Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash

Last updated

Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash
Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash (former) - water pipes.jpg
Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash
LocationBeaconsfield Station, Ilfracombe, Longreach Region, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates 23°19′31″S144°32′57″E / 23.3252°S 144.5493°E / -23.3252; 144.5493
Design period1870s - 1890s (late 19th century)
Built1890s
Official nameBeaconsfield Station Sheep Wash (former), Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash (Ruins)
Typestate heritage (built, archaeological, landscape)
Designated21 October 1992
Reference no.600547
Significant period1890s (historical)
Significant componentsruin/s, machinery/plant/equipment - pastoralism
Australia Queensland location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash in Queensland
Australia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash (Australia)

Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash is a heritage-listed sheep washing facility at Beaconsfield Station, Ilfracombe, Longreach Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1890s. It is also known as Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash (Ruins). It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. [1]

Contents

History

The former Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash comprises a dam, washing trough, machinery and tramlines situated on a creek bank near the site of the 19th century woolshed, north of Ilfracombe. [1]

The runs that later comprised Beaconsfield Station were first taken up in 1872, although they were acquired by southern investors and little development seems to have taken place before the property was bought by George Fairbairn in 1882. Fairbairn built one of the greatest pastoral empires in Australia, his station holdings in Queensland including Landsdowne, Barcaldine Downs, Home Creek, Bimerah, Delta, Logan Downs, Wolfgang, and Beaconsfield, which became one of Australia's premier sheep stations. At their peak, the Fairbairn stations in Queensland carried over 800,000 sheep with Beaconsfield alone commonly running 100,000 head. [1]

Beaconsfield's growth is largely attributed to its manager, Walter Anderson, who oversaw the station for Stephen Fairbairn, the youngest of George's several sons, and was resident at the station between the 1880s and early 1900s. A number of improvements were made during the stewardship of these two men; in 1893 an artesian bore was put down and 24 Wolseley shearing machines were installed at the shearing shed, which was also used by other property owners. The sheep wash is thought to have been built around this time. [1] [2]

Sheep accumulate dirt, grease and vegetable material such as burrs in their fleeces. Washing the sheep before shearing removes this matter, reducing the weight of the wool to be transported. The Beaconsfield wool wash was built near a former dam on Brutus Creek about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) from a shearing shed. The pumping machinery was installed in a timber-lined trough cut into the bank of the dam. Water was drawn out of the dam by a steam pump located in the trough near the creek. The sheep were washed in the trough by a combination of manual scrubbing and water jets located along the length of the trough. The washed sheep were then moved up a race on the western side of the trough to draining pens where they stood before being taken to the woolshed on trolleys that were winched along twin rail lines. The winch was possibly powered by the steam engine used to power the steam press in the shed. [1]

The process was found unsatisfactory, perhaps because of difficulties in obtaining sufficient water supply, and was abandoned later in the 1890s. The wash may have been abandoned after an artesian bore was sunk at Ilfracombe in c.1897 and a wool scour established soon after. [3] Other steam-driven scouring works, popular in the early 1890s, had by the end of the decade been rendered obsolete by the establishment of a wide-ranging network of large, mechanised wool scours (e.g. the Blackall Woolscour). Over time the track and trolleys were removed to sugar mills and the wool scours at Cramsie (near Longreach) and Ilfracombe. [1]

The scheme is considered highly unusual in Queensland pastoral practice; the large scale of both the scheme and of the pump itself are testament to both the imagination and capital resources of the Fairbairns who may have had experience of comparable schemes in New South Wales and Victoria. [1]

George Fairbairn died in 1895, after which the property passed to Stephen Fairbairn who moved to England in 1904 and remained there until his death in 1938. After his departure, the property reverted to the family company with Walter Anderson as manager until 1907, when Frederick Cobb took over from him. In 1911 the property was sold to John Murray. By this time Beaconsfield's area had been somewhat reduced by resumption. [1]

