Rosebank

Constructed in around 1858 for George Melrose and his wife Euphemia nee Thomson. George was a stockholder who began purchasing Crown Land in the mid 1840s, gradually building up a large property, much of which remains in the family today. George and Euphemia produced 11 children,

Rosebank welcomed visitors and guests regularly. The beautiful gardens were often the scene of Garden Fetes, the money raised going to the various causes in the district, such as the Presbyterian Church, local hospital, Soldiers' Memorial Hall and Red Cross.

Wangara Dairy was established at Rosebank by RT Melrose, with purchases of prize stock in 1916 and 1917. In order to produce the best there was no expense spared in the purchase of stud stock.

At the Rosebank estate Mr. Melrose has nearly 100 nice quality stud stock, his object being to establish three dairies, namely, Jersey, milking Shorthorn, and Ayrshire. There are now 70 cows being milked at one dairy, which is being worked on the share system with competent dairy experts in charge. The Jersey bull Merlin (imp.) is four years old, and was bred by Lord Rothschild at Tring Park, England. He is finely bred and has deep and rich milking ancestry...

... The Shorthorn bull (milking strain) 'Gay Boy'' (imp.) was bred by Lord Rothchild at Tring Park. ... ...Gay Boy' is a rich roan, showing nice quality in bone, a good skin, carrying line hair over a medium-sized frame, with no pretentions to develop into a beefer. He is of good type, viewed from a dairyman's standpoint. ... ...The Shorthorn heifers in the consignment come from some of the best milking strains in New South Wales. Three, which were purchased from the famous Darbalara Shorthorn herd, are rich roans, in calf to a good bull. ... ...By the same boat there arrived four young bulls (milking Shorthorns), the property of the South Australian Government. These were purchased for the benefit of dairying districts where any agricultural bureau or individual dairymen can agree to carry out the conditions set down by the Department of Agriculture for the use of the animal. These bulls are exceptionally well bred, of good color, type, and claim close relationship to heavy milk ancestry.

The dairy was dispersed in 1928, when the decision was made to establish an Aberdeen Angus cattle stud in its place.

In 1928 RT Melrose brought five Shetland ponies to South Australia, in order to start a small stud.

An Aberdeen Angus cattle stud was newly formed that same year. This was to take place of the previous milking Shorthorn stud. RT Melrose was tempted by reports of great export value of “baby beef”with an average grown cow dressing about 900 pounds of beef. A visit from the Agricultural Bureaus of South Australia saw the thick natural pastures which had been well dressed with superphosphates, producing growth a foot to 18 inches, with barley grass and other herbages, together with subterranean clover, providing good fodder for four to five sheep to the acre, and still requiring mowers to keep in check.

Experimentation was taking place with Border Leicester-Merino ewes crossed with Suffolk Down, Dorset Horn and Border Leicester rams, producing crossbred lambs.

Poultry yards were inspected with enclosures of fowls and ducks of varying breeds, whilst another portion of the garden was home to peacocks and peahens, with white swans swimming on miniature lakes.

Since the 1980s sheep production has been the mainstay of the property, with wool production a priority. Rosebank merinos stem from the original stud founded on the Murray strain which was deregistered in 1960. In 2004 550 breeding ewes were procured from the Marnoo district of Victoria, with surplus stock being sold locally at Mount Pleasant and the wool clip via Quality Wool.

The State Heritage listed woolshed was built for 20 blade shearers, and in 1896 15 blade shearers used to shear 4000 sheep in a week. The property had 25,000 head of sheep with shepherds living in stone huts throughout the property in order to take care of the flock. The ruins of many of these cottages can still be seen today.

