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BEEKEEPER'S FARM (ANDERSON'S)

Location off Anderson's Road, GLENISLA VIC 3408 - Property No 0510 File Number 613 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/1] 23740 Copy of 4555 Anderson s

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Anderson's Beekeeper's Farm, located at the end of Anderson's Road, 3.2kms east of its intersection with the Henty Highway and 7.0kms south-south-east of Glen Isla Homestead, dates from about 1898. The complex, which comprises a small timber cottage, a buggy shed and a woolshed and yards is located some distance off Anderson's Road. The land comprising which had been used for grazing as part of the great Glen Isla squatting run, was sold to David Anderson in 1898. The property was run by David Anderson as a small mixed farm, particularly for growing wool until the interwar period. David Anderson divided the property between his twosurvivingsons, Ormond and Arthur some time post 1920. Arthur lived in the cottage and maintaineda bee keeping business from the site,named'Bluebird Apairies'. After his marriage in 1956, Arthur built a new weatherboard house, and the cottage was abandoned. The collapsed barn and other structures at the rear of the cottage were probably used for storing hives and other apiarist's equipment. The woolshed is a very late example of the use of vernacular building techniques. The cottage is now ruinous but retains a very high degree of integrity. The woolshed and yards are in fair condition and also retain a very high degree of integrity.

How is it significant?
Anderson's Beekeeper's Farm, near Glen Isla is of historical and architectural significance to the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
Anderson's Beekeeper's Farm is of historical significance as a representative example of the now largely lost practice of beekeeping, which was an important industry in the Grampians region. The significance assumes a deeper dimension when seen against the backdrop of both World Wars and people striving to make a living from difficult conditions. The farm is of architectural significance as a complex of buildings, which while vernacular in style, form and technique nonetheless shows sensitivity towards its place and function within the broader landscape.