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WOODLANDS HOMESTEAD COMPLEX

Location Stirling Street BALMORAL, Southern Grampians Shire File Number 415 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/3] 23241 Woodlands Balmoral 0357 [2/3] 23241 Woodlands Balmoral M R [3/3] 23241 Woodlands Balmoral

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Woodlands Homestead Complex is located on the north east bank of the Glenelg River, on Rocklands Road, on the edge of the township of Balmoral. The complex consists of a large brick and timber homestead which overlooks the Glenelg River, and several outbuildings, including a barn constructed from Moore and Rogers iron roof tiles. Woodlands homestead was built by Charles Wood, who was a member of the Partnership Clapham Brothers and Wood who purchased the Wool washing, general merchant and fellmongery business from the original owner, Thomas Heape. The woolscour was one of the earliest industries in Balmoral, and Heape was Balmoral's first merchant, starting his business in the 1840s. The homestead is the second house on the property, the original house built by Heape and later extended and modified was burnt down in 1936. The current Woodlands Homestead was built by Charles Wood for his second wife, Laura Ann May, in 1872. The original part of the house was constructed from locally made bricks. Charles Wood was an important member of the community who represented Balmoral on the Wannon Shire Council. Charles Wood carried on the woolscour and fellmongery business for many years and lived at Woodlands with his family until his death. His widow, Laura continued to live at the property until several years later when her son Herbert L. Wood re-started the wool scour and fellmongery business. Herbert Wood and his family continued to live at Woodlands, until it was taken over by his descendants. The homestead is in fair condition, and retains a fair degree of integrity.

How is it significant?
The Woodlands Homestead Complex is of historic significance to the township of Balmoral and the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
Woodlands is associated with Balmoral's earliest form of industry, the woolscour and fellmongery business started by Balmoral's first Merchant, Thomas Heape, and later taken on by Clapham Brothers and Wood, and finally by Charles Wood. The homestead is of historical significance for its associations with Charles Wood, a very important and well respected member of the Balmoral community, and his family. It is of further significance for its long association with Charles Wood's son Herbert L. Wood who returned to Balmoral and started the industry again in a time of national depression (the 1890s), continuing to expand the business and support local people who were employed. The associations which Woodlands has with he Woodlands woolscour is of historical significance as it represents the earliest form of industry in Balmoral. It is of further historical significance as a demonstration of a previous way of life which has been lost, and as an example of the ingenuity of early settlers to turn the natural environment to their needs. The site is of further historical significance as an surviving link with the earliest phases of settlement in towns, and how industry could be incorporated into the township.