Soldier Settler House, Ubobo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soldier Settler House, Ubobo |
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Soldier Settler House, 2009
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| Location | Gladstone-Monto Road, Ubobo, Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1920 |
| Official name: Soldier Settler House, Hecstanvale | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 28 September 2001 |
| Reference no. | 602229 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) 1920s-1940s (historical) |
| Significant components | out building/s, trees/plantings, farmhouse |
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The Soldier Settler House is a special old house located on Gladstone-Monto Road in Ubobo, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1920. This house is also known as Hecstanvale. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical place.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the House
This timber house was built in 1920. It stands on high stumps. The land belonged to R.S. Davies. He was a soldier who fought in World War I. Davies got this land through a special program called the Ubobo Soldier Settlement Scheme. This program helped soldiers get land after the war.
Soldier Settlement Schemes
After World War I ended in 1918, the government wanted to help soldiers returning home. Many soldiers needed jobs and a fresh start. So, they created "soldier settlements." These schemes offered land to ex-servicemen. The idea was to help them become farmers.
The Ubobo Soldier Settlement Scheme started around 1920. Large areas of land were divided into smaller farms. Soldiers could lease these farms forever. They also got financial help from the Agricultural Bank. This money was for developing their farms and buying animals. The plan was for these farms to be dairy farms.
William P. Spencer, a carpenter, was hired to build all the soldier settler houses. These houses were designed to be simple and practical.
Robert Sydney Davies: A Soldier's Story
Robert Sydney Davies was one of the first soldiers to get land in Ubobo. He was born in England in 1883. When he was 16, he joined the British Army. He fought in the Second Boer War and served in India and Burma.
Before World War I, Davies worked as a manager on a rubber plantation. He joined the war on October 5, 1914. He was part of the Queensland 9th Battalion. This group was among the first Australian troops to land at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. Davies was wounded during the war and lost an eye. He returned to Australia in July 1915.
Challenges and Changes
The soldier settlement schemes brought hope to areas like Ubobo. The dairy industry grew, and cotton farming became popular. However, many soldier settlements faced big problems. The farms were often too small to make enough money. Also, many soldiers did not have farming experience. This led to financial difficulties for many families.
During the Great Depression, prices for farm products fell even more. Many soldiers had to give up their farms. They left the area feeling disappointed.
After World War II, many of these smaller farms were bought by other farmers. They combined them to create larger, more successful farms. Today, much of the land has returned to cattle grazing.
The Davies family is special because they are still on the original land. Robert Sydney Davies' son, Hector, continued to farm there. The Soldier Settler House is the only original block still owned by the family of the first soldier settler.
When it was first built, the Soldier Settler House had three rooms: a bedroom, a dining room, and a kitchen. It also had verandahs (porches) on the eastern and northern sides. Later, these verandahs were enclosed to create more space inside the house.
What the House Looks Like
The Soldier Settler House is a single-story timber building. It stands high off the ground on wooden stumps. The roof is made of corrugated iron and has a pointed shape (gable roof).
The house has timber-framed windows that open outwards (casement windows). These windows have metal hoods above them to block the sun. Some of these hoods have cool star patterns. These patterns were common on buildings in the Boyne Valley area.
The original stairs that led up to the house are no longer there. Inside, the house still has its original three rooms: a bedroom, a dining room, and a kitchen. Parts of the verandahs were later closed in to add more rooms. There's also a modern water tank near the house.
Behind the main house, there's another small timber building. It also has sash windows with star-patterned metal hoods. This building has a hip-shaped roof made of corrugated iron.
The house is on a working farm. It is surrounded by mature trees and plants. From the house, you can see views of the Boyne River to the south.
Why This House is Important
The Soldier Settler House is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it meets several important criteria. This means it's a valuable part of Queensland's history and culture.
Showing Queensland's History
This house helps us understand how the Boyne Valley area developed. It shows the impact of the soldier settlement schemes after World War I. These schemes led to more people settling in the area. The house is also special because it's still on the land it was built on. It was taken up by R.S. Davies, one of the first soldier settlers. It's the only property still worked by the family of the original soldier settler.
A Rare Part of Our Heritage
The Soldier Settler House is rare because it's still mostly in its original condition. It's an important example of the soldier settlement schemes.
A Typical Example of Its Kind
This house was built using a standard government plan. It shows what a typical soldier settler's home looked like. Most of these small, high-set timber cottages had a main part with four rooms and verandahs at the front and back.
Connecting to a Community
The Soldier Settler House has a strong connection to the soldiers and their families who took part in these schemes. It reminds us of their experiences, even though many of them faced tough times.
