INSPIRE: Writer in Residence Initiative 2020

Located on the banks of the Swan River off Johnson Road, Maylands, Peninsula Farm is the site of one of the first farms in the colony and the earliest residence still standing in the metropolitan area. Peninsula Farm offers a unique opportunity to explore the first years of European settlement in Western Australia. Constructed by Joseph Hardey in 1839, it was the third house he had built on Peninsula Farm, a property originally granted to him in 1830. Over the years the house was added to, expanded outwards and upwards. At the same time, the farm became smaller and smaller.

Peninsula Farm remained in the Hardey family until 1913. Joseph Hardey, and his son Richard, who took over management of the property in the late 1860s, were highly influential in the religious, business and political activities of the colony. Peninsula Farm, however, tells more than just their stories. It also tells of their wives and daughters, the women and servants who ran the house and the workers who ran the farm. It tells of farming, and how families and the young colony sustained themselves.

John Curtin, wartime Prime Minister of Australia, and his wife Elsie built this house in 1923. Four generations of the Curtin’s extended family lived in the house over the following seventy-five years.

The house underwent major conservation and interpretation works in 2010 including restoration of the garden. Interpretation of the place included the production of a series of internal panels, a self-guided audio tour, a booklet website and the dramatic performance season.

This National Trust project provided an exciting opportunity to focus on what is an often neglected part of John Curtin – the importance of his home life. The unassuming nature of the Jarrad Street House reflects the nature of the man and his family and helps explain his political convictions and directions for the nation during WWII.

The property has been in the care of the National Trust since 2002 and is one of only three former prime ministers’ homes that are in public ownership.

Samson House, along with its contents from 2 generations of the Samson family, was left to the people of Western Australia by Sir Frederick Samson. ‘Fred’ was elected to the Fremantle City Council in 1936 and became mayor unopposed in 1951. He remained unchallenged in that office until he retired 21 years later in 1972. His enthusiasm for the port city led to him becoming known as ‘Mr Fremantle’. His legacy includes a range of industrial developments and protection and reuse of heritage buildings.

Samson House was built for Sir Frederick’s father, Michael Samson, who was also Lord Mayor of Fremantle. Michael was the son Lionel Samson, one of two brothers who arrived in Western Australia aboard the Calista in 1829. They established an import export business which continues today making it one of the oldest family businesses in Australia.

Samson House, completed in 1888, is a well-known Fremantle landmark designed by Sir Talbot Hobbs.