The Yanko Station Store

Item details


Name of item:	The Yanko Station Store
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Farming and Grazing
Category:	Other - Farming & Grazing
Primary address:	1063 Kidman Way, Jerilderie, NSW 2716
Parish:	Bolton
County:	Urana
Local govt. area:	Murrumbidgee
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Cummeragunja

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
PART LOT	13		DP	756390

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
1063 Kidman Way	Jerilderie	Murrumbidgee	Bolton	Urana	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
The Trustee for H & H Cameron Family Trust	Private

Statement of significance:


	The Yanko Station Store is of state significance for its historical, rarity and representative values. The Yanko Station Store has state historical significance for its ability to demonstrate, through its multifunctional nature, the various needs of late nineteenth century pastoral life. As major centres of rural life and employment, large stations such as The Yanko needed to be self-sufficient and provide a variety of facilities for their permanent and seasonal (shearing) workforces and passing travellers. The Yanko Station Store acted as a general store, accountant's and cashier's office, post and telegraph office, goal, livery, and storage space. In this manner it provided the key social, commercial, communication, and justice needs of this remote large station. Pastoral life is an important part of the state's cultural history and this item can demonstrate how the various facets of everyday life functioned in tough, remote conditions. The Yanko Station Store is a rare and representative example of this type of multifunctional pastoral building. Although stores were common on large stations during the nineteenth century, this item is uncommon due to the wide range of functions it served and its more permanent and expensive construction.
	Date significance updated: 16 Dec 19
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Unknown
Builder/Maker:	Unknown
Construction years:	1870-1890
Physical description:	The Yanko Station is located approximately 25km north of Jerilderie in the NSW Riverina. The store is part of The Yanko homestead group located on the south bank of Yanco Creek. It is located on the southeast side of this group just outside the homestead garden. The store is a late-Victorian style rural outbuilding. It is a single storey building with an attic (livery) and is constructed of stretcher bond brick with a hipped corrugated iron roof. The livery roof employs the older British framing technique of dragon beams to the corners. This horizontal timber angle-brace between adjacent wall plates at the angle of the hipped roof. This provides for a relatively open space for maximum storage (Appleyard, 2012). A string course of bricks has been included around the building to define the two floors of the building and to add interest. The other main decorative architectural feature is the livery door with arched window arrangement and detailed iron work to the prominent gable over the livery doors. False windows have also been included in the southern end of the building to provide symmetry to the building when viewed from a distance (Appleyard, 2012). Additional features include a small verandah on the north side and an upper livery door. The building is designed to be multifunctional with 11 rooms and five doors on the west (front) and south sides that lead to the different functional areas. Its various functions included general store, offices (accountant), post and telegraph office, tack room, cashier room, livery, gaol, and storage.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Overall the building is in good condition. Recent restoration works funded by Heritage Near Me (HMN) included roof replacement, stormwater drainage upgrade, external painting, and repair of brick work. The HNM project also included the development of an education kit for school groups and marketing and interpretation plans. The exterior is now in excellent condition following restoration but the interior requires further restoration and conservation works. It has good integrity with only minor alterations to the accountants' room c.1930 (windows and doors installed). Many of the original fittings and furnishings of these various rooms are extant but in varying condition. For instance, the general store retains its interiors, counter, and shelving, the postal room its original small phone exchange, the gaol cell its service slide, and the storage rooms their equipment and tact. Most rooms also retain their pressed metal ceilings.
	Date condition updated:05 Sep 19
Modifications and dates:	Minor alterations to the accountant's room c.1930 (windows and doors installed). The porch on the northern end is a later addition.


Current use:	The Yanko Station remains an active sheep station with the store being currently used as an outbuilding, including for postal delivery and pickup.
Former use:	Main use store, with accountants rooms; post office and phone exchange; general store; gaol cell, storage rooms and livery; Wiradjuri land

History

Historical notes:

TRADITIONAL OWNERS
The traditional owners of the Yanko Station are the Wiradjuri people. It is unknown if the Yanko Station grounds held any special, spiritual, or economic significance for the Wiradjuri people, however there is evidence of Aboriginal occupation on the station prior to European settlement.

