Step back in time

FORTY members of the Casey Cardinia Branch of the National Trust took a step – or two – back in time when they visited Harewood Homestead.
I grew up with the mystique of the home, known to we youngsters as Harewood Maines, and was convinced it was a haunted house.
But with the passing of the Lyall family members who lived in the homestead in those days, time, and a little update on the facts, I came to realise what a wonderful treasure we had in our midst.
Harewood Homestead owner Dr Patricia McWhirter, has completed a thesis on the history of the homestead, including the aboriginal inhabitants of the land, and the first European arrivals to the area.
Dr McWhirter told the gathering about this history and restoration of the homestead, garden, and the outbuildings.
William Lyall built the home in 1857, and with John Mickle owned thousands of acres around Cranbourne, Tooradin, and Kooweerup.
After viewing every room in the house, which contained much of the original furniture, books, photographs and collections, the group then enjoyed a Devonshire afternoon tea in the huge dining room.
Branch president Ruth Crofts thanked Dr McWhirter for her generous hospitality and for the opportunity to experience stepping back in time.
Mrs Crofts said it was inspirational to see such an important part of our local history being so well preserved, cared for, and recorded in such detail for future generations.
“Harewood is in good hands and future generations will benefit from all that Pat McWhirter has done,” she said.
Mrs Crofts presented Dr McWhirter with a copy of the National Trust Como book by Anita Selzer.