the voice of swan hills the best of belhus
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his month we highlight the existence of possibly the last unspoilt area in the Swan Valley, its heritage and potential tourism value generally unrecognized. In terms of history, it could easily be described as the area’s best kept secret, and could, with some planning, easily be showcased in the same manner as All Saint’s Church in nearby Henley Brook. Belhus, located next to both Aveley and The Vines, was named in 1897 after the English family estate owned by Edmund Barrett-Lennard, a pioneer of the table grape industry so important in the Swan Valley. Relatives of Barrett-Lennard still live in the community to this day, and there are streets named after him, and other significant contributors to the Valley’s establishment, throughout Herne Hill, Aveley and other surrounding suburbs. The story of the BarrettLennards and other Swan Valley pioneers makes for an interesting read if you are intrigued by the area’s history. This particular part of the valley is absolutely beautiful. Besides the flourishing flora and fauna, Belhus’ historical value is cemented by the existence of Bull’s Cottage, the adjoining grape-picker’s huts, a lime kiln, Cruse’s mill, the dam to supply water to the mill, and a timber bridge built by early convict labour. Bull’s Cottage, also known as Mill House or Millhouse Cottage (depending on your source), is a two-storied brick building constructed in 1831 by Lieutenant Henry Bull (a name that is carried through the suburbs of both Bullsbrook and Bull Creek). It is possibly the oldest existing private dwelling in the State, later becoming the home of the Barrett-Lennard family.
The rebuilt mill 10
Frank Alban MLA
The grape-pickers’ huts (left) and the cottage (right)
The adjoining grape-pickers’ huts of that era Corona Way Park via footpath. are a great example of how the vineyard workers The bridge, built nearby in the mid-1800s were accommodated. Believed to have been built by convicts and aboriginal prisoners would have served as a major crossing across Ellen’s Brook, allowing people from the northern districts to the mill, Guildford, and surrounding areas, being a somewhat significant access route in its day. It is interesting to note how the infrastructure worked together; the kiln to build the bricks for the cottage, the dam to supply the mill, in order to form The timber bridge a cohesive whole. The property in the latter half of the 1800s, they provide a listed as 30 Corona Way was purchased in 1987 tangible example and context to the Swan Valley’s by John Roberts, of Multiplex Constructions, a history of viticulture and viniculture. man who spent a considerable amount of money The Lime Kiln likely dates back to the 1830s restoring the house, the grape pickers’ huts, and and was used to produce Lime required for the rebuilt the ruins of the mill. Mortar needed for the construction of Bull’s While Mr Roberts passed away in 2006, his Cottage. It is believed the required bricks were commitment to Belhus’ history will live on. Both handmade and fired the dam and the bridge are on public land, and locally at a nearby the bridge currently requires work to restore it to clay pit. a safe condition. While the mill There are significant benefits in terms of was possibly the historical tourism to be found in Belhus, and it first flour mill is something I would like to see discussed in the in the State, it future. u n f o r t u n a t e l y While subdivision of adjoining land is burned down in the generally accepted, there is concern in the local late 1800s. Then- community that the impact of the residential owner, Mr John development nearby has the potential to affect Roberts, rebuilt the this last remaining unspoilt historic precinct. mill in the 1980s. The Belhus community is campaigning to The dam, built to retain as much of the historic infrastructure supply water to as possible for future generations to enjoy, by the mill probably voicing their support for the provision of an dates back to 1837, adequate buffer zone between the historic sites. still exists, and is and the residential development, and I join them accessible from in hoping for a positive outcome in this matter.