BRITISH INVASION AND SETTLEMENT
Following the invasion of Wiradjuri lands by European settlers in the 1830s/1840s the Yanco run was first established by Augustus Morris on the behalf of William Charles (W. C.) Wentworth, a leading land speculator and pastoralist. The property was originally totalled 48,562 hectares in area. Mr W C Wentworth was a founder of the University of Sydney and was the father of the NSW Constitution.

SIR SAMUEL WILSON
In the 1860s the property was purchased by Sir Samuel Wilson, a prominent and wealthy Victorian pastoralist. Sir Samuel was one of Australia's Rural Pioneers. He ran over 100,000 hectare of free hold land in Victoria and NSW and leased over 1 million hectares in NSW and Queensland. Sir Samuel also represented the Wimmera in the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1861-64 and the Western Province in the NSW Legislative Council from 1875 until his resignation in May 1881. Wilson supported the work of the Acclimatisation Society by experimenting with ostrich farming and with the breeding of Angora goats (Appleyard, 2012). His gift in 1874 of (Pounds)30,000 to build a hall at the University of Melbourne was realised in October 1879 when he set the foundation stone for that University's Gothic Wilson Hall. He made many other donations to charitable and religious bodies. Governor Sir George Bowen, in recommending him for a baronetcy in 1874, estimated Wilson's average annual income as almost (Pounds)100,000, stated that he owned 600,000 sheep, possibly more than anyone else in the world and described his position and style of living as similar to an 'opulent country gentlemen' in England. He was knighted in 1875 (Appleyard, 2012).

Soon after Wilson purchased the property, the first bark homestead was built in the current location of the homestead group. In 1881 Wilson retired to England. He was prominent in the imperial federation movement and represented Portsmouth from 1886-1892. The 1860s homestead was later replaced by a brick one that burnt down on 11 July 1949. The following year the current (third) homestead was built.

STATION STORE
The station store was constructed after the 1860s and most likely during the 1880s. Sir Samuel Wilson's manager Mr Carse or Mr Weave reportedly oversaw the construction of the store but was sacked for the final expensive cost of the building. Like other rural buildings the store was constructed with locally availably materials, including Murray pine and bricks made on site. The Yanko was a large station (175,000 acres) and would employ many men during shearing and, thus, it was unsurprising that a multifunctional store building such as this was required. Most large stations had a store that provided postal services and general goods to workers, locals and the travelling public. However, this store appears to be unique due to the sheer range of functions it served and its permanent and expensive construction. According to the Windows and Richmond Gazette (4 November 1873): 'On Yanko alone, during shearing 140 men are employed, and so numerous are the applications to the manager of this extensive establishment that as many as seventy travellers have in one night sought for work and shelter, the latter never being denied them ...1300 travellers received rations between January 1 and May 1 this year. To give him his due. Sir Samuel instructs his managers to refuse food to no swagman'.