In 1910... Up the hill a little distance is the shearers' quarters, while still higher is the new shearing shed. This structure measures 148 by 48 ft., and for stability and appointments it is excellent. Messrs. Melrose prepared the design upon which it was erected, and they apparently forgot nothing. There is ample accommodation for 20 shearers on the boards at the same time, and when necessary 1,000 sheep can, be kept under cover, without difficulty. In addition there is the customary provision for the woolclasser and his assistants, and for baling the fleece. Near to the shed are the sheepdip and yards, and the arrangements here are such that the sheep can be handled with the utmost ease and effectiveness.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Monday 7 October 1940, page 13

Visit To Rosebank

... Mr. R. T. Melrose invited us out to "Rosebank" to lunch; and beautiful the garden was, assuming the fresh green tints of spring. We found our host much improved In health, and as enthusiastic as ever about his well-bred Aberdeen Angus cattle and Merino sheep. By the way, white-coated sheep out in the paddock revealed that shearing was in progress. Over at the big stone woolshed, which will hold up to 1,000 sheep under cover, we found Ron Horwood (manager of Rosebank) in charge. A small team of blade shearers were at work. In one pen were some enormous wethers, which would cut 20 lb. of wool. At lunch we referred to the animals in the deer park, and Mr. Melrose told us that he had bred two white kangaroos this year. I reflected upon the memorable events I had seen at "Rosebank" at various times during the past 24 years—a regatta on the big private reservoir in aid of funds during the last war, big milking Shorthorn cattle and swine dispersal sales, at which men on the land bought pedigreed animals at nominal prices, in conformity with Mr. Melrose's policy of doing something for them and the State.

During the early 1900s the Presbyterian Church benefitted from the garden fetes held at Rosebank. One can only wonder at the noise that would have been occurring during the strawberry fete of November 1904...

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 19 November 1904, page 14

MOUNT PLEASANT.

November 14.— A strawberry fete in connection with the anniversary services of the Presbyterian Church were held at Rosebank on Saturday afternoon. The grounds and garden were placed at the disposal of the friends of the church by the Messrs. Melrose Bros. A very large gathering assembled, and availed themselves of the opportunity of having a look at the beautiful gardens. The ladies at the strawberry, sweet, and tea stalls did a brisk trade. In addition to the adults, the Messrs. Melrose Bros, invited all the school children attending the Mount Pleasant, Tungkillo, Sanderston, Rhino Villa, Millendilla, and Chromar schools. In all there were about 350 children present, who were treated to strawberries and tea, and admission to the ground. The total takings for the day were £57 13/9. The ladies who assisted at the stalls were:— Sweets, Misses Thomson (2), Randell (2) ; tea. Mesdames Dewell, Thomson, McLean, Misses Brice (2), McCallum (2), and Loveday; strawberries, Mesdames Hillam, Ham, Naismith, Townsend, Misses Sketheway (2). Setaro's string band was in attendance. and played excellent music during the day.

Fundraising for worthwhile causes was a regular occurrence. with funds from the garden parties going towards the Red Cross in April 1916, with a newspaper report mentioning many who attended.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 8 April 1916, page 32

GARDEN FETE AT ROSEBANK.

On Saturday last a large gathering assembled at Rosebank, Mount Pleasant, the residence of Mr. George Melrose for the occasion of a garden fete in aid of the Red Cross Society. Excellent results were obtained by the sale of goods with which the stalls were well provided. A splendid supply of produce of all kinds was sold by Mrs McBean and Mrs. Wellsman, Mrs. Ferguson, Miss Barbara South, Miss Effie Ferguson, and Miss Jean Hawkes, had charge of the fancy stall and afternoon tea was served under the direction of Mrs. Tapscott, Mrs. Cork, Miss Siedel, Miss Sember, the Misses Polst, Miss Seeliger, Miss Meakins, Miss Lutzow. Miss Follet and Miss Harding had charge of the branpie. Among those present were Mrs. Arthur Waterhouse, Mrs. Daw, Mrs. Teasdale Smith, Mrs. Marsh, Mrs. Murray Dawson.. Mrs. J. Proctor, Mrs. Farr, Mrs. Basil Teesdale Smith, Mrs. Richard Keynes, Mrs. Walter Smith, Mrs. Heggie, Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. A. McDiarmid, Mrs. Tamblyne. Mrs. Dewell, Mrs. Merry, Mrs. Harding, Mrs. Thomson, Mrs. Hay, Miss Waite, Miss Eva Waite, Miss Helen Murray, Miss Mary Murray, Miss Lily Melrose, Miss Dewell, Miss Keynes, Miss Marryat, Miss Far, Miss Brice, Miss Claire von Treuer, Miss Lizzie Murray, Miss E. Young, and Miss Harding. The substantial sum of £73 10/ was taken during the afternoon.

