Coompatine
OLD HOMESTEAD RESTORED.
From the West Australian
17 October, 1938
Reminder of Katanning in 1875.
Coompatine Homestead – 1890
It includes Tom Snr and Alice (nee McKenna) Haddleton (alongside cart) and police trooper Sergeant McKenna (seated centre) the first trooper stationed at Twonquillingup (Police Pools).
KATANNING, Oct. 16.- An interesting afternoon took place recently at Coompatine, the home of Mr. Job F. Haddleton, vice-president of the Katanning branch of the Historical Society. The occasion marked the restoration of the original Haddleton homestead which was built in 1875. It had always been Mr. Haddleton’s wish to restore the old home and return there to live once more.
Quite recently he had the building completely renovated and today it appears capable of doing duty for another long term of years, preserving what then will be a very valuable link with the past. The shingle roof was replaced some years ago and recently the outer walls were newly cemented and the interior freshly plastered, celled, floored and painted.
None of the original characteristics was lost, but pantry, bathroom, telephone and wire less and other touches of modernity link the old with the new. Many of the old fig and mulberry trees still survive and bear fruit and the original wool press is still a feature of the place.
Mr. Haddleton is a great bird lover, as evidenced by the many large aviaries at the homestead and beautiful peacocks which strut about. He is interested in the propagation of fish and due to his activities many waters in the district and other parts of the State have been stocked with perch and other fish.
The property was one of the first selected in the district and it was there that Mr. Thomas Haddleton and his wife reared their family of 13 children. Mr. Job Haddleton married a daughter of Mr. Eli Quartermaine, of Mean Mahn, another son of a pioneer, Mrs. Haddleton being one of a family of thirteen children.
(Above L-R) Muriel, Lesley, Mary Anne, Norma, & Agnes Haddleton c1919