Mallala (Butler) Station
| Also known as: | Butler Station |
|---|---|
| Town or Locality: | Mallala |
The land in the Hundred of Grace was originally occupied for pastoral purposes.
Under the Waste Lands Act of 1842 Philip Butler was granted renewable occupation licences for one year on land around the River Light. With a friend Alexander Grant, Philip obtained further licences in the Hundreds of Grace and Dublin. Large tracts of the country were allotted to pastoralists in the 1850s, and in 1851 Messrs Grant and Butler secured a 14 years lease, in lieu of occupation licence, for 163 square of country at 10/- a mile, which upon expiry or resumption, was included in the Hundreds of Grace and Dublin. In 1857 Philip Butler purchased an area of this land, known as the 'Mallala Station' and became the first land owner in the Mallala district
The station was large and embraced most of the land in the Hundred of Grace.
At the homestead was a station store and post office to which many early settlers walked miles to obtain supplies and make use of the mail facility.
The store and post office building fell into disrepair and was partially demolished in 1961. Water was also a major problem for the early settlers but good wells at the Butler homestead, and at Campbell's station, greatly assisted the settlers who still had to cart water long distances.
The station was eventually divided, with Richard Butler (later Sir Richard Butler - Premier of South Australia) retaining much of the land.
Part of the property was purchased by Messrs W.S.J. & Son L.O. Tucker in 1927, and remains in the ownership of the Tucker family.
The original homestead, which has had continuous occupation, was extensively restored in 1998.
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Memories of Mallala (Butler) Station
I am the daughter of L.O. Tucker and I lived in the homestead from birth to my marriage (1935 - 1957) and have a great interest in the homestead and surrounds. In July 2011 it is undergoing another period of renovation including a new roof, and will be a beautiful spacious home in which Laurie Tucker's grandson will live.
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