John Murray was a Scot who had moved to Victoria with his family as a youth. In 1864 he moved to Rockhampton to join his oldest brother and took up a run in the area called Fitzroy Park. He was successfully involved in the sugar industry in the 1870s. Entering politics in 1888 as a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, he later became a member of the Queensland Legislative Council and Minister for Railways and Public Works. After his retirement in 1903 he expanded his pastoral holdings, including the acquisition of Beaconsfield. [1]

Following his death in 1917 the property passed to his son Norman who had managed Beaconsfield since its purchase. It continued as one of the larger properties in Queensland's central west until further resumptions were effected in 1929. The property is still held by members of this family. [1]

Description

Timber stumps Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash (former) - timber stumps.jpg
Timber stumps

Beaconsfield is located approximately 19 kilometres (12 mi) north of Ilfracombe. The former sheep wash is located some 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of the homestead. The shearing shed, about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) south-east of the sheep wash, has been replaced by a modern building. [1]

The remains of the sheep wash are on the bank of an intermittently dry creek; the dam that retained the water there was washed away in a flood. [1]

The visible remains of the sheep washing process comprise a circle of timber stumps, which supported the turning loop of the twin rails from the wash to the shearing shed and which encircled the draining yard. Miscellaneous machinery survives including a 61-centimetre (24 in) centrifugal pump made by Robinson Bros & Co. (patent 1882) of Melbourne, jets under which the sheep were washed, and the end of the pump with a column to a head of pressure. [1] [4]

Heritage listing

The former Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria. [1]

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.

The former Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash, thought to have been constructed in about 1893, is important in demonstrating the evolution of mass wool production techniques during the development of Queensland's pastoral industry. It is a good example of an attempt at mass, mechanised washing of sheep using available technology in a remote location. [1]

The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage.

The former sheep wash is important as an uncommon example of a large-scale sheep washing system in outback Queensland. [1]

The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Queensland's history.

The former sheep wash at Beaconsfield has the potential to yield information that will contribute to an improved understanding of wool production techniques in outback Queensland during the 19th century. The place is sufficiently intact to permit further study of the washing technique used at that location and to contribute to a broader understanding of the development of Queensland's wool industry. [1]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.

The former Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of such a facility, the following key features being extant: a dam, washing trough, pump, water jet, and tramline for transporting the washed sheep to the nearby woolshed. [1]

The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

The former Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash has a special association with the Fairbairn pastoral empire, one of the most extensive pastoral holdings in Australia at the time. It has a particular association with Stephen Fairbairn and Walter Anderson the owner and manager of Beaconsfield respectively, who were responsible for its development into one of Australia's foremost sheep stations. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheep shearing</span> Process by which wool on a sheep is cut off

Sheep shearing is the process by which the woollen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep's wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year. The annual shearing most often occurs in a shearing shed, a facility especially designed to process often hundreds and sometimes more than 3,000 sheep per day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ilfracombe, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Ilfracombe is a rural town and locality in the Longreach Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Ilfracombe had a population of 259 people.

<i>The Golden Fleece</i> (painting) Painting by Tom Roberts

The Golden Fleece, originally known as Shearing at Newstead, is an 1894 painting by the Australian artist Tom Roberts. The painting depicts sheep shearers plying their trade in a timber shearing shed at Newstead North, a sheep station near Inverell on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The same shed is depicted in another of Roberts' works, Shearing Shed, Newstead (1894).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordillo Downs</span>

Cordillo Downs or Cordillo Downs Station is both a pastoral lease currently operating as a cattle station and a formal bounded locality in South Australia. It is located about 116 kilometres (72 mi) north of Innamincka and 155 kilometres (96 mi) south east of Birdsville. The name and boundaries of the locality were created on 26 April 2013 for the long established local name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellshot Station</span> Pastoral lease in Queensland, Australia

Wellshot Station is a pastoral lease that operates as a sheep station. It is located about 45 kilometres (28 mi) south of Ilfracombe and 175 kilometres (109 mi) north of Jundah in Queensland, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isis Downs Station</span> Pastoral lease in Queensland

