Balston
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Montague (Monty) Balston owned the property “St Claire,” which now makes up Balston Estate on Adam Street as well as the State Government’s Katanning Agricultural Research Facility.
Mary Balston was born in 1912 and married Hirzel Edward House in 1936 (son of Doctor Frederick Maurice House and Ethel Elizabeth Delisle) b 1903 d 1960. Peter Balston was born 8 November, 1921. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 31 March 1941 during World War Two.
The “Coach House” at Kobeelya College was renovated incorporating TV Theatrette, Arts and Crafts Centre and Classrooms. Refashioning and equipping this building was a gift from Mrs. Montague Balston in memory of her daughter Pamela Balston who died tragically and was a former pupil.
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IN THE NEWS
WOMAN’S REALM.
SOCIAL NOTES.
WEEKEND WEDDINGS.
West Australian
1 July 1946 – p5
Katanning Ceremony.
(By “Avon.”)
The marriage of Joan Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Montague Balston, of St. Clair, Katanning, to Colin William, son of Mr. J. D. Lamont and Mrs. Lamont, of Kooringa, Wagga Wagga, N.S.W., was celebrated at the Kobeelya School Chapel on Saturday.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a lovely classically cut gown of shimmering lace patterned in a leaf design, the flared skirt of which fell from the moulded hip line. Her long wedding veil of filmy tulle, which was worn over her face, was held by a light coronet. of orange blossom. A bouquet of white roses and palest Cecil Brunner roses was carried.
Miss Shirley Perry, the only bridesmaid, wore a misty-blue crepe with the new draped shoulder and hip-line, the bodice of which was studded with fuchsia-toned rhinestones. Her shoulder length veil of palest cyclamen tulle was held by a small spray of flowers, which matched her bouquet. Mr. Peter Balston was best man.
After the ceremony a reception was held at St. Clair, where Mrs. Balston received the guests wearing a smart gown of midnight blue, with the neckline and shoulders embroidered in scintillating French pallettes, with which she wore a tiny ostrich feather-trimmed matching hat. Her bouquet was of gaily coloured gerberas.
Mrs. C. W. Lamont wore a fur cape and a small, veiled pancake hat, trimmed with a smart snakeskin bow, with her going away frock of warm chocolate brown.
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FATAL SHOOTING ACCIDENT.
Great Southern Herald
3 June 1944 – p1
Death of Miss Pamela Balston.
Miss Pamela Balston, aged 19 years, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs Montague Balston of Katanning, was accidentally shot on Sunday afternoon near the homestead of her father’s property 16 miles from Kojonup along the Collie Road. According to information gathered by Sgt J. White, of the Katanning Police Force, Mr Balston and his two daughters, Pamela and Joan, had driven from Katanning to the Collie Road property on Sunday afternoon to muster sheep, arriving at the homestead in the vicinity of 4 o’clock.
After unloading the utility in which they had driven over, it was agreed that Mr Balston and Pamela go out to try for duck on a pool a short distance from the homestead, while Jean remained at the house to prepare a meal. Mr Balston carried an 18g double-barrelled shotgun, proceeding in one direction to the north end of the chain of pools, while Pamela arrived with a 0.22 rifle left a few minutes later to go to a spot lower down and at the back of the wool shed. Mr Balston, having arrived at his stated destination, waited for the duck to come over. He heard one shot from the direction his daughter had taken, but with no duck appearing he returned to the homestead.
This was at about 4.30 p.m. and, when Pamela had not returned at dusk, he and Joan, in the utility, drove to the wool shed in search of her. They found Pamela lying alongside a board fence of a race at the end of the woolshed, the rifle being on the ground on the other side of the fence. The body was lifted into the utility, Mr Balston driving directly to the Kojonup Hospital, where Dr. Abernethy pronounced life extinct, the bullet from the rifle discharged at close range, having entered the head in the vicinity of the right temple.
Authority having been obtained from the District Coroner, Mr E. S. Reynolds, the sad journey was continued on to Katanning, where the body was delivered to the Katanning Hospital pending the funeral, which took place on Tuesday afternoon.
FUNERAL
Great Southern Herald
3 June 1944 – p6
PAMELA CLARE BALSTON
The death of Miss Pamela Balston, under such tragic circumstances, stirred the whole community to a depth of sympathy which took visual form in the attendances on Tuesday afternoon at the services, first at the school Chapel of St. Michael and All Angels and, later, in the Anglican portion of the Katanning Cemetery.
Pamela, who had lived the whole of her brief life in the district, was beloved by those who knew her intimately and esteemed by all with whom she came in contact for her sweet nature and friendly disposition. A pupil of “Kobeelya” from the time she entered the kindergarten class until she arrived at school-leaving age such a little time ago. The whole of her spiritual life had been centred in the school chapel, where she was confirmed as a schoolgirl and at which since she had been a regular attendant for Divine Worship.
The service, conducted at the Chapel by the Rev. T. R. Pelham Thorman, was most impressive and visibly moved the congregation, among whom were the senior girls from Kobeelya, relatives and close friends. The casket, which had been placed in the aisle before the altar, was banked by flowers, on it being placed wreaths from her parents and sister, Joan; her brother, Peter (RAAF); and from Kobeelya.
The long cortege then moved off to the Cemetery, where the interment took place in the presence of a large number of ex-service men and members of the Volunteer Defence Corps, as well as representatives of the town and district. Duties of pall bearers were carried out by Messrs Colin Craig, H. E House, Ashton Hunter, J. C. Lee, H. A. Fildes and Norman Anderson with funeral arrangements being in the hands of Messrs. C. E. Courtis and Co., Katanning. On Wednesday morning a Requiem was said at Kobeelya Chapel, at which relatives and all the senior classes and members of the staff of Kobeelya attended.
