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Laurence Park Homestead
Location56 Buchter Road, Off Midland Highway, BATESFORD, GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE LevelRegistered |
Statement of Significance
National Estate Register: months later he sold it to George Hill for 5913 pounds. The Hill family arrived in Batesford in 1854. The Hills,
Laurence Park was named after Thomas Learmonth's (senior) former holding near Falkirk, Scotland. This
simple vernacular homestead is one of the earliest surviving buildings in the Geelong region with significant
associations with the early pastoral enterprise of the celebrated Learmonth family. The Hill family have been in
continuous occupation since c 1860. The original shingle roof is preserved under later corrugated iron
cladding.
(The Commission is in the process of developing and/or upgrading official statements for places listed prior to
1991. The above data was mainly provided by the nominator and has not yet been revised by the Commission.
Source: Victorian Heritage Register -
Work on the Laurence Park homestead commenced in 1845 for Dr John Lerrmonth (1812 - 1871), the son of
the pastoralist Thomas Learmonth (1783 - 1869), following the destruction by fire of an earlier 1842 - 43
homestead. The site in crown portion 25, parish of gheringhap, was part of several large parcels of land owned
by the port Philip assocation, purchased for the famous clyde company. This company was formed in
Tasmania with Scottish backing and occupied the Moorabool Valley above Batesford early in 1836. John
Ritchie built Laurence Park on land purchased from the Port Philip association by Thomas Learmonth and
conveyed to his son in 1845. The homestead was named after Thomas Learmonth's former holding near
Falkirk. Laurence Park was sold by John Ritchie in February 1867 to George hope for 6186 pounds. Five
who have owned the property from the late 1860s until the present time, are responsible for all the post -
1860s alterations and additions. Laurence Park is an h-shaped colonial vernavular building with gabled roofs.
The earliest part is brick, that is, the north wing and middle section of the h. The south wing constructed in the
1860s is of random rubble. There are verandahs on the north and east sides. The house has been altered
over the years and little remains internally of the original features. The only section in original condition is the
uppper level of the stone wing. A steep, narrow timber stair leads up to it. The overall condition of the building
could be described as good, although the soft early bricks are deteriorating at floor level. Laurence Park
homestead has both architectural and historical significance:
1. It is one of the earliest surviving buildings in the Geelong region, work on it having commenced in 1845 for
Dr John Learmonth following the destruction by fire of an earlier 1842 - 43 Honestead. 2. This homestead
illustrates the pragmatic development of rural vernacular dwellings
using local materials. 3. It has significant association with the early
history of the Geelong area as an important pastoral region when its site, along with other large tracts of land,
was owned by the famous clyde company and then the port Philip association. 4. From the 1840s the property
was significant associations with the early pastoral enterprise of the celebrated learmonth family and
particularly with Dr John learmonth (1812 - 1871), the son of Thomas Lerrmonth (1783 - 1869). 5. Laurence
park has been in the ownership of another Scottish family, the Hills, from the late 1860s until the present time,
the Hills brinh responsible for all the post - 1860s additions
Group
Residential buildings (private)
Category
Homestead building