Across the Penola and Coonawarra region, history is written into the land as much as it is recorded on paper. Doug Balnaves shares the third of a series of historical reflections and research that bring these stories back into focus – tracing the early settlers, the development of the district, and the people and events that helped shape one of Australia’s most distinctive wine regions. This month’s article is Penola’s Ulva Cottage & Surrounds.
Ulva Cottage
Ulva Cottage is one of the earliest houses built in Penola (about 1850). It was built by Alexander (King) Cameron for his daughter Margaret who had married the local doctor Dr Thomas Baynton. The cottage is constructed of pit sawn red gum planks with a simple galvanised iron roof. Paddock stone was used to construct the chimney.
The building was confirmed as a State Heritage property in 1954.
It is believed that Dr Bayton’s wife Margaret died aged 18 in childbirth together with her infant in October 1862. Soon after this tragedy Dr Baynton left Penola and did not return.
It is interesting that in the 1980s the cottage had fallen into some disrepair and the then Penola District Council offered it to the local CFS as a training site for buildings that had caught on fire. Fortunately this caused a huge local outcry, the fire that was to be lit did not happen and Ulva cottage was saved. Ulva Cottage is now a very well presented popular bed & breakfast property.
Bond Store
This very solid construction of surface stone was built in the days prior to Federation when all alcoholic spirits entering South Australia had to be placed into bond. Following Federation in 1900, the building served as a cottage for many years. In 2017 the building was gifted by the Wattle Range Council to the local National Trust. With strong support from the Wattle Range Council and the Penola branch of the Bendigo Bank, the National Trust was able to completely restore the building. It is now leased by the Trust to the Coonawarra Vignerons Association as a very secure site in which to store their wines.
Glenrowan
Directly opposite the Ulva Cottage is’ Glenrowan’, a dwelling built by the then Police Inspector Hunt. Inspector Hunt named his house Glenrowan due to his connection with the dramatic capture of the Bushranger, Ned Kelly at Glenrowan in 1880.
The house is now being fully restored to its original state.
It is interesting to note that when the street trees were being planted around Penola in 1980, hard surface stone was encountered along the street near Glenrowan, whereas the gardens nearby featured deep red terra rossa soil.
The explanation was apparently very simple. As Inspector Hunt (stationed at Penola) was responsible for most of the South East of SA he frequently had men held in the jail. Apparently he took men out of jail and provided them with horse wagon, picks & shovels with the instructions to remove the limestone and replace with good fertile soil. There are now buildings on the site of the garden.