Welford

General

Also known as

Welford Homestead; Welford Station; Welford Downs; Welford Downs Station

Classification

State Heritage

Register status

Entered

Date entered

21 August 1992

Types

Pastoralism: Homestead

Pastoralism: Station/run—sheep

Theme

2.3 Exploiting, utilising and transforming the land: Pastoral activities

Construction periods

1875–1881, Welford Homestead

1875–1970, Remnant built features & known or potential archaeological evidence

1881–1970, Residence gardens and views

1909–1947, Old Jedburgh homestead (1909) and yards (by 1947)

1917–1918, Adaford Homestead site

1919–1959, Gap Creek hut (1919-1959) and bore (1922)

1920–1949, Workers quarters and shower block

1940–1959, Shearing Complex (sheep yards, shearing shed, shearers quarters, shower block and toilet)

1950–1959, Meat house

1950–1959, Shed west of residence

1950–1969, Tank stand south of residence

1950–1969, Workshop/machinery shed

unknown–1908, Lily Hole yards site

unknown–1922, Sawyer Creek hut site

unknown–1922, Sawyer Creek bore site

unknown–1922, Stock Route yards site

Historical period

1870s–1890s Late 19th century

1900–1914 Early 20th century

1914–1919 World War I

1919–1930s Interwar period

1939–1945 World War II

1940s–1960s Post-WWII

Location

Address

Welford Homestead, Jundah

LGA

Barcoo Shire Council

Coordinates

-24.96584503, 143.48889355

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Significance

Criterion AThe place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.

Welford (established early 1870s) is important in demonstrating the pattern of colonial occupation and settlement of central west Queensland by pastoralists and its subsequent development into one of Queensland’s most important wool producing regions. Comprising an early homestead complex, an associated shearing complex, and the remnants of outstations and other sites of historical occupation, the place in its layout and fabric illustrates the extent and nature of activities undertaken there from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century.

Welford homestead residence (1875-1881), of pisé de terre (rammed earth) construction, is important in illustrating an early response to the environment by settlers, through use of a building method that utilised available materials and was suited to western Queensland’s arid climate.

Criterion BThe place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland’s cultural heritage.

Welford homestead residence is a highly intact 19th century pisé de terre building, a form that was common in western Queensland but uncommon elsewhere in the colony, and is now rare. The house is one of only five known surviving 19th century pisé buildings in Queensland.

Criterion CThe place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Queensland’s history.

Welford contains archaeological evidence that can contribute to our understanding of the life and work of central west Queensland pastoralists. Due to the age and extent of the site, Welford has the potential to provide information on the early history of the place, including early interactions between First Nations Peoples and settlers, those who lived and worked there, the nature of outstation life, and pastoral practices over time. The site contains the remains of outstations, hut sites and buildings, yards, bores, blacksmith’s workshop sites, as well as dump sites and artefact scatters, which date from the early phase of European occupation at Welford. Welford homestead residence also has the potential to contribute significantly to our understanding of the pisé de terre construction method as a rare and early example of this construction technique in Queensland.

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

Welford homestead complex is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of an early and evolving pastoral homestead complex in Queensland. Built as the head station of a large run in proximity to a permanent water source, the intact homestead complex retains its 19th century residence, garden with mature trees and other plantings, workers quarters, various associated outbuildings and ancillary structures, yards and fences. The relationships between these features contributes to an understanding of pastoral station life.

Welford homestead residence is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of 19th century pisé de terre construction in Queensland. A rare surviving example of this building method, it retains its use of locally sourced material (earth) compacted to form thick rock-like walls.

History

Welford (Welford Downs station), established in 1873,[1] is located in Welford National Park in central west Queensland. The place is important in demonstrating the pastoral development of this region from the 1870s. The homestead residence, built after January 1875 and before July 1881, is an early example of the use of pise de terre (rammed earth) construction, a common building method in western Queensland during the 19th century, due to shortage of materials, but an uncommon construction method elsewhere in the colony. Other station infrastructure and sites of historical occupation, date from the late 19th to mid-20th century.

The land along the Barcoo River is part of the traditional lands of speakers of the Birriya[2] and Kungkari[3] languages, with Wangkumara and Boonthamurra country to the south. The Barcoo River provided a natural boundary. The word ‘Barcoo’ is likely a Birriya and/or Kungkari word for ‘river’.[4] Welford National Park is currently recognised as part of the traditional lands of the Bidjara People.[5] Within Welford National Park, there are numerous examples of Aboriginal cultural heritage, including ceremonial sites, artefact scatters and earthen and stone arrangements. Ceremonial sites are part of a network of significant places, including natural features, which together form a larger ritual landscape. They are visible remains of areas where important and often sacred rituals were performed.[6]

European exploration of the Barcoo River began in the 1840s and 1850s. In 1846, Sir Thomas Mitchell explored downstream about as far as current day Isisford before turning back and naming the waterway ‘Victoria River’.[7] In the following year, Edmund Kennedy’s expedition attempted to follow Mitchell’s ‘Victoria River’ to the Gulf of Carpentaria. He received the name ‘Barcoo’ from a local man during his attempt,[8] but found that the river travelled south-west joining the Thomson River to form Cooper’s Creek (now known as Cooper Creek) and then flowed south-westerly. Both Mitchell and Kennedy described the watershed of the Barcoo favourably.[9] In 1858, Augustus Charles Gregory, while searching for Ludwig Leichhardt, crossed the Warrego and Barcoo Rivers. When unable to proceed further west because of drought, he trekked down the Barcoo River, Cooper Creek and Strzelecki Creek investigating this inland river system.[10] His description of the area, after travelling through it in extreme drought, was not as favourable as his predecessors’.[11]

European settlement in the Barcoo River-Cooper Creek area, part of the Mitchell Pastoral District, began in the 1860s.[12] Pastoralist-explorers travelled ahead of their flocks and herds ready to take advantage of any suitable ‘unsettled’ land they found.[13] In 1861, James Thomas Allan with Ernest Davies and party left the Dawson River and travelled through the northern Warrego district to the Barcoo River. Allan’s party reached the permanent stretch of water that Mitchell had named Douglas Ponds, examined the surrounding country, then hurried back to lodge their lease applications. They became the first settlers on the Barcoo River when Allan established Mount Enniskillen and Elizabeth Creek stations,[14] while Davies occupied Northampton Downs.[15] One of the first pastoral properties established in the Isisford District was Isis Downs on the upper Barcoo River, which was established c1865 and leased from 1 January 1867 by Charles Lumley Hill, W St John Holberton and W B Allen.[16]

Economic depression from 1866 almost halted pastoral expansion throughout Queensland, until reviving in the early 1870s and continuing until the mid-1880s.[17] In August 1872, the Rockhampton Bulletin newspaper reported that in the previous few months, several thousand square miles (more than 7000sq km) of country along the Barcoo River had been occupied by pastoralists.[18] One of them was Richard Welford, who had arrived in central Queensland from England in 1863. In 1871, he occupied two runs (Henley and Walton) on the north bank of the Barcoo River, approximately 80 miles (128.8km) down-river from Isis Downs. He leased three more pastoral runs in 1872 (Marlow Bridge, Mortlake and Wandsworth), each of 50 square miles (129.5km2), which together provided a frontage of 10 miles (16.1km) along the lower Barcoo River.[19]

In Queensland and Australia-wide, incursion into, and occupation of, Aboriginal peoples’ lands ‒ whether by explorers, pastoralists, miners, or settlers ‒ often resulted in violent conflict, dispossession and the destruction of the traditional way of life. As European occupation of Queensland progressed from the frontier in the south east (1820s to 1840s) to the north and west in the ensuing decades of the 19th century, conflict followed on each new frontier.[20]

To eliminate resistance as Europeans occupied the traditional lands of Aboriginal peoples, the Queensland Native Mounted Police (Native Police), comprising European officers and Aboriginal troopers, operated on the frontier. They ‘dispersed’ (killed) Aboriginal people purportedly in reprisal attacks for theft, killing of stock, or murder; at times assisted by colonists. Initially established in 1849 and funded by pastoralists in the Clarence River and Darling Downs districts of New South Wales, to protect their herds, flocks, property and lives, this police force continued to operate after the establishment of the Colony of Queensland in 1859. In 1864, with the commencement of the Police Act 1863, the Native Police came under the control of the Commissioner of the Queensland Police Force and continued its role into the early 20th century.[21]

The Barcoo River area experienced increasing frontier conflict in the early 1870s as European settlement intensified. While, similar to many places, the number of Aboriginal people who were victims of frontier violence in the area is not recorded, a letter to the Colonial Secretary in May 1872 from Lumley Hill of Isis Downs revealed the extent of the conflict in the Barcoo area in this period. He cited eight people ‘murdered by blacks [Aboriginal people] during the last 16 months’ and compared this with the previous three years or more, when less than three such cases occurred. However, he attributed the previously lower number of incidents to the ‘active and efficient officer’[22] of the Native Police at the time, whereby ‘every case of hut robbing and sheep stealing was promptly checked and punished'.[23] Lumley Hill also intimated he had attacked Aboriginal people: ‘I really found myself compelled to take strong measures myself for the protection of my own life and property’.[24]

In April 1872 Welford and his stockman, Henry Hall, were killed on Walton run, allegedly by ‘a runaway trooper from some northern detachment [of the Native Police]’[25] and local Aboriginal people. The bodies of Welford and later Hall were discovered by Welford’s friend, Edward Decimus Harries, and pastoralist, Charles Rome.[26] The deaths resulted in one or more punitive reprisals against local Aboriginal people by the Native Police, who were stationed approximately 60 miles (96.6km) from Isis Downs, accompanied by European settlers.[27] Harries accompanied the Native Police tracking the Aboriginal people from Welford’s property to their camp southeast of the Barcoo River, described as ‘near the [Cheviot] range up Powell’s Creek’, where they found one of Welford’s horses hobbled and also found ‘one gun that had been carried about 10 miles’.[28] Harries also stated in 1910 that the former Native Police trooper implicated in the murder was found dead in Sedan waterhole [south of the Barcoo River] and it ‘was supposed afterwards he was killed by the blacks [Aboriginal people] themselves’.[29] The Aboriginal population in the area was markedly reduced by the early 1880s.[30] Welford’s grave is located on the south (left) bank of the Barcoo River, on land that is not part of Welford National Park.[31]

Dying intestate, Welford’s runs, stock and personal effects were sold at public auction on 12 August 1872. The leases and 290 head of cattle were purchased by Thomas and Charles Rome, of Northampton Downs station on the Upper Barcoo.[32] In the same month, the Rome brothers applied for an occupation lease for Welford Downs run (named after Welford), which was located downstream from and adjacent to Welford’s Henley run.[33]

A few years later, the Rome brothers offered Welford Downs station for sale. Advertisements in January 1875 show that Welford Downs station comprised 16 runs totalling 841 square miles (2178.18km2) that were operated together as a cattle property.[34] At this time, the improvements on Welford Downs were: ‘a good house (stone), horse yard, new stock yard…also horse paddock one (1) mile square, nearly finished’.[35] In April 1875, the Rome brothers withdrew Welford Downs station from sale,[36] but sold some of the station’s runs – Marlow Bridge, Mortlake and Wandsworth – to David McConnel of Cressbrook.[37] Also in 1875, Thomas and Charles Rome subdivided Welford Downs run into Welford Downs and Welford Downs South; the former on the north (right) bank of the Barcoo River and the latter on the south bank.[38]

In July 1881 Welford Downs station was widely advertised for sale as ‘magnificent sheep country’.[39] The listed improvements included the first reference to its pisé de terre homestead house:

At the Welford Head Station, which overlooks a splendid sheet of water, is a large well-built Pisé house, with detached kitchens, complete out offices, bachelor’s quarters, store, men’s huts, blacksmith’s forge, large stockyards and three horse paddocks.[40]

Pisé de terre (or pisé) is an ancient building method in which loam mud (earth of low clay content) is rammed into a temporary formwork to create rock-like walls.[41] Compacting earth in this manner forces soil particles together so they ‘adhere to each other due to molecular and capillary forces and form a hard mass. Conventionally no additives or strengthening fibres are used [as] in most cases the earth contains sufficient natural moisture to ensure adequate compaction’.[42]

This method was traditionally used in many Mediterranean and Near Eastern countries and Zhejiang Province of China. The use of pisé in more recent times is mainly attributed to its ‘rediscovery’ in France during the mid-18th century. This building method was used in England from about 1787 and in the USA from about 1810-15. In Australia, its use is traced back to the 1820s in Tasmania and examples of the construction method are found in most Australian colonies.[43] Pisé is one of three types of earthen building construction in Australia from the colonial period, the others being mud brick (adobe) and cob.

