Here George Greene pioneered his vast share-farming enterprise in 1892 that revolutionised the approach to wheat growing, whereby he supplied the land and seed and the share farmer provided the labour.

[1] An ambitious scheme of land clearing, fencing and building ensued that was so successful that, before the turn of the (20th) century, the homestead and its extensive outbuildings and handsome small Gothic stone church became a showpiece which attracted flocks of visitors.

[1] In 1908 Greene began the construction of a village around the Iandra rail siding to house and improve the living conditions of his tenant farmers.

[1] Greene played a prominent role in rural affairs and was a member of the Young Pastures and Stock Protection Board 1881-84, being its chairman from 1885 to 1888.

[1] From c. 1914, the Greene family moved back to England and their empire was broken-up for the first time by George's Cambridge-educated son and in the majority of cases the share farmers were given the option of buying the land they had been farming, generally 260-hectare (640-acre) blocks.

I'Anson (1925-1949) first settled at Iandra in 1906, when he discovered the area while resting the wagonette horses at Cowra, when moving from South Australia to Victoria.

[7][1] In 1956 the homestead and 320 hectares (800 acres) of the farmland were transferred to the Methodist Church for A£10,000 for use as a home for first-time male offenders from the city, as well as a dairy and an intensive poultry programme.

A managerial council was formed to oversee administration of the home, comprising Greenethorpe locals from the strong Methodist community and church representatives.

[1] As part of the Church's use of the site for a detention home, a c. 1960s toilet block was constructed at the rear (west) of the main homestead, attached to a brick garden wall.

The owner's wife cares for the garden and despite the severe drought conditions, has created a very picturesque surrounding area to complement the homestead.

[1] The homestead group (stables, barns, yards, manager's residence, house and garden) sit on a rise with panoramic views of the entire district.

The southern side is also marked by a paved courtyard between wings of the house and a rear driveway to the stables /garage block and yards beyond, further south.

[1] A side gate further south on Iandra Road connects through an avenue of Persian lilac bushes (see below) to the rear of the house and service yard, stables/garage etc.

[1] A scattering of pepper(corn) trees lie south-east and east of the house, concentrating into a row along Iandra Road, under which the cactus hedge (see below) is interplanted.

[1] Iandra homestead is a distinctive and idiosyncratic example of the Federation Romanesque architectural style with Tudor influences, sometimes referred to as "The Castle", reflecting its dramatic design and situation, and its feudal-like role in the history of the area and community.

[1] Iandra's interior reflects a number of Federation era or Edwardian characteristics, including large areas of timber wall panelling.

[1] The cemetery has several graves, including that of George Greene and, more recently, David Morris, who purchased the property c. 1975 and implemented a major restoration program.

The vast estate of approximately 3,000 acres (1215 ha) comprises a magnificent Federation homestead, park-like gardens, original workers cottages, managers residence, blacksmith, chapel and cemetery, wool and hay sheds, silo, other outbuildings, associated structures, and surrounding farmland.

[1] In its scale, grandeur, planning, farmlands, gardens and collection of purpose-related buildings, the vast pastoral estate of Iandra provides valuable and rare evidence of the advancements, operation, prosperity and importance of wheat growing in Australia's development during the early 1900s.

[1] The estate is closely associated with the life, empire and enterprises of George Henry Greene, a prominent and leading figure in rural affairs in Australia and NSW during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

[1] Iandra also remains one of few tangible places that embody the iconic, optimistic image of Australia as "the lucky country", which can still be appreciated in the surviving, grand, Edwardian estate, where a European immigrant bought undeveloped land in the middle of rural NSW, created his own replica European empire and made himself "Lord of the Manor" out of little except his own ambition, vision, enterprise, determination and the riches of the land.

[1][13] Iandra Homestead Pastoral Estate was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 February 2005 having satisfied the following criteria.

[1] In its scale, grandeur, planning, farmlands, gardens and collection of purpose-related buildings, the complete pastoral estate of Iandra Homestead provides valuable and rare evidence of the advancements, operation, prosperity and importance of wheat growing in Australia's development during the early 1900s.

[1] Together with the closely associated Greenethorpe village, Iandra also represents a rare example of a complete feudal-like estate established in Australia during the Federation period, based on the English manor system.

[1] Iandra also remains one of few tangible places that embody the iconic, optimistic image of Australia as "the lucky country", which can still be appreciated in the surviving, grand, Edwardian estate, where a European immigrant bought undeveloped land in the middle of rural NSW, created his own replica European empire and made himself "Lord of the Manor" out of little except his own ambition, vision, enterprise, determination and the riches of the land.

The entire Estate of Iandra and Greenthorpe Village are closely associated with George Henry Greene, a prominent and leading figure in rural affairs in Australia and NSW, from 1878 until his death in 1911.

[1] The rural holdings of the Estate also represent a fine example of a complete cultural landscape of a share-farming enterprise, dating from the Federation period.

The complete estate is an important historic reference site of the highly successful wheat farming properties and operations in Australia from the Federation period.

[1] Iandra, and the closely associated Greenethorpe village, are a rare example of a complete feudal-like estate established in Australia during the Federation period, based on the English manor system.

[1] In its distinctive scale, grandeur, planning, farmlands, gardens and collection of purpose-related buildings, the complete pastoral estate of Iandra Homestead provide rare evidence of the advancements, operation, prosperity and importance of wheat growing in Australia's development during the early 1900s.