ONE of the best-known grazing properties in the Walcha area, "Brookmount", has hit the market, in a move destined to wind up nearly 150 years' ownership by the Gill family.
"Brookmount" is part of the original Emu Creek Station, which was established east of Walcha on the eponymous creek by George Gill in 1868.
By the turn of the century, "Emu Creek" was one of the leading sheep runs in New England, shearing upwards of 40,000 sheep to put it third only in scale to "Balala" and "Gostwyck" in the Armidale district.
In 1922, George Gill made over a portion of "Emu Creek" to his son, John, creating the property "Brookmount", which has been in Gill family hands for three subsequent generations.
It is today a substantial property of 1266 hectares (3127 acres) divided into two portions by the Winterbourne Road, with the eastern portion of some 490ha incorporating the homestead and main improvements.
The eastern portion joins "Emu Creek", which also remains in original Gill family ownership.
John Gill's grandson, also called John, died in 2013 leaving his wife Elizabeth and three children, but already some years earlier the family had decided to sell the property as part of succession planning.
Since then, the Gienna Merino stud that formed part of the "Brookmount" operation has been sold to Tasmanian interests, and now the property itself is on the block.
It has been listed for sale by expressions of interest with Sydney-based CBRE Agribusiness through Chris Davidson and Peter Etheridge, and offers are invited before a closing date of May 8.
The offering has generated intense local and wider interest owing to the property's rich history and its long-standing reputation for clean wool production and cattle breeding.
In its present condition "Brookmount" has typically supported a stocking rate of 7000-7500 DSEs, but pasture improvement work has lapsed in recent years and the property offers scope for significant upgrading.
Situated 11 kilometres east of Walcha, "Brookmount" is a property of gently undulating, open country of loamy trap and stony basalt formation rising to low hills and some gravelly ridges.
It's a type of country which - as nearby properties will testify - responds well to pasture improvement, although all but about 200ha of "Brookmount" remains natural pasture.
Recent management has focused on upgrading subdivision fencing and water to support a rotational grazing system, with the aim of achieving year-round ground cover of native and introduced pastures.
Average rainfall is in a range from 750-800 millimetres, reflecting the property's 1000-metre-plus elevation, and stock water is supplied by two permanent creeks, dams and tanks reticulating to troughs.
A feature of "Brookmount" is its classic station homestead, built in 1907 of weatherboard in a U-shape design, with five bedrooms, wide verandahs, formal dining and country kitchen with AGA stove.
It is complemented by a three-bedroom home built in 1937 and recently renovated into a comfortable farm stay residence.
Working improvements include a four-stand shearing shed, timber sheep and cattle yards and assorted machinery, hay and storage sheds.
The property is being offered for sale as a whole, with offers expected in a range upwards of $2500/ha ($1000/ac), but consideration will be given to the separate sale of the eastern and western portions.
Contact Peter Etheridge, 0411 655 565.