The advantages of this style of building are its utilisation of an available building material (earth) in an environment lacking conventional materials; its durability in arid conditions;[44] its regulation of interior temperatures in a climate of extremes providing ‘coolness in summer and warmth in winter’;[45] and its ease of construction.[46]

Although not widely used across Queensland, construction of buildings using pisé was common during the colonial period in western Queensland, where building materials were limited. A variety of pisé buildings were constructed there during this period, but most have not survived.[47]

There are five known extant colonial pisé buildings in Queensland: Welford Homestead residence (constructed after January 1875 and before July 1881); the original Boorara Homestead residence, Hungerford (1866);[48] Ray Homestead residence, Eromanga (1885);[49] Boorara Homestead residence, Hungerford (1880s);[50] and Bedourie Pisé House (QHR650098; 1896). In addition, there may be another nine extant pisé buildings, the status of which has not been confirmed for more than 30 years.[51]

Charles Rome, who had become the sole lessee of Welford Downs during 1882,[52] sold Welford Downs and Sedan stations in September 1882 to Cudmore, Swan and Co (comprising South Australia-based partners James Frances Cudmore, William Robert Swan and others). At the time, these stations totalled about 1000 square miles (2590km2); plus 14,000 cattle, 220 horses, plant, and all improvements.[53] A photograph of Welford homestead taken in the 1880s shows the pisé residence with a steeply pitched gabled roof and French doors opening onto its open-sided, skillion-roofed verandahs. A stone kitchen building stood to the rear (west).[54]

Organisational change in the pastoral industry was underway during the 1880s as companies replaced pastoralists as lessees[55] and amalgamated vast pastoral holdings. Welford was joined with Cudmore, Swan and Co’s existing holdings: Gooyea run (later renamed Milo), east of the Barcoo River, and the adjoining run, Tintinchilla,[56] to form a combined property of 5100sq miles (13,209km2).

As Cudmore had overextended himself financially by buying Welford Downs, he needed additional partners.[57] An offshoot company of Cudmore, Swan & Co, namely, Elder, Pegler & Co was formed in 1882 to work Gooyea and Welford Downs with cattle.[58] These companies amalgamated in 1886 to form Milo & Welford Downs Pastoral Company, which comprised the shareholders of the two parent companies.[59] Cudmore’s new partners insisted that Milo and Welford Downs change from cattle to wool production, which required expensive improvements.[60]

In moving to wool production, the new company followed the trend of rapid expansion of sheep-raising in Queensland during the 1880s, which resulted in wool becoming Queensland’s most important export by pound (£) value, between 1887 and 1899.[61] The Mitchell, Maranoa and Warrego pastoral districts grew to account for 50% of the colony’s flock, while the Mitchell pastoral district’s percentage of the Queensland flock rose from 4% in 1870 to 38% by 1892.[62]

However, wool producers in Queensland faced many difficulties from the 1880s and into the early 20th century. Between 1884 and 1886 wool prices fell and drought occurred. From the late 1880s, rabbits emerged as another threat, reducing the wool clip.[63] The relatively low wool prices of the 1880s, combined with adverse seasons, increased the indebtedness of pastoralists.[64] By 1886 Cudmore’s debts exceeded £200,000 necessitating transfer of his interest in Milo and Welford Downs to Sir Thomas Elder, Robert Barr Smith, William Robert Swan and Augustus Henry Pegler in 1888; and removing him from the partnership. Subsequently, in 1889, the lease was transferred to Elder, Smith and Swan.[65]

From 1890 to 1915, the Queensland government resumed land from large pastoral leaseholds to create smaller landholdings, adding another economic pressure for existing leaseholders.[66] In 1893, Welford Downs station lost 642.25sq miles (1663.42km2) to resumption and consolidated its 46 runs into a single run comprising 1900 square miles (4121km2).[67]

Due to low wool prices after 1893 and economic depression, further re-organisation of pastoral holdings occurred from 1896, with many pastoral properties repossessed by their mortgagees; turning banks and pastoral finance companies into major property owners.[68] The surviving companies, such as Milo & Welford Pastoral Company, became owners of a large proportion of Queensland.[69] In 1900, the company converted into the limited liability company, Milo & Welford Downs Pastoral Company Ltd, with capital of £187,613 held in £1 shares and leases comprising 4343.25sq miles (11,249km2).[70]

Meanwhile, the Federation Drought between 1898 and 1905, which was severe throughout western Queensland caused large losses. For Milo & Welford Downs Pastoral Company, the seven years of drought cost about £173,000 in stock losses, as well as large sums expended on horse feed and the destruction of wild dogs and rabbits.[71]

Nevertheless, by 1912, the Mitchell, Maranoa and Warrego pastoral districts had recovered from the drought and were carrying two thirds of the Queensland sheep population. Wool returned to its former position as Queensland’s biggest export commodity by value after gold production fell from its peak between 1900 and 1904. Wool production in Queensland peaked in 1909 at £4.8million in exports, climbing to more than £5.2 million in 1913.[72] In that year, the Mitchell pastoral district carried by far the largest percentage (38%) of Queensland’s sheep population.[73]

Further resumptions of Welford Downs station took place during the first half of the 20th century after survey for this purpose in 1909. The resultant mapping showed Welford homestead with: a building immediately west of the residence (most likely its stone kitchen); station buildings between the house and its permanent waterhole (Welford Waterhole) to its south; an ‘Old Garden’ and an ‘Old Whip’ (a simple type of crane) on the north bank of the waterhole. All these features were located within a large, wire-fenced, horse paddock that also enclosed most of the waterhole. Situated to the homestead’s northeast, adjacent to, and south of, the east-west stock route, were cattle yards.[74]

In 1910, resumption of Welford Downs station occurred. Milo & Welford Downs Pastoral Company Ltd surrendered the existing Welford Downs lease to the Crown and was granted a new lease for a reduced holding of 2800sq miles (7252km2) until 31 December 1944. Under the terms of this new lease 700sq miles (1813km2) were resumed in 1918 and a further 450sq miles (1165.5km2) were resumed in 1925.[75]

Milo & Welford Downs Pastoral Company sold Welford Downs to the Button brothers (Mervyn Percy, Thomas Cecil and Leslie Moreton) in 1918.[76] By 1921 the Button brothers owned Adaford, Welford Downs, Corrib and Achill on the Barcoo River. Welford Downs remained leased and managed by their descendants until 1991.[77]

After enduring adverse conditions between 1913 and 1937-38, Queensland’s pastoral industry experienced its greatest boom for decades immediately after World War II. The industry’s share of Queensland’s total production, rose from 22% in 1945 to 42% in 1950 (it had not comprised more than 40% of the total since 1918), reaching its post-war pinnacle during the ‘wool boom’ of 1950. Afterwards, production fell progressively, and over the next 20 years wool prices generally declined until 1970-71.[78]

The shearing shed located approximately 2.3 kilometres northwest of the Welford homestead is noted on survey plans by 1969, and archaeological evidence indicates the complex was in use from the late 1940s.[79] On wool-producing pastoral properties, the provision of accommodation for seasonal workers during the shearing season was a necessity. Shearers' quarters were built to varying standards all over Queensland from the 1840s. The Shearer's and Sugar Worker's Act 1905 was the first Queensland legislation to prescribe minimum standards for ‘proper and sufficient' seasonal worker's housing. The Workers' Accommodation Act 1915 and subsequent amendments extended these provisions. Requirements for quarters included a location away from other buildings used for pastoral purposes, suitable building materials, provision of a verandah, sleeping rooms for workers of a minimum size and height, and separate kitchen, dining room and cook's quarters.[80]

After World War II, reduction in the size of Welford Downs and a change of ownership occurred again. At the beginning of 1951 a further resumption of 152.25sq miles (394.3km2) by the Queensland Government occurred when the lease was re-issued, leaving the area at 2490sq miles (6449km2).[81] In 1964, Welford Downs was purchased by Thomas Cecil Button’s grandsons, Ron and Ian Button, from T C Button’s children: Viv Button, Joy Garde, Jeff Button and Jean Poole.[82] Between 1964 and 1971 Ron Button managed Welford Downs, followed by Ian Button as manager from 1971.[83]

A number of changes to the homestead took place during the second half of the 20th century. After the homestead was damaged by fire in 1956, its roof was replaced with a flatter hip roof.[84] The old stone kitchen was demolished, most likely in 1963, after heavy rains made it unsafe.[85]

The pastoral sector received a brief respite from the competition from synthetic fibres in 1972 and 1973, but its recorded share of total production fell throughout most of the 1970s.[86] In 1974, a minimum reserve price was introduced to provide growers with a guaranteed minimum price for their wool. The Australian Wool Corporation (AWC), purchased all wool not meeting minimum reserve price at auction. During the 1980s exceptional seasons and high demand led to wool production increasing to over 1000 million kilograms and the reserve price increased from 640 cents per kilogram to 870 cents/kg. Loss of sales led to the eventual demise of this system in the early 1990s.[87]

Aerial and other photography undertaken in 1973 showed the evolution of the homestead complex since 1909. A kitchen wing extended west from the northern end of the western wall of the homestead residence, replacing the earlier stone kitchen. The residence was protected on three sides (north, south and west) by medium to large trees, while on the east stood a fenced garden with lawns and shrubs. The verandahs encircling the residence had timber floors and were semi-enclosed with timber-framed mesh screens. At the residence’s southwest corner stood a rainwater tank on a stand. A meat house and a skillion-roofed shed were located nearby. The early station buildings such as the blacksmith workshop had been removed; replaced by a workshop/machinery shed running east-west, fuel store, worker accommodation and a shower block, all located north of the homestead residence. An east-west runway was sited west of the homestead complex.[88]

During the 1980s, the guest cottage and school were constructed of stone and gidgee, while in 1984, a swimming pool and tennis court were installed at the homestead complex.[89] In 1989, major renovations to the residence commenced with a new wing including three bedrooms added.[90] The verandahs on the northern, western, and southern sides of the pisé de terre core were enclosed and clad in chamferboards, with timber-framed doors and windows that, like the exterior of the new wing, mimicked traditional detail. New amenities included a bathroom in the former southern verandah and a kitchen in the former northern verandah, both with slate tile floors. The eastern verandah was widened and enclosed with new timber-framed gauze screens, and the floor tiled.

