About Us
- Located in the Banana Shire, in Queensland, Australia, the 139yr old Kilburnie Homestead is a unique place. Yes, it's a cattle station. But there's more. A fascinating collection of art and historic material has been amassed at Kilburnie for the past century, and now it is time to shed light on this amazing legacy. In early 2017 the Homestead was opened to the public for the first time, and since then we have welcomed around 2000 visitors to Kilburnie.
- Kilburnie hosts public Open Days each year, with changing exhibitions of Art and History. (See What's On) Every Open Day we also welcome local musicians to perform in the Homestead. Open Day entry is usually by donation, or if you plan to book a group tour and lunch contact us for pricing. We also fund-raise for the R.F.D.S. and are committed to supporting local artists and businesses, in honour of the late Ruby Campbell.
- The Homestead is 25km from the local town of Biloela, and 15km from the village of Jambin, 100km from Gladstone, and 140km from Rockhampton. We are easily found on the Argoon Kilburnie Road, and are certainly regional, but definitely NOT remote! 4WDs are welcome, but not necessary!
- We offer guided tours of the main homestead, outbuildings, burial sites, and gallery.
- Multimedia displays help tell the story of Kilburnie and the Campbell family.
- Live blacksmithing displays and horse and buggy rides at some Open Days (see What's On)
- Plenty of parking space and limited wheelchair access to the ground-floor areas.
- Light refreshments are available to purchase on Open Days and there are shaded seating and eating areas throughout the grounds.
- We have toilet facilities and are child-friendly.
Pictured above: Stationhands Mal and Shane working on our 2017 Australia Day Fencing project.
What's On!
2023 IS KILBURNIE'S 140TH ANNIVERSARY!
Although we will celebrate 140 years since the Campbell pioneers established Kilburnie, we also want to take this opportunity to honour and acknowledge the Gangalu People - Traditional Custodians of the Land where Kilburnie sits.
Always was - always will be - Gangalu Country
- We are planning some very special projects as part of Kilburnie's 140th Celebrations in 2023 -
Date claimer: 16th - 18th September 2023 is our Celebratory Weekend!
Watch this space for more details, or follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/HistoryArtMusicBananaShire/
Art Gallery
Ruby Martin Campbell Limited Edition Fine Art Prints available for purchase by contacting us - KilburnieHomestead@gmail.com Prints are matted and sleeved unless otherwise specified. Click images for description and size.
History
Early days...
The beginning of the story... 1870 - 1943
Kilburnie was established as a pastoral property in 1883 by John and Elizabeth Campbell, who had emigrated to Queensland, Australia, from Ireland in 1870. They had been working on Dumgree Station, near Gladstone in Central Qld, but were keen to obtain land of their own. The first lease for Kilburnie was for 10 000 acres. The Campbell family had nine children (eight survived into adulthood) and in the early days of Kilburnie all the children were active helpers on the property. The family bred draught horses, and eventually introduced the first Hereford cattle to the area. As the children grew up and got married they moved on to new lives, but one daughter, Ruby (a gifted artist), stayed on at Kilburnie, eventually inheriting the property when her father John passed away in 1943. (Image; Elizabeth and John Campbell).
Kilburnie today...
The story continues: 1940 - 2018...
Although Ruby Campbell never married there were always plenty of visitors to Kilburnie; her many nieces and nephews would often come to stay with her and she was very active in promoting the arts in Central Qld, lobbying for galleries to be established in Rockhampton and Biloela. When the time came to pass on her beloved Kilburnie in 1977, she left it to her niece Heather Stewart (nee Campbell). Heather kept the property going through difficult times following Ruby's passing, and it was always her vision that one day Kilburnie Homestead could be opened to the public, and the amazing collection of history and art that has been amassed here could be appreciated.
A fourth generation descendant of John and Elizabeth Campbell, Heather's daughter Fiona, and her family, are now bringing this vision to reality. (Image; Beryl and Ruby Campbell)
Art
Beauty in the Bush
Etchings
Exquisite detail in Black & White
Kilburnie is the birthplace and former home of Ruby Martin Campbell (1888 - 1977), a significant Central Qld artist. Among her most notable works is the collection of black and white etchings she created during the 1930's.
Pyrography
Marks of fire
Ruby Campbell's artistic legacy also includes a very beautiful collection of designs burned into timber furniture. As you wander through the Homestead you will encounter Pyrographic designs inspired by myth and legend.
Paintings
An extensive collection of Works
The Kilburnie Homestead art collection is home to a great variety of paintings in various mediums by Ruby Campbell and many other artists, both local and national, including a number of works by the late Geoffrey Bardon, A.M.
Music
Live performances by local musicians in the Homestead gardens.
Saxophonic & Friends
Reviving Classic Music
We are fortunate to have a wealth of talented local musicians in the area! Kilburnie is committed to supporting these amazing performers, and when the Homestead is open, we host performances of vocal and instrumental music for our guests.
Smoko and Songs
Eat, Drink and be Merry
Sit back and enjoy the performances with a cup of complimentary tea or coffee (light refreshments are available to purchase as well). There's plenty of room to relax in the Homestead's extensive grounds.
TEAM
Find us here: 531 Argoon Kilburnie Road,
Callide, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Heather Stewart
Owner of Kilburnie Homestead
Without Heather's vision and determination, Kilburnie would not be here today. Sadly Heather passed away in September 2022. We plan to keep her legacy alive at Kilburnie.
The Musicians
Allan, Del, Naomi, (pictured)
Also... Les, Maggie, Fiona, Ron, Genevieve, Debbie....
The Curators
Fiona & Maggie
We love cataloging, curating, and researching our collection.... and taking selfies!
The Stationhands
Although the crew has changed a bit lately, you'll still find friendly faces around the ridges here.
The Blacksmiths
Working with Iron and Fire in the Kilburnie Blacksmith's Shed
The Volunteers
Pictured; Len Neale.
Running a museum takes a lot of willing workers!
The Cats
Pictured; Jack and Mowse.
Kilburnie is home to a variety of animals, but the ones most likely to be spotted by visitors are the cats...
