Iandra or Mt Oriel Homestead

George Henry Greene (1838-1911),

pastoralist, wheat-grower and politician, was born on 20 July 1838 at Collon, Louth, Ireland, fifth son of Lieutenant William Pomeroy Greene, R.N., and his wife Anne, née Griffith.

• In 1842 William chartered the Sarah to convey an extensive household to Port Phillip, including his sons Molesworth and George, and (Sir) William Stawell who married his daughter Mary.
• Soon after arriving on 1 December, the Greenes settled at Woodlands, near Melbourne.
• George was educated at Mr Trollope’s Collingwood school, the Melbourne Diocesan Grammar School and the Richmond Grammar School; in 1855 he enrolled at the University of Melbourne. In 1858 he was one of the first five students to graduate B.A.

Greene acquired pastoral experience in southern New South Wales on Billabong station, in which he held a share, and later was part-owner of Tooma and Marogle stations.

• He was appointed a magistrate in 1867. On 26 July 1870 at New Town, Tasmania, he married Ellen Elizabeth (Nelly), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Crawford. They travelled around the world for two years after selling their station interests in 1875.

On his return to New South Wales Greene bought Iandra, a 32,600 acre (13,193 ha) estate near Grenfell, in 1878 and began grazing and wheat-growing.

• He was a member of the Young Pastures and Stock Protection Board in 1881-84 and chairman in 1885-88.
• An early advocate of netting to control the spread of rabbits, he attended various conferences and, despite scepticism from his neighbours, had his property fully netted at an early date. Later he was vindicated.
• In 1888 Greene called the meeting at which the Young and Lachlan District Sheepowners’ Association was formed, and on 9 July 1890 became a foundation member of the Pastoralists’ Union of New South Wales.
• He favoured conciliation with the Amalgamated Shearers’ Union of Australasia; unlike many other pastoralists, he was not opposed to unionism itself. In 1893 he was a commissioner for the World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago.

NSW Parliamentary Service

• Melbourne Diocesan Grammar School and Mr W.C Northcott’s school at Richmond and University of Melbourne (B.A).
• Obtained pastoral experience on Billabong Station, in which he had a share.
  Part owner with A.Chomley of Tooma and Marogle stations on Murray.
• Sold out c.1875 and went on a world trip for 2 years.
• Purchased a property of 32,000 acres.
• Commissioner of Chicago Exposition in 1893; chairman of Pastures and Stock Board for Young district for several years; prominent in Pastoralist Association; introduced wire netting against rabbits; several visits to Ireland, member of Union Club.

Personal
Son of William Pomeroy, farmer and retired naval officer and Anne Griffith.Married Ellen Elizabeth Crawford in 1870 and had 3 daughters and 2 sons. Church of England.
Date of Birth: 20/07/1838 – Place of Birth: Collon, County Louth, Ireland
Date of Death: 22/12/1911 – Place of Death: Grenfell, New South Wales, Australia

Built between 1908 and 1910 in the Federation Romanesque style by the pioneering engineer Edward Giles Stone, Iandra is a significant Australian example of early reinforced concrete construction.

The homestead, with the surrounding agricultural property is a rare example in Australia of the manorial system, “the likes of which may not exist elsewhere in the state or nation”.[1]

• Although Iandra is colloquially known as a castle, Iandra is not a castle. A castle is a fortified building designed for the defence of territories in warfare, and also used to solidify rule in a region during peace time.
• Iandra is styled on a traditional English stately home, and to call it a castle is technically incorrect. The most correct name for Iandra is probably the one given to it by its first owner George Greene, which is Mount Oriel Homestead.
• The main dwelling in the Iandra homestead is an ornate mansion built from reinforced concrete in the Federation Romanesque style with Tudor influences.
• Consisting of 57 rooms on two storeys, it is referred to locally as “The Castle” in reference to its striking design and its semi-feudal role in the community.
  • The homestead, built by pioneering engineer, Edward Giles Stone, also includes a blacksmith, manager’s residence, stables, and a small Gothic chapel.[1]