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CLIFTON HOMESTEAD COMPLEX

Location Clifton Road HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire File Number 40 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead 0314 [2/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead 0315 [3/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead 0316 [4/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead 0317 [5/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead old [6/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead old [7/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead [8/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead [9/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead [10/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead [11/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead rear [12/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead rooms [13/16] 23196 Clunie Homestead front [14/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead smoke [15/16] 23196 Clifton Homestead smoke [16/16] 23196 Clunie Homestead front

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?
Clifton Homestead Complex is a large single storey bluestone house, located 10 kilometers west of Hamilton. The house consists of two wings, the first built between 1855-1865 and the later after 1896. The building is notable for its precisely detailed masonry construction and for the integration of the two stages of construction into a unified composition. The exterior and the interior of the later wing are fine examples of late Victorian architectural style and detailing. The attractive garden at Clifton is recent, but the several of the trees in the parkland beyond the garden may date from the turn of the century. The property has had two significant periods of ownership, firstly by the Mason family who ran a substantial pastoral property, and secondly, as the internationally recognised Clifton Shorthorn stud, associated with Archibald Simpson and his family. Two of the Simpson children went on to have distinguished careers associated with aviation, Thomas (Leigh) Simpson was the primary sponsor for Reg Ansett's Ansett Airways Pty. Ltd. in the late 1930s, and a long term director of that company. George (Geordie) Simpson was a leading Collins Street Gynecologist as well as being one of the founding members of the Royal Flying Doctors Service in Australia. Clifton Homestead is in excellent condition. The homestead retains a good degree of integrity to the turn of the century.

How is it significant?
Clifton Homestead Complex is of architectural, historical and scientific significance to the State of Victoria and the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
Clifton Homestead Complex is of architectural significance as a fine example of a substantial bluestone homestead of the Western District. it shows a degree of architectural sophistication in the successful blending of the 1890s extension with the 1860s house, and in the elegant finishes to the masonry and decorative timberwork of the extension.

It is of historical significance for its links to the important Simpson family over two generations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Archibald Simpson was a pioneer of the Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep industries, and an exceptionally successful grazier. His wife, Mary, was a member of the important and influential local Robertson family, whose influence on the development of the Western District of Victoria is considerable. Through the Robertson connection, the Simpson's were associated with the earliest phase of development of aviation in Victoria. Clifton was the birthplace of Thomas (Leigh) Simpson, highly decorated in World War One as an aviator, instrumental in the shooting down of Baron von Richtofen, 'The Red Baron' in 1918 over Belgium, thus influencing the outcome of World War One. Leigh Simpson had a distinguished peacetime career, notably as a financial backer for Reg Ansett, and as a lifelong director of Ansett Airways Pty Ltd. Clifton has further historical significance as the birthplace of George (Geordie) Simpson, the third son of Archibald and Mary Simpson, who was associated for many years with Rev. John Flynn, and who was the medical officer on the first flight of the Royal Flying Doctors Service in 1927 from Cloncurry to Mount Isa. Dr. Simpson was awarded an OBE for his services to medicine, in particular for his work at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne.

Clifton is of scientific significance as a pioneer stud for Shorthorn cattle, with the development of highly valued bloodlines, which ensured the success of the breed Australia wide. Archibald Simpson's skills as a stud master turned Clifton into one of the most important studs in Australia, with an international reputation for excellence.