|
The historic homestead located at Woodlands Historic Park gives visitors a glimpse of the landscape of settlers in the 1840's. The homestead is a rare example of an early prefabricated building, and the park also contains ruins of two other 19th century homesteads, Cumberland and Dundonald.
The homestead is surrounded by magnificent gardens which have been extensively restored. The gardens include magnolias which are the oldest in the state.
History of the Homestead
Emigrating from Ireland with his family to seek a healthier climate, William Pomeroy Greene, a former Royal Navy officer, moved into the newly erected Woodlands Homestead on 9 June 1843. The homestead was designed in Britain, probably for export to India. Its association with early pioneering families make it significant to the early settlement of the Port Phillip District.
Woodlands Homestead and its outbuildings and gardens were extensively restored in 1983 and 1984. The Homestead has a remarkable association with many of the thorougbred champions and owners who have dominated the Australian turf over the past 100 years. These champions include:
 |
 |
Whittier
Winner of the 1922 and 1925 Caulfield Cups as well as the 1923 Doncaster Handicap. |
 |
|
Heroic
Winner of the 1924 AJC Derby, then the 1926 Cox Plate, and was Australian Champion Sire seven years in a row — from 1928 to 1934. |
 |
|
Manfred
Winner of the 1925 Cox Plate and AJC Derby before winning the Caulfield Cup in the following year. |
 |
|
Hallmark
Winner of three of Australia's top races in 1933 — the AJC Derby, the Victoria Derby and the Melbourne Cup. |
 |
|
Ajax
In 1937 won Group 1 races in both Sydney and Melbourne — the AJC Sires Produce Stakes, the Caulfield Guineas and the Rosehill Guineas. |
The various owners and occupiers of Woodlands since 1842 had close connections or interests in a number of overseas countries, thus providing and "international" heritage for the Home for Horses. Overseas connections were within:
Canada
Channel Islands
France
India
Ireland
|
|
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
The Bahamas
United Kingdom
United States
|
 The official sponsor of
Living Legends website
|
