were collated and forwarded to the distinguished guest prior to his departure from Australia. Extracts from such, with portions of his covering letter to Earl De La Warr, was made available by Mr. Piesse to “The Western Mail” representative and going to the far-back episodes touched upon, these will prove of great interest to man.
Mr. Piesse wrote to the Earl as follows: The late Mr. Tom Norrish, Sunnyside, was employed by the late Lord Brassey, and his widow now live on the farm known as The Homestead at Armadale, about 30 miles from Perth.
The Norrish and Dray families were among the very early residents of Broomehill district, Mr. Norrish’s father having taken up land there about 1850, about 90 years ago. For 25 years, the late Mr. Tom Norrish was a member of the original Kojonup and Broomehill Roads Boards, and chairman of the latter for many years. He was a Justice of the Peace and also, the first trustee of the Katanning and Broomehill Agriculture Societies. He also acted as lay reader in the Anglican church, that small, sacred edifice built on the settlement of Eticup, erected by himself and neighbouring settlers as far back as 1884. His wife also gave many years of her useful and unselfish life to the district. It is interesting to note that the original owner of Goblup, Sir Richard Spencer, has two descendants, Messrs. Richard and Joseph Spencer, of Kojonup, who both own farming properties in the district. I know you enjoyed your airplane flight over the old Goblup holdings and no doubt you noticed the fine home erected by the Anderson brothers. This wonderful property is considered one of the best grazing and cropping estates in Western Australia. In 1905 it was taken over by Messrs. Anderson, and now practically the whole of the area is cleared and extensively planted with subterranean clover and other grasses. A large section is rabbit-proof fenced and there are three Merino studs on the property.
GOBLUP’S HISTORY
Lord Brassey
In response to a request by Mr. Piesse, Mrs. Sarah McDonald, daughter of Mrs. Tom Norrish, writing from The Homestead, Armadale on January 18, 1938, recounted, in collaboration with her aged mother, many interesting facts concerning Goblup and its early associations. She said: “My mother is now 93 years of age, and her memory is still retentive. I will thus pen events which have remained uppermost in her memory, and also mine, and trust that such will be of interest to Earl De La Warr. Originally Goblup, a freehold property, belonged to Sir Richard Spencer, who bequeathed it to his niece, Miss Sophia Trimmer, who married Sir Alexander Campbell, a one-time resident magistrate at Albany. Shortly after the latter’s death in 1873, Lady Campbell built the Goblup homestead and resided there, her mother living on part of the property known as Eticup.
In December of 1878, my father, the late Mr. Thomas Norrish, whose property, Sunnyside, adjoined Goblup, leased it from Lady Campbell for five years. At that time only the homestead of about 300 acres was fenced, the balance of about 30,000 acres being grazing country, with the sheep shepherded. In 1883 we returned to Sunnyside, and in 1889, when Lord Brassey purchased Goblup, his agent, the late Mr. J. F. T. Hassell, asked my father if he would undertake the management. This he accepted, letting his own estate for three years, when my eldest brother was able to take charge.
My father was Lord Brassey’s only manager until 1899, “When the estate” was let to Mr. A. M. Nicholson of Victoria, for three years, and eventually Goblup was sold to Messrs. Tom and Ross Anderson and Ball brothers. During Lord Brassey’s ownership nearly 60 miles of wire netting fencing was erected, all jam posts, white gum strainer posts and gate posts being cut on the property. This was then divided into eight paddocks, namely Boilyup, Carbetup, Pullemyup, Three Wells, Chinaman’s Pond Paddock (so called because it was the first dam the Chinese workers excavated), Eticup, Wairup and Pooniwairup. The fencing was done by contract, but Chinese coolies were engaged from Singapore, five at one time, and three on another. They helped to sink dams, grubbed poison bush, ringbarked trees, and kept young suckers in check. They were good and reliable workers and took great interest in their tasks. They signed on for a term of three years and nearly all returned to Singapore when their time expired.
Until the paddocks were completed, the sheep continued to be grazed and shepherded. Shearing was a busy time for all, the shed accommodating 12 blade shearers. If weather was inclement it meant six weeks’ work. I am not sure, but fancy about 6,000 sheep were then run on Goblup. Some of my father’s diaries have been destroyed. The sheep were then of a rather small type of Merino, crossed with Shropshires, but in 1893 a flock of five stud Merino rams was imported from Victoria, all prize winners at the Melbourne Show, and the old flock culled out, only the better types being retained. My father was a keen sheep-man and anxious to improve the stock in every way, and Lord Brassey upon both his visits expressed himself very pleased with everything.
