BOMBALA’S evergreen stock finishing property “Burrawong” is on the market.
The 756 hectare (1870 acre) property has been home to sheep graziers Russell and Lesley Smith since 1973 but retirement has beckoned, opening up an opportunity for new owners to join the list of longtime owners.
“Burrawong” was originally part of Burnima Station, a vast property which in 1833 spanned Archer’s Flat run, Crankies Plain and Coolennbootia out to the Bald Hill and nearly to the Dragon at Cathcart.
In 1896 the property’s owner Henry Tollemache Edwards oversaw the construction of a grand homestead which still stands today (although successive subdivsions have separated it from “Burrawong”). The Victorian Gothic style mansion, which comprises 32 bedrooms, was built by Frederick Young of Queanbeyan who also built “Yarralumla”, the residence of the Governor-General.
A portion of the Smith’s land came into their possession when Burnima Station was sub-divided into soldier settler blocks. Russell’s father drew a 24ha (60 acre) block and decades later Russell and Lesley purchased another 485ha (1200 acres) to form the present day farm.
Burnima Station carried a great four-stand woolshed which is now a part of “Burrawong”. Although it’s 150 years old the Smiths have invested in improvements to keep it in good working order and have indeed relied on it to process their 2000-strong Merino-cross flock.
The Smiths also carry 70 head of Angus cattle.
The livestock are available for sale by negotiation.
Mrs Smith said the property had ample feed and water.
“We’ve run an intensive pasture improvement program on the second block and it now carries a full body of feed to finish lambs on,” Mrs Smith said.
Improvements include rows of established trees which serve as wind breaks.
The Bombala river divides the property in two. With four kilometres of frontage, two trough systems comprising 18 troughs and 15 dams fed by a 650 millimetre annual rainfall, water has always been plentiful for on-farm and recreational purposes.
Recently, Mrs Smith sailed her kayak to the nearby village of Bibbenluke.
"It’s a picturesque property and we've had a wonderful time here but it’s the right time for us to be selling,” she said.
Working improvements include a large five-bay machinery shed, two new sets of sheep yards and two large grain silos. Fencing is in excellent condition.
The property will be auctioned by Bombala agent Stewart Lee on June 16.