FLORAL TRIBUTES
Floral tributes were received from the following : Mummy, Daddy and Sister Joan; Brother Peter; The Ambrose Family; Wendy; Rosemary; Lucy and Bob; John and Peggy Wickham; Peter and Tim; Mr and Mrs Norman Anderson; Mr and Mrs Rowland B. Davies, Poppy and Margot; George and Marjorie; Lucy and Fred, Geof and Mary Maxwell (Perth); Vida and Ian McEacharn (Melbourne); Mamie and Tom Catling; Irene and Leonard, Margery and Norman; Audrey and Jack; Margie, Helen and Tom Aitkinson; “Kobeelya”; Judith Phillips; Des Gaze;
Elizabeth and Jill; Mrs F. O. Gaze and Bill; Mrs Walter Stewart and Elner; Meg and Buster; The Crossley Family; Mr and Mrs W. N. Mathews and Jocelyn; Mr and Mrs Wellard; Mr and Mrs Geo. House; Mr and Mrs Russell Brown; Dorothy and Max Richardson; Mr and Mrs E. Campbell Pope, Molly and Robin; Nan and Norman Brookman; Mr and Mrs Seward; Mr and Mrs J. Cassady and Family; Mr and Mrs J. Fitzmaurice;
Members of the Kojonup VDC; Full Time Duty Staff VDC, Katanning; Colonel Robinson and Staff VDC Headquarters Perth; The President, Officers and Members of the Katanning Sub-Branch. RSL; Tom and Mary De Pledge; Normal Duty Staff No.6 Batt. H.Q. V.D.C.; Colonel Chappell and Staff VDC, Wagin; Mr and Mrs F. F. Thompson; Mr and Mrs Jas. Old and Shirley; Harold, Bessie and Betty Piesse; Mr and Mr M. B. Bennecke, Kojonup; Mr and Mrs C. E. Courtis and Boys; Fred and Irene Heron; Mr and Mrs J. Barkley and Ivy; Edmund and Molly; June and Leslie Johnston; The Tambellup VDC; Margery and Herb Parkes; Arthur and Bubby Rischbieth; The Directors of Richardson and Co., Ltd; Mr and Mrs F. Freemantle, Ettie and Frank; Dr and Mrs W. E. Caldwell; Mr and Mrs S Wake Mazey;
Shirley Potts and Myrtle Freemantle; The Manager and Staff Dalgety and Coy; Margie and Keith House; Members of C Company VDC; Mr and Mrs H. L. Stronach; Mr and Mrs Robert Scott, Margaret and the other members of the Family; Barbara and David Stewart; Mr and Mrs Ashton Hunter, Beth and Mac.; Mr and Mrs Wilfred House and Family; The Manager and Staff of Goldsbrough, Mort and Co, Ltd; Frank and Mrs O’Meeham; Mr and Mrs A. T. Crouch and Betty; Mr and Mrs A. M. Martin; Gweneth and Tom Anderson; Ellanor Ward; The Gordon-Clifton’s; Mr and Mrs H. E. House; Mr and Mrs F. W. Cox; Enid and John Downer; Betty Wickham; Judy Macqueen and Kathleen Johnston; Mr and Mrs J. B. Cornelius; Parent, Body and Members of the Younger Set C.W.A. Katanning Branch; Mr and Mrs. Synnott, Bill and David.
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ST CLAIRE (Balston Estate)
St Claire, Katanning
The original house forms part of what is now known as Balston Estate on the south east entrance edge to the town of Katanning. It is a good example of a 1920s farmhouse estate in close proximity to the town centre. It alludes to themes of occupations as well as settlement. The building style is quite unique to the area.
The Balston’s were also significant members of the Katanning district, not only for their farming but also for their civic involvement. Monty Balston was s committee member of the Road Board and Chairman of Directors of Katanning Boys Grammar School (1930). Mrs Balston was a founding member and on the committee of the Marloo Club . Their estate is one of three such estates that form part of the vanguard of pioneer sheep farmers in the Katanning and Kojonup region.
The Balston Estate, which was built for Mr and Mrs Balston, took about seven years to complete. The site was originally 200 acres and the Balston’s used to keep sheep and grow wheat, barley and lupins. The house also had an elaborate English-style garden.
From the inHerit website:
St Claire is an inter-war, asymmetrical bungalow set in generous grounds, with a high pitched and gabled roof. Lower walls are brick and upper walls are roughcast render. The front is divided into three bays. The central bay is gabled with polygonal bay beneath a flat roof verandah on Tuscan columns. Lead light double hung windows flank the semi-circular porch with tiles sunhoods over and traditional gables.
An extension has been built on the right-hand side and a pergola and carport added to the left. The original stable is now used as a shed and is connected to the house by the carport. The house is set in large grounds with a circular drive with plantings of native trees and palms.
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AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION
As an agricultural research station established by the Department of Agriculture, the place has some scientific and social value as a research station but has little historic value to its recent establishment (2000). The place also contains buildings that were established on the property prior to its acquisition by the Department of Agriculture. Silo 36, a reinforced silo, appears to be very similar to that constructed at the Avondale Research Station in 1928, possibly dating from the Inter-War period. It may have local significance. House No. 3 appears to be a typical Post-War bungalow and is unlikely to have much local cultural heritage significance.
St Claire was originally a private farm, owned by Don Hoare, at the time of its acquisition in 2000 by the Department of Agriculture, to be managed as part of Katanning Research Station. Katanning Research Station had been established in 1981 to undertake research into improved livestock (sheep) strains.
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CAN YOU HELP?
Do you have any historical information or photographs of the Balston Family or its property and house, “St Claire?”
If so I would love to hear from you. You can contact me via email:
admin@lostkatanning.au
or complete and submit the form below.