QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Heritage restored

The property was purchased in 1996 as a house and shed by Bill and Susan Goddard, then unaware of the historic significance of their property, until its listing two years later under the Queensland Heritage Act. The Goddards have since restored the homestead at their own expense and the winery has been partially restored through the Living Buildings and Places Heritage Grant Pro gram. Both house and winery are included in the program for the “particularly fine cedar joinery and fireplace surrounds, and early pressed metal pelmets above some of the windows’”. Adjacent to the cellar is a new structure: ‘Hope Cottage’. This charming low-set weatherboard cottage was moved onto the property in 1997 and completely renovated. Today it is available to the public as a country retreat where one can unwind for a few days, savour the relaxed country lifestyle and share Bill’s passion for recapturing the glory days of Assmanshausen.

Top background: The original Assmanshausen cellar seen today and (above) one of the vintage wine presses lovingly restored. Below: The cellar interior, replete with its original hand-hewn beams and quarried blocks. Above left: A fireplace in the homestead is indicative of the attention to detail in the Goddards’ restoration. Opposite background: the homestead today, still with “posts … festooned with trailing shrubs and vines” … one suspects Jacob and Elizabeth would approve. Images courtesy of the owners and Karen Ludlow

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