A Fifth Era Farmer’s Homestead Turned Boutique Lodging
Lachie Morrison grew up on Woolbrook Homestead — a heritage-listed property in Teesdale, situated 30-minutes west of Geelong, Victoria.
The homestead was initially inbuilt 1856 for pastoralist and first editor of the Geelong Advertiser, James Bell, earlier than a brand new proprietor commissioned a two-storey Federation-style extension in 1901. The extension burnt down in 1906 (legend has it the farm supervisor rode in on a horse and shot holes right into a water tank to save lots of the unique wing!), however was quickly rebuilt in a really totally different Californian bungalow fashion that continues to be at present.
Lachie returned to Woolbrook in 2018 to assist his dad promote the property, however he didn’t go far! ‘Fortunately, the brand new proprietor was not within the land or homestead and leased it again to us,’ explains Anise Boulot, Lachie’s companion and supervisor of Woolbrook’s occasions and lodging. ‘We moved into the homestead at Woolbrook as simply the 2 of us in the beginning of 2019.’
The couple signed a 10-year lease that permits them to make modifications to the property. After internet hosting a number of non-public gatherings, they rapidly noticed the potential of the homestead as a boutique lodging and occasions venue.
‘Within the eating room, surrounded by all that historical past, it made us assume that Lachie’s ancestors would have been internet hosting their family and friends there for over a century,’ says Anise. ‘It made us realise what enjoyable others would have in the home too.’
Anise and Lachie set to work stripping areas again to their authentic bones and furnishings, together with the grand piano that was saved within the 1906 hearth. Carpets had been pulled up, floorboards polished, and rooms painted. ‘I feel we discovered fairly rapidly that all the things took quite a bit longer than we thought it could!’ says Anise.
Inside stylist Belle Hemming of Belle Vivid Venture was introduced in for the ultimate touches, putting her signature luxurious rustic stamp on the decor. ‘It’s one of the best mixture of luxurious and homeliness you can see in a pure setting,’ says Anise. ‘It provides a gathering place for younger and outdated, simply as its fashion is a mix of latest and historic.’
Woolbrook Homestead welcomed its first visitors post-renovation in 2021. Anise and Lachie nonetheless reside in the home (when not rented as accomodation), in addition to engaged on the farm and managing occasions on web site.
‘Operating a farm and internet hosting occasions and lodging retains us very busy!’ says Anise. ‘We’re capable of work with one another very well. Typically Lachie is on a mop within the homestead preparing for visitors, and typically I’m out doing sheep work. Retains life attention-grabbing!’
Ebook your keep at Woolbrook Homestead
