Our History
Discover the rich heritage of Chesterfield Farm
1838
Corhanwarrabul (aboriginal for Mt. Dandenong) Run established by Rev. James Clow. Run was east of Dandenong Creek including modern day suburbs of Wantirna, Bayswater, Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Selby, Emerald, Upper Beaconsfield, Lysterfield and Rowville.
1841
Clow built Tirhatuan Homestead that became House of Call for travellers from Melbourne to Gippsland and Arthur’s Seat.
1850
Corhanwarrabul lease sold to John Wood Beilby who opened the first Victorian sawmill on the site of Ferntree Gully Hotel.
1857
Parish of Scoresby surveyed and thus Corhanwarrabul subdivided.
1858
John McKenzie acquired portion eight, Parish of Scoresby.
1859
Edmund Ashley acquired portion eight, built the old homestead and named it Chesterfield Park. Ashley later bought the Ferntree Gully Hotel.
1874
Bunya Pines were planted out the front of the Chesterfield Homestead.
1893
Farm leased to Edmund William who ran a Dairy Farm.
1909
Harold Teasedale Pollington purchased the property.
1920
Hussey Family ran the Farm
1930
William Gymer ran a mixed herd of 60 Dairy cows.
1938
Adeney family bought the farm at its current size.
1950
Edward Smith bought the Farm and built the present Homestead and the Edna Walling Garden. The Farm was renamed Deavon Meadows, and Smith ran Australia’s first Feedlot Dairy Farm. The feedlot is now the Show Barn.
1976
M.M.B.W. bought the Farm for $1.8 million.
1997
Chesterfield Farm opened to the public and operated by Ablebay P/L.
2012
Chesterfield Farm purchased by new owners Wicked Holdings Pty Ltd in October 2012.