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Nestled between a majestic Tuart forest and the
Vasse Estuary wetlands, the peaceful, almost
romantic setting of Wonnerup belies a more
difficult and turbulent past.
Less than 10 km north of Busselton, the house
built in 1859 was not the first on this site.
George Layman built a rough hut there in 1837.
Four years later, having cleared a small farm by
hand, he built a more substantial home for his
family. Tragically he died that same year, speared
by one of his Aboriginal workers.
Laymanís widow Mary and their five young
children remained on the property. In 1858
tragedy struck again. Maryís second husband was
drowned in a boating accident and the house at
Wonnerup was destroyed by fire. The following
year George Layman Jnr married Amelia and they
started the construction of the buildings we
see today.
Between 1873 and 1875 a small one-room,
one-teacher school was built across the track
from the house.
The house, school and ancillary buildings are a
powerful reminder of the isolation, danger and
struggles faced by the Layman family during its
120 year occupation of Wonnerup.