Large white gums were cleared from land needed for cropping. These were pulled up with a ‘forest devil,’ and were utilised by splitting into slabs for fencing the orchard, stables and hay yards. The original farm buildings were mostly of stone, the large mill house afterwards being used for wool storage; it was a very fine structure. Those of inferior character were later pulled down and new stables, chaff house, and a large hay shed to hold 100 tons, were erected in due course.
Poison Problem.
The poison bush presented a great problem, particularly the York-road and narrow-leaf varieties. Sheep were often found dead in places months after such had believed to have been eradicated from these localities, and search would reveal many tiny seedlings coming up after early rains. Twelve years after it had all been grubbed one of the present owners asked to be shown where it had grown, as even then he was losing sheep by seedling poison.
Bush-fires were also a menace. Twice almost the whole of the property was swept bare by fire, but little stock was lost. Every man, woman and child helped to fight-the out- breaks. It was heartbreaking work, needing ceaseless vigilance. One fire started up on a New Year’s Day and was not completely extinguished until January 23. We had such a heat wave that no one would face the fire during the day, and all who could do so worked all night, coming home at sunrise, smoke-begrimed and worn out. The stables and hay sheds were saved with difficulty, wire fences having to be cut to free horses and cattle.
I well remember the men trying to plough extra fire-breaks to keep the fires from the stables, having to gallop the horses some of which were actually scorched by the flames. The sheds were saved. To collect the sheep and take them to safety the men rode out to the paddocks with their dogs, giving prolonged yells or shrill whistles and the sheep came from all directions in answer to the calls. My father told me this was because of the fact that for generations sheep had been shepherded and kept together by bell sheep, or leaders, and it would take some time before they scattered like they do now.
When the sheep on Goblup were first paddocked, it was difficult to get them to scatter to feed. I cannot recall the weight of the sheep clip at Goblup, but I do remember that the first season imported rams cut 16 to 17 1/4 lb. of wool. I think it was only in the next year that one of the rams was struck by lightning while lying down. A hole was burnt through its head into the ground, carrying the wool with it, as though having been struck by a bolt of lightning. About 300 acres were cleared for cropping and good hay and wheat crops were grown, also barley for the pigs. Five Berkshires are kept.
Thrashing operations were carried out by spreading sheaves upon a large tarpaulin and tramping the grain out with horses. Then my father brought his thrasher into operation, until it was considered that the harvest was large enough to justify a stripper in the third year. In 1897 Professor Brown, of Victoria, came across to experiment in ensilage and the growing of various fodder crops, etc., but this enterprise proved too expensive and the experiments ceased after three months.
No doubt Earl De La Warr will be interested to learn that the riding horse provided for the late Lord Brassey during his two visits to Goblup was one of a pair driven by Lady Campbell, the old bay mare being nearly 30 years old. She was a pretty high spirited animal, and had to be ridden with a double rein and snaffle when the grass was green.
After the bush fires, the sheep had to be shepherded down on the Gordon River, 40 miles away, until the green feed was well advanced after the first rains, which were sometimes hot until lambing season. Then the old shepherds were in demand. Most of these, indeed, all of the old hands, were men of good type, some having been sent to the colony for trivial offences. They were seldom known by other than their nicknames, although my father had them properly listed. Without exception, they proved to be good, honest, hard working sorts, who thought nothing too much trouble, and were always ready to take a hand at extra work, even offering to turn to on Sundays to gather the harvest should the weather appear threatening. They displayed the greatest respect for women and were thoughtful in their actions. The shepherds, with their horses and dogs, were, I feel sure, the happiest of mortals, with never a care but for their sheep. Dingoes proved a great menace, and for a few years, it was probable that some had been enclosed within the new fences. To find a sheep or lamb killed meant many days of anxiety for the keepers. Day after day the paddocks were searched, and often no dogs found, but still killing proceeded every night.
Several years after they appeared to be all exterminated a boundary rider came in to say he had found two lambs killed quite close to the house. A search was made without success, but several nights later a man came in to say a dingo was howling near the sheds. My father listened and then said it was a female, and that his dog, Fisher, was answering it. He took his rifle and, keeping in the shelter of the sheds, went to the wool press near where the dog was tied and got inside, with his rifle pointing through a crack in the wall.