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jondaryan Woolshed</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Jondaryan Woolshed is a heritage-listed shearing shed at Evanslea Road, Jondaryan, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1859-60 to replace an earlier, smaller woolshed on the former Jondaryan pastoral station, which was at one stage the largest freehold station in Queensland. The woolshed was the scene of significant labour conflict in the late 1880s and early 1890s, as the station became a test case for the new Queensland Shearers Union in the lead-up to the 1891 Australian shearers' strike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nindooinbah Homestead</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Nindooinbah Homestead is a heritage-listed homestead at Nindooinbah Connection Road, Nindooinbah, Scenic Rim Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1858 to 1907. It is also known as Nindooinbah House. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ormiston Fellmongery</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Ormiston Fellmongery is a heritage-listed archaeological site of a former wool scour and fellmongery at Sturgeon Street, Ormiston, City of Redland, Queensland, Australia. It is also known as Fellmonger Park. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 18 September 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Glebe Homestead</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

The Glebe Homestead is a heritage-listed homestead at Taroom-Cracow Road, Glebe near Taroom, Shire of Banana, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Florence Mary Rigby and built c. 1920. It is also known as Broadwater. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 23 March 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Langenbaker House</span> Historic house in Queensland, Australia

Langenbaker House is a heritage-listed detached house at Mitchell Street, Ilfracombe, Longreach Region, Queensland, Australia. It was erected in Ilfracombe in 1899, but was originally built earlier at another location. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 29 November 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackall Woolscour</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Blackall Woolscour is a heritage-listed wool scour at Evora Road, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) northeast of Blackall, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1908 to 1920s circa. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isis Downs Woolshed</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Isis Downs Woolshed is a heritage-listed shearing shed at Isisford-Blackall Road, Isisford, Longreach Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Kay, MacNicol and Company Engineers and built from 1913 to 1914 by Dorman Long and Company (Melbourne). It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 18 September 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darr River Downs</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Darr River Downs is a heritage-listed homestead at Landsborough Highway, Morella, Longreach Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1870s circa to 1900s circa. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 June 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Wood Station</span> Defunct pastoral lease in New South Wales

The Mount Wood Station, also known as simply Mt Wood, is a heritage-listed former cattle station that now forms part of the Sturt National Park in Tibooburra in the Unincorporated Far West region of New South Wales, Australia. The cattle station was built between 1890 and 1969. As a national park, the property is owned by the NSW Officer of Environment and Heritage, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Errowanbang Woolshed</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Old Errowanbang Woolshed is a heritage-listed shearing shed at Errowan Park, Old Errowanbang Lane, Errowanbang, Blayney Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Watt and built in 1886. It is also known as Errowanbang Woolshed. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 June 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinchega Woolshed</span> Heritage-listed former shearing shed in NSW, Australia

Kinchega Woolshed is a heritage-listed former shearing shed located 15km south-west of Menindee township, Central Darling Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was built from in 1875. The property is owned by the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Mulwala Homestead is a heritage-listed homestead at North Road, Mulwala, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Windy Station Woolshed is a heritage-listed shearing shed at Windy Road, Pine Ridge, Liverpool Plains Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Fred B Menkens and built in 1901 by Thomas and William Cowan. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 19 January 2018.

East Warrah Woolshed is a heritage-listed shearing shed at Merriwa-Murrurundi Road, Warrah Creek, Liverpool Plains Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Samuel Craik and built from 1863 to 1864. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 August 2018.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash (former) (entry 600547)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Aramac". Western Star And Roma Advertiser . Vol. IV, no. 188. Queensland, Australia. 12 October 1878. p. 3. Retrieved 31 August 2016– via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ "Ilfracombe". The Longreach Leader . Vol. 5, no. 258. Queensland, Australia. 9 December 1927. p. 3. Retrieved 21 September 2016– via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "Woolscouring—Important Adjunct to Australia's Great Industry". The Longreach Leader . Queensland, Australia. 1 December 1937. p. 52. Retrieved 31 August 2016– via National Library of Australia.

Attribution

CC-BY-icon-80x15.png This Wikipedia article was originally based on "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014).

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.