Support the Polwarth Project

Get behind the Polwarth Project to grow Australia’s wool heritage

It’s all about opening up historic Tarndwarncoort Homestead further to share the rich heritage of wool growing.

Tying together the stories of the past with the hand-made fabrics of the present to help inform the textiles and crafts of the future.

After 185 years as a place the Dennis family have shared with many others, Tarndwarncoort is preparing for the next 15 years to ensure it can still be a useful, productive place for a variety of people on its 200th anniversary.

Tarndwarncoort’s heritage is significant to Victoria as it reflects the fortunes of the wool industry since colonial settlement. The boom times that spurred on construction of the homestead are long gone, but the need to maintain, conserve and repair the place carries on with gusto!

Visitors and the Wool Shop help us fund these works.

This project seeks to improve and add to the fundamental parts the visitor experience, such as site access, engaging with the history and real sheep as well as woolcraft.

Tarndwarncoort Visitor Experience Upgrade Project

Access improvements

The homestead and farm is built on the north facing of the very first of the Otway’s foothills. There’s always a slope to contend with!
The courtyard between the homestead and the ciderhouse / Woolshop / outbuilding is a wonderful place to host events and for visitors to sit with a coffee.
Ramps, steps and event spaces need to be constructed to allow people of all abilities to enjoy the heritage values of the space.
The Polwarth Hub

Mini-museum / interpretive / woolcraft exhibition space
Create a hub for the Polwarth breed – a place open to public to discover the breed of sheep, what happens to its wool, to contain information for the Polwarth Sheep Breeders Association, a space for woolcraft workshops, a gallery space to display finished woolcraft pieces.
Fitting out an existing space in the Ciderhouse Building (once a place to house the horse-drawn buggy) that has been home to many a wool workshop and 15 years of Crafty Sundays.
Display of key items in exhibition boxes, some written info. Woolcraft display case for regularly changing exhibits – moth proof. Feature rotating exhibits with clear signage, tactile displays, and inclusive storytelling.
Purpose is to let visitors understand the story of the place in their own time before entering the shop / or while they are visiting during a group tour / while they stay in the accommodation.
Exhibition curation, historical research, preparation and installation for four displays
1.      The Land of Tarndwarncoort and the Region.
2.      The Colonial family, the community and people in regional Victoria.
3.      The significance of Polwarth sheep to the region, Australia and the story of their introduction.
4.      Woolcraft then and now.
To set up the Hub, these works will be carried out:
1. Collection Research and Preparation. 2. Exhibition design and graphic design. 3. Produce interpretive elements (didactics/video). 4. Fit out and Installation. 5. Collection Care
Meet-the-Sheep Area

Adjacent to the Polwarth Hub and Wool Shop would be a dedicated paddock for Polwarth sheep to graze and be on hand to interact with visitors.
This part of the project would require landscaping, fencing and a little yard with seats so people can get up close with members of the Polwarth flock.

Donate today

Would you like to help see this plan come to fruition?

Use the function below to make a one-off donation to the Polwarth Project at Tarndwarncoort - secured by Stripe Payments.

Donations can also be made in person at the Wool Shop, or over the phone by credit card or by invoice. Please contact Tom at info@tarndie.com or discuss by phone on 0480 080 248.