Wedderburn Park 1842

Wedderburn Park was acquired by Dr John Ferguson in 1842, who later became the Colonial Surgeon.

He named the property ‘Wedderburn’ after his wife Isabella’s forebears. Development of the farm was primarily due to one of Ferguson’s indentured servants, Alexander McAndrew. McAndrew acquired the property in 1855 and, in turn, leased it to Thomas Hayward (later of Bundidup) and Mrs Rose.

McAndrew died in 1899, and the property was purchased by Edwin Rose (1863-1948), who married Janet Clark in 1902.

The current homestead is the second on the property and was built c. 1910 by Edwin Rose, son of Robert Henry Rose of Parkfield, for his family, which consisted of his wife and two daughters.

Nothing remains of the original cottage, built in a hollow on the property by Dr Ferguson.

Edwin Rose was an MLC, JP and member of the Brunswick Road Board, and he held other voluntary community positions. The 1910 homestead hosted many social gatherings in the district, and in 1913, it accommodated the Governor during a visit.

The farm was acquired by Albert Jesse Talbot (known as Tommy) in 1923-27. In 1952, considerable alterations were undertaken at the homestead, including the removal of the prominent tower and roof gable.

A fourth generation of the Talbot family currently occupies the homestead.

The property is not open to the public, except for the annual Lights on the Hill event.