HO133 - Tara Stud (former), Outbuildings and Trees - 2A Sherwin Court and 2 Killarney Drive, Melton

The three largely intact outbuildings (northern stables, southern shed/stables and office building) at 2 Killarney Drive and the row of 11 cypress trees on the adjacent public reserve at 2A Sherwin Court, Melton.

Both the southern shed/stables and the office building have similar detailing - including gable roof, timber bargeboards terminating with a curved section, overlapping boards with bevelled ends to a gable end and in addition the office building has a perforated soffit detail. Many of these details had been employed on the associated Old English Revival style house that stood until 2020 on the adjoining land (2-6 Sherwin Court). The later northern stables building has a lower pitched and timber-lined stalls. The outbuildings are clad in either corrugated sheet metal or weatherboards, or a combination of the two.

How is it significant?

The three largely intact outbuildings (2 Killarney Drive) and the associated row of cypress trees (2A Sherwin Court) are of historic significance and representative significance to the City of Melton.

Why is it significant?

Historically Tara Stud is representative of the facilities employed during the mid-20th century for the horse industry, which was an important industry for the Municipality from the late nineteenth century. The site has a long association with equine activity as it was part of the 'sports paddock' which was used for various events including hunt club gatherings during the 19th century. From 1959, Tara Stud was owned by Russell George O'Shea who was secretary of the Metropolitan and Country Trotting Association and owned successful trotters including 'Tara Dream'.

Historically the site is also associated with notable local identities including the Hornbuckle family and later was occupied by the Nixons who were related to the Hornbuckles. (Criterion A)

The Tara Stud outbuildings (at 2 Killarney Drive) are of representative significance as largely intact examples of horse facilities constructed during the mid-20th century. The small office building and the southern shed/stables incorporate decorative timber detailing to the gable ends which relate to that of the former house and reflect the high quality of the facilities as does the timber-lined stalls of the northern stables building. The row of mature cypresses (2A Sherwin Court) are another remnant and define one of the edges of the former complex. (Criterion D).

Primary source

City of Melton Heritage Assessments Project 2018: Findings, RBA Architects and Conservation Consultants (November 2018)

Group

Farming and Grazing

Category

Stud Farm