More land was added to the property in 1987 when the owners, Ron and Ian Button purchased the lease of the adjoining station operated by Jedburgh Pastoral Holding.[91] This large property included the land fronting the Barcoo River originally leased by Richard Welford as Walton and Henley runs.

In 1991 the Queensland Government resumed Welford Downs for a national park. Welford National Park, comprising approximately 124,000ha, was gazetted on 30 April 1993.[92]

In 2023, Welford homestead complex includes: the early pisé de terre residence (constructed between 1875-1881), which is used for national parks management purposes; a meat house (c1950s); a skillion-roofed shed (c1950s); water tank stand (c1950s-60s); and swimming pool (1984), tennis court (1984), all within a garden setting including mature trees and lawn. North of the homestead residence is a transverse-gable, timber workers dwelling (c1920s-40s); shower block (c1940s); a workshop/machinery shed (c1950s-60s; and extended eastward after 1973); a stone (eastern) cottage (1980s); a stone (southern) cottage/school house (1980s). South of the homestead residence are the stone remnants of the former blacksmith’s workshop site (forge by 1881). An airstrip with an east-west runway, constructed after 1969 and by 1973, is sited about 200m northwest of the homestead residence.[93]

More features exist at a distance from the homestead complex. About 2.3km west are a shearing shed with yards, including a sheep dip and a spray race (erected after 1909 and before 1969) and with associated shearers’ quarters, former meat house, shower block and toilet (after 1909).[94] A former polocrosse ground/complex (c1972) is located approximately 8km west of the homestead complex. In 2011 this was described as having ‘collapsed horse yards, loading ramp, bough shed bar, timber log seats and corrugated iron toilet, near the Jundah-Quilpie Road on the northern bank of the Barcoo River’.[95]

At more distant locations throughout the national park, are remnants of the property’s pastoral function over more than a century. These include four former dwellings: Old Jedburgh Homestead ruins (by 1909), Sawyer Creek Hut ruins (1922/1947), Gap Creek Bore Hut ruin (between 1919 and 1959), Adaford Homestead site (built 1917 or 1918, destroyed by fire 1925);[96] four stockyard remnants: Lily Hole (by 1908), Welford Homestead old yards (by 1909), stock route yards (by 1922), and yards near Old Jedburgh Homestead ruins (by 1947); two old water bores: Gap Creek (by 1922), Sawyer Creek (by 1922); windmills; three former rubbish dump sites: former homestead west (now air strip; late C19th-); former homestead east (c1940s/1950s-), shearing complex (1945-); livestock fences and dog netting; remnant machinery; and the headstone and grave of Jedburgh overseer, James Andrew Roberton (born c1885, died 1910; location unknown).[97]

In 2023, Welford homestead complex continues to serve as a Ranger station used by Parks for management of Welford National Park.

Description

Welford is a former pastoral station located in the Welford National Park, approximately 50km southeast of Jundah in central west Queensland. Welford comprises the homestead complex, the shearing complex, and the remnants of outstations and other sites of occupation with archaeological evidence that illustrate the extent and nature of historical activities and could yield important information relating to living and working there during the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries. The surrounding landscape is characterised by open red and brown earth dotted with tufty grass, mulga (Acacia aneura) and desert bloodwood (Corymbia terminalis), with gidgee (Acacia cambagei) generally concentrated along the mix of ephemeral and permanent water sources that traverse the land.

The homestead complex stands on high ground overlooking Welford Waterhole about 200 metres to its south and is accessed via the Welford Homestead Road (off Jundah Quilpie Road) from the west. Welford Waterhole is part of the braided course of the Barcoo River that runs approximately east to west in this area and forms the southern boundary of the former pastoral station land holding.

From the homestead complex, the shearing complex is located approximately 2.3 kilometres to its west-northwest, the Adaford homestead site is approximately 13 kilometres to its west-southwest, the Lily Hole yards site is approximately 12 kilometres to its west-northwest, the Gap Creek hut and bore site is approximately 13.5 kilometres to its north, the Sawyer Creek hut site is approximately 27 kilometres to its north-northeast, the Sawyer Creek bore site is approximately 24.4 kilometres to its northeast, and the Stock Route yards site and Old Jedburgh homestead and yards site are approximately 19 and 22.5 kilometres to its east-northeast.

Features of Welford of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Homestead complex, comprising:
  • Residence (pisé de terre core)
  • Residence grounds and views
  • Meat house
  • Shed
  • Tank stand
  • Workshop / machinery shed
  • Workers quarters and shower block
  • Remnant built features, and known and potential archaeological evidence:
    • former blacksmith’s workshop sites
    • former early yards site, northeast
    • former yards site, west
    • former homestead dump site, east
    • former homestead dump site, west (near air strip)
• Shearing complex, comprising:
  • Sheep yards
  • Shearing shed
  • Shearers quarters, shower block and toilet
  • Remnant built features, and known and potential archaeological evidence
    • former meat house remnants and associated artefacts
    • former shearers dump site
• Outstations and other ruins, comprising remnant built features, and known and potential archaeological evidence:
  • Adaford homestead site
  • Lily Hole yards site
  • Gap Creek hut and bore site
  • Sawyer Creek hut site
  • Sawyer creek bore site
  • Stock route yards site
  • Old Jedburgh homestead and yards site.

Homestead complex

The homestead complex comprises a collection of buildings and associated landscape features relating to the core occupation of the extensive former pastoral station. At the centre of the homestead complex is the residence, surrounded by its garden and mature plantings, with the meat house and shed to its west and tank stand to its south. The workers quarters, showers and workshop stand in a separate area approximately 45 metres to the north of the residence, and the former yards are located approximately 200 metres to its west. The former blacksmith’s workshop sites are located approximately 60 metres and 120 metres to the south of the residence, the former early yards site located approximately 900 metres to its northeast, and historical dump sites are located approximately 700 metres to its east near airstrip) and 350 metres to its northwest.

The open space surrounding the homestead complex is uninterrupted by later development. New buildings and amenities have been added within the homestead complex that are not of state-level cultural heritage significance. They include a stone cottage (1980s), fenced pool (1984) and tennis court (earth surface, 1984) to the east of the residence; and a stone cottage (1980s) and donga (c2000) to its south, in the vicinity of the southern former blacksmith’s workshop site.

Residence (pisé de terre core, by 1881)

The residence is a one-storey building with an L-shaped plan, comprising a rectangular pisé de terre core (by 1881) with its long elevations facing east and west, and a later extension (1989, not of state-level cultural heritage significance) joining its northwest corner. The core has a timber-framed hip roof (originally a gable roof form, rebuilt after fire, 1956) clad in corrugated metal sheets and separate, similarly-clad roofs over the verandahs that encircle it. The front (east) verandah is semi-enclosed with timber-framed gauze screens (rebuilt when verandah widened, after 1973) and overlooks a large open lawn. The rear (west) and end (north and south) verandahs are enclosed (after 1973).

Internally, the long, narrow core comprises three rooms and a hallway. At the northern end is the dining room, with the lounge in the middle and the main bedroom at the southern end. The hall runs east-west, between the dining room and lounge. The rooms and hall are accessed via French doors that open directly onto the enclosed verandahs, with the dining room and lounge also accessed via louvred timber dual doors to the hall. The lounge is square in plan and has a window in its western wall and a fireplace (after 1973) in its southwest corner. The northern enclosed verandah contains a kitchen, and the southern enclosed verandah contains an ensuite bathroom, utility, and storeroom.

The pisé de terre walls of the core are 500mm thick and extend above the level of the verandah roofs. The walls are lightly bagged (with likely traditional lime render and/or lime wash finish) and the door and window openings are bevelled on both sides of the frames, with wide unlined thresholds and embedded timber lintels above. Rooms in the core have high ceilings and the ceilings in the verandahs are raked. Floors in the core and rear enclosed verandah are timber boards.

Features of the residence of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Location and east-facing orientation, overlooking the garden lawn and towards Welford Waterhole
• One-storey rectangular core, comprising thick pisé de terre (rammed earth) walls constructed using locally sourced materials
• Timber-framed hipped roof (originally gabled) of core, clad in corrugated metal sheets, with separate roofs over encircling verandahs
• Verandahs encircling core (east semi-enclosed and widened; north, west and south enclosed), providing sheltered yet open living spaces and facilitating natural light, ventilation, circulation and access to the core rooms
• Raked ceilings in verandahs, with exposed timber beams in the front verandah
• High ceilings in core rooms, with flat sheet linings and cover strips
• Layout of core rooms and hall, accessed via French doors
• Bevelled door and window openings in walls of core, with wide unlined thresholds and embedded timber lintels visible above
• Low-waisted timber French doors to core rooms and hall
• Timber-framed double-hung sash window to western wall of lounge
• Timber and metal “WELFORD” sign to eastern wall of hall
• Timber floorboards and sub-floor framing in core rooms and rear verandah.

Residence garden and views

The residence is set within landscaped grounds, comprising open grassed areas, stone-edged garden beds, and mature trees and other plantings, that contrast with the surrounding natural landscape. The garden extents are formalised in part by stone and concrete lawn edging, and a decorative cast iron lacework fence along its southwest perimeter. Evidence of historical fence alignments and structures include trellis-framed entrances to the garden on its northern side and the remnants of a former bough shelter near the southeast corner of the residence. Access between the residence and garden is via numerous openings in the enclosed verandahs, with the screened front (east) verandah overlooking a large open lawn.

Features of the residence garden of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Semi-formal character and historical extents of garden
• Open space around the residence (facilitating light and ventilation of the enclosed verandahs and core interior)
• Open eastern lawn with stone and/or concrete edging
• Remnant fencing, including decorative cast iron lacework fence and gate along southwest extent, and tubular metal trellis-framed entrances (may incorporate materials from earlier trellis structures) along northern extent
• Mature trees, including leopard trees (Libidibia ferrea), frangipani (Plumeria spp.), bloodwood (Corymbia spp.), various eucalypt species (Eucalyptus spp.), and remnant plantings from former rows of shade trees along the northern, western and southern sides of the garden.

Views of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• View from the residence and garden looking southeast down to Welford Waterhole
• View from Welford Waterhole looking northwest up to the residence.

Meat house (c1950s)

The meat house is a small, one-storey timber-framed and -clad outbuilding with a pyramid roof, standing on the western side of the residence. Square in plan, it comprises a one-room core (former butchering room) with a concrete slab floor, surrounded by overhanging eaves. It is accessed by a single door on its northern side and has screened openings above sill level for ventilation on all sides.

