Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan

THOM BLAKE HISTORIAN & PETER MARQUIS–KYLE ARCHITECT

A report for the Winton Shire Council

June 2003 CONTENTS

1 Introduction ...... 1 Study team ...... 1

2 A brief history of Cork homestead ...... 3 McIllwraith and Smyth partnership ...... 3 The Darling Downs and Western land Company...... 4 The construction of Cork homestead...... 7 Cork station in the 20th century ...... 8 Changes in ownership ...... 8 Changes to the homestead...... 9 Abandonment and deterioration ...... 10

3 The homestead today ...... 12 The house...... 12 A problem with the back wall...... 14 Refurbishment ...... 14 Abandonment and ruin ...... 15 The outbuildings and structures...... 16

4 What is important about Old Cork homestead ...... 17 What makes a place important?...... 17 The significance of Old Cork homestead ...... 18

5 Conserving Old Cork homestead ...... 20 General principles of conservation ...... 20 Options for conserving Old Cork homestead ...... 21 Recording the evidence before it disappears ...... 22 Illustrations

Old Cork homestead, site plan...... 2 Thomas McIlwraith,...... 3 Old Cork homestead, detail of stonework...... 8 Elderslie homestead, detail of stonework...... 8 Oondooroo, outbuilding, detail of stonework...... 8 Old Cork homestead...... 9 Old Cork homestead, 1930s...... 9 Boating on Cork waterhole, 1930s...... 9 Old Cork homestead, 1980s ...... 11 Floor plan, Old Cork homestead...... 13 Cross section, Old Cork homestead...... 13 Old Cork homestead interiors...... 14 Failure of back wall...... 14 Outbuildings, Old Cork homestead...... 15 Roof damage, Old Cork homestead...... 15 Outbuildings and structures, Old Cork homestead ...... 16 1 Introduction

LD CORK HOMESTEAD is located 150 kilometres south–west of Winton on the banks of the Diamantina River. The house was built in the Oearly 1880s of local sandstone and timbers from south–east Queensland including red cedar and beech. The most notable owner of Cork was Thomas McIlwraith, a premier of Queensland and a one of the more controversial politicians in 19th century Queensland.

This report was commissioned by the Winton Shire Council. The purpose of the report is to provide guidance about how Old Cork homestead can be conserved.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of places of Cultural Significance (the Burra Charter) the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 and the publication The Conservation Plan: a guide to the preparation of conservation plans for places of European Cultural Significance.1

STUDY TEAM

This report was written by Thom Blake and Peter Marquis–Kyle. The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Marianne Moss with the fieldwork. The drawings were prepared by Margaret Lawrence–Drew.

1 James Semple Kerr, The Conservation Plan: a guide to the preparation of conservation plans for places of European cultural heritage significance (Sydney: National Trust of NSW, 5th edition, 2001)

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 1 Old Cork homestead, site plan.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 2 2 A brief history of Cork homestead

HROUGHOUT MOST OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY pastoralists swept across much of the Australian continent seeking suitable land for sheep Tand cattle. In Queensland, the pastoral invasion began in 1840 when the Leslie brothers, Walter and Patrick, brought a flock of sheep from the New England Tablelands to the Darling Downs. The Leslie brothers were quickly followed by other aspiring pastoralists. Over the next forty years the boundaries of pastoral settlement gradually extended west and north.

In north–west Queensland, the expeditions of McKinley in 1861 and Landsborough and Phillips in 1866 alerted would be pastoralists to the potential of the country in the headwaters of the Diamantina River. McKinley travelled north along the Diamantina River and crossed from the east to west side at approximately the northern end of the Cork waterhole. The Upper Gregory Pastoral District was proclaimed in 1873 and immediately pastoralists began applying for blocks along the Diamantina. One such application was made by John Barry for three blocks in 1873. He clearly did not have any serious intention of developing the blocks as two years later the leases were transferred to Thomas McIllwraith and Joseph Smyth.

