Wippell farm complex and trees

One of just four timber slab farm buildings found by the heritage study within the former Shire of Eltham and rare in a Melbourne-wide context, this structure is also a significant component of the Kangaroo Ground cultural landscape. While the Hawthorn hedges are the principal, most visible component of this cultural landscape, this building gives some indication of how the hedge lined paddocks were used.

The Shire's most significant timber slab farm building is the barn at Clier Hills (Shire of Eltham Heritage Study, see page 892). The most important places that contain farm buildings constructed in vernacular building techniques are Gulf Station at Yarra Glen and Silver Wells at Gembrook.

REVISED STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (with AHC criteria)

The Wippell Farm complex and trees are significant to the Nillumbik Shire:

- as having one of four timber slab farm buildings known to survive within the former Shire of Eltham and rare in the Greater Melbourne metropolitan context (Criterion B2);

- for the representative nature of the complex of Victorian and Edwardian-era farming at Kangaroo ground (Criterion A4);

- for the rare mature planting remaining on the site, including large cordylines and palms (Criterion B2) ;

- for its association with the Wippell family, early Kangaroo Ground and Eltham pioneers (Criterion A4, H1);

- as a significant component of the Kangaroo Ground cultural landscape, including nearby early Hawthorn hedges, with this complex giving an indication of how the hedge lined paddocks were used (Criterion 02).

Group

Farming and Grazing

Category

Farm