“The Downs”, an area of 2607 acres is situated in the Rocky Creek Valley, near Barraba. Edward was awarded the property by secret ballot in 1909. In 1922, after the initial projects of clearing the land and fencing were established, building of the homestead was commenced. Eventually, construction of the shearing shed and other outer buildings followed.
The Simshauser family continued to live at “The Downs” until 1973 when it was sold to MacKenzie Ross Munro who already held the property “Lochiel” which adjoins. He named the place “Panpanboolala”. John and Jill Herring purchased “The Downs” in 1983 and have continued to live there ever since. Here is their description of “The Downs”.
‘We bought the place in 1983 and got possession at the end of the drought in April, Anzac weekend when the drought broke. In early May when we moved our furniture, the truck almost bogged whilst unloading. We renamed both places from the old – “Lochiel Downs”.
We enjoy “The Downs” and run sheep and Hereford and Santa Gertrudis cattle. The old homestead is beautifully situated and we would enjoy to live there but alas, it is beyond repair and we live in the “Lochiel” house which we have extensively renovated.
“The Downs” could be described as an undulating valley running from Rocky Creek to the Terrergee range at the back. On the Rocky Creek frontage we grow a small area of crop for cattle feed (oats or summer crops). The place is located 56 km from Bingara and the same distance from Narrabri. It is slightly further to Barraba via Upper Horton or Trevallyn.
The older locals have told us great stories of the dances once held at “The Downs” woolshed with the band “up top” in a sort of storage loft above the catching pens.’