Features of the meat house of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Location in proximity to residence
• Open space around the freestanding meat house (facilitating abundant ventilation of the interior)
• One-storey, square form, with pyramid roof
• Corrugated metal sheet roof cladding, metal ridge capping, wide unlined eaves and timber fascia
• Timber-frame construction
• Weatherboard exterior wall cladding below sill height
• Openings with fixed gauze screens above sill height
• Timber and metal-framed door with fixed gauze screens
• Ceiling lined with fixed gauze screens
• Flat sheet internal wall linings below sill height
• Fixed metal carcass rail with hooks
• Concrete slab floor with small concrete ramp at entrance and open earth surround.

Shed (c1950s)

The shed is a small, one-storey timber-framed outbuilding with a skillion roof, clad in corrugated metal sheets. It stands on the western side of the residence, to the immediate north of the meat house. Rectangular in plan, it is accessed via a single door at the eastern end of its southern side.

Features of the shed of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Location in proximity to residence
• One-storey, rectangular form, with skillion roof
• Timber-frame construction
• Corrugated metal sheet exterior cladding
• Boarded timber door.

Tank stand (c1950s-60s)

The tank stand is a tall, metal-framed structure supporting an elevated timber-framed tank platform topped with corrugated metal sheets, located on the southern side of the residence.

Features of the tank stand of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Location in proximity to residence
• Open-sided, metal-framed stand comprising angle posts and cross-bracing
• Timber-framed tank platform with corrugated metal sheet cladding (upper side only).

Workshop / machinery shed (c1950s-60s)

The workshop / machinery shed is a large, one-storey outbuilding with a gabled roof, standing approximately 45 metres north of the residence. Rectangular in plan, with its long elevations facing north and south, it has a large opening on its southern side. The shed has a tubular metal frame, with metal open web trusses, and is clad in corrugated metal sheets. The nature of the construction of this shed’s framing and cladding is indicative of the necessity of utilising materials and techniques at hand on a remote pastoral property. A narrow concrete path runs between the shed and the residence garden to the south.

Features of the workshop / machinery shed of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Location and orientation
• One-storey, rectangular form, with gable roof
• Tubular metal-framed construction to walls and roof, including metal open web trusses
• Corrugated metal sheet exterior cladding
• Large opening on southern side
• Concrete slab floor with small concrete ramp at entrance and open earth surround.
• Concrete path connecting shed to residence garden.

Workers quarters (c1920s-40s) and shower block (c1940s)

The workers quarters is a one-storey, timber-framed building with a transverse gable roof that continues over its front (south) and rear (north) verandahs, located approximately 20 metres west of the workshop / machinery shed. It is clad in corrugated metal sheets – predominantly standard gauge, with ripple iron on its verandah walls. Lowset, it stands on metal posts and is accessed via concrete steps. The verandahs are semi-enclosed with wire mesh on fixed timber frames. The interior comprises two rooms, each with a small window in the gable end wall and timber-boarded doors accessing both front and rear verandahs.

The shower block stands approximately 10 metres north of the workers quarters, with a narrow concrete path connecting the two structures. It is a one-storey, gable-roofed outbuilding, with a timber and metal frame, clad in corrugated metal sheets. It is accessed on its western side by a single door and has timber-framed windows in its gable end walls. An elevated water tank is attached to the southern end of its eastern side. The interior comprises an open dressing area in the centre, a toilet cubicle at the northern end and a shower cubicle at the southern end. It has a concrete slab floor.

Features of the workers quarters and shower block of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Location, orientation, and functional relationship between buildings
• One-storey, rectangular form, with gable roof
• Timber-framed (workers quarters) and metal-framed (shower block) construction
• Corrugated metal sheet exterior cladding
• Verandahs (workers quarters): unlined skillion roof form; fixed timber-framed mesh screens; ripple iron cladding; small wash basin; and timber board flooring 
• Interior layouts demonstrating original functions: two small rooms with verandah access (workers quarters); and toilet, dressing and shower facilities (shower block)
• Original door and window openings
• Timber joinery: boarded, ledged and braced doors; small timber-framed gable end windows (workers quarters); and timber bench in dressing room (shower block)
• Timber floorboards and sub-floor framing (workers quarters)
• Concrete slab floor (shower block)
• Narrow concrete path connecting buildings.

Remnant built features, and known or potential archaeological evidence

Areas around the homestead complex where there are remnants of early built features, and other known or potential archaeological evidence that illustrate the nature and extent of historical activities and could yield important information relating to living and working at Welford include:

• Late-19th to early-20th century blacksmith’s workshop sites (forge by 1881), located approximately 60 metres and 120 metres south of the homestead residence.
  • Remnants of former structures include a rectangular platform of dry-stone pitching, with the lower courses of a possible stone hearth or forge in its northeast corner (southern site), and a separate square of stone flagging (northern site).
  • A scatter of burnt bone and refuse is visible nearby.
  • A varied scatter of artefacts dominated by glass and metal, including numerous horseshoes, extends across the site and towards the river. Bottle glass dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • A large metal disc (northern site) bears the makers mark “FULLER & JOHNSON MFG. Co. MADISON WIS. U.S.A.”; this company (registered 1882 to 1935) manufactured farm engines and equipment.
  • Potential subsurface archaeological evidence includes stone pitching and flagging from other former structures, post holes, hearths, refuse pits, and glass, ceramic, and metal artefacts.     
• Late-19th to early-20th century yards site (by 1909), located approximately 900 metres northeast of the homestead residence.
  • Remnants of former early yards include round timber fence posts from post-and-rail fences and post-and-wire fences, along with fence wire and associated metal artefacts.
• Mid-20th century yards site located approximately 200 metres west of the homestead residence.
  • Remnants of the former yards illustrate a functional layout of interconnected rectilinear fenced enclosures and runs, orientated northeast to southwest
  • Post-and-rail fences: round timber corner posts with notches for rails; and timber rails (predominantly five-rails high)
  • Post-and-rail-and-wire fences: round timber corner posts; timber top rails; and metal diamond mesh or ‘K’ fencing wire
  • Timber gates, with rails and cross bracing
  • Loading ramp at southwest end: sloping form of ramp; stone and mortar construction of base; round timber end posts, with recessed timber bracing beam; round timber rails (five-rails high); central metal bracing frame and fixings
  • Two-pen shelter in southern corner: shallow-pitched, timber-framed gable roof supported on metal posts and trusses, with timber fascia and decorative bracket at apex; part-height stone and mortar partition walls forming two pens, with openings on their southeast side; timber gates to openings; and timber post-and-rail enclosure on eastern side of shelter.
• Late-19th to mid-20th century homestead dump site (from 1880s) located near the air strip, approximately 350 metres northwest of the homestead residence.
  • Earliest known dump site at Welford. Some previous disturbance (possibly mid-20th century) from earthmoving equipment was noted in 2009, and remediation works undertaken in 2015 resulted in the removal of regulated waste and the archaeological evidence being retained insitu and capped under fill.
  • Extent of dump site – prior to remediation, the main deposits formed a mound about 8 x 6 metres, with irregular surface deposits extending up to 6 metres, and a surface scatter extending approximately 30 metres to the east and southeast.
  • Potential archaeological evidence (on surface and under fill) relating to domestic and pastoral industry activities includes: intact and fragmented glass bottles and other wares of varying shape, capacity and age, including late-19th to early-20th century ‘purple glass’; ceramic fragments from domestic wares; and metal machinery and components, drums, axels, springs, wire, flat sheets, matchboxes, cartridges, jugs, cups, cans, tins, utensils, horse shoes, hobble chains, bits, files and shearing implements.
• Mid- to late-20th century homestead dump site (from c1940s-50s), located approximately 700 metres east of the homestead residence.
  • Largest dump site at Welford. Remediation works undertaken in 2015 resulted in the removal of regulated waste and much of the archaeological evidence being buried in pits.
  • Extent of dump site – prior to remediation the dump site extended, in gullies and on the surface, across approximately one hectare. Old dump pits / gullies on the northwest side of the site were retained. Remediation bury pit number one (east) is 17 x 12 x 6.5 metres deep and bury pit number 2 (south) is 15 x 15 x 7 metres deep.
  • Large artefacts retained on the surface include: several vehicle bodies (Morris utility number 6854, General Motors 1951 Chevrolet Truck, modified Austin Freeway, and Austin 303NC truck); and two Lightburn washing machines.
  • Potential archaeological evidence (in pits) relating to domestic and pastoral industry activities includes: intact and fragmented glass bottles and other wares of varying shape, capacity and age, many bearing the post-1930 Australian Glass Manufacturer’s trademark; ceramic plates, cups and other domestic wares; metal food containers, soft drink cans, tins, machinery parts, flat sheets, drums and piping.

Features of the homestead complex not of state-level cultural heritage significance

Features of the homestead complex not of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Stone cottages (1980s), fenced and landscaped pool (1984) and tennis court (earth surface, 1984)
• Residence and garden:
  • Northwest extension (1989) comprising timber-framed and -clad one-storey structure on a concrete slab base, with a corrugated metal-clad hipped roof and open-sided verandahs
  • Additions and alterations (after 1973) made to the core, including:
    • square profile guttering
    • enclosures to verandahs on north, west and south sides, including chamferboard cladding and timber-framed windows and doors that mimic traditional details
    • widening of eastern verandah
    • additions and divisions in verandah spaces, including kitchen, bathroom, utility and storeroom partitions, joinery, fixtures and fittings
    • flat-sheet linings to verandah ceilings
    • concrete slab and tiled floor finishes to rear and end enclosed verandahs
    • fireplace in lounge and freestanding combustion heater in rear enclosed verandah
  • Air conditioning plant, ducting and vents
  • Metal-framed exterior insect / security screens
  • Non-traditional (non-breathable) paint finishes and cement-based render (if evident) applied to the pisé de terre walls
  • Recent chain-wire metal fences
  • Recent garden planting schemes
• Meat house and shed:
  • Recent lighting and other electrical services
  • Stored equipment and other items not related to meat house functions
• Tank stand:
  • Plastic water tank and pipes
• Workshop / machinery shed:
  • Extension at eastern end of shed (east of the concrete path, after 1973)
  • Recent metal gates / grilles to opening on southern side
  • Machinery, equipment, tools and cupboards in interior
• Workers quarters and shower block:
  • Air conditioning units
  • Flat sheet interior linings.

Shearing complex

The shearing complex comprises a collection of buildings and associated landscape features relating to the annual shearing of the flock and occupation of the complex by shearing teams. At the eastern end of the complex is the shearing shed, with the sheep yards on its eastern and southern sides and fenced paddocks fanning out to the north and south (towards the riverbank). The shearers quarters and shower block stand in a separate area approximately 130 metres southwest of the shearing shed, with the toilet located approximately halfway between, and the shearers dump site is located approximately 300 metres west of the shearing shed.

Sheep yards (c1940s-50s)

The sheep yards comprise a collection of rectilinear and curved fenced enclosures and runs for organising and controlling sheep, connected to the northeast corner (sheep entry) and southeast corner (shorn sheep exit) of the shearing shed. A tank stand, sheep dip and spray race, and associated runs, are located along the western side of the yards. Larger, fenced paddocks fan out to the north and south (towards the riverbank).