in November 1918, with numerous stalls and strawberries and cream a temptation along with a visit to the beautiful garden. Mrs Hillam is mentioned as having charge, along with a group of other ladies. Presbyterian Church in 1929,

Bushfires occurred intermittently with a large on in 1901, which ... For two days the fire burnt all that came in its path, and it is estimated that damage to the extent of nearly £20,000 has been caused. The losses include nearly 1,000 sheep, about 40,000 acres of grass, and hundreds of miles of fencing, besides houses, haystacks, gardens, and orchards. The principal loss fell on the Messrs. G. T., R. T., and A. Melrose, who own the well-known Rosebank station, and their loss is estimated at several thousands of pounds. Mr. H. A. Giles is the next largest sufferer, and he considers that £1,000 would not cover the damage which has been done to his property. The fire started near the King tree, on Mr. L. McBean's Glen Devon station, and ran southwards through McBean's, Giles, and Brice's paddocks, towards the township. Crossing the main road above the township, it swept south-east to the Rosebank cattle paddocks, and thence continuing in the Rosebank run to near Tungkillo.

It then proceeded 'to Palmer Hill, and crossing the Mannum-road into Melrose's No. 2 paddock, ran up over the eastern range. It also crossed the north-eastern main road on the Springton end of the fire, and swept to the South Rhine and Salt Creek country, thence into Melrose's, Cook's Hill paddock, on the north side of the road, and Millendella Creek, near the Murray Flats, to the south of Cook's Hill. The wind changing brought the south wing of the fire with a rush from the Mannum main road, and the two fires finally met in the Rosebank run on the south-eastern side of the station, thus completely surrounding the homestead.

After a fire in 1919 ... It is estimated that the Messrs. Melrose lost between, 1000 and 3,000 acres of good grass. A flock of 7,100 hoggets was in the track of the fire, arid it is believed that a number of the animals perished. The exact number will not be known until a muster has been made.

The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)Monday 2 January 1928 - Page 11

...Plenty of trees add to the picturesqueness of Rosebank. People passing along the main Mount Pleasant to Cambrai road have no doubt seen the fine belt of pines along the drive to Rosebank homestead. These were planted by Mr. Melrose, who also placed trees in and about the sheep yards, especially around the culling pens to provide shade. One wonders why many other sheepowners do not adopt this laudable example in places where trees will grow with reasonable attention. During the disastrous bush fire at Mount Pleasant last summer many

miles of fencing was destroyed. Subsenuently the Rosebank woolshed was for the time being converted into a factory and thousands of concrete fencing posts, as well as strainers and struts, were made. These were reinforced by old burnt wires. Four men turned out an average of more than 10 posts a day, and as there is a plentiful supply of suitable sand on the property, the cost did not exceed the price of red gum posts. Already over 60 miles of neat-looking fencing have been restored, and the work is not completed yet. Mr. Melrose is taking every precaution to prevent a repetition of the extensive damage. Seven fire tanks fitted with force pumps and hoses, and so on, are always ready to be moved from platforms to lorries or motor cars. He is renting unwed district by-roads which cut through Rosebank and permits local residents to graze their stock upon these in order to keep the grass down to check fires. In addition there are extensive firebreaks planted with summer crops— lucerne, Sudan grass, and so on, also a few areas of potatoes. Rosebank paddocks are well served by springs and creeks. There are two reservoirs — one covering eight acres and the other three acres— from which the water is reticulated to various parts of the run.

Further to the report in 1910...

Rosebank has 17 permanent hands, including seven married men, who have dwellings set apart for them and their families, and when shearing is in progress the men on the place aggregate well over 50. If Messrs. Melrose are proud of one thing more than another it is the staunch body of men regularly employed on the property. Some of these have been in the service of the late Mr. Melrose and his sons for long periods. Recently there died a man who had spent 44 years on the estate, and three of the present employees have terms of 29, 28 and 27 years to their credit, which speaks volumes not only, for the men but

their employers as well. Another retired after he had recorded 23 years faithful performance of duties. It is a fact worthy of mention that on one occasion five generations were photographed at the house; four of them belonged to the place (to use a colloquial expression) and three of them are still flourishing.