FORMER CANTWELL FARM

The potential archaeological features, deposits and artefacts of the former farmhouse located along Abey Road, Cobblebank, are of historical, social and archaeological significance. The site is associated with Joseph Cantwell, a member of the notable pastoral family in the Melton area, as well as a key period of early settlement in Melton during the early 20th century. This era marked the breaking up of large pastoral holdings across Victoria into smaller farming allotments, including the Exford Estate in Melton, on which the farmhouse was built. The site may contain remains of the c.1916 farmhouse and any other associated farming structures such as outbuildings or cesspits.

The site is of historical, social and archaeological significance to the local community and to the broader Victorian community. The farmhouse was built c.1916, when the land was purchased by Joseph Cantwell following the subdivision of the Exford Estate. Historical evidence suggests that the former six-roomed farmhouse was present at the Abey Road site from c.1916 to the c.1940s/1950s. The location of the former farmhouse may have archaeological features, deposits or artefacts. The site has undergone moderate levels of ground disturbance associated with its demolition in the c.1940s/1950s, the establishment of a laydown area and access tracks over its footprint and installation of sub surface sewerage and water utilities. While ground disturbance is considered to be moderate, modern aerial and satellite images suggest that no further modification or construction has occurred in this area. There is a moderate to high potential for sub surface historical remains to be present associated with the historical site. This can be in the form of structural remains of the former farmhouse and outbuildings, drystone walls, wells or water cisterns, cesspits and refuse deposits that could artefacts that can shed light on the past occupants of the site, their diet, personal items, hobbies and past times, as well as the productive activities that occurred at the site.

The farmhouse has associations with the pastoral use of the land in Melton Shire during the early 20th century, including sheep and cattle farming. The farmhouse was part of land located within the Exford Estate, a pastoral holding established during the 1840s in Melton. The farmhouse was built on land that was subdivided as part of Victoria’s early 20th century Closer Settlement Schemes, which saw the breaking up of large pastoral estates into smaller farming allotments, including the Exford Estate in 1906/7. The subdivision contributed to the growth of Melton’s industry, including the nationally significant Melton chaff industry. It also stimulated the construction of new community facilities, including roads, bridges, a school and a hall. The site therefore has local and thematic historical significance relating to the themes of ‘Promoting Settlement’ (2.7), ‘Farming’ (4.4), and ‘Living in Country Towns’ (6.5) as set out in Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes.