Our History: The Story of Heritage House
The history of our main building has been a point of local pride and discussion for decades. Originally known as the Sacred Heart Convent, the building was acquired by the Sisters of Mercy in June 1945 and began operating as a boarding house the following year. It provided essential accommodation for boys attending the nearby Yarraman Roman Catholic School. The young boarders lived on the lower level, while the upper floor housed the resident nuns, the convent cook, and the communal kitchen.
As school bus services expanded throughout the district, the need for student boarding declined, leading to the convent’s closure in 1966. After sitting vacant for five years, the building found new life in 1971 when the Sisters of All Hallows utilised it as a quiet retreat and youth seminar space. It was later transferred to the Motor Missions, and eventually to the Indigenous wing of the Catholic Church. Over time, the empty structure fell into severe disrepair and was ultimately scheduled for demolition
Preservation and Growth
Refusing to let this piece of history disappear, the Yarraman & District Historical Society Inc. was formed in 1996. Working alongside the Rosalie Shire Council, the Society successfully purchased the property in 1997.
Since saving the landmark, we have undertaken extensive restoration work to revitalise the main building and its grounds. Today, the heritage complex has expanded to house seven additional historical structures, each preserved on-site to tell a unique piece of our regional history:
- Keid’s Cottage – A window into early pioneer family life.
- The Old Butcher Shop – Arthur Brown’s original village shopfront.
- Yarraman Railway Station – The original c.1913 transport hub.
- Rocky Hill School – A preserved early 20th-century country classroom.
- The Cream Shed – Celebrating our local dairy farming roots.
- The Slab Hut – A rare, rugged example of early Australian bush construction.
- Railway Weigh Station – Preserving the industrial and agricultural history of the tracks.
