A commercial-scale grazing property with stylish improvements in a “dress circle” Central West location will go under the hammer in Orange this month.
“Banderra” is a 643 hectare (1589ac) property at Bakers Swamp, midway between Molong (32 kilometres) and Wellington (34km) and just 2km off the Mitchell Highway.
It was part of a larger aggregation also involving the adjoining “Mehruda” property in the 1950s, when it was sold by the estate of the late Richard J. Warry to the Reid family from Orange.
Richard Warry was the son of A.J. Warry, chairman until his death in 1937 of British Tobacco (Australia) and a leading figure in the Sydney business community.
Newlyweds Bill and Robin Reid took over “Banderra” in 1953, and after Bill died, their son, David, continued to work the property, until it was sold in 2000 to the present owners, Tony and Karen Ward.
Now the Wards are moving on, and “Banderra” has been listed for sale with Geoff Plasto (who sold the property last time) of Raine and Horne Rural, Wellington, and Brian Mcaneney of Ray White Rural, Dubbo.
It will go to auction on September 29 at Duntry League, Orange, with recent district sales indicating a likely bidding range on the high side of $3.25 million.
The property’s central location and lifestyle feature make it appealing to buyers in nearby regional centres, as well as Sydney, from which is less than four hours’ drive by car.
Described as gently undulating tableland-type country of heavy basalt-derived soils and alluvial flats, the property has a long history of pasture improvement and topdressing. Sixteen of its 23 paddocks have been sown to a pasture mix of Australian and Holdfast phalaris, Uplands cocksfoot, Coolamon, Riverina and Urana sub-clovers and Haifa white clover.
Present stocking consists of 200 Murray Grey cows and progeny, with steers being grown out and finished at trade weights, and 750 finewool Merino ewes and replacements.
Richard Warry was the son of A.J. Warry, chairman until his death in 1937 of British Tobacco (Australia) and a leading figure in the Sydney business community.
Average rainfall is 650mm and the property is watered by a frontage to the permanent Two Mile Creek (to which there is a 66ML irrigation licence), two bores (one equipped), a well and 11 dams.
The four-bedroom homestead comprises an original section dating to early last century, of stone with stucco render, and a later addition of brick construction.
Adjoining the homestead is a double garage with granny flat and bathroom, all set within an award-winning garden incorporating a tennis court. A second cottage of three bedrooms would suit a working manager or overseer, while a rustic cottage is available for possible bed and breakfast use.
Working improvements include a three-stand shearing shed, steel sheep and cattle yards, two machinery sheds, a hay shed, five silos and smaller shedding.