Our History

Myendetta, meaning ‘bend in the river’ in local Aboriginal dialect, was one of the earliest properties in the Charleville district.

Charles Decimus Edmund Francis came from a privileged background in England to Outback Australia. Eton and Oxford educated, he settled in Charleville in 1889, going on to become a prominent grazier.

In 1908 he commissioned Robin Dods to design him a home which was functional in the harsh Outback conditions, yet still beautiful. The result was an ultra modern, eco-friendly, graceful structure that is still used today as originally planned.

 

This one off design included such unheard of features as; built in wardrobes, two ensuite bathrooms, cruciform hallways, and a fan driven cool room!!

Robin Dods (1868 - 1920) is now recognised as one of Australias foremost Arts and Crafts architects. He believed in beautiful craftsmanship and simple lines, and Myendetta Homestead is a wonderful example of this. Other examples of his work include Ringsfield House (Nanango, Queensland), and St Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church (Red Hill, Queensland).

Much has changed in the last century, but very little has altered at Myendetta! The Agars invite you to step back in time and enjoy some of the pleasures of times past.