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Dianne's Story
It is hard to believe that the now magnificent Stonehouse and surrounding gardens situated in the
picturesque apple growing area of the Huon Valley southern Tasmania was little more than a shell when
Dianne and Ian Smith acquired it in 1982.
It was still many years before the Smiths were able to initiate their dream of
transforming the badly deteriorated property into an outstanding example of heritage restoration and
surrounding garden.
The story of Stonehouse gardens starts with Charles Oates, an English convict who was transported to
Tasmania in 1844. He proved himself to be reliable and gained his ticket of leave and was given an
amount of money from the government.
He married his boss's daughter and rapidly increased his wealth and standing in the community,
establishing a butcher's shop, bakery, dairy farm, apple orchard, all of which the elders of the
family of 12 providored around the district as far as Franklin in the 1860's. Also a timber
mill and even two sailing ships to transport his timber to the mainland. Previous to 1854
a small stone cottage was built on the property. This housed the workers, while the larger
grander house was being constructed in 1854 adjacent to the cottage. Three generations of
the Oates family had lived in this house. Sadly it fell into extreme disrepair, and that was
the challenge Dianne and Ian took on.
Despite the deterioration caused by years of neglect (Dianne and Ian Smith) they were able to
envisage the potentially grand house, rising from the heavily grassed paddocks, returning
it to a new and different glory. They had a vision for the renewal of the orchards, house and the
creation of a new and flourishing garden. Dianne specifically was able to look beyond the
deterioration caused by years of neglect and envisage the beautifully grand house surrounded by
tranquil English style gardens that would grow from her passion and commitment.
The Smiths acquired the property in 1972 when they offered the widow of the third generation
orchardist's life tenure and in 1985 Dianne and Ian started renovating. At this time Dianne had a
hairdressing salon nearby, with their younger daughter as her apprentice. As Claudette's training
progressed, Dianne started renovating in her spare time and in the evenings. The renovations to the
interior of the house proved to be a larger project then initially estimated by the Smiths and so they
were not able to move into the house until 1989.
Dianne felt a commitment to commence her garden once they eventually moved into the house. She often
woke at night with visions, plans and thoughts for the garden. It had become a
driving force in her life and is now a testimony to her vision, courage, and determination. Much of
the physical work was undertaken by Dianne herself, with support for larger projects from Ian and the
farm staff, if they proved too much for Dianne, who is a petite but very determined lady.
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And so began a transformation of the surrounds of the Stonehouse. Initially it was only a small
start and utilized a curved area close to the verandah at the back of the house. Dianne worked in
her hairdressing salon for the next five years while continuing her passion for the garden
whenever time permitted.
She subsequently stopped hairdressing and threw herself totally into extending and enlarging the
garden. This project included the first stone wall, and steps built by Dianne from rocks picked up
from the paddock. It consisted of extending the garden down a steep hill at the front of the house
and them later once the conservatory was built linking the whole garden to surround the house with 6
different garden rooms, each with its own personality and individual charm. This includes the
beautiful vistas that include the nearby small mountain named 'Sleeping Beauty'.
It was at the near completion of the garden, that the biggest obstacle had to be over come. A battle
with the dreaded ovarian cancer, which ultimately seemed to make Dianne more determined that the
garden had to be completed. This was done with the help of very special friends. Now Dianne is able
to cope, with just basic help, and is very grateful for the help given in her time of need.
Dianne, like her mother and grandmother loves all plants. Her early favourites were nerines,
hyacinths and cornflowers, and like her grandmother she smothered the hill in front of
the house with plants to create a wonderfully sheltered walk with views to the orchards below.
The original house stood, with only one pear tree, which is now huge, and provides a lovely
shady area to sit and take in the view to the orchards below.
Dianne and Ian consider themselves pioneers, Dianne continually strives to build a better garden
and Ian to grow better apples. Both have shared a vision for the property, while retaining their
won view of the world. This has enabled them to create a wonderfully tranquil environment, combining
the beauty and diversity of the garden areas, with their shapes colour and forms, surrounded by the
regular rows of apple trees.
Both share a passion for sailing, which competes with the garden, but have leaned the art of compromise over the last 40 years.
The Stonehouse Gardens is now a landmark in the Huon Valley and visiting them is an experience, not
only for garden lovers but, for all who are inspired to dream and achieve their life-long goals.
Dianne has worked hard for charity and used the garden to help raise funds for the local aged care
home, Huon Eldercare.
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