Naradhan Woolshed- Rankin Springs Road

After leaving Lake Cargellico, headed for Griffith, we headed out along the Rankin Springs Road.  On previous visits through the area, we had always noticed a beautiful old wool shed along the side of the road.  On this visit we had called into the tourist information centre in town and happened upon a brochure highighting the woolshed, know as Naradhan.  

Of course, Barry loves the history of these sheds and takes any opportunity to have a look see.  I love the photographic atmosphere created, by the light, smells and beautiful timber work throughout the buildings.

This time we had the time to spend and rang to make an appointment to have a tour through the shed.

The owners  Tom and Lan Templeton, were only too happy to spend the time and show us through, giving us an in depth history.  The shed has been in the Templeton family since its very early days.

The shed was built in 1888, by a man who was considered to be the most famous of the woolshed builders of the Riverina - William McFadzean.  Shortly after, it passed into the hands of Thomas Templeton, great grandfather of the preent owner, and was used as a depot shed for all the surrounding farms, until well into the 1930's.

The shed was made from cypress pine and built in a "T" formation.  In the early days of blade shearing it appears to have been a 28 stand shed, then in 1903, over head equipment was installed, powered by an oil fired single cylinder engine and the number of stands reduced to 14.  These days it has been reduced right down to an electric 3 stand, with the owners only running a small amount of sheep.

Naradhan Woolshed

With the assistance of a Heritage grant in 1996, the external facade was fully restored.  New cypress was reclad and it was fitted with new windows and doors.  The original shed had no guttering which is believed to have helped accelerate the decay of the building and so with the restoration, guttering was fitted to the total roof area.

It is hoped in the near future that some of the internal fixtures will also be able to be restored.

The "T" Formation of the woolshed

The light falling through the slats of the shed

One Of The 3 Electric Stands

The Stands

Internal Pens

Wool Bales

If ever you have the opportunity to visit this wonderful old shed - it would be well worth your while and you would be made most welcome by your hosts Tom and Lan