Following preparation of a conservation plan* by Gail Lipke in 1997, initial urgent work was carried out in July 2002 and March 2003 to stabilise the building and prevent further damage. By 1995, subsidence and rotation of the south chimney were placing stress on the whole structure and dragging it towards the south-east. The initial work consisted mainly of rebuilding the southern fireplace and chimney (re-using the existing bricks to the extent possible), replacing rotted bedlogs and re-levelling the building to the extent necessary. The northern chimney was also removed to below roof level to prevent its possible collapse. The front (east) verandah floor and the rotted lower part of its posts were replaced and steps taken to improve drainage. During this work, some concealed elements of the structure were revealed, notably the bedlogs and a lath-and-plaster layer over the log walls.

Kay Brown visited Bullamon several times from 1995 to 2003 and took many photographs. These are an invaluable visual record of Old Bullamon Homestead and its surroundings during, and immediately before, the first phase of conservation work. Kay, who had a key role in the conservation process, maintained an interest in Bullamon and made further visits over the years. In the early 2000s, she published** a transcript of the Bullamon Letters in printed form and on CD, with the CD also including a scanned copy of the earlier of the two letter books (the second one was already too fragile to scan).

*Lipke, Gail & Thallon Progress Association & Queensland. Department of Environment (1997). Bullamon Homestead, Thallon, Queensland : a conservation plan for the Thallon Progress Association & The Department of Environment, Queensland.

**Brown, Kay. & Thallon Progress Association (2002).  The Bullamon letter books 1886-1890. 

The conservation of Bullamon Homestead has been a labour of love over the last 30 years.  The journey began with the Homestead being Heritage Listed in 1996 and the priceless Bullamon Letter Books being transcribed. This was followed in 2002 when extensive work on the foundations of the building were undertaken. With many of the bed logs almost completely rotted away the building was very fragile and in danger of collapsing on itself. This work meant the building could be straightened and stabilised and at the same time one of the chimneys was rebuilt, while the other was taken down to prevent it falling through the roof. This work no doubt saved the building from collapse and meant it survived until further conservation work was commenced in 2019. The aim of this funding was to make the building safe and lockable so it could be opened to the Public, and focussed on undertaking repairs to the roof, walls, doors, windows and veranda boards of the homestead. This was followed by additional conservation work in 2020 which saw the outbuildings conserved, further work on the verandas completed and the northern chimney rebuilt.  The final round of conservation works conducted in 2021-22 focussed on restoring the hearths, a section of the unique brick irrigation drains, the canvas ceilings and the once beautiful gardens, including the centre piece Bush House. With the Homestead and its surrounds now bought back to life it will be wonderful to see it open to the public so this incredible piece of our local history can be enjoyed by generations to come. 

The conservation of the Old Bullamon Homestead has received funding support from the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action grant program and at an earlier stage, the Commonwealth Government under the Cultural Heritage Projects Program. The 1997 Conservation Plan received funding from the Department of Environment, Queensland. Publication of the Bullamon Letters in 2002 was supported by the Queensland Community Cultural Heritage Incentive Program through the Environmental Protection Agency.

Collecting the historical information and telling the story of Old Bullamon Station and Homestead has been an ongoing task with many people involved. We are immensely grateful to:

The families of Duncan and Leonora Mackay, Edward and Ellen Hill, Allan and Fanny Gillespie and Tom and Cissy Brown for generously sharing their family photographs, documents, memories and knowledge to help bring the history of Old Bullamon Homestead to life. 

Valerie Tilbrook of the Clare Museum, South Australia, for photographs of James and Lucy Hill and their family. 

The many institutions which have provided material, notably the Queensland and New South Wales State Archives, the National Library of Australia, the State Libraries of Queensland and New South Wales, the Queensland Museum and the Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying, Queensland. 

The Thallon Progress Association, which has supported this project in various ways since 1994.

Archaeologist and historian Kay Brown for her ongoing involvement since the 1990s, including by transcribing and publishing the “Bullamon Letters”, thus preserving and making available an invaluable first-hand record. 

The Balonne Shire Council for supporting with both works and funding to fill in the gaps to make the opening of the Homestead possible.

Heritage architect John Hoysted for his expert input throughout the project.

Bill Willis for his help with many things, including creation of a new access road for visitors to the homestead.

Sally Rigney for her audio-visual record of the final stages of the conservation work and the history behind it.

Melanie O’Flynn for her input into the website, creating the history display, writing the “Old Bullamon” information booklet, and her ongoing research into Bullamon and its people.

The many other people who have contributed time, expertise and equipment over the years.

And above all, Leanne Brosnan for her vision and drive, over a period of nearly 30 years, that has made the preservation and conservation of Old Bullamon Homestead possible so that people can continue to appreciate this important piece of local heritage into the future.