By his dog’s actions he knew that the dingo was close up. He fired at the form barely discernible in the darkness and killed it instantly, thus removing the killer of nearly 80 sheep and lambs.
“I am afraid,” concluded Mrs. McDonald, in her interesting narrative, “that I have written more of a sketch of Australian bush life than much pertaining to the Goblup estate, but Earl De La Warr may find something in my lines of interest. My mother has a treasured possession in a portrait of Lady Brassey, sent her from Melbourne by that gracious personality.”
The original Goblup farm was established c.1873 by Lady Cockburn-Campbell, developed into Goblup Estate by Lord Brassey in 1890. In the early days of the Eticup settlement, Church services were held at “Goblup Estate”.
This area has historic importance because the ‘Goblup Estate’ belonged to the Dowager, Sophia, Lady Cockburn-Campbell before Lord Brassey purchased it. The Anderson Brothers, Tom and Ross, took it over in 1940 and a new homestead was constructed.
The homestead at “Condeena Estate” is a large gracious building that has a rectangular design, large courtyard, surrounding verandah, double gable roof and three corbelled chimneys. It was built in 1904 for Tom Anderson who had come here from the North West with his brother Ross.
The “Goblup Estate” was divided up among the brothers and Ross took the half closest to Katanning and named it “Illareen” and Tom named his half “Condeena”. with Thomas establishing Condeena homestead at the site of the original Goblup homestead. Condeena Estate is a historic homestead significant as an outstanding example of Federation Queen Anne homestead which demonstrates the class structure of the time.
The grave of Thomas Francis Carmody is situated on “Condeena Estate”, not on the original “Goblup Estate” land but on Patrick Carmody’s land later purchased and included in “Condeena”. The grave is marked with the remains of a post and rail fence, with a stone ready for a plaque. Thomas Francis Carmody, son of Patrick and Eliza (nee Annice) Carmody was born on 12th March 1879 at Eticup and died there on 31st January 1888.
LORD BRASSEY AT BROOMEHILL.
GOBLUP ESTATE
DIVISION INTO AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS FAVOURED.
Western Mail
Friday 18 October 1895
[By telegraph from our correspondent)
BROOMEHILL, October 14.
Lord Brassey arrived here to-day for the purpose of visiting his Goblup estate in this district. His Lordship was met on the station platform by a large number of the inhabitants, headed by Mr. W. H. Graham, J.P., who, in a neat speech, welcomed Lord Brassey to the district. In reply, his Lordship stated that he was very pleased to be able to pay a visit to his estate, and much gratified by his reception.
He, however, considered himself an intermediate holder only, as he would like to see the property divided into small agricultural holdings rather than be a pastoral run, and that was his idea when taking up the estate, but it was necessary for pioneers to come in first with capital, and he would be willing to help any who made offers to take up small holdings for agricultural purposes. He was sorry that more imperative duties prevented him attending the Broomehill Agricultural Show which is to be held on the 18th instant, when he could have made the acquaintance of a larger number of his neighbours, but, if able to come over from Victoria at some future show time, he would undoubtedly do so. He also begged to assure them of the strong feeling of friendship existing in England towards the colonies and of the personal interest of Her Majesty in her Australian subjects.
THE GOBLUP ESTATE
Great Southern Herald
7 January 1907
To the Editor
Sir, – In your issue of December 24 last was a paragraph referring to Lord Brassey’s estate. I see Mr Hassell has replied to it and what he says is perfectly correct, and I must say that the person who wrote the paragraph is ignorant of the matter, or he would not have made such a mis-statement. If the writer is acquainted with Goblup Estate, he must know that till the very year Mr Nicolson first became manager of the estate from two to three flocks of sheep had to be taken some distance away and shepherded through the summer months owing to the want of feed and water. Now this has never occurred since Mr Nicolson rented the estate. Certainly there were nine large tanks, but only two of them had been full of water till after Mr Nicolson came, also in that year we had two of the largest paddocks ring-barked, which further told in Mr Nicolson’s favour.
