By Cathy Jones 2024
‘Brigadoon’ 15 Broughton Road Homebush is a Federation style cottage. It is located on the original Crown land granted to Frederick Meredith in 1793.
In March 1914 Thomas Henry Walmsley of Concord, an iron moulder, purchased Lot 22 from Jessie Smith and James Gregg from a subdivision marketed as the ‘Smith Estate’. The vacant land contained a covenant on the land title which required that any building must be built in stone or brick or stone and brick with slate tile or shingle roof, be only be a private dwelling with one detached dwelling house on the land allotment, be set back by at least 15 feet from Broughton Street frontage and the construction be valued at least £400.
In May 1914, Thomas Walmsley (1901-1933) received approval to build a brick cottage of 4+ rooms. The estimated value of the construction was £653. Builder was G Astle, Broughton Rd Homebush. The house appears for the first time in Sands Directory 1915 for Thomas Walmsley who named the residence ‘Valkyrie’.
The house was originally numbered 11 Broughton Road Homebush and renumbered 15 Broughton Road in 1957.
Walmsley lived at ‘Valkyrie’ with his wife Scalene. In March 1933 he died from injuries from a fall at age 33 years. Ownership of the house transferred to his wife, Scalene Elizabeth Walmsley. In October 1925, Mrs Walmsley transferred ownership to John O’Neill, tram driver, for £900.
In December 1962, the property transferred to Stanley Sinclair of Auburn, company director and Blanche Adelaide Sinclair his wife as joint tenants. In February 1967, the property transferred to Vladimir Kasansky of Strathfield, an engineer, and Eugenie Kasansky his wife as joint tenants
The house has since been renamed ‘Brigadoon’.
