A page From History

Oakabella was founded in 1850 by James Drummond and his bother in law Ewin Mackintosh. At the time, the property consisted of 50.000 acres. In 1852 Samuel Sewell became managing partner of the Yarra and Oakabella leases. In 1871 Oakabella changed hands to belong to L.C.Burgess whom later sold to Samuel Elliott. It was in 1907 that Mr Elliott was experimenting with the growing of Rape, a crop now grown under the more sensitive name of Canola. Mr Elliott also grew Lucerne with great success, to be used as stock feed. In 1909 the government purchased the property as a whole. In 1910 Mr and Mrs Jackson purchased the 1000 acre homestead block plus some surrounding country, all of which was farmed by the family. The present owner, Grandson of the original Jackson family, Alan Jackson, now owns the original homestead block and although the homestead area is now open to visitors and leased out, the property is still an operating farm.
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