This historic homestead was built of bluestone blocks in 1864 on a rise overlooking the Plenty River. It’s current address is 10 Hathfelde Boulevard, Mernda
It was established at a time when surrounding properties grew wheat that was to supply the growing metropolis of Melbourne and those travelling along Plenty Road to the goldfields. Carome Flour mill was soon built to cater for this need.
Arthur Sergeantson owned acreage at Morang known as Searheantson Hall but after he built the water mill, it became known as “Carome”.
The mill was small and barely provided enough income for the miller and his family. It was leased to Hugh Anderson who operated the mill until Sergeantson’s death in 1850. It was then enlarged by William Hardesty and Abraham Willis in an attempt to make it profitable.
Like other mills on the Plenty River there were water supply problems after the Yan Yean Reservoir was completed when millers had to apply to the water balliff to release water back into the river. Willis was awarded six hundred pounds compensation for the loss of water power. The mill burnt down in suspicious circumstances and an insurance claim was rejected as the fire was found to be due to arson.
The wheat fields gave way to dairying, pig farms and poultry farms, the mill ceased to operate and Carome became a dairying property.
The property has had several owners over the years and became a well known horse stud until its sale to the government in 2005. Remains of its earlier occupants and uses include graves of early owners, remains of the two orchards, the ruins of the Mill, the old dairy and chalf shed as well as the horse stables, fences and trotting tracks. The cobblestone entrance road is preserved underneath the current gravel road and the quarry, which provided the basalt blocks for the house and mill can be seen on the river edge.
The house itself was built in stages. The heritage listed house and property has been restored by Mint Inc., the Committee of Management, but of course remains within the Parks Victoria managed Plenty Gorge Park and shares its residency with local kangaroos.
The building is now available for private functions, meetings, breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Ceremonies, photo shoots and receptions
Carome Homestead community garden offers private garden beds to local residents at very reasonable rates. They are responsible in maintaining their own garden plot. There are also community plots for people to share
