AUS-VIC-GEELONG-DISTRICT-L Archives

From: Sue <>
Subject: [GEELONG] BARUNAH PLAINS
Date: Thu, 03 Aug 2000 07:48:57 +1000
References: <200008022000.e72K03615236@lists5.rootsweb.com>

Dear Listers,
Noticed a couple of email re BARUNAH PLAINS - thought this maybe of
interest to someone. One of my relo's, George BLYTH, worked for
Mr.Russell around 1854.
"Port Phillip Runs" - Barunah Plains:
Originally Warracbarunah Plains and part of Warramine, which extended
from the Warracbarunah or Long Water Hole, now Lough Calvert, to the
Leigh R., taken up 1837 by Prentice and Smythe. The firm dissolved,
Prentice taking Warrambine and Smythe Smythe's Creek. A.M.Allen, who had
a run near Winchelsea, occupied the southern portion of Warrambine as
well, and in 1851 sold to Jas.Austin.
Aboriginal meaning: "Warrack", a plain with banksia tress, and
"barunah", darkness.
Part of an article in the Sunday Age 24 Apr 1994:
"Barunah Plains is one of Australia's oldest but still working sheep
stations. The estate was once the largest sheep station in the State
with 23,000 hectares running 50,000 sheep. It was established in the
1840's as a Merino Stud. It has always been a fine wool merino stud and
a producer of wool which consistently attracted world record prices. The
stud progenerated some of Victoria's most prized flocks and has earned
some prestigious show championships including first prize at the London
International Exhibition of 1899.
Some of the most illustrious Western District names have been associated
with Barunah, starting with the Austins in the 1840's who sold to the
Russell family. Their long tenure lasted 137 years until the Mills
bought it in 1978."

Kind regards, Sue (Tropical North Queensland, Australia)

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