TWO pioneering Mid West farms dating back to the early colonial days of the 1850s have now been heritage listed.
Sandsprings Homestead in Sandsprings and Belay Farm in Walkaway were added last week to the State Register of Heritage Places.
Heritage Minister John Castrilli said the contribution of these farms and other properties in the Geraldton-Greenough region was vital in ensuring the survival of WA's then-fledgling colony.
"Both families set standards for farming practices and were also actively involved in the development of the district by serving on various committees, associations, and the local Road Board," Mr Castrilli said.
Sandsprings Homestead has been farmed continuously by six generations of the Sewell family since its establishment in 1860, with the latest seventh generation Sewell family member, Caleb, arriving two years ago.
The Sewell name is well known in the district from more than 100 years of links to the community, including local government and sporting organisations such as polocrosse.
Sandsprings Homestead owner John Sewell said the collection of stone buildings include a six-bedroom homestead, a dairy/washhouse, carriage house, workers cottage and old shearing shed plus "cup and saucer" troughs and a homestead cemetery.
"So many old buildings are just left to ruin and we didn't want that to happen," Mr Sewell said.
Originally on 4856 hectares, Sandsprings Homestead is now 2428ha, jointly owned by John with wife Lyn and son Timothy, Caleb's father, who now runs the mixed farming operation of sheep, cattle and crops.
The homestead has solid stone walls almost a metre in width, five-metre high pressed ceilings, four double chimneys and the "mad Pommy idea" of double-fireplaces in just about every room, Mr Sewell said.
With verandahs all round and with high ceilings and thick walls, the homestead still managed to stay cool in summer.
Mr Sewell said the farm also ran an important orchard in the 1880s and 1890s, supporting the WA colony through some hard times, with fruit sent to the Goldfields.
Belay Farm, just west of Walkaway, was established in 1858 by former stonemason John Jones and was farmed by three generations of his family.
In 1971, the 408ha property was purchased by its current owners, Robert and Norma Martin and is run today as a mixed farming operation.
Son Gary Martin said although his parents had initial reservations about the heritage listing due to possible restrictions, they were now happy the collection of stone buildings, which dated back to the 1850s, was heritage listed.
The buildings include one of the largest stone homesteads in the area plus a shepherd's cottage, a dairy, barn and a two storey flour mill.
"The buildings were constructed by the first owner John Jones, a Welsh stonemason and as a result, they are better quality stonework than a lot of other stone buildings," Mr Martin said.
"All are in fair condition and still roofed, but they are going to need some expensive maintenance work."
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