Sleat Bank, Hamilton

813 Murndal Road Yulecart Vic 3301

[Previous Post: National Trust Tasmanian Heritage Register 14 .... Next Post: Winmarleigh Lodge and Stables]

• style: Edwardian; Edwardian Interiors
• Sale listing and photographs

"THE folk at Heritage Council Victoria do not miss much and they certainly know about Sleat bank:

• The organisation praises this Edwardian-era gem as “a particularly complete example of a homestead complex including a substantial house with many intact interiors and some architectural pretension”.
• Located 12km west of Hamilton, Sleatbank was believed to be built in 1910, but traces its history to the settlement subdivisions of the late 1800s."
  • Sleatbank was owned by Alexander Armstrong who retired to Toorak and died in the early 1970's. He was probably the nephew of Mary Ann Bell (nee Armstrong) and Jean Stewart (nee Armstrong).
  • Bob Bell, son of Alan Victor Bell and Janet Bell, managed the property until its sale in the 1970's. It is now owned by the Blue Gum Company.[1]

Sleatbank is an iconic district property located in the heart of the Western District close to Hamilton and within an hour of coastal destinations such as Port Fairy.

Sleat Bank complex is located on the south side of the Murndal Road, near Yulecart.

• The land was purchased by the McGilvray family following the Closer Settlement subdivision in the late nineteenth century.
• It passed to Neil McGilvray and was then sold out of the family in 1890.
• One of the next owners was Alexander Thompson of Pierrepoint and he probably built the house.

Sleat Bank is a single storey timber building clad with weatherboard, and in the Federation/Domestic Queen Anne style typical of the Edwardian Period. 

• No architect has yet been linked with the design but its sophistication and the quality of the building work strongly suggests an architect was involved.

The front door and its surround are a particularly fine example of leadlighting.
One of the more distinctive features of the house is the tapered chimneys, which divide the windows on the side elevations.
Most of the fashionable interior detailing and joinery survives, including Art Nouveau carved mantels and panelling. Several early carpets also survive.
The service areas have been altered and modernised. The house is in good condition. 

A mature garden surrounds the house, planted out with a variety of conifers, and a fine Lemon Scented Gum (Eucalyptus citriodora). 

• There are extensive outbuildings at the rear, and beyond the main rear yard, the original stables.
• The woolshed and men's quarters stand isolated in a nearby paddock. The whole of the complex is in good condition and retains a high degree of integrity.

How is it significant?

Sleat Bank is of historical and architectural significance to the community of Yulecart and the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?

The Sleat Bank Homestead complex is of historical significance as a representation of pastoralism at the turn of the twentieth century after Closer Settlement. 

• It is of architectural significance as a particularly complete example of a homestead complex including a substantial house with many intact interiors and some architectural pretension overall.
• The house is supported by a fine period garden and by the yard and suite of substantial outbuildings to the rear. - Read more:

A substantial Historic Edwardian homestead containing 7 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Formal Lounge and Dining rooms, Butlers Pantry, large country kitchen, pantry and office.

• Considerable period features including lead lighting, art nouveau mantles, significant internal detailing and joinery typical of the Federation / Queen Anne style of the Edwardian period.

• The Homestead is set in sweeping lawns surrounded by mature trees.
• A mature garden surrounds the house and there are extensive outbuildings, including the original stables, shearers’ quarters, eight-stand woolshed with bugle sheep yards, steel cattle yards and machinery shed.

• “We have underground and above-ground tanks for drinking water supplies, but unlimited bore water for everything else,” Monique said.
  
• A separate cottage on the property overlooks winter wetlands that attract a wide variety of birdlife.

References

• Weekly Times
• Sale listing and photographs
• Victorian Heritage Register

---

1. ^ http://bellarmstrong.kihlstrom.com.au/pages/arrondevong_sleatbank_sprayfarm.htm