2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the purchase of ‘Greenough Steam Mill’ by Thomas Clinch. Later known as Clinch’s Mill, the purchase included the Mill Manager’s residence Cliff Grange. Clinch was a pioneer in the milling process whose celebrated advancements not only improved milling processes in Western Australia but the quality of the flour produced.
Clinch’s Mill and Cliff Grange are located on the historic Greenough Flats which were originally inhabited by the Yamatji Aboriginal tribal groups. Colonial expansion into the Greenough district saw intensive settlement and by 1875 Greenough Flats was the leading primary food production area for the colony. Numerous natural disasters over the next 15 years led to the decline of the district and many places fell into disrepair in the 20th century.
The National Trust acquired a number of significant places on the Flats in the 1970s, including the Central Greenough historic settlement, and has been working diligently to conserve these places. A number of them are being advertised through an open expression of interest process to seek private partnerships we hope will assist with finding new uses.
As part of the process, the National Trust has produced a conservation plan specifically relating to Cliff Grange. The Conservation Plan will be a vital source of information for the ongoing conservation of the place and an invaluable asset to aid the adaptive re-use of the place by the Trust and/or prospective tenants.
If you would like to be a part of Western Australia’s history and think your family or business would flourish at Cliff Grange or any of the other many amazing historic places on the Greenough Flats contact the National Trust.