MCILLWRAITH AND SMYTH PARTNERSHIP

Thomas McIllwraith was a one of the most controversial political figures in Queensland during the 19th century. As well as serving as Premier on three occasions and holding a number of other portfolios, McIlwraith was involved in a wide range of business interests from pastoral properties to mining to shipping to banking.

McIlwraith was born at Ayr, Scotland in 1835 and migrated to Melbourne in 1854. After brief stints at mining, surveying and working in the Railways, he demonstrated early signs of his entrepreneurial flair when he became a partner in a firm of railway contractors. McIlwraith was not content to built railways and saw greater potential in the pastoral industry. He turned his attention to Queensland and in 1864 purchased Merivale, near Roma. This property was a joint venture with Joseph Smyth, a friend from Victoria. McIlwraith later purchased other runs throughout the colony, including Gin Gin Station near Bundaberg and Inkerman near Ayr. At the same time McIlwraith was Thomas McIlwraith, part expanding his pastoral empire he was also developing his political career. owner of Cork Station and three McIllwraith was elected as MLA for Warrego in 1870 and then as the member time Premier of Queensland. for Maranoa in 1871. McIlwraith’s first ministerial appointment was as Secretary for Public Works and Mines in 1874.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 3 Throughout the 1870s, McIlwraith continued to mix politics and business. He continued to acquire interests in properties and other business ventures. In 1875 he acquired in partnership with Joseph Smyth the leases to a series of blocks in the North Gregory district which they named Cork. The property was most likely named after the county in Ireland where Smyth was born.

The Cork run comprises a series of blocks, some with frontages to the Diamantina River. The blocks which comprised Cork Station were also named after counties and locations in Ireland, reflecting the Irish influence of Smyth – Killarney, Cork, Kerry, Kell and Melrose.

During the early years of the McIlwraith/Smyth partnership a timber slab house was erected on the run.

Cork remained in the ownership of McIlwraith and Smyth for only six years when it was transferred to the Darling Downs and Western Land Company.

THE DARLING DOWNS AND WESTERN LAND COMPANY

Thomas McIllwraith was constantly investigating new business ventures and partners. He was always seeking to diversify and enlarge the scope of his business interests. He sought to involve others by amalgamating similar businesses or properties. In 1878 he formed the North Australian Pastoral Company by amalgamating some of his central and northern runs with Williams Collins, William Forrest, Patrick Perkins and others. Three years later in 1881, he formed another company, this time with prominent Darling Downs pastoralist Joshua Bell, and his old partner Joseph Smyth.

The Darling Downs and Western Land Company was formed to acquire certain properties: Jimbour, Buaraba and Westlands (Joshua Bell), Cork, Ayrshire Downs and Llantheidol (McIlwraith and Co), and Merivale (Joseph Smyth). The board members were McIlwraith, Bell, Smyth and WV Ralston, former General Manager of the Queensland National Bank. The company was capitalised at £1,000,000 with 10,000 shares at £10. McIlwraith held 800 shares.2

Jimbour was undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of the company. Located on the Darling Downs near Dalby, it was regarded as one of the leading properties on the Darling Downs. Jimbour House, erected in the mid 1870s, was the most substantial homestead in the colony. The homestead became known ‘as the Mecca of civilization on the Darling Downs’.3

McIlwraith’s motive in the merger was undoubtedly to capitalise on some of the good will attached to Jimbour and that the Company would be regarded

2 DB Waterson, ‘Thomas McIlwraith, Colonial Entrepreneur’, in DJ Murphy &RB Joyce, Queensland Political Portraits (St Lucia, University of Queensland Press, 1978), 124

3 Quoted by Raphael Cilento, ‘Jimbour’ in Historic Homestead of Australia (Australian Council of National Trusts, 1985), Vol 1, 283.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 4 A visit to Cork station

The 1892 Diary of Alice Heber-Percy kept for her son Josceline aged 11.4

Monday August 29

We were none of us sorry to leave Elderslie after breakfast; the country here is terribly parched, and burnt up. Mr Macartney showed us as we went along the mark of the height that the country is under water in flood time, the tussocks of grass and rubbish was collected high up in the branches of the gydyea trees; we camped in the evening at the Barracks Waterhole, so called from it having been an old encampment of the Native Police. George the Black boy from Bladensburg awoke Mother last night, and said he heard someone about our camp. We think he had been dreaming. no one else heard anything and we were all sleeping in the open without pitching a tent; there is no dew here up country.

