Naringal Homestead

Naringal Homestead Complex, Wallinduc, is situated to the east of the Naringhil Creek with the original homestead site and the cemetery close to the Creek and the present homestead located on a substantial rise 1000m further to the east. The squatting run which was taken up by William Rowe of Staffordshire, England and his wife Elizabeth dates from 1841. Many exotic trees and a reconstructed slab hut are all that remain of the original site. The Pre-emptive right dates from 1857, probably the date of the second homestead which is now an archaeological site. This was abandoned for the new family home at Glenfine, constructed for William Thomas Rowe about 1873. His son, also called William Thomas returned to Naringal with his wife Beatrix. The new homestead was designed by Melbourne architects, Sydney Smith and Ogg and built in 1904 by Peter Rodger. It was extended in the 1920s by the same firm of architects but largely destroyed in a bush fire in 1944 when Bill Rowe, the fourth William Rowe associated with Naringal was a Japanese prisoner of war. His wife Elizabeth immediately began plans to rebuild according to the design of Melbourne architect, Horace Tribe but at a time of shortages and rationing of building materials. It is an austere version of the Georgian revival, typical of the period. The garden was landscaped by the very important designer, Edna Walling, relatively late in her career. The present house and garden are substantially intact, they retain a high degree of integrity and, apart from the garden suffering from the extended drought, they are in relatively good condition. The picturesquely sited and planted private cemetery includes 12 headstones and at least 19 internments with master and servant buried side by side. The family has direct and long term connections with Geelong College.

How is it significant?

The Naringal Homestead complex is of historical, social and architectural significance to the Golden Plains Shire.

Why is it significant?

The Naringal Homestead complex is of historical significance as one of the earliest and one of the very few pastoral properties in the Western District still owned and occupied by the original family. It is significant for demonstrating a sequence of development which reflects the values and continued prosperity of the Rowe family. Naringal has social significance for its rare private cemetery with its mixed internments and for its associations with Geelong Grammar. The present homestead and garden are of architectural significance as examples of the work of Horace Tribe and Edna Walling, as well as for demonstrating the family's response to the adversity of bush fire.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Homestead building