Marks Villa

An old silo and fig trees mark the site of the original ‘Marks Villa’ homestead, near the Illawarra Regional Airport at Albion Park Rail.

The Johnston family, a well known farming family from Albion Park, leased ‘Marks Villa’ from John Russell in 1907 and then purchased the property at the Russell Estate sale in 1916.

‘Marks Villa’ homestead had two large bedrooms and a  lounge room, a kitchen and laundry. The verandah was closed in by the Johnston family and the children slept in there.

During World War II  the Department of Defence resumed part of the Johnston’s farm when they built the airstrip in 1942. This put great strain on the Johnston family and their dairying business, as much of their fertile farming land had been lost. At times the cheque the family received for their milk did not cover costs and the family almost went bankrupt.

Mrs. Mimie Johnston’s brother James Russell East was the Mayor of Shellharbour during the war years and tried to stop the land from being taken, however he was unsuccessful. Many sacrifices were made by local people during the war.

The homestead was relocated to a site behind the historic home ‘Ravensthorpe’, some two kilometers to the west. The house was lifted up, put on blocks and transported across the paddock. This caused a huge disruption to the family for a number of years.

The Johnston's were provided some compensation from the government for the resumption of their precious land, however it didn't amount to much and certainly did not cover the costs they incurred.

‘Marks Villa’ still lies behind Ravensthorpe homestead today.

 

The Johnston family outside Marks Villa at Albion Park c.1910
Shellharbour Images Shellharbour City Libraries.

John Alfred and Mimie East c.1910
Shellharbour Images Shellharbour City Libraries.