Warriston Ram Sheds

at the Peppin Heritage Centre

Open Mon – Sat 9am – 4pm, Sun 9am – 2pm

The Warriston Ram Sheds, now proudly located at the Peppin Heritage Centre in Deniliquin, are a rare and significant example of early pastoral infrastructure in the Riverina. Constructed in 1926 by F.S. Faulkner & Sons, the shed originally stood beside Forrest Creek at “Warriston”, near Conargo, where it operated for many years as the property’s main ram depot.

The shed was designed as a dedicated space for inspecting and selecting stud rams. Prospective buyers would carefully examine the best sale rams housed within before making their purchasing decisions, making the shed an important part of the region’s wool industry and breeding practices. Its practical yet innovative design reflects the skill and resourcefulness of local woolgrowers.

One of the shed’s most distinctive features is its thatched roof, originally made from cane grass that once grew abundantly in shallow depressions across the saltbush plains. This natural roofing material provided excellent insulation, protecting the interior from cold winter winds and rain while reducing the intense heat of summer. The round timber framework is constructed from Murray Pine, formerly common on local sand ridges, while the side panels are made from durable River Red Gum.

Due to fire and overstocking, cane grass swamps have largely disappeared from the region. When the shed’s roof deteriorated, it was replaced in 2012 using Alang Alang grass, and rethatched again in 2022 with broom bush.

The ram shed was carefully relocated from Warriston to the Peppin Heritage Centre between August and November 1987, where it remains an enduring symbol of the adaptability, innovation, and land management expertise that shaped the district’s pastoral heritage.