Features of the sheep yards of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Functional layout of interconnected fenced yards, runs and paddocks
• Metal-framed fences and gates: tubular metal frames with rectilinear metal mesh
• Post-and-wire fences: round timber posts with metal wire
• Tank stand: location in proximity to dip and spray race; open-sided, metal-framed stand comprising metal posts and cross-bracing; metal ladder; timber-framed and boarded tank platform; and corrugated metal water tank
• Spray race and sheep dip: location in proximity to tank stand; layout of race and dip; metal-framed rectilinear structure; and corrugated metal sheet cladding.

Shearing shed (c1940s-50s)

The shearing shed is a large, one-storey, corrugated metal-clad building, with a layout of functional areas that illustrate shearing processes. It comprises a rectangular gable-roofed core, with its long sides facing north and south, and two skillion-roofed wings – one attached to the eastern end of its northern side and one centred on its southern side. Large openings, sheltered by skillion roofs, wrap around the southeast corner of the core.

The eastern half of the core has a raised timber floor and contains the shearing area – sheep entered a series of holding and catch pens via the northeast corner, were shorn by shearers using one of six mechanised shears along the shearing board, and exited via chutes into runs on the southern side. The shaft-driven shearing machine was powered by an engine housed in the southern wing.

The western half of the core has a concrete slab floor and contains the wool room – where the fleece was processed, graded, and pressed into bales. A later extension at the western end of the core contains the wool bale loading area. It has a dirt floor and a higher gabled roofline, supported on tubular metal web trusses, and a large loading door in its western wall.

Natural light and ventilation are facilitated via large openings that wrap around the southeast corner of the shearing area, and windows along the north and south walls of the wool room. Movable heritage items including several cast iron stoves and equipment associated with shearing processes, are stored in the wool room and loading area.

The nature of the construction of this shed’s framing and cladding is indicative of the necessity of utilising materials and techniques at hand on a remote pastoral property.

Features of the shearing shed of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Location and orientation
• Open space around the freestanding shearing shed (facilitating abundant light and ventilation of the interior)
• Functional layout illustrating shearing processes
• One-storey, rectangular gable-roofed form of core, with rectangular skillion-roofed wings
• Angle metal-framed (core), tubular metal-framed (later extension to core), and timber-framed (wings) construction
• Corrugated metal sheet exterior cladding
• Raised timber-framed floor defining shearing area, lined with narrow timber boards in pens and wide timber boards along shearing board
• Entry runs: metal-fenced runs to channel sheep from yards into holding pen
• Holding pen: open area in northeast wing; and partition along southern side (former exterior wall of core) with corrugated metal sheet wall linings below metal-framed windows, and openings to channel sheep into adjacent catch pens
• Catch pens: series of pens formed by metal and timber part-height partitions; metal gates with counterbalanced lifting mechanism; outer partitions (northern, eastern and southern sides) clad in horizontal timber boards, with three gated openings along southern side to channel sheep onto shearing board
• Shearing board and shearing machine: open area with row of six evenly-spaced mechanised shears along its southern side, each comprising a flexible handpiece and overhead friction wheel connected to the drive shaft; part-height exterior walls with timber shelves and exit chutes for shorn sheep; openings above sill height to facilitate natural light and ventilation; belt-driven drive shaft mounted on roller bearings fixed to timber beam supported on round metal posts; and shearing machine engine housed in the adjacent wing
• Exit runs: metal-fenced runs to channel sheep from shearing board into yards
• Wool room: open area facilitating a variety of wool processing functions; large, timber-framed, four-pane windows (three in north wall, three in south wall), facilitating abundant natural light; and concrete floor with evidence of post holes (from former end wall of core) at western end
• Wool bale loading area: open space for storing wool bales and large doorway for loading trucks
• Movable heritage items stored in shearing shed: four cast iron kitchen stoves of varying capacities, relocated from the shearers dump site in 2015; remnants of a former wool bale press, comprising metal components and timbers from frame; machinery and equipment; and timber benches and tables.

Shearers quarters, shower block and toilet (c1940s-50s)

The shearers quarters is a one-storey, timber-framed and weatherboard-clad building, with a gable roof clad in corrugated metal sheets. It has a rectangular core that is oriented north-south, with verandahs attached to the northern end of its east and west sides and to its southern gable end, and a small bay projecting from its western side. The verandahs are semi-enclosed with wire mesh on fixed timber frames. Lowset, it stands on metal-clad stumps and is accessed via concrete steps.

The interior accommodates individual shearer’s bedrooms at the northern end and separate cook’s bedroom in the southwest corner that are accessed via openings in the verandah walls, and kitchen, dining room and lounge at the southern end that are accessed via openings in the western side and southeast corner. The shearer’s bedrooms have windows flanking their bedroom doors. The doors and windows are timber-framed, and the timber-boarded doors are ledged and braced. The rooms have high ceilings and the walls are lined with narrow, vertical timber boards.

The shower block stands approximately 10 metres south of the shearers quarters. It is a small, timber-framed and weatherboard-clad outbuilding, with a gable roof clad in corrugated metal sheets. It is entered via an opening on it northern side, and the interior comprises a wash basin area and shower cubicle with corrugated metal partitions. A metal ‘donkey’ for heating water stands to its west.

The toilet block stands approximately halfway between the shearing shed and shearers quarters. It is a small, timber-framed build with a skillion roof, clad in corrugated metal sheets. It contains two cubicles, each with a timber-boarded door.

Features of the shearers quarters, shower block and toilet of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Location, orientation and functional relationship between buildings
• One-storey, rectangular form, with gable roof (shearers quarters and shower block) and skillion roof (toilet block)
• Timber-framed construction
• Exterior wall cladding: weatherboard (shearers quarters and shower block); and corrugated metal sheets (toilet block)
• Corrugated metal sheet roof cladding
• Verandahs (shearers quarters): unlined skillion roof form; fixed timber-framed mesh screens; timber-framed screen doors; and timber board flooring 
• Interior layouts demonstrating original functions: individual shearer’s bedrooms with verandah access, kitchen and cook’s quarters, and living and dining areas (shearers quarters); and washing and shower facilities (shower block)
• Original door and window openings
• Timber joinery (shearers quarters): boarded, ledged and braced doors; timber-framed verandah screen doors; timber-framed window openings flanking bedroom doors; multipaned vertical sliding sash windows in western bay; and shelves in kitchen
• Interior wall linings (shearers quarters): narrow, V-jointed tongue and groove timber board wall linings
• Original and early door hardware (shearers quarters): metal hooks mounted on walls in kitchen and bedrooms
• Timber floorboards and sub-floor framing (shearers quarters)
• Metal-clad stumps with ant-caps (shearers quarters)
• Hot water ‘donkey’: metal drum supported on a frame comprising tubular metal and chains, enclosed on two sides with corrugate metal sheets, and water pipes connected to the shower block.

Remnant built features, and known or potential archaeological evidence

Areas around the shearing complex where there are remnants of early built features, and other known or potential archaeological evidence that illustrate the nature and extent of historical activities and could yield important information relating to living and working at Welford include:

• Mid-20th century former meat house (c1940s-50s) remnants and associated artefacts, located on the ground adjacent to the shearers quarters.
  • Timber-framed pyramid roof, clad in corrugated metal roof sheets with metal ridge capping
  • Wooden butcher’s block
  • Metal shearers saw frame
• Mid- to late-20th century shearers dump site (from late 1940s), located approximately 300 metres west of the shearing shed.
  • Remediation works undertaken in 2015 resulted in the removal of regulated waste and much of the archaeological evidence being buried in a trench.
  • Extent of dump site – prior to remediation the dump site extended approximately 56 x 40 metres, on relatively flat ground. The remediation bury trench is 20 x 1.5 x 2.5 metres deep.
  • Potential archaeological evidence (in trench) relating to domestic and shearing industry activities includes: intact and fragmented glass bottles and other wares of varying shape, capacity and age, including numerous beer bottles bearing the post-1930 Australian Glass Manufacturer’s trademark and from the Northern Bottle Co that operated c1950-52; ceramic plates, cups and other domestic wares; and metal food containers, tins, tubes, utensils, machinery parts, fencing wire and spacers, drums and worn shearing combs.

Features of the shearing complex not of state-level cultural heritage significance

Features of the shearing complex not of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Recent metal security grilles.

Outstations and other ruins

Various outstations and other ruins are dotted across the former pastoral station. These sites retain the remnants of early built features, and other known or potential archaeological evidence relating to life at Welford from the late-19th to mid-20th centuries. These sites illustrate the nature and extent of pastoral activities and associated occupation and have the potential to contribute important information about the early and evolving history of the place, the living and working conditions of its occupants and the nature of outstation life at Welford. 

Adaford Homestead site (built 1917 or 1918)

Adaford Homestead site is located approximately 700 metres north of the Barcoo River. The site comprises the remnants of a small residence (built 1917 or 1918, destroyed by fire 1925), with an associated scatter of artefacts; a dump site approximately 60 metres to its southwest, on the edge of a drainage channel; a ship’s tank and artefact scatter approximately 50 metres to its north; and the remnants of yards or stables approximately 170 metres to its north. A timber post-and-wire fence runs north to south through the site, which is located on the historical border between the Adaford and Welford Downs leaseholds (c1882).

• House site: timber stumps in a rectilinear plan form; and a varied scatter of artefacts (some with fire damage) associated with the domestic occupation of the site, including metal bed frames, jugs, flue or water pipe, flat sheets and wire; and ceramic and glass fragments.
• Dump site: an extensive scatter of artefacts associated with domestic occupation and consumption, including intact and fragmented glass bottles and other wares of varying shape, capacity and colour, including late-19th to early-20th century ‘purple glass’; ceramic fragments from domestic wares; and metal plates, cups, bowls, buckles and cartridges.
• Ship tank site: rectilinear metal ship tank with riveted joins, and low-density scatter of fragmented brown glass bottles.
• Yards / stables site: area of bare compacted earth surrounded by remnants of timber post-and-wire fence.
• Potential archaeological evidence includes post holes from other former structures, and scatters and deposits of glass, ceramic, and metal artefacts.

Lily Hole yards site (by 1908)

Lily Hole yards site is located adjacent to the southern bank of Lily Hole, a permanent waterhole on the Barcoo River, in the vicinity of a horse paddock and yards shown on the 1909 survey plan. Square in plan, the remnant yards (by 1909) extend approximately 50 x 50 metres and comprise a functional layout of interconnected fenced enclosures and runs. The fencing around the perimeter and the larger yards on the eastern side is constructed of timber post-and-wire, and the fencing forming the curved yards and runs on the western side is metal-framed.

• Location in proximity to waterhole
• Functional layout of interconnected enclosures and runs
• Post-and-wire fences: round timber corner posts, some with timber top rails; and metal diamond mesh or ‘K’ fencing wire
• Metal-framed fences: tubular metal frames; and metal rectilinear wire mesh.
• Potential archaeological evidence includes artefact scatters and deposits associated with use of the yards.

Gap Creek hut (between 1919 and 1959) and bore (by 1922) site

Gap Creek hut and bore site is located on the eastern bank of a bend in Gap Creek. The site comprises the remnants of a small residence (between 1919 and 1959), with an associated scatter of artefacts; a bore site (by 1922) approximately 60 metres to its north; a dump site approximately 100 metres to its southeast, on the side of a small gully; and the remnants of a steam engine nearby. A tall timber post (possible telegraph remnant) stands beside a small concrete pad, between the hut and bore sites.