Tuesday August 30

Mother had out the India rubber bath down to the waterhole, Mother, Flora and I had by turns a most comfortable bath. We usually contrive to get one and it is most refreshing after the dust of travelling. We drove down to the twelve mile Waterhole where we halted for luncheon, and arrived at Cork Station at 5 PM. We were most hospitably received by the manager Mr Glisson; we spent a very pleasant evening with him and Mr Childers, the store keeper, the latter is a gentleman. Eric Shaw is here with horses sent to meet us from Diamantina; we ride tomorrow which rejoices all our hearts. We looked up our saddles and bridles before we turned in. Mother, Flora and I shared a room. I found out that the cook here has been a yachtsman we had a great talk about the Solent and yachting in general.

Wednesday August 31

Mr Childers showed us the hair, head and horns of a swamp buffaloe it was a grey dun colour, it is the first that has been seen so far south, there are many in the Bush, in the Northern Territory. Mr Macartney says that they are not indigenous, but are cattle that have been turned out years ago, and have become wild like the pigs that captain Cook turned out on the Pacific Islands. Mother and I walked with Mr Glisson to look at the Diamantina River which is here a long Lake, and is covered with pelicans, Wild Ducks and Divers, we watched a bird that they call Suckie head (Darter) swimming about with his head under water, fishing as he goes, I saw him dart after the fish and he seldom seemed to miss his mark, it was the prettiest thing to see, he was so very quick and agile in the water. We left Cork after breakfast. I rode a white horse that they had named "Hoduet". Mr Lawson drove our luggage in a buggy. We camped at a waterhole close to Brighton Downs Station. We were tired and more than thankful to drink many cups of billy tea.

4 Heber-Percy diary, John Oxley Library.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 5 by potential investors, as Jimbour appeared to be a solid, prosperous enterprise. The company did manage to entice one major private investor, the Duke of Manchester.5 The main source of finance, however, was the Queensland National Bank. Given the generally prosperous economic environment in Queensland during the early 1880s, the bank was more than willing to finance the development of the company’s properties, at least initially.

Initially, the company appeared to be a sound investment. In 1884 the capital investment in stock, plant and equipment on Jimbour alone was reported to be £400,000 (excluding £40,000 for the house and village). But the appearance of a solid, prosperous company as reflected by the extent of the holdings, number of stock and the grandeur of Jimbour house was paper thin. Within five years the company was experiencing financial difficulties. In five years, the Darling Downs and Western Land Company ‘paid no dividend, made no profits . . . and contrived a loss of over £30,000'.6

The financial situation of the company continued to deteriorate in the late 1880s and early 1890s. By the mid 1890s the company owed the Queensland National Bank a total of £323, 173.7 The company had to contend with drought and tick fever.

In February 1896 Joseph Smyth wrote to Thomas McIlwraith while the latter was overseas.

The ticks are causing much inconvenience in the way of moving stock from certain parts of the colony. Cork is now within the prohibited area. We cannot move cattle from there to Jimbour or Buaraba. I had some fear of this happening and just managed to get 2,500 bullocks away in time. I intended bringing away about 4,000 more but they will not be allowed to cross the line now. The line over which cattle are not allowed to cross runs from Rockhampton to Longreach thence via Vergement and Boulia to the border of South Australia.

Westland, Ayrshire Downs, Cork, Merivale and Buaraba did fairly well during 1895 but Jimbour again suffered severely from the drought.8

But drought was soon to embrace Cork and Ayrshire Downs. Three months later Smyth wrote again to McIlwraith.