As for the quality of the sheep there were as good sheep on the station then as there are now. The last year I had the sheep shorn at Goblup the clip was 59,000lb net, which, I think, speaks well for the quality of the sheep then on the estate. The next year Mr Nicolson was manager, he sheared more old sheep and less lambs than I did the year before, but the result of his clip was 51,000lb. There was no mismanagement on Mr Nicolson’s part in there being 8,000lb of wool less than I had the year before, for the season was one of the worst we had had for several years. Now as to the price of wool. Mr Nicolson took over the station and sheep in 1898 when he had a good season, with similar good results. The price he got for the latter clip he told me averaged 1s 2d per lb, some of the wool realising as much as 1s 6d per lb. Now this price was obtained for the Goblup wool before Mr Nicolson introduced any new blood into the stock. I think the above will show that it was not in any way the management or mismanagement of Mr Nicolson that brought the late splendid price for his wool, but the good seasons, and a good market. I am sure there is no person about here that wishes Mr Nicolson his good luck more than I do.
Yours, &c,,
THOMAS NORRISH.
Sunnyside, January 4, 1905.
LORD BRASSEY’S BROOME HILL ESTATE
Visit of the Manager to Perth
The Government Approached
The Inquirer and Commercial News – Perth
Friday 5 June 1896
Mr. William Brown, the recently appointed manager of Lord Brassey’s Broomehill Estate arrived in Perth yesterday in connection with the future working of his lordship’s property, and during the afternoon he had a private interview with Mr. A. R. Richardson, the Commissioner for Crown and explained his proposals to him. Mr. Brown, who was interviewed by a reporter of The Morning Herald, readily consented to place before our readers an account of the project favoured by the Victorian Governor.
Mr. Brown said that Lord Brassey had taken a great interest in the Great Southern Railway. He did so by becoming the owner of some 25,000 acres in one block about a mile from the railway line at Broome Hill. Since then he had purchased the very fine residence and property of the late Sir Cockburn Campbell in the same locality.
About a quarter of the estate consisted of very fine arable land, while a large proportion was also adapted to the cultivation of vines and orchard fruits. The whole estate was well fenced with wire and netting. Indeed, he (Mr. Brown) had not seen any estate in Australia so well fenced.
A great deal of capital had also been expended in ring-barking the trees, and in coping with poison weeds. When he visited his property Lord Brassey was struck with the generally good character of the soil, and he promised the people of Albany to do something for the colony, especially in the promotion of the agricultural interests. Practically, his lord ship considered that the estate should be occupied by producers, and he was not a believer in absentee landlordism, and one idea that Lord Brassey had was to establish on some portion of his property an experimental farm for the production of all sorts of crops, including cereals, green fodders, orchard fruits, but particularly garden produce. He was very emphatic in his opinion that the colony should produce the whole of the vegetables that its population required, and Mr. Brown had instructions to conduct the experimental farm with that idea in view.
His lordship held that there was a splendid market for the produce on the goldfields, and at Albany in connection with the shipping that came to that port.
The question we have to determine is – What can the ground do in the way of producing crops, considering its soil and climatic conditions? It is about 1,100ft. above the sea-level, and a good deal of the soil is of fair character and suitable to the growth of garden produce – a light, loamy clay. Lord Brassey believes that there will be no difficulty in producing by ordinary means such crops as onions, beet, turnips, tomatoes, &c., but he inclines to the belief that there may be some difficulty in respect to some other crops, on account of insufficient rainfall. Altogether I am well pleased with the general character of the property.
Another view taken by Lord Brassey in developing this property is to obtain the practical assistance of the Western Australian Government – in other words, that the Government should join him in the experiments contemplated. Lord Brassey has made certain proposals to the Government of this colony, and these proposals are now under the consideration of the Commissioner for Crown Lands. I cannot, of course, speak definitely as to these proposals. I may add, however, that Lord Brassey has quite made up his mind upon seeing the property in the hands of a population of producers, and in connection with his scheme care will be taken to guard against any absentee of ownership.
Educationally the experimental farm, should be of great service to the young men willing to settle on the land, and make homes for themselves. I may add that his lordship really desires to pay a compliment to the colony rather than make money out of the present scheme. Of course, young men will be able to secure the land in suitable sized areas on very moderate terms, or, if they prefer it, it is probable that we shall agree to accept a mere nominal price for the land at the end of two years’ service on the experimental farm. I have already made a start with the experimental farm, and have, so far, confined my work to the raising of garden produce. We have no idea, I may mention, of going in for irrigation, believing that it is not necessary for the success of the venture. In conclusion, I should like to say that Lord Brassey desires the farm to be termed the Brassey Experimental Farm; and it is our intention to issue reports from time to time showing the progress we make.
At Cockermouth, the birthplace of Wordsworth, a memorial fountain in the public park was unveiled on his last birthday by the Her. Canon Rawnsley, and a meeting was held at which readings and addresses of some literary interest were delivered.
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