At some time prior to 1859 Moise (Moyse) Roussel aquired several
adjoining properties in the Eastern Creek area. Roussel rearranged the
borders to create four seperate properties, one of which was named "Herguilliers" ("Herculears"). With
Moise's death in 1868, the four properties, including "Herguilliers", passed first to his
wife, Sarah, and then to his daughter Sarah Perkins. "Herguilliers", then comprising 642
acres, was sold to Mr Pocock in 1902/1903 and in 1919 to
Frederick Bigg, who was originally from Shellharbour, on the NSW South
Coast. It was Frederick Bigg who renamed the homestead "Southridge". The Biggs raised
cattle and pigs on the site and also some dairying. In 1950, after the
death of Frederick's widow, the estate was sold to Penfolds Winery who
established vineyards on the property. In 1964 Penfolds began winding
back operations and sold "Southridge".
115 acres was aquired by the state Electricity Commission, the
remainder by Austral Bricks, who paid over $1,000,000 for the remainder
of the property, which included the homestead. An immense sum at the
time. The homestead is under a preservation order and is still owned by
Austral Bricks, who mine clay deposits on the property. The homestead
is currently leased as a private residence.
Constructed from locally made clay brick, originally with a wood
shingle roof, which has since been replaced or covered with corrugated
iron roofing. The central part of the house contains four rooms, with
fireplaces and chimneys in two of the rooms. All the windows had
lockable wooden shutters and panelled glass windows. The homestead
originally had a three-sided verandah, at some stage the two side wings
have been enclosed creating additional rooms, probably in the early
1900's. Other additions including a toilet were added around the same
time. A single storey homestead with pyramidal roof and deep verandahs
on three sides.
In addition to the homestead a number of outbuildings were built by
Roussel, the Perkin's and the Bigg's, including stables, barns, a
laundry, dairy and wagon shed.
Sources: Blacktown City Sun, 18/7/2000 Blacktown Advocate, 5/11/2000
Mt Druitt Historical Society - Historical Sites of Mt Druitt Tour.
George Nicolaidis. 21/10/2000
"Eastern Creek & Land Settlers",
George Nicolaidis, 2000, Blacktown City Council (Pub)
NSW Heritage Office Website, http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au