So far as the Darling Downs and Western Land Company is concerned, Ayrshire Downs and Cork are the only stations I am uneasy about as both are heavily stocked and neither had much rain during the summer. . .

5 Manager, QN Bank to Sir Thomas McIlwraith, 21 July 1896, JOL OM 64 19/124.

6 Waterson, ‘Thomas McIlwraith, Colonial Entrepreneur’, 124.

7 The Worker, 12 September, 1896.

8 Joseph Smyth to Thomas McIlwraith, 18 February 1896, JOL OM 64 19/124.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 6 If the company was in a strong financial position, I would advise putting sheep on Cork and putting the cattle off. Ticks are very plentiful from Bowen to Cairns and are causing heavy losses amongst cattle.9

Neither rain nor finance was forthcoming on Cork or the other properties. The steady decline of the company’s financial situation could not be arrested. On 18 April 1900 an extraordinary general meeting of the company resolved to go into voluntary liquidation and ‘authorise the liquidators to hand over all the assets of the company to the Queensland National Bank’. The lease over Cork Station was subsequently transferred to the Queensland National Bank.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF CORK HOMESTEAD

The date of the construction of Cork homestead is uncertain, but circumstantial evidence indicates that it is was built in the period 1880-1885. Firstly, the planning (simple three roomed core), materials (sandstone, red cedar, beech), form of construction indicate a 19th century rather than 20th century building. Thus it was almost definitely built during the period of either McIlwraith/Smyth or the Darling Downs and Western Land Company. Given that one of the reasons for the formation of the Darling Downs and Western Land Company was to attract capital for investing in their properties, it seems unlikely that McIlwraith and Smyth were in a financial position to expend significant amounts on a house prior to 1881. In the early years of the Darling Downs and Western Land Company it appears that money would have been available to construct such a substantial house as at Cork. McIlwraith would have been keen to construct a house of substance at Cork as ‘the Jimbour of the west’. The construction of a homestead was not merely to provide accommodation for a manager but also as a showpiece or as evidence to visitors and would-be investors about the apparent or potential prosperity of Cork Station. McIlwraith was committed to erecting a homestead of substance at Cork. He was not interested in a modest timber slab building. After 1885 with no dividends and no profits, it would have been increasingly difficult for the board of directors to justify the construction of a substantial masonry house on the banks of the Diamantina.

Details about who built Cork homestead are also uncertain. The quality of both the stonework and timber work indicates that accomplished tradesmen were employed in the construction of Cork. Who were these stonemasons and carpenters? Where did they come from? Neither question can be answered conclusively. Because building in timber was the norm in Queensland, it is tempting to suggest that the influence of stone construction in western Queensland was from elsewhere, possibly South Australia where building in stone was common. It must not be forgotten, however, that stone buildings were erected in Queensland, in particular a number of homesteads on the Darling Downs. Given the connections McIlwraith and Smyth and the Darling Downs Western Land Company had with the Darling Downs, it is possible that the stone masons who worked on the Darling Downs were employed at Cork. The Darling Downs/south east Queensland connection is also suggested by the timber species used in the building: red cedar, beech and eucalypt. red cedar and beech grow in coastal rainforests from the NSW border to north of Cairns. At time Cork homestead was built, is likely the timber came from

9 Joseph Smyth to Thomas McIlwraith, 14 May 1896, JOL OM 64 19/124.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 7 south–east Queensland timbers and it is likely that the carpenters also came from south–east Queensland as well.

Cork was not the only homestead built of stone in the Winton district. The homesteads at Elderslie, Oondooroo and Darr River Downs all comprise groups of stone buildings. Single stone buildings are also found at Brighton Downs and Woodstock. Marked differences in the style of stonework suggest that different stone masons worked at each of these properties. At Cork the stonework is finer and more regular in its workmanship than at the others. Old Cork homestead, detail of Cork homestead comprised a core of three rooms surrounded by verandahs. stonework. These rooms probably were bedroom, drawing room and dining room. The kitchen was most likely originally a detached building. A mail room was located on the south-western corner of the front verandah. This room was accessed from the verandah.