• Hut site: timber stumps in a rectilinear plan form and an area of stone flagging; and a varied scatter of artefacts, including metal containers and corrugated and flat metal sheets.
• Bore site: large, round, inground concrete water tank with mounded earth surround; timber fence posts around tank; adjacent collapsed metal-framed windmill; and long, narrow metal water troughs constructed of tubular metal frames and curved metal sheet troughs.
• Dump site: a scatter of artefacts associated with domestic and pastoral occupation and use of the site, including intact and fragmented glass bottles and other wares of varying shape, capacity and colour; ceramic fragments from domestic wares; and metal tins and other containers, redundant water troughs and cast-iron pipes and machinery components.
• Steam engine: portable cast-iron steam engine on four wheels, with upper flywheels to function as a belt-driven power source.
• Potential archaeological evidence includes post holes from other former structures, and scatters and deposits of glass, ceramic, and metal artefacts.

Sawyer Creek hut site (by 1922)

Sawyer Creek hut site (by 1922) is located approximately 100 metres east of Sawyer Creek. The site comprises the remnants of a small residence, with an adjacent inground water tank; the remnants of a bough shelter; and an associated scatter of building materials and other artefacts.

• Hut site: timber stumps and an area of stone flagging; and a round, inground, concrete water tank (filled with earth).
• Bough shelter: timber tree-trunk posts with forked tops standing in a rectilinear plan form, supporting a timber plate/beam, with metal wire fixings.
• Artefact scatter: a varied scatter of building materials including round and squared fallen timbers, ant caps and corrugated, profiled and flat metal sheets; along with a metal spike with ceramic insulator (possible telegraph artefact), animal traps and a cast-iron stove/oven.
• Potential archaeological evidence includes post holes from other former structures, and scatters and deposits of glass, ceramic, and metal artefacts.

Sawyer Creek bore site (by 1922)

Sawyer Creek bore site is located between two distributaries of Sawyer Creek. The bore site comprises the remnants of two inground water tanks, a windmill and associated water troughs.

• Bore site: two circular, inground concrete water tanks, one larger than the other (approximately 2.5 x 2.5 metres and 5 x 5 metres), with a mounded earth surround and accessed via stone steps; timber fence posts and wire around mound; adjacent metal-framed windmill; long, narrow metal water troughs constructed of tubular metal frames and curved metal sheet troughs.
• Archaeological potential includes artefact scatters and deposits associated with occupation and use of the bore site.

Stock Route yards site (by 1922)

Stock Route yards site (by 1922) is located on the northern bank of the Barcoo River, approximately 300 metres west of the junction with Sawyer Creek. The historical stock route runs along the southern bank of the Barcoo River. The site comprises the remnants of two separate yards, both rectangular in plan and one larger than the other, and an associated scatter of artefacts. The larger yards are approximately 80 x 100 metres and incorporate the remnants of a bough shelter. Located approximately 70 metres to the southeast, the smaller yards are approximately 35 x 80 metres.

• Location in proximity to water source and historical stock route
• Functional layout of interconnected rectilinear enclosures and runs
• Post-and-rail fences: round timber posts with notches for rails (predominantly five-rails high)
• Post-and-rail-and-wire fences: round timber posts; timber top rails; and metal diamond mesh or ‘K’ fencing wire
• Timber gates, with rails and cross-bracing
• Bough shelter: timber tree-trunk posts with forked tops standing in a rectilinear plan form, supporting a timber plate/beam, with metal wire fixings.
• Artefact scatter: a varied scatter of fencing materials including fallen timber posts and metal wire; metal tins and other food containers; and worn metal shearing combs.
• Potential archaeological evidence includes artefact scatters and deposits associated with occupation and use of the yards.

Old Jedburgh homestead (by 1909) and yards (by 1947) site

Old Jedburgh Homestead and yards site is located approximately 150 metres northwest of the Barcoo River. The site comprises the remnants of a residence (by 1909), with an associated scatter of artefacts; and the remnants of yards or stables (by 1947) approximately 150 metres to its southwest.

• House site: timber stumps in a rectilinear plan form, with a round partly buried corrugated metal water tank at its corner; an adjacent rectangular platform of dry-stone pitching; and a varied scatter of artefacts associated with the domestic occupation of the site, including ceramic and glass fragments from various wares, and metal tins and other containers.
• Yards / stables site: area of bare compacted earth surrounded by remnants of round timber post-and-wire and post-and-rail fence posts; and a small rectilinear platform of stone flagging.
• Potential archaeological evidence includes post holes from other former structures; scatters and deposits of glass, ceramic, and metal artefacts; and the grave site of James Andrew Roberton (born c1885, died 1910; location unknown).

Features of the outstations not of state-level cultural heritage significance

Features of the outstations and other ruins not of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Recent fences and barriers.

