State farm, Hermitage

Date1900-1920

Object numberANMS0227[036]

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin print

DimensionsOverall: 152 x 201 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert D McKilliam

Terms

experiment stations

DescriptionA black and white photograph showing a large wheat field at the Hermitage Experimental Farm near Warwick in Queensland. In the background is a man on a plough drawn by two horses.HistoryThe Hermitage experimental farm was founded in 1897, 6km east of Warwick on the Darling Downs, Queensland’s "farming birth place". The farm was established to assist the largely inexperienced settlers who took up land subdivided from the large grazing runs. The Hermitage’s initial 170 hectares had originally been part of the famous Canning Downs station. Besides the grain and livestock still produced in bulk around Warwick, the Hermitage state Farm tried a number of farming directions now being reintroduced to the Darling Downs. These Included stone fruit, grapes and olives. The Hermitage is now a research station for plant breeding. - Southern Downs Council/Visitor CentreSignificanceThis image is a part of the Captain Robert McKilliam collection. Captain McKilliam worked for the Aberdeen White Star Line for 32 years and sailed aboard such famous clipper ships as SALAMIS and THERMOPYLAE. He moved to Sydney in 1913 where he served as Assistant Wharf Master on Darling Island.