Yarralumla Woolshed

Frederick Campbell of Yarralumla constructed the Yarralumla Woolshed in 1904. The Federal Government resumed this historic property in 1913 and Yarralumla homestead has served as the residence of the Governor-General.

In 1902, good rainfalls broke a severe drought of several years’ duration. This led to greater prosperity for local property owners allowing them to construct new farm buildings. The Yarralumla Woolshed was one of these.

During WWI the woolshed was used to store building materials for the construction of Canberra’s main sewer and other public works, and later partitioned with galvanised iron to form sleeping areas for labourers on various building sites in the new city.

In 1917 local farmers asked that the shed be used again for shearing. Initially leased to shearing contractors the McInnes brothers, several local families formed Yarralumla Pty Ltd and leased the woolshed. Shearing ceased in November 1964.

Since the 1970s, the building has become an important Canberra community social venue, particularly as a focus for bush dances and folk music activities. Various organisations, including the Monaro Folk Society, continue to use it as a venue for dances.

More information

Australian Capital Territory Interim Heritage Places Register
Yarralumla Woolshed, outbuildings and associated grounds. Canberra, ACT Heritage Council, 1998.
ACTHL Location: H 711.4099471 AUST

Gillespie, Lyall
Canberra 1820-1913. Canberra : AGPS, 1991.

ACTHL Location: H 994.71 CANB

Horsfield, Jennifer
“[Yarralumla Woolshed]”, Queanbeyan History and Heritage Heritage Network Newsletter, March 2005.
ACTHL Location: H 994.47 QUEA

Yarralumla Woolshed and outbuildings : conservation management plan prepared by Philip Cox & Partners Pty. Ltd. for the Department of Transport & Construction, ACT Region, November 1982., Kingston, A.C.T : Philip Cox & Partners, 1982.

“Yarralumla Woolshed” in Canberra and District Historical Society Newsletter, No. 393 June/July 2004, p. 7-8.
ACTHL Location: H 994. 7 CANB

Yonge, Pam
“Memories of Yarralumla Woolshed”, in Canberra and District Historical Society Newsletter, No. 393 June/July 2004, p. 8.
ACTHL Location: H 994. 7 CANB