During the month of May each year, South Australia hosts 'History Month' with a multitude of 'one-off' events to welcome curious minds to share historical venues/places/spaces that are not usually accessible to the public. Narracoorte Homestead is committed to hosting ongoing events that uncover and gather further information about the property’s rich history. These contributions will expand its growing collection of resources and help build a more complete picture of the property’s near-180 year story - from its origins as 'The Narracoorte Run', through its period as Dartmoor Homestead, to the present-day Narracoorte Homestead.
This year, the Narracoorte Homestead hosted a series of two events (called "Stories, stories, stories....!") to share stories of the Homestead. The events drew many notable local history-buffs including a group of teachers from Mount Gambier, and visitors from across the border in Victoria. The slow-cooker provided a hearty winter's meal, which was consumed together with a little red wine in front of the enormous wood fire of "The Grain Store" - the two-storey building on the property.
Both sessions were recorded to capture the stories 'for historical significance' and I am now working through the information to piece together the timelines and cross-check existing dates and information for better accuracy.
In searching for someone to write a book on the history of Narracoorte Run, I have come to realise that I may have to become that author myself. "..in my spare time", I say jokingly as I don't know exactly how to manage it at the moment. However, as a wise person once articulated 'You're reverse-engineering it!'. They had to explain to me that my somewhat 'gung-ho' approach to saying 'YES' to things, then working out how to do them later, is actually a studied strategic approach. I must say I'm rather chuffed to think that my 'no plan'/passionate/excited approach to history-gathering could be a plan in itself!
I have no doubt that the gaps that are to be filled in the timeline of the property's history will continue to be filled for the rest of my days here. And, they continue to bring me much joy, as well as the joy I also see from people returning to the property after many years away, and the sharing of photos, historical documents and information.
And, since the May events, I am elated to have connected with another resident / owner of the Homestead from 1978 - 1985 (sold property in December), Malcolm Taylor. Malcolm shared that during his 8 years at the property, then as a painter by-trade, he added up the time he spent painting the property and it would have been the equivalent of 2 full-time years of re-painting the buildings/interior of the property. In the early 1970's, he had visited the property to paint the bathroom, and had fallen in love with it (as we are prone to do) and when it went up for sale, he knew he had to make it happen (as we are also prone to do!).
Malcolm has since been in touch and we are following through on a story once thought to be a fable, however we now know it is legitimate! A stalagmite - push up little stalagmite (not a stalactite that we first thought) was on display in the garden, sourced from a cave on the property where fruit and vegetables were stored during summer. He inherited the stalagmite from the previous owners (purchased from Beth McInness), and he is now searching for its whereabouts as it was moved to a different property when he and his family left Naracoorte in early 1986.
There is so much more exciting history that I am discovering on a weekly basis, and I can't wait to make these stories come to life - plays, books, photos, art, events, music - I just want to do it all.
Next year, in 2027, marks 180 years since the gorgeous Ormerod Cottage was built - est. 1847 - by George Ormerod to impress the family of his beautiful fiance (wifey-to-be, Mary McKeand). By next year, I hope to have completed a re-whitewashing project on the stonework of the Cottage together with some local volunteers and a master-stonemason as part of a SA Heritage Conservation Grant project.
What an absolute privilege it is to be here, to be able to discover, share and write these stories. I am very grateful.
With much excitement,Â
Natasha Biggins (current owner/custodian of Naracoorte's most historical buildings, the former Narracoorte Run, est 1845)
Image: of the Homestead circa 1903, when it was the residence of a H.S. (Herbert) Dunn who was from near Dartmoor National Park in the UK. He named the property 'Dartmoor'.
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Reference: South Australian Heritage Council - Moorakyne: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/environment/docs/10363-Moorakyne-House_BHI_Summary_27JUN2024.pdf