RECENT HISTORY
The Yanko Station is now owned by Hugh and Heather Cameron. Over a nine year period the Camerons, through heritage grants, have undertaken two stages of restoration and repair works. The first included drainage improvements, repair of brick work, external paining of doors and windows and replacing the roof. The second phase included development of an interpretation and display room for visitors in three of the Old Store rooms, and an education package for school groups. In 2011 heritage funding allowed the owners to prepare a Conservation Management Strategy by 2012. In 2018 further funding through Heritage Near Me allowed under-pinning of the building where it was cracking, and after 12 months of settlement, other repair works could commence. The Camerons now hope to offer the property as an education tool for local and visiting students, and interested members of the community. An open day was held on 21 October 2019 (Southern Riverina News, 16/10/2019).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local 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.	Other open space-
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-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	commerce-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Shopkeeping-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Developing Commercial Enterprise-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Communication-Activities relating to the creation and conveyance of information	Postal and telecommunication services-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Communication-Activities relating to the creation and conveyance of information	Communicating by mail-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Communication-Activities relating to the creation and conveyance of information	Communicating by telegraph-
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-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Livestock structures-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Modifying landscapes to increase productivity-
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.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
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.	Living on the land-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	1820s-1850s land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to tourist-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in offices-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working independently on the land-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on pastoral stations-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in shops and stores-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	The rule of law-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Incarcerating prisoners-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Jail-
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 - 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.	Architectural styles and periods - Victorian (mid)-
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 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.	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.	Living and working at home-
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.	Living in a rural homestead-
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	Developing local clubs and meeting places-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The Yanko Station Store has state historical significance for its ability to demonstrate, through its multifunctional nature, the various needs of late nineteenth century pastoral life. As major centres of rural life and employment, large stations such as The Yanko needed to be self-sufficient and provide a variety of facilities for their permanent and seasonal (shearing) workforces. The multifunctional Yanko Station Store acted as a general store, accountant's and cashier's office, post and telegraph office, goal, livery, and storage space. In this manner it provided the key social, commercial, communication, and justice needs of this remote large station. Pastoral life is an important part of the state's cultural history and this item can demonstrate how the various facets of everyday life functioned in tough, remote conditions.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The Yanko Station Store is a rare example of this type of multifunctional pastoral building. Although stores were common on large stations during the nineteenth century this item is uncommon due to the wide range of functions it served and its more permanent and expensive construction.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The Yanko Station Store is a representative example of this type of multifunctional pastoral building. Although stores were common on large stations during the nineteenth century, this item is uncommon due to the wide range of functions it served and its more permanent and expensive construction.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act - Site Specific Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT SITE SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL The Yanko Station Store 1063 Kidman Way, Jerilderie SHR No. 02039 I, the Minister administering the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, in pursuance of section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, do, by this my order, grant an exemption from section 57(1) of that Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out of any activities described in Schedule C by the owner, mortgagee, manager or lessee of the land described in Schedule B on the item described in Schedule A. The Hon Don Harwin MLC Special Minister of State Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts Vice-President of the Executive Council Dated at Sydney, 2nd Day of November 2020 SCHEDULE A The item known as The Yanko Station Store, situated on the land described in Schedule B. SCHEDULE B All those pieces or parcels of land known as Part of Lot 13 DP 756390 in Parish of Bolton, County of Urana shown on the plan catalogued HC 3244 in the office of the Heritage Council of New South Wales. SCHEDULE C 1. Temporary Structures Temporary structures (including stages, fencing, portable lavatories, food and beverage services and marquees) associated with special events (tours, open days, etc.) providing that the structures are erected within and used for a maximum period of 4 weeks after which they will be removed within a period of 4 days and not erected again within a period of 2 months. 2. Drainage Installation/Maintenance and Flood Control Works a) Drainage maintenance and installation. b) Excavation for the purposes of drainage or flood control works where there is no known or suspected archaeological relics and where works do not adversely impact the significance of any known or likely heritage item. Note: This exemption does not apply if archaeological relics are likely to be present as advised by a suitably qualified and experienced archaeologist. 3. Emergency Flood Control Measures Temporary flood control measures (such as sand bagging and embankment works) in emergency situations where there is no known or suspected archaeological relics and where works do not adversely impact the significance of any known or likely heritage item.	Nov 20 2020
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard 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

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

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		02039	20 Nov 20	2020-4566

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written		1949	Re: Fire at Yanko Station: Thursday 28 July 1949
Written	Apperly, R., & Reynolds, R. I.	1989	A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Austrlaian Architecture: Styles and terms from 1788 to the Present
Written	Blake, L. J.		Wison, Sir Samuel (1832-1895)	View detail
Written	Freeman Randell & Dr Robert Boden	2002	Tubbo Station Homestead Complex NSW Conservation Management Plan.
Written	Goodman, G. A.	2007	Goonoo Goonoo Station - Heritage Appraisal
Written	Jerilderie Shire Council	2007	Heart of the Southern Riverina - A History of Jerilderie
Written	Southern Riverina News	2019	Restorations open to public	View detail
Written	Susan Appleyard	2012	The Yanko Store Conservation Management Strategy
Written	The Argus	1949	Historic home lost in Riverina fire, 1949, July 12
Written	Windsor and Richmond Gazette	1873	Windsor and Richmond Gazette (1873, November 4)

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:	5061287
File number:	EF14/24120

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