References

[1] Queensland Government Gazette (QGG), 1873, Vol.XIV, No.73, p.1306.
[2] Also spelled Pirriya and Birria (Des Crump, ‘Language of the Week: Week Two – Birria’, State Library of Queensland, <https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/language-week-week-two-birria>, 9 Jun 2020, accessed 6 Jan 2023), but should not be confused with the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation, west of Bowen/Mackay: <https://nativetitle.org.au/find/pbc/8261>, accessed 2023.
[3] Also spelled Kuungkari. (David R Horton, The ATATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, <https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia>, 1996, accessed 10 Jan 2023.)
[4] David R Horton, The ATATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, <https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia>, 1996, accessed 10 January 2023; Desmond Crump, ‘The Meaning of Barcoo’, State Library of Queensland blog, <https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/meaning-barcoo>, 22 May 2012, accessed 9 Jan 2023.
[5] Bidjara People #7 are recognised as the cultural heritage party under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003. Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Cultural Heritage Database and Register, <https://culturalheritage.datsip.qld.gov.au/achris/public/public-registry/home>, accessed 30 Mar 2023.
[6] Welford National Park Management Plan, Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), Qld Government, 2011, p.5; Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DSDSATSIP), Cultural Heritage Database and Register Search Report reference number: 127286. A full cultural heritage survey has not been undertaken on Welford National Park, and it is likely that other heritage remnants, both of Aboriginal and post-settlement origin, are yet to be found. (Environmental Protection Agency 2003, Welford National Park Fire Management Strategy, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (Unpublished), Brisbane, 2003).
[7] D W A Baker, 'Mitchell, Sir Thomas Livingstone (1792–1855)', Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB), National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mitchell-sir-thomas-livingstone-2463/text3297, accessed 25 Sep 2013.
[8] Desmond Crump, ‘The Meaning of Barcoo’, State Library of Queensland blog, <https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/meaning-barcoo>, 22 May 2012, accessed 9 Jan 2023; ‘Progress of Discovery in Australia – Report of Mr Kennedy’s Expedition’ Simmond’s Colonial Magazine and Foreign Miscellany, Vol. 14. No. 55, Jul 1848, p.302.
[9] Edgar Beale, ‘Turner, Alfred Allatson (1826-1895)’, ADB, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, <http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/turner-alfred-allatson-4758/text7905>, accessed 24 Sep 2013; National Trust of Queensland (NTQ), ‘National Estate in the Central West Region of Queensland’, NTQ, Brisbane, 1976, p.21.
[10] D B Waterson, 'Gregory, Sir Augustus Charles (1819–1905)', ADB, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gregory-sir-augustus-charles-3663/text5717, accessed 26 Sep 2013.
[11] NTQ, ‘National Estate in the Central West region of Queensland’, p.21.
[12] The Mitchell and Kennedy Pastoral Districts were proclaimed by the Governor-General of New South Wales on 17 November 1859. Tenders for runs in these districts were accepted by the newly established Queensland Government from the first Monday in July 1860. (QGG, Vol.1, No.3, 24 Dec 1859, p.10.) The former Mitchell Pastoral District forms the eastern part of the Central West Queensland region and comprises about 2/5 of its total area. (See mapping in Thom Blake, Queensland Cultural Heritage Places Context Study, EPA, Brisbane, 2005, p.64; and Resources, map: pastoral districts, 1959, 1cad-map-key-map-2mile-and-4mile-qld-2nd-series-inc-pd-bdys, <https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/1cad-map-key-map-2mile-and-4mile-qld-2nd-series-inc-pd-bdys.jpg>, accessed 19 Apr 2023.)
[13] NTQ, ‘National Estate in the Central West region of Queensland’, p.21. Namely unoccupied crown land, which was inhabited by its traditional owners.
[14] A pastoral station was often made up of a number of leasehold runs (blocks of land) and in some cases included freehold land. Stations could take their name from the name of the one of the runs, possibly the one on which the homestead was located. This was the case with ‘Welford Downs’ station. A ‘run’ is a pastoral lease from the government, of 25-50 square miles. (Queensland Government, Pastoral Run maps, <https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/museum-of-lands/surveying/qld-mapping-history/pastoral-maps#>, accessed 20 Apr 2023; Queensland Government Gazette, 1867-04-13, Vol 8, No 28, p. 367.) Elizabeth Downs was later renamed Minnie Downs.
[15] G P Walsh, ‘Allan, James Thomas (1831-1912)’, ADB, <http://adb.anu.edu.au/biopgraphy/allan-james-thomas-12/text4107>, accessed 24 Sep 2013; G W Lilley, The Story of Lansdowne: The History of a Western Queensland Sheep Station. The Lansdowne Pastoral Co Ltd, Melbourne, 1973, pp.23-4.
[16] Queensland Heritage Register (QHR) 602544 ‘Isis Downs Woolshed’; QGG, 13 Apr 1867 (Vol.VIII, No.28), p.367.
[17] Ross Fitzgerald, From the Dreaming to 1915: A History of Queensland, University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia, Queensland, 1982, pp.145-7.
[18] Rockhampton Bulletin, 24 Aug 1872, p.3.
[19] QGG: 7 Jul 1871 (Vol.12 No.68), p.986; supplement 31 Jul 1872 (Vol.XIII, No.65), p.1141; QSA: LAN/N55A,49-50;61-62; Rockhampton Bulletin: 16 Jul 1873, p.3; 18 Jul 1872, p.3; 27 Jul 1872, p.4; 1 Aug 1872, p.3; A A Morrison, ‘Hill, Charles Lumley (1840-1909)’, ADB, <http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hill-charles-lumley-3768/text5943>, accessed 24 Sep 2013; QHR 602544 ‘Isis Downs Woolshed’. Leased from 1867.
[20] Ross Fitzgerald, From the Dreaming to 1915: A History of Queensland, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, Queensland, 1982, pp.79, 95, 100-104, 135, 138-39; Henry Reynolds, Frontier: Aborigines, Settlers and Land, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1987, pp.28-30; Raymond Evans, ‘Across the Queensland Frontier’ in Bain Attwood & SG Foster, Frontier Conflict: The Australian Experience, National Museum of Australia, Canberra, 2003, pp. 64-67; Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, Aboriginal people in Queensland : a brief human rights history / Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, 2017, p.3.
[21] Fitzgerald, From the Dreaming to 1915, pp.139-41; Ray Evans, ‘“A Policy Tending to Extermination”: The Queensland Native Mounted Police’ in Ray Evans, Kay Saunders and Kathryn Cronin, Race Relations in Colonial Queensland: a History of Exclusion, Exploitation and Extermination, St Lucia, Qld, University of Queensland Press, 1993, pp.55-66; Jonathan Richards, ‘The Native Police of Queensland’, History Compass, Vol 6, no 4 (2008), p.1033. Most sources say that the Native Police were disbanded c1904, and the Aboriginal troopers became unarmed trackers in the Queensland Police Force. However, Richards states that ‘the force was never officially disbanded, but gradually disappeared as each Native Police camp was closed’, with several stations/camps remaining active on Cape York Peninsula until the start of World War I. (The Queensland Native Mounted Police Research Database, Griffith University, <https://frontierconflict.org/>, accessed 12 Jun 2023; A Whittington, ‘The Queensland Native Mounted Police’, Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland (JRHSQ), 1965, Vol.7, Issue 3, pp.508, 514, 519-20; Richards, ‘The Native Police of Queensland, p.1033.)
[22] Queensland State Archives (QSA), ITM3682599, C Lumley Hill to Colonial Secretary, 6 May 1872 <https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/frontier-wars)> accessed 2023.
[23] QSA, ITM3682599, C Lumley Hill to Colonial Secretary, 6 May 1872 <https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/frontier-wars)> accessed 2023.
[24] QSA, ITM3682599, C Lumley Hill to Colonial Secretary, 6 May 1872 <https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/frontier-wars)> accessed 2023.
[25] E D Harries in ‘In the Early Days. Murder of Richard Welford’, The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central Western Districts, 3 May 1910, p.9. Welford’s grave stone states he was killed on Walton run. Harries stated Welford and Hall were killed in ‘the bed of the [braided Barcoo] river’ where they were cutting timber.
[26] ‘In the Early Days. Murder of Richard Welford’, The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central Western Districts, 3 May 1910, p.9; QSA, ITM3682599, Report from C Lumley Hill to Colonial Secretary, 6 May 1872, <https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/frontier-wars> accessed Jan 2023. Charles Rome was a lessee of Northampton Downs station on the upper Barcoo River.
[27] QSA, Colonial Secretary Office correspondence, Item ITM3682599, Report from C Lumley Hill to Colonial Secretary, 6 May 1872, <https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/frontier-wars)> accessed Jan 2023; ‘Tambo’ and ‘Blackall’, Northern Argus (Rockhampton), 18 May 1872, p.3; Rose Scott Cowen, Crossing Dry Creeks, Wentworth Press, Sydney, 1961, pp.183-4.
[28] ‘In the Early Days. Murder of Richard Welford’, The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central Western Districts, 3 May 1910, p.9. Harries, as a primary witness, provides the most likely site of the reprisal. Other sites proposed include Battle Hole near Powells Creek (beside Yaraka-Windorah Jundah Road and about three miles from the Barcoo River) and ‘up the [Cheviot] range near Powell’s Creek’. (Cowen, Crossing Dry Creeks, p.184.) Battle Waterhole, approximately 10 miles from Jedburgh Homestead/Welford’s Grave.
[29] ‘In the Early Days. Murder of Richard Welford’, The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central Western Districts, 3 May 1910, p.9.
[30] Many stories exist about the unfettered killing of Aboriginal people in the region following Welford’s murder. The veracity of the individual stories cannot verified, but the reduction in the population of Aboriginal people of the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers was apparent by 1883. (J Heagney, ‘The Junction of the Thomson and Barcoo rivers, also the Whitula Creek’ in Edward Micklethwaite Curr, (ed.). The Australian race: its origin, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over the continent (PDF). Vol. 2, Melbourne: J. Ferres, 1886, pp.375-6.)
[31] QGG: 31 Jul 1872 supplement, p.1141; 5 Aug 1873, Vol.XIV, No.73, p.1307; Survey Plan CV9, 1909.
[32] Rockhampton Bulletin, 24 Aug 1872, p.3; 21 Sep 1872, p.5. By Order of the Curator of Intestate Estates.
[33] QSA, LAN/N55A,61-62; LAN/N55B, 214-216.
[34] Queenslander, 23 Jan 1875, p.12. The runs included: Welford Downs, Peninsula, Adaford, Henley, Walton, Adderley, Cirencester, Wandsworth, Marlow Bridge, Mortlake, Metz, Sedan, Kingston. (QGG, Vol.XIV, No.34, 20 Mar 1875, p.648.)
[35] Queenslander, 23 Jan 1875, p.12.
[36] Queenslander, 1 May 1875, p.12.
[37] QSA LAN IN79 ref:76,3788 cited by Osborne, Welford Downs Chronology, 2004.
[38] QSA LAN/N55B, 214-216 cited by Osborne, Welford Downs Chronology 2004. In 1876, the Rome brothers sold their Northampton Downs station on the upper Barcoo River. (Queenslander, 17 Jun 1876, p.1.)
[39] Queenslander, 16 Jul 1881, p.67; The Argus, 4 Mar 1882, p.14; Australian Town and Country Journal: 6 Aug 1881, p.3 and 29 Apr 1882, p.3.
[40] Queenslander, 16 Jul 1881, p.67.
[41] Miles Lewis, ‘Australian Building: A cultural Investigation’, <http://www.mileslewis.net/Australian-building/>, accessed Sep 2013; Carol Cosgrove and Peter Dowling, ‘The History and conservation of pisé buildings in the Australian Capital Territory’, National Trust of Australia (ACT) <http://www.act.nationaltrust.org.au/pise/index.html>, accessed 12 Jan 2005.
[42] G Pearson, Conservation of Clay and Chalk Buildings, Donhead, St Mary, 1992, p.18 cited by Cosgrove and Dowling, ‘The History and conservation of pisé buildings in the Australian Capital Territory’, National Trust of Australia (ACT), <http://www.act.nationaltrust.org.au/pise/index.html>, accessed 12 Jan 2005.
[43] Miles Lewis, ‘Australian Building: A cultural Investigation’, <http://www.mileslewis.net/Australian-building/>, accessed Sep 2013.
[44] Ray Sumner, ‘Pioneer homesteads of North Queensland’ in Lectures in North Queensland History, Townsville: James Cook University History Department, 1974, p.52.
[45] Kenneth McConnel, Planning the Australian Homestead, with notes on garden design by Rex Hazlewood, U Smith, Sydney, 1947, p.114 cited by Miles Lewis, ‘Australian Building: A Cultural investigation’<http://www.mileslewis.net/Australian-building/>, accessed Sep 2013. However, Ted Howard in his book about earth buildings in Australasia qualifies this by stating that when considering earth buildings’ ability to ‘resist heat from the sun’s rays in summer yet prevent the escape of heat in winter’ it is ‘a poor insulator when compared with some other materials’ (which he doesn’t name) but it is a ‘better insulator than cavity brick or timber although not a good deal better’. (Ted Howard, Mud and Man: a History of Earth Buildings in Australasia, Ink Tin Press, Melbourne, 1992, pp.ix-x.)
[46] Ray Sumner, ‘Pioneer homesteads of North Queensland’ in Lectures in North Queensland History, James Cook University History Department, Townsville, 1974, p.52; Ted Howard, Mud & Man: a history of earth buildings in Australasia, p.51.
