Holowiliena Station facts for kids
Holowiliena or Holowiliena Station is a very large farm, also known as a pastoral lease, located in South Australia. It's about 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Hawker and 88 kilometres (55 miles) south of Blinman. This historic sheep station has been run by the same family for many generations.
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The Beginning of Holowiliena Station
Holowiliena Station was started in 1853 by William Warwick and his wife, Jennet. They came from Canonbie in Southwest Scotland. The couple arrived in South Australia in 1839 on a ship called the Fairfield.
Before starting Holowiliena, William Warwick worked for two ranch owners, William and J. Harris Browne. He managed their Canowie Station starting in 1846.
Founding the Station
In 1853, William Warwick went on a trip to explore new land. After finding a good spot, he decided to leave his job at Canowie Station. He wanted to start his own ranch, Holowiliena.
The young Warwick family packed all their belongings onto an ox-cart. They then made a long journey across the country to their new home.
Building a Home and Community
When the Warwicks arrived at Holowiliena, they chose a good place to settle. They began building a stone house, called a homestead. Soon, they added other buildings too.
Within two years, they had even started a school. This school was for their own children and the children of their workers. William and Jennet Warwick raised 12 children on the property!
Growing the Station
The original land lease for Holowiliena was about 63 square miles (163 square kilometres). But William Warwick quickly made the station much bigger. By 1857, it had grown to an area of about 178 square miles (461 square kilometres).
Good Times for the Land
In 1889, the area had excellent rainfall. All the creeks were full, and there was plenty of food for the sheep. People said it was the best season since 1851. This shows how important good weather is for a farm.
A Family Legacy
The Warwick family has owned and operated Holowiliena Station for five generations. This means that children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have all helped run the farm.
In 2015, the old homestead was renovated. This project was so interesting that it was shown on an Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV show. The show was called "Restoration Australia."
Holowiliena as a Locality
The land that makes up Holowiliena Station is also an official place name. In April 2013, the government of South Australia officially named it "Holowiliena." This means it's recognized as a specific area on maps.
