WILLOW Grove presents a rare chance to live in an historic home on a farm-size block close to a major regional centre.
The property is on the NSW side of the Murray River at Jindera, about 20km northwest of Albury-Wodonga.
- WILLOW GROVE
- Jindera, NSW
- Property: lifestyle
- Size: 39.2ha
- Auction: March 13, 11am, on site.
- Price: $650,000-$700,000
- Agent: Brian Unthank Real Estate, Albury
- Contact: (02) 6041 3777
It has a restored double-brick Federation-style homestead built in 1915, along with historic outbuildings.
And with 39ha at its disposal, it has plenty of room for livestock.
Willow Grove has been home to Ged and Cynthia McFarland, and their children, Charlie and Joe, since 2006.
Ged, a roofing contractor, and Cynthia, a teacher, liked the idea of a rural lifestyle with city conveniences.
"Growing up on a farm at Bethanga (near Lake Hume) I wanted to bring the kids up with the same lifestyle," Ged said. "It is only a 15-minute drive to Albury from here so we have the rural lifestyle close to the city."
Cynthia said the couple fell in love with the old-world charm of the period home.
"We loved the lead-lighting, pressed-metal ceilings, open fireplaces, cottage garden, beautiful, big established trees and orchard," she said.
"We also liked the history of the place - the old outbuildings - and the pretty, seasonal creek.
"The undulating country is really usable, with views and the most amazing sunsets."
Family has been a focus for the couple and they have turned unused areas into entertainment or play areas.
An old floodlit tennis court is now a secure, grassed sporting field for young children.
"The shearing shed wasn't being used so we turned it into a big playroom for the kids and a function area for adults," Cynthia said.
The three-stand shearing shed, in excellent order, has internal steel catching pens and a large undercover vehicle storage.
Although the sheep yards have been removed, the shed could quickly revert to its original use.
"We have made the most of the shedding for water catchment to improve water management," Cynthia said.
Water is stored in three tanks totalling 177,000 litres, and is also supplied by a bore, three dams and a seasonal creek.
Willow Grove is subdivided into six main paddocks, with new fencing and water to all paddocks.
The McFarlands have run 25 cows and calves on the property.
Originally built for the Schmidt family, the house sits in a garden graced by two large palm trees.
Elms and kurrajongs surround the home, while an orchard contains persimmons, lemons and oranges.
Historic outbuildings include a school house, meat-dairy room and garden shed.
"We have rewired the house, put in new lights and kept the old pull-down cords, and installed ducted heating and cooling," Cynthia said.
"New ceilings have been installed, rooms repainted and the Murray pine floors polished.
"We have tried to preserve and protect the old charm but use assets to our advantage.
"The house yard is secure for children and the garden well established."
Featuring four bedrooms, the house has a formal dining room with open fireplace, family room with pressed metal ceiling and leadlighting, study, pantry and kitchen with polished floorboards.
The laundry is detached and there is an outside toilet.
Working improvements include the shearing shed, a large machinery shed, workshop, two garages, and steel cattle yards.
