Rahilly Trees and Stables, former outbuildings

1275 Frankston Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs

Stables facing Broderick Rd.

Citation:

History
The earliest iron clad buildings on the former extent of this property may date from an early phase in its history when in 1867 its site in Crown Allotment 54, Parish of Lyndhurst, was transferred from mercy Wedge to Thomas Rossiter.

Then part of a large acreage of 1751 acres, the property included Crown Allotments 55, 56, 57 and 58.1 A farmhouse was rated on the property the following years.2

Mercy Rossiter had become the wife of Henry Wedge. In 1852 the large Wedge holdings were subdivided. Charles took Bangam and John and Henry had the lease for Ballymarang. The brothers purchased large sections of their original squatting runs. The Rossiters were a Somersetshire family who arrived in colonial Victoria in 1842.3

John Wedge and Thomas Rossiter (holder of Crown Allotment 54 in 1867) were among leading breeders of draught stock who captured the market from Van Diemans Land (Tasmania). Thomas Rossiter also played a leading role in the Cranbourne district and was among the founders of the district's annual shows.4

Stone pines and former house site on hilltop.

Later History of the Property
More recently, from the 1920s, the Broderick family have been associated with this property. In 1922, John Broderick, a Cranbourne farmer, owned 130 acres in Crown Allotment 54, part of the original 611 acre property owned by J and H Wedge.5

The building on Broderick's land is said to relate to the site of 1275 Frankston-Dandenong Road.6 By 1927 the owner was Mrs John Broderick, when the valuation had increased slightly.7 Mrs Broderick owned the property still in 1938-39 and in 1939-40. By then her house was described as a six-roomed wattle and daub house.8

An inspection of subdivisional plans is needed to determine if the Brodricks were the owners of the property at 1275 Frankston-Dandenong Road. In addition, there would need to be an close investigation of the fabric of the iron clad building to determine whether could date from the 1860s.

Description
The distinctive aspect of this property is the mature trees at the hilltop next to a recent house (c1966), including two mature but typical Monterey pines and what are thought to be four rare stone pines ('Pinus pinea'). They are on the former Broderick property (CA 54) and may date to their 1920s occupation or earlier. Other planting of note includes a row of "Cupressus macrocarpa', possibly the 1920s; what may be mature peppercorns ('Schinus molle' var. 'areira'), and a very tall succulent near the latter tree group.

Two steeply gabled corrugated iron clad outbuildings facing Broderick Rd. (part of 85 Broderick Road but once part of this property) appear to be earlier and are now used as stables. They may date from the Rossiter tenure.

Condition
Although probably planted by the Brodericks after 1920, the trees may be all that survives from the house site and the outbuildings appear externally near original.

Context
The hill is prominent in the area, for its semi-rural character and its elevation, also its mature trees. The outbuildings, facing to the south are also in a semi-rural setting, as they would have been in earlier times.

Significance
The four stone pines are rare in the City and, with the more common Monterey pines, they mark the spot by their maturity and rarity, of a prominently sited local farm house which was built on the hill in the 1860s and remained there until at least World War Two. The site, if not the trees, has associations with the locally important Rossiter & Wedge families. The corrugated-iron clad stables have potential regional historical significance if an1860s date of construction could be confirmed, also linking them to the Rossiter and Wedge families, pioneering district squatters (internal inspection required).

Boundaries
Extent of current allotments at 1275 Frankston Dandenong Road and 85 Broderick Road, including the 4 stone pines on the former with a nominal margin of land 5m either side.