[47] Pisé buildings constructed in the Channel Country included Birdsville’s first hotel; Windorah’s original police station (1884); hotels in Jundah, Windorah, and Canterbury; and homestead buildings at Diamantina Lakes, Cullwilla, Daroo, Palpara, Mornay, St Albans, Toorajumpa, and Monika. (sources: Blake and Beatov Design, Pisé House, Bedourie Conservation Management Plan, 2018, pp.21, 45; Ray Sumner, ‘Pioneer homesteads of North Queensland’ in Lectures in North Queensland History, Townsville: James Cook University History Department, 1974, p.52.) St Paul’s Anglican Church at Cleveland, near Brisbane (1874) [QHR 600769] was also rumoured to be a pisé building, beneath a cement-rendered façade: Telegraph, 23 Jul 1945, p.5. Most of the pisé buildings did not survive. (Courier Mail, 13 Oct 1954, p.3; ‘Things to do in Windorah’, <https://www.barcoo.qld.gov.au/visit-barcoo/windorah/things-to-do>, accessed 26 Mar 2019; Peter Forrest, The “National Estate” in the Central West Region of Queensland: A report for the Co-ordinator General’s Department, Brisbane: National Trust of Queensland, 1976, section 2.3 cited by Bedourie Pisé House and Aboriginal Tracker Hut, QHR 650098.)
[48] Shellie Cash, Ranger in charge, Southern Mulga, South West Region, Queensland Parks & Wildlife Services & Partnerships, Pers. Comm., 30 Mar 2023; Bulloo Shire Council local register, Bulloo Shire Council Planning Scheme, p.112, accessed 30 Mar 2023.
[49] Quilpie Shire local heritage register, <chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://quilpie.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Schedule-6-Local-Heritage-Register-Council-adopted.pdf>, accessed Mar 2023.
[50] Shellie Cash, Ranger in charge, Southern Mulga, South West Region, Queensland Parks & Wildlife Services & Partnerships, Pers. Comm., 30 Mar 2023.
[51] These additional buildings are: Portland Downs homestead residence, Ilfracombe, central west Queensland (constructed by May 1882); men’s quarters, Arrabury station, far south-west Queensland (1880s); hotel at Richmond (part pisé; date unknown); pavilion of Alice Downs homestead residence, Hughendon (date unknown); Bulloo Downs homestead and two other buildings on site (date unknown); visitors’ quarters, Nockatunga Homestead, via Thargominda, south-west Queensland (date unknown); and Cowley Homestead, Quilpie Shire (date unknown). (Ray Sumner, ‘Pioneer Homesteads of North Queensland’ in Lectures in North Queensland History, James Cook University, 1974, p.53; Howard, Mud & Man, pp.51-3; Coniston, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, LHIS database, ref 638448; Peter and Sheila Forrest, Their Promised Land: a history of the people and places of the Barcoo Shire, Western Queensland, Barcoo Shire Council, Jundah, 2014, p.268; Cowley Homestead reported place in the Quilpie Shire local heritage register, <chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://quilpie.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Schedule-6-Local-Heritage-Register-Council-adopted.pdf>, accessed 11 Apr 2023.)
[52] The Rome brothers became substantial leaseholders in the Mitchell Pastoral District. The Queensland Government Gazette 1882 listed them as lessees of 19 runs including Welford Downs, Henley and Walton, while Charles Rome was lessee for a further 13 runs. (QGG, Jul-Dec 1882, pp.1524-25.)
[53] The Argus, 28 Sep 1882, p.6; The Mercury (Hobart), 17 Oct 1882, p.1S; The Queenslander, 14 Oct 1882, p. 493; Western Champion (Blackall/Barcaldine), 27 Oct 1882, p.2; QSA: TRE 14, 68, 135; QSA: LAN/N55A, 49-50; QSA: LAN/N55B, 214-216. The runs comprising Welford Downs and Sedan stations were Peninsula, Romula, Bowfell, Trickett, Putney, Dornock, Ledburgh [Sedburgh], Welford Downs (North), Adaford, Henley, Metz, Eden Downs, Cumberland, Kingston, Adderley, Sedan and Walton. Although Charles Rome continued to be listed in the Queensland Government Gazette as the lessee of these blocks until 1888, reports on stock movements and sales show that Cudmore, Swan and Co were considered the owners of Welford Downs. QGG, Jul-Dec 1884, 340; QSA, LAN/N55A, 49-50; QSA: LAN/N55B, 214-216 cited by Osborne, Welford Downs Chronology, 2004; Wagga Wagga Advertiser, 31 May 1883, p.3.
[54] Forrest, Their Promised Land, p.45. The stone kitchen demolished circa 1963 was possibly the stone homestead list in the properties improvements when it was advertised for sale in 1875.
[55] Harry F Akers, ‘A complex mosaic: groundwater, ‘the big spill’ and the wool industry in pre1960s Queensland’, Queensland History Journal, Vol.21, No.3, (2010), p.119.
[56] ‘Genealogical Data Page – Augustus Henry Pegler’, <http://sellwood.info/data/n_1c.htm>, accessed 25 Sep 2013; The History of Milo and Ambathala: the sheep and cattle runs in south-western Queensland held by Milo Pastoral Company Ltd, successor to Milo and Welford Downs Pastoral Company, Milo Pastoral Company, Adelaide, 1963, p.12.
[57] P A Howell, 'Cudmore, James Francis (1837–1912)', ADB, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cudmore-james-francis-271/text9913, accessed 24 September 2013.
[58] Milo Pastoral Company, History of Milo, p.12.
[59] Milo Pastoral Company, History of Milo, p.12.
[60] Howell, 'Cudmore, James Francis (1837–1912)', ADB, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cudmore-james-francis-271/text9913, accessed 24 Sep 2013.
[61] A L Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange 1884-1984, Boolarong, Brisbane, 1984, p.49.
[62] Pearson and Lennon and Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Pastoral Australia: fortunes, failures and hard yakka: a historical overview 1788-1967, Australian Heritage Council, Collingwood, Vic, 2010, p.102.
[63] Fitzgerald, A History of Queensland, 1986, pp.150-51; Pearson and Lennon, Pastoral Australia, p.102; Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange, p.49.
[64] Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange, p.49.
[65] P A Howell, 'Cudmore, James Francis (1837–1912)', ADB, <http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cudmore-james-francis-271/text9913>, accessed 24 Sep 2013; Milo Pastoral Company Ltd, History of Milo, p.12; QSA: Treasury Department, Ledger of rent payments for runs – Pastoral District of Mitchell (1878-1906),TRE 14, 68,135 (microfilm Z4135); QSA: LAN/N55A, 49-50; QSA: LAN/N55B, 214-216 cited by Osborne, Welford Homestead Chronology, 2004.
[66] Michael Pearson, Jane Lennon, Pastoral Australia, p.132.
[67] Milo Pastoral Company Ltd, History of Milo, p.13; QSA, Treasury Department, Ledger of rent payments for runs – Pastoral District of Mitchell (1878-1906), TRE14, 458, Item ITM105437, (microfilm Z4135).
[68] Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange, p.49. For example, Australian Mutual Life & Finance Company.
[69] Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange, p.49; Pearson and Lennon, Pastoral Australia, p.122; Milo Pastoral Company Ltd, History of Milo, p.13.
[70] Milo Pastoral Company Ltd, History of Milo, p.13.
[71] Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, 9 Jun 1905, p.12. It took 20 years before the Milo & Welford Downs Pastoral Co paid a dividend. (Howell, 'Cudmore, James Francis (1837–1912)', ADB, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cudmore-james-francis-271/text9913, accessed 24 Sep 2013.)
[72] Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange, pp.52, 66-67.
[73] N G Butlin, ‘Distribution of sheep population: preliminary statistical picture 1869-1957’ in Barnard (ed) The Simple Fleece, np, nd, p.293; Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange, p.69. The next highest percentages were in the following pastoral districts: 13% in Warrego, 12% in Maranoa and 11% in Bourke.
[74] Resources, Survey Plan CV6 (Welford Downs resumption: 1909).
[75] Milo Pastoral Company Ltd, History of Milo, p. 13; QSA: LAN/N79; Register of Rent on Various Runs, 161; History of Milo, p.13.
[76] ‘Central Queensland Settlement: Land Commissioner’s Report’, 8 Nov 1919, Capricornian, 8 Nov 1919, p.44. The article quotes the Land Commissioner’s Report for the year ended 31 December 1918, ‘taken from the annual report of the Lands Department recently presented to Parliament’.
[77] ‘Central Queensland settlement Land Commissioner’s Report’, Capricornian, 8 Nov 1919, p.44 (sale of Welford Downs station in year ending 31 Dec 1918); Dorothy Dean, Jundah Scrapbook: Jundah 1883-1983, The Longreach Printing Co, Longreach,1983, p.7; Morning Bulletin, 4 Nov 1921, p.8; M J Fox, History of Queensland: Its People and Industries, Vol. 2., States Publishing Co, Brisbane, 1921, p.346; Longreach Leader, 22 Feb 1924, p.8; Queensland Figaro, 5 Jan 1929, p.7.
[78] Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange, pp.67, 91-92, 112-113. (The pastoral industry at this time comprised wool, tallow, meats, livestock, hides, skins); Barry White, ‘Introduction to the Australian wool industry. Australian wool industry overview – Milestones in the history’, p.5, <chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.woolwise.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01.2-Milestones-in-Australian-Wool-History-Notes.pdf>, accessed 24 Apr 2023. (In 1970-71, the wool price fell to 60 cents per kilogram.)
[79] Queensland Government CSQ Open Data Portal, map: windorah_surface_250k_ang_ed1_1969_geology_series, <https://geoscience.data.qld.gov.au/data/map-collection/mr000435>, accessed Apr 2023; Gordon Grimwade, Welford National Park: archaeological assessment of former dumps for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Dept of Sport and Racing, Apr 2015, p.4.
[80] QGG, 1915, 30 Dec No.268; QGG, 1905, 14 Nov No.122; QGG, 1921, 17 Nov No.201 cited by QHR 602805 Myall Park Botanical Garden.
[81] Milo Pastoral Company Ltd, History of Milo, p.13.
[82] Dean, Jundah Scrapbook, p. 7; Vicky Killeen, Geoff Savage and Beryl Moody, End of the Line: a brief history of Yaraka and district, Vicky Killeen, Isisford, 1991, p.35.
[83] Dean, Jundah Scrapbook, p.7.
[84] Dean, Jundah Scrapbook, p.7; Ian Button, Pers. Comm. 10 Feb 2005 cited by J Ruig, Welford Homestead chronology, 2007.
[85] Former owner, Penny Button, in her letter to the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) (NTAQ), 17 Apr 1973, NTAQ file: BAR3 Welford Homestead cites 1962 as the year of the kitchen’s demolition. However, 1963 is cited as the year of the kitchen’s demolition in Dean, Jundah Scrapbook, p.6. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded flooding along the Barcoo in January 1962 and early 1963. However, 1963 appears the most likely year as heavy rain occurred in Queensland’s central districts in the second and third weeks of January 1963 and record rainfall affected the central interior from 25-31 March causing serious flooding of the Barcoo river system. (BOM, Queensland Flood Summary 1960-1969, <http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_history/floodsum_1960.shtml>, accessed 11 Apr 2023.)
[86] Lougheed, The Brisbane Stock Exchange, pp.157-58.
[87] Established as the Australian Wool Commission in November 1970, later becoming the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). This scheme was funded by a proportion of the tax paid by growers on the value of shorn wool, and was administered by the AWC. This wool was later sold during periods of higher prices. After the USSR, a major purchaser of Australian wool, could no longer afford to maintain its imports, the wool market collapsed. After the AWC stockpile reached 4.7 million bales, the reserve price scheme was suspended in February 1991. The stockpile was sold off, which kept wool prices low and wool production fell. (White, ‘Introduction to the Australian wool industry. Australian wool industry overview – Milestones in the history’, pp.5-7, <chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.woolwise.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01.2-Milestones-in-Australian-Wool-History-Notes.pdf>, accessed 24 Apr 2023.)
[88] NTAQ, File BAR3, Welford Homestead.
[89] Ian Button, Pers. Comm. 10 Feb 2005 cited by J Ruig, Welford Homestead chronology, 2007.
[90] Ian Button, Pers. Comm. 10 Feb 2005 cited by J Ruig, Welford Homestead chronology, 2007.
[91] Killeen et al, End of the Line, p.35.
[92] QGG, No.134, 30 Apr 1993, p.2042; <http://thecouriermail.com.au/extras/federation/CMFedCWButtons.htm>, accessed 2013; Killeen et al, End of the Line, p.36; Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2004: Request 1043281; Department of Natural Resources.
[93] Queenslander: 23 Jan 1875, p.12, 16 Jul 1881, p.67 (homestead); NTAQ, file BAR3 Welford Homestead, aerial photograph, 1973; Ian Button, Pers. Comm., 10 Feb 2005 (1980s buildings); Queensland Government CSQ Open Data Portal, map: windorah_surface_250k_ang_ed1_1969_geology_series <https://geoscience.data.qld.gov.au/data/map-collection/mr000435>, accessed Apr 2023.
[94] Resources, Survey Plan CV6, 1909; Queensland Government CSQ Open Data Portal, map: windorah_surface_250k_ang_ed1_1969_geology_series (shearing shed), <https://geoscience.data.qld.gov.au/data/map-collection/mr000435>, accessed Apr 2023.
[95] Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), Welford National Park Management Plan 2011, DERM, Brisbane, 2011.
[96] The date for the erection of the Adaford homestead residence appears to have occurred after the property’s advertisement for sale on 25 Nov 1916, with no house included in its improvements, and probably after its purchase by Button brothers, which the Land Commissioner for Central Queensland reported as occurring in 1918. However, at the inquest into the fire that destroyed the homestead, its date of erection was stated as about 1916. (See: ‘Adaford for sale’, Western Champion & General Advertiser for the Central Western Districts, 25 Nov 1916, p.7; ‘Queensland Pastoral Directory of Station and Grazing Farms’, Pugh’s Almanac, 1919, p.1139, which lists Adaford as owned by F F Bucknell to 31 Dec 1917; ‘Central Queensland Settlement: Land Commissioner’s Report’, Capricornian, 8 Nov 1919, p.44; ‘Burning of Adaford Homestead, Inquiry Closed’, Longreach Leader, 30 Oct 1925, p.7.
[97] DERM, Welford National Park Management Plan 2011, DERM, Brisbane, 2011: QPWS photographs, 2005, 2013, 2022; Resources, Survey Plans CV3 (1908), CV6 (1909); QSA, ITM306451, map, 1959; QSA, ITM437662, maps: 1922, 1923, 1947; Gordon Grimwade, Welford National Park: archaeological assessment of former dumps for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Dept of Sport and Racing, April 2015, pp.4, 12, 16; Queensland Register of Deaths, ref: 1910/C/15; ‘Western Incidents’, Brisbane Courier, 22 Apr 1910, p.6; 2005 photographs of the headstone and grave site at Welford taken by QPWS and stored in DESI’s Living Heritage Interactive System (LHIS).

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