Leighburn Homestead

Leighburn, 1567 Bannockburn-Shelford Road, Shelford is located on rising ground on the eastern approach to the Leigh River valley at Shelford. The land on which Leighburn was created in 1902 was part of the very early squatting run, Golfhill, the focus of George Russell's vast holdings on behalf of the Clyde Company. Russell bought Golfhill for himself in 1858 and embarked on a program of purchasing more land. By the time Leighburn was created, Golf Hill as it came to be known was owned by his youngest daughter, Janet Biddlecombe who was prepared to sell some land. Along with Golf Hill to the north and the continuing Presbyterian manse on the opposite west side, the three places help to define the cultural landscape of the valley. The land was purchased by Hugh, John and Alexander Munro and a conventional, modest house was probably built for John Munro, a laborer-farmer. In 1915/16 his name is replaced in the Shire of Leigh rate books by James McKenzie, grazier. In the 1940s the property was purchased by Charles Matthew Burns, wool merchant, an absentee proprietor but still active in the district. The house was modernized in the late 1960s. McKenzie owned the property until the 1980s. It has since been much altered and extended but is still used for pastoral and mixed agricultural purposes. Although the intactness of Leighburn has been compromised and it retains only a low degree of integrity, the various alterations and additions over the years should be seen as a typical sequence of development for such a place. Leighburn is in very good condition. Its immediate surrounds, including the now mature plantings of Pinus radiata (Monterey Pines) of the former drive and the early garden plantings are significant as well as its broader context in the Leigh River valley including its relationship with Golf Hill and the Presbyterian Manse opposite.

How is it Significant?

Leighburn is of historical and architectural significance to the Golden Plains Shire.

Why is it Significant?

Leighburn is of historical significance for its subdivision off the very significant Golf Hill estate demonstrating a change in land holding policy from the time of George Russell. It has historical associations with the Munro, McKenzie and Burns families, all directly connected with and representative of pastoralism, the district's principal industry. Leighburn, although only ever a traditional house and garden, has special architectural interest because of its setting in and contribution to the broader cultural landscape of the Leigh River valley and Shelford.

Group

Parks, Gardens and Trees

Category

Garden Residential