The original Barnedown Run consisted of 51,280 acres and was first taken up in 1839 by Henry Grey Bennett and was held under "Pre-emptive right" until it was subdivided in 1856 into Muskerry and Mt. Pleasant. In 1853 John Harney arrived in Australia and took up storekeeping at White Hills. In 1855 he took up land which was originally part of Barnedown Run and erected part of the present homestead. In 1860 Harney entertained Bourke and Wills exploration party at Adelaide Vale on the Campaspe River. Mr Harney owned a Hotel which was burnt down in 1861. Henry Grey Bennett a generous man died in1871 and the citizens of Bendigo erected a 20ft monument over his grave.John Harneyperson, individual, john harney, barnedown run, john harney, henry grey bennett, pre-emptive rights, white hills, adelaide vale, bourke and wills, edward o'keefe, cecil hyatt, mr frank k. hill.

Correspondence (1973) re O'Keefe family, Adelaide Vale. Reply mentions a number of O'Keefe's in Bendigo (eg Edward O'Keefe). Reference to a cheese factory (mentioned in obituary notice page 153 of ''Annals of Bendigo''.person, individual, o'keefe family

Document. Connelly, Tatchell & Dunlop. Legal papers. 1 - 1871 - Requisitions on the Title of Messrs O'Keefe Edward, Harney John & Hollow 1909 Edward, trustees for the time being of the St Patrick's Benefit Society. Registered under The Friendly Socys Act to Allot 7 of Sec 13C Sandhurst. Mentions Wolfe James and Wolfe Henry and Rymer John (Smith, Snaith?) (Solicitor). 2 - 1909 - Richardson James C/- Exchange Hotel, Pall Mall Bendigo. Accounts concerning Shelbourne property, sale of Barr Park, Doyle Mrs, re Kortum to Doyle, re transfer of licence Kortum Mr to you, re you, Thompson & Ors.cottage, miners, connelly, tatchell & dunlop, o'keefe edward, harney john, hollow edward, st patricks benefit society, wolfe james, wolfe henry, rymer john smith /snaith, richardson james, doyle mrs, kortum mr, thompson & ors

Adelaide Vale Homestead was begun in 1853 by John Harvey and was later occupied by Edward and Andrew O'Keefe. The building comprises a series of single storey stone buildings arranged behind a simple composed, verandah facade with a centrally located doorway flanked by windows. A central corridor leads from this doorway to a transverse corridor which was probably once an open breezeway. A free- standing octagonal pavilion is located close to the house. This is an interesting homestead dating from early times and constructed of local stone. The front facade is typically composed and the plan reflects the continuous growth of the property throughout the nineteenth century. The octagonal pavillion is a significant and unusual feature. The homestead is picturesquely sited and overlooks the Campaspe River valley, the Burke and Wills expedition camped nearby on their ill-fated expedition north. The old cheese factory is the sole survivor of the once extensive out-buildings. Some of the nineteenth century buildings have been demolished and there have been some later additions and alterations, notably an extensive side wing added in the 1920's. [In Butcher & Flanders, Bendigo Historic Buildings, 1987, the date of the house is given as 1868. Presumably this house replaced an older one on the property.]Adelaide Vale Homestead Fostervillehistory, bendigo, national trust collection bendigo, adelaide vale homestead