A MUDGEE-district property once the site of major gold exploration and more recently under the ownership of a prolific international photographer, is set to become one of the standout offerings for the region in 2012.
One of the district’s finest properties, “Merrendee” is situated 34 kilometres south-west of Mudgee and covers 1452 hectares (3588ac).
Steeped in history, “Merrendee” possesses a heritage back to the early pioneers of the Mudgee district.
A proven producer of beef, prime lamb and wool, with solid improvements, abundant water and outstanding potential, “Merrendee” is a rare opportunity to purchase a landmark property in the heart the Central West and on the foreshores of Burrendong Dam.
It is being offered on behalf of the estate of the late Douglass Baglin.
Mr Baglin, who wore many hats as a photographer, filmmaker and heritage campaigner, died in October 2010, and as he had wished, was buried on “Merrendee” next to his wife Elaine who died in 2000.
The property has been listed for private sale at $3.25 million, or $2238/ha ($906/ac) through Geoff Bartlett, First National Real Estate, Mudgee.
The first owner of “Merrendee” was Sarah Lowe, who came to the Mudgee region following the death in 1832 of her husband who had been the Chief Magistrate of Camden and Campbelltown.
Her husband had previously been granted land near Mudgee, “Wibertree”, and had also purchased “Goree”, where Mrs Lowe settled, built a house and began grazing stock.
She also selected further country, naming her new properties “Eurunderee”, “Yamble”, “Ellerslie” and “Merrendee”.
In 1857, gold was discovered along the Meroo River and it wasn’t long before “Merrendee” was crawling with miners.
A town soon sprang up on the banks of the Meroo: the township of Merrendee eventually grew to about 6000 people, with about one third of those Chinese.
Initially the find was great but by the close of the century most of the gold had been worked out.
The Lowe family ownership of “Merrendee” ceased in the early 1900s when Sydney Webb purchased the property.
Mr Webb commissioned the architectural firm Hudson and Carmichel to design a stone home, which was built in 1918, though only partially completed.
The property was leased a number of times before Sydney Webb’s grandson John took over in 1953.
John Webb spent 12,000 pounds finishing the house and then sold the property in 1959 to Tom Flynn.
In 1981 the property again changed hands when it was purchased by James Knott, who then sold it to Douglass and Elaine Baglin in 1987.
Among their additions to the property was an underground garage for the main homestead, a four-bedroom brick manager’s home, a large combined shearing and machinery shed and an additional machinery shed.
The water situation was also significantly improved through the establishment of a series of dams and a pipe system, allowing stock water availability over most of the property.
“Merrendee” has an estimated carrying capacity of 350 to 400 cows and 2000 sheep, but with scope to increase this with further pasture work and cropping.
The property ranges in altitude from 394 to 600 metres above sea level with an average annual rainfall of 675 millimetres.
Country on “Merrendee” ranges from extensive dam frontage and river flat alluvial soils, to rolling grazing hills.
About 607ha (1500ac) is arable with the remainder undulating grazing, rising to steep timbered country in the south-eastern corner of the property.
Timber consists of yellow and white box, kurrajong, as well as cypress pine on the steeper slopes and ridges.
The property has a 7.5-kilometre frontage to Burrendong Dam and a further 5.5km frontage to Meroo Creek.
The 21 dams are supplied by natural runoff, with many topped up from the bore or underground mains from Burrendong Dam.
Underground piping supplies water from Burrendong Dam to a 100,000 litre tank, which then feeds to troughs and dams via an underground poly pipe.
“Merrendee” is subdivided into 29 paddocks, and is fenced on boundaries except where the river and dam forms the boundary line.
Fencing consists of timber and steel posts, hinge joint, netting and barbed wire.
“Merrendee” is serviced by a shearing and machinery shed.
It has a four-stand raised board shearing shed with large enclosed kitchen and covered eating area.
The shed also has an undercover sheep holding area with steel fenced yards, gates and ramps.
External yards at the shed consist of portable steel panels attached to permanent posts with draft and drenching race, sprinklers, water and shade trees.
An additional 10m by 6m machinery shed is enclosed on three sides.
The stone homestead commands views over the lush river flats of “Merrendee” with Burrendong Dam and the timbered hills beyond as the backdrop.
The house comprises five large bedrooms, a formal lounge and dining room, reading room, office, two bathrooms and a large kitchen.
Numerous decks and balconies take advantage of the surrounding views.
The homestead would respond well to a moderate renovation, with period features including 12-foot pressed-metal ceilings, tiled entrance foyer, furnace central heating, marble fireplace and a country-style Rayburn slow combustion stove.
The manager’s residence was built in 1993 and features brick construction and an iron roof.
Like the main homestead, this residence enjoys an elevated site with extensive views allowing the occupant to maintain visual contact with a large portion of the property.
The manager’s residence has four bedrooms, formal and informal living areas, modern bathroom and kitchen, a slow combustion wood heater and full length front and rear verandahs.
In addition, adjacent to the main homestead is a two-bedroom timber cottage ideal as a guest house or gardener’s residence.
With good infrastructure, abundant water and a proven track record, “Merrendee” offers unlimited potential to once again be one of Mudgee’s standout large rural holdings.
Contact Geoff Bartlett, (02) 6372 3000.
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