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HYDE PARK

Location Hyde Park Road, GATUM VIC 3407 - Property No 001 File Number 847 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/4] 23220 Hyde Park Homestead [2/4] 23220 Hyde Park Homestead [3/4] 23220 Hyde Park Homestead [4/4] 23220 Hyde Park Homestead

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Hyde Park squatting run, located at the head of the Dundas River about 14.5kms north of Cavendish, was taken up by the partnership of Melbourne merchants, Bells Brothers and Buchanan in 1843. Donald Kennedy and Duncan Cameron Kennedy held it for two years to 1849. It then passed briefly to the partnership of Thomas McKellar and James Cochrane. McKellar bought out Cochrane's interest in the partnership and held the licence alone until September 1858. Parts of the existing timber homestead must date from about this time. The important early twentieth century biographer, Alexander Henderson described McKellar as "one of the outstanding pioneers of Victoria . a far-seeing man . possessed of a natural Scottish shrewdness". Hyde Park was only a stepping stone for Thomas McKellar and his wife Catherine, nee McColl, who was connected with the Yat Nat squatting run. They purchased Kenilworth North licences but remained at Hyde Park, then sold both these to purchase Kanawalla. He then moved to The Grange, which re-renamed Strathkellar. The next owner, Alexander McGill took up the Pre-emptive right, is named in Bailliere's Gazetteer in 1868 and remained as a long-term owner. In 1915 the last link in the Hamilton-Horsham railway line passed through Hyde Park. As usual, Hyde Park was eventually subdivided for Soldier Settlement. The homestead underwent substantial changes after the Second World War. It survives in good condition but with its integrity seriously compromised.

How is it significant?
Hyde Park Homestead complex is of historical and architectural significance to the community of Cavendish and to the southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
Hyde Park Homestead complex is of historical significance for its associations with several important, influential pastoral families and their interconnection. It is of particular interest for demonstrating the relatively humble beginnings of the very successful squatter, Thomas McKellar who is considered one of the outstanding pioneers of Victoria. Hyde Park is of architectural significance as an example of a simple early homestead, which developed little after the 1860s and still reflects the pre-Land Selection period.