One of the Victorian Western District’s landmark properties has hit the market in the shape of “Mokanger”, which is being offered jointly with nearby “Lewana” to wind up a Rayner family investment.
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The resulting aggregation of 1587 hectares (3921ac), situated at Cavendish at the foot of the Grampians, is being marketed by CBRE’s Danny Thomas and James Beer.
“Mokanger” has a long and distinguished history. The original run was taken up in about 1840 by Edward Barnett, before passing in 1846 to Thomas and Andrew Chirnside of Werribee to become part of their Wannon run.
They held it until 1876, breeding Thoroughbred horses - including one of their most famous stallions, Sir Peter - and sheep.
The current owners have invested heavily in the farm, including the development of laneway systems ...
It was then bought by pastoral speculator Alexander McEdward, who also owned the Kulkyne and adjoining Mildura runs on the Murray River.
McEdward died in 1893 and a few years later “Mokanger” – at that time a holding of some 40,000 acres (16,187ha) - was taken over by the Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Co (AML & F).
It was then carrying about 27,000 sheep, and during its ensuing 12 years of company ownership (according to AML & F records) the property showed a healthy return to capital of seven per cent.
In 1910 the property was broken up for sale in blocks, the homestead portion (then about 6200ac) being bought by John and Alice Gardner and held by that family until 1976 when the present, somewhat smaller homestead block was created and sold.
That’s the portion that was duly bought as a retirement project by Melbourne-based businessman Mark Rayner and his wife Carolyn in 1992, with “Lewana” being added about 10 years later.
Mr Rayner, a onetime chief executive of Comalco and later chairman of NAB and other companies, died in 2015 and his wife and family are now winding up their pastoral interests.
The properties, which are operated as one, are being offered either as a walk-in, walk-out package complete with livestock and station plant, or as separate parcels.
Combined, the properties offer a total carrying capacity of around 25,000 DSE, or about 16 DSE/ha.
They are currently stocked with a superfine Merino flock of 8200 ewes (3200 joined to terminal sires), 1700 wethers and 5200 Merino lambs.
“The current owners have invested heavily in the farm, including the development of laneway systems and stock water infrastructure, upgraded fencing and improvement of fixed structures,” said co-selling agent Danny Thomas.
“Mokanger”, the larger of the two blocks at 1089ha, has a long frontage to the Wannon River and boasts the Mokanger homestead, circa 1860s with later additions, plus a manager’s residence, four-stand shearing shed with under-cover yards and machinery and hay sheds.
Situated six kilometres away is the 498ha “Lewana” block, with a cottage, three-stand shearing shed, machinery and storage sheds and upgraded cattle yards.
