WONNERUP HOUSE
by Graeme Olsen
George Layman arrived in Fremantle
on board the Orelia in 1829 with just six pence in
his pocket.
But out of those humble circumstances
came a new beginning and the establishment of
a family and farm in the harsh environment of
the south west.
Harsh? Yes. Imagine having to clear the land
of huge Tuart trees by hand. That's what faced
George Layman after he was granted land in
the Vasse area and set about building a house
to live in. More specifically the land he
owned was called "Wannerup", an
aboriginal term meaning place of the "Aborginal
Woman's Digging Stick".
Anyway, George built a house on his land,
found himself a wife (Mary Ann Bayliss), and then in 1838 his
son was born - George II. But what was promising
to be a wonderful life on the land was tragically
cut short in 1841 when George intervened in
an Aboriginal dispute over rations, and was
speared to death on his own property. He was
only 31 years old at the time.
His wife Mary remarried, to Robert Heppingstone II,
whose family emigrated to Australia with the Bussell's
and Molloy's. They had two sons of their own, but
then Robert also tragically died in 1858 when he drowned
at Castle Rock.
George II took over the running of the property.
He married Amelia Curtis, and together they had 12
children. George II built another larger house on
the property, as well as extensions to the first house.
He also developed the farm with pigs, dairy cattle,
horses and vegetables.
Luckily for us today, the original houses on the
Wonnerup property still exist, and they have been
set up to look like they once did all those years
ago. You are able to wander through the houses and
take a look at life in the 1800's - the structure,
the furniture, the simple way of life. About the only
thing that isn't authentic is the beautifully manicured
lawns - I doubt very much they had those back then
- but they do provide a fantastic place for picnics
or just for a bit of a wander through the gardens.
There's also an old one-room-school and teacher's
residence across the road which also provides a fascinating
glimpse into the lifestyle of our pioneers.
Wonnerup House is open for people to have a look
at, and is located about half an hour south of Bunbury
- turn right off either the Bussell Hwy or the Ludlow
Tourist Drive. It's just past the Possum
Night Spotlighting Trail.
There is a cost to get in - about $4.50 per adult,
less for kids and concession card holders.
March 2004
Had a wonderful visit today and our hosts could not have been more pleasant and informative. The history of the Layman family was fascinating as we try to imagine how they lived in such a remote area although it was not an issue back in the 1800's. I felt a cold presence in the rooms of the first house which made me want to move on out of there although the displays of wooden carved furniture made by one of the Layman daughters (self taught in wood carving at the age of 60) was quite amazing. The school house across the road from the homestead was a trip back in time with the image of the teacher in timely costume waiting in front of the class as you opened the door. Her residence, simple and secluded. What ever happened to her?
Helen, 17 May 2009
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