Hillas Farm Homestead and Outbuildings

Item details

Name of item: Hillas Farm Homestead and Outbuildings
Type of item: Landscape
Group/Collection: Farming and Grazing
Category: Homestead Complex
Location: Lat: -34.4315306214 Long: 149.9898501660
Primary address: Hanworth Road, Bannaby, NSW 2580
Parish: Bannaby
County: Argyle
Local govt. area: Upper Lachlan
Local Aboriginal Land Council: Pejar
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
LOT1 DP598080
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
Hanworth RoadBannabyUpper LachlanBannabyArgylePrimary Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
 Private29 Mar 99

Description

Builder/Maker: John and George Hillas
Construction years: 1826-1840
Physical description: Property:
The property is bounded on its southern side by Bunnaby Creek.

Homestead Complex:
This is an expansive rural homestead complex with the homestead made of lathe and plaster. Rachel Roxburgh describes the remains of a dairy at Hillasmount:

-...(constructed) not necessarily from long-after the establishment of the property in 1826. It is dug less than a metre into the ground and the walls rise out of the excavation in double slabbing with earth packed in between. At the entrance end only there is a stone wall, together with steps leading down into the room. THe nature of the roof, which has long since collapsed, is unclear'.

The homestead was constructed by John and George Hillas, from 1828-40, in timber, being single storey, with a verandah. One end is taller, with a steeper pitched roof, and an attic storey (ibid, 2008, 189: Figures 195, 196) (LEP, 2010).
Current use: Farm, country residence
Former use: Aboriginal land, sheep station, farm

History

Historical notes: The first European to pass through the Taralga district was explorer Charles Throsby, who in 1819 journeyed from Cowpastures to Bathurst in search of new grazing lands. He was followed in 1820 by surveyor John Oxley and Commissioner John Thomas Bigge. At this time Hannibal Macarthur had already established the large pastoral holding, Arthursleigh, across the Cockbundoon River east of Taralga. James Macarthur, accompanied by Lachlan McAlister and John Hillas came from Arthursleigh, c1824 in search of further pastoral land (Tracey, 2008, 167).

While the original Macarthur Camden Park estate was being intensively developed, further grants were successfully obtained through the Colonial Office and land was also bought at Sutton Forest. James' personal land holding in the Taralga area was shared with his brother, William. The holding proved very profitable and finally led to the Macarthurs becoming squatters on adjoining land. James was a financier, an astute book keeper, who modified William's ideas to reality. He assisted William in such schemes as expansion of vine-growing...and a complicated but effective method of washing sheep before shearing to ensure that the wool would show well in the auction room (ibid, 2008, 167).

Thomas Howe, T.H.Moore and Thomas Scott also held land in the area by 1829. Settlers were in residence, noted in the 1828 census of NSW, but numbers were small. Prominent landowners continued to develop their wool producing properties and tenant farmers instigated dairying and agriculture (ibid, 2008, 167).

Taralga:
The village of Taralga was established as a private town on land donated by James Macarthur. Convict labour was used to clear and develop the land for the Macarthur family and employees (ibid, 2008, 167). Taralga has a Hillas Street, on which the Presbyterian Church is located (ibid, 2008, 177).

Bannaby:
Bannaby is located west of the Wollondilly River and east of Taralga and the name is synonymous would the Hillas family (ibid, 2008, 189).

Hillasmount (Hillas Farm and outbuildings)
This is an expansive rural homestead complex with the homestead made of lathe and plaster. Rachel Roxburgh describes the remains of a dairy at Hillasmount:

-...(constructed) not necessarily from long-after the establishment of the property in 1826. It is dug less than a metre into the ground and the walls rise out of the excavation in double slabbing with earth packed in between. At the entrance end only there is a stone wall, together with steps leading down into the room. THe nature of the roof, which has long since collapsed, is unclear'.

The homestead was constructed by John and George Hillas, from 1828-40, in timber, being single storey, with a verandah. One end is taller, with a steeper pitched roof, and an attic storey (ibid, 2008, 189: Figures 195, 196).

Hillasmount was occupied in the 1870s by Martha and Matthew Hillas. Members of the family are buried in St. Matthew's Anglican Cemetery, Bannaby (ibid, 2008, 189). The church and cemetery is at the centre of the district. The cemetery was originally on land owned by the Hillas family. The first burial took place with the death of Matthew Hillas on 30/12/1893. The church was built adjacent, in 1898 (ibid, 2008, 190).

