O’Connell NSW

Own a 50% share in a piece of living history & experience country lifestyle

Winner of the Energy Australia National Trust Heritage Awards 2005
under $1 million.

Colonial historic lifestyle with 2006 comforts

Built: Circa 1830.

The owner, Ian Kiernan wishes to find a suitable partner to share and enjoy all that Westham Farmhouse has to offer. The arrangement will include a part ownership, share of expenses and maintenance responsibilities. It will entitle both parties to use the farmhouse for accommodation and the other facilities on 5 acres. A full-time caretaker will also be placed in residence once the Barn is completed.

The part-owner will be entitled to:

• Share of time negotiated on a yearly basis
• Share of expenses relating to maintenance, council rates
  (Maintenance expenses should be minimal as it is fully renovated with all new services.)
• Equal responsibility for maintenance of house, outbuildings etc

Farmhouse features

• Original pise (rammed earth) and slab house built in 1830, with 1850’s brick extensions
• Four (4) bedroom homestead
• Fully renovated timber kitchen with modern appliances
• Sitting room with fireplace/slate hearth
• Dining room with access onto front verandah
• Flooring – a combination of local hardwood and softwoods
• Electric hot water system and Rayburn stove
• Bathroom with cast iron bath, separate shower, toilet
• Laundry with washer and dryer
• Solar energy system
• Wiring and plumbing all new; professionally installed and approved
• Exterior walls finished with traditional use of limewash
• Retention of some original glass panes
• Retention of 2 separate original roofs (one shingle), new (over) roof zincalume
• Colonial verandah - north facing, glass enclosed - added to house in 1840’s
• Dairy – additional one-bedder guest accommodation
• Nine (9) Rainwater tanks
• Waste water system – inc. outside toilet
• Windmill and well

Owner

Ian Kiernan (Chairman of Cleanup Australia)
Ian purchased the farmhouse along with a preservation title of 2 hectares (5 ac) in 2003. He recognised the historical significance of the building and its immediate need for restoration. The restoration of the farmhouse and its surrounds is a work-in-progress. The farmhouse (Phase One) has been completed.

Phase One

• Restoration of Westham Farmhouse
• Waste management plans re. effluent collection,
  effluent treatment & irrigation
• Orchard (heritage) – planted, fenced and irrigated.
• Perimeter and internal fencing completed.
• Turf laid around house
• Shed: joinery and storage (20 x 18ft)
• Boundary planting of Chestnut trees and native species.

Completion date: March 2006

Phase Two

• Restoration of dairy, other smaller out-buildings and surrounds
• Dairy restoration (one-bedder guest accommodation unit)
• Landscaping of heritage house garden (to be established in Spring 2006)
• 1920s lawn tennis or croquet lawn
• Vegetable garden and chook yard

Commencement date: March/April 2006
Completion date: TBA

Phase Three (on completion of Phase Two)

• The Barn (education facility)
• Caretaker’s quarters attached to the Barn
• Barn & yards (beside orchard)
• Parking area (buses)
• Sulky barn (final project in Phase Three)

Completion date: TBA

Westham Farmhouse offers

• A heritage restored 4 bedroom colonial farmhouse
• Original features with modern overlay and household appliances
• Includes kitchen, sitting room with fireplace, dining room opening onto
  the front verandah, bathroom, laundry etc
• Solar energy powered farm
• Waste management system for effluent collection, effluent treatment & irrigation
• Heritage designed house garden (plant in Spring 2006); 1920s tennis or croquet lawn
• 2 orchards (heritage) – planted, fenced and irrigated.
• Vegetable garden and chook yard
• Boundary planting of Chestnut and native trees
• Dairy: separate one-bedder accommodation
• Joinery/storage shed
• Cow paddock
• Other sheds & yards, inc. sulky barn
• The Barn (education facility) includes caretaker’s quarters
• Parking area

The original pise and slab building has been restored and overlaid with 2006 technology and environmental attributes. It has been partially furnished to represent life in circa 1830. All environmental services, energy, water, grey (waste) water, solid waste, food and transportation will be displayed as they would have been. It is a fine representation of a colonial farmhouse structure built in that era.

The owner wishes to sell a 50% share in the property. Westham Farmhouse will operate as an entity for the use of private individuals on a share basis, with provision for occasional special use by selected school, university, historic or environmental groups to visit as an educational experience.

LOCATION Near O’Connell, approx 22km SE of Bathurst, 215km (2.5 hrs drive) west of Sydney