Rangelands Adoptions Committee members, Pieter & Ria Stolp and Jeff & Lyn Hemsley
have completed a recci, of 4 DEC rangelands this month. These consisted of Warriedar, Burnerbinmah, Woolgorong and Binthalya. This was a most rewarding trip full of excitement, that gathered much important information on the homesteads visited. not to mention many moments that put our 4wd’s to the test.
WARRIEDAR:
DEC, as agreed has demolished the shearing shed, the maid’s quarters and the asbestos clad
room and old bath room at the south end of the homestead. Various other pieces of
infrastructure have also been removed.
The area around the homestead has been cleared of old pipes, fences and other rubbish.
The main rubbish tip site has been compressed into a hole some 4 metres deep.
Whist at Warriedar 70 odd sheets of corrugated iron were retrieved from the heap, for future
use at Woolgorong out station & other homesteads.
Other requirements to complete the restoration were also noted. All broken and missing window glass at the homestead was accessed and recorded. There has been vigorous growth of weeds around the building that will need mowing. The old mud brick saddle room and work shed are still standing, thanks to reinforcement
concrete work carried out on our last trip, this will be complete in September.
The shearer’s quarter will also require replacement of 5 sheets of roof tin and some timber
work to the posts and rafters to the verandah. Replacement of broken windows and replacing
the floor will be undertaken in 2012.
The restoration of Warriedar is progressing with satisfaction.
BURNIBINMAH
This rangeland is very close to Warriedar and deservers our attention.
Whilst surveying this shearers quarters we completed a quick cleanup of the building and
surrounds.
Shearers Quarters.
The Shearers quarters that were moved to its present location some decades ago are in need
of our attention. The building has suffered white ant infestation and requires the replacement
of some 20 odd wall studs and some verandah beams and posts.
Most of the bed room dividing walls need attention.
Many of the external weather boards need replacing.
The bath room is in general good condition and only requires a water connection to make
usable.
With 6 bed rooms, kitchen and ablutions this is a great rangeland location that offers many
attractions similar to Warriedar, for tourist and scientific exploration
WOOLGORONG Out Station
This area has sustained much rain this wet season that has resulted in the collapse of another
section of external wall.
WE feel that to save this historic building from total collapse, the reconstruction of the
verandah and shoring up of external walls needs to be undertaken before the next rains.
There is a good water supply is on site via 2 existing bores to be used for reconstruction and
use by volunteers.
We also recommend that a DEC standard drop dunny be installed for volunteer’s convenience
and also a TCWA bbq be installed.
BINTHALYA
Binthalya (Formally Mooka Station) is situated some 150Km east of Carnarvon and 20Km
west of the Kennedy Range. The homestead is of solid cement brick construction with concrete floors. It boasts 5 sets of French doors leading to a 3 metre wide verandah. The roof is of corrugated iron in good
condition. It has a central breezeway with 4 bed rooms coming off this. The verandah surrounds the main building; the south verandah houses a bath room on the west side and a sleep out on the east.
Also attached to the middle of the southern verandah is a kitchen and dining room.
The kitchen has a fire place that once contained a large wood stove.
Each bedroom has a set of French doors with fly screens to take advantage of the cool
evening breeze.
The homestead has an excellent supply of water from a bore some 50m from the house and
also 2 water tanks, one filled with rain water from the roof. Some small sections of gutter need replacement.
There may also be a spring at the rear of the de roofed laundry shed.
It is noted that the bird life around the homestead it in great abundance, as is the flora with an
abundance of flowering plants. The track leading to the close by Kennedy Range is a very interesting drive that traverses creeks, rivers and many wash aways. Also many soaks and the remnants of a thriving cattle
industry that once thrived in this area.
Track Care W.A. Rangelands Committee highly recommends that this historic homestead,
with such close proximity to the Kennedy Range, be retained and used as a base for future
flora & fauna expedition to this most unique area of Western Australia
This is a bold agenda for TCWA to undertake and with the financial assistance and support
from the Department of Environment and Conservation we will be able to save these
buildings for use by future generations.
Jeff Hemsley
TCWA Rangelands Adoptions Committee