Tallaranie Homestead

What is Significant?

"Tallaranie" at 170 Peak School Road, Lara, has significance as an historical legacy of the Wooloomanata Estate subdivision of 1904 and the revival of successful farming during the Federation era. The early owner, Archibald Shannon, established a sheep farm known as "Tallarannie" in c.1906, with the existing timber dwelling having been designed by the Geelong architects, Laird and Barlow in December of that year. Shannon was the son of the well-known and successful wool broker, mill owner and fellmonger, Charles Shannon, a pioneer of commercial enterprise in Geelong. Charles Shannon appears to have acquired the property for his son. The significant fabric of the homestead dwelling includes the asymmetrical composition and single storey height, main hipped roof forms and the projecting minor hipped wing at the front, return verandah, horizontal timber weatherboard wall cladding and basalt base, face brick and strapped chimneys with terra cotta pots, broad eaves with exposed timber rafters, timber framed double hung windows and door openings, and the design of the verandah posts and solid, curved timber valances. The dwelling appears to be in good condition. The historical significance is embodied in the surviving Federation era fabric.

How is it Significant?

"Tallaranie" at 170 Peak School Road, Lara, is historically significant at a LOCAL level.

Why is it Significant?

"Tallaranie" at 170 Peak School Road is historically significant for its associations with the subdivision of Wooloomanata Estate in 1904 and the subsequent early successful sheep grazing developments of Archibald Shannon in c.1906 (Criteria A & H). Archibald Shannon's father, Charles Shannon, prominent and successful businessman in Geelong connected with the wool industry, appears to have funded the purchase of the property. The existing dwelling, first known as "Tallarannie", was constructed in 1907, having been designed by the Geelong architects, Laird and Barlow, in December 1906 (a stables building was also designed by the architects). "Tallaranie" also has associations with William and Ida Milbourne, graziers, from 1910-11. It is a surviving historical legacy of the once numerous allotments and farms made available in the area as a result of the Wooloomanata subdivision. "Tallaranie" is the only known surviving example of this subdivision, with the nearby "Lara Hill" farm at 220 Hams Lane, established by W.H. Ham in 1907, now ruinous (and the dwelling destroyed). The significance of "Tallaranie" is embodied in the surviving Federation era fabric.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Homestead building