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KOO-MAN-GOO-NONG

Other Name 85 McGregor Road, Pakenham Location 85 McGregor Road PAKENHAM, Cardinia Shire Level Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/1] Koo Man Goo Nong

Statement of Significance

Koo-Man-Goo-Nong, with its c1908 house and 1920s garden, as well as some pre-1900 buildings and plantings, is of significance to the Cardinia Shire because of its associations with the district's earliest farming history. The site has historical significance as part of the 1840s Toomah pastoral run and, from 1853, of Dr. James Bathe's Toomah lease. Other significant early owners included the Hentys and Daniel Bourke.

This place is also significant for its associations with Arthur Greenwood, wool auctioneer for the Australian Estates Company, for whom the existing weatherboard homestead was built around 1908. From 1920, the property had significant associations with the locally prominent Ronald family, who own it still.

A major part of the regionally important garden which surrounds the house, was planted by Mrs Gwladis Ronald, wife of William Bruce Ronald, grazier, owner of Koo-Man-Goo-Nong.
Mrs Ronald's garden book, dated April 1923, survives with details of her plantings which enhances the importance of the garden.

The property also has significance for its collection of farm buildings which include stables, blacksmith's shop, gas shed, dairy, shearing shed and cowshed.

Regional Significance