CORK STATION IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Following the collapse of the Darling Downs and Western Land Company in 1900, the Queensland National Bank did not attempt to sell Cork. In keeping with its attitude to a number of properties it had acquired through loan defaults, the bank retained the property and attempted to run it as a viable enterprise. During the long drought of 1898-1902 the bank chose to retain the Elderslie homestead, detail of property rather than selling in a depressed market. stonework.

Cork homestead was built on the banks of an extensive waterhole on the Diamantina River for obvious reasons - a water supply. But the site on the western edge of the Cork run was a problem, since it was easily isolated when the river flooded. The problem was solved around 1912 when the Intercolonial Boring Company sunk a bore located towards the middle of the property. In about 1916 buildings from Charters Towers were relocated to form a new homestead.

The original homestead became an outstation, and was connected to the head Oondooroo, outbuilding, station by telephone. It was occupied in this way throughout the 1930s and detail of stonework. 1940s.

CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP

1n 1948 the Queensland National Bank merged with the National Bank of Australasia and the property was transferred to the latter. In the early 1960s, the National Bank finally sold Cork station to the Swift family. The Swifts held the property briefly before selling to the Propsting family in 1966.10 The Propsting family subsequently sold Cork station to the Reef Beef Company. Cork Station is currently owned by the Banning family.

10Clover Nolan, ‘Cork County’ Inland Review, September 1969.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 8 CHANGES TO THE HOMESTEAD Old Cork homestead Date unknown but likely 1930s or It appears that few alterations were made to Old Cork between the early 1880s prior. The original slab house is and the 1950s. on the left and the present house is behind the meat house. (John In 1948 Lionel Hastead and his family moved into old Cork. Hastead did not Oxley Library, 37116) work for Cork but worked his own nearby block at Mt Minerva. The Hastead family remained at Cork for 12 years during which time alterations and additions were undertaken to the house.11 The alterations and additions included:

• new bathhouse A bathhouse was erected adjacent to the south–west corner. The bath house was timber framed and clad with corrugated galvanised steel.

• meat house Old Cork homestead, 1930s. The meat house has the typical form of a meat house with a hipped Mr Jim Kennedy at the front of roof and extended eaves. It was erected adjacent to the north–west Old Cork homestead (Winton corner of the house. It was timber framed and clad with corrugated Historical Society) galvanised steel to sill height with gauze above.

• alterations to the kitchen - extended into verandah - part of wall removed to establish larger opening.

• ceilings - relined with hardboard.

• new timber floors in most rooms, at a higher level than originally.

• floor coverings in eastern room Boating on Cork waterhole, 1930s.

11 Bob and Tib Mitchell, personal communication, 17 June 2003.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 9 • concreting of sections of the verandah.

• installation of tie rods to stabilise the stone walls.

Other changes to the house with uncertain date include

• replacement of some verandah posts with galvanised round steel posts

• enclosure of part of north–eastern verandah as bath room?

ABANDONMENT AND DETERIORATION

After the Hastead family left Old Cork in 1960, the house was occupied briefly by Edgar Clayson. George Hobson then took over as caretaker and he was followed by Jim Evans. The house was eventually abandoned by the late 1960s.

The house was left empty and some vandalism occurred, with the removal of timber joinery and flooring. Although abandoned, Old Cork was not forgotten. It became known unofficially at least as a tourist attraction within the district. Old Cork gained national recognition through the song by Hugh McDonald ‘ The Diamantina Drover’ and popularised by the group Red Gum

The Diamantina Drover

The faces in the photograph are faded And I can't believe he looks so much like me For it's been ten long years today Since I left for Old Cork Station Saying, "I won't be back til the droving's done"

Chorus For the rain never falls on the dusty Diamantina A drover finds it hard to change his mind For the years have surely gone, like the drays from Old Cork Station And I won't be back til the droving's done

It seems like the sun comes up each morning Sets me up and then takes it all away For the dreaming by the light of the campfire at night Ends with the burning light of day

