A Barossa Valley home linked to one of Australia’s most prominent political families is in need of a new owner to write its next chapter.
Vendors Peter and Marijan Bulley are just the fourth custodians of 55 Wirra Wirra Rd, Pewsey Vale , having purchased the stately Georgian-style manor from the family of Sir Alick and Lady Mary Downer in 2015.
Sir Alick, who was Immigration Minister in the former Menzies government and also served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1964 to 1972, and Lady Mary had lived in the home from 1974 until their respective deaths in 1981 and 2014.
They were the parents of Alexander Downer, Australia’s longest-serving Foreign Affairs Minister and also a previous High Commissioner to the UK.
The Downers conducted extensive renovations of the sprawling 31.26ha estate shortly after taking up residence, with the Bulley’s faithfully upholding the property’s character during their own restoration work, which has included upgraded wiring and replumbing and fully insulating the five-bedroom home and more.
“The (Downer) family connected very strongly to the property,’’ said Mr Bulley, who has saved the original correspondence between Sir Alick to architectural firm Woods Bagot, as well as hand-drawn building plans for the 1975 renovation that will pass with the home to the next owner.
“Sir Alick said he never wanted to leave here and then (after his death), Lady Downer lived in the house by herself.
“I think they just loved the privacy, the grandness and the gardens and the wildlife – which is what we have loved about it too.’’
Mrs Bulley said the home was built in 1901 by sheep farmer Murray Dawson on land he had inherited from his uncle.
After a fire destroyed much of his prizewinning Merino flock in 1926, Dawson expanded his fruit plantings and the property became what was then the Southern Hemisphere’s largest apple and pear orchard.
Fruit trees, a veggie patch and almost 5ha of vineyards remain on the property, as well as about 200 heritage roses.
Mrs Bulley said many of the shrubs and trees, including 120-year-old English oaks, were brought over from England “which was not unusual for people to do in those days’’.
The vast estate also includes 550-year old gum trees, which saw Dawson name the home Wirra Wirra, an indigenous phrase meaning “among the gum trees’’.
The Downers renamed the estate Martinsell and, while the Bulleys considered reverting back to the original name, Mrs Bulley said many now associated Wirra Wirra with a McLaren Vale vineyard, so Martinsell was retained.
Mrs Bulley said although the home – which contains a secret office, created by the Downers in the dedicated library, and a hidden passage, designed by the Bulleys in the formal dining room for the whimsy of their grandchildren, Hazel and Jasper – was large, it remained cosy and comfortable.
The property’s historic barn – which held Saturday night dances in years gone by – offers self-contained, three-bedroom accommodation and has been used by the Bulley’s as an Airbnb.
“It (the property) has such good vibes,’’ Mr Bulley said.
“It’s a landmark property but it’s a family home.’’
The property is on the market with Richard Hayward, of Harris Real Estate.
Offers close on November 18 unless sold prior.
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