How about a step back in time to the 1860s? This is Willard’s Farm. It stands as one of the oldest surviving farms in the Redlands. Imagine rural life in early Queensland.
Willard’s Farm offers a rare glimpse into the past. It shows us how early settlers lived and worked. The farm is located within the Birkdale Community Precinct. This is the largest community project ever delivered by Redland City Council.
James Willard was the original owner. He arrived in Australia in 1858. James and his brother Edward secured timber licenses in 1866. They were active in the timber industry. James likely built the farmhouse himself in the 1860s. He used his carpentry skills and readily available materials.
The farm expanded between the 1860s and 1910s. It grew into a complex of dwellings and outbuildings. A Cultural Heritage Study in 2018 found Aboriginal cultural heritage sites on the property. These included artefact scatters and a potential scarred tree.
Willard’s Farm showcases 19th-century dairy farming. The farmhouse, milking shed, and cream shed remain largely intact. Even the water tanks and garage are still here. Mature trees and gardens add to the site’s authenticity.
The house likely started with two rooms. It featured an enclosed back verandah and a detached kitchen. The milking shed probably dates back to the original phase. It includes an eastern wall of vertical timber slabs.
The milking bails survive. They have battens with pegs. These kept the cows’ heads in place. A cistern south of the kitchen wing is made of hand-moulded bricks. This suggests it predates cheaper corrugated metal tanks.
The original Willard’s Farm buildings show bush carpentry techniques. They also show the use of locally sourced materials. The milking shed illustrates the region’s dairy farming evolution. Over the decades, the buildings were extended. These extensions reflect changes in local building techniques.
Redland City Council purchased the land and farm buildings in 2016. This followed community efforts to save the buildings. Willard’s Farm is now a prominent feature of the Birkdale Community Precinct. The Queensland Heritage Council added Willard’s Farm to the Queensland Heritage Register on 8 March 2022.
James Willard purchased the initial property in 1863. At that time Queensland’s population was just 25000. By the late 1880s, he had a successful dairy operation. He also grew maize and sweet potatoes. Eventually, he increased his land holdings to more than 400 acres.
The Willard family owned the property after James and his wife Margaret died. The farm was leased to share farmers in the 1930s. The Toms family resided there. They named the property “The Pines”.
In 1943, the US Army requisitioned most of the land. They built a communications centre. The Cotton family retained only five acres. This included the house and outbuildings.
On 2 September 1945, a message announcing Japan’s surrender was received here. It was transmitted to the Brisbane Signal Centre. After WW2, the Australian Government acquired the communications centre.
Willard’s Farm and the Willard family are important to the local community. In 2006, a Willard family reunion was held at “The Pines”. Over 200 descendants attended.
Today, Willard’s Farm stands as a reminder of Queensland’s rural past. It is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of early settlers like James Willard. The farm offers a unique opportunity. It allows us to connect with the history of the Redlands. It lets us appreciate the heritage of this special place.