Dunne Homestead Historic Site 1850s

Escaping the Irish Potato Famine, Patrick and Mary Dunne (Dunn) and their daughter Anne arrived in Australind in 1858.

Initially, they lived in a tent supplied by the Western Australian Land Company. When the company folded, the family moved into the empty Company Office and made it home. Patrick added a brick kitchen, erected fences and a shed, planted fruit trees, grew a large vegetable garden, and planted plantains. Thirteen years later, Patrick was finally granted the Title Deeds to this block.

Over time, the farm grew to 1,300 acres, and a little general store was erected in the shed, where they sold eggs, vegetables, fruit, mutton, nails, lighting oil, and other products.

The family also expanded, with an additional four children: Mary Catherine (1859, died as an infant), John Joseph (1861), Rose (1864), Catherine (Kate) (1867), and Elizabeth (1869). Sadly, Elizabeth drowned in their well as a toddler. The well was subsequently filled in.

Anne became a Sister of Mercy Nun and the Reverend Mother of St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Subiaco. John and Rosie Dunne continued to live on the property. Kate was the only sibling to marry, marrying Terence Hynes of Waterloo.

Patrick and Mary lived long lives and died in Australind in 1904 and 1906, respectively.

“Behind a stock water-hole was John Dunn’s homestead, where he and his sister Rose lived. John’s 1,300 and Patrick Dunn’s 170 acres extended to the Brunswick and Collie rivers. Around the corner of Brunswick Road stood a solid house, owned by Canon Darling, with the tiny church of St. Nicholas opposite.”
E G Davis.

In front of the homestead was a watering hole used by travellers. Adjacent was the Prince of Wales Hotel (Henton Cottage).