The Deloraine mansion was built in 1831 and still stands as a totemic structure of colonialist might. 

While it was first owned by Royal Navy Lieutenant Pearson Foote, its history is intertwined with the fortunes of the Field family. 

William Field was sent to Van Diemen’s Land in 1806 after being convicted for receiving stolen sheep. 

The butcher from Enfield – now a Northern London borough – had been given a 14-year sentence for his role in a stolen sheep racket with his brother Richard. 

However, the disgraced Field name saw a rejuvenation in the new world as William became one of the richest men in Northern Tasmania.

William’s great-great-great-granddaughter Sunnie Gill still lives in the Meander Valley, not far from where the Field family made their name.

“While [William] was here [as a prisoner] there was a shortage of meat, so his butchering skills and his ability to catch game stood the colony in good stead,” she explained. 

“So after he was released he had money and after he was released he started building his empire.”

Field’s vast empire was best demonstrated by his land ownership status – it was reported he owned one-third of all buildings and land in Launceston at his death in 1837.

“In 1835, [William] got cheesed off with one of the early banks … so he went down and demanded all his money from the bank and took all of the cash home in a wheelbarrow,” Ms Gill said. 

“He forced the bank to close its doors for a while until people deposited money back in the bank.”

As his fortune was spread among his kin, one in particular continued to reinforce the Field name at the top of elite society.

George Field purchased the 3500-hectare mansion Calstock in 1853, turning it into a powerhouse horse stable.

It was at Calstock where the Field’s became renowned as one of the premier equine breeders in the country.

Subsequent Melbourne Cup winners Talua and Sheet Anchor – claiming victory in 1879 and 1880 respectively – were both bred at the heritage listed property. 

Additionally, the stable also bred winners in the Caulfield Cup, New Zealand Cup, Adelaide Cup, Moonee Valley Cup, Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup.

Calstock would remain in the Field family’s hands for more than 130 years, however many modern descendants have never even stepped foot on the property. 

Ms Gill only learnt about her family’s influence later in life – her great-great-grandfather, John’s brother, did not carry on the family name with as much distinction.

“I’ve only driven past Calstock,” she said

“Any family folklore didn’t come down much to me.”

However, her connection with Deloraine’s pre-eminent Georgian mansion may be about to grow stronger. 

Recently purchased by two mainlanders for $3.15 million in November, the 80-hectare property is set to become open to the public. 

“We just want to bring it back to its former beauty, because it is sorely neglected,”  property co-owner Bronwyn Shakespear said.

“We want to restore it and get the garden up and running again, so people can come here and use the garden and the grounds to have lunch or just walk around.

“Our vision is to make it part of the community and part of something that tourists come to.

“It’s lovely to see Tasmania’s past.”

Ms Shakespear is from the New South Wales’ Southern Highlands and spent a long career in real estate in Sydney and Canberra.

Her business partner and property co-owner Terrence Fahey is from Sydney, and formerly worked in foreign affairs. 

While the pair may not be born-and-bred Tasmanians, they are quickly learning to embrace the island’s unique heritage and rich colonial history.

In understanding the mansion’s importance to the Deloraine community, Ms Shakespear said she wanted Calstock returned to the families who have lived in the area for countless generations.

“There is so much history here and the wonderful thing is so many locals have never been here who we’ve met,” Ms Shakespear said. 

“Now they’ve been up here and seen it for the first time. 

“We met one lady who’s husband was born in the wood shed down the backyard – it’s just amazing that locals never had that opportunity to come here. 

“It’s nice that they feel comfortable to come up the driveway and have a chat.”

Ms Shakespear and Mr Fahey’s application to turn Calstock into visitor accommodation was received by the Meander Valley Council in March.

The application should be voted on at April’s council meeting now the period for public comment has closed. 

The new hotel will provide accommodation for 14 guests at a time in the east and west halls and in the converted stables.

A part of the plan is to also host high teas for formal and casual occasions, while also playing host to larger scale functions. 

The Deloraine RSL sub-branch has already inquired about holding a function at the venue for an Anzac Day, with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, Professor Kate Warner as the special guest.

Ms Shakespear said the hotel will be open to visitors immediately after the council approves the application, however it may take a little longer to start serving cucumber sandwiches and scones to high tea enthusiasts.

“There’s still some work to do and the interior needs decorating,” she explained.

“We would like to turn the stables into part of the high tea – so you could rent a stall for the afternoon.

“The conservatory we’ll also use for high teas. 

“We want to improve the grounds and the house one step at a time and open it further to the public in stages.”

The prospect of a reunion for Ms Gill, and her family, with her ancestral home is simultaneously a very real and exciting one. 

When asked if she would like to visit, Ms Gill brimmed with enthusiasm about the prospect of walking the grounds of previous generations of Fields. 

Ms Shakespear also welcomed the prospect of giving her a personal tour of Calstock.