details

Statement of Significance

What is significant?

This Morton Bay fig is an outstanding visual specimen with an incredibly broad single trunk. The canopy has an almost perfect radial symmetry and the root structure above ground is broad and impressive. The tree is located in the gardens of the Noorilim Homestead, to the east of the lake in front of the Italianate mansion.

How is it significant?

This Ficus macrophylla (Morton Bay fig) is significant for aesthetic and historic reasons at State level.

Why is it significant?

This Morton Bay fig makes a contribution to the surrounding landscape of Noorilim Homestead, forming a significant feature of the historic garden. It is of outstanding aesthetic significance with extensive exposed radial roots around the single trunk measuring 18m N-S and 17.5m E-W. This is greater than another other known fig in Victoria and is similar to how the species grows in the wild.

History

The botanical gardens at Noorilim were planted at the completion of the Italianate mansion in 1879. Of the few remaining original trees are a Moreton Bay figs, red pine, English elm, olive, and several species of eucalyptus. The Morton Bay fig is possibly the largest tree on the site. Noorilim was built for William Winter-Irving, the youngest and most successful of the Winter children who emigrated to Australia with their father John Winter in 1841. They were some of the wealthiest pastoralist in the Victoria. The property and house are known to the wider community in the Goulburn Valley several of whom have worked or visited the property over the years. Noorilim has since reopened for tours and is accessible to the public.

There are several accounts of the original gardens planted at Noorilim for William Winter-Irving. One of these is by an author named Bruni who visited the gardens in 1886 published in the Australasian Newspaper and provides a very detailed description of its contents. No further plantings were undertaken on the property from 1901-1975 when the Thompsons purchased the property.

The National Trust classification of Noorilim states:

Noorilim Station was established by Joseph Raleigh in 1848 and is named after the local Aboriginal tribe. The homestead was erected c. 1870 by the Winter family. The two storey brick structure has rendered facades and is composed of an asymmetrical towered entrance facade and a garden front comprising a two-tiered arcade with centrally located pediment. The ground floor is articulated in the doric order, the first floor in the corinthian order.

Noorilim is one of the grandest homesteads erected in Victoria and relfects the affluence of the squatter class and the Winter family who were the largest landholders in this area of Victoria. The house is a fine example of the classical Italianate style, and is superbly executed. The tower, encircling pedimented arcades, grounds and intact interior are distinctive features. The association of the house with the Winter family and the parallels between Noorilim and other Winter homesteads are notable.

The building is intact and carefully maintained; the grounds are also carefully looked after.

Classified: State: 03/08/1998

Noorilim was added to the Victorian Heritage Register on 9 October 1974.