'Fern Tree Vale' (aka 'Greenaway')

Date: 1892 [unknown]
Location: Hodgsons Road, Hedley, Victoria, Australia
Surnames/tags: Hodgson Greenway

Page 166, 167, 168 of 911 of South Gippsland Heritage Study VOLUME 3 HERITAGE PLACE CITATIONS December 2004 http://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/download/downloads/id/1239/south_gippsland_heritage_study_-_vol_3_citations.pdf

Excerpt:

What is Significant? The 'Fern Tree Vale' homestead, constructed c.1892, at Hodgsons Road, Hedley. Why is it Significant? The 'Fern Tree Vale' homestead is of local historic and aesthetic significance to South Gippsland Shire. Historically, the homestead is one of the oldest in the Shire and is one of a relatively small number of rural buildings, which demonstrate the important phase of settlement and development that occurred prior to the disastrous bushfires of 1898. It is also of interest for its continuing association with the locally important Greenaway and Hodgson families. (AHC criteria - A.4, D.2, and H.1) Aesthetically, it is a substantially intact example of an early rural dwelling, and is enhanced by the mature trees in the surrounding garden. (AHC criterion - E.1)

The exact date of the homestead at "Fern Tree Vale" is not known, although it is believed that the original part was constructed as early as 1892 for John and Margaret Hodgson, and replaced the first house, which was a simple bush hut constructed of local timber and bark. John Hodgson is listed as the owner of this property in the Shire of South Gippsland Rate Book for 1894-95, which describes it as comprising a house and 120 acres at Welshpool with a Net Annual Value of £30. This description remains the same until 1898-99 when the NAV increases to £50, while the acreage remains the same, indicating that additions were made to the homestead in this year. The next change in the property description comes in 1902-03 when CA 12 is added to give a total of 200 acres with a combined NAV of £60. John Hodgson first arrived at Hedley (then known as 'Nine Mile Creek') c.1879 after selecting the property and travelling overland via Woodside. He then set about clearing the land and arranged for his family with their stock and belongings to sail to Port Albert from Geelong on the "Rosedale". Margaret and their family of five children arrived in February 1880 and moved temporarily into a house on a property near the Albert River. In 1881, the family moved to their selection, which they named "Fern Tree Vale". Three more children were born on the property. The Hodgsons were active in the early development of the Hedley district and the homestead at "Fern Tree Vale" was the venue of the first school in the area. Margaret assumed the role of midwife for local settlers and also administered first aid when necessary. For a number of years in the early 1900s, various members of the family collectively owned or leased a total of over 1000 acres in the Hedley area. Eldest son Robert built his own homestead on the opposite side of Hodgsons Road in 1908-09 (see separate citation) The property is presently owned by FJ Greenaway. Mr Greenaway's mother was Susan Hodgson, who was the second daughter of John and Margaret. She married Teamster, John Greenaway, in 1938.

Greenaway, S. Family History & Notes. Blake, J (ed.) (1973) 'Vision & Realisation. Volume 3'. p.1243 Shire of South Gippsland Rate Books 1894-1910