I sometimes think I'll settle back in Sydney But it's been so long and it's hard to change your mind For the cattle trail goes on and on, and fences roll forever And I won't be back when the droving's done

Although few who heard and remembered the words could identify the location of Old Cork, it became recognised as a location in the outback.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 10 Old Cork homestead, 1980s (Winton Historical Society)

During the 1980s consideration was given to relocating the house to Winton as a museum and tourist attraction.12 The plan lapsed and the building has continued to deteriorate. The loss of some roof sheeting has exacerbated the deterioration, particularly of the stone work. An attempt was made in the 1990s to stabilise the northern wall but without success.

12 Courier Mail Newspaper clipping, Cork file (Winton Historical Society archives).

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 11 3 The homestead today

ORK HOMESTEAD is today an abandoned. It has suffered from neglect and theft. Yet it still tells an important story and the original planning Cand quality of the house is still evident. THE HOUSE

The house sits on a small rise a few hundred metres from the Diamantina River

When it was built in the early 1880s the house would have appeared as a small but substantially built house. Its materials and workmanship were of good quality, its design simple and decent. It had the characteristic form of nineteenth century homestead houses, with a core of rooms surrounded by verandahs and covered by a hipped roof. Typically, the three core rooms opened directly to the verandah – there was no hall or corridor, and no formal front door.

A single room was attached to one corner of the core, under the verandah roof – this was part of the original construction, not a later addition. It is reputed to have been used as a post office but could have simply been the office.

The walls

The walls are of sandstone from an unknown source, but probably quarried not far from the house site. The exposed stone blocks are squared and laid in more or less regular courses. The faces of the blocks are punched all over, except for corner and jamb blocks which have drafted margins. In the ‘front’ (northern) wall the blocks are generally larger than in the other walls.

The internal faces of the walls were built of coursed rubble, laid in weak mortar, and finished with plaster.

The roof

The roof was framed with timber rafters and battens, and sheeted with corrugated galvanised iron. The timber was Hoop or Bunya Pine, brought in from the east coast where it grows. From the saw marks it is clear that the rafters and battens were pit-sawn, not from a sawmill. Many of the roof sheets are marked ‘Gospel Oak’, a brand of high quality English galvanised iron.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 12 Floor plan, Old Cork The verandah homestead.

The verandah originally had a stone flagged floor. The roof was supported on stout chamfered hardwood posts.

The rooms

Inside the house there was a floor of pit-sawn Beech boards with shot edges. These boards were nailed to round hardwood sapling joists which had flat surfaces hewn on top. There was probably a timber skirting board where the floor met the plaster walls.

It is not clear what sort of ceilings were originally installed, but they may have been sheeted with timber boards. The panelled doors were probably pre-made in a workshop elsewhere. Cross section, Old Cork homestead.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 13 Old Cork homestead interiors Bedroom (top left); dining room (top left); Kitchen (middle right); office (middle right); front verandah (bottom)

A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK WALL

Sometime after the house was built the back (southern) wall began to distort, and steel rods were installed across the house to tie the two long walls together. The central part of the wall was probably not protected by a verandah originally, and the weak mortar could have been eroded by the weather. The outside face of the wall (of ashlar) and the inside (of rubble) were poorly bonded together, making the wall vulnerable if the mortar was not maintained.

The installation of these tie rods, and construction of the verandah roof along Failure of back wall. The the back of the house, postponed the failure of the wall for a time. stone on a section of the back wall has failed in one section. REFURBISHMENT

Changes in the 1950s added other layers – these are the major changes that are evident in the fabric:

• Part of the eastern verandah was converted (or refurbished) as a kitchen, and a large opening cut through the stone wall to connect the kitchen with the core of the house.

• Ceilings throughout the house were replaced with hardboard (‘Masonite’) sheeting.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 14 • New hardwood verandah floorboards were laid on joists over the old stone flagging, establishing a new floor level about *mm higher than originally.

