Point Cook Homestead

The Point Cook Homestead artwork by Kerrie Gottliebsen is dedicated to the historic Point Cook landmark, renown for its striking pink front timber verandah and stunning bluestone buildings and stables, set on the Point Cook coastal park near the RAAF Base.

The first parts of the Homestead may have been built by William Drayton Taylor, holder of a pastoral lease over a large area including Point Cook in 1849, or by the subsequent lease holders Alexander Irvine. When Thomas Chirnside purchased the Pre-Emptive Right in March 1852, it is recorded that there was a six-roomed weatherboard cottage and other valuable improvements on the property.

The front of the Homestead faces the coast and is a stones throw from the beach. A further detached building served as ‘meat house’, dairy room and rabbiters hut. This building was the earliest structure on the site and it was believed to have been constructed in 1849.

The property was purchased by Sydney Dalrymple in 1920, his major contribution was a new jetty which is still standing.

The Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works purchased the property eventually in 1978 after the property had changed hands several times and fallen into general disrepair.

Conservation and restoration started around this time. The remnants of the old garden were preserved and specimen trees from the nineteenth century protected. The old fig tree (edible) behind the stables is a good example. It is a rare survivor from those times and quite possible is a unique variety no longer grown.

The Point Cook homestead is of historical significance as one of the earliest examples of pastoral activity in Victoria.

The partnership between Andrew and Thomas was dissolved in 1882, and Thomas returned to live at Point Cook when in the colony. Ill health forced him back to Werribee Park in 1887 and his death in 1887 was by suicide. The whole Chirnside property was then held by Andrew, and after his death three years later by his two sons. Point Cook became the beach house, and a new timber wing was built.

The Homestead is a well-known historical site – but is also thought to be haunted. No wonder given the sad history associated with the historic buildings and habitants. Allegedly, racehorse Newminster was poisoned just before the 1876 Melbourne Cup in the property’s stables.

Blame fell upon a young groom, Tommy, who was reported to have been seen shaking hands with a bookkeeper days before the race. Sadly, Tommy was later found hanging in the stables.

The Point Cook Homestead is currently closed. Hopefully Parks Victoria can find a tenant and reintroduce tours, a café and the surrounding area for picnics and gatherings. And ghost tours.

The Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples are the Traditional Owners of the lands on which Wyndham City and the Point Cook Homestead are located.

Point Cook Homestead, 1 Point Cook Homestead Rd, Point Cook

Owner: Owner: State Government of Victoria
Managed by: Parks Victoria
Website: http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/point-cook-coastal-park
Enquiries: 13 19 63

https://wyndhamhistory.net.au/items/show/322

The Point Cook Homestead artwork would make a great gift for lovers of Melbourne’s West, Point Cook and the Point Cook Homestead, and is available in A4, A3, A2, A1 and the super enormous A0.