Burials in the cemetery of the Hillas family are:
1. Matthew Woodward Hillas, b. 1841, d. 30/12/1893, aged 52, son of George and Elizabeth Hillas;
2. Martha Hillas (nee Pearce), d.22/3/1921, aged 77, daughter of William and Eliza Pearce;
3. John William Hillas, d.1/7/1923, aged 62, son of John and Eliza Hillas;
4. Albert Stanley Edward Hillas, b. Parramatta, d. 31/10/1932, aged 64, son of Matthew Woodward Hillas and Martha Pearce;
5. Evelyn Christine Florence Hillas, d.31/7/1952, aged 81, daughter of Matthew Woodward Hillas and Martha Pearce.
Five Pearce family graves are also in the cemetery, children of Matthew Pearce and Mary Ann Hillas (ibid, 2008, 192-3).

Transgrid's plans to build a new 500kV transmission line through local properties to 'future proof' the network and connect the Snowy Hydro 2.0 scheme with a new substation at Wagga Wagga and upgraded substations at Maragle and Bannaby, has upset locals, who have formed a group called the Bannaby Residents' Action Group (BRAG). The final dozen or so kilometers of the identified corridor run through the farmland and homesteads of Bannaby, causing owners to demand that Transgrid reconsider the route. Former Showtime Australia boss Peter Rose, who with his wife Christine owns historic Bannaby and Cross stations, which cover over 1000 acres, said...Investment banker Keith Kerridge has about 4500 acres in the area, including the original Bannaby woolshed and the state-heritage-listed Hillasmount homestead. He and his late wife Maureen - who as cheif executive of Seven was the first woman to run an Austrlaian television network - started buying rural property around the nearby town of Taralga more than 30 years ago. Mr Kerridge is now a big-time beef producer, with about 2500 head of Angus cattle. He also owns Taralga's Argyle Inn with chef and chicken farmer Hugh Wennerbom (Koziol, 2022, 20).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. River flats-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Cultural: Plains and plateaux supporting human activities-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Introduce cultural planting-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Private farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Rural Estates-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Ancillary structures fencing-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Ancillary structures - sheds, crop storage-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Attempting to transplant European farming practices to Australian environments-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Clearing land for farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of food production-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of cultural and natural interaction-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and countryside of rural charm-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Country Homes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. early settlement or worker's cottage-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. early settlement or worker's cottage-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Farm homestead-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Adapted heritage building or structure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing for farm and station hands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing farming families-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working complex machinery and technologies-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working independently on the land-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - colonial homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - Victorian (late)-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Vernacular structures and building techniques-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - Federation period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Adaptation of overseas design for local use-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - Victorian period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1900-1950-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1950-2000-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1788-1850-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1850-1900-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in a bushland setting-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in a rural homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in, adapting and renovating homes for changing conditions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Valuing women's contributions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Kitchens and servants-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Outdoor relief-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting gardens-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gardening-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Places of informal community gatherings-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with George Hillas, Riverina grazier-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Matthew and Martha Hillas, graziers-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Hillas, grazier-

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management CategoryDescriptionDate Updated
Recommended ManagementProduce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 
Recommended ManagementPrepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines 
Recommended ManagementCarry out interpretation, promotion and/or education 

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
57(2)Exemption to allow workHeritage Act stock grazing, fence repair,erad noxious


Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1):
(a) horticultural and agricultural management
(b) Eradication of noxious animals and noxious plants;
(c)Pasture improvement, not requiring substantial clearing of existing vegetation;
(d) Stock grazing, not requiring substantial clearing of existing vegetation; and
(e) Maintenance and repairs to existing farm fences; 		Jun 15 1984
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard Exemptions HERITAGE ACT 1977

ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL

I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977:

revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and

grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A.

This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette.

Dated this 29th day of October 2025
The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC
Minister for Heritage

For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below. 		Nov 7 2025

PDF Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0030102 Apr 99 271546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former 0030115 Jun 84 933126
Local Environmental PlanGoulburn Mulwaree Local Environmental Plan 2010    
Heritage studyUpper Lachlan Heritage Study 20 Dec 08   
National Trust of Australia register NTA (NSW) Country Register: Hillasmount/Hillas Far5296   

Study details

TitleYearNumberAuthorInspected byGuidelines used
Upper Lachlan Community Heritage Study2008 Lambert-Tracey, J.,  Yes

References, internet links & images

None

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
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Data source

The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name: Heritage NSW
Database number: 5045296
File number: S90/06078 & HC 32215

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