• New floors were installed inside the house to match the level of the new verandah floors (except for one room, where the old floor was kept).

• The old window sashes were taken away, and ‘Naco’ louvre windows were installed in the old window frames.

• The interior walls were painted and new linoleum laid on the floors.

• The verandahs were enclosed with galvanised iron.

• A new meat house and bath house were built next to the eastern end of the house. Outbuildings, Old Cork ABANDONMENT AND RUIN homestead Bathroom (top), interior of meathouse (bottom). Since the house was last occupied in about 1970 storms and termites have reduced it to a ruin. Termites have eaten the pine roof framing, to the extent that none of the rafters is undamaged. The roof frame has lost its structural integrity and is unable to keep the roof sheeting secure.

Large sections of the roof sheeting has been blown away in storms. Rain water has penetrated the tops of the stone walls, eroding the soft plaster and mortar, and allowing stone blocks to fall out of the walls.

Visitors to the site have pilfered parts of the building, such as doors, windows and timber.

Roof damage, Old Cork homestead. View from south- east (right) and view from north- west (left).

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 15 Outbuildings and structures, Old Cork homestead Earth closet (top left); yards (top right); fowl yards (bottom left); dog pen (bottom left).

THE OUTBUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

The bath house and meat house next to the house are still quite sound and intact, as is the toilet which stands to the south-west of the house. Around the house are other structures that provide physical evidence of past use of the site as a homestead – this evidence includes standing structures (such as fences and fowl pens), tracks and roads, and scatters of artefacts.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 16 4 What is important about Old Cork homestead

LD CORK HOMESTEAD is abandoned but certainly not forgotten. It is recognised as a place of historic value in the Winton Shire and attracts Othe interest of visitors, songwriters, and artists. The significance of Old Cork extends beyond the immediate district and region. It is significant for its associations with Sir Thomas McIlwraith who served as Premier on three occasion and built Cork during his first term in office. Old Cork it also significant as one of a number of substantial stone buildings erected in the region, contrary to the pattern of timber housing elsewhere in Queensland.

WHAT MAKES A PLACE IMPORTANT?

What makes a place import of heritage significance? The Queensland Heritage Act 1992 defines cultural heritage significance of a place or object as its aesthetic, architectural, historical, scientific, social or technological significance to the present generation or past or future generations. The Act also contains criteria for more specifically evaluating the cultural heritage significance of a place. The criteria are:

(a) the place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history; (b) the place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage; (c) the place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Queensland's history; (d) the place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places; (e) the place is important because of its aesthetic significance; (f) the place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period; (g) the place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons; (h) the place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland’s history.

Some of these criteria are relevant in discussing Old Cork homestead, specifically criteria (a), (g) and (h).

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 17 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OLD CORK HOMESTEAD

Old Cork homestead, situated near an extensive waterhole on the Diamantina River, is significant in demonstrating the pattern of pastoral occupation along the Diamantina River and in the Winton district in the late 1870s and 1880s. Cork station, was one of the first substantial properties established following the proclamation of the North Gregory pastoral district in 1873. The initial phase of pastoral occupation in the North Gregory district was characterised by a number of extensive runs including Vindex, Oondooroo, Elderslie, Dagworth, Ayrshire Downs and Cork which comprised up to 1 000 000 acres (404 000 ha). Parts of these runs were progressively resumed to create smaller blocks. Old Cork homestead is evidence of the earlier phase of development of the district.

Old Cork homestead was erected in the period 1880-85 is built of local sandstone with some timber imported from south-east Queensland. The house is one of a group of sandstone homesteads erected in the Winton district during the 1880s. The use of sandstone reflects, in part, the availability of suitable building stone and skilled people to work it, as well as the high cost of importing alternative building materials before the road and railway infrastructure was well developed.

Old Cork homestead is significant for its associations with Sir Thomas McIlwraith, prominent politician and entrepreneur. McIlwraith, in partnership with Joseph Smyth, acquired Cork station in 1875. The homestead was erected shortly after they had amalgamated their pastoral interests with Joshua Bell, owner of Jimbour station on the Darling Downs, and formed the Darling Downs and Western Land Company. McIlwraith was premier of Queensland on three occasions (1879-1882,1888 and 1893) and held a number of other Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 18 portfolios. McIlwraith had wide ranging business interests including pastoral properties, mining, banking, shipping and meat works. Despite his extensive business interests, little physical evidence survives of an enterprise directly attributed to McIlwraith vision and approach to business. Old Cork was built as a substantial house to provide an appearance of progress and prosperity and thereby attract the interest of investors and bankers.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 19 5 Conserving Old Cork homestead

VEN THE MOST CURSORY INSPECTION of Old Cork leaves the impression that the task of conserving Old Cork homestead is a Echallenge. What was once a fine building and in reasonable condition less than twenty years ago, has experienced rapid deterioration and vandalism with the removal of doors, timber flooring, windows and joinery. That does not mean, however, that the building is beyond conserving or that efforts should not be made to repair the building and arrest the deterioration. As discussed the previous chapter, Old Cork homestead is significant not only in the Winton district but is an important part of Queensland’s cultural heritage.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION

The Burra Charter is the short name for a document entitled Charter for the conservation of places of cultural significance. This document was prepared by Australia ICOMOS (the Australia National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites) to guide how places of cultural significance should be cared for. The charter spells out the processes and principles of conservation, rather than rigid rules. It emphasises the importance of a logical and disciplined approached to conservation.

The basic principles in the Charter are

• the place itself is important • understand the significance of the place • understand the fabric • significance should guide decisions • do as much as necessary, as little as possible • keep records • do everything in a logical order

The Burra Charter highlights that conserving places is not necessarily a difficult process but often a matter of common sense.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 20 OPTIONS FOR CONSERVING OLD CORK HOMESTEAD

Four alternative options for looking after the fabric of the homestead are canvassed here, ranging from low-cost to high-cost.

Option 1 – Do nothing

This is the least costly option. If nothing is done to protect the fabric, the house will continue to deteriorate. More of the roof sheeting will blow away, and more of the stone walls and interiors will be exposed to the weather. Parts of the stone walls will collapse, sooner or later. Termites will continue to eat the timber and weaken the roof structure. People who enter the building will be at risk of parts of the structure falling on them. The site will continue to appear ‘un-cared for’ and un-valued. Vandalism and theft will continue.

If nothing is done the significance of Old Cork will diminish. The physical evidence of Cork’s history will, over time, be lost.

Option 2 – minimal intervention

At moderate cost, it would be possible to slow (but not stop) the deterioration by carrying out minor protective measures, such as these:

• termite treatment • remove loose sheets of corrugated steel around site and store securely • secure loose roofing sheets • secure openings to prevent unauthorised people from entering the house • erect a sign notifying that the site is significant and giving guidance to visitors

As with the do nothing option, the fabric will continue to deteriorate, but more slowly. This is a worthwhile benefit for the moderate cost involved.

Option 3 – stabilisation

At substantial cost it would be possible to make the fabric stable, and to protect the physical evidence in the long term. The aim of this work would be to arrest deterioration, without damaging significance. In addition to the works outlined in option 2, these works would be required:

• remove all the existing roof sheeting and framing, and construct a new weather-tight roof of similar form • repair and stabilise the stone walls by repointing and propping • provide safe access pathways for visitors

This option would protect the significance of the homestead, and has few disadvantages apart from its substantial cost.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 21 Options 4 – reconstruction

For completeness, it is appropriate to mention the option of a more radical reconstruction of the fabric. To ‘completely’ restore and reconstruct the homestead – to return it to the form and condition it had at some earlier time – would do serious harm to its cultural significance and would cost more than could reasonably be considered. We do not recommend this approach.

RECORDING THE EVIDENCE BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS

No matter what approach is taken to conserving the fabric, it is important to make a detailed record and analysis of the homestead buildings and site.

Old